Chapter 133

After hearing the Black Goat’s proposal, Leon pondered for a moment and then nodded in agreement with an approving expression.

The Bureau had already received the anomalous item delivered by Lao Chaer, so they had long since instructed Senior Jerry to keep an eye on things. This mission to rescue people at Rose Manor would be about as difficult as going downstairs to pick up a package.

Infiltrate, grab the person, return, and complete the task—this was the entire process.

If everything went smoothly during the mission, there’d be nothing more to say. But if even such a simple task could go awry, it would prove that he had a “susceptibility to easy tasks” and needed a thorough check-up.

“That makes sense! Let’s go!”

Having agreed with the Black Goat’s suggestion, Leon decided not to wait for the public carriage anymore. After opening his wallet and counting the money inside, he gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and flagged down a taxi waiting by the roadside.

“Where are you headed, sir?”

“Will you go to Red Pine Avenue?”

“Of course! Definitely!”

When the carriage driver saw Leon’s old overcoat covered in dust, he hesitated slightly, worried that it might dirty the cushions inside the carriage. However, upon hearing that Leon intended to travel across half the Capital City, from the Old District directly to Red Pine Avenue, the driver’s face lit up like a flower in bloom.

What’s the worry about dirtying the cushions? They can always be cleaned! After finishing this “big customer,” I can rest for the day, and there’ll be plenty of time to clean the carriage!

“Neigh~”

As Leon ducked into the carriage while holding his shopping bag, accompanied by the neighing of the horse and the creaking of the boiler valve, the small carriage, which could barely seat two people, eagerly set off.

The carriage driver, having just secured a big fare, was in a noticeably good mood. Leaning against the small window at the front of the carriage, he chuckled and struck up a conversation:

“There are quite a lot of people on Red Pine Avenue!”

“…”

Upon hearing the carriage driver’s strangely familiar opening line, Leon sitting inside couldn’t help but flinch suddenly. And the Black Goat also seemed to remember something, shaking almost simultaneously.

Ah, if I’m not mistaken, this guy said the same thing when he encountered the toad from the Scale Gold Religion. Could it be…

“My aunt, who works as a ticket collector for the public carriages, told me this morning after her first run that some important bigwig seems to have gone missing. There are people everywhere on Red Pine Street right now!”

After sharing this fresh gossip he had just heard, the carriage driver glanced back through the rearview mirror and noticed that Leon’s expression had stiffened slightly. He immediately paused momentarily.

This big customer doesn’t seem to like chatting, maybe I should shut up so he doesn’t change carriages halfway.

Just as the carriage driver was about to stop talking, Leon, who had recovered, couldn’t help but ask with a somewhat strange expression: “Is the bigwig you mentioned…from the Lane Family?”

“Yes, yes, exactly, the Lane Family!”

Seeing that the “big customer” finally responded, the carriage driver sighed in relief and grinned broadly:

“Have you read the newspapers these past few days? Those… cough cough… those Lane Family lords… lost over two hundred people in one night, and they were all the kind of… umm…”

“People who don’t act human.”

“Yes, yes! Dead were those who didn’t act human! Haha, you really know how to put it.”

Seeing that Leon’s “buttocks” seemed to side with the commoners, and considering his rather worn-out clothes that were covered in dust from the collapsed dungeon, the carriage driver immediately felt reassured and began openly criticizing the Lane Family:

“I saw in the Sun Newspaper that before dying, that old bastard chose another little bastard to inherit the Lane Family name. But for some reason, that little bastard disappeared before sunrise today, leaving only a note saying he’d return in a few days.

The Lane Family and their noble relatives are now frantically searching for that little bastard. Anyone who provides clues will be verified and rewarded five golden wheels directly!”

“…”

After hearing the carriage driver’s words, Leon—the little bastard—couldn’t help but darken his expression and decided to switch carriages once they passed this street to avoid further insults. At least this way, he could save a bit on the fare by restarting the meter.

Although he endured a scolding without cause, realizing that the commotion was from the Lane Family and not his target, the Marcellini Family, actually reassured Leon considerably.

For now, everything seemed stable. As long as he sneaked into Rose Manor, grabbed his target, and left, there shouldn’t be any trouble… right?

…

“People from the Lane Family want to contact the Scale Gold Religion through me? Are they trying to buy information about the new duke’s whereabouts with money?”

After hearing the steward’s report, the elder with the rose crest embroidered on his chest put down the financial report and frowned deeply:

“Pay them no heed. The Scale Gold Religion doesn’t take on jobs like this, and besides, the decision-makers of the Lane Family are gone! Especially after Thomas, who signed the contract representing Bobby Lane, died. Our three-family alliance is null and void. Refuse them outright from now on! Don’t bother me with this nonsense!”

“All content within is available exclusively on 69 Book Bar!”

“Yes, I’ve noted it.”

Upon hearing the elder’s orders, the steward, who held a stack of letters in his left hand, quickly nodded in acknowledgment and placed the letter bearing the lion emblem into the nearby wastebasket. He then opened the next letter and skimmed it rapidly before reporting:

“The next letter is from Lord Simon. After binding Mr. Chaer’s only daughter, Chal Department Store remained calm for a few days but has recently resumed selling goods at low prices. Moreover, they’ve adjusted their product categories, specifically targeting some of Rose Emporium’s main products for discounts.

Lord Simon wants to know how much longer it will take to resolve the matter with Mr. Chaer. If this continues, even swallowing all of the Lane Family’s shares won’t prevent significant losses for Rose Emporium. He fears he won’t be able to hold on much longer and plans to withdraw his investment.”

“Hold on, even if it kills him!”

Upon hearing the steward’s words, the elder grew visibly irritated: “When profits were discovered, everyone fought tooth and nail to get involved. Now that there’s a loss, everyone wants out. There’s no such thing as free lunch. Tell him to endure!”

“…”

“What’s wrong? Speak up!”

“Lord Simon… may truly be unable to hold on any longer…”

After retrieving the statement tucked between the letters and respectfully handing it over to the elder, the steward cautiously reported: “I’ve just taken a quick look. Without additional investment, according to Rose Emporium’s financial situation, they can last at most fifteen more days.

If it goes on longer, not only Lord Simon, but even some members within our family, including several of your relatives by marriage, might become unable to resist withdrawing their investments.”

“…”

Fifteen days…

Glancing at the alarming red figures on the statement, the elder’s eyebrows twitched violently, and his facial expression became unpredictable, clearly wanting to vent his anger but ultimately slumped back onto his chair in resignation.

“Retrieve the Lane Family’s letter and see how much they’re willing to offer…”

(End of Chapter)