Simon collected Eve's body and went to headquarters to report her death. Ashes and the others also returned to the headquarters.
Al and Borgia sat back at the table, silently and mechanically continuing their unfinished chess game. Lorota, instead of going to the café, sat on the sofa with her head down, looking dejected. No one spoke, and the atmosphere in the detective agency became awkwardly tense.
This silence was broken by the entrance of a middle-aged gentleman dressed impeccably in a long tailcoat and shiny leather shoes. He looked at the people in the living room and asked, "Excuse me, which one of you is Lord Ash Black?"
"I am. What is it?" Ashes stood up and walked over, looking at the visitor with some confusion.
"Lord Black," the middle-aged gentleman took off his hat and placed it on his chest, bowing with perfect posture. "I am a butler, here on behalf of my master to invite you."
"Who is your master?" Ashes frowned slightly. "Have I met him?"
The butler's master was undoubtedly a noble, but the only noble Ashes knew was Viscount Glaint. And from what he knew, Glaint's butler was not this man.
"You have not met my master," the butler smiled politely. "But you should be quite familiar with my lady."
"Audrey?" Ashes immediately realized who he was referring to and asked.
The butler smiled and nodded.
"Sorry," Ashes hesitated for a moment before replying, "I still have work to do here."
"No problem," the butler responded without hesitation. "I will wait outside until you finish your work."
"Then, I will wait outside and not disturb your work." The butler bowed respectfully again and left the detective agency.
"Audrey," Al had appeared behind Ashes at some point, staring at him intently. "The Miss Audrey you mentioned just now, could it be Audrey Hall?"
"You know her?" Ashes looked at him in surprise. "Are you a hidden noble as well?"
Al misunderstood Ashe's tone as sarcasm and immediately became angry and embarrassed. "What's wrong with being a commoner? Do commoners eat your family's rice? Can't commoners know about nobles? I'm also a Beyonder, you know!"
"Captain's words make a lot of sense," Borgia also stared at Ashes. "Even though we don't frequent noble banquets like you, we've heard of Miss Hall, the most dazzling jewel of Backlund."
"The most dazzling jewel of Backlund?" Ashes touched his chin and muttered, "She has such a title?"
Al's eyes instantly turned hostile, seeming to shoot flames, and his expression twisted slightly. If his previous gaze was that of seeing a class enemy, now it was as if he was looking at a heretic.
"You don't need to stay here with us," Lorota sighed. "Investigating this case won't be quick, and the higher-ups may not even assign it to us. Staying here won't help."
"And that butler represents Earl Hall. Even though he said he could wait outside, making him wait too long will surely leave a bad impression on the Earl," Lorota added meaningfully.
"I think so too," Borgia nodded in agreement.
"And you, Captain?" Ashes raised an eyebrow at Al.
"Get out of here," Al glared at him, annoyed. "Don't let me see you all day!"
He suddenly felt that it might be better if Ashes didn't come to work.
"Alright," Ashes shrugged and left the detective agency.
Outside, the butler stood quietly by a carriage. "Mr. Ash, are we ready to go?" he asked politely, with a fitting smile.
Ashes nodded slightly, took a couple of steps forward, and boarded the carriage. The coachman flicked his whip, and the white horse began to pull the carriage toward Queen's District.
Eventually, the carriage stopped in front of the luxurious mansion of Earl Hall.
"Please follow me, Mr. Ash," the butler gestured respectfully and led the way after confirming Ashes was following.
"Please wait here for a moment," the butler said, leading Ashes to a reception room. "The master will be here shortly. Would you like coffee or tea?"
"Tea, please," Ashes nodded, choosing to stand by the window and look at the garden outside.
He heard the sound of the door opening and approaching footsteps behind him.
Turning around, he saw a middle-aged gentleman in a dark brown waistcoat with a well-groomed mustache.
Undoubtedly, he was the master of the mansion and the one who invited Ash—Earl Hall.
"Good morning, Lord Black," Earl Hall greeted with a warm smile as he approached.
"Good morning, Earl Hall," Ash responded with a slight bow. Just then, a maid knocked and brought in tea and snacks.
"I think we can sit down and have a good talk," Earl Hall said, gesturing for Ashes to sit on the sofa.
Once they were seated, Earl Hall began, "I heard that Lord Black came from Winter County?"
"Yes," Ashes nodded. "As my family declined, I came to Backlund to seek opportunities to restore my family's greatness."
He had read Ash Black's background. He was a minor noble from the northern Winter County, with the title of viscount. In summary, he was a noble with a sister, a house, and deceased parents.
"Restoring your family's greatness, huh?" Earl Hall looked at Ash with interest.
For a noble youth close to his daughter, he had naturally investigated Ash. From the information he had, Viscount Black had just inherited the title this year and had come to Backlund due to dissatisfaction with his family's continued decline.
Therefore, Earl Hall didn't doubt Ash's words. However, it seemed improbable that an ordinary fallen noble could maintain good relations with the Church of the EverNight Goddess, even if he came from the headquarters in Winter County.
This Viscount Black must have bigger secrets. Although the information Earl Hall had was thorough, there were some clear gaps—
For example, why didn't Viscount Black, who only had his sister left, bring her along to Backlund?
(End of Chapter)
50 Power stones = Extra Chapter