After weighing all the pros and cons, Krol Ryn ordered to send the messenger straight to the Lanor family mansion.
- Well, Mr Crawl. Shall we go to your library? - Kai asked with a smile.
- Alright, so be it. I sincerely hope that all this is just a bad coincidence. - Krol said gravely.
It was obvious that this whole situation had caused him a lot of trouble. In the Border City of the Beast, it was best not to quarrel with either the Leinor Family or the potential future hegemon, the Trade and Research Union.
- Don't worry, that's the way it's going to be. Maybe this whole situation will even turn into a co-operation. Let's turn bad luck into good luck! Hehehe. - Laughing, Kai said and pointed forward with his hand. Implying for Krol to show the way.
After saying that, the two people leisurely went to the huge library of the Rein Family.
Thus, several hours passed. During this time, Kai looked through a huge number of books. They were constantly chatting with Lord Krol, discussing various points. Kai would tell his speculations on what a particular array could be useful for.
Krol Ryn's collection was indeed incredibly extensive. Kai had even found a work that was written in a language very similar to that of the Astral Emperor of Alchemy.
It wasn't about anything important. Parsing the meaning of what was written, Kai vaguely understood the meaning. It was a treatise on Earth rocks and their processing. There was no valuable information in it, there are similar books written by contemporaries.
- This book is about Earth rocks and minerals, nothing of value in it. But the language is very ancient, probably one of the oldest in your collection. So it's definitely valuable, in a collector's sense. - Kai calmly gave his assessment.
- Do you understand this language? - Krol asked with slight disbelief.
- Not completely... I've encountered something like this before, but I haven't learnt it completely. - Kai replied nonchalantly and continued to look at the other books.
These words shook Mr Krol very much. He himself was a researcher of all these books. There were some that were impossible to decipher and this one was one of them.
"It's amazing that this guy was able to understand it... It seems the information about him being a rather mysterious character is true. What about if he's involved in the death of the Laynor woman?" - Crol thought deeply.
The exploration of the library went on and on until the sun had set behind the firmament. It was at this point that they finally ran out of copies to grade.
- Mr Kai, your knowledge is indeed profound. You have fulfilled your mission well, the contract is fulfilled. When I get back to the office, I'll take care of it. - Krol said with a smile.
If not for all the backstory of their meeting, Krol would have enjoyed the day immensely. The conversations and discussions they'd had in the process had indeed been fascinating.
- I can say the same about you. Thank you for allowing me to look at your collection. I learnt a lot for myself as well. Hehehe. - Kai replied with a laugh.
Although he didn't really learn anything drastically new, he managed to look at various unique arrays. Even if they were long gone, some inspiration could be gained. So, the time was not wasted.
About Kessia and everything that had happened to the bloodline, Kai decided not to spread at all. He decided to maintain the legend of a book possessed by an evil entity.
- Krol-san, though I have suffered through the curse of that ill-fated book. But I would do it again to see this incredible collection! - Kai joked cheerfully.
- Gentlemen Kai, I'm really sorry that... - Before he could finish, Krol fell silent.
He was interrupted by another voice. It was an old man entering the library.
- Mr Krol, the information has finally arrived. - Bowing, the Elder said.
- Spit it out. What is it old man? - Seriously asked Krol.
It was obvious that he was much more stern and imperious with the others than he was with Kai.
"It seems that status in this city really decides a lot of things..." - Kai thought, observing the situation.
- Kai-san was right. The Laynor family was furious when they learnt the details of the situation. - The old man began to explain, -They said they would personally visit you to apologise for the actions of their incompetent subordinate. Similarly with you Mister Kai... - Without raising his head, the old man said calmly.
- Did they find out who I am? - Kai asked the question.
- Of course. We couldn't leave out such an important detail as your status when explaining the situation of the Leinor Family. You must understand, if the situation had been different, we would have been between a hammer and an anvil. - The Elder said calmly, alluding to a hypothetical situation in which Kai would be the assassin.
It was obvious that he was good at diplomacy and solving cases of this format. If Kai had been involved in the murder, the Rein family wouldn't want to be responsible for it. Therefore, the messenger explained the whole situation to the Laynor family at once.
- No need for excuses. I understand your motives. Since I'm truly uninvolved, I have nothing to take offence to. Now the Laynor family even owes me a debt of gratitude. Hahaha. - Kai said with a laugh.
- Mr Kai, you're a pleasure to do business with. Your straightforwardness and carefree attitude is reassuring. Usually people of your status are more... Arrogant. - Krol said it bluntly.
- It's mutual. Mr Krol, be sure to visit Diso, I think we could be good partners. Tell him you're from me, he'll be sure to offer you better terms. We need powerful allies too, before we strengthen ourselves. - With a wink, Kai said.
He decided not to miss such a good opportunity, and help Diso with forming strong ties. Kai already knew that the situation with the Laynor Family would be handled the same way. He would turn the unpleasant situation between them into a co-operation. Two forces of this level, will be a good asset to the Trade and Research Union.
- Indeed, my friend. If your union has such Advisors, then it is definitely a force to be reckoned with.'' - Krol replied with a smile.
Krol Ryn even changed his manner of speaking to Kai, calling him friend. It was clear that he was seriously considering Kai's proposal. It was obvious which way he was leaning.
- About the payment... Hehehe, I think that seeing your library and being able to interact with the Leinor Family.... Well, it makes up for the misunderstanding about the cursed item and the book examining assignment. - Kai said with a smile, "Now we have no score to settle between us, and it's the perfect conditions for a fruitful co-operation! - Laughing, Kai hinted again.
- I will definitely visit the Diso Head, don't doubt it. - Krol replied with a smile.
What Kai said about settling accounts, Krol took it as a huge gift. Normally, if an important person got into a deadly situation because of them, it wouldn't have been so easy. Right now it looked more like a lucky break to Krol. He didn't mind the partnership either.
But most importantly, a situation that seemed critical to him had resolved itself! Krol Ryn felt a mountain fall from his shoulders.
Afterwards, by invitation, Kai even stayed for dinner. After chatting some more and discussing a few things, Kai left the Rein Family safely.
As soon as he was out of the boundary of their territories, Kai thought:
"Fuck yeah... What a hellish two days... It's a good thing this madhouse is over. It still felt like a dream. Although now, some mysteries have been answered for the first time. But gave birth to even more questions..." - Thinking about this, Kai walked through the night city and looked up at the starry sky.
- Beautiful... The sky over the territory of the Endless Wasteland is truly mesmerising. - Kai said to himself, and continued walking towards the headquarters of the Trade and Research Union.