1
Ivan's search for the only memento left by his mother was filled with helplessness and struggle. He did not know the exact address of the killer, let alone whether he could retrieve the necklace from that cold and heartless assassin.
When Ivan learned that the killer's name was Herbert and that he lived on the other side of the house, another question began to trouble him.
Herbert was a gloomy and reclusive person. Although they lived in the same house, Ivan rarely saw his shadow. Herbert hardly ever left his room, not even to share meals with others. Every meal was delivered to his room by the butler.
Ivan noticed that no one was willing to interact with Herbert, and everyone chose to stay away from him. Audrey chose a room far from Herbert's, and it was not without reason. In fact, most people lived on the west side, far from Herbert.
Even for a thief, Herbert was a highly threatening figure.
Ivan hesitated between his mother's keepsake and the dangerous killer.
In the end, love conquered fear. When Ivan stood in front of Herbert's door, he did not know where he found such courage.
He gently knocked on the door, as was his usual courtesy, without needing guidance from anyone.
"Come in," a hoarse voice came from inside the room.
The voice sounded like a dying beast, panting heavily, growling softly, stimulating Ivan's eardrums.
He pushed the door open.
The door was heavy, the room was dimly lit, with the curtains tightly closed, allowing only a ray of sunlight to filter through.
A bed, a chair, a table—this was all Ivan could see.
"What brings you to me?" the hoarse voice came from behind.
Ivan was startled and turned around.
In the darkness, there were only a pair of eyes that shimmered like a fierce beast, as if shining with a mysterious light in the darkness. Ivan felt a strange tension, but he decided to bravely face the challenge before him. He took a deep breath, ready to face whatever was about to happen. In that moment, he felt a firm resolve and determination in his heart, determined not to let any obstacles stand in the way of his mission to find the only memento left by his mother.
The killer in front of him was obviously a demonically dangerous character. Although Ivan had bravely decided to confront Herbert and had planned how to deal with this cold and ruthless killer, his mind went blank when those bright emerald eyes approached him.
"You knocked on my door, not to waste my time, I hope?" The speaker seemed impatient.
"It's supposed to be swordsmanship and horsemanship practice time now, but my lesson has ended. Audrey thinks I can learn more advanced skills, and you are a master in this field..." Ivan spoke without even thinking, a perfect lie flowing effortlessly from his lips.
Faced with this terrifying demon-like killer, Ivan didn't dare mention retrieving the necklace.
"Audrey wants you to learn killing skills from me?" Herbert seemed puzzled. Although Mr. Hyde had told him that Audrey was planning an unprecedented scheme, he wasn't quite clear on the specifics.
"Wait here until I come back, don't leave, understand?" Herbert's hoarse voice left no room for discussion.
With that, Herbert swiftly left the room, closing the door behind him.
Standing in the dark room, Ivan felt uneasy and filled with regret.
Perhaps retrieving the necklace from this demon-like killer was a task beyond his capabilities.
Maybe he shouldn't have entered this room at all.
Ivan was convinced that the lie he had just told would be engraved on his tombstone, with the words: "A foolish man spoke such a foolish lie in front of a killer, leading to the end of his foolish life."
Ivan silently prayed, hoping for the mercy and salvation of the heavens.
He was willing to accept any punishment, even if it meant lying in bed for a month like last time, as long as he could receive forgiveness from that demon-like killer.
Kneeling there, Ivan prayed fervently, wholeheartedly hoping for the mercy of the heavens.
In the lounge, Mr. Hyde was deep in thought.
Audrey sat beside him, while Herbert stood in a dark corner of the room.
This lounge was where Mr. Hyde spent most of his time, completely different from the layout of his study.
The room was filled with precious artworks from around the world.
Paintings of different regions and unique styles adorned the walls.
There were grand ancient mythological oil paintings from West Bay, exquisite portraits from Ithray, scenic landscapes from Delizhi, pastoral landscapes from Ingle Island, and cultural paintings from various Eastern countries. The most precious were works from the distant East, astonishing masterpieces created with entirely different aesthetic concepts and painting techniques. These Eastern artists could use varying shades of black paint and simple brushstrokes to create beautiful images, mostly of landscapes, flowers, plants, birds, and sea creatures, with few depictions of people or portraits.
Several wicker armchairs were arranged in the center of the room, woven from sturdy and lightweight rattan, with thick luxurious animal fur covering them, including lion and cheetah fur from West Bay, bear fur from Ithray, fox fur, leopard fur, marten fur from Delizhi, rhinoceros fur, and crocodile skin.
The thick fur made the armchairs soft and warm. Ivan felt a sense of comfort, as if enveloped in a warm embrace, momentarily forgetting the danger and tension before him.
Mr. Hyde and Audrey obviously know how to enjoy everything. A screen made of ivory separates the door from the lounge, and various exotic bird feathers adorn the room, indicating Mr. Hyde's fondness for peacocks. The bright emerald color of peacock feathers sets the main tone of the room.
In one corner of the room, there is a bronze fireplace burning some unknown incense, filling the room with a refreshing scent as wisps of blue smoke waft through the air.
"Does that kid want to be your disciple?" Mr. Hyde asked after a moment of silence.
"He said it was Audrey's order," Herbert replied.
"Your performance is quite impressive," Mr. Hyde said with a smile towards Audrey.
"Yes, a foolish but remarkably well-crafted lie. However, I haven't taught him the art of deception yet," Audrey said with a smile. "Should we make him taste some bitterness? To truly understand deception, one must go through meticulous planning and careful consideration."
Upon hearing Audrey's suggestion, Mr. Hyde fell into deep thought once again before lifting his head and saying, "Didn't you mention the series of accidents at Sether Castle? Didn't you also suggest Herbert assist you? Well then, Herbert, take that student under your wing. Teach him how to use weapons and evade danger. You have one month to turn the boy into at least a competent hunter. I believe this will be beneficial for our plan."
"What can I teach him in a month?" Herbert seemed unsure about his teaching abilities.
"Teach him how to distinguish edible items, detect poison in food, recognize and avoid danger, understand the benefits of staying in the shadows, show him how to escape from dire situations, and impart one or two self-defense skills. The boy cannot always rely on your protection; he must be able to face adversaries on his own, swiftly dealing with them," Mr. Hyde instructed.
"I will do my best," Herbert promised.
"Audrey, how much of the boy's education is left?" Mr. Hyde inquired.
"It's almost complete, except for a bit of West Bay language. He manages in everyday situations, but may fall short in certain circumstances," Audrey replied. "Apart from that, his manners and etiquette are impeccable."
"Excellent. Can I have Fis start arranging a trial? Let the boy showcase his learning," Mr. Hyde suggested.
"Of course," Audrey replied confidently.
"Then, let's set it for a month from now. You and Fis prepare well during this time, and leave the boy to me and Herbert. It's been a while since he used West Bay language, so he may have forgotten a bit. Audrey, could you bring me a West Bay language dictionary?" Mr. Hyde requested.
Audrey agreed and left with Herbert.
Back in his room, Herbert immediately noticed Ivan kneeling on the floor, his pale face and trembling body revealing his inner thoughts to the cold-hearted killer.
"Get up. Mr. Hyde said if you intend to learn more advanced combat skills, you will start training with me from today. 'The Actor' is unavailable this month to teach you, so you will move in here starting today. I have also prepared a schedule for you to adapt to over the next month.
"This schedule starts at three in the morning. Don't be surprised; what I teach you won't be as easy to grasp as Audrey's lessons. You must not only imprint everything in your mind but also remember it with your body," Herbert said, his sharp eyes able to see everything even in the darkness. He stared at Ivan's pale face and bewildered eyes, saying, "Wake up at three. Learn to move outside without alerting anyone in the house. Everyone living in this house, except you, is extremely vigilant. You must learn this first.
"Before five, it's time for you to learn to run. 'The Actor' never taught you these skills because he's a fraud who doesn't need to run for his life. However, we assassins are entirely different; escaping is our only life-saving skill.
"The most skilled assassin may not boast exceptional combat skills, but their ability to conceal their actions and escape is top-notch. In the darkness, they must be able to see everything clearly, as escape is the only way to survive."
"After five, I will teach you everything you need to know as an assassin. Assassins are entirely different from fraudsters and thieves. There isn't much for an assassin to learn, but what's more important is mastery of these skills.
In the afternoon, I will give you combat lessons, a skill different from swordsmanship. The combat techniques I teach you won't be as fancy as swordplay; a direct strike is always more practical for an assassin than getting entangled in a prolonged fight.
I believe two hours of training should suffice. The rest of the time, you will be with Mr. Hyde. At night, you will return here to sleep. You must learn to curl up or stand while sleeping and remain alert at all times, just like most people in this house. 'The Actor' would never teach you these things."
At this point, Herbert walked to the table, took something out of the drawer, and handed it to Ivan.
The lighting inside the house was too dim for Ivan to see clearly. By touch, he could roughly make out that the object was about half a foot long, a long rectangular shape made of various metals, but he didn't know what it was for.
"Go stand by the window, don't pull back the curtains. You need to slowly adapt to the darkness. Although you will be a fraudster like Audrey in the future, bright places are most suitable for fraudsters. However, who knows if you will encounter any danger in the future.
"I'll tell you, most dangers come from the darkness. If you want to avoid those dangers, you must first become familiar with the darkness. Once you adapt to the darkness, you will deeply feel that the best way to avoid danger is to be in the same darkness. Darkness can protect you and make it easier to stay away from danger. Light, on the other hand, makes you a more visible target."
Following Herbert's instructions, Ivan walked to the window. In the dim sunlight shining through the window, Ivan could finally see the item in his hand. Its strange design left Ivan puzzled about its purpose.
Just as Ivan was puzzled, a hand reached out from behind him silently. Ivan was startled.
The hand skillfully opened the item in Ivan's hand. It turned out to be a delicate hand crossbow, with the steel crossbow arms tightly connected by hinges, and a sturdy string made of an unknown material firmly securing the two ends of the crossbow arms.
When folded, the crossbow arms could easily fit into the stock. The stock had a deep groove where the crossbow bolt could be placed.
The entire hand crossbow was not much larger than a palm.
"You are a novice, and I have limited time, so I can't teach you too much. Mr. Hyde asked me to teach you some self-defense skills, which you will need in the future. This small crossbow is a gift for you. It was something I took from an adversary I killed years ago. It's not of much use to me, but it suits you perfectly.
"This item is finely crafted and compact when folded, making it easy to carry in your pocket. Despite the short crossbow arms, the power of the bolt it shoots is considerable. Within fifty meters, you can easily shoot down a fully armed guard. Even at close range, it can deal with a knight in heavy armor without any problem. Your only task is to improve your accuracy."
Herbert's generosity clearly surprised Ivan, and Herbert's mysterious nature made Ivan break out in a cold sweat.
"Fold the crossbow," Herbert instructed.
Following Herbert's orders, Ivan began a new lesson.
For Ivan, although he had no intention of becoming an assassin, the new knowledge clearly piqued his interest.
Ivan has always thought that assassins are those desperados who sneak into others' rooms and stab sleeping individuals in the chest with a dagger. He now realizes that, although his imagination is roughly correct, being an assassin is not that simple.
Every assassin is an expert in architecture; they must be able to identify at a glance the possible locations of secret passages and hidden doors. Assassins also need to have extensive knowledge of drugs; their sense of smell and taste can distinguish various types of poisonous smoke and toxins.
Assassins also need to be proficient in controlling various modes of transportation, from single-person kayaks used by barbarians to light sailboats commonly used in coastal shipping, as well as the handling of carriages and horses, all of which require mastery.
Compared to the equestrian skills taught by Audrey, assassins face a much more challenging task in mastering horsemanship. When fleeing, there may not always be a well-prepared horse waiting, and the stolen escape horse may not be as tame or obedient.
Therefore, for assassins, the ability to instantly control a difficult horse and ride an untrained horse to escape without any equipment is a crucial skill.
In addition, dismounting from a galloping horse is also a common escape tactic used by assassins. This requires advanced equestrian skills that demand both technique and courage.
Ivan went through great efforts to learn these skills, and the price he paid was significant. Although he didn't break any bones, the bruises and abrasions all over his body caused him pain for several days.
However, these are not the most difficult skills to master. The most arduous training of the day is the morning long-distance running practice. For assassins, escaping is far from simply running on flat grasslands.
Jumping over dense thickets, sliding down sharp rocky slopes, climbing potentially collapsing mountain terrain, and sprinting along icy cold streams are the true escape routes for assassins.
Furthermore, Ivan must also evade arrows coming from all directions. For assassins, bows and arrows are the most common and least welcome items they encounter. Although the arrows used in training have had their tips removed, being hit still causes pain.
Time spent with Herbert is always filled with tension and a strong sense of danger, even during sleep. Although Ivan cannot stand while sleeping like a horse, since living with Herbert, he has curled up in the corner every night. Although he was tightly bound with ropes in the first few days, he soon got used to this position.
The only skill he has not yet mastered is maintaining vigilance while dreaming. In reality, after a day of exhaustion, when he returns to his corner, Ivan quickly falls into a deep sleep, unable to remain fully alert.
Although Ivan has not satisfied Herbert in this aspect, apart from that, Herbert cannot find any other faults. Among them, shooting and combat training are his most outstanding areas of performance.
In Herbert's eyes, Ivan is a natural skilled warrior. Despite not having a tall stature and immense strength, his exceptional agility and precise shooting skills undoubtedly prevent him from being helpless even when facing formidable opponents.
For Ivan, combat is not a favorite activity of his. If it were elegant swordsmanship techniques, he would be quite interested. During his time in Nangang, there were frequent public swordsmanship performances, and the Westerners were the most loyal enthusiasts and experts in this field. Although swordsmanship performances were not as popular as circuses or fashion shows, due to the presence of many Westerners in Nangang, the audience was always abundant.
During his time in Nangang, Ivan became fascinated by this fusion of strength and art.
2
However, the combat skills taught by Herbert completely lacked aesthetic appeal.
The weapon Herbert gave him was a dagger, a very thin and sharp dagger like a paper knife, without a guard and a long handle. Obviously, this was absolutely not a defensive weapon, and even blocking was impossible.
The techniques taught by Herbert were also extremely simple and purely offensive, focusing on how to increase the speed and accuracy of attacks, using methods to cut open the blood vessels in the throat and neck, or sever muscles and tendons.
Such a light and thin dagger was not suitable for stabbing the heart. Although Herbert did not forget to give himself assassination lessons, he also warned that using a dagger to pierce was not reliable. If there were other parts that could be targeted, it was best to dispel the strong desire to stab the opponent's heart.
However, Ivan hoped he would not need to use the skills taught by Herbert against anyone.
For some reason, Ivan quite liked the small and delicate crossbow, although it was also a deadly weapon, he did not feel much burden in his heart. Whenever he had time, Ivan would go to the backyard shooting range to practice.
Even without aiming, Ivan could easily hit the bullseye fifty meters away, shoot flying birds, or shoot stationary targets while riding a bareback horse, which was not particularly difficult for him.
Practicing shooting was the most interesting thing for Ivan besides practicing the Western language with Mr. Hyde.
This class was conducted in the treasure trove, which no one except Herbert could enter without Mr. Hyde's summons.
The treasure trove was actually Mr. Hyde's private lounge, where Mr. Hyde spent most of his day.
The treasure trove was filled with treasures collected by Mr. Hyde throughout his life.
The time spent in this room filled with precious artworks was the most exciting for Ivan.
At such times, Ivan always felt as if he had achieved his dream, completed the feat of traveling the world, with the myriad of art treasures, the crystallization of different cultures from around the world.
The treasure trove housed various treasures that Ivan had seen, not seen, heard of, or not heard of. And these treasures were not comparable to the vulgar gold and silver, dazzling jewels.
Each treasure in this room represented a different civilization.
Even with gold and silver, a gold necklace with inlaid gemstones made by a Franciscan workshop, and a necklace brought from Italy, made using a unique technique of twisting gold into fine threads and weaving them together, decorated with colorful enamel and scattered gemstones, were incomparable.
In addition to those treasures, Ivan also greatly admired Mr. Hyde.
In his view, Mr. Hyde was as amiable and friendly as the old master.
However, Mr. Hyde was wealthier and more knowledgeable.
Ivan knew one thing for sure, Mr. Hyde could be said to be the most outstanding connoisseur he had ever seen.
Audrey can also be considered an excellent appraiser, but he often needs to rely on books to determine the origin of an item. However, Mr. Hyde is completely different; he seems to be able to tell at a glance where an item comes from, identify it as a masterpiece of a certain era, and sometimes even clearly state its place of origin.
Among all the treasures, what interested Ivan the most was a meticulously crafted model of a sailboat, made according to the original.
The hull was made of oak, the deck was laid with red pine flooring, all the railings, ship decorations, and inlaid borders were carved from walnut wood, and a statue of the goddess of dawn carved from a single piece of white locust wood hung tightly at the bow of the ship.
Clearly engraved on the port and starboard sides and stern of the model ship was the name "Glowing Sail Horn."
Ivan gently manipulated the helm and winches that controlled the sails, and like a real ship, they all functioned smoothly.
"You seem to really like my sailboat." An elderly voice speaking in Western languages came from behind, indicating that Mr. Hyde had arrived. It seemed that his nap today was particularly sweet, as he apparently did not pay much attention to the time.
Ivan quickly stood aside with his hands down. After spending so much time in this house, Ivan was no longer surprised by the sudden appearances and disappearances of everyone.
"Yes, this is the most exquisite model I have ever seen; it looks just like the real thing." Ivan replied in Western languages.
"It used to be a ship that sailed freely on the ocean, and I was the second mate on that ship." Mr. Hyde sighed and said.
Ivan was already accustomed to this. Mr. Hyde's lessons were the most relaxed, just conversing in Western languages.
"You must have been to many places?" Ivan asked.
"I have indeed been to many places. I have been to Beget in the East, where I saw the Tor people wielding scimitars on horseback, to Linti further east, where I witnessed the ancient kingdom of Linti that has been passed down for three thousand years. I have even traveled to the far East of Chena, where I saw a metropolis with over three million people." Mr. Hyde slowly spoke in Western languages.
Although Ivan did not fully understand, he was clearly filled with a strong and unstoppable curiosity about these things.
"Are the Tor people in Beget really skilled at forging swords? Can their scimitars really easily cut through our long swords? I saw spices imported from Italy in Nangang before, and those merchants said that Beget produces spices abundantly, people wear gold and silver, and the palace of the Tor Emperor is built entirely of marble, making it the wealthiest kingdom. Is that true? What kind of country is Linti? Mr. Hyde, is Chena the far eastern country that produces porcelain?" Ivan asked a series of questions.
"The scimitars made by the Tor people are indeed sharp, but when it comes to wealth, they are far behind Linti and Chena. In fact, Linti is the true land of spices. The precious spices we have here are not rare there at all. Besides spices, Linti also produces gold and gemstones, making it a truly wealthy kingdom.
"As for Chena, it is an even stranger country. Their language, writing, and beliefs are different from any other country. They have no alphabet, so to express meaning, one must remember thousands of completely different characters. The strangest thing is that the country does not believe in deities; they have no religion, and their faith is in their ancestors.
"That country has a peculiar culture and extremely prosperous cities. Their cities usually have populations of tens of thousands, and there are several cities with over a million people, which is unimaginable in any other country. In addition to porcelain, silk is also a unique product of this country, and their paintings have nothing in common with those of other countries." The old man pointed to several paintings hanging on the wall.
"You are a very knowledgeable person; even Audrey may not be very clear about these things." Ivan sighed, not trying to flatter.
"Do you like sailing?" the old man asked.
"When I was in Nangang, I envied the sailors the most. By the way, Mr. Hyde, how did you become a sailor and travel the world?" Ivan asked.
"My hometown is also in Nangang. When I was young, I also envied the sailors. At that time, Nangang was just a newly established small coastal town, and even the docks had not been built yet. To board the large ships anchored outside the harbor, one had to use a small boat for transportation, and transporting goods also relied on those small boats. Are those small boats still around?" Mr. Hyde asked.
"Yes, but they are very rare now."
"Is that so? Back in our time, we relied on these small boats. When I was your age, I partnered with two friends to buy a small boat. We helped transport goods every day, saved the money we earned, and eventually upgraded from a small boat to a large one. We also learned many maritime skills from the sailors we interacted with.
"When we had saved up a sum of money, the three of us decided to sell the small boat and found a ship to work on. The life of a sailor was both hard and poor, but every time we reached a city, the three of us pooled our savings to purchase goods. We had heard from sailors about the special products and goods in those cities, and through trading back and forth, we managed to accumulate a considerable fortune. The ship I worked on was the 'Glowing Sail Horn,' which was a fast ship specifically designed for coastal travel, and at that time, such ships were quite common."
"It's still the same now," Ivan interjected.
"However, the final voyage of the 'Glowing Sail Horn' unfortunately turned into a disaster. At that time, there was a war between Italy and the Tor people, and all ships docked within Italian territory were requisitioned for warships. We couldn't escape from any port, and there was a squad of soldiers stationed on our ship.
"Soon after the war began, our ship was dispatched as a transport vessel for food and supplies, navigating an extremely dangerous route. The narrow sea was filled with Tor fleets, and we narrowly avoided several encounters with those fleets due to the agility of our fast sailboat. However, our luck eventually ran out when the 'Glowing Sail Horn,' loaded with food supplies, encountered the massive Tor fleet.
"The captain stationed on our ship was a stubborn man who did not allow the crew to throw the food overboard. As the Tor people closed in, my friend killed the captain, chaos erupted on the ship, and in the end, we managed to subdue the small squad of soldiers, but we also suffered more than half casualties, including my friend.
"After discarding the food supplies, we finally managed to evade the pursuit of the Tor people. However, we could no longer return to Italy; any port in Italy would have arrested us, and the ports in Tor would not welcome us either. To save our lives, we had to cautiously travel along the Tor coastline towards the east."
"Why didn't you sail in the opposite direction so you could return to Francia?" Ivan asked.
"Italy had a large number of fast sailboats, and we had no chance of escape. The Tor ships were far less agile and fast than ours, so heading east was the only way out. We sailed eastward, hunting along the way to replenish supplies. Eventually, we arrived at the city of Maia in Linti.
"We thought everything was safe there, but the hot climate caused most of the people on the ship to contract incurable diseases. With no priest on board, we watched as the sailors died in agony one by one. In the end, even the captain and my other friend died. I and the remaining sailors left the 'Glowing Sail Horn' and crossed through dense tropical rainforests, traversed rugged mountains, and finally arrived in Chena.
"Compared to other countries in the Far East, this peculiar country clearly had a more advanced civilization. However, it was a culture we could not understand. Our presence was equally novel to them, and the Emperor of Chena summoned us. You can't imagine it; the king of Chena doesn't live in a palace but in a city, a city entirely his own, even larger than most cities here. The king of Chena was very interested in the stories we told him and generously rewarded us with many things."
"They must have been quite valuable," Ivan said with great envy.
"Of course, even the most common porcelain and silk brought from Chena could fetch the best prices in Francia. The gift that the Emperor bestowed upon me was truly a masterpiece among masterpieces. The porcelain sparkled like gems, and the silk had a color akin to gold. When we set off from Chena, each of us was adorned with porcelain and silk. As long as we could return to Francia, it would be a huge fortune.
"From Chena, we crossed deserts, bypassed the war-torn Polonia, crossed the Soro Mountains, and finally returned to Francia via Dery. Along the way, many companions perished, and only two of us made it back home."
"That's truly great; you must have made a fortune," Ivan said excitedly.
"No, the long journey made us all realize that life is more important than wealth. I was fortunate to make it back home alive, and the gift that the generous Emperor bestowed upon me was lost along the way."
"What a pity, but your experiences are the most valuable wealth. If one day, I could have such a memorable experience in my lifetime, that would be great. By the way, did you ever travel along your original route to the distant Chena and meet the generous Emperor of Chena again?"
"Not possible. Since the Tor people won that war, they cut off both the sea and land routes. At that time, we were at a dead end. Nowadays, no sailor is willing to attempt crossing that deadly route," the old man explained.
"So, among the two who returned to Francia, what is the name of the other person?" Ivan asked.
"Mel Dorfen. He was originally in charge of accounting on the ship," the old man said, clearly indicating that even after all these years, this name was deeply ingrained in his memory.
"Mel Dorfen!" Ivan exclaimed. "The Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce in Nangang, the wealthiest and most influential person in all of Nangang."
Ivan could not imagine that the de facto ruler of Nangang had been a companion in life and death with Mr. Hyde.
"He is also the domestic and financial advisor to the Bishop of Sether," the old man added.
"Did you ever meet Lord Dorfen later on?" Ivan asked. Everyone in Nangang knew that Mr. Mel Dorfen had made outstanding contributions to the prosperity of Nangang and had been granted a title of nobility by the King, elevating him from commoner to noble status, a remarkable and supreme honor.
"We both had many things to attend to and couldn't find the time to meet. However, I have never forgotten this old friend, and I believe he feels the same. Sometimes, for certain matters he cannot handle personally, he would ask for my help. Over the years, we have cooperated quite seamlessly," the old man explained.
Although Ivan still had some areas of confusion regarding Mr. Hyde's words, he at least knew one thing for sure: Mr. Hyde was definitely not an ordinary thief. Neither Pam, Audrey, nor Herbert were ordinary thieves, and Mr. Hyde seemed to be even more extraordinary. The operation they were planning undoubtedly had shocking secrets behind it, and Ivan had a vague feeling that he was being drawn into a terribly frightening conspiracy, far more complex than a simple successful scam.
His mind was in disarray, and Ivan did not pay much attention to the upcoming conversation. The Western language training finally ended as the sun gradually set.
The time after dinner belonged to Herbert, practicing sharp perception in the darkness, the best exercise before sleep.
Forcing himself to snap out of his confusion, Ivan knew that Herbert's training would not be easy to overcome. Putting on thin soft-soled shoes, Ivan moved silently like a cat in the dark, avoiding obstacles in the room and carefully evading sharp blades that could easily pierce through the soles of his feet.
Although Ivan could not see things in the pitch-black darkness as clearly as Herbert, he could at least distinguish small objects, especially those gleaming metallic ones.
Gently moving his body forward, Ivan's toes keenly felt any object in front, especially the sharp blades that could cut his feet. Ivan moved from the doorway to the window.
"Well done!" a hoarse voice sounded from behind.
Ivan was no longer surprised by Herbert's sudden appearance behind him; he now understood the difference in strength between himself and Herbert.
"You've learned well. If you were planning to escape now, apart from me, no one else in this house should be aware of it," Herbert said coldly.
"No, I absolutely had no intention of escaping," Ivan explained. He had never forgotten the three goose feather pens deeply embedded in the headboard.
"Then why did you want to learn the skills of a killer from me?" Herbert asked coldly.
"This...this..." Ivan hesitated for a long time, but ultimately decided to be honest and reveal everything. In fact, he knew that lies would never be believed by this skilled killer.
"The necklace you took from my Aunt Jenny is actually the only heirloom left to me by my mother. I originally wanted to retrieve that necklace," Ivan said cautiously.
"For that worthless necklace?" Herbert stared at Ivan for a long time, trying to find a trace of deceit on his face, but it was evident that everything Ivan said was true.
"If it's for that necklace, you can find it in the bottom drawer. Go get it yourself," Herbert said.
Ivan felt a surge of joy in his heart, expressing his gratitude and carefully walking to the table, where the blades were most densely inserted.
Standing on tiptoe, Ivan gently opened the drawer, trying to discern the scattered items inside in the darkness.
Finally, he found the necklace that held significant meaning for him.
"Herbert, thank you for returning this necklace to me," Ivan said gratefully.
In the darkness, Herbert nodded and said, "Very good. Even in moments of excitement, you did not forget to act cautiously. Being able to find the necklace in the drawer shows that you now possess the night vision of a killer. You have not wasted this month. From today, you can return to your room. The day after tomorrow, Audrey will return, so you better be prepared for the trial. It will be your first solo operation. You can leave now."
Upon hearing Herbert's instructions, Ivan obediently returned to his room.
The room had not been occupied for a long time, but thankfully the servants cleaned it daily, keeping it spotless.
It was still early, and Ivan felt no drowsiness. Herbert's training had ended, and the next few days would be a rare break for him.
While this should have been a cause for celebration, Ivan couldn't muster any joy. He wasn't mentally prepared enough. He didn't want to become a criminal, someone who made a living through deceit and murder.
After spending time with Audrey, Mr. Hyde, and Herbert for so long, Ivan had a lingering question. They were all highly knowledgeable individuals, almost like magicians with extraordinary abilities. It seemed they didn't need to rely on deception and murder to survive.
Despite the months of training, Ivan believed he could live a happy and fulfilling life with the skills he had acquired. Why did they choose to be swindlers, thieves, and killers?
Ivan couldn't understand. Would his future be the same?
Ivan was constantly worried about this. In fact, Ivan had considered running away again. As Herbert had said, he could now evade most people's notice. However, Herbert would surely find out. The longer Ivan spent with Herbert, the more he realized his prowess.
Mr. Hyde had once said a sentence. "In a one-on-one duel, no matter the opponent, Herbert would surely emerge victorious."
This sentence deeply resonated in Ivan's mind. In fact, everyone living in this house thought the same way. Escaping from Herbert's clutches was impossible.
However, complying with Mr. Hyde's wishes and becoming the mastermind of a fraudulent conspiracy also made him extremely uneasy.
Although Ivan was not a devout believer, he believed in the benevolence of the gods, comforting the righteous with a kind heart, ensuring their happiness and peace, and punishing the wicked with justice, making them pay for their sins.
Ivan's original life was just that—working peacefully in the shop, enduring the oppression of the storekeeper, hoping to complete his apprenticeship smoothly. Learning accounting from the storekeeper, mastering the accounts proficiently, reconciling monthly profits, and understanding the ins and outs of buying and selling would surely help him stand out in Nangang. The storekeeper had been working for so many years but never learned arithmetic. Ivan was confident that he would surpass this thoroughly unpleasant man one day.
The next step was to wait for the accumulation of experience. After ten or eight years, he should be able to rise to the position of procurement or steward. If given the opportunity, he could also sail with the young master to neighboring Western and Italian ports for trade. This would fulfill his wishes and increase his income, making his life free of worries.
This was his original vision for the future.
But now, he had become Ivan Baindite, an unknown direct descendant of some noble, a crucial tool in a massive fraudulent conspiracy.
He didn't know what his fate would be. Would he spend a miserable life in prison or be hanged high on the gallows?
Just the thought of these possibilities filled Ivan with extreme worry. He could only fervently pray to the gods, seeking their forgiveness and merciful deliverance.