Blood-Red Rose.
Is this the evil god organization behind ‘Morton’?
Herman’s efficiency is indeed impressive—only two days after accepting the commission, he’s already made a breakthrough.
Lochie lifted her cup of red tea and looked toward the detective sitting opposite her, asking:
“Mr. Hughes, could you please explain this organization in detail?”
“My knowledge of Blood-Red Rose is limited,” he replied.
“All I know is that they’re active in the northern regions of the Kingdom of Soth and the Oga Empire.”
“Their organizational structure resembles that of a church.”
“The members’ behavior is complex.”
“They’re both calm and mad.”
“But they all enjoy slaughter.”
“Historically, many major disasters were caused by this organization.”
Madness, chaos, bloodshed—undeniably an evil god cult.
Lochie’s mood darkened slightly.
“You mentioned that during your investigation of Hannah Carter, members of this organization made a move.”
“Did they discover your identity?”
Herman shook his head. “After accepting your commission, I didn’t rush into the investigation.”
“Instead, I first went to the docks, where I staged a trap in a bar to catch a drunken man intent on murder and robbery.”
“Later, I used his identity to commission a local thug to help investigate Hannah Carter’s situation.”
Saying this, the detective took a sip of his coffee.
“Then, the Blood-Red Rose members followed this lead and ambushed me.”
“Of course, I was also ambushing them.”
Lochie remained silent.
An old-generation swindler’s ease of movement.
She glanced at Herman’s left hand wrapped in bandages. “The ones ambushing you aren’t Seeker-level, yet you can win with one hand?”
“Oh, this,” Herman said, unwrapping the bandages and waving his hand in front of Lochie.
“It’s just a disguise.”
After finishing the gesture, Herman continued:
“The people ambushing me are also Seekers, skilled in close combat. Hmm…”
“Their speed is faster than Sandeck’s, but their strength is slightly inferior.”
Lochie now strongly suspected that during the mirror castle incident, this person was also putting on an act.
Even if Harvey Michelson hadn’t come, he could have defeated Hannah Carter.
She gave Herman a sidelong glance. “May I ask…”
“Mr. Hughes, what Seeker rank are you on the Detective Pathway?”
At the end, Lochie added:
“Don’t lie to me.”
After saying this, she somewhat regretted how strange that tone sounded.
“That’s quite a bold question,” Herman shrugged. “Alright, since my accomplice Miss has asked.”
“I am currently Seeker Rank 7 on the Detective Pathway—the ‘Executioner.’”
“As for my abilities, it’s not convenient to disclose.”
Lochie pouted, knowing well enough she didn’t need to know his underwear color.
“And what’s Seeker Rank 8 on this pathway called?”
“Fraudster.”
Lochie was speechless.
Very well, the least surprising reveal yet.
“When you first embarked on the Detective Pathway, did you undergo the Contract Ceremony?”
“What does the ceremony entail?”
Lochie was eager, like a child who had just obtained the Thunder God’s mysterious code but didn’t know what the prefix meant, determined to get to the bottom of it.
Herman, however, behaved like an old hand in the group chat.
He took a sip of coffee, blew on the cup’s rim, then slowly said:
“Miss Morton, you must understand.”
“In the world of occult studies, knowledge comes at a price.”
Lochie frowned, displeased.
“Well, then I’ll tell you the Contract Ceremony of the Seeker.”
“That’s an equal exchange.”
“No.”
Herman shook his head. “That’s your tuition.”
“Only real loss is enough to be remembered.”
“Thank you for your generosity, Miss Morton.”
Lochie took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling, her translucent earlobes tinted with a blush like the setting sun.
What’s shameless? This is shameless!
Exchanging chips while calling each other accomplices—nice words, but all just calculations!
She grabbed the small purse at her side, opened it, and enunciated word by word:
“Fine, fees.”
“Tell me, how much?”
Lady Lo.Richie lifted her proud little chin.
“Hmm, the Detective Pathway’s Contract Ceremony costs forty Soth Shields.”
“However, there’s the previous fee for investigating Hannah Carter, and whether you want to continue afterward…”
“Continue the investigation,” Lochie said casually.
“How much is the total? Just add it all up.”
“Thank you for your patronage.”
“One hundred Soth Shields, but since we’re cooperating, I’ll give you a 10% discount.”
“Ninety Soth Shields.”
Hmm, Lochie hadn’t even started working yet, and half a year’s salary was already gone.
But the fee was reasonable, after all—it’s an evil god organization with Seekers involved; Herman’s risk was huge.
Lochie waved her hand and pulled out two banknotes from her bag, each bearing the portrait of the Queen of Soth Kingdom.
Each worth fifty Soth Shields.
“No need, I only require your efficiency.”
Herman stood from the sofa and snapped his fingers.
A peanut scurried up to him, grabbed the bowler hat hanging by the door, tossed it into the air, and released it as it came near him.
Herman caught the hat, lifted it in the air, and bowed slightly to the noble young lady before him.
“Praise your generosity, Miss Morton.”
Refreshing!
Finally, this annoying fellow lowered his head.
Lochie took another sip of her red tea and said calmly:
“The water seems to be gone.”
“Where’s the teapot? I’ll refill a cup.”
Herman, ever the gentleman, said:
“Miss Morton, there’s no need for you to trouble yourself. Please wait here; I will add some right away.”
“Alright.”
The young lady’s anger dissipated, and she let out a satisfied sound.
About half an hour later, the maid Wendy saw her young mistress again.
Lochie looked quite pleased, a faint smile at the corner of her eyes.
Wendy observed carefully and asked:
“Are we heading to the city library, Miss?”
It wasn’t early anymore, and Lochie thought for a moment. “Let’s have lunch first.”
“Would you like to go home afterward?”
The Morton estate was some distance away, and going from the West District to the city library was a hassle.
Lochie shook her head. “Let’s just find somewhere near the library to eat.”
Wendy quickly ran through the list of upscale restaurants near the city library in her mind, considering her mistress’s preferences, and offered suggestions.
“How about Autumn Leaves?”
“They specialize in Tekol-style cuisine. I think you’d like it, Miss.”
“Or would you prefer the restaurant you went to last time?”
Honestly, taste is subjective.
Since switching bodies, Lochie’s preferences had changed too.
For example, last time she read while having lunch, the creamy mushroom chicken stew—two ingredients she hadn’t liked much before—somehow tasted quite good when combined.
“Let’s go to the same place as last time.”
Having said that, she recalled the cost of that restaurant and added:
“Is there a bank nearby? I need to withdraw some money.”
As her personal maid, Wendy was well aware of how much cash her mistress usually carried.
Large payments were always made by check.
For cash, she usually brought two fifty-Soth-Shield notes and some small denominations of Soth Shields and Solangs.
Wendy’s concern deepened.
So soon, her mistress’s money was already being spent out of pocket?