After sharing some interesting things and gossip among the nobility, Audrey paused her writing and put on an expression of thoughtful recollection.
Using her excellent memory as a "Spectator", she organized and formulated the fragmentary remarks and occasional teachings of her father, Earl Hall, as well as the news she had heard at banquets, balls, and salons, into paragraphs.
With her draft ready, Audrey wrote:
"Regarding the political situation in Backlund that you asked about, it is not within my interest. I can only describe the details I have happened to learn from my impressions.
"Just some time ago, Father told me that after the Grain Act was repealed, grain prices plummeted, and the rental rates for fields and pastures also dropped precipitously. I do not know the exact figures, so I will give you an example to make it clear.
"As you know, Duke Negan is the noble who owns the most land apart from the royal family, claiming over 12 million pounds' worth of fields, pastures, and forests. Last year, his land rental income reached an all-time high of 1.3 million pounds. This year, the entire foreseeable land rental income is 850,000 pounds, a decrease of a full 450,000 gold pounds, which exceeds the total property I could inherit.
"I need no further explanation, my dear brother. You certainly understand the characteristics of most old-fashioned nobles. They take pride in owning land, rely on land rental income, and above all, value dignity above everything. Even if they are in debt, they must maintain a lifestyle befitting their status: tens of thousands of pounds each year for castle repairs, thousands to tens of thousands for clothing and jewelry, and persistent hunting activities, social banquets, occasional grand weddings, lavish funerals, and so on.
"Due to the severe decline in land rental income, as far as I know, some nobles have experienced financial difficulties. Count Wolf sold 840,000 acres of land in the countryside, obtaining 290,000 gold pounds. Viscount Conrad sold his collection worth 55,000 gold pounds to the National Gallery.
"Except for a few bold nobles who had already shifted their focus to industries like steel, coal, railways, banks, rubber, etc., the others have all suffered heavy losses in this Grain Act incident. Let us praise our dear Earl Hall here!
"Father told me that the financial strain will reduce the nobles' control over party politics and the House of Commons seats. It is imaginable that the number of MPs from landowning nobility will decrease significantly in next year's election.
"Meanwhile, to raise funds, both the Conservative Party and the New Party have promised that as long as someone has no criminal record and donates sufficient money, they will seek knighthood for him—provided, of course, that the gentleman owns the minimum amount of land matching the title.
"An example: the wealthy Mr. Hindras purchased the minimum 600,000 acres required for a baronetcy, then donated 100,000 gold pounds to the Carlton Club, 400,000 to the Conservative Party, and a cumulative 300,000 to charity. In the end, he succeeded in receiving the king's appointment and became the honorable Baron. In this regard, I heard there is a price list: a baronet costs 300,000 pounds, a hereditary baronet costs 700,000 to 1,000,000 pounds. For viscount and earl there is no definite answer, but I think it must be extremely exaggerated.
...
"In this year, quite a few nobles with financial problems began seriously considering marriage alliances with wealthy merchants. In just two months, there were three such marriages, and the dowries from the brides were very enviable.
"Moreover, the workers who protested the Grain Act did indeed get lower food prices, but their quality of life did not improve; it even worsened because bankrupt farmers flooded into the cities, competing for jobs with low salary demands, leading to a rapid decline in wages for the labor class.
"I remember that day, after saying these things, Father asked me: 'Who do you think is the winner of this Grain Act incident?'
"Dear Alfred, you must know the answer. You can certainly earn a hereditary title through your own efforts."
...
Receiving Audrey's reply, Xio Dilcha and Fors Wall were riding a carriage back to the Backlund Bridge area.
Xio, with messy blonde hair, stared out the window, her eyes bright as if two flames were burning.
She kept muttering the word "450 pounds" like reciting a mantra, gaining courage and strength with each repetition.
"Dakhom hasn't come to us yet today to tell us about the recent investigation. Let's go directly to his house!" Xio suddenly turned her head and said to Fors.
Dakhom was a gang leader in the East District of Backlund, controlling many beggars and thieves.
Although he always had a kind demeanor, his round face always wearing a friendly smile, Xio knew this was a cruel and vicious scoundrel who had once broken the hand of a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old thief because the kid had hidden some of his takings.
Unless necessary, Xio didn't even want to see Dakhom, but he was one of the people in the city who best understood the homeless.
Fors brushed her slightly wavy brown hair behind her ear and said:
"As long as it doesn't delay my lunch."
"No problem! Maybe after this week, I'll treat you to a fine Intis dinner!" Xio promised with a great sense of self-satisfaction.
"Should I thank God for that?" Fors retorted with amusement.
She, unlike Xio, was a nominal believer of the God of Steam and Machinery.
As they spoke, the two girls changed to another public carriage and arrived at the East District of Backlund, finding Dakhom's house.
It was a townhouse located in a narrow alley, with green plants growing on the walls and the surroundings rather messy.
Xio walked to the door, raised her right hand, and knocked on the door lightly with a unique rhythm.
Creak—the door, not properly closed, swung open with her knock.
Xio's slightly dazed expression instantly turned serious, like a lion with its fur bristling.
She drew out the three-edged spike she carried, carefully pushed the door, and entered slowly.
Fors also shed her casual demeanor, producing a dagger from somewhere.
They didn't smell any strange odor, but their rich experience made them keenly sense that something was wrong.
One step, two steps, three steps, Xio and Fors entered Dakhom's home.
Then they saw a pale severed arm hanging on the gas lamp, saw a heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys on the coffee table, and saw shreds of flesh scattered on the floor and hanging on the hat rack!
The white bones were stripped clean, piled messily opposite the entrance.