The news about Czillings wasn’t long; it merely clarified the time, place, people involved, and the result. As the saying goes, the shorter the content, the bigger the matter.
The incident had happened in the capital
Morning newspapers were usually typeset at night, printed at midnight, and distributed in the morning, so they could make emergency adjustments and publish in time…
Just based on this news alone, today’s Tingen Morning Post would sell at least a thousand more copies, and that was only counting the city proper…
Klein’s thoughts wandered, and he felt reassured: “Since ‘Hurricane Admiral’ Czillings is dead, that means even if Mr. Azik was injured, it can’t be too serious…” “If it had been serious, he would definitely have been caught by the Punishers who rushed over or Duke Negan’s Beyonder bodyguards. And in such an emergency, Miss Justice and Mr. Hanged Man would have found every opportunity to report to me. That they haven’t is enough to prove the situation is under control…” “Hmm, if Mr. Azik hasn’t replied to me by midnight tonight, or if Miss Justice and Mr. Hanged Man haven’t prayed to me, I’ll blow the copper whistle again and summon the messenger to send a letter…”
Relaxing, Klein shifted his attention away from the newspaper and looked around the public carriage compartment.
Most people who could afford this mode of transportation were literate. Influenced by the “extra edition” earlier, many had bought copies of the Tingen Morning Post. Now, those who could read were discussing in low voices:
“Long, long ago, the Pirate King and the admirals have been endangering sea routes. They only withdraw when facing a nation’s fleet and don’t care about armed merchant ships at all… Although Czillings has been listed as one of the Seven Pirate Admirals for less than ten years, he’s the first of the great pirates to be shot dead by the government…”
“To be honest, I’m curious. What was he doing in Backlund? When a pirate leaves the ocean, death is predictable.”
“I hope there will be more detailed reports in the follow-up.”
“By the Storm, I want to know which of Duke Negan’s bodyguards killed Czillings. His bounty is a full 10,000 pounds!”
“10,000 pounds… With 10,000 pounds, I’d resign immediately, buy two or three small to medium-sized plantations, invest in some colonial company and railway company stocks, and enjoy fixed returns every year…”
“This is just the Kingdom’s bounty. Intis, Feysac, Feneport, and some commercial organizations also have bounties on ‘Hurricane Admiral’ Czillings. I urgently hope some newspaper will list all these bounty amounts.”
10,000 pounds? Klein was momentarily dazed.
With his current salary—which was already quite generous—he would have to go nearly twenty years without eating or drinking to save up that much…
If I had known… well, I couldn’t and wouldn’t be able to claim the bounty anyway… He folded the newspaper somewhat dejectedly and looked out the carriage window.
At this point, he finally confirmed that the matter of “Hurricane Admiral” Czillings had come to a close. There were only some finishing touches left, like the batch of Roselle’s diary that Mr. Hanged Man would be paying.
…………
Backlund, Cherwood Borough.
“Money always disappears without me noticing,” Fors sighed.
Xio nodded deeply in agreement: “Yeah.”
“Fortunately, Storm Manor has been quite popular, and royalties are still trickling into my account. Otherwise, I’d have to find a clinic or hospital and become a doctor again.” Fors sighed with a mix of satisfaction and worry.
Xio was silent for a few seconds before asking cautiously: “Will this investigation into Czillings affect your identity as an author? After all, we might be targeted by the Punishers, Nighthawks…”
“No, only you would be targeted.” Fors chuckled lightly. “You’re the one who went to the police to report, the one who sent the letter, the one who’s gained some fame in the gangster circles and certain streets of the East Borough. Meanwhile, me—Fors Wall—I’m still a best-selling author who’s been quite popular lately.”
“…” Xio was stunned. “So, you were accompanying me this whole time?”
Fors brushed her hair and chuckled: “Don’t you think it’s been a very interesting experience? Hmm… this experience has given me a lot of creative inspiration. My next novel will be about various stories triggered by a sudden murder case.”
Xio was at a loss for words and could only trudge forward, accidentally missing a turn and being pulled back by Fors.
Just then, they heard the newsboy’s shouts: “Extra! Extra! ‘Hurricane Admiral’ Czillings was shot dead in Backlund!”
… Ah? What? Xio and Fors looked at each other in bewilderment.
Only after the newsboy approached from afar and repeated it several times did they suddenly come to their senses.