Even though I've always felt the urge to pray to "The Fool," hoping to get rid of the mental suggestion planted by Father Utravsky, I'm well aware that reciting the name of an unknown being is extremely dangerous. Not all concealed existences give bait first and slowly guide you. In such matters, they are often like sharks in the ocean — as soon as they catch the scent of blood, they rush in madly…
And now… Milord Nibbs, no, what exactly does the Primogenitor want to do?
Emlyn White spoke with a sense of absurdity:
"This would be very, very, very dangerous."
Nibbs Odora's aged voice came from the coffin that looked like it was forged from black iron:
"Yes, under normal circumstances, that's the case. "But not all concealed existences are filled with malice. Among them, there are those who abide by the rules and enjoy trading. For example, the Seven Pure Lights of the Spirit World. "Since the Primogenitor has given this revelation, it means the danger that 'The Fool' might bring isn't too severe, or even nonexistent. "Throughout this process, I will be right by your side, protecting you. "Don't you want to get rid of the mental suggestion? Have you become a follower of the Earth Mother Goddess and abandoned the Moon?"
"No, I haven't!" Emlyn quickly denied.
He was silent for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said:
"I would like a few days to consider."
"Alright, no problem. I believe you will make a choice befitting the noble status of a vampire." Nibbs's voice from the coffin softened, and he smiled reassuringly.
After seeing Emlyn White back to the second floor, Kasimi Odora re-entered the dark and gloomy underground hall, full of confusion and doubt, and asked:
"Grandfather, how did Emlyn White appear in the Primogenitor's revelation? He's just a weak vampire who came of age not long ago."
Nibbs's voice came through the thick iron coffin lid, carrying a natural, rumbling resonance:
"No. Emlyn White was never in the Primogenitor's revelation. "It only showed the scene of the apocalypse, showed the erosion from the Crimson Moon, and mentioned that 'Fool' and his corresponding honorific name. "No vampire appeared in this process. What I called 'the key figure' was just a fabrication I made up to convince Emlyn White. "However, taking a risk for the future of the vampire race is itself worthy of being called a key figure."
Kasimi first understood, but then a new question arose:
"Why did you choose Emlyn White? What is so special about him?"
Nibbs Odora suddenly let out a laugh:
"Hasn't he been clamoring to pray to 'The Fool'? Doesn't he think we don't take his problem seriously enough, that we're unwilling to go against Bishop Utravsky, and that he wants to find help elsewhere? "This time, I'm granting his wish."
Kasimi stood there dumbfounded, unable to speak for a long time.
Emlyn White stood by the railing on the second floor, looking down at his tireless kin, and took a sip of "fine wine" with a troubled heart.
At least until today, I haven't heard of anyone suffering a tragic fate from praying to "The Fool"... Maybe, as Lord Nibbs said, "The Fool," like the Seven Pure Lights of the Spirit World, is a lawful and warm-hearted concealed existence… Wait, what are the Seven Pure Lights of the Spirit World? I've never heard of them. Are they on the side of good? I wonder if they could help me… Anyway, "The Fool" isn't necessarily that dangerous, and besides, Lord Nibbs is protecting me… Maybe I can really use this chance to get rid of the mental suggestion… Emlyn comforted himself, somewhat fearful yet somewhat hopeful.
…………
Monday morning, Charvwood District, 15 Minsk Street.
Klein squatted in front of the toilet, holding a brush, carefully cleaning the dirt inside.
According to plan, after completing all the "visits" on Saturday and Sunday, he decided to take a day off and report the final results to Prince Edessak tomorrow, handing over the task. But in what should have been a relaxing time, he found that the house was already dirty and messy to an excessive degree.
Seeing this, Klein remembered something: the cleaning was done by temporarily hiring the landlady's maid next door, twice a week.
But since the Summer family went to Sevia City in the Di Sea Bay for their holiday, one maid went along to serve them, and the other, having received her year-end bonus, returned to the countryside. No one had cleaned 15 Minsk Street for a long time.
Klein had originally planned to just endure it for a couple of days, since he would soon be "leaving" Backlund anyway, but once he had free time, he didn't dare slack off and go to the Craggs Club for fun, afraid of angering Prince Edessak. He had to stay home, and then he found everything displeasing, so he simply changed into old clothes and started the pre-New Year deep clean.
Scrubbing the toilet, washing the bathtub, wiping the windows, mopping the floors, dusting the furniture, doing the laundry… Klein was busy from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m., barely completing the scheduled cleaning. Of course, he just roughly did it, not very thoroughly.
Sometimes, renting too big a house isn't such a good thing… Klein washed his hands and wiped his face with a towel.
Walking out of the bathroom, looking at the clean and tidy living and dining rooms, seeing the sunlight breaking through the clouds and shining on the transparent glass windows, showing golden patches, he felt an inexplicable sense of accomplishment. Even his mood became cheerful because of it.
Treat myself at noon, go out and find a nice restaurant… Klein returned to the second floor to change clothes.
Just as he was leafing through the newspaper, waiting for the pleasant lunchtime to come, the doorbell suddenly rang.
"It's almost New Year, and someone is coming to commission a task?" Klein stood up and walked to the door, determined to refuse them.
Although he only had 34 pounds left in cash, to escape the royal family's scheming, he had to hurry to the South for a "vacation" and couldn't take any more tasks.
To his surprise, the visitor was not a stranger, but the old butler of Prince Edessak.
The old butler, wearing a well-tailored long-tailed suit, bowed neither arrogantly nor without losing his dignity, and said:
"Mr. Detective Moriarty, His Highness the Prince is waiting for you in the carriage on the corner of the street. He wishes to know the progress of the investigation."
So eager? That's good too, saves me from having to go to the Red Rose Manor tomorrow… Klein quickly reorganized the speech he had prepared last night in his mind, and responded calmly:
"Alright."