Chapter 2285: Vampire Kind Investigation Concluded

Chapter 2285: Chapter 2285: Vampire Kind Investigation Concluded

The latter half of the sentence, "anything is possible," was whispered by Tifa, only audible to Shard and her. It was evident that being away from Tobesk, and distant from her master, Miss Maid had her own little schemes.

Shard nodded lightly and glanced around perfunctorily:

"I’m glad you’re getting used to this place. If there’s anything you need, please feel free to tell me. You know, for me, this city is just a carriage ride away from Saint Delan Square. Ahem..."

He quietly took the hand of the black-haired maid, who blushed slightly, her head lowered, eyes looking up at him with a certain charm.

"In any case, things here might continue for quite some time. Tifa, you need to be prepared for a lengthy stay in this place."

"Yes, I will often communicate with Matilda, she’s a maid too, we’ll have many common topics to discuss."

They continued exchanging seemingly mundane words, but in the shadows, their hands were playfully squeezing each other. Although Shard knew the girls’ hands were skilled, simply holding Tifa’s hand made his palm sweat profusely, a rare sensation for him.

[An affair, after all, is different from a proper romance with a girl.]

"She" teased with a laugh, and Shard ignored these words.

[Moreover, wasn’t someone talking about abstaining earlier this morning?]

Shard still paid no mind to these words, as holding hands was hardly significant.

Due to the plan to visit Mr. Benhart that afternoon, Shard didn’t linger too long with Miss Maid’s equally sweaty hand.

Of course, before leaving the estate, he didn’t forget to bid farewell to Miss Belindel, who hadn’t left yet, and then visited Emilia in hopes that she could contact her clan to inquire about the Moon Creek Clan’s knowledge of the "Heart of the Oasis."

His appointment with Mr. Benhart for this afternoon wasn’t due to some gentlemanly "serendipity," but rather because Ms. Annie Bonnie of "Princess Trading Partners" had sent a letter from the Vampire Viscount during that morning at Belindel Estate.

After experiencing the weekend’s heavy rain, the Monday afternoon weather was unexpectedly pleasant. When Shard arrived at Spider Alley, he saw sunlight filtering through the tree shadows onto the ground, creating a patchy pattern, and realized it was still summer.

In contrast to the nice weather, Mr. Benhart’s face at the Spider Hostel was not so cheerful.

He had arrived early, and when Shard sat down, Mr. Benhart was flipping through a palm-sized black leather notebook.

Between them was a wooden table soaked with wine stains, and a kerosene lamp illuminated the dim tavern interior due to narrow windows, with Mr. Benhart’s wooden mug holding a liquid akin to horse urine.

"It’s been a strenuous week of investigation."

Shard remarked, shifting the Vampire Viscount’s gaze from the notebook to Shard:

"Compared to you, I’m not tired. The weekend’s Dragon Roar... Forget it, just don’t tell me, I’m already tangled in enough troubles."

The bartender came by with a new glass. After a gentle toast, Mr. Benhart began to talk:

"I anticipated the investigation of the local same clan wouldn’t be smooth, but I didn’t expect so many unfortunate events.

Do you know how many things I’ve uncovered? Smuggling weapons, selling illegal drugs, having affairs with three individuals simultaneously, conspiring with human Circle Sorcerers to sell seasoned tomato sauce as blood products... Oh, I even disguised as a beggar to infiltrate the local beggars’ sewer hideout for investigating a mysterious clan member."

Shard showed great interest in this topic:

"Did you discover anything?"

"No, I spent a whole night undercover and found nothing besides rescuing a girl abducted into the place."

He spoke while taking a resentful sip of alcohol:

"I hope what I did to those beggars didn’t trouble the church. I won’t claim to have the authority to exert violence just because I’m on the side of justice, but everyone has moments they can’t control themselves, right?"

Shard nodded in agreement, not enquiring what exactly he did:

"That abducted girl wasn’t the Vampire Kind clan member you were investigating, was she?"

"No, no, certainly not. I’ve read similar novel plots, I’m cautious. Anyway, now I’ve identified five major suspects, all potentially collaborating with the cultists from the Dragon Feast Cult."

He handed the notebook to Shard.

"There’s also the matter with the Blood’s Lament, which gives me a headache. I visited trusted clan members locally, and everyone reacted with surprise that this Holy Relic is actually here.

I’m even somewhat suspicious if those from the New World Mutual Aid Society spoke truthfully, or perhaps, although the sword is in Moon Bay, it hasn’t been claimed by anyone, just lying quietly somewhere awaiting reawakening."

Shard nodded, the Blood’s Lament matter wasn’t urgent since he already possessed Night Watchman, so he didn’t need a second Holy Sword for now. If truly necessary, having Luviya consume a coin might suffice in locating it.

The current focus remains intelligence on the Vampire Kind colluding with the Dragon Soar Cult; Miss Belindel has found the Light Worshipper Training Association’s location, the witches are in position, and she’ll soon organize the Council for action.

However, the Dragon Feast Cult’s whereabouts remain unknown, and behind those cultists stands a genuine Deity of Bygone Days.

That is also the nameless firstborn of the Ancient God, and the very first Ancient Dragon.

"Including Ptolemy, there are still a few trustworthy ones among the local clan. The five names in the notebook now have the greatest possibility of being involved with the Cultists, but are also the hardest to investigate."

"I understand, there is even a Marquis involved. Mr. Benhart, your clan is impressive. If you hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have guessed that this person turns out to be a Vampire Kind."

Shard returned the notebook, clasping his hands on the table:

"However, I have a question. Are you sure that only one person is cooperating with the Vampire Kind? Could it be more than one?"

"This is also what I’m worried about, so these five people have been left aside without starting the investigation immediately."

Mr. Benhart sighed:

"They all have certain social backgrounds. If two or more of them are colluding, acting rashly would just cause the clues to be lost for no reason. The current situation is that these clan members, holding their wine glasses high and showing only their profiles, likely have significant secrets.

You have a good relationship with Earl Belindel, and Princess Margaret is currently in Moon Bay, so we need to use these forces to visit and investigate for legitimate reasons, rather than conducting secret investigations."

Shard nodded in understanding:

"Five people, huh? This is a large project and could take more than a week or two to wrap up."

"No, no, it won’t take that long."

Mr. Benhart immediately shook his head:

"I collected some of the monster’s blood from the sewer laboratory, and I also kept the remains of the Vampire Beast you dealt with on the beach.

With this, along with the support of the Velindale Order, I created a small detection device that can detect the source of blood from a close distance."

"So, given a close enough distance, you can identify who provided the experimental blood (note)?"

"Yes, yes, but to ensure detection accuracy, it needs to be as close as a handshake. So we just need to find a suitable reason to approach these suspects."

He looked around to ensure that no one in the small tavern was paying attention before taking out five photos from the notebook and arranging them in three columns on the table.

"Of the five people, including the Marquis, three will attend Her Highness Margaret’s welcome banquet tomorrow night. Shard, I need an invitation letter."

He pointed to the first column of three photos.

"That’s simple."

Shard nodded.

"Of the remaining two, Mrs. Jude is a widow of a wealthy businessman.

She’s very wealthy, not as much as the ladies you know, but richer than most nobles. She usually keeps to herself, primarily tending to the orphanage she runs and attending the Noble Ladies’ afternoon tea parties, rarely leaving her home.

But the good news is, I’ve investigated and found that tomorrow morning she’ll be visiting the Cassandra Auction House in the city. I know you have connections with this auction house, Shard, that’s our itinerary for tomorrow morning."

He pointed to the photo in the second column. The woman in the picture, her face mostly covered by a large hat, appeared mature. Shard had no impression of her; the noble ladies around Miss Belindel were all grand nobles, and wealthy merchants were not qualified to appear beside the Countess.

As for the uncommon surname "Jude," Shard recalled that the antique collector from the "Crimson Sect" he met last year in Coldwater Port had that surname.

"No problem, we’ll meet here again tomorrow morning."

Shard nodded again, according to the schedule, Miss Swift’s party could reach Moon Bay by tonight. The Old Witch had no offspring, and Miss Swift, as the last apprentice being cultivated, was essentially the next owner of the Cassandra Auction House.

"And the final one is..."

Shard pointed to the last photo.

"Captain Rudolf, who owns 12 merchant ships. However, he doesn’t run the New World route; he does import-export trade between two countries."

Mr. Benhart nodded at the photo:

"The captain isn’t permanently stationed at Moon Bay, but fortunately, he’s been here for the past few weeks. He’s not a good-tempered person; although we’re of the same clan, he wouldn’t be happy to see me.

However, you’ve heard that ’Princess Trading Partners,’ which is the address you left me, is quite well-known among the Dock Area gangs and might be able to help with introductions."

"No problem. It’s only two o’clock in the afternoon, so there’s no time to waste. Let’s head out now."

Shard said as he stood up.

"I appreciate your decisive nature, but don’t rush to leave. No, no, I’m not asking you to pay for the drinks; I’m saying, first go to Ptolemy’s place, he also has new clues."