Chapter 2286: Captain Rudolf

Chapter 2286: Chapter 2286: Captain Rudolf

Entering the morgue filled with the scent of preservatives and stranger odors, from a sunny alley, felt like stepping from one world into another.

Mr. Ptolemy Albert was still wearing the brown cloak familiar to Shard, and he was busy dissecting a corpse that seemed to have choked on its own vomit, speaking to the two while working.

Of course, all three wore masks, and the area around the autopsy bed was draped with curtains. Shard and Mr. Benhart could only see Albert’s busy silhouette from outside the curtains.

"The case of the unidentified dead woman has been solved, and the murderer killed by the two of you, so there’s no need to say much more; the headless serial murders have now been classified as supernatural events. Those headless corpses won’t be transported to morgues like ours in the Lower District anymore, marking the conclusion of this investigation."

Shard and Mr. Benhart both saw him taking out a large mass of stuff from the corpse’s stomach, placing it on a nearby tray. Even though they could only see shadows on the curtain, they instinctively held their breath.

"But recently, some interesting things have happened. You know, the Lower District is always like this. Specifically, this week, I’ve dissected two corpses who died of sudden heart attacks."

"That doesn’t sound too outrageous."

Mr. Benhart spoke in a muffled voice.

"Yes, but upon closer inspection, I found both male corpses were relatively healthy while alive. Further examination with a secret technique revealed, quite intriguingly, they didn’t have hereditary heart conditions. It’s summer, and even if the temperature is lower than usual, the likelihood of sudden heart attacks shouldn’t be this high."

He said while taking off his gloves and recording a few notes in a nearby notebook:

"I did a brief investigation and found these two had no intersections—no overlapping life paths. The only common point was they were both married and had secret lovers outside, treating their families poorly."

Mr. Benhart subconsciously glanced at Shard, who hesitated:

"I treat my family very well."

He tried to convey this with his eyes, but it was clear Mr. Benhart didn’t understand.

"Ptolemy, so you think there’s something peculiar about this?"

"Yes, though I’m not sure if it’s related to what you’re currently investigating. I’ll keep an eye out for similar corpses in the future, but I suspect there will be more."

Shard and Mr. Benhart both nodded; they were both busy lately, so they only kept this in mind. If it intersects with their current investigation, they’ll delve deeper at that time.

The two didn’t intend to stay here long and soon bid farewell to the coroner.

Afterwards, they took a carriage to the Dock Area. When they arrived at Princess Trading Partners, Ms. Annie Bonnie happened to be out, but among the three members of the trade company, Mr. William Kidd was in charge of business activities.

He heard that Shard wanted to find Captain Rudolf, so he asked Shard and Mr. Benhart to wait here for a while. Half an hour later, as Shard and Mr. Benhart were reaching the final point in their card game, Mr. Kidd happily returned:

"Captain Rudolf is drinking at a tavern three streets away from here. I told him you’re Annie’s friends, and he’s willing to meet and chat with you."

"That’s great. I sent numerous letters before, but he never replied once."

Mr. Benhart waved his large hand, messing up the cards on the table, also mixing his own hand into the pile of cards.

Shard, who was about to declare a ’21-point win,’ raised an eyebrow, then tossed his hand, deliberately placing the four cards neatly on the table to show he still won.

"Shall we head out then... By the way, does the tavern’s name have ’rose’ in it?"

Shard asked a strange question, to which Mr. Kidd shook his head:

"The tavern is called ’Golden Lion Tavern,’ named after its owner, who keeps a beautiful lion cat.

When you leave, head to the left. After about ten minutes, turn into the north-south street after seeing Old George’s fishing gear shop. Continue forward, and you’ll see it. There’s over an hour before the sailors and porters finish work, so the tavern isn’t crowded. If you’re slow, you might end up squeezing with others to enter it."

Golden Lion Tavern is one of the larger taverns in the Dock Area of Moon Bay City. The tavern has three floors, one underground and two above. It doesn’t provide accommodation service - purely a tavern, which makes its professionalism stronger than Tobesk’s Three Cats Inn.

Following Mr. Kidd’s directions, Shard and Mr. Benhart quickly arrived there. Since it wasn’t yet after work hours, the tavern indeed wasn’t crowded. They asked the bartender and learned that Captain Rudolf was now on the underground level of the tavern.

When the two met the captain, marked by a little bat symbol floating above his head, he was playing cards with a well-dressed mid-aged gentleman, surrounded by onlookers. They’d been playing for a while, with scattered cards on the table and coins piled at each player’s corner.

Captain Rudolf was the most imposing vampire kind Shard had ever seen. More accurately, he’s almost the most imposing person Shard had encountered. Even sitting, he exuded enormous pressure, and his height would definitely exceed two meters when standing.

The tavern’s temperature was quite suitable, allowing him to roll up his sleeves and grasp the relatively small cards in his large hands. Judging from his figure and the muscles bulging on his arms, his burly build wasn’t just for show.

"It seems I’ve won again."

As he spoke, Captain Rudolf laughed heartily and tossed the cards in his hand:

"21 points, we’ve been playing all afternoon, and this is my first time drawing 21 points."

"Damn it!"

The middle-aged gentleman across from him complained, grabbing a handful of coins and throwing them towards the other side.

Upon hearing "21 points," Shard glanced at Mr. Benhart, who blinked modestly:

"There’s urgent business to attend to, so we can’t keep playing cards there."

"Let’s go again!"

The middle-aged gentleman lifted his glass and took a sip, reaching for his deck to continue playing, but Captain Rudolf’s brawny hand stopped him:

"Next time. This time, I’ll call it a minor win. A friend is here to see me, and I can’t refuse Ms. Bonnie’s request. We’ll play again, but I hope it’s your boss who comes to play with me."

Captain Rudolf said, the middle-aged man snorted, packed his deck and remaining coins, and left his seat.

Consequently, the onlookers dispersed in tacit agreement, while the vampire kind sitting at the table waved at Shard and Mr. Benhart, and the two approached and sat down.

"Do you know who that was just now?"

The vampire kind asked as he arranged his deck, and Shard noticed that his deck contained at least two special cards.

"That middle-aged gentleman? He’s the 1850 Champion Big City Player, Viscount Bell Gra’s cousin; I’ve seen him before."

Mr. Benhart said, Captain Rudolf nodded, somewhat surprised:

"Viscount Benhart, it seems I’ve underestimated the same clan in Velindale. Indeed, rumors have circulated that Viscount Gla has been involved in Roder card business locally for a long time, and with his reputation, he’s made quite a profit over the years.

The champion Big City Player heard rumors from somewhere, and actually believes that one of the three valuable Roder cards recently disappeared locally is in my possession."

He shook his head:

"Even if he sent his cousin to probe, so what? I sure would like that card, but the [Ancient Alchemy: Dragon Transformation Stone] isn’t in my possession."

If it wasn’t for knowing the purpose of this visit, Shard would have liked to continue discussing this topic. Of the three special cards, the [Holy Sword: Dragon Slaying Sword] from the Glorious 13 is already in his possession, and he wouldn’t be opposed to acquiring two more:

"The Ancient Alchemy series...quite an old series of cards, what would their design and rules be like?"

He pondered in his mind, as the other two gentlemen naturally did not continue on the topic of that card.

"Viscount Gla’s reputation is peculiar; he might be the most controversial Big City Player champion of the last fifty years."

Mr. Benhart nodded in agreement, then introduced:

"I am Armand Bernhardt. This is John Watson."

"Viscount Benhart, you’re quite capable. Despite my best efforts to avoid meeting you, you found a way through Ms. Bonnie. Alright, alright, what trouble are you trying to drag me into?"

The stout vampire kind put away his cards and frowned slightly:

"I have friends in Velindale, and I’ve also heard about last year’s Midshire Fort incident. Just to be clear, although we are relatives, I am under no obligation to assist you with anything."

"Of course, we’re actually just looking to ask a few questions."

Mr. Benhart extended his hand, and Captain Rudolf hesitated for a moment before shaking it. Shard could clearly see the difference in the size of their hands.

"What do you want to ask? I travel north and south on my ship all year, I don’t know much about Moon Bay affairs."

Saying this, he leaned back a bit, as Mr. Benhart signaled with his left hand under the table to Shard, indicating that this captain was not their target.

"Someone locally from the same clan has been collaborating with the Dragon Feast Cult..."

Mr. Benhart succinctly explained the recent events, to which Captain Rudolf listened with a frown and nodded only when Mr. Benhart finished:

"I understand what you mean. The cult wants to investigate who desecrated the bloodline? I don’t understand why you came to me, but as I’ve said before, I spend most of my time at sea and don’t know much about Moon Bay affairs; you’ve really sought out the wrong person."