Capítulo 460: Chapter 460: The Little Rich Man and the Big Rich Lady
Chapter 460: The Little Rich Man and the Big Rich Lady
Were those people just now followers of the King in Yellow?
In this kind of weather, holding oil lamps and walking slowly, were they trying to perform some kind of ritual?
Should I secretly report this situation to the Church of the everNight Goddess?
Klein began to ponder this matter, his face serious, fingers gently tapping the armrest.
This was not the first time he had encountered so-called followers of the King in Yellow. On the sea, besides that one time when he seemingly encountered the real King in Yellow, he had also come across others who liked to dress in yellow and wander the streets at night.
Other than being a bit eerie, he hadn't found them doing anything evil. They seemed to be purposefully chasing something.
Were they simply chasing the shadow of the King in Yellow?
Or did they have some other unknown purpose?
After thinking for a long time, Klein decided against reporting to the Church of the everNight Goddess. They had merely brushed past each other, and he couldn't be sure they were performing some evil ritual.
Maybe they were just on a pilgrimage along this road.
Moreover, reporting them could expose his own identity.
After putting aside his thoughts, Klein heard someone nearby discussing the matter.
They mentioned that back in their hometown, there were also believers who liked to wear yellow. They usually appeared on the streets, in bars, and any possible locations late at night.
Another person added, "Recently, there have been sightings of a figure in yellow in many places. This person likes to appear at night, sometimes fulfilling people's wishes, sometimes playing pranks, and sometimes violently destroying everything around."
But the discussion didn't go any deeper. Most of their information was likely hearsay.
Klein closed his eyes and dozed off for a while.
"Woo-woo-woo…"
The whistle of the steam train grew louder as it slowed down. Ahead was Backlund.
Klein glanced out the window. The sky over Backlund was still the same as before, a perpetual gray, like a pair of pants that could never be washed clean.
Compared to the azure sky over the sea, it was like two different worlds.
Klein, carrying a suitcase in one hand and a silver cane with gold trim in the other, followed the crowd out of the station.
"Ding-ling-ling, ding-ling-ling…"
The pleasant sound on the street caught Klein's attention.
It was a two-wheeled machine speeding along the edges of the road. Its frame was black, with some parts showing the gray-white of steel, glistening with a metallic beauty under the dim streetlights piercing through the rain.
Seeing the bicycle he had once invested in and promoted become popular so quickly, Klein felt quite sentimental.
This meant he could sell his shares in the bicycle company for a good price.
Given the future prospects of bicycles, anyone with foresight could see their value. They might even fetch a high price.
"Backlund often rains, and riding a bicycle makes it impossible to use an umbrella. It seems I can invest in raincoats next."
"If I can't find a suitable factory in Backlund, I could invest some money to start a raincoat factory myself. That would earn me another fortune."
"Investing is indeed an easier way to make money!"
Thinking this, Klein hailed a carriage to head to the prosperous and wealthy Hills District.
His first task upon returning to Backlund was to go to the bank and repay the 1,000 pounds he owed Mr. Hastur, to avoid any future awkwardness.
He felt he would encounter Hastur again while living in Backlund. As a wealthy man, he couldn't keep owing 1,000 pounds.
Entering the bank, Klein transferred the 1,000 pounds to Hastur's account and withdrew some cash from his anonymous account to sustain his life in Backlund.
Since parting ways with Hastur and others at the port, he had hunted down five notorious pirates, earning over 10,000 pounds in bounties. Including the sale of extraordinary items and traits, he had made a substantial sum.
Now, his total wealth was nearing the 30,000-pound mark.
This was the richest he had ever been.
Though he couldn't compare to Miss Justice, being a little rich man wasn't difficult. After all, 30,000 pounds was no small amount, even for Miss Justice.
After saving diligently, he could finally match a fraction of her wealth. It wasn't easy.
When night fell, to maintain his image as a wealthy man, Klein chose to stay in a high-end hotel, costing him 10 sulers for just one night!
It pained him greatly.
Making money wasn't that easy!
The next day, Klein began browsing rental ads in the newspaper.
He couldn't bear the 10-suler nightly hotel cost.
To stay close to the Church of the everNight Goddess's Saint Samuel Cathedral, he aimed to rent a house in the northern district.
"Hopefully, my wallet can sustain this period of spending."
...
In a high-end restaurant, Audrey had reserved a small courtyard to treat Xio and Fors to a quiet afternoon tea.
When Audrey returned to Backlund, Xio and Fors followed her back.
"Miss Audrey, you seem to be in a good mood. Did Mr. Hastur write to you again?"
Since becoming familiar with Audrey, Xio's tone had become more casual, often teasing her along with Fors.
"Can't I be happy for other reasons?" Audrey feigned annoyance, glancing at them.
"But no other reason can make you happier than a letter from Mr. Hastur." Fors joined in the teasing.
"You two…" Audrey smiled helplessly but said nothing more.
This time, her good mood wasn't because of a letter from Mr. Hastur, but because her father, Earl Hall, had given her a large sum of property.
Bank shares and estate properties, totaling around 200,000 pounds.
Even among the nobility, this was a considerable fortune.
Earl Hall intended to give her more assets before her marriage, ensuring her future independence and security.
On a deeper level, once she married, he couldn't freely give her family assets, as it might cause discontent among her brothers.
So, preparing the dowry early was necessary.
Though she felt it was a bit early to consider marriage.
From dating to marriage, there should be a two to three-year adaptation period, right?
At four in the afternoon, Audrey and her friends left the restaurant. Seeing they had some time, the three, along with Susie, began shopping along the street.
In a good mood, Audrey generously decided to buy jewelry for Xio and Fors.
Initially, Xio and Fors didn't want to accept such gifts without reason. But just now, Audrey had easily paid 20 pounds for their afternoon tea.
Faced with such generosity, they couldn't find a reason to refuse.
Alright, they had to admit their knees were a bit weak and needed to cling to the rich lady's thigh to move forward.
While the three women and a dog were happily shopping in a high-end jewelry store, urgent cries of newspaper sellers echoed from the street.
"Change in the Loksek Battle, the front line pushed back by the Fusac Empire!"
"Change in the Loksek Battle, the front line pushed back by the Fusac Empire!"
The Loksek Battle was the first large-scale battle initiated by the Ruen Kingdom this spring.
After a winter of recuperation, everyone in the Ruen Kingdom, from the young king to the beggars on the streets, believed their army would sweep through and capture the Fusac Empire's capital!
But now, the Loksek Battle had failed!
And the front line had been pushed back by the Fusac Empire!
It was like saying an old man on his deathbed suddenly revived and knocked down a young strong man.
After buying jewelry, Xio casually bought two newspapers, one for Audrey and one to share with Fors.
Reading the newspaper, Audrey's face grew serious. This wasn't just a defeat; it was a disastrous loss.
It was the largest loss since the Ruen Kingdom began its campaign against the Fusac Empire.
The newspaper described the Fusac Empire's troops as if they were blessed by gods, fearlessly launching fierce attacks on their positions. Even if their bodies were shattered by cannons, as long as they held knives, they would still charge forward.
Blessed by gods?
Audrey felt she had grasped something, but the newspaper didn't provide detailed information.
The specifics were likely known only to the high-ranking officials of the Ruen Kingdom and the church.
"Let's go back."
Audrey had no more interest in shopping, and Xio and Fors also sensed the gravity of the situation.
"I'll do my best to investigate this matter," Xio said, then left with Fors.
"Susie, let's go home."
"Woof!"
Susie naturally led the way for Audrey.
Back home, Earl Hall hadn't returned, likely discussing important matters.
Since the death of the previous king,Govington II, Earl Hall, who had been marginalized, had become active in politics again.
With the new king still young, Earl Hall and the Prime Minister held the most power besides the royal family.
The royal family had even hinted at offering Earl Hall the position of First Minister of the Kingdom, but he declined.
Audrey hadn't waited for Earl Hall but first met the Countess.
"Beautiful Countess, didn't you go out to enjoy the lovely afternoon?" Audrey greeted her with a smile, taking her right arm and acting coquettishly.
"My dear Audrey has grown up. Let me take a closer look."
The Countess lovingly examined Audrey and then said, "When will Mr. Hastur come for dinner again?"
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