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Chapter 13: The Clue
Chapter 13: The Clue
Soon after, Ham led the group out of the banquet hall, waving for the others to leave as he approached a carriage alone.
"What's going on?" Inspector Dena lifted the curtain, revealing her exquisite, picture-like face.
"Didn't you bring someone out?"
Ham bowed his head, "I encountered Baron Carl. With the Baron vouching for him and the already low suspicion, I didn't insist on taking him away. I just found a place inside and asked a few casual questions."
"Carl?" Dena's eyes narrowed with confusion.
"A friend of the Baron's passed the audition for the Barrow Singing Ensemble. He was invited to the banquet," Ham explained.
"Hmm."
Dena nodded, not pressing further. Instead, she asked, "Did you find out anything?"
"Nothing," Ham replied with regret. "The ensemble members didn't even know that one of their companions was dead. That girl, Chino, wasn't well-regarded in the group."
"Hmm..." Dena stroked her smooth chin. "What did the Night Watchman say?"
"They claimed it wasn't the work of a vampire. Vampires drink blood, but the victim lost her vitality," Ham said, his eyes flickering with curiosity. "Ma'am, do real vampires exist?"
"I'm not sure," Dena admitted, leaning back and sighing. "So, we still have no clues?"
"Not exactly." Ham shook his head lightly. "All the victims are women, and they're all virgins. The key point is... their identities are quite special."
"They're not from noble or wealthy backgrounds, yet they have the qualifications to attend high-class gatherings. For example, members of the singing ensemble, high-level florists..."
Dena slowly straightened her body, her expression turning solemn.
"I suspect," Ham continued, "that the perpetrator holds a certain social status, at least frequently attending high-end banquets, and has a particular fetish for virgins, regardless of their beauty."
One of the deceased was quite unattractive.
"Indeed," Dena smiled. "Ham, you truly are the most outstanding patrol officer in the south. It seems I made the right choice in selecting you for this investigation."
"Ma'am," Ham lifted his head. "I heard that Lord Rector is hosting a banquet soon. I wonder if I have the qualifications to attend."
"A banquet..." Dena frowned. "Ham, you're very talented, but attending the Count's banquet requires more than just talent."
One needed a certain level of identity and status.
"Yes, ma'am," Ham replied. "I just suspect that the perpetrator might also be attending."
"Is that so?"
Dena paused briefly before saying, "I'll get you an invitation."
"Thank you, ma'am!" Ham's face lit up with joy.
Dena shook her head lightly. She was well aware that Ham had always aspired to join the so-called upper class, but his humble background limited his opportunities.
With average looks, a lowly birth, and no training in Breath Techniques, individuals like him, even with exceptional talent in one area, were merely high-level laborers, never truly able to break into the upper echelon.
Some things were innate; you either had them or you didn't. Effort, in the eyes of others, was merely a laughingstock.
Take Carl, for example.
Despite lacking talent and falling short in various aspects compared to Ham, he was still a noble.
A baron's status surpassed all postnatal efforts.
"Thank you, Baron Carl," Percy expressed her gratitude.
If not for Carl's intervention, she would have been forcibly taken away by the officers, and the consequences were unpredictable.
Even if nothing happened, there would have been rumors within the ensemble.
Now,
She was only called into a room and asked a few questions, which wouldn't affect her reputation.
"It's the least I could do," Carl shook his head.
He was a bit overwhelmed by her enthusiasm.
Percy's dress was tightly cinched at the waist, with a daringly large slit up the front. When she bent over, one could clearly see the two mounds rising from her chest.
Karl's towering figure and unwavering gaze made it impossible to avoid certain areas, and Percy made no attempt to hide, even intentionally showcasing her assets.
She was a woman who had matured and understood men.
"I never thought Chino would die."
"Yeah!"
"It's terrifying. I heard he was killed by a vampire who sucked his blood dry. I wonder if it's true."
"... "
The whispers among the crowd brought Karl back to his senses. After a brief pause, he found an excuse and left.
There was no point in staying any longer.
Night fell.
Jenny, with a radiant glow on her face, sat in front of the dressing mirror, her excitement lingering for a long time.
The experience at the banquet was something she had never encountered before, and Percy and the other seniors were extremely warm to her because of Karl.
They even promised that she would be able to perform on stage soon, a treatment that newcomers craved.
What she had thought would be a challenging apprenticeship suddenly became easy.
"Karl..."
Jenny caressed her cheeks, her eyes revealing shyness, before lightly biting her thin lips and standing up.
At that moment, she wore only her undergarments, with a thin layer of sheer nightgown on top, showcasing her youthful and vibrant figure.
She slowly pushed open the door, and in the dim moonlight filtering through the window, she quietly approached Karl's room.
Taking a deep breath as if making a significant decision, Jenny raised her hand and knocked on the door.
"Tap... tap..."
"Tap!"
There was no response from inside the room.
Jenny furrowed her brows, hesitated for a moment, and finally clenched her teeth and pushed the door with all her might.
"Creak..."
The door wobbled.
After a moment, the sturdy latch caused her to bow her head in defeat.
"Hmph!"
With a hint of embarrassment, she turned and returned to her room, slamming the door shut.
In the darkness, Mary, the landlady, observed the entire scene through the door crack. Seeing this, she couldn't help but relax, with a hint of regret in her eyes.
A mother knows her daughter best.
Jenny returned, brimming with excitement, and when she spoke of the banquet, her words flowed endlessly, her eyes sparkling.
When Karl was mentioned, her expression became especially unique.
As someone who had been through it all, Mary couldn't help but notice.
It was clear that Jenny had developed feelings for him! However, faced with Jenny's bold actions, Mary didn't know what to do—should she intervene or turn a blind eye? If her daughter could marry a noble, Mary would be overjoyed, but would the other party be willing?
If Jenny were to marry a noble, her apprenticeship would have to end.
This could ruin her entire life!
Fortunately, Karl was sleeping soundly and probably hadn't heard the commotion outside. Otherwise, it would have been a real headache.
Mysterious Place.
Karl, who was practicing the Breath Technique, was unaware of the situation outside. Even if he had known, he wouldn't have cared, as the events at the banquet held no significance for him, and he had already put it behind him.
Moreover, Jenny seemed too young in his eyes, and he couldn't bring himself to act.
Percy, on the other hand, was more suitable.
"Exhale..."
"Inhale!"
With each controlled breath, the power of the secret potion permeated his bones and blood, and as his vitality grew, his strength gradually increased.
'The process of a knight attendant's training is to gather the seeds of life, and once these seeds take form, one can advance to become a knight.'
'During the gathering of the seeds of life, vitality increases, and strength naturally enhances.'
'Today I heard that certain breath techniques can indeed grant people abilities beyond ordinary, and the Poison Wolf Breath Technique has likely given me a sense for danger.'
The city had seen a series of women murdered, their deaths shrouded in mystery, leading Karl to realize that Signo City wasn't as safe as he had imagined.
Furthermore, exploring the Black City required strength, so his training couldn't be relaxed.
(End of Chapter)
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