socalfunplaces Chapter 90: Does Sherlock have stomach problems?
Chapter 90: Does Sherlock have stomach problems?
The guild cafeteria was filled with the aroma of delicious food at lunchtime. Klein carried his tray, his eyes scanning today's menu—pan-fried cod with mashed potatoes, vegetable salad, and unlimited oat bread.
"It's much better than cooking for myself..." He cut off a piece of fish and put it in his mouth with satisfaction.
The food in the guild canteen isn't particularly delicious, but just knowing one thing—that it's free—is enough to make up for everything.
Klein ate his free lunch while pondering the task Charles had given him.
After all, if this mission is successfully completed, the reward could be over 200 pounds, such a high rate of return made him have to be cautious.
"200 pounds? I couldn't find 200 pounds even if I searched for hundreds of cats."
Yesterday, he carefully studied the information on the man named Emlyn White and found some suspicious points. He plans to go to Emlyn's address this afternoon to check the situation.
If he still can't find any clues, he can only try divination.
Finding a person is the same as finding a cat, so there shouldn't be much difference.
"You need to be well-fed to have the energy to work."
Just as he was considering whether to get another bowl of soup, a tall, thin man wearing round-framed glasses sat down opposite him.
Klein looked up. He recognized the man in front of him; his name was Sean, and he was also a new detective in the guild. Because they were both newcomers, they had chatted a few times and were fairly familiar with each other.
"Sherlock, you're here." The man pushed up his slipping glasses. "There's a case discussion in a bit, organized by Old John. Why don't you come?"
Old John, that seasoned detective? Klein became interested upon hearing this and put down his fork. Old John was one of the most senior detectives in the guild, and attending his discussion was indeed a good opportunity to integrate into the circle.
"What case?" he asked casually.
"A big case." Sean looked around first, then lowered his voice. "It's said to be a series of thefts, with all the victims being wealthy people. The police are at a loss and specifically asked us detectives to investigate."
"And..." the bespectacled man looked around again, then said mysteriously, "It's said that some supernatural phenomena have occurred..."
Supernatural? An extraordinary event!
Klein's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly. This was exactly what he needed: an opportunity to both access the guild's inner circle and gather extraordinary intelligence.
"I'll be there on time." He picked up his plate and stood up, but after hesitating for a moment, he sat down and chose to finish the food on his plate first.
……
"Ah, a new friend has arrived." Old John's hoarse voice held a scrutinizing tone. "Find a seat, young man."
Klein found an empty seat and sat down, observing everyone present discreetly.
Several of them were well-known detectives in the guild, and there were also a few unfamiliar faces who might be from the police.
That is?
Klein, who had just sat down, glanced at the mechanical clock on the wall and suddenly realized something: there was a tarot gathering today.
Oh no! I've lost track of time.
I was so focused on union affairs that I forgot about the Tarot Club!
As the discussion began, the atmosphere in the meeting room grew increasingly heated, while Klein became more and more anxious. He had to leave immediately, but leaving like this would be too suspicious...
"I'm sorry," Klein suddenly stood up, his face pale. The "Joker's" ability allowed him to perfectly simulate the symptoms of food poisoning.
"Perhaps the fish at lunch wasn't very fresh..."
Old John frowned, but seeing Klein's pale face, he waved his hand: "Go quickly and come back quickly."
Klein practically staggered out of the conference room, regaining his normal pace as soon as he turned the corner in the corridor. After confirming that no one was around, he slipped into the restroom, locked the stall door, and quickly set up a spiritual wall.
In the ancient palace above the gray fog, Audrey's cheerful voice rang out first: "Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~"
Then the "Hanged Man" and the little "Sun" followed and greeted him.
Klein sat at the head of the long bronze table and nodded slightly to the members.
"Mr. Fool, this time I have collected five pages of Russell's diary."
Alger, the "Hanged Man," spoke first.
Mr. "The Hanged Man" was quite excited; five pages of Russell's diary was indeed a lot... Audrey habitually observed the state of the Tarot Club members.
Five pages... Mr. Hanged Man is very efficient this time, Klein was also slightly surprised.
"very good."
Then, five pages of Russell's diary materialized before his eyes.
"On December 16th, I made contact again with that poor guy who was trapped deep in the storm and lost in the darkness."
"He called himself Mr. 'The Door' and tried to teach me a complicated and difficult ritual to help him return to the real world, promising to fulfill three requests of me."
"Does he think I'm stupid? I've lived for over sixty years across my two lifetimes, and I still can't see through this typical trick of evil gods and demons..."
Hmm... This Roselle diary contains quite a lot of information. Looking at the diary in front of him, Klein's breathing quickened slightly.
Mr. Men, that title suggests he must be someone of high status... I wonder what happened to Mr. Men later, and whether Rosell agreed to his request.
A series of questions popped into Klein's mind, and there was a strange sense of pleasure in prying into secrets.
Will the answers be found in the diary entries later?
Filled with curiosity, Klein turned to the second page of the diary.
This page is very short, with only two sentences.
His anticipation froze instantly upon seeing the content:
"On October 26th, Miss Solante made me feel young again."
On October 28th, I knew that Duke Lotte was eavesdropping in the next room, and to be honest, the feeling wasn't too bad.
Well... okay, Rosell is Rosell.
I shouldn't have had too much hope for him.
Klein had to use all of his "Joker" abilities to maintain his enigmatic expression.
He patiently continued looking behind him.
"On September 20th, the once invincible Soren family finally became my defeated foe."
Indeed, this is the destiny of time travelers.
I must say, the youngest daughter of the Soren family is quite pretty.
It's perfectly reasonable for the victor to experience the taste of defeat.
Not to mention he's a member of the royal family; that stubborn look in his eyes is really interesting!
"On September 22nd, I felt that I had been indulging myself too much lately. Even though I had just overthrown the Soren family and there was still so much to do, I was becoming more and more addicted to these things."
But... I'm under a lot of pressure too, you know. Those remnants of the previous dynasty are still stirring up trouble, and there's a mountain of government affairs piling up.
How can we not relieve stress?
Besides, as the victor, what's wrong with enjoying yourself?
……
This! No, Your Majesty, what have you done?!
Klein barely suppressed the urge to facepalm. Your Majesty, you overthrew the royal family just for this?!
Roselle's candid account of his romantic affairs made his eyes twitch. It seemed that the time-traveling predecessor had spent too much energy "appeasing" the noblewomen of the previous dynasty after overthrowing the Solon dynasty.
……
"Mr. Fool seems quite satisfied with these diaries..." Alger observed the silent figure at the end of the long table and speculated to himself.
……
Whose seat is this?
During the discussion, one of the detectives pointed to Klein's location and asked a question.
"It seems to be Sherlock's."
"Where are the others?"
"I'm going to the restroom."
"Strange, he's been gone for quite a while. Could it be that he has a stomach problem?"