9. Home Invasion Robbery and Homicide Case

A well-preserved rapier from the Sherlock Dynasty would never be priced below one hundred eighty Gold Eglus, with certain premiums even exceeding three hundred Aegeus.

For this reason, there are many replicas of Sherlock Dynasty rapiers on the market, and the Magic Stabbing Sword that Charles had purchased was definitely a counterfeit.

He was willing to buy this replica rapier for only one reason, that the scabbard it was fitted with was truly from the Sherlock Dynasty era.

Scabbards from the Sherlock Dynasty era are even scarcer than intact Magic Stabbing Swords and, because they are so rare yet not formally valued as treasures, nobody speculates on them.

Very few know that the scabbards from the Sherlock Dynasty era use the same steel as the Magic Stabbing Swords and that only the original scabbard can mask the magical fluctuations of the sword so it won't be detected by enemies prematurely. However, they are not enchanted and not considered magical items.

The collectors from the Fars Empire are eager to make their collections well-known, hence they replace with brand-new scabbards to increase appeal. The severely old and damaged original scabbards are often discarded and end up in second-hand weapons shops.

On Earth, if you visit any antique district, you'll find it full of swindlers skilled in "Antique Technique," wanting to find a real antique treasure is nearly like a wild goose chase.

But in the Fars Empire, during this medieval time, there aren't even genuine antique dealers, only second-hand goods stores where unnoticed treasures frequently leak out.

Charles planned to find a reliable blacksmith to melt down the scabbard and forge it into a new rapier, adding a bit of Starfall Iron would make it superior to standard-issue rapiers, though the whole process would be tedious.

Charles wandered the weapon market a while longer and purchased, for eighty-nine Sheng Dings, a second-hand Magnum Hand Shuttle and twenty bullets. The seller even threw in a rib holster, the kind that could be hidden under a coat.

A brand-new Magnum Hand Shuttle, on the black market, would go for at most two to three Fu Ers. The price of a ninety-percent new second-hand shuttle was halved.

The one Charles bought was exceptionally cheap and thus more worn, only eighty-percent new, but no parts were damaged, and he had tested one shot, which had no issues with accuracy.

Charles didn't think he would use it often and did not care about its newness, as long as it was functional.

After acquiring the two weapons, Charles also fitted the Bloodsucking Hand Axe with a convenient leather sheath for carrying and then left the weapon market, walking back to the Savings Association Apartments.

Just arriving at the apartment building, Charles felt something was amiss. There were four or five Patrolling Army carriages stopped downstairs at the Savings Association Apartments, with more than ten military horses tied up, and several members of the Patrolling Army chatting by the carriages, clearly something had happened.

He approached them amicably and said, "I am Charles Mecklen, a first-class Clerk Chief from the Central Government Office, a resident here. May I know what has occurred?"

Charles was incredibly young, and announcing himself as the Clerk Chief might easily have gotten him mistaken for a fraudster. Moreover, Kilmainham Prison definitely didn't have the clout of the Central Government Office, so he announced his outdated title.

A few members of the Patrolling Army exchanged looks, then laughed together, and said, "There was a burglary incident that resulted in a death. We will have it under control soon, Mister Mecklen."

Charles still felt a bit uneasy and asked, "May I go home?"

Several members of the Patrolling Army answered, "Of course, there's no problem, we've already surveyed the scene."

Charles entered the apartment and went up to the second floor, but seeing the hallway crowded with Patrolling Army, his uneasy feeling intensified.

When Charles saw his room with its door wide open and several Patrolling Army members standing and talking at the doorway, he was certain that he was the unlucky one.

He stepped forward and asked, "This is my room. What has happened here?"

A young and handsome member of the Patrolling Army instinctively drew his longsword, his face alert. An older colleague restrained his hand and said, "Dobin! This man has just come from outside and is clean, with no bloodstains. He must be the guest described by the doorman, Mister Mecklen."

The soldier who had drawn his longsword performed a flourish with it before sheathing it back, and then spoke in a sympathetic tone, "Mister, I'm afraid you'll have to come with us."

"A home invasion homicide occurred in your residence. A lady was murdered in your house."

Charles couldn't help but feel a slight headache and asked, "Mister Dobin, may I know the details of the case?"

The young Patrolling Army soldier replied, "This afternoon, a gentleman and a lady came to visit you. They forced their way into the apartment despite the doorman's objections. The gentleman forcefully broke down the door to your room and started fighting with the lady inside."

"The gentleman killed the lady accompanying him in your room and then escaped through the window."

"Unfortunately, your life will have to revolve around this incident for the time being."

From his memories and the disarray of women's clothing in the room, Charles could roughly deduce that his own private life was perhaps not so "pure," but he hadn't anticipated that trouble would find him so soon, and in such a severe form.

He rubbed his temples and asked, "May I go back to my room to check on some things?"

The young soldier nodded and gestured for him to proceed.

As Charles stepped into his room, the first thing he saw was clothes thrown all over the place, even more untidy and disordered, with several garments bearing bloodstains, clearly indicating a violent struggle had occurred in the room.

Charles glanced at the multi-headed flail and the Vampiric Hand Axe thrown in the corner, along with the diary on the desk, quietly breathed a sigh of relief, and decided to always carry the Vampiric Hand Axe with him from now on.

He turned and left the room, and spoke to the apartment manager who had been standing by with the Patrolling Army, "I'm sorry, I need a new room."

The manager pondered for a moment, helpless, and said, "There are only a few suites left in the apartment, which are relatively expensive. If this incident happened accidentally, we would take responsibility, but in this case, I'm afraid Mister Mecklen you may also bear some minor responsibility..."

Charles gave a slight smile and said, "I will cover the decreased rent for a year. I need to go out for a while with the Patrolling Army gentlemen. When I return, please show me the new room."

"Also, please find someone to watch over my things in the room to ensure they are not lost."

With Charles's promise, the manager visibly relaxed and said, "I will have Mary wait here for you until you return. As you know, Mary has always been very reliable."

Charles nodded and said to the two Patrolling Army soldiers, "I am ready to cooperate with the investigation at any time."

The Patrolling Army soldiers had already established the circumstances of the case, and with the return of Charles, the individual involved, their task was also completed.

In this era, the Fars Empire utilized the Patrolling Army to perform the duties of police on Earth, lacking the many formalities and meticulous procedures typical of investigations.