Chapter 81: Mr. A, The Fool Sends His Regards

Extra Chapter. Also I have a new schedule I'm not going to be uploading on Saturdays and Sundays anymore. 

August 28th, Tuesday.

At 8 a.m., in a café in the Hillsdon district, Ashes sat by the window, gently stirring his coffee with a spoon while observing the pedestrians passing by on the street.

Until Klein, dressed in a tailcoat and a half-height silk top hat, silently sat down across from him.

"Welcome to Backlund, Mr. Klein," Ashes said as he put down the spoon and nodded slightly in greeting.

"Just call me Klein." Klein touched his nose and then turned to the approaching waiter, saying, "A cup of Southville coffee, please."

Ashes glanced at the top of Klein's head.

Favored of Evernight, Favored of Evernight Lord Klein Moretti.

Ashes fell into deep thought.

Seeing Klein again reminded him of a long-standing question—Why is the title of 'The Fool's' follower Klein 'Favored of Evernight'?

"Could it be..." Ashes mind stirred slightly as a bold guess formed.

Perhaps Mr. 'The Fool'... might have taken on a double agent as a follower!

"I don't have much time, so I'll get straight to the point," Klein said, unaware of Ashes thoughts, as he quickly organized his thoughts in his mind and spoke, "First, the sacrificial ring you gave me has already been used. You can state the compensation amount you want."

"Second, the dagger you lent me was also lost. I'll compensate you accordingly."

Halfway through, the waiter arrived, placing the coffee in front of Klein. Klein picked up the spoon, scooped a spoonful of sugar into the coffee, and stirred it gently. All the while, he discreetly observed Ashes expression.

But Klein was struggling internally!

The sacrificial ring was used by the Captain, saving his life. That money was well spent.

But the dagger—its loss was sheer misfortune.

Originally, Ashes lent him the dagger, and as long as he returned it afterward, there would be no issue.

But who knew that Leonard, that guy, was so unscrupulous—he looted his own body!

They say "respect the dead," and here I was, dying to save Tingen; couldn't you at least show me some respect?

And now, even though he was 'reborn,' it wasn't like he could openly ask Leonard to return the dagger.

So, he could only compensate with more money.

Klein was miserable—he was already deep in debt, and now things were getting worse.

"Compensation?" Ashes lightly tapped the table with his finger, thought for a moment, and said, "The sacrificial ring and the dark dagger together, let's say 10,000 pounds. What do you think?"

"Alright." Klein took a deep breath and nodded heavily, "I'll gather the money as soon as possible and pay you back. Besides that, I also owe you a favor!"

Klein was well aware that the value of the sacrificial ring alone far exceeded 10,000 pounds!

Ashes was clearly giving him a discount out of respect for 'The Fool.'

And Klein didn't pretend to be more than he was. He couldn't even afford 10,000 pounds, so there was no point in pretending to be rich.

But in any case, he was still in debt.

So, he could only repay with a favor.

"No problem." Ashes nodded lightly and continued, "Besides, you don't need to repay the 10,000 pounds in cash."

"..." Klein's face stiffened, and he smiled bitterly, "Then how do you want me to repay it?"

"Counting that favor, you will do three things for me in total. How about that?"

"Alright." Klein hesitated only slightly before agreeing to Ashes proposal.

Without counting the favor, that would mean an average of 5,000 pounds per task. He had no reason to refuse.

"The first task," Ashes raised one finger, "help me investigate information related to the 'Lawyer' pathway. Any information will do."

"Okay." Klein thought for a moment and nodded slightly.

He knew that Ashes had always been searching for the 'Black Emperor,' and the 'Black Emperor' was intricately linked with the 'Lawyer' pathway. Investigating 'Lawyer' was essentially investigating 'Black Emperor.'

"I haven't thought of the second task yet, so I'll owe it for now." Ashes took a sip of coffee and then said, "Now let's talk about you. What are your plans?"

"What plans could I have?" Klein's expression turned bitter as he smiled wryly, "Besides completing the tasks assigned by that person, I just want to find the person who killed me as soon as possible!"

Ince Zangwill!

Klein clenched his fist. He had already divined the despicable thief who caused his death.

If it weren't for what that person did, he wouldn't have had to die.

If he didn't take that person down, it wouldn't justify his death!

"By the way," Klein suddenly said, "my current name..."

"Mr. Black?" At that moment, a newsboy peeked into the café and hesitantly called out.

Ashes turned his head and waved at him.

"This is for you, from a gentleman," the newsboy said as he trotted over and handed Ashes a note.

"A gentleman?" Ashes raised an eyebrow slightly. "What kind of gentleman?"

"Hmm, not very tall, just a bit taller than me, and he looked pretty thin," the newsboy said, making a gesture. Ashes immediately understood that he was talking about Xio.

"Go on." Ashes nodded slightly, pulling out a one-soli bill and handing it to the newsboy.

"Thank you, sir!" The newsboy beamed with joy and ran off.

 Ashes unfolded the note. It was an address, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

"Klein," Ashes stood up and said slowly, "I have some matters to attend to, so let's leave it at that for today."

"Of course," Klein relaxed his posture and smiled, "After all, we're both in Backlund. We'll have plenty of opportunities to meet in the future."

 Ashes nodded, placed a one-pound bill on the table, and before leaving, paused slightly, "I live at 117 Birming Street. If you need help, you can find me there."

"I will." Klein was momentarily stunned, then nodded solemnly as if something had occurred to him.

Watching Ashes leave, Klein sighed softly as if he had a premonition.

As expected.

Maybe next time...

...

3 p.m.

 Ashes stood in front of an unassuming house. This was the address Xio had provided him.

If all went well, Mr. A would be here.

But that's only if all goes well.

But even if it doesn't, it's fine.

He had already set the hounds loose.

Knock, knock.

Ashes walked up and knocked on the wooden door.

Soon, a middle-aged man, looking like a butler, opened the door slightly.

"Come in, Mr. A is waiting for you."

Under the guidance of the middle-aged man, Ashes entered the house and met a man wearing a hood, sitting with his legs crossed, exuding an air of superiority.

"Speak, what is it?" the man asked.

"Before that," Ashes asked politely, "I'd like to confirm, are you Mr. A?"

"Yes," Mr. A's gaze swept over Ashes, and a mocking smile appeared on his lips. "I hope you really have something urgent."

"Of course," Ashes smiled and nodded, "The Fool sends his regards."

"What?" Mr. A was first confused, then saw Ashes pull out a skull, his eyes almost instinctively drawn to it.

And in the next moment, Ashes suddenly crushed the skull and threw it on the ground!

LuringSkull LuringSkull

A skull tainted with the scent of a soul,bestowed by the mentor of the DeepChapel. When shattered,its catters in all directions,attracting nearbyenemies .But it does not work on all enemies.

Mr. A, recovering from his shock, suddenly laughed.

"So you came to kill me."

(End of the chapter)