Lord of the Mysteries - Chapter 52

Chapter 52

"Stop thinking about the bloody IOU . Let's discuss the ritualistic magic . " Old Neil put away the candles, cauldron, silver knife, and other items with a relaxed expression .

Klein really wanted to shrug his shoulders like the Americans in his previous life, but ultimately could not bring himself to do something that ungentlemanly .

He turned his focus toward the ritualistic magic and threw out detailed questions that puzzled him, receiving answers from them . For example, the incantations had a particular format . As long as they were satisfied and the key meaning was expressed in Hermes, the rest could be left to one's creativity . Of course, blasphemy or disrespectful descriptions were absolutely forbidden .

The mysticism class lasted until noon before Old Neil coughed twice .

"We have to return to Zouteland Street . "

With that said, he grumbled in an indistinct manner, "To get these bloody materials, I missed my beloved breakfast . "

Klein looked around both amused and puzzled .

"Mr . Neil, do you have a chef? Or a maidservant in charge of cooking?"

A weekly salary of twelve pounds could hire several servants!

According to the newspapers, with board and lodging provided, hiring an ordinary chef cost anywhere between twelve to fifteen soli a week . It did not even need a pound . A maidservant to do miscellaneous chores was even cheaper . Their weekly salaries ranged between three soli six pence to six soli . Of course, one could not bear any hope of them having any culinary skills .

Uh, that's not right . With Mr . Neil's debt of thirty pounds, it's only normal he doesn't hire any chefs or servants . . .

It seems I've asked another question I should not have asked . . .

While Klein regretted his question, Old Neil shook his head without minding it .

"I often attempt ritualistic magic, research extraordinary items, and read corresponding documents at home, so I don't nor is it possible that I hire ordinary people as chefs, butlers or maidservants . I only hire someone to clean up the place regularly . And if they are not ordinary people, do you think they will be willing to do such jobs?"

"I seem to have asked a silly question . It's possibly because I will not do anything that involves mysticism at home," explained Klein in a self-deprecating manner .

Old Neil had long stood up, wore his round felt hat, and while walking out the door, rambled on .

"I seem to smell pan-fried foie gras . . . Once the IOU is completely settled, I'll definitely have one set! For lunch, I'll definitely eat roasted pork glazed with apple juices . No, that's not enough . I must have a sausage infused with mashed potatoes . . . "

You are making me hungry . . . Klein swallowed his saliva as he caught up to Old Neil and headed for the nearby public carriage stop .

After returning to Zouteland Street, Old Neil suddenly grunted after stepping down the carriage .

"What do I see? Goddess, what am I seeing?"

He was suddenly as nimble as a seventeen or eighteen-year-old lad . He quickly came to the roadside and picked up an item .

Klein leaned close out of curiosity and looked carefully . He realized it was a wallet with fine workmanship .

With his lack of experience, he could barely tell if the dark brown wallet was made of buffalo skin or sheepskin, but he noticed a small light-blue logo embroidered on the side of the wallet—a white dove spreading its wings as if ready to take off .

That was Klein's first impression . The second thing he noticed was the stack of paper notes in the bulging wallet .

There were more than twenty gray notes imprinted with black ink—gold pounds!

Old Neil opened up the wallet and pulled out the notes . When he looked at it carefully, he immediately chuckled .

"Ten-pound notes . The honorable Founder and Protector, William I . Wow, Goddess, there's a total of thirty notes . There's also a few five-pound notes, one-pound and five-soli notes . "

More than three hundred pounds? That's a huge amount of money in every meaning of the word! I might not even earn that much in ten years . . . Klein's breathing turned heavy involuntarily .

As the amount of gold pounds was immense, picking up such a wallet was equivalent to picking up a briefcase of banknotes in his previous life .

"I wonder which gentleman dropped it . . . He can't be someone ordinary," analyzed Klein calmly .

Such a wallet was clearly not a woman's .

"There's no need to care who he is," said Old Neil with a chuckle . "It's not like we attempted to divine and take money that doesn't belong to us . We should wait here for a moment . I believe the gentleman will soon be back searching for it . It's not something that can be given up no matter who it is . "

Klein heaved a sigh of relief . He had a brand-new understanding of Old Neil's morals .

He was rather worried that he would have used the Goddess's bestowment as an excuse and paid off his debt . He was still wondering how to prevent it and persuade him otherwise .

Is this "do as you wish, but do no harm?" Klein suddenly learned something new .

The duo did not wait more than a minute by the streets when a luxurious four-wheeled carriage zoomed over . Its side had a light blue logo with a dove spreading its wings .

The carriage stopped, and a middle-aged man dressed in a black formal suit with a bow tie of the same color alighted . He looked at the wallet, took off his hat, and said politely, "Sirs, that should be my master's wallet . "

"Your logo is proof of everything, but I need to make additional verifications . This is to be responsible for all parties . Might I ask how much money is there in the wallet?" replied Old Neil politely .

The middle-aged man was taken aback as he said in a self-deprecating manner almost immediately, "As a butler, I do not know how much money Master had in his wallet . Sorry . Please permit me to ask . "

"As you wish . " Old Neil gestured for him to do as he pleased .

The middle-aged man walked to the carriage's side and through the window, conversed with the person within .

He approached Klein and Old Neil again and smiled .

"More than 300 pounds, but less than 350 pounds . My master does not remember the exact number . "

Does not remember . . . That's really some filthy rich guy . If I had that much money on me, I would definitely be counting it again and again . . . Klein was filled with envy .

Old Neil nodded and handed the wallet back .

"With the Goddess as proof, this belongs to you . "

The middle-aged man took the wallet over and did an estimate before pulling out three ten-pound notes .

"My master is Sir Deweyville . He wishes to commend your morals . This is what an honest person should receive . Please do not reject it . "

Sir Deweyville? The one who established the Deweyville Trust? The Sir Deweyville who provided cheap rental apartments to the working class? Klein immediately remembered the name .

He was a knight that his brother respected but did not believe was grounded in reality .

"Thank you, Sir Deweyville . He is a kind and generous gentleman . " Old Neil did not stand on ceremony as he received the three notes .

After watching Sir Deweyville's carriage depart, he turned to look at Klein when he saw that there was no one around . He flicked the notes and chuckled .

"Thirty pounds . The IOU is settled .

"I said it will be settled in a reasonable manner .

"This is the power of magic . "

. . . Holy f**king power of magic! That actually works!? Klein was once again flabbergasted .

A few minutes later, he entered the building's stairwell and while heading to the security company, he asked puzzledly, "Mr . Neil, why didn't you ask for more money?"

"Do not be greedy . One must take care not to be greedy when doing ritualistic magic . Temperance is a critical trait needed by every Mystery Pryer if they wish to live long," explained Old Neil happily .

. . .

In a huge ballroom, candles were burning on a few chandeliers, emitting a fragrance that soothed the minds of people . By the sheer number of candles, they produced a light in no way inferior to that of gas lamps .

There were long tables with pan-fried foie gras, grilled steak, roasted chicken, fried tonguefish, Desi oysters, mutton stew, cream soup, and other delicacies . In addition, there were bottles of Mist Champagne, Aurmir grape wine, and Southville red wine . They were all glistening with a tempting glow under the light .

Servants in red vests carried trays with crystal cups and shuttled between the gentlemen and ladies dressed both elegantly or gorgeously .

Audrey Hall was wearing a collared, high-waisted, pale-white dress with engageantes . Her corset was tightly fitted, while her voluminous layers were puffed up perfectly with a cage crinoline .

Her long blond hair was coiled up in an elegant bun and the earrings, necklace, and rings she wore sparkled brightly . At her feet were a pair of white dancing shoes that were stitched with roses and diamonds .

How many petticoats am I even wearing? Five? Six? Wearing white-silk gloves, Audrey caressed her crinoline gently with her right hand .

Her left hand was holding a glass of clear champagne .

Audrey was nothing like her usual self, usually placing herself center-stage of banquets and making her the focus of attention . Instead, she avoided the bustle and quietly stood in the shadows of hanging curtains by the French windows .

She took a sip of champagne as she watched the crowd as though she did not belong .

Count Wolf's youngest son is chatting with Viscount Conrad's daughter . He likes to move his forearm to reinforce what he says . Hmm, the bigger the movement of his forearm, the more unbelievable his words . That is something gleaned from experience . . . He can't stop trying to elevate himself by putting other people down . However, he can't help but feel guilty . It can be seen by the way he talks and his body language . . .

Duchess Della has repeatedly covered her mouth while laughing with her left hand today . Ah, I see . She is showing off her pure ocean-blue sapphire . . .

Her husband, Duke Negan, is discussing the current situation with a few Conservative nobles . Since the banquet began, he has searched for Duchess Della once . . .

They almost never make eye contact . Maybe they aren't as in love as they pretend to be . . .

Baron Larry has made Madam Parnes laugh seven times . That's very normal, nothing strange about it, but why does she look at her husband with guilty eyes? Oh, they have gone their separate ways . . . That's not right, the directions they are headed leads to the garden . . .

. . .

In the extravagant banquet, Audrey saw many details she never noticed in the past .

There was an instant where she nearly believed that she was watching an opera .

Everyone is a good opera actor . . . She sighed silently as her eyes remained limpid .

At that moment, she suddenly sensed something and turned her head . She cast her gaze onto a dark corner in the large balcony outside .

In the shadows was a huge golden retriever sitting there silently . She was looking inside at Audrey while half her body was hidden in the darkness .

Susie . . . The corners of Audrey's mouth twitched as her expression instantly changed . She could no longer maintain her state as a Spectator .