Chapter 50: Information
'Hmm, it'll take me at least ten days just to memorize these characters. After that, I'll have to study their meanings and start using them in practice.'
Raven closed the black-covered book after two more hours of study and exited the Memory Library.
Outside the window, dusk had already deepened into night.
'I should head out and dig up some information about the Holmes Family first,' he thought. But before leaving, he decided to inspect something.
He pulled out the monocle from his inventory and wore it, then took out the pair of boots Elizabeth had given him as a reward.
…
[Name: Shadow Boots]
[Rank: Uncommon]
Item Statistics:
Movement Speed: Doubles normal speed when activated. (Effective up to Rank-2)Special Effect: Engraved with the Rank-1 spell [Shadow Stealth] — upon activation, the user can erase their presence for five minutes.Bonus: Spell is 200% more effective at night, making the user nearly invisible.Cooldown: 1 hour.
…
"Amazing… No wonder these cost more than ten thousand gold coins." Raven let out a low whistle. "If I were her, I'd never give this away."
Still, he smiled faintly. "I'll repay her one day."
Then he frowned. "But… how do I even activate it?"
[Find the array circle on each shoe. Inject a bit of spirit power into it, make a soul imprint, and form a connection.]
Zera's calm voice echoed in his mind.
Following her words, Raven examined the soles of the boots with his spiritual scan and soon spotted circular patterns carved with intricate rune lines. In the center of one, a small black hexagonal shape pulsed faintly — a replica of a spell model.
He focused, sending his spirit power into it. The pattern flickered with a dim light, and he instantly felt a connection form between his mind and the artifact. He repeated the process for the second boot, then put them on.
After changing into a neat formal outfit, Raven left his room and went downstairs.
He ordered dinner at the inn counter, then took a quiet seat near the corner. As he ate, he listened to nearby conversations, occasionally asking questions of travelers and merchants.
Within half an hour, he had gathered fragments of information about the Holmes Family.
…
Twenty years ago, the Holmes Family managed Azmar Town. Once a proud noble house, they fell to the lowest Knight rank but still held influence locally. During the Goblin Invasion, almost the entire family was wiped out, leaving only one survivor — Walter Holmes.
Walter joined the Spade Knights Academy, later left, married an orphan girl, and had a son named Thomas. The small family lived quietly in Giaris City, running a wine factory and small businesses. But tragedy struck again two years ago — Walter and his wife died in a train fire near the Capital. Thomas, devastated, fell into addiction and isolation. Two months ago, he vanished… and no one seemed to care.
…
[But no one seems to care about his disappearance.]
'Yeah,' Raven thought grimly. 'We'll need to visit his house. Maybe we'll find some clues there.'
He stood and glanced toward the counter.
'How much should I pay for information? Two silvers should be fine, right?'
[Naïve. Two silvers will buy you gossip, not truth. Offer a gold coin. That'll make him talk.]
'A gold coin?! That's enough to feed a family for a month!'
[Information is power, boy. And power never comes cheap.]
With a sigh, Raven approached the counter. The same middle-aged man from earlier stood behind it — short, with gray hair, olive skin, and an owl tattoo on his neck.
The man noticed Raven and bowed slightly. "How may I help you, sir?"
"I'm looking for information about Thomas Holmes." Raven flipped the gold coin between his fingers, watching the man's eyes follow it.
The innkeeper instantly closed his ledger. "Ah, I'm Finn, sir. You mean the fallen noble who's been missing, yes?"
Raven nodded.
Finn leaned forward, voice dropping to a whisper. "Rumor says the Palmer Family might be behind it. They've been after the Holmes Wine Factory for years. Even when Walter Holmes was alive, the Palmers tried to take it by force. Walter filed a case in court, but after his death, everything was conveniently dismissed."
Finn paused, tore a page from his ledger, and scribbled an address.
"A year ago, the Palmers used their influence to seal the factory entirely. Here—" he handed over the note. "This is the Holmes residence in Giaris City. You might find more if you talk to the neighbors."
His eyes darted toward the gold coin in Raven's hand.
Raven smirked and tossed it to him.
[Now what? Back to studying runes?]
'No. Let's check the Holmes house first. And the City Museum Hall too.'
[At this hour?]
'You never know what waits in the dark,' Raven replied, already stepping outside.
…
As soon as the door shut, Finn's friendly expression vanished.
He turned to the black-haired waiter behind him. "Do a background check on that man. Tell Inspector Bennett that someone's digging into Thomas Holmes — says he's from a rich family. Also, send word to the Falconcrest. Let's see if they're willing to pay for this one."
His lips twisted into a cold smile.
Meanwhile, Raven walked through the gas-lit streets, unfolding the note in his hand.
"Holmes Mansion, 21A Bristol Street, Salford Borough…" he murmured.
Then he blinked. "Wait. Didn't Daisy say her home's on Bristol Street too?"
He recalled her words: Giaris City has four main boroughs—Southward, Eastmine, North, and Salford.
Southward was the transport hub. Eastmine was the merchant district where his inn stood. North Borough housed factories and industries. And Salford—home to nobles, the High Court, the City Museum, and Count Spade's residence—was the most guarded of all.
'Good thing I've got Instant Memory,' he thought, smiling faintly.
The streets were alive with noise — carriages rattling, laughter from theaters, and the chatter of people heading to evening gatherings.
Blending into the crowd, Raven walked through the lamplit streets toward Salford Borough. Half an hour later, he finally reached Bristol Street, where secrets—and answers—awaited.