Chapter 55: Decision
"Oh? Magic Crystals?"
Count Andres picked up the two crystals and examined them closely under the morning light.
"One is a Rank-1 Life Magic Crystal, and the other… a Rank-1 Poison Magic Crystal," he muttered. "Both are rare. What's the market price these days, Bryce?"
The butler thought for a moment before answering.
"It ranges between three to five thousand gold coins, my Lord."
"Hmm. And there are around two thousand gold coins in the chest itself," Andres said, tapping the rim. "That makes the total worth easily over ten thousand. Who would send such a gift to my office?"
His gaze shifted to the folded notepaper in Bryce's hand.
"Give it to me."
Count Andres unfolded the letter. The edges were torn, as if ripped hastily from a notebook.
"The sender must have been in a hurry. Judging by the handwriting, probably a teenager," he murmured, then began to read aloud.
Good day, Count. I hope this small gift is to your liking.
I know you're aware of Thomas Holmes' kidnapping. I'll wait for three days.
I hope you arrest all members of the Gold Thieves and put them behind bars for kidnapping a fallen noble.
Although I'd like you to deal with Inspector Bennett and his backer, the Falcons, that's too much to ask.
Help me rescue Thomas, and I'll reward you with five inferior versions of the "Potion of Insight" by year's end.
If you cooperate with the Holmes family, we might maintain a long and profitable relationship.
The letter ended abruptly.
"No signature." Andres frowned. "How bold."
He leaned back in thought. "What is this 'Potion of Insight,' anyway?"
Bryce perked up. "I read about it in the Legacy News yesterday, my Lord. It was supposedly crafted by the famous alchemist Jonathan. The potion lets even Legendary Walkers glimpse 'Enlightenment.' Some claim it can help them break past their limits."
Count Andres' eyes narrowed. "And this boy thinks he can bribe me with an inferior version of such a potion?"
He crushed the letter in his fist and tossed it into the bin.
"Find whoever entered Bristol Street last night and bring me this thief at once. He dares order me around because he slipped a chest into my mansion? I'll teach him what a Lord truly is."
Bryce bowed quickly and hurried out.
Andres exhaled and sat down on the wooden chair behind his desk. His fingers drummed the table.
"If word gets out that Thomas Holmes was kidnapped by common thugs, it'll stain my reputation among the nobles. The Prince won't take it kindly either."
He glanced at the golden chest again. "And this thing… its shape looks almost like a coffin."
From his silver ring, he drew a small deck of ornate cards. Shuffling once, he drew a single card—the image of a coffin engraved in black ink. Words below it read:
Signifies endings, closure, and transformation. A symbol of grief… and new beginnings.
He stared at the card in silence.
"The Holmes Family's fall already ended. Does this mean their revival is near? And the sender… he might be an alchemist. If so, he may know about that place. Should I intervene or not?"
He sighed and set the card down.
"The Oracle Lore's predictions never miss. If I stay idle, Thomas will escape and rise again."
That was something Count Andres could not allow.
"If the sender doesn't see results in three days, he'll expose this to the press or nobles. I might as well earn the money he's thrown my way."
Minutes later, Bryce returned.
"I've already sent Paul and Wyatt to investigate anyone who entered the street last night, my Lord."
"Good. Also, summon Inspector Bennett from RA-02. Tell him it concerns the Gold Thieves."
"Yes, my Lord." Bryce bowed again and left.
Andres leaned back in his chair, his mind racing.
An hour later, the door opened again. Bryce returned, this time with a young man in his twenties.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, and wore a dark-blue uniform with three chevrons on the sleeve. A long rifle hung across his back. His hair was a deep crimson, his eyes sharp and amber-colored.
"Good morning, Sir," he said with a salute. "I heard you wished to discuss the Gold Thieves?"
Count Andres looked up from the papers. "Bryce, you may leave us."
"Yes, my Lord." The butler exited quietly, closing the door behind him.
"Did something happen, my Lord?" Bennett asked, removing his hat.
"I plan to deal with the Gold Thieves tonight," Andres said flatly. "The information's leaked. If I don't act now, my reputation will fall again. Eliminate them before things spiral further."
Bennett's expression darkened. "If you grant us one more week, the Falcons can break the sealed door. We're close, my Lord."
Andres' tone hardened. "Using Thomas's blood to open that door was idiotic. I don't even know where the Falcons got such nonsense—that the Holmes family held a treasure capable of rewriting destiny. If it truly existed, why didn't they use it before their downfall? This entire kidnapping was a waste of time."
He paused. "Tell the Falcons to withdraw from Azmar."
Bennett opened his mouth to protest, but Andres raised a hand. "Don't make me repeat myself."
"…Yes, my Lord." Bennett straightened, then turned to leave. But at the door, he stopped.
"We have an Expert Walker with us, Count. Don't think too little of us."
Andres arched an eyebrow, then simply said, "Leave."
The door closed behind him. Andres exhaled through his nose.
"So, an Expert Rank Walker, huh? That complicates things."
He pulled out an empty scroll from the drawer, dipped his pen in ink, and began to write. When he finished, he pressed the family's wax seal onto the right corner.
"Bryne!" he called.
A young butler stepped in. "Yes, my Lord?"
"Send this to the Vipers' Branch Office. I need them to handle something before evening." Andres handed him the letter.
"Also, invite Aunt Leah to stay at the main house for a few days. If someone could sneak into this mansion once, I won't take chances again."
"Yes, my Lord." Bryne bowed and left.
Count Andres leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting toward the golden chest once more.
Its dull gleam reflected on his face as he murmured, "A coffin of gold, a warning in disguise... and a boy who tries to rescue Thomas."
He smiled faintly.
"This should be interesting."