Hillesden, Evergreen Street No. 12.
Lex, appearing with the appearance of a 'Duke' in a black wool overcoat, a three-piece suit underneath, and a matching semi-tall top hat, pulled the doorbell at Arbiter Cromwell's house.
"The materials for the Reaper are complete. Next, I will head to Bayam, find the Iron Blood Cross Society's administrator, confirm the ritual, and then I can advance."
"Additionally, I can learn about the Iron Blood Cross Society through that fellow Raditz, approach him, and plan for the Blood Knight potion formula."
"A demigod formula, I estimate it won't be that easy to obtain."
Lex rubbed his cheek, preparing for failure.
"But only by advancing to a demigod can I truly open the door to the upper echelons of the mysterious world's Pyramid. After becoming a demigod, I will be able to obtain a higher position in the military. General… when I become a General…"
At this moment, the door opened, and Cromwell's grey-green eyes brought Lex's attention back to reality. He smiled and took off his hat: "Good evening, my friend."
Cromwell smiled: "Good evening. Seeing you puts my mind at ease, especially after such a great disaster not long ago."
He stepped aside, inviting Lex and Levto into the house. The fireplace in the living room flickered with firelight, making the interior much warmer than the street.
Lex took off his overcoat, which Levto took and hung on the coat rack, then heard Cromwell ask: "Would you like coffee or black tea?"
Lex sat on the sofa and replied with a smile: "Black tea, thank you."
A moment later, Cromwell brought two cups of black tea. The cups had pristine white porcelain glaze, adorned with classical patterns, some parts gilded with gold.
Lex was somewhat surprised, as these tea sets seemed to be new. Then he heard Cromwell say: "Since coming to Backlund, my financial situation has improved. Before the New Year, I replaced some things."
"They include a mahogany base sideboard, ceramic dinner plates, silver cutlery, and these gilded tea sets. They allow me to reclaim some moments of the past."
Looking at Cromwell's soft, grey-green eyes, he seemed to be thinking of his wife. It appeared these were things his fiancée liked.
"You will meet an even better lady, believe me." Lex looked at his friend and said.
The firewood in the fireplace crackled, sending up several sparks that streaked across Cromwell's eyes. He smiled and shook his head: "Friend, something like this is enough once. If it happens again, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to bear it."
"People like us are not qualified to start a family."
The somewhat pessimistic Arbiter took out a letter: "I guess you've already been to Lyn's house."
Lex smiled: "I guess that's for me."
Cromwell smiled and placed the envelope on the table, pushing it towards Lex.
Just as the Arbiter had guessed, Lex had already been to the lawyer's house, but his house was being rented out, so he changed course and came here.
Taking Lyn's letter, Lex tore it open and read it carefully.
'Duke, by the time you read this letter, I will already be on my way to Intis. I apologize for not being able to accept your invitation. Life on the Sea has never been my pursuit. I plan to try my luck in Trier.'
'If you have the chance, you should also come to Trier. It is the Capital of Intis, rebuilt by Emperor Roselle. It is a great metropolis full of sunshine, and it is absolutely no less impressive than Backlund.'
'Again, I apologize for my unannounced departure. This is my address in Trier. If you come to Intis, be sure to find me.'
'Your friend, Lyn. Horst.'
Remembering the address Lyn left, Lex smiled and said: "It seems he has found the direction he wants to strive for."
Cromwell smiled and said: "Aren't you angry?"
"Why should I be angry? I should be happy for Lyn. Before the New Year, he was so frustrated, but now these words, they are full of Life."
Lex put down the letter and said: "One doesn't necessarily have to be by your side to be called a friend, don't you think?"
"I strongly agree."
Cromwell raised his teacup: "Although this isn't wine, let's drink to our friend?"
"That's exactly what I was going to say."
On Tuesday morning, Lex and Levto boarded a steam train bound for Tingen City. There weren't many passengers on the train, so Lex heard all of their conversations.
"After the New Year, too many people are going to Backlund. I'm worried my job will be replaced…" a man in his early thirties sighed in his seat.
"After that terrible disaster, salaries were reformed. Now, ordinary workers earn 21 soli a week, and factory owners have promised a maximum of 12 working hours a day. Who could refuse such a temptation?" a middle-aged man said, spreading out a newspaper. "Next, Backlund will be livelier than before. Just wait and see."
Lex sat in his seat, smiling, but there was little amusement in his eyes.
He couldn't smile.
As someone who had personally experienced that disaster, he felt that something within him was quietly changing, something was silently brewing, waiting for an opportunity to erupt.
It was already one o'clock in the afternoon when they arrived in Tingen City. The train station platform was crowded with people preparing to go to Backlund. As Lex walked among them, he heard the phrase 'Land of Hope' quite often.
Today was January 4th, and Lex wasted no time. He took a taxi carriage to Mr. Hardy's house. Just as he was about to knock, the door opened by itself.
Old Hardy's son, Rowley, came out. His lips were tightly pressed on his serious face, and there was a hint of helplessness in his eyes. He paused for a second when he saw Lex before speaking: "Reporter Rayleigh?"
"Good afternoon, Mr. Rowley." Lex took off his hat in greeting, feeling that the atmosphere inside the house was not quite right, so he said, "I hope I haven't disturbed you."
Rowley let out a breath and said: "My father is too stubborn. I wanted him to stop running the pie shop after the New Year, but he wouldn't listen to a single word. Reporter Rayleigh, can you help me persuade him?"
Do I look like someone who is good at handling family disputes?
Lex coughed into his fist and said with a laugh: "I'll try my best."
Rowley seemed to be in a hurry to leave. He nodded slightly, put on his hat, and walked away.
At this moment, Old Hardy came out. Seeing Lex, a smile appeared on his wrinkled face, and he invited Lex into the house.
Lex hung his coat and hat on the coat rack and came to the living room with Levto. The carpeted living room was warm like spring. In such an environment, the old man was not wearing high-necked clothing.
"I saw the report about the great smog in Backlund in the newspaper. It was truly terrifying! Rowley actually wants to go to Backlund and tried to persuade me to stop running the pie shop and go with him to that city, just because the salary there is one-third higher!"
The old man seemed to still be angry: "What's wrong with Tingen? You can see the sun here even in winter. There's no great smog here, and no terrible Plague!"
"Oh, I'm sorry. Please forgive an old man's rambling. You're here for that diary, aren't you? I've found it. It's in my room. I'll get it for you now."
"I've already read that diary. Now I know that my father also had many unrealistic fantasies when he was young. Ha, in my impression, he was a realist."
A moment later, Lex received a diary. Its cover was worn and much damaged.
He carefully opened it and saw some scribbled handwriting on the first page:
March 4th, damn it, I woke up in the basement again. How did I get in? The basement door has three locks, and the keys are in my father's hand. Since the last time I knocked over the wine he stored in the basement, he obviously wouldn't give me the keys.
So, how did I get in???