On Friday evening, Lex used the 'traveler's almanacs' to return to Tingen City, first returning the diary to Mr. Hardy, then meeting Kaven and Nafi in the evening, arranging to meet them on monday morning at the "Pritz Harbor Ticket Company" in the White Rose District.
On Saturday morning, Lex took a steam train to Backlund. The train was crowded with many passengers, carrying countless hopeful people to Backlund.
Upon arriving at the station, the fog was thin, and the sun was faintly visible.
The gas lamps hanging on the platform were already extinguished, and the constant stream of travelers formed a dense crowd. Lex, experienced, clutched his wallet tightly, while Levto carried his suitcase, following the throng slowly out of the steam train station.
While waiting for a hansom cab on the street, Lex suddenly shifted to the side, causing a hand reaching for his pocket to miss its target.
"It seems there are more pickpockets now."
Lex adjusted his top hat and got into a hansom cab, leaving this chaotic and complex area.
Arriving at Backlund Street, the pedestrians were noticeably fewer, and the carriages increased. Soon, Lex saw the house Bison had rented.
He gave the coachman an extra 2 soli tip, and in the other party's smile and blessings, he got out of the carriage and walked through the main gate.
As soon as he entered the hall, Lex's vision blurred, and he was already blocked by Harribel and Joe. Joe was also pulling Baron's adopted daughter, Pasha.
The little girl seemed to have been forcibly dragged over by Joe, appearing somewhat flustered, her small hands having nowhere to rest, and her eyes flickering.
Harribel put her hands on her hips and said, "Lex, where did you run off to play without saying a word!"
This was an inquiry to settle accounts. Lex gave a dry laugh. On monday, he had only greeted his mother, originally thinking he would be back in a day or two, so he hadn't told his younger siblings that he would be away for a few days.
"I went to Tingen City. As you know, I stayed there for a while and made a few friends there, so I thought I'd take advantage of the New Year holiday to see them." Fortunately, Lex had already thought of an excuse when he returned.
Harribel exchanged a glance with Joe, and the little boy pulled Pasha forward, extending his hand and saying, "Where are the gifts? Lex went to Tingen to play, he must have brought us gifts, didn't he, Pasha?"
Pasha said flusteredly, "I, I don't want any."
Joe said anxiously, "Did you forget what Harribel said? Lex went out to play without us, we need to settle accounts with him."
Harribel immediately rolled her eyes: "Joe, you little idiot, don't sell me out too."
Lex laughed heartily: "Don't worry, I've already prepared your gifts."
He held out his hand, and Levto brought over a paper bag. Lex tossed the paper bag to his younger siblings: "You can divide the contents among yourselves."
After speaking, he left with Levto.
Joe excitedly opened the paper bag, expecting something fun, but when he looked, it turned out to be a bunch of desi pies.
In the hall, the children's dissatisfied voices immediately rang out. Lex smiled. Those were given to him by Mr. Hardy last night, and they were indeed gifts brought from Tingen City.
After lunch, Lex was called to the study by Bison.
Since the unpleasant incident with Bison that night, Lex hadn't spoken much with the Baron, but today, Bison seemed to have forgotten what happened that day. He was radiant and all smiles.
"I have good news for you, my boy."
"I've found an investment consultant for us. I want to entrust your bank account to the investment consultant for management. They promise we can get as much as 20% return annually."
"What do you think?"
Lex narrowed his eyes slightly. His intuition told him that the Baron was doing this to tighten his control over him. Fortunately, his large deposits were either in anonymous accounts or kept as cash in the 'spirit world treasure chest'.
His bank account only contained the annuity he originally received as the Baron's son, and the monthly salary deposited into his account by the Navy.
Because Lex joined the 'Black Sail', he was a Lieutenant upon leaving the camp. According to the salary of an officer in the Loen Kingdom, he could receive 10 soli per week. Plus the allowance for special departments, Lex originally could receive 18 soli per week.
Now promoted to Major, his weekly salary and allowance have almost doubled, and his weekly salary has now risen to 30 soli.
In a month, he could receive 120 soli. Earning over a hundred soli a month, this was already considered a wealthy middle class in Loen, in Backlund.
"Okay, Father, I'll leave my bank account to you to manage." Lex smiled slightly, not refusing.
Bison nodded contentedly: "I guarantee that when you return, there will be an extra sum of money in your account."
"I'm looking forward to it."
Leaving the study and returning to his room, Lex picked up a newspaper and began to read it.
If the Beyonder gathering at the 'Brave Bar' were to be held, the convener would place an advertisement in the newspaper. This was information obtained from the memory of that 'Demon'.
Lex wanted to see if there were any Beyonder gatherings these days, but he didn't see an advertisement, instead, he saw a 'missing person' notice.
The reason he was attracted to it was a name.
"Abrio?"
Lex remembered this name; he had a dream. In the dream, he became another person, and a beautiful young girl called that person 'Abrio'.
And now, someone was looking for Abrio!
"This..."
Lex mused: "This is quite a coincidence. In mysticism, coincidences often mean there's something significant behind them."
He closed the newspaper.
He noted down the contact address in the missing person notice.
Saturday noon.
Cherwood district, Hope Road 22, Hat Trick Inn.
The waiter at the front desk, who had just managed to take a sip of water, saw a lady enter the doorway. This lady had long, dark, and straight hair, wearing the most fashionable long dress of the year, adorned with many laces and ruffles.
The lady, wearing tinted glasses on her nose, spoke with an exotic accent: "I wish to visit Mr. Gatu Field. El in room 2012."
"Alright, according to the latest management law, we need to register the visitor's name, and please show your identification," the waiter said with a smile.
"Marilyn Monroe. As for identification, you've already seen it, haven't you?" The lady's voice suddenly deepened.
The waiter's eyes lost focus slightly, but quickly returned to normal: "Indeed, please follow me, Madam."
Led by the waiter towards the stairs, the dark-haired lady spoke in a voice only she could hear: "Marilyn Monroe? What kind of name is that? When that guy gave me this name, I always felt he had ill intentions."
As she passed a window in the corridor, a strong gust of wind suddenly blew, lifting the hem of the lady's skirt. She quickly reached out to press it down to avoid exposure.