Chapter 126 - 126 Finding Prey

Chapter 126 Finding Prey

Lumian quickly scanned Madam Magicians message, committing the essential points to memory.

It was evident that the first and third solutions to the Montsouris ghost dilemma were jokes. The only viable option was the second: using Fallen Mercury to swap his fate of encountering the Montsouris ghost.

In all honesty, Lumian hadnt considered stabbing himself with Fallen Mercury to proactively change his destiny. Only when he was cornered by the Montsouris ghost, teetering on the brink of death, did this desperate strategy surface in his mind.

Time was of the essence, and Lumian had to act fast. Hed only managed to exchange his fate of being attacked by the Montsouris ghost, not completely avoiding one. Hed narrowly escaped the first crisis but still lingered in deaths shadow.

Given the choice, Lumian would have still opted to exchange the fate of being attacked by the Montsouris ghost instead of just encountering one. The attack had already occurred, and he couldnt be sure it would cease with a mere fate swap. He needed the most reliable plan to save himself.

In simpler terms, what if the Montsouris ghost killed him and realized it had never met him and targeted the wrong person?

I need to find someone to trade the fate stored in Fallen Mercury for a better one. Then, Ill prepare thoroughly, and when Im ready, Ill stab myself to complete the exchange. Ill seal the Montsouris ghost encounter inside Fallen Mercury Lumian combined his experience with Madam Magicians advice and quickly devised a way to escape his predicament.

When the time came, Fallen Mercury, also known as the Cursed Blade, would cause whoever was stabbed to suffer the fate of their entire family dying, including themselves.

The drawback was the time it would take for the effect to occur.

Lumian drew Fallen Mercury from his waist, eyeing the blade wrapped in black cloth. He felt the Beyonder weapons potential more acutely than ever.

He seriously contemplated finding experts to repair Fallen Mercury. Otherwise, the enchanted dirk would only last until years end.

Maybe Mr. Ks Beyonder Gathering could provide the resources he needed.

My suspicion is correct. Madam Magicians intention for me to meet Osta Trul is to use him to attend Mr. Ks Gathering and join the secret organization behind it Lumian donned a wide-brimmed hat and a black s.h.i.+rt resembling formal attire before leaving Room 207 and descending the stairs.

As a Hunter, he needed to start his search for prey.

Upon exiting Auberge du Coq Dor, Lumian spotted Charlie sitting on the three-story staircase leading to the street. Pale-faced, he gazed at the sky, melancholic, with a lit cigarette in his right hand.

Whats wrong? Lumian asked, casually sitting beside Charlie.

Charlie didnt look back. He inhaled from his cigarette and sighed.

I feel like Ive lost my soul. Its gone.

He wore a white s.h.i.+rt, red vest, and a black suit jacket draped over his left arma hotel uniform.

Lumian grinned and got to the point.

Did you sleep with that older woman?

Charlie turned to Lumian and emphasized, Please call her Madame. Shes only in her fifties.

He took another drag and exhaled a smoke ring.

Did you know? She gave me a diamond necklace worth at least 1,500 verl dor. I couldnt resist. She was so dazzling and seductive that she went straight to my heart.

It, Lumian corrected.

Charlie smiled sheepishly.

Madame Alice is captivating too. Its quite a feat to maintain her elegance at her age. She mentioned shell stay in Trier for six months and can offer me 500 verl dor a month As he spoke, Charlies voice grew somber, and his eyes took on a melancholic hue.

Just as Lumian thought Charlie would sigh over his lost soul, a long exhale escaped him.

Why can she only stay for half a year Lumian patted Charlies shoulder, saying earnestly, Take care of yourself.

Charlies eyelids twitched.

Theres a need for moderation. Madame Alice is far too enthusiastic. I was so exhausted last night that I didnt even have that beautiful dream.

Lumian chuckled and said, You openly mentioned obtaining a diamond necklace worth 1,500 verl dor. In Rue Anarchie, thats enough wealth to make many people go mad.

Arent you afraid Ill steal it? Charlie laughed.

I had to share it with someone, or Id feel awful.

Ive noticed you dont seem short on money. Youre even quite generous. You wouldnt commit a crime for a mere 1,000 to 2,000 verl dor. Lumian grinned, retorting, Is there a chance Im pretending not to lack money to lure someone like you into lowering your guard?

Charlies expression froze as the dying cigarette nearly burned his fingers. Lumian changed the subject, asking casually, Is there anyone you despise so much that you think they deserve to die?

Charlie snuffed out his cigarette on the stone steps, puzzled, Why do you ask?

He intended to pocket the extinguished cigarette b.u.t.t but decided against it, tossing it aside instead.

A nearby vagrant darted over, grabbing the warm cigarette and taking a few drags. Without waiting for Lumians response, Charlie continued, The person I despise most is our head attendant. Youve no idea how detestable he is. Haha, Ive never thought of wanting him dead, but I just wish I could hood his face and beat him up one day.

I dont think many people truly deserve to die. One is Baron Brignais, the market districts Savoie Mob leader. He colludes with loan sharks, driving many to bankruptcy. A friend of mine jumped off a building in desperation. But what did that accomplish? His son vanished mysteriously, and his daughter was forced into the Salle de Bal Brise. Although shes supposed to only sing, in reality, well

Thats right. If he had the courage to kill himself, why didnt he think of a way to kill Baron Brignais and the others? Lumian nodded slightly. Charlie stared at Lumian, taken aback.

Your thoughts are a little extreme.

He added, The second person deserving death is Margot, leader of the Poison Spur Mob. He manipulates people into swindling women new to Trier. After bleeding them dry, he forces them into prost.i.tution. Thats how Miss Ethans in Room 8 on the fourth floor ended up in the motel. Most of the money she earns is taken by Margot. Shes tried to escape several times, but shes been beaten within an inch of her life before she could leave Rue Anarchie.

Market district has quite a few mobs. No wonder its chaotic at night Lumian glanced at Charlie, saying, It sounds like you sympathize with Miss Ethans.

Charlie puffed out his chest. True Intis gentlemen empathize with ladies in tragic situations and offer help when appropriate. Lumian tersely acknowledged. Do you know where Margot lives?

I dont know. Charlie shook his head. But he frequents the motel in the evenings, extorting money from Miss Ethans. If you hear a woman crying, shouting, and cursing on the fourth floor, thats Margot and his thugs.

Lumian nodded pensively and inquired, Who else do you think deserves to die? Charlie considered for a moment, replying with a contorted expression, Monette, that Islander. He swindled me out of 10 verl dor! Can you imagine? Id been unemployed for some time and hadnt found a new job yet.

That was my last bit of savings. I nearly starved to death because of him!

Where does he live? Lumian asked nonchalantly.

He was staying at the motel initially. But after know scamming me, he moved out. I dont where he went. Charlies anger flared as he spoke. I was waiting for him to hook me up with a job

Once hed calmed down, Charlie eyed Lumian quizzically, Whys your hair different?

There were strands of varying lengths, gold mingled with black.

Dont you think its rather stylish? Lumian asked earnestly. Charlie snorted, his expression dubious. His experience with the Idiot Instrument made him instinctively question Lumians intentions in such matters.

After a few moments, Charlie glanced at the street vendors and waved his hand.

...

Ive got to head to the hotel. Ill see you tonight.

Lumian stayed put on the stone steps outside the hotel, waving at Charlies retreating figure.

That afternoon, Lumian took a public carriage to Quartier du Jardin Botanique. After walking over 300 meters, he reached Mason Caf.

The caf occupied the ground floor of a beige four-story building near the botanical garden. Green plants twined around the buildings exterior. The ground-floor shops were set back nearly a meter, with pillars supporting an outer walkway for pedestrians.

Masons Caf boasted dark green walls and large windows. Sunlight streamed through the gla.s.s, illuminating the tables and chairs outside.

Lumian, dressed in a dark suit and wide-brimmed hat, entered the caf. The first thing he noticed were the intricate plant sculptures on the wall, interspersed with Intisian sentences: Who holds supreme power in the country? The president or parliament?

[1] Adapted from the opening chapter of Histoire Insolite des Cafs Parisiens which was used in an early 21st-century bibliography. The original text was too lengthy, so it has been condensed.