Chapter 143 - 143 Lie

143 Lie

Having briefly outlined the nature and territorial tendencies of malevolent spirits, the woman known as Magician continued,

Though Susanna Mattises power is on par with a Sequence 5, its not impossible for you to handle her. You could use the dirk on Charlie and swap your fate of encountering the Montsouris ghost with his. After the Montsouris ghost kills Susanna Mattise, you can transfer the fate of encountering it back into the knife.

Alright, that was a joke. This plan has far too many uncertainties. Its virtually impossible to pull off.

Firstly, the Montsouris ghost might only kill those who come across it.

Secondly, even if the Montsouris ghost does kill Susanna Mattise, you wont know. You wouldnt be able to change fate in time without affecting Charlie.

Thirdly, Charlie shouldnt be an orphan. His parents and siblings might still be alive. No one knows if the Montsouris ghost will leave Trier to kill.

Fourthly, the Montsouris ghost might not be able to kill Susanna Mattise.

Fifthly, Charlie himself admitted that he and Susanna are mystically bound as husband and wife.

Im saying all of this mainly to discourage you from going down that path. Using Charlie as a hostage suggests that youre inclined to take such risks.

Actually, this situation presents both a crisis and an opportunity.

For you, the best solution is to ask Mr. K for help in dealing with the threat posed by Susanna Mattise.

Remember, asking for help is an effective way to build relations.h.i.+ps and earn someones trust. Of course, the other party must be willing and capable.

You can showcase your potential and make Mr. K see that youre valuable.

I wish you the best of luck. I hope you can quickly gain Mr. Ks initial trust and join that organization.

Lumians initial reaction to the letter was that Madam Magician tended to ramble and digress. She seemed to enjoy finding lofty excuses and often entertained far-fetched notions bordering on absurdity. This contrasted sharply with Madam Helas succinct and polished reply.

This writing style must be Madam Magicians trademark Lumian pursed his lips, summoned his spiritual energy, and ignited a flame, burning the paper in his hand.

After reading the two letters, he discarded the idea of using Fallen Mercury to resolve his issue with Susanna Mattise. Their fates had been entwined for more than just a brief moment. It couldnt be as simple as erasing the fate of encountering the Montsouris ghost.

In comparison, seeking Mr. Ks a.s.sistance was indeed an effective solution Lumian hadnt considered.

This could quickly bridge the gap between him and Mr. K, fulfilling Madam Magicians mission.

After contemplating for a moment and determining how to approach Mr. K and demonstrate his worth, Lumian changed into a grayish-blue workers uniform, put on a dark-blue cap, and left Room 207.

Upon reaching the ground floor, Lumian saw Charlie lingering near the entrance, wearing a linen s.h.i.+rt and black pants.

What are you up to? he asked with a grin.

Charlie forced a smile.

The establishments official name was p.a.w.nbroker Shop or p.a.w.nshop Company.

To the p.a.w.nshop? Lumian sidled up to Charlie and lowered his voice. Are you alright?

Charlie glanced around and gave a bitter smile.

They said theres no problem this time. Susanna, that evil spirit, has been purified.

Whether theres an issue or not, life has to go on. Haha, I heard that from a hotel guest. Sounds pretty sophisticated, right?

Anyway, for people like us, a day without work puts us on the brink of financial ruin. Wed soon be hungry again. I have to p.a.w.n the diamond necklace for cash. You know, only cash gives people a sense of security. Clothes and jewelry cant do that. Even food is lacking!

At this point, Charlies excitement grew.

Madame Alice said the necklace is worth 1,500 verl dor. If I p.a.w.n it, I should get around 1,000.

My G.o.d. Ive never seen 1,000 verl dor before. Even if I become an attendant foreman, itd take me years, maybe more than a decade, to save that much!

When its time, well have lunch at a caf on Rue des Blouses Blanches. I want DuVar broth, coa.r.s.e salt beef in red wine sauce, and apple tenderloin!

Did you learn nothing else at H?tel du Cygne Blanc, just the names of dishes? Lumian grumbled and asked thoughtfully, You want me to protect you?

Charlie laughed.

Id be scared carrying that much money alone. Ciel, you might not have had that experience yetthinking everyones a thief wholl rob you on the streets.

I felt that way when I got the necklace. I was so nervous, I nearly pa.s.sed out. Can you imagine?

Yes. Lumian smiled. I probably wont have that experience. Not now, not ever, because Im the one who makes others think I want to rob them.

Take Margot, for example, who had just forked over more than 1,000 verl dor, nearly enough to buy the diamond necklace!

Charlies smile froze.

After a few seconds, he forced a smile and said, Thats why I want you to come with me to the p.a.w.nshop.

He had seriously doubted Ciels means of making money. His neighbor was clearly capable and smart, but he wasnt rus.h.i.+ng to find a job. He roamed around daily, seemingly without money troubles, but lived at Auberge du Coq Dor, not H?tel du Cygne Blanc.

Remembering how Ciel had posed as a lawyer to infiltrate the police station, provided vital information, and helped him survive Susanna Mattises threat, Charlie felt it was a small concern.

Even if Ciels a thief, robber, or con artist, hes one who risked his life to help me!

Pleased with Charlies apprehensive expression, Lumian asked, grinning, Which p.a.w.nshop are you going to?

I heard the p.a.w.nshops in Quartier de lObservatoire offer better prices. Charlie had already decided.

Lumian nodded.

Im actually headed to Quartier de lObservatoire.

He planned to ask Osta Trul for Mr. Ks contact information.

Charlie was thrilled. He spent a whopping 1 verl dor to treat Lumian to a barbecue pie, cream bun, and plum wine. Naturally, this included his own portion.

Lumian graciously accepted.

Exiting Rue Anarchie, Charlie winced when he saw Lumian heading straight for the public carriage sign.

He glanced around, making sure no one was nearby, and whispered,

Last night, you said your blade was called the Cursed Blade. Will anyone cut by it really have their entire family die?

Before meeting Susanna Mattise, Charlie never believed in such things. Even if he had heard about them, they were just fodder for boasting and tall tales. But now, he couldnt help but wonder if Ciel truly wielded a mystical weapon.

Lumian turned to Charlie and grinned.

Want to give it a try?

Charlie shuddered and smiled sheepishly. I believe you.

Do you? Well, I was just bluffing Susanna Mattise last night. Im just an ordinary guy. If I hadnt, Id be dead! Lumian said, still smiling. Doesnt the Cursed Blade story I made up ring a bell? Youve heard of the Montsouris ghost legend when that maniac was having his bout of clarity, right?

Charlies eyes widened in realization.

Thats it! Its a spin on the Montsouris ghost legend!

Ciel is a master of deception. An ordinary person managed to fool that malevolent spirit, Susanna Mattise, and saved our lives!

I only spin tall tales in bars and occasionally lie. I cant even begin to compare to him.

Hes got guts and smarts. A person like that is destined to make it big!

Seeing that Charlie genuinely believed the lie hed just spun, Lumian did his best to keep a straight face.

He asked earnestly, Are your parents still alive? Do you have siblings?

Charlie was taken aback and leaped to the side like a spooked rabbit. Why do you ask?

Could it be that the Cursed Blade is real? Is he trying to figure out which family members I have?

Lumian couldnt contain his laughter anymore.

Youre not actually scared, are you? Arent you too easily pranked?

Charlie slapped his forehead, exasperated with the thought of the Idiot Instrument.

He couldnt distinguish which of Ciels words were false and which were true.

However, after being pranked, he felt even more certain that the Cursed Blade was fake and based on the Montsouris ghost legend.

Ciel loves using such fabrications to fool others, just like the Idiot Instrument.

Hmm The Cursed Blade story is a good one. Now that its mine, Ill use it at the bar tonight to spook people!

The two of them arrived at Quartier de lObservatoire in a public carriage. Charlie asked for directions several times before finally finding Phils p.a.w.nbroker Shop.

Housed in a seven-story off-white building, it featured pillars, arches, relief sculptures, and large windows.

Etched above the grand entrance were the words: Freedom, equality, fraternity

Freedom to p.a.w.n any item; equality to discriminate against anyone who comes to p.a.w.n something? Fraternity to seize every opportunity to lowball prices? Lumian couldnt help but criticize.

How ridiculous for a p.a.w.nshop to carve the Republics political slogan on their door?

Inside the hall, there were several counters, with rows of benches in front of them.

At the moment, dozens of people sat there, waiting for the clerk to appraise their items and call their number.

Charlie easily found an empty counter and handed over the diamond necklace. He received a slip with the items name and corresponding number for appraisal.

Soon, Charlies number was called from the counter.

He walked over with antic.i.p.ation, only to return looking as if his spirit had been crushed.

Lumian, who was browsing newspapers in the hall, asked in confusion, Whats wrong?

Charlie spoke in a daze, his voice tinged with disappointment, That necklace, that necklace is a fake. Its only worth 12 verl dor