When Arthur announced his long journey, his friend Scott rushed to No. 2 Cork Street.
The young journalist, not seen for several days, had disheveled hair and bloodshot eyes, even staggering a bit as he walked.
"Scott, are you sure you are okay?"
Arthur looked at his friend, concern evident on his face.
"I'm fine, Arthur!"
Don't worry!
Now, I'm better than I've ever been!"
Scott emphasized repeatedly, but such emphasis only made the young journalist appear even more exhausted, as if his brain had slowed down.
Malz ca over and put an arm around Scott's shoulders, looking at Arthur.
"It's all right, everything will be fine—I have a feeling your journey will grant and Scott a long vacation.
No shootings, no poisonings, no explosions, and no strange homicides!
The whole of South Los will return to its forr peace!
After all, our 'Grim Reaper and the Child of Calamity' will be far from South Los!"
The old sheriff said earnestly.
Arthur, of course, knew the old sheriff was joking, but his serious deanor always made him think it was true.
"Okay, Malz, I've appreciated your sense of humor!
But rember, next ti you joke, try not to be so serious, it impacts the effect!"
Speaking thus, Arthur motioned to Simon beside him to load five pots of fresh mint leaves and catnip onto the carriage—As a Special Consultant for the Shire District Police Station with the privileges of a first-class officer, Lord Arthur Kredos certainly wouldn't embark on the journey alone.
According to the rules and regulations of the Shire District Police Station, a first-class officer on official travel could not only use the police station's coach but also bring along one officer (trainee) and two to three patrol officers, with all expenses fully reimbursed; additionally, depending on the duration of the trip, there would be extra allowances.
With such benefits, Arthur certainly wouldn't refuse.
He was rely traveling, not going on a pilgrimage.
Thus, he imdiately chose Simon, Hunter, and Newt for companionship.
Simon was diligent, hardworking, and attentive.
Though Hunter and Newt were full of faults, their presence was sotis even more useful than Simon's when traveling.
As for strength?
Arthur knew very well that should anything happen on this trip, even bringing along the strongest from the station like Dico, Andy, and Looney would be useless.
Everything still depended on him.
Thus, the 'Blood Descendant' was ready to spring into action.
As long as there was gold, this 'Blood Descendant' was the best bodyguard!
Fortunately, Arthur was not short of gold lately.
Harris's 400 gold bars were enough to make Arthur feel safe.
As for Bernice's compensation?
The money was 'Open and Aboveboard' and free from scrutiny, so Arthur planned to use it to 'buy a haunted house in South Los,' which would save him a great deal of trouble.
Thinking about the potential issues he might face during the trip, Arthur approached rlin, who was peering around curiously.
"I have a task for you, rlin."
"I am at your service!"
The child from Dar Alley imdiately responded joyfully.
"I am going on a long trip. If it's fast, it will take 10 days, if slow, up to 20 days—during this ti I need you to help water the catnip and cat grass in the courtyard and clean up; if soone visits, inform them of my journey.
How does a daily wage of 5 Zeroes sound?"
"Yes, Lord!"
rlin imdiately nodded.
To the child from Dar Alley, watering the catnips and cleaning the courtyard seed like play.
Only receiving visitors required caution.
Becauese these visitors might be important figures.
However, the 'big money' of 5 Zeroes a day significantly boosted rlin's courage.
He knew, after all, that running errands typically earned him only 1-2 Zeroes.
And there wasn't always work available every day.
Of course, going to dangerous places naturally paid more, but rlin did not wish to get involved in unsavory affairs—more importantly, not a few children went missing every year in those places.
"I look forward to your performance!"
Arthur said.
He had chosen rlin among the group of children from Dar Alley not just because he recognized him, but because each ti, this child had managed to complete his assigned tasks properly.
He believed this ti would be no exception.
However, Arthur didn't hand the money directly to rlin, but asked for rlin's guardian to co.
The prepaid five Zeroes might not have been much, but it still posed a danger for a child from Dar Alley to hold it.
To Arthur's surprise, rlin's guardian was not his parents, but an uncle with graying hair, slightly balding, with chubby cheeks, a portly figure, but agile and well-mannered.
"I am rlin's uncle, Gaius.
Thank you for your trust in rlin, I will make sure he does everything he should."
Gaius, along with rlin, bowed again.
Arthur imdiately responded with a smile.
Not far away, Malz and Scott watched the scene worriedly, continuously exchanging glances—
'It won't go wrong, will it?'
'It shouldn't, as long as Arthur leaves quickly enough, the Grim Reaper won't visit.'
'Really hope it doesn't go wrong, I don't want anything to happen to the uncle and nephew, especially since we've been working overti for ten days straight!'
' too!'
'After Arthur leaves, how about we go for a drink?'
'I know a great club!'
Upon ntioning the club, both n imdiately shared a knowing grin.
"What are you two talking about? Why do you look so smug?"
Arthur had returned after arranging everything.
"We were talking about having everyone go to No. 44 White Bird Street for a salon after you get back—with no blessing from friends, that house won't truly be yours!"
Malz said earnestly.
Scott nodded in agreent just as earnestly.
"Right, wait for to co back!"
Arthur nodded in agreent and then climbed into the carriage.
The carriage was driven by Simon, with Hunter and Newt riding alongside on horses.
The group quickly left Cork Street, took West Mok Avenue, and exited South Los.
...
Just as Arthur was leaving South Los, Yevna Camille finally arrived in Barny—Ms. Camille went straight to a farm in Barny without looking elsewhere.
Ms. Camille didn't know where Old Charlie might be elsewhere, but in Barny, she knew exactly where the old fellow would be.
Selina's farm!
Standing in front of Ms. Camille's carriage was the towering and fierce-looking 'farmhand boss' Desa, his cold eyes staring at the old man 'Fent' on the carriage.
"I thought it would be 'Oer' that old codger coming!"
Desa grinned nacingly.
"Big Oer didn't co, but I did, want to try ?"
Fent let go of the reins and gripped his Firearm.
At the sa ti, in the dark corners of the farm, a series of chilly gazes started to closely watch the carriage.
With a sneer from Fent, shadows suddenly shifted around the carriage.
Both parties stood off, neither willing to give an inch.
"Desa!"
"Fent!"
As the cries rang out in unison, the tension dissipated, people from the shadows and dark spots started to retreat, leaving only the standoff between the two ladies.
A lady, none less striking than Ms. Camille, yet filled with a wild aura, ca out from the farm, wearing overalls and a burlap shirt, her muscular build was undeniable.
With each step she took forward, her body whipped up gusts of wind, the howling semblance of tiger and wolf roars, terrifying to hear.
And the wildness on her face made it hard to guess her age.
"Ha, savage girl, long ti no see."
Ms. Camille greeted.
"Long ti no see, you silly nurse."
Miss Selina replied.
Then, simultaneously, both asked—
"Where's Charlie?"
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