Book 3: Chapter 15: Dessert Feast |
Regarding the two's speculations, Lovier didn't quite understand.
"Isn't a legend supposed to be something grand and astonishing from history? Can something like this also become a legend?"
"Yes, but legends are also graded. As you can see, the kind of legend most people know about can be classified as an epic. What we're calling a 'legend' now is more like a certain kind of rumor circulating in the city, or 'strange tales'," Aurora explained.
"This kind of 'strange tale' doesn't have a very high circulation, but as long as enough people know it, it can also allow the Secret Word Aspect to coalesce."
"'Secret Word' represents concepts like knowledge, records, rules, and history. If a story is accepted and believed by everyone, even if it never happened in the real world, this 'false history' will still have an effect and influence future generations."
【Secret Word】: History lies hidden within words, the past forges the future.
"It feels like some kind of scam game," Lovier said softly.
"Deceive people into believing, then use that belief to achieve one's own goals."
"It's so sad. If there are many such scammers, when truly sad things happen, no one will believe them anymore."
"So, we must defeat the evil bad guys," she said in a tone used to coax a child, whispering into the blonde girl's ear, making Lovier's face flush slightly.
"Saying that makes me seem like a child," she shook her head.
"No, no, Hedra is bullying me." She opened her arms, hugged Sylutia back, and prepared to tickle her, quickly skipping past the slightly awkward scene.
After playing around for a while, Lovier ran to the side, picked up her cat, then sat on the edge of the bed to continue listening to the two's plans and arrangements.
Sylutia decided to participate in the police investigation, not only to clear suspicion but also to use this opportunity to understand what kind of living conditions beastmen currently had within the Mage Alliance.
Aurora would continue to be responsible for liaison with the theater. She said that if the real culprit heard about this matter, they would definitely return to watch this opera, to understand how others viewed them and what their reputation and image truly were.
"I'll be responsible for cheering you on," Lovier said she would prepare delicious food for the two every day.
"A murder case is too scary, I don't want to see it. I also don't understand the theater matters."
Thus, the three with their assigned tasks began to act. Because of Brandon's notice, the police agreed to let Sylutia accompany them, which was also a form of covert monitoring and providing an alibi.
For the following week, Sylutia took leave and constantly traveled between the police station and the crime scene, observing how the personnel investigated, sampled, and researched. These processes benefited her greatly, and she also found a way to use the 'Secret Word' Aspect to assist the officers.
"There are still residual fingerprints here," Sylutia pointed to a corner of the wall in an unnoticed spot.
Hearing this, an officer took out a magnifying glass and carefully observed, truly seeing faint marks. Surprised by the young girl's keen observation, others took out special tools to record the fingerprint.
In subsequent returns to the scene, Sylutia also helped find more information, many overlooked corner details.
As these things increased, like collecting fragments, a vague image gradually pieced together, from fingerprints, height, weight, skilled methods, habitual movements, walking posture, stride width, becoming clearer bit by bit.
After obtaining these, they took out the audience list from that opera performance, cross-checked and filtered it with the names and identities above, resulting in 46 possible candidates. After further verification and filtering, they got 7 possible candidates, and finally conducted more detailed checks on these 7 people.
"The person we are meeting today is a waiter from Beetle Street. His workplace is 'Night Fragrance', a high-end reception tea lounge that only serves guests with membership status." After spending this time together, the police personnel were already familiar with this young girl and increasingly reliant on her keen observational skills.
"I understand."
"Considering that directly entering might alert the other party, this time we need to do some camouflage," a senior officer reminded.
"Miss Hedra, have you considered temporarily playing the role of a noble young lady? Your temperament is absolutely sufficient."
"This... well, alright." If it was just once, it shouldn't be a big problem.
"Then let's first go rent a formal gown. Don't worry, we've cooperated with that shop many times, they're familiar with us." With that, the police officer first went to a fine clothing store on the street.
After entering the shop, a policewoman skillfully led Sylutia to the changing room at the back. After speaking a few words with the proprietress, the other party sized up Sylutia and estimated her approximate body measurements, then brought over a black formal gown.
This gown was tailored from high-quality matte black fabric with a frosted-like texture, then decorated with reflective shiny black lace at the chest, sleeve edges, and hem. This created a layered three-dimensional sense with gaps between the lace and the underlying fabric, breaking the monotony of a single color and forming a kind of low-key luxurious beauty.
"Wow, this one looks quite expensive," the officer was also surprised. Although it was a cooperative relationship, it was rare for the owner to lend out such a precious gown.
"Yes, this is a fine piece tailored by a famous master. But if worn by this young lady, it wouldn't be a waste, and would even be pleasing to the eye." Her eyes were sharp, seeing at a glance that Sylutia's temperament was very suitable for this dress.
"But there's also a small request. This young lady needs to actively or passively introduce the origin of this gown at the banquet or gathering she attends." So she wanted to use Sylutia for advertising.
"Just say you picked it up unintentionally at our shop, were very satisfied and bought it, costing only 900 gold coins."
"What do you mean 'only' 900 gold coins?" The policewoman beside her couldn't hold back. This price was very expensive, roughly ten years' salary.
"You don't understand those women's obsessions and thoughts," the proprietress shook her head.
"The high price is precisely part of what they pursue. The higher the price, the more it can display their status and uniqueness."
"Besides, only this kind of price can keep so many masters dedicated to this field. Otherwise, everyone would run off to learn magic." She also added a complaint.
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I am the owner of 'Black Lily', you can call me Madame Grace."
"Alright, Madame Grace." Sylutia nodded in reply.
Suddenly, Grace looked at the girl with increased interest a few more times and asked again.
"Do you know Ying Zi?"
"I do know her. I met her at that shop last month."
"Oh, I thought you were her junior. After all, you look like someone from the East. Unexpected," she recalled something interesting.
"It seems she hasn't made clothes for you yet. That's right, that person is always very lazy, otherwise her reputation wouldn't be so low."
"Next time you go see her, wear this dress of mine."
"This?" Sylutia blinked, slightly puzzled.
"No need to ask why, she'll understand. Just treat it as a greeting between two acquaintances, giggle."
After leaving the shop, the officer gave more instructions, then told Sylutia that the carriage was ready.
"Take the carriage to 'Night Fragrance', then hand the invitation letter to the waiter to enter the gathering."
"This time it's a gathering hosted by Madame Mared. Her family runs a large food industry. Nearly a quarter of the high-end pastries in the Mage Alliance are provided by their family's businesses. This time, they've invited familiar friends and distinguished guests to come taste them."
"Take this tin biscuit box, Miss Hedra. When you find that waiter, have him open it for you. As long as his fingers touch it, they will leave clear fingerprints on it. Then we can obtain them and go back to verify." After saying this, the officer handed Sylutia an extremely smooth and clean biscuit tin, stamped with a 'pansy' floral pattern.
"I understand." Sylutia carefully took it with her black-gloved fingers and placed it in her small handbag. The handbag, shoes, hair accessories, and jewelry matching this gown were all provided by the 'Black Lily' proprietress.
The carriage slowly traveled through the streets, stopping at the entrance of 'Night Fragrance' a few minutes later. Then, with the help of a police officer disguised as a maidservant, Sylutia stepped out of the carriage and entered this building constructed of red brick, adorned with iron railings and night lights.
Walking to the side of the entrance, after handing over the invitation letter, she and the maidservant entered.
Turning through the red carpet corridor inside 'Night Fragrance', the two soon arrived at the hall on the third floor, where many guests had already arrived early.
Different from a general banquet, here the tables were filled with a large variety of pastries. Each long table had a gorgeous chandelier, illuminating the area below brightly, while the areas away from the long tables had less bright lighting, softer and more dim. Many guests were in this environment, relaxing and chatting with acquaintances, occasionally commenting on the new products appearing this time.
"Maple sugar from Mingxi, paired with sea salt from Quebec, then baked into thin, crisp, golden cookies. This feeling is truly enjoyable."
"There are quite a few new varieties. I see a spiral rose pastry tower."
"As expected of Madame Mared, she always brings surprises for everyone."
Sylutia entered the hall, listening to the guests' conversations in her ears. Most of it was meaningless small talk, but some people were genuinely tasting the pastries provided here.
She first went to a long table, had a waiter help take down a tea cake stamped with a flower pattern, then came to a small table in a corner to sit down, slowly enjoying it with tea.
During this process, Sylutia's eyes slowly scanned the entire hall, filtering and searching for the target.
Although she couldn't use many abilities due to the decline in Aspect tier, she still retained the ability of Discernment Eyes, keeping her observational skills powerful.
After confirming the target, Sylutia slowly finished the tea cake on her plate, then stood up and walked towards the direction where that waiter was.
"I asked you to find absorbent paper towels, why did it take so long?" A young girl wearing a light blue and white formal gown frowned, holding a handkerchief, scolding the waiter bowing and apologizing before her.
"I'm very sorry, Miss Hu Tao. I ran all the way to the storage room on the second floor to find what you needed."
"Still making excuses? Are you saying I'm inconsiderate?" This young lady with bright golden hair and an exquisite hairstyle raised her eyebrows. Although she looked angry, because her base appearance was good, even like this, she had a unique kind of charming beauty that made many young male guests nearby admire her.
"Don't be angry, Hu Tao. Let me help you wipe the stain on your skirt hem." As she spoke, Sylutia noticed a small patch on the corner of her skirt stained by some wine. It seemed finding absorbent paper was for this.
"Don't you start, Anna, you help me wipe it." With that, she had the maid behind her kneel down and carefully wipe the stain on her skirt hem. First using absorbent paper to soak up the wine, then using a little water to dilute it, then absorbing it again, repeating this to try and make that small stain less noticeable under the pattern's cover.
At this moment, the waiter who had just been scolded slowly retreated to the side. Seeing that he was preparing to leave the hall and go who knows where, Sylutia had to speak up now.
"Hello, could you get me a piece of pastry?"
Sylutia's voice made the other party pause, then react, somewhat flustered picking up the tongs on the table and carefully cutting a piece of pastry, placing it on an exquisite silver plate.
Noticing this scene, that Miss Hu Tao looked at Sylutia with a slightly strange gaze.
"You even said 'hello', how interesting." Her subtext was that being so polite to servants probably meant she hadn't seen much of the world.
Sylutia, not far away, even if she heard, had no mind to deal with this young lady now. She had this waiter carry the plate to a corner of the hall.
"Place it here."
"Yes." The other party respectfully and carefully placed it.
Now Sylutia sat down again, looking up to clearly see the other's appearance.
Square-ish face, ordinary looks, slightly curly hair. If not for this neatly worn waiter uniform, placed on the street outside, he would be completely unnoticeable. But the waiters here all had Second Tier strength, stronger than many new students. If in a place like the Regas Kingdom, he would be a somewhat famous figure in a city.
"There's a box of biscuits in my handbag, help me take it out. I want to try it with the pastry."
"Yes." The other party took a deep breath, then carefully opened the handbag the girl had placed aside, taking out that tin box. After opening it with his fingers, several thin biscuits were revealed inside.
He picked up the chopsticks on the table, carefully took out a biscuit, placed it on the plate, then watched as the girl spread some pastry on it and took a small taste.
Now she just needed to finish the biscuit and pastry and retrieve the tin box. More conversation and inquiry would only alert the other party. If he was confirmed as the culprit, there would always be various interrogation methods later, no need to rush now.
However, although accidents aren't common, they still happen.
"You even brought it here to eat, but this method is quite novel." A hand picked up the tin biscuit box on the table, examined the label on it, and even took out one piece to taste.
The other party was precisely that Miss Hu Tao from earlier. Her hair was styled into an exquisite updo at the back, revealing a slender swan-like neck. A few light golden strands of hair were translucent in the light, tracing the back of her neck.
"The taste is quite ordinary," she said, also imitating Sylutia, spreading a little pastry on a biscuit to try.
The overly soft and sweet pastry, paired with the slightly crisp biscuit, created a wonderful chemical reaction, making her eyes light up.
"Oh? This is indeed quite good." Then she tried a few more times, forcing Sylutia to helplessly interrupt.
"Please leave some for me, Miss Hu Tao." She was afraid the other would directly take the box.
"Ah, I know," the other waved her hand casually.
"I'll have my aunt send you a few boxes of biscuits later."
"Speaking of which, I don't seem to know you. How do you know my name?"
"I heard others say it just now," Sylutia replied.
"Is Miss Hu Tao's aunt Madame Mared?"
"Of course. It seems you really don't know me." After finishing the pastry and biscuit in her hand, she reached behind her, and that maid carefully wiped her clean again.
"I am the direct daughter of the Fox family. All the pastry foods you see at today's banquet are from my family's businesses." She slightly propped her chin with her fingers, looking at Sylutia with interest.
"Clothes, appearance, temperament, all quite rare."
"What's your name?"
"My name is Hedra. First time meeting you, Miss Hu Tao."
"Giggle, I'll remember you. Come to the next gathering too, I'll have someone prepare an invitation letter for you." After saying this, the young lady left gracefully with her maid.
Seeing this young lady finally leave, the waiter nearby breathed a sigh of relief. Now seeing that Sylutia had no other tasks, he prepared to leave the hall again.
"Help me put the biscuit box away, back in the bag." Sylutia's voice came to his ear once more.
"Yes."
Once again, the fingerprints were clearly imprinted on the tin box. Sylutia had finally obtained what she wanted.