Chapter 34: The Lady Behind the Door |
"Shad Hamilton, currently a detective of sorts. Good evening, madam, a pleasure to meet you."
Shad carefully chose his words, striving to remain composed and courteous. Cooperating before fully understanding the other party’s intentions was the safest approach. Besides, he genuinely felt sorry for what had just occurred, even though it wasn’t entirely his fault.
"I’ll say it again—don’t laugh. I know it was my carelessness, and I’ll learn from it."
He silently berated himself.
"But I just knew it—being able to read every language isn’t necessarily a blessing in this world. Let this be a lesson well-remembered."
As Shad mused, the woman also regained her composure, her tone softening:
"Detective, I’ve sought you out not for anything serious. The matter of the Box of Darkness was an accident. What I truly wish to know is: where is that statue?"
"Excuse me, what statue?"
"The Blood Statue—or should I say, the statue of the Old God, Vampire Duke Loael. Tell me, where is it?"
Her voice, calm yet piercing, carried a chilling pressure comparable to their earlier interaction. It was as though she were casually discussing the weather, but the detached tone only added to the weight of her words.
"One-ring Warlock, there’s no need to lie. The blood-soaked aura from the spells you used on the first and second floors was far too potent. But you’re clean, so I doubt you’re a follower of the Old God or a member of the Blood of Mercury faction that possesses the statue. Given that you’re only a one-ring Warlock… A member of the True God Church? No, you don’t seem the type... but your initiation appears legitimate… An Arcane Academy, perhaps? Your earlier clumsiness suggests you’re a new correspondence Warlock from some school. That’s even better—correspondence Warlocks lack loyalty to their academies."
She seemed well-informed about correspondence Warlocks but didn’t allow Shad a chance to speak before continuing:
"None of that matters. I’m not interested in your identity or any secrets you may hold. Detective, just tell me—where is the statue of the Old God?"
Shad glanced at the slightly ajar door in surprise, knowing that remaining calm was paramount.
"Madam, I’m not quite sure what you’re referring to. As you’ve noted, I’m just a one-ring..."
Tobesk was foggy today, just like always. When Shad encountered that statue in the alley, it was absolutely impossible for anyone to have seen him. He hadn’t imagined someone could pick up on the statue’s blood-soaked aura after his brief interaction with it. Even Blood Echo couldn’t detect any residual traces on him.
This was supposed to be a straightforward commission. Theoretically, sensing the spiritual fluctuations or elemental convergence from spellcasting required proximity. Even the doctor’s notes didn’t mention anyone who could sniff out traces of specific spells through two ceilings.
Shad realized he was dealing with someone extraordinary. Fortunately, it seemed they weren’t from the Blood of Mercury.
"Could they be a follower of a god opposed to that Old God of blood?"
That was his best guess for now.
"I possess a unique rune and am highly attuned to the power of Old Gods, so there’s no need to panic. Detective, shall I repeat my question?"
The room felt noticeably colder. Shad shook his head, knowing she could see him even through the door.
"No, madam, that won’t be necessary. The statue of Vampire Duke Loael… I did come into contact with it earlier today."
"Good. Even if you refuse to disclose its location, I could easily trace your movements today. But wouldn’t it save us both some time?"
Her voice, tinged with amusement, made it clear she expected him to cooperate.
Shad furrowed his brow and thought for a moment.
"Madam, may I consider this as… you commissioning me to locate a statue imbued with remnants of an Old God?"
This wasn’t him indulging in his detective role but probing whether she intended to simply take it or negotiate. While he felt remorseful for the earlier mishap with the relic, he had no intention of surrendering such a valuable object for free.
To his relief, the situation turned out better than he’d anticipated.
"Of course, I can commission you. I’ve always believed in fair trade. Besides, I have no grudge against you… apart from the earlier incident. Conducting this as a transaction suits me just fine. Detective, name your price. Whatever you ask, we can negotiate. Moreover, once the deal is complete, I’ll disregard what happened with the relic—it will be as if it never occurred."
The prospect of sudden wealth dangled before Shad’s eyes. The combination of "noblewoman" and "high-level Warlock" suggested she was immensely wealthy.
Suppressing the temptation, Shad forced himself to stop imagining stacks of shillings under the glow of his desk lamp. There were more pressing matters:
"The statue is in an alley across from the Silver Parrot Milk Distribution Company. On the right-hand side of the entrance is an old bookstore. At the alley’s end, in a corner where pipes meet the wall, you’ll find the statue. But it requires an incantation—six syllables—to make it appear. I’m offering this information as a sign of goodwill. I’m not interested in money..."
Claiming not to want money was partly a lie, but it also contained some truth. Revealing such vital information immediately was a strategic move; Shad knew she could track his movements to locate the statue anyway. Offering it upfront might earn her favor:
"I’d like to exchange the statue’s location and the summoning incantation for a power I can use. It doesn’t have to be an equal trade—just something I can wield."
There was no way Shad could keep the statue; he didn’t even have the ability to take it with him. Thus, a compromise that maximized his gains was the best course of action.
The woman behind the door was right: trading the statue with her wasn’t much different from giving it to the academy. He recalled the repeated advice from the doctor and the writer: correspondence students had no obligations to their schools.
Thus, Shad didn’t feel he was betraying the academy by dealing with her. Besides, he saw this as a chance to make up for the earlier incident with the relic. Trading with a powerful but rational individual, even if it meant conceding a little at first, might prove beneficial in the long run.