Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 1007: Detective’s Assistant and Writer’s Assistant
Chapter 1007: Chapter 1007: Detective’s Assistant and Writer’s Assistant
Sir Camelon looked at Shard’s expression immediately after speaking. Although Shard did not want to show an impolite expression in front of the client, this matter indeed challenged his intellect:
"Hmm... counterfeit banknotes."
Shard nodded, raising his teacup to partially cover his face. Baron Camelon gave an awkward laugh and leaned back slightly on the sofa:
"Every 36 hours, by opening the lid in a special way, you can obtain a banknote with the exact same number as before. Of course, you have to use the box’s button to select the banknote denomination before opening, whether it’s coins or banknotes, be it Gold Pound, Shilling, or even Carsonrick Crown. Yes, I know it must be a scam, but Jimmy firmly believes in it. He..."
The baron sighed again:
"He’s already ’replicated’ a one-pound coin once and ten-pound banknotes three times. I think the money stored in that box is running out. Detective, I would like to commission you to expose this lie, and investigate which so-called ’friend’ sold him the box."
He then took out a notebook where Jimmy Cameron’s possible locations for today were noted:
"Breaking this lie might be a blow to him. So, please don’t reveal you are hired by me; you can conduct the investigation under the guise of a detective hired by another victim. If we can proceed with the commission, we can sign the contract right now."
He paused for a moment and looked at Shard, who had put down his teacup, and asked somewhat embarrassedly:
"Besides this, I have a small request."
"What request?"
The baron touched his chin, showing an embarrassed but somewhat excited expression:
"After this investigation ends, could Miss Dorothy Louisa write the case into the ’Hamilton Detective Stories’? You can directly use the real investigative process as the main story, and even write that I commissioned it. Given Miss Luisa’s current serial speed, and what my acquaintances at the Steam Bird Daily have disclosed, even if the story can be published, it won’t be until next February."
"Hmm..."
Shard blinked, seemingly understanding:
"You commissioned me for an investigation, not purely to make your commissioned case into a detective story, did you?"
"Of course not, I am really concerned about Jimmy too."
Baron Camelon immediately emphasized, then showed an embarrassed expression once more:
"Also, I am a loyal reader of ’Hamilton Detective Stories’. Don’t worry, Rejed’s Hamilton, I won’t follow you during the investigation, and I assure you, this is not something I concocted to then run and commission you."
After speaking, as if fearing Shard wouldn’t take the commission, he offered compensation:
"30 pounds. The full commission fee is 30 pounds, and if there are additional expenses during the process, I can reimburse all reasonable costs with receipts. Even if we don’t find out who sold Jimmy the box, as long as we expose it, I won’t retract the 5-pound deposit. If this story does get published, I can pay an additional 30 pounds!"
This is indeed a generous reward, and from the handshake earlier, Shard had already confirmed that Baron Camelon was a regular person. He didn’t immediately agree, nor did he expect there would be a reader of Dorothy’s who would commission an investigation just to have a detective story written.
Strictly speaking, this is business Dorothy attracted for Shard:
"I can take this commission."
Shard said slowly, pondering if he was a competent detective:
"However, I must clarify, although I have a good relationship with Miss Luisa, I cannot interfere with her creative process. I can only put forth the detective commission; turning it into a story is something I can propose to Miss Luisa, but whether she agrees or not is her choice, and it won’t be written into the contract."
"No problem!"
The baron showed a joyful expression:
"It’s enough you can mention it to Miss Luisa. We can sign the contract now; I really look forward to seeing... I mean, to catching the wicked person selling the box."
Shard still felt the baron enthusiastically came to commission, just to turn his case into a publishable story.
There was a standard contract in No. 6, Saint Delan Square, which Shard only needed to modify with the commission fee, time, and some specific items related to the commission, to be directly used.
Although excited, Baron Camelon carefully read the contract terms, and after modifying some details of the clauses, he signed his name.
The commissioned time agreed between both parties was one week, in which Shard had to present at least one progress report. Considering the nature of this commission, Shard felt it wouldn’t take a week. If lucky, he could resolve the matter within two days.
Once Shard sent the baron out and returned upstairs, Dorothy and Princess Margaret had moved from Room 2 back to Room 1.
The blonde girl, unceremoniously, pulled out the contract to read, and although Princess Margaret was also interested, she maintained a royal lady’s reserve and did not casually read others’ private documents.
"You must have heard earlier; want to join the investigation?"
The moment Shard walked in through the door, he asked Dorothy, knowing Dorothy would surely agree, as Miss Writer was always keen on gathering material from Shard’s stories.
"Of course, didn’t you promise the Baron to try to persuade me to write the story? It’s always easier to write about personal experiences. Well then, Detective, today I’m your Detective’s Assistant."
Miss Writer said with a smile.
Shard nodded and turned to Princess Margaret:
"Your Highness, I know almost everything about Sir Plisha. As for the Female Sorcerer you commissioned for the investigation, I will get you the results as soon as possible."
This was meant as a farewell, as Shard was planning to leave with Dorothy, and surely Princess Margaret wouldn’t stay here alone.
But the Princess from the Southern Nation thought for a moment and, instead of bidding farewell, softly asked:
"Can I join you in the investigation?"
"I’m sorry, what?"
"One of my teachers is also very interested in the ’Hamilton Detective Stories’. I think she would be delighted if I could tell her a story that hasn’t been published yet. Besides, I don’t have many opportunities to wander around this city alone. Since I’m already out today, why not find something to do to pass the time?"
She knew this request was somewhat abrupt, so she added:
"I can disguise my face and act as Miss Luisa’s assistant, helping her record notes. If you encounter any trouble, I can lend a hand, yes, in any kind of trouble. Don’t worry, I won’t reveal any secrets I see."
Shard didn’t agree immediately but looked at Dorothy.
The blonde girl thought for a moment and nodded slightly:
"Having someone to help me with notes is certainly good, but Your Highness, perhaps detective investigations are not as interesting as you imagine."
"It’s okay."
The girl with light golden hair smiled:
"I just want to see the city from another perspective. A few days ago, I was busy with my promotion ceremony and didn’t have time to take a good look at the city even when I was out. The Northern Pearl, the City of Steam, the Gemstone of Draleon, walking with you in this mist to see the lives of the bottom class citizens, that’s enough for me."
(Mia running...)
Mr. Boris Cameron, despite holding the title of Baron, understood that Tobesk was not a remote rural area and that the city had no shortage of nobles.
Of course, Baron Cameron belonged to the category of nobles with a higher standard of living. He not only inherited the hereditary title of his family but also a large legacy passed down from his ancestors. And the Baron’s brother, Mr. Jimmy Cameron, thirty-five years old this year, although he did not inherit the title or the ancestral home, received a substantial portion of the family wealth and a wool textile factory with a guaranteed annual yield, which was far more comfortable than inheriting a sullied mansion in a foreign land.
In the black-and-white photo, Jimmy Cameron appeared a bit flabby but seemed to be in good spirits. According to his brother, Baron Cameron, he was likely at his house in the late morning on Monday because he was either sleeping off his hangover from the night before or inspecting his business at the factory—something he could usually only do on Mondays every week.
Jimmy Cameron’s abode was located in the factory district to the west of the city, a standalone three-story house with a garden. Although it was somewhat out of the way, the land and house prices were anything but cheap. Unfortunately, when the detectives, the writer, and the writer’s assistant came by carriage to visit here, the house’s owner had already left.
So, the three walked through two blocks to head to the more western parts of the city, where the true industrial area of Tobesk lay.
Last week’s heavy snow showed no signs of melting; even though the main streets in the city had been cleared to allow carriage traffic, one still had to tread on the half-melted snow by the sides of the street.
The three had not walked very far when snowflakes again started to drift from the sky. Princess Margaret, walking alongside Dorothy, reached out to catch them, but the snowflakes melted immediately upon her gloved hand.
"Does Tobesk’s winter bring a lot of snow?"
She asked the blonde girl wrapped in winter clothes and a scarf next to her, as Shard walked ahead of them, requiring only the girls to follow him. While asking questions, the foreign princess observed the gray, misty winter streetscape. The street they were currently on was marked "Blacksmith Street" on maps, where nearly a third of the city’s blacksmiths congregated in the pre-Steam Age. Allegedly, the eventual centralized construction of steam factories in the western city was related to this street.
The exotic streetscape overwhelmed the princess, who looked around at the city as she spoke. Stone-stacked low walls at the street sides, the gray stone shop buildings at the street corners, the shoe-shine boys waiting for customers in the corners, and the bell-ringing carriage passing through.
Unknown flying birds soared overhead, the sunlight leaving moving shadows on the gray brick pavement due to the birds’ movement. These shadows were quickly trampled by women passing by with children and bags of bread, while a paperboy in patched old cotton clothing on the street corner looked enviously at a child in shiny small leather shoes.
A passing gentleman called the paperboy to buy a newspaper, and as he walked forward and unfolded the paper, a close-up photo taken during Princess Margaret’s visit to the steam factory appeared on the outside. The police officers who brushed past glanced at the photo of the princess in the newspaper, complaining to their patrolling companions about the increase in workload lately.
And the real princess was watching them.
Light and shadow left strange marks on the snow-covered rooftops, slightly melted snow dripped down the edges of the roof icicles to the ground, leaving shallow circular marks.
Shard’s shoes stepped through the puddles and continued forward; the two ladies’ brown short cloth boots and black lace-up leather boots followed, stepping on the dried yellow grass in the stone brick crevices.
In the same era, it bore similarities with Carsonrick, yet was utterly distinct. Tobesk in winter seemed particularly leisurely and quiet. Originally, it was to relax for a day amidst busy life that they chose to slip out on a Monday. Looking at the streetscape, the princess believed she would be able to enjoy a brief and perfect holiday.
Visit freewe𝑏no(v)el.𝘤𝑜𝓂 for the best novel reading experi𝒆nce
