Lord of the Silver Crow

Although private detectives are legal, according to the laws of the Kingdom of Cartesia, private detectives need to collect high taxes, so every detective needs to go to the police station to keep records for every business.

But right now, Paulin's words undoubtedly mean sneaky business.

After complaining about Paulin's unlicensed business and tax evasion in his heart, Yago didn't say much.

Taxation is the most important form and source of income for the country's public finances. From the perspective of the state, such behavior is tax evasion and damages the interests of the entire country. However, from the perspective of individuals and capitalism, this is called reasonable. tax avoidance.

Just don't get caught.

And obviously, in the current situation, he and Paulin have come to the same boat, out of selfishness, Yago just said:

We better not let other people know that we are in the business of private detectives.

Of course, the nobles are more willing to deal with us than the police. If there is business, I will do it in the name of the Rose Church. Paulin just shrugged his shoulders, and then walked out of the yard first and walked towards the carriage.

Your prayers are precious.

While complaining, Yago discovered that there was a carriage parked outside the yard.

A four-wheeled carriage, the horses pulling the carriage are very strong, there is a clear gap compared with the large carriages commonly used in public carriages in urban areas, and several bad horses pull together, and the box is similar to the private carriage carriage in the impression , able to seat four to six people.

but

There is a pattern painted on the box of the carriage.

At first glance, it looks like a soot-like black triangle, which is not eye-catching.

However, Yago didn't think it was something simple.

Because this is the emblem of nobility.

It's like the emblem of the Fast family is a silver-gray dot that spreads radiance to the surroundings-the morning star of mercury.

And this soot-like thing is the emblem of the largest nobleman in the Diroud area——the family of the Viscount Diroud.

ash

Historically, the Diroud region seemed to have been completely destroyed in wars or disasters a long time ago.

The current Diroud was rebuilt after that disaster.

This is the meaning of the Diroud family crest.

Seeing this, Yago also immediately understood the situation:

The client is Viscount Diroud?

Yes, that's right. Paulin showed his white teeth, then stretched out his hand and gestured with two fingers, If we succeed, we can get this number.

2?

2 golden roses?

A general and relatively complete adult funeral would require about 4 golden roses, which is equal to the weekly salary of his mentor Bababo Taclanxia.

Although it has gradually declined and moved closer to the middle and lower class, Yago's father, the funeral of King Fast XIII also spent nearly ten golden roses for decency.

It is not very intuitive to compare with these. Then, for example, a public carriage, in the urban area of ​​Dilud, needs at most 5-6 copper carts. If it is outside the urban area, the starting price is 1 silver.

In this steampunk country, where advanced and backward coexist, and where cars and carriages go together, the cost of taking a carriage is not low.

2 is not a lot.

But Paulin shook his head:

200 golden roses.

What? ? ?

You know, the annual salary of ordinary semi-skilled workers and skilled female workers working in factories and shops is about 50-80 gold roses.

In the Fast family, which has lost most of its assets, a year’s income is not deducted from expenses, and at most it is just over 1,000 golden roses——

Relying on his sister Elsa's clothing store.

Although I heard that detectives are a profitable business, I didn't expect it to be so violent.

Looking at Jago's expression, Paulin shook his head: Such a high reward also shows that this time the matter is quite complicated, so don't be too happy.

Under Paulin's uncharacteristically serious words with a hippie smile, Yago also nodded to express his understanding, and followed Paulin into the carriage. The man who looked 30 or 40 years old and wore better clothes than the average coachman, said yes The two smiled:

Then gentlemen, sit still.

On the suburban road where few people walked, the carriage drove quickly.

Two hours later, in the downtown area of ​​Diroud, the central area.

On the street, a large number of horse-drawn carriages and a small number of roaring steam cars criss-crossed, and the wonderful feeling of coexistence of backwardness and advancement lingered in Yago's heart.

The carriage slowly stopped in front of Diroud Manor.

Then, gentlemen, we have arrived at the Diroud Manor.

The coachman's reminder came from the front of the car, Paulin patted the soft felt hat on his knees, put it back on, and walked out of the carriage with Yago.

Gloomy dark clouds linger in the sky, and the surrounding area looks a lot colder, and the fog is gradually thickening.

Yago glanced forward, and what caught his eye was the huge courtyard——

Diroud Manor, or Ash Manor.

Inside the hollow railing iron gate, colorful flowers are blooming beside the garden plants.

In the distance of the line of sight, in the center of the courtyard, there is a towering, thin, and pointed Gothic castle that should look quite old. In the gradually thickening fog, the mysterious and sad feeling with a strong sense of religion And the lofty atmosphere changes to a weird and slightly scary direction.

After talking with the security personnel at the door, and after the housekeeper arrived to greet them, the two walked in through the half-open iron door and stepped on the grid-like gray-white concrete road that was gradually covered by fog.

Just like other places in Cartesia, in this country where the Rose Church is the mainstream belief, panicle-shaped corymb flowers grow everywhere, and a large number of roses are also planted in this courtyard.

There are rose gardens on the left and right sides away from the road, and they are close together in an unattractive shape.

Glancing at the rose garden on the left, there was no one there, but the swing was swaying gently in the fog, and Yago felt cold all over.

It's not a good time, it's foggy again.

Paulin, who was beside him, muttered that the Principality of Cartesia, especially Glora County, often had heavy fog.

Afterwards, under the leadership of the butler, the two passed by classical lampposts exuding a hazy yellow light, and entered the castle with a slight sense of security.

The hall of the castle was lit with bright lights that made Yago's heart ache.

The current economic situation of the Fast family is not good. As the owner of the Fast family, he should take on the responsibility of supporting the family. He is quite envious of this kind of extravagant lighting that can make the entire hall bright like noon.

It is similar to but different from Victorian England. In this era, there seems to be no electricity, and basically rely on gas lamps.

A very common overhead setting in steampunk works, there is no electricity or anything.

However, a large number of them are used in Arabella and in the Principality of Cartesia. According to Yago’s knowledge, the mechanization of the Principality of Cartesia has not yet been popularized. Only a few people in some relatively rich cities can afford all kinds of steam. mechanical.

Backward and advanced coexist, this steampunk is no one else.

At least, in the Glora area, only Glora County City exists.

However, these are not important.

The gazes of Yago and Paulin turned to the middle-aged man who looked to be in his forties or fifties standing in the castle hall.

Nafal Rosa Diroud.

Or rather, Lord Viscount.

Or or, Mr. Mayor.