Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 720 - 498 Section: Truth (1)_2

Chapter 720: 498 Section: Truth (1)_2

"The dispute between the tenants, the ones downstairs complained that the upstairs neighbors were too loud. They argued a few times at the landlady’s, until the person downstairs used a revolver to end the person upstairs."

"Ah, how simple and naive the people of Carterburg are," Old Gaiate said, making a cold joke characteristic of Carterburg residents, which made the two police officers chuckle.

"Speaking of which, such incidents have become quite rare recently. Ever since your son established such a large corporation, not only do the surrounding villages have work, but even the refugees have jobs. The city keeps growing, and we’ve even opened two new police substations in the north. We thought we would be incredibly busy, but now it seems like there’s actually less to do." The older officer had experienced the days when Carterburg had daily casualties, and his nostalgia resonated with his colleague, "Right, when I was still in school, you could see people dead on the streets every day, but now, it’s hard to come across even a drunk who has passed out in a week."

"Thanks to big-hearted people like your child, Mr. Old Gaiate," the old officer seized the opportunity to shower praise.

This made Old Gaiate a bit embarrassed—he hadn’t really given much guidance to Malin, but still, he smiled and nodded: "It’s good that Malin can help Carterburg. We’re all part of this city, after all."

"But speaking of death, last year, as autumn approached, quite a few apprentices died during that period." The younger officer brought up a matter Old Gaiate didn’t know about. Driven by curiosity, the old man asked, and the young officer was all too willing to share.

Thus, Old Gaiate learned about the events of the past year, and hearing about the unclear deaths of many apprentices, his curiosity grew. He nodded and said, "Thank you, since you mentioned that apprentices of the Goddess of Harvest also suffered casualties, I should ask about it. I’ll take my leave now, gentlemen. This pack of cigarettes is for you, in appreciation for your contributions to the city."

The officers naturally declined, so Old Gaiate switched to cigars, handing one to each officer, then left amid their words of thanks.

The Holy Hall of the Goddess of Harvest Church was nearby, and when Old Gaiate arrived, he saw Colin exiting the main hall with the children.

Upon seeing Old Gaiate, Colin asked his companions to take the children back first, and then stayed to accompany Old Gaiate: "Old Gaiate, what brings you in front of the Holy Hall?"

"I heard that a lot of apprentices died around this time last year?" As soon as Old Gaiate began, he noticed a change in the young man’s complexion. Curious, he listened to Colin’s deep sigh: "It’s a long story, let’s find a place, have some tea, and talk."

That would be nice, especially with this ice and snow, Old Gaiate’s joints were aching.

So they walked a short distance south, and Old Gaiate led the young man into a coffee shop.

They ordered two coffees and several pastries. Old Gaiate paid, and when he returned, he noticed Colin seemed to be reflecting on something.

After all, this kid had been watched over by Old Gaiate as he grew up—originally the youngest apprentice of Old Hoffman. Then there was that incident with Malin... well, that’s all in the past now; Old Hoffman had already passed on to the Divine Realm.

"Kid, do you have any stories you can tell me?" Sitting opposite Colin, Old Gaiate took out a cigarette box, about to light one up, then noticed the no smoking sign on the wall. With some regret, he put away the cigarettes and then focused on the young man.

"This matter begins with Malin."

Such a start was completely beyond Old Gaiate’s expectations. He listened dumbfounded as Colin recounted from the beginning, learning about the story of the survivors of the Great Destruction Era. When he found out Colin was also part of that plan, he broke into a cold sweat.

Because it also brought to mind someone, someone who had died so long ago that even her face had been forgotten.

Sophia, it’s you... isn’t it?

After parting with Colin and standing under the eaves, Old Gaiate smoked several cigarettes, until the snow thickened. Eventually, he took a step forward.

He had someone to meet.

Old Ferrero, do you know?

......

Old Ferrero wasn’t in his basement today; the elderly elf was in his garden planting some exceptionally rare flowers, which had grown from seeds given to him by that lad Malin. They were so beautiful that he always found time every day to water these plants.

Such contentment lasted until that old bastard Gaiate showed up in his garden. How could someone reeking of smoke have such a wonderful daughter and son? How could the Goddess of Fate favor such a reckless member of a Short-lived Species?

"Why are you here?" Out of affection for his apprentice, Old Ferrero decided to hear what this fellow had to say.

"I want to see that chip from the Great Destruction Era, the one taken from the dead apprentice’s head." Gaiate’s words left Old Ferrero silent for a moment—where had this old bastard heard about this? How did he know there was a chip in the apprentice’s head? "Who told you that?"

"I overheard some patrolling officers chatting about it, then I asked Colin, and he told me that Malin sorted it all out... He isn’t clear on Sophia’s case, but you definitely understand, so why didn’t you tell me!"

"If I remember correctly, this is the first time you have come to see me in years. Why don’t you reflect on your own behavior instead of blaming me?"

The blade of words from the elf made the lad back down with embarrassment, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

"My fault, but anyway, please let me see that chip, and also, tell me about the situation before the apprentices died."

"You and your requests, one thing at a time. Come with me, and I’ll show you the chip." Putting down the watering can, Old Ferrero led the man, who looked even older than he did, towards his office.

Along the way, Old Ferrero’s elven bloodline told its master that the human following him had a rapid heartbeat and hurried breathing. Such is the tragedy of the Short-lived Species—from their birth to aging, the decades left not a single mark upon Old Ferrero’s body, as if time’s blade had never slashed it.

Entering the office, Old Ferrero handed him the little box containing the chip: "Before the children passed away, they would fall severely ill, running fevers, with their body’s immunity compromised, symptoms of pneumonia would appear. Some of the children went blind, some became mute, but in the end, they all faced death, unless they encountered Malin and the Lord of Justice... who saved quite a few apprentices."

"It’s a similar situation to Sophia’s, I always thought she had been poisoned. For years, I’ve been chasing a non-existent murderer..."

In Old Ferrero’s eyes, the human was covering his forehead, crying like rain.

Old Ferrero didn’t know how to comfort this no longer young man. The truth that he had sought for so long, the truth he had given up looking for, appeared before him today in such an absurd form.

"I need to check for myself." Gaiate, the old lad of the Gaiate family, wiped away his tears, stood up, and headed for the office door.

"You’re going to dig up Sophia’s grave; for the sake of whatever decency is left, don’t be foolish, you’ll get hanged." Old Ferrero said, watching him.

"I’m not an idiot, I’m going to see Mischael and ask if he can do me a favor."

After speaking, the old lad vanished outside the door.

Left behind, Old Ferrero silently opened the window and pulled out his messenger, placing a piece of paper with writing on it and an elven silver coin in its hand. The messenger of the spirit realm disappeared into the air outside the window as he turned around.

Hopefully, Malin is available now... Although Old Ferrero figured that this apprentice, whom he had high hopes for, definitely wouldn’t be free at the moment.

That’s all right; if he isn’t free now, perhaps in a little while, a touching father-son scene might unfold.