Book 9: Chapter 53


    I had no idea where I was. ording to history, seventeenth century French and English cities were supposedly gross. Europeans in ancient times didnt pay attention to hygiene in the city. Romans constructed perfect sewers; however, the barbarians werent interested. I didnt see neglected sewers at Bryne City or the imperial capital. After all, the humans under Queen Sisis rule were rather advanced in terms of culture and civilisation, which tranted into stricter hygiene practices. I do admit that it was limited to the ces Queen Sisi and the nobles frequented. Themoners, especially those who were poor, didnt practice hygiene to the same extent.


    I decided the first thing Id do when I got back to the imperial capital was clean up the environment there. Everywhere. Sure, a minister of business has no business handling environmental hygiene, but I insisted because it would be Leah and Veirya living there henceforward. I had to ensure there were no hygiene issues or contagious diseases.


    The city in the South wasnt given as much attention as the imperial capital. Howbeit, thanks to it being newer and housing rtively more nts, it didnt look too messy. With that said, I couldnt figure out why the ce stunk. I didnt know what the sticky ck stuff on the ground was, but it was more prominent than the actual colour of the ground and vited my nose. Also, there would be random things thrown out as if it was raining objects while Ross and I wandered the city.


    I couldnt shake off the feeling that some small-time hawkers ormon folk would try and pinch my wallet. As such, I kept my hand pressed firmly to my wallet. I was even more worried about Ross being kidnapped. He had been kidnapped once, so he grabbed my hand tightly and looked freaked out.


    We stopped at a ck building. It appeared obvious that the building was built illegally high since the materials were horrendous and it was crooked It looked as though it was one gust of one away from copsing. How it managed to stay standing so long was a miracle that escaped myprehension.


    Ross and I cautiously headed in. The rancid stench of alcohol mixed with smoke on the first floor was awful. God forbid I knew what they were doing. Smoking? Burning paper is smoking? We apparently didnt get anybodys attention when we entered. Perhaps they didnt care to acknowledge us. We had to cross through the wall of smoke, not to mention squeezing past tables to finally get to the stairs. The steps creaked and wobbled underneath our feet.


    Albert sent me a letter to inform me he was at this particr building, surprisingly. I had no idea how he found this weird ce. I looked to Ross, and he looked back at me with a nervous gaze. He expressed, Is Mr. Albert really here? Why would he choose this ce? I I do not know It seems dangerous here


    No kidding. The city had a tant security issue.


    I pondered, Please dont tell me Albert discovered what I did and deliberately lured me here to ambush me or something No way Theres no way he figured out what happened unless Madam Melissa betrayed me. Did the two meet again after that day? Man, I shouldve brought Veirya with me Its silly of me to be here alone. They say that, Ill marry you when Im back, is a death g quote, yet I boldly came here. Are my guts toorge?


    I hesitated before I knocked. No answer. I scanned the dangerous corridor. There were no exits in the front or back. I couldnt stop thinking that someone would rush out and hack me to death at any given moment. Nevertheless, I knocked again. Still no response.


    Umm, Lord Lin, shall we go downstairs to ask the owner for a key?


    Yeah


    Just when I considered going downstairs, I stubbornly knocked again. This time, the door swung open. I peeked inside while making sure I didnt expose my neck. There was no blood on the ground. To the contrary, the interior was far neater and cleanerpared to outside. However, there was a strange smelling from within. The smell was akin to something decaying.


    Ross and I found wind blowing in as the window was open. Thanks to the wind, we could smell the citys unique stench. I didnt understand why the room had the decaying smell when the wind was blowing in. However, when I spun around in the next moment, the suspending thing in the air that was swaying simrly to a bell startled me.


    Ah! shrieked Ross.


    I immediately covered Ross mouth and mmed the door shut. He had no idea what to do. I solemnly looked at Albert. I have to tip my hat to him. I received his letter three days ago, so I presumed he died three days ago. If that inference held true, then he mustve hung himself soon after he sent the letter.


    I shooed off the flies that warmed his corpse and then nced over to the table where a letter, presumably his will, was pinned.


    Mr. Albert Mr. Albert Ross was so scared that he shed tears and stuttered.


    Ross, calm down. Calm down. Go downstairs and buy some food. Dont let anyone else notice. If word gets out that Albert died, your sister will copse. Calm down, okay, Ross? Calm down!!


    Uhm Uhm Ross froze in ce for a while due to the overwhelming shock that he had yet to process. His wobbling and tripping run made me chuckle.


    Whilst rubbing my hands together, I jeered, Now, then, Albert, what shall I do to you today?