Chapter 1257: Chapter 1257

Hearing the suggestion to experiment with the tobacco, Jenkins looked at Alexia in surprise. She continued, “In a city like Ruen, there are plenty of criminals on death row. I imagine Dolores could procure a few without any issue. You’re not going to feel guilty for experimenting on that kind of scum, are you?”

Before the princess could even respond, Julia agreed on her behalf to the request for death row inmates.

“No,” he said, “I’m just worried something could go wrong. My instincts are telling me it’s best not to use this substance recklessly...”

After a moment’s thought, he decided against human trials, believing it was better to be cautious and thoroughly investigate all the potential side effects first.

“Dolores, do you have people in the cities on the east coast? I want to investigate the group behind this. I remember the pseudo-god, Spiraling Mist, isn’t considered an evil deity. His followers are mainly active near the city of Turin. Today’s events are very strange.”

The investigation would have to be conducted in the Cheslan Kingdom. Dolores didn’t have many people there, but she could at least mobilize some assets in the capital, Turin. The mention of Turin also reminded Jenkins that his friend, Mr. Black Cat, and his acquaintance, Miss Stevel, were both there. He decided to write a letter, asking them to look into the matter as well, if it was convenient.

“I really hope Mr. Black Cat doesn’t get dragged into any more bizarre trouble.”

Jenkins murmured the prayer, and a thousand miles away, as if on cue, Mr. Black Cat let out a sudden sneeze.

“Apologies,” he said. “My nose has been a bit sensitive lately. That snow a few days ago was highly unusual. It must be the first time in centuries that Shire City has seen snow this time of year.”

Mr. Black Cat apologized to his friend. The other man simply shook his head, taking off his hat and setting it on the table. He flagged down a passing waiter, took the offered menu, and began searching for a drink he liked.

“Speaking of which, weren’t you planning to leave Turin a few days ago? I heard you angered a powerful figure.”

The man holding the menu asked Mr. Black Cat.

“It’s fine now. They turned out to be... a friend of a friend.”

The mere thought of Miss Stevel made Mr. Black Cat clutch his head. The day he’d looked into her, he’d immediately realized he was being tailed. He’d scribbled a hasty warning to Mr. Candle back in Nolan, thrown a few things in a bag, and made for the train station, only to be cut off by no fewer than twenty Enchanters. He had never witnessed such a scene in his life and had been certain his end had come.

“Thank goodness those followers of the God of Music had no ill intent.”

He resolved to find an opportunity to ask Mr. Candle what that was all about. Just then, the man across the table took a small paper bag from his pocket—no bigger than the palm of his hand—and passed it to him. Mr. Black Cat accepted it and peered inside, finding tobacco of a peculiar color and odor.

As a tobacco connoisseur, he could tell at a glance that something was wrong with it.

Mr. Black Cat asked his friend, who shrugged.

“Who knows what the hell it is. A friend of mine in Ruen sent it, warning me to be careful of this tobacco. Apparently, long-term use can cause permanent damage to one’s mind and soul. I know you enjoy a smoke, so I wanted to give you a heads-up.”

“Why would I ever touch something so bizarre? Derek, do I strike you as the type to gamble on novelties?”

Mr. Black Cat shook his head, reassuring his friend. The man, Derek, set down his menu, his expression turning serious.

“Just stay away from this stuff. I’ve seen people selling similar tobacco here in Turin, too. I’m afraid this might be part of something big.”

Mr. Black Cat repeated to himself. He then recalled the formidable woman from before saying that he could sell any valuable information to her. And it was common knowledge that followers of the God of Music, being mostly of noble birth or prodigious talent, were exceedingly wealthy.

“Tell me everything. I think we can make a pretty penny from this.” Follow current novels on N0v3l.Fiɾe.net

At that thought, Mr. Black Cat uncrossed his legs, leaned forward, and placed both hands on the round table, his voice tinged with excitement as he spoke to his companion.

Far away in Ruen, the young writer was, of course, oblivious to the information his friend had just acquired. And unlike sunny Turin, Ruen was once again blanketed in snow.

After dealing with the tobacco matter, Jenkins had planned to visit the church and then go with Alexia to find the "treasure" the book fairy had mentioned.

But before they could leave, a hurried messenger arrived with a letter for Dolores. She was in her study handling official documents and planning to invite her sisters over for the afternoon. Now that she had resolved to fight for the crown, she naturally needed to gather more allies.

“It’s a letter from Angelina. Oh, that’s my sister, the one who was standing nearest to me that day in the basement. She says she’s encountered something strange and wants me to take a look. She’s also asked me to keep it confidential.”

Dolores handed the letter to Jenkins, who glanced at it before passing it to Alexia.

“I see the address. It’s on the way to the church, so Alexia and I will go with you. If there’s any trouble, it’ll be easier to handle.”

Angelina Stuart was Dolores’s fourteen-year-old sister. Their relationship had always been good before the Council Plaza uprising. But unlike Dolores, this princess didn’t possess the same assets and influence. After being forced to move out of the royal palace, she had taken up temporary residence in her “little house” in the city. Acquiring a more suitable home was not something that could be resolved overnight.

But to call it a “little house” was an understatement; it was actually four times the size of Jenkins’s family home. It consisted of a row of five adjacent three-story apartment buildings, their interior decorative walls knocked down to connect them into a single, sprawling residence. While this was still beneath the status of a princess of the kingdom, Ruen was in a tumultuous period, and Her Highness Angelina Stuart didn’t have any grand demands.

When the carriage carrying the group arrived, an elderly maid who had been waiting at the entrance immediately bowed deeply and led them inside.

After stepping out of the carriage, Jenkins reached out with fascination to touch the building’s exterior, which was coated in a thick layer of solid ice. It showed no signs of melting; it seemed the “winter” in Ruen was set to last much longer this year.

Before entering, he activated his Eye of Reality. As expected, he spotted a spiritual aura emanating from a room on the left side of the second floor. The aura’s intensity was considerable, but not strong enough to be classified as a Numbered Item. Furthermore, since the light wasn’t black, Jenkins wasn’t overly concerned.