Lord of The Mysterious Realms Chapter 601

Miss Stuart had somehow acquired some expensive cat food and hidden it in a small compartment in the study, a stash that Chocolate easily sniffed out. Unfortunately, thanks to its master's feeding habits, the cat's palate had grown rather particular. While it might occasionally nibble on the kibble, it was far more interested in whatever Jenkins was eating.

Even when Julia filled a porcelain bowl with a generous portion for it, the cat only took a few tentative bites.

It showed little interest in rich meats or fish, but was quite taken with fresh fruit and milk. Jenkins's fruit platter, in fact, had long ago become Chocolate's exclusive property.

The Stuart royal palace housed no pets, though Miss Stuart had recently mentioned wanting to get a cat of her own once she came of age. Jenkins, however, had completely missed the implication behind her words.

While Miss Stuart worked on her mathematics homework, Jenkins and Alexia stood by the window, discussing recent events and offering each other advice.

Nolan City had been plagued by incidents, and Ruen was hardly peaceful either. In addition to the "Killing Mark" and the snowman legion mentioned last week, an entrance to a Mysterious Realm had opened in the city this week, though a team led by the Orthodox Church had swiftly moved in to eliminate it.

According to Miss Stuart's intelligence, those who entered the Mysterious Realm had retrieved fragments of information from an ancient era, which would prove vital for excavating the ancient ruins in the far north.

He had been planning to discuss the applications of frost-type abilities with Miss Stuart, but she instead retrieved a small tin box from her desk and handed it to him.

He slid the lid open as he asked, revealing a small wooden cross nestled inside. Its surface was coarse, with splinters still visible, and the bottom end had been whittled to a razor-sharp point.

"This is B-05-4-3911, the Vampire Buster. If you strike a vampire in the head or heart with it, even a demigod is guaranteed to die. I found it in the royal treasury a few days ago."

The Star Spirit Rakul had spoken of weapons specifically designed to target certain races; the "Demon Slayer" he had witnessed being created and this "Vampire Buster" both fell into that category.

"Isn't this a bit too valuable?"

He didn't refuse, however, as the item was incredibly important to him.

"No, Mr. Williamette. You and Miss Miller have helped me so much, and you're willing to share your knowledge. And then there was the ball last week..." Google seaʀᴄh n0velfire.net

Seeing that Jenkins's expression remained composed, she added in a hushed tone,

"Actually, I wanted to ask for your help. In the middle of January, my father is organizing our traditional family winter hunt. Would you be able to join us?"

"Of course. I'll be the best protector you could have,"

he promised, then turned and added,

"Alexia, you should come too. I think it would be safer that way."

The three women in the study were all stunned by this, but none of them could bring themselves to object.

The glow of the gas lamp illuminated Jenkins's face, casting one side in light and the other in shadow. At times , even Alexia wondered if the man was genuinely oblivious or simply pretending to be.

If time were to freeze permanently in this last month of the Universal Calendar, 1865, Jenkins would be vehemently opposed. He had endured far too many troubles this month, and he knew even greater ones were still to come.

Early Wednesday morning, Jenkins received a letter from Professor Burns. With year-end exams finishing at most of Nolan's schools this week, his public lecture had been scheduled for Sunday afternoon. He would have a full four hours to share his writing process and personal experiences with the young students.

Papa Oliver urged Jenkins to take the engagement seriously, as it was a great honor.

"Besides, your new book is almost done printing. You could use this opportunity to promote it."

As the year drew to a close, his lawyer, a Mr. Raul Onis, delivered more good news. Thanks to the assistance of the Sage's Church, the settlement of Viscount Augustus's estate was proceeding with remarkable speed. He advised Jenkins not to leave Nolan anytime soon, as the official inheritance procedures could be finalized at any moment, and they had to be completed at the city's municipal hall.

When he met with Hathaway and Briny that afternoon, he shared his good news with them, adding that he planned to use the sizable inheritance to properly outfit himself for the upcoming winter trip.

Briny suggested that Jenkins put the money to good use, offering to introduce him to several investment opportunities.

"Oh, that's very kind of you. But my father has already suggested I invest in the mining business. He works for Smiths United Mining Company and has some connections..."

At some point, the conversation drifted, and Jenkins mentioned his run-in with Mr. Liverpool the previous evening. As it happened, Miss Lawrence was also at the club, so Hathaway and Briny immediately went to tell her what had happened.

Miss Lawrence, it turned out, was deeply troubled by the matter. She confessed that she had already rejected Mr. Liverpool's advances multiple times, but the man was relentlessly persistent.

Jenkins hadn't seen Liverpool at the entrance when he arrived today. He wasn't sure if his warning from the night before had been effective, or if the young man was just trying to keep a low profile for a bit.

Briny was also prepared to get involved. If Liverpool appeared again, she would resort to much harsher methods to warn him away.

The libretto for their detective opera was largely complete. By "standing on the shoulders of giants," Jenkins was able to write with incredible speed. This, however, was becoming a source of frustration for Hathaway, as she couldn't possibly compose the music at the same breakneck pace.

He had intended to finish the rest of it that afternoon and submit the draft to Mr. Nelly over the weekend. Unexpectedly, Hathaway's maid arrived in a flurry. It seemed something had happened to her older sister, and she was needed at home at once.

Briny seemed to be trying to avoid being alone with Jenkins, and she soon found an excuse to depart as well. And so, somehow, Jenkins found himself on his own again.

Feeling awkward lingering by himself in a club for young aristocratic ladies, he scooped up his cat, who was just stirring from an afternoon nap, and headed out the main entrance.

A casual glance around confirmed there was still no sign of Liverpool.

"It's not even three o'clock..."

He looked up at the sun, already starting its westward descent, and drew a deep breath of the frigid air, feeling it sting his throat.

"It's far too early to head back to the church. I should find something to do... Now, what could that be..."