Chapter 68

Chapter 68

The carriage was ordered by the butler, but he likely didn’t do it personally, probably delegating it to other servants.

The Baron nodded immediately but appeared somewhat troubled: "I'll have Katerina come to see you right away. As for that servant... I did give him a beating. He's alive, of course, just... some minor bone issues, which should be healed by now. I will take responsibility for my actions. He's been kept in the stables, so please wait a moment. I'll have someone bring him to you."

"...Alright." Orle felt a sense of shame now; the Baron's actions were intentional harm, making him a criminal, yet Orle was powerless to act because the Baron was above the law here.

The law abolished slavery among the native population but protected the nobility's legal right to property. If the servants accepted themselves as property of the nobility, then the nobles had the right to use any means on them – dissent was not an option, or they'd lose their jobs. In some rural areas, nobles even exercised droit du seigneur and hanged peasants who couldn't repay debts.

Leaving the Baron's smaller drawing room, Orle headed to another room (also a drawing room, but more modestly furnished), pondering over the short walk who his biological father, an unacknowledged illegitimate son, could be, to command such respect.

Moreover, it seems everyone knows about this father, but no one will tell him, indicating a strong deterrent presence.

Katerina arrived promptly, bringing Orle's attention back to the case.

She wore a blue long dress with a white lace-trimmed apron and a white lace headband, conducting herself with careful elegance, undoubtedly a high-class maid.

"I'm here to investigate Ms. Schulz's murder. Please cooperate fully without any reservations."

"Yes, sir."

"Did Ms. Schulz ever confide in you about her personal or family affairs? Did she have any close male or female friends?"

"Ms. Schulz never discussed her own or her family’s private matters..."

Through a series of questions and answers, Orle learned of Ms. Schulz through the maid’s eyes. She was a well-mannered, cautious, and elegant woman, who only mentioned family in the context of taking early leave for a birthday. She never behaved inappropriately with men, including Baron Belter and the occasional visiting young noblemen.

Two young men had pursued her, but as young nobles, they couldn't possibly marry a governess; their pursuit was only for a romantic affair. One young man was particularly aggressive, but Baron Belter intervened – the eldest son of Viscount Wobeth.

Ms. Schulz had no fiancé and no close female friends, being a staunch single woman, wearing a black iron ring on her left pinky, symbolizing chastity.

The chastity ring originally worn by the Sisters of the Light Order, symbolizing dedication to the fight against darkness. However, it's rumored that, although appearing as a black iron ring, when the sisters opened their hands, a small nameplate on the other end of the pinky bore the name of a male clergyman, indicating the sister was his property.

Initially, this symbol wasn't a ring but a more conspicuous collar, eventually evolving into a ring.

These, however, are just rumors, officially denied by the Light Order.

In recent years, some wealthy women have chosen to remain chaste, using such rings to signify their status.

More importantly, this ring wasn’t among the evidence. It couldn't have been stolen, being made of black iron. Lost? Or... did the murderer take it as a memento?

"Thank you for your cooperation, ma'am." Orle stood up, thanking the maid.

Katerina curtsied in response and was about to leave when she suddenly remembered something: "I don't know if this is important, but... two days before the incident, Ms. Schulz seemed uneasy, even accidentally spilling her tea. I asked her what was wrong, but she said she just felt unwell recently, causing her distraction. However, she never had such incidents before."

"Thank you, that's very important information." Orle expressed his sincere gratitude.

The always polite and restrained maid couldn't help but show a slight smile, curtsied again, and then left the room.

Just after she left, Baron Belter personally came to invite Orle to join him for dinner, but Orle declined. Though the Baron appeared regretful, he left like a gentleman, and the awaited servant was finally brought in.

This servant was surprisingly young and handsome, even though he was emaciated, with fresh bruises on his cheeks – these were not injuries from six months ago, but rather recent.

"Please save me, sir, I don't want to die."

Orle quickly understood; the servant was beaten and thrown into the stables, similar to a concubine banished to the cold palace in palace dramas, symbolizing complete disdain and exclusion, with no chance of returning to his role, nor could he leave the Baron's estate.

He had become the weakest link, a target for the frustrations of the lower servants – not necessarily sexual, but certainly a scapegoat.

Again, human nature.

Orle felt irritated. He had just comforted Anka, but facing such an onslaught of negative emotions in a short time was overwhelming for him too.

He should have brought some sweets with him; a small cake or even just a cookie would have greatly improved his mood.

"Then come with me." Doing a good deed could ease his mind, and the desperate servant, if unable to leave, would likely take any clues to his grave.

The servant broke down in tears: "Thank you! Thank you, sir!" He covered his face with his hands, and Orle noticed all his fingernails had been pulled out, one finger was even missing a part, thus no nail to speak of.

Orle remembered losing a toenail during a college sports class, the pain was excruciating, and it took over two months to grow back awkwardly, not normalizing until seven or eight months later.

From Orle's experience, this man's nails had been removed about a month ago.

Orle stood up, startling the servant who stopped crying and trembled as he looked up: "I'll talk to the Baron. What's your name?"

"Reid, my name is Reid Kolon, sir."

"Okay, I'm Orlevitska Mondale." After introducing themselves, Orle temporarily left the drawing room. He thought he needed to call someone, but the butler was already waiting outside, "What would it cost to buy Reid Kolon's service?"

The butler seemed surprised by Orle's request but said he would inquire with the Baron.

Five minutes later, the Baron himself arrived: "You can certainly take him. Here is our adoption contract, employment contract, and my transfer document. Do you have any other requests?"

"No, thank you very much for your generosity. I have no other requests."

Despite being pressed for time, Orle meticulously reviewed the three documents.

The first document confirmed that Reid Kolon was adopted from the Saint Ansfeldt Orphanage by the butler fifteen years ago, when he was ten years old.

The second document was more a debt repayment agreement than an employment contract, signed when Reid was twenty. It stated that he had accumulated a debt of 1500 gold crowns to Baron Belter over the past ten years, agreeing to repay it through his future wages.

Additionally, this debt carried a monthly interest rate of ten percent, compounding.

With the second document as a basis, the contents of the third document became clear. It was essentially a debt transfer contract, indicating that Orle had paid off all of Reid's debts. The Baron confirmed receipt of the payment, clearing Reid's debt to him, making Orle his new creditor and employer. Reid was now obliged to serve Orle and repay the debt.

Despite wanting to curse, Orle accepted the Baron's pen and signed his name. Only their two signatures were needed, with no requirement for the 'goods', Reid Kolon, to be present.

As Orle signed, the Baron hinted, "Are you interested in other servants? Reid isn't the best choice." He even winked at Orle.

"...” Orle belatedly realized the Baron thought he was attracted to Reid's looks. Speechless, he realized Baron Belter might also have an interest in men. A thought flashed through his mind, prompting him to ask, "If I may, do you know the Franks? They're shareholders in the Blue Ribbon Club."

"Ah... I've heard you arrested them?" the Baron asked cautiously.

The actions of the police in the Fish Tail District had been noted by many observant individuals.

His response led Orle to infer that the Baron was admitting to being a client of the Blue Ribbon Club.

"I have arrested them, but you needn't worry, no unsavory rumors will spread. Now, I'll take Reid Kolon and leave. Thank you for your hospitality. However, I might need to disturb you again in the next day or two."

"I'm delighted you could visit, very delighted indeed."

"..." The Baron's eagerness was excessive, surpassing mere politeness. It either stemmed from his belief in gaining some advantage from Orle or fear that Orle might cause him significant trouble. It's very likely that his 'cheap father' had also done something.

"Then I'll have someone..."

"No need." Orle stuffed the three documents into his coat and returned to the small drawing room, where he promptly picked up the hesitant servant in his arms.

Sighing to himself, Orle thought he hadn't even carried his own husband in a bridal style yet, and now he was carrying someone else first. The servant trembled like a leaf in the wind, but upon seeing Baron Belter standing at the door, he buried his head into Orle's chest. His trembling stopped, and Orle couldn't even hear his breath despite the close proximity.

After descending the stairs, Orle reminded him with concern, "Mr. Kolon, please don't suffocate yourself."

Kolon moved slightly, still fearful, but eventually straightened up.

Back in the police car, Orle placed him across from himself. Kolon clutched at Orle's sleeve, but Orle forcefully but gently removed his hand, careful not to hurt him.

Several police cars drove away from the Baron's estate, stopping after two blocks.

"Are you the butler's adopted son?"

"He has many adopted sons."

Orle took a deep breath, feeling choked and desperately wanting to shed this skin and take a shower, "Tell me about the coachman you called that day."

"Tom Matley. He's a coachman I'm quite familiar with. If I called him, he would even give me a few Echoes as change. You know, servants like us don't even have salaries. It was a normal day; we all knew Ms. Schulz was leaving at noon, so I had him at the gate half an hour early."

"He seemed very nervous that day, kept asking me when Ms. Schulz would leave. I thought he had an emergency, like a sick child or something – he has four children. But he said it was nothing."

"Right, I have a habit of checking the carriage for cleanliness after calling it. The carriage was clean, but I found a blue ribbon in the middle of the seat. Tom said it might have been left by his previous passenger. So, I returned the blue ribbon to him."

"It's my fault, I should have realized something was amiss. What respectable lady would leave her ribbon in a hired carriage? I'm sure it was Tom who killed Ms. Schulz, then killed himself out of fear!"

"Calm down, calm down." Reid was getting more agitated, even starting to make outlandish claims. The coachman's body was found before Ms. Schulz's, suggesting he might have been involved in the kidnapping but unlikely the mastermind. Reid's fear of being sent back to the Baron’s or being punished by his new master seemed to be clouding his judgment. Although regrettable, Orle felt the coachman was probably innocent on that day.

Orle rubbed his forehead, considering that Reid’s mental state might have been affected by the prolonged mistreatment. Now, in addition to finding a place for Reid, Orle had four tasks: (1) locate the coachman's family, (2) request the coachman's autopsy report from the Wutong District Police Station, (3) return to the station to question the Franks, and (4) visit Ms. Schulz's family.

Currently, only Detective MacMurray was with him, while the rest were occupied with their respective tasks.

(O口O) What a headache.

Orle tried to focus on these matters. The latter two he would have to handle himself: “MacMurray, you…” Noticing a patrol officer nodding off beside him, Orle suddenly realized it was already night. As a vampire, he was still alert, but MacMurray was human, “Let’s head back to the station first.”

“We’re fine! I admit I’m a bit tired, but a little sleep during the ride is enough!”

“No, you guys go rest. The night shift officers will suffice. Tonight... is it Derrick on duty?”

Orle didn’t dare let these officers stay up late, knowing that despite not being a doctor, they were all likely to have health issues related to their weight. Staying up might even lead to a sudden health crisis.

Fis Derrick, nicknamed Iron Fist, was once MacMurray's rival, but their relationship improved after they both experienced a riot and were promoted to detectives. They weren’t close friends but more than acquaintances.

MacMurray’s expression immediately darkened: “That guy’s a chatterbox; he’ll only cause you trouble!”

“Then it's settled, he is the one.” As a seasoned patrol officer, Orle issued the order to Detective MacMurray, “You, Reid Kolon, what do you want to do?”

“Serve you, sir.” As a servant, Reid’s response came without hesitation.

“I don’t trust you.” Orle was more decisive in his reply, metaphorically giving him a reality check, “Don’t make promises, they don’t work. We just met; should I bring you into my home? Quickly, tell me if there’s somewhere you want to go.”

Orle was aware that saving Reid from the Baron’s house might have induced a sort of dependency in him, but he didn’t care.

"I, I..."

"You can take your time to think about it on the way back to the station," Orle said, as the police car started moving.

Approaching the police station, Reid finally voiced his thoughts: "I have some skills as a gardener, can cook, sew as well, and I'm willing to work in a factory. Any job that lets me survive will do."

"Remember your words. Working outside won’t be as easy and comfortable as being the Baron's servant."

"I understand, sir."

Back at the station, Orle alighted from the car and glanced towards the entrance — for ease of communication, Bill had arranged for his men to guard the main entrance of the station, and surprisingly, they were still “working the night shift” at this hour.

"Hey!" Orle raised his arm in greeting. The man leaning against the wall immediately ran over. Orle, pointing to Ode being helped out of the car by other officers, said, "There’s someone for you to take care of. He can't move right now, so get some more people here to help carry him."

The man ran over, and Orle realized he was actually a teenager, probably sixteen or seventeen. Hearing Orle's instructions, he immediately turned and ran off.

Orle temporarily took Reid into an empty interrogation room. This time he wasn’t carried in, but escorted by others. Not being a detective, Orle couldn’t host non-criminal visitors at his own desk — although MacMurray had offered his, Orle didn't feel it appropriate.

There were questions Orle had wanted to ask on the way, but with other officers present, he had to hold back. Now they were alone... Orle glanced at the interrogation room door. Was Schulz still busy, or had he already gone home?

Turning his attention back, Orle asked, "Do you know about the Blue Ribbon Club?"

"Yes, I do."

"Can you tell me about Baron Belter's involvement with the Blue Ribbon Club? Uh, skip the explicit details, I'm just suspecting Ms. Schulz's death might be connected to the club, not looking for juicy gossip."

"The first time I heard about the Blue Ribbon Club was over two years ago..."

Reid wasn't Baron Belter's personal servant, but at that time, he was a high-ranking servant, often waiting by the door for orders and favored by the Baron, who usually assigned him various tasks. One day he was told to wait for a visitor, a guest wearing a blue ribbon on their wrist.

The person arrived at seven o'clock in an ordinary carriage, dressed in a hooded cloak and a scarf covering the face, completely concealing their identity from head to toe.

Redd led someone into Baron Belt's study, but soon, the Baron took them into his game room. Redd and the Baron's personal servant were instructed to guard the door, and it wasn't until the next morning that the two emerged from the game room, the man limping.

This was the first appearance of the blue ribbon. After that, almost every week, a similarly dressed man would visit the Baron's mansion. If no one came that week, the Baron would surely attend a party – with an invitation adorned with a blue ribbon bow.

"I'm not exactly sure what kind of party it was, as the Baron always went alone. But every time he returned, he carried a strong masculine scent."

His demeanor while speaking was completely different from his manic and irate tone in the car earlier. Although frowning, it was not in distress, but rather in deep thought.

"...So there are both 'takeout' and 'dine-in' options," pondering the new revelation, "Are the men with the blue ribbons always the same person, or are there many? When do they come the most?"

"Initially, they were different people. Even if they kept their heads down, their heights and walking styles varied. But later, one man came very often. He was about 182 centimeters tall, slender but strong, with blue eyes and blonde hair. I don't know his exact face. The eyes I saw when I bent to pick something up, the hair from the strands stuck to his cloak. So I'm certain about the eyes, but not the hair."

"They mostly come on Fridays or Saturdays, typically leaving after one night, though occasionally they stay longer, leaving after two nights and a day."

"Have they... ever seen Miss Schur?" Orel finally asked.

"They have seen her. But there was no interaction, just passing by each other in the house. Miss Schur is not a recklessly curious young lady; she's cautious. After leaving the young lords' and ladies' classroom, she immediately lowers her head, not prying too much into anyone or anything."

Orel had sighed a lot these past few days, and now he couldn't help but sigh again. Miss Schur was a beautiful and intelligent woman, doing everything she could to protect herself, but...

Hearing that sigh, Redd looked up, directly at Orel for the first time: "Can you catch the murderer, Mr. Mondale?"

"I can only say, I will do everything in my power."

"There are many who deserve to die in this world, but not Miss Schur, especially not so young and in such a painful and humiliating way. Do you think that blue-eyed man is the murderer?"

"No, I don't think he is the murderer," Orel shook his head. "I am just trying to identify all possible suspects, then filter out more from them. You, Baron Belt, were once suspects, but your physical condition has cleared you of suspicion, while the Baron remains one of my suspects."