In the misty morning, Klein sat at his dining table, breaking up the oatmeal bread he had specially bought and soaking it in milk to improve his eating style.
Although his body had long changed, his pursuit and dedication to delicacies were engraved in his soul. He was completely unable to adapt to the monotonous and repetitive breakfast style of the Rouen Kingdom. All he could do was try as much as possible and not be limited to toast, bread, bacon, sausages, butter, and cream. He worked hard to expand his boundaries and enrich his eating style. For example, he added pork pie, Feynapotter noodles, and roasted corn pancakes, which were popular in the south.
The caviar from the Feysac Empire isn't bad either, but it's too expensive. It's only suitable for formal meals … Klein scooped up a small piece of soft oatmeal bread with a spoon and stuffed it into his mouth. Just chewing a little, he could feel the milk that was filled with the fragrance of wheat flowing out, and the bread's aftertaste turned even sweeter.
After breakfast, Klein put down his fork and spoon. He wasn't in a hurry to clean up. He picked up the newspapers that had just been delivered and leisurely began reading.
I'll do a divination later. If there's nothing else, I'll go to St. George Borough's Sird Street to visit Mr. Leppard and see if his new mode of transportation is worth investing in … Baekeland sure is huge. Every borough is almost the size of Tingen City, and East Borough is especially exaggerated. It's at least twice the size … The most convenient and most economical way to travel is still to use the steam subway before using both feet. It's just a waste of time … Klein let his thoughts wander.
Baekeland's public carriage system was similar to Tingen's, and the pricing was about the same. The only problem was that most of them were limited to a single borough. If one wanted to go from Cherwood to St. George, they would need to make several transfers, so the price would naturally go up.
Such a situation made the prospect of a new mode of transportation very tempting.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
At that moment, a loud knocking sound reverberated and drilled into Klein's ears.
Who is it … Don't you know how to ring the doorbell … He mumbled, adjusted his collar, came to the door, and pulled it open.
The person who appeared in front of him was a familiar face. It was the highlander who had chased after Ian Jr. on the steam subway. He had dark skin, deep eye sockets, and was thin and capable.
According to the results of Klein's mediumship, his name was Meursault, the Executioner of the Zmanger gang, and he was a high-ranking leader.
"Excuse me, who are you looking for? You have something to entrust me with? "Klein pretended to be confused.
Meursault wore a black coat and a pompous silk hat, but he looked nothing like a gentleman.
He sized up Klein coldly and asked in Loenese with a thick accent from the highlands, "Why are you here?
"You're Sherlock Moriarty?"
"Yes," Klein replied succinctly.
Meursault nodded stiffly.
"I want to entrust you to find someone."
"Let's talk about the details after you come in." Klein did not allow himself to show the slightest abnormality.
Meursault shook his head coldly.
"No need."
With that said, his eyes suddenly turned sharp.
"The person I'm looking for is called Ian, Ian Wright. He has a pair of bright red eyes and is about fifteen or sixteen years old. He likes to wear brown, old coats and round hats of the same color. I believe you should know him."
Klein laughed.
"I don't understand what you're talking about."
Meursault didn't seem to hear the other party's denial. "He's a thief who stole a very important item of mine. As long as you can find him, you can obtain at least ten pounds."
"The clues you provided are too little." Klein casually found an excuse.
"Thirty pounds." Meursault gave a new offer.
Klein glanced at him and said, "No, this goes against my principles of confidentiality."
"No, this goes against my principles of confidentiality."
"Fifty pounds," Meursault replied coldly.
"… I'm very sorry, but I won't accept this mission." Klein was stunned for two seconds before he finally chose to reject it.
Meursault slowly and deeply scrutinized him for a few seconds, his gaze gradually turning cold and fierce.
He didn't give a new offer, nor did he politely bid farewell. He turned around abruptly and quickly walked to the end of the street.
This gang's intelligence isn't bad … They actually know that Ian has come to look for me before … Klein sighed inwardly, but he didn't feel too worried or afraid because of this.
After all, I'm someone who has faced the spawn of an evil god, even if it's separated by a belly … As he thought about it, his smile suddenly brightened. He began to flip a coin to decide if he should go out today.
The answer was yes.
...
St. George Borough, Sutch Street.
Klein finally arrived at his destination after switching from a tracked carriage to a steam subway to a trackless carriage. He spent a total of 11 pence.
Just as he walked out of the carriage, he realized that it was drizzling outside, and he didn't bring an umbrella.
According to the newspapers and magazines, this is a daily occurrence in Baekeland. The reason why hats are popular is because ladies and gentlemen don't carry umbrellas all the time … Klein pressed down on his half top hat and rushed outside House 9. He used the eaves to block the rain.
He patted off the obvious water droplets on his body and rang the doorbell.
However, he didn't hear the sound of a cuckoo, nor did he notice the tinkling of the door.
Is the doorbell broken? Klein was about to knock on the door when he suddenly heard footsteps approaching.
The figure of the visitor naturally surfaced in his mind. It was a tall, thin, black-haired, blue-eyed gentleman in his thirties. He wore a grayish-blue worker's uniform, but he appeared refined.
The door creaked open, and the gentleman rubbed his temples.
"May I know who you're looking for? What's the matter? "
Klein took off his top hat and bowed slightly.
"I'm here to find Mr. Leppard. I'm interested in his new mode of transportation."
The gentleman's eyes lit up.
"I'm Leppard. Please come in."
He turned to the side and allowed Klein to enter, but there wasn't a coat rack in the foyer.
Klein could only lean on his cane and follow Leppard into the living room without taking off his coat.
It had to be said that this gentleman's house was very messy. Just the coffee table in the living room alone had many machine-related items, such as wrenches, bearings, and screwdrivers.
"How much do you want to invest? Ah, right, do you want coffee or black tea? Uh … I don't think there's any black tea left … "Leppard blurted out.
This gentleman is a little straightforward. He doesn't seem to be good at interpersonal relationships … A thought flashed through Klein's mind as he changed his predetermined words and replied bluntly,
"I have to see your new mode of transportation before I can make a decision."
"I can't make a promise without understanding anything."
As he spoke, he looked around and saw the triangular Sacred Emblem hanging on the wall.
This was the symbol of the God of Steam and Machinery. The solid triangle was filled with symbols such as steam, gears, and levers.
Leppard wasn't offended by Klein going straight to the point.
He immediately said, "I'll take you to see it."
Just as he said that, he slapped his head. "I almost forgot. We have to sign a confidentiality contract to ensure that you don't steal my invention."
Mr. Leppard, your memory isn't too good either … Klein smiled.
"No problem."
After signing the simple contract, Leppard led Klein into what appeared to be an activity room. He had connected this place to the guest room and basement next door, making it much wider and more spacious.
There were many components scattered messily on the ground, and a crude object that resembled a carriage half the height of a person stood in the middle.
In addition, the cord for the doorbell was also connected here, and it was cleverly arranged. As long as someone pulled the cord, the mechanical device would eject a steel ball, causing it to roll along a special track and hit the object in the middle, producing a clang.
The sound definitely wouldn't be too loud, but it was enough to wake up Leppard, who was obsessed with machinery.
"That's the new mode of transportation you invented?" Klein pointed to the crude object in the middle.
"Yes, I invented it based on Rosell The Great's imagination!" Leppard replied with a fanatical look in his eyes.
"Rosell The Great's imagination?" Klein asked in surprise.
Leppard explained in a worshipful tone.
"Rosell The Great left behind a manuscript that contains his imagination of all kinds of mechanical devices in the future. He's truly an outstanding genius, no, a master! Many of the things in it have become reality! Heh heh, this manuscript is kept in the Church of Steam and Machinery. Only devout believers can borrow it. "
… Emperor, are you not giving others a way out … The corner of Klein's mouth twitched, and he almost couldn't maintain his smile.
"Tell me more about it." He changed the topic.
Leppard led Klein to the crude metal object and opened the door.
"This is a mode of transportation that doesn't require a horse."
"The driver sits in front on the left and constantly steps on the pedals. Through levers, chains, and so on, the four wheels are connected, allowing them to roll forward. And on the wheels, I used the method of inflating rubber to make the ride smooth."
So, it's a human-powered car? Klein couldn't help but grumble.
He deliberated and said,
I'm afraid it won't be possible to travel far with just one person. "
"That's my next goal, to reduce the weight and increase the levers! But my financial situation isn't too optimistic, and I can't support more attempts. "Leppard looked hopefully at Klein.
"Why don't you consider other methods? For example, using steam as power? "Klein slowly organized his words.
Leppard shook his head. "Someone has already invented it, but it's very large, and it's difficult to drive on many streets."
This was what Klein was waiting for.
"Then, why don't you make something simpler? For example, one with only two wheels that can only carry one person, and doesn't need an outer shell."
"You mean a bicycle type?" Leppard asked as though he was thinking.
It's in Rosell's manuscript? Klein nodded heavily.
"Yes."
"The bicycles that others have invented aren't very practical … Simplifying this … seems like it really can be done. It's really different … But, who will buy it?" Leppard muttered to himself.
Klein didn't hesitate to give him a direction.
"Postmen, working-class people with some savings, merchants who don't need too much money but can save up … There are many of these in Baekeland."
Leppard thought for a moment and nodded slightly.
"… I can give it a try, but I don't have the money to buy the parts …"
"I'll invest 100 pounds in you. Together with my suggestion, I'll hold a total of …" Klein hesitated on whether to say 10% or 15% of the shares. After all, 100 pounds wasn't a lot, strictly speaking.
"You can hold 35% of the shares! But it's only limited to the bicycle project you described! "Leppard rushed to say, afraid that the other party would make too high a demand.
"Deal!" Klein immediately smiled. "Let's draft a simple contract first and settle this matter. After that, I'll find a solicitor to make a formal contract and add some detailed clauses. For example, if anyone else invests, they have to get my approval first."
"No problem," Leppard answered eagerly. All he wanted was to buy the parts as soon as possible.
...
In the darkness brought about by the continuous rain, Klein returned to Cherwood Borough's Minsk Street.
He entered the house and went straight to the bathroom on the first floor, where he comfortably resolved the problem of his bloated abdomen.
Whoosh.
As the sound of water echoed, Klein bent down to wash his hands.
At this moment, a scene suddenly appeared in his mind.
The mirror reflected him with his head lowered, the dim environment, and a pair of eyes to the side.
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