As he walked on Zouteland Street, the hot and humid breeze blew against him. The high-spirited Klein suddenly thought of something.
He only had three pence left in change. It would cost four pence to take a public carriage back to Iron Cross Street, and using a gold pound note to give change was like using a hundred dollars to buy a bottle of cheap mineral water before his transmigration. It wasn't that he had no other choice, but that he couldn't bring himself to do so.
I'll use three pence to take a three-kilometer carriage and walk the rest of the way back? Klein had one hand in his pocket, slowed down his pace, and thought of other methods.
No way! Soon, he rejected the previous idea.
It would take quite a while to walk the rest of the way back. It wasn't safe to carry a huge sum of twelve pounds!
Furthermore, he had been worried that the Nighthawks would confiscate the revolver, so he had deliberately not brought it with him today. If he were to encounter any danger caused by Welch's death, he would be defenseless!
Find a bank nearby to exchange for change? No, no way. A handling fee of 0.5% is too extravagant! Klein shook his head silently. Just the thought of the handling fee made his heart ache!
As he eliminated all the methods, Klein's eyes suddenly lit up. He saw a clothing store!
That's right, isn't the most normal way to buy something at a suitable price and get change?
Formal wear, shirts, waistcoats, pants, leather boots, and a cane are all within the budget. I have to buy it sooner or later!
Yes, it's very troublesome to try on clothes. Besides, Baansen knows better than me and is better at bargaining. I can wait for him to come back before considering …
Then, buy a cane?
That's right! There's a saying that goes, "A cane is a gentleman's best defensive weapon. It can be used as half a crowbar. A gun in one hand and a cane in the other is the way a civilized person fights!"
Amidst his thoughts, Klein made up his mind. He turned around and turned into the Wilker Clothing Store.
The layout of the clothing store was very similar to the clothing store he had before his transmigration. On the left side of the wall was a row of formal wear, and in the middle were shirts, pants, waistcoats, and ties. On the right side were pairs of leather shoes and boots placed in glass cabinets.
"Sir, what would you like to buy?" A male shop assistant wearing a white shirt and a red vest came over and asked politely.
In the Kingdom of Rouen, because the gentlemen with status, power, and wealth liked to wear white shirts, black waistcoats, black trousers, and black suits, the colors were rather monotonous. Therefore, the male servants, shop assistants, and waiters were required to wear colorful clothes to distinguish between master and servant, or noble and lowly.
In contrast, the madams and young ladies wore dresses of different hues and gorgeous decorations, while the maids could only wear black with white, or white with black.
Faced with the male shop assistant's question, Klein pondered for a moment and said,
"Cane, heavier, harder."
The kind that could blow up other people's heads!
The red-vested shop assistant secretly sized up Klein and led him into the shop. He pointed at the row of canes in the corner.
"The one inlaid with gold is made of ironheart wood. It's very heavy and hard. 11 soli 7 pence. Would you like to try it?"
Eleven soli seven pence? Why don't you go rob someone? So what if it's made of gold? Klein was shocked by the price.
He didn't show it on his face as he nodded slightly.
"Alright."
The red-vested shop assistant took down the ironheart cane and carefully handed it to Klein, as though he was afraid that he would break the goods.
Klein felt the weight of the cane the moment he took it. He tried to move it, but he realized that he couldn't move it smoothly.
"It's too heavy." Klein shook his head and heaved a sigh of relief.
That's not an excuse!
The red-vested shop assistant put the ironheart cane back and pointed at the other three.
"This is walnut, made by Tingen's most famous cane artisan, Mr. Hayes. 10 soli 3 pence … This is anhydrous wood, inlaid with silver. It's as hard as steel, and it's 7 soli 6 pence … This is made from the heart of a white boli tree. It's also inlaid with silver, and it's 7 soli 10 pence …"
Klein took them one by one and tested them. He realized that the weight was quite suitable. Following that, he knocked on them with his fingers and roughly grasped the hardness of each cane. Finally, he chose the cheapest one.
"I'll take this one made of anhydrous wood." Klein pointed at the silver-inlaid cane in the red-vested shop assistant's hand.
"Alright, sir. Please follow me over there to make the payment. In the future, if this cane is damaged or stained, you can hand it over to us for free. "The red-vested shop assistant led Klein to the counter.
Klein took the opportunity to unfold the four gold pounds in his palm and took out one of the two smaller ones.
"Hello, seven soli 6 pence." The shop assistant behind the counter bowed with a smile.
Klein wanted to maintain his gentlemanly image, but when he stretched out his left hand with the one-pound note, he couldn't help but ask,
"Can it be cheaper?"
"Sir, these are all handmade. Our cost is very high," the red-vested shop assistant answered. "Besides, the owner isn't around. We don't have the right to help him reduce the price."
The shop assistant behind the counter echoed.
"Sir, I'm sorry."
"Alright." Klein handed the note over and received the silver-inlaid black cane from the red-vested shop assistant.
While waiting for the change, he took a few steps back and widened the distance between them. He then tested the effects of brandishing his off-hand weapon.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The sound of the wind was heavy and felt like it was tearing through the air. Klein nodded in satisfaction.
He cast his gaze forward again, prepared to see the notes and coins, but he was surprised to find the red-vested shop assistant retreating far away. The one behind the counter had shrunk into a corner, sticking close to the double-barreled shotgun hanging on the wall.
The Rouen Kingdom implemented a semi-regulated policy on firearms. To wield a gun, one needed to apply for an all-purpose weapon usage permit or a hunting permit. However, regardless of the type, one was not allowed to possess a repeating rifle, steam high-pressure gun, or six-barreled machine gun, or other military-controlled items.
An all-purpose weapon usage permit allowed one to purchase and store any civilian firearm, but obtaining it was extremely troublesome. Even merchants with a certain status might not be able to pass the examination. A hunting permit was relatively easy. Even a farmer in the suburbs could obtain one, but such a permit was only limited to the use of a hunting rifle. Furthermore, there was a limit to the number of permits. Many people with some wealth would apply for one to protect themselves in times of crisis, such as now …
"…" Klein looked at the two wary shop assistants as the corners of his mouth twitched. He chuckled dryly and said, "Not bad.
This cane is very suitable for brandishing. I'm very satisfied with it. "
Seeing that he had no intention of attacking, the shop assistant behind the counter relaxed as he handed over the notes and coins with both hands.
Klein took a look and saw that there were two five-soli and two one-soli notes, as well as a five-pence and a one-pence copper coin. He couldn't help but nod inwardly.
After pausing for two seconds, he ignored the shop assistant's gaze and unfolded the four notes one by one to ensure that the anti-counterfeiting patterns and watermarks were correct.
After doing all of this, Klein put away the notes and coins. He held his cane, adjusted his top hat, and walked out of Wilkel Clothing and Hat Shop like a gentleman. He extravagantly boarded a trackless public carriage, and after a transfer and a total of six pence, he successfully returned to his apartment.
After closing the door, he counted the eleven pounds and twelve soli notes three times before placing them in his desk drawer. Then, he took out the copper-colored revolver with a wooden grip.
Clang! Clang!
Clang! Five brass bullets landed on the desk one after another. Klein stuffed the silver demon hunting bullets with complicated patterns and the Dark Sacred Emblem into the revolver one by one.
Similarly, he only stuffed five bullets in, leaving an empty space to prevent accidental shots. The remaining bullets were stored in a small metal box along with the five normal bullets he had just taken out.
Pa!
With the revolver closed, Klein suddenly felt a lot more secure.
He excitedly placed the revolver into his armpit holster and buckled it. Then, he repeatedly practiced the action of unbuckling and drawing the revolver. When his arms were sore, he rested for a moment before continuing. It wasn't until the sky turned dark that he heard the sounds of tenants walking in the corridor.
Phew! Klein exhaled and placed the revolver back into his armpit holster.
Only then did he change out of his suit and vest. He put on his usual brownish-yellow coat and did some arm relaxation exercises.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Footsteps approached, a key was inserted into the keyhole, and the sound of turning was heard.
Melissa, with her silky black hair, pushed open the door and entered. Her nose twitched indiscernibly as she swept her gaze across the unlit stove. The luster in her eyes suddenly dimmed.
"Klein, I'll cook the leftover ingredients from last night. Baansen might be back tomorrow." Melissa turned to look at her brother.
Klein had both hands in his pockets as he leaned his thighs against the edge of the desk.
He smiled and said, "No, let's eat out."
"Eat out?" Melissa asked in surprise.
"How about the Silver Crown Restaurant on Daffodil Street? I heard the taste is great, "Klein suggested.
"B-but …" Melissa was still confused about the situation.
Klein smiled.
"To celebrate my finding a job."
"You found a job?" Melissa's voice involuntarily became louder. "B-but isn't the interview at Tingen University tomorrow?"
"Another job." Klein smiled as he took out the stack of notes from the drawer. "They even gave me four weeks' salary in advance."
Melissa looked at the gold pounds and soli and widened her eyes.
"Goddess … You, they, you, what job did you find?"
This … Klein's expression froze as he deliberated over his words.
"A security company whose mission is to find, collect, and protect antiques. They need a professional consultant. A five-year contract at three pounds a week."
"… Were you worried about this last night?" Melissa asked after a moment of silence.
Klein nodded and said, "Yes.
It's more dignified to be a faculty member at Tingen University, but I prefer this job. "
"… Actually, it's not bad." Melissa revealed an encouraging smile. She asked, half puzzled and half curious, "Why did they give you four weeks' salary in advance?"
"Because we need to move. We need more rooms and a bathroom of our own." Klein smiled as he spread his hands.
He felt that his smile was impeccable. He was just short of asking, "Are you surprised?"
Melissa was taken aback. She suddenly spoke quickly, appearing slightly flustered.
"Klein, our living quarters are actually not bad. I occasionally complain about not having a bathroom of my own, but it's just a habit. Do you remember Jenny? She used to live next door. Ever since her father got injured and lost his job, they had no choice but to move to Lower Street. The family of five can only live in one room. Three of them sleep on the bunk bed, and two on the floor. They even want to rent out the remaining empty space on the floor … "
"Compared to her family, we are very lucky. Don't waste your salary on this matter. Besides, I like Mrs. Smyrin's bakery very much."
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