The host warmly invited them to stay for one night. Considering that the coachman who came with them might have been arranged to rest, Hitzfeld did not refuse.
Anyway, Darent was informed of this possibility when he came here, so he wouldn't be in a hurry even if he didn't come home at night.
The guest rooms are in the annex building, and one needs to walk through a long corridor, through the spire, and take a spiral staircase to get there.
"It's quite cold here." Ethan couldn't help rubbing his arms halfway.
Especially when I saw Hitzfeld was still wearing a skirt, the desire to get goose bumps became even stronger.
The two of them tacitly did not discuss what had just happened on the way. After being taken to the annex building, they each chose two rooms opposite each other.
The servant politely said that there would be breakfast at 9 o'clock the next morning and left. After a while, Ethan knocked on the girl's door.
He did not close the door after entering - it is very rude to enter a young girl's room and close the door in someone else's home late at night.
As for eavesdropping...the room they chose happened to be next to a lamp stand that was only every few meters. There was light shining on the wall opposite the door, and anyone who approached the open door would inevitably disturb the light and shadow.
So they can talk without worry, just lower their voices a little.
"He must have lied." This was Ethan's first sentence. "Maybe he really had nothing to do with Eugenie's disappearance, but he definitely knew more than this."
"I think so too." Hitzfeld was very happy that Ethan agreed with him. "Eugeni is wary of this town, and the only thing that can really threaten him is the things in the manor. Duke can't be completely unaware of all this."
However, even though they could see it, Duke was unwilling to say it, and there was nothing they could do for the time being.
If nothing unexpected happens, this matter may involve the secret that Father Booker mentioned. Duke certainly can't easily tell two outsiders such information, so they still have to rely on their own investigation.
"What are you going to do?" Ethan glanced outside the door. The light and shadow were very stable, and there was no unusual movement. "Let me make it clear first, sneaking in the middle of the night is too risky. I don't support you doing this."
"I don't plan to do that either." Hitzfeld shook his head. "I want to ask him tomorrow and get in touch with as many people here as possible."
"Hmm?" Ethan raised his eyebrows, "You are doubting..."
"If we only contact Duke Gran, the information sample is too little." The girl nodded. "It would be better to contact both veins and Baal."
It is the same principle as interrogating a prisoner - if they are interrogated separately, two people may have different answers to the same question, and then it is easy to judge that one of them must be lying.
"Indeed." Ethan pondered, then worried: "This is too straightforward... What if he doesn't agree?"
"He will agree to it." Hitzfeld smiled, "Otherwise he would be admitting that there is something wrong with him."
After realizing that what Eugenie needed was not "Aisun Hitzfeld" but just a detective title from the royal capital, she understood that this title was also a protective umbrella for her and her group.
The power that Eugenie fears would also be afraid of attracting the attention of Wayne Port and causing a full-scale suppression by the White Shadow Palace.
A dreamless night.
The next day, Hitzfeld closed his notebook, opened the door, and found three basins of clean water placed on the iron rack against the wall at the door.
Correspondingly, Ethan's house opposite only has one pot.
This was indeed a thoughtful consideration. Hitzfeld washed up very satisfied, put on his clothes again, and when he opened the door again, he found Ethan was already waiting outside.
Led by the servant, the two met Duke Gran again.
This meeting was held at the morning banquet, and not only Duke was seated there, but also several family members of various ages with indifferent expressions.
Hitzfeld and Ethan were guests, sitting on the right side of the long table, almost next to Duke who was sitting at the main seat. After the girl sat down, she quickly scanned all the faces of the people and roughly locked onto two targets.
The first was a woman sitting on the left side of the long table, to Duke's right.
She was wearing a fluffy light green dress and had curly hair. Her hair and eyes were the same dark brown color that was almost black like Duke's. Her face and body were a little plump. She must have been much more beautiful when she was young.
This should be Grace Gran, Mrs. Gran, Rose's mother.
Judging from this, Mei'er should also have dark brown hair, but I saw her at night last night and the lighting made her look black.
The second person was a middle-aged man sitting next to Mrs. Gran. Hitzfeld noticed him earlier than Mrs. Gran because he looked so much like Duke Gran.
Judging from their faces alone, the two men were almost cut from the same mold. The only thing that could distinguish them was that this man had broader shoulders—somewhat exaggeratedly broad, which made him look more sturdy than Duke Gran and gave people a stronger sense of oppression.
"This is Grace, and this is Chekaria." Duke introduced them happily, "And Mei'er...you already met her yesterday."
"Hmph!" The arrogant girl sitting next to her mother turned her head and snorted when she heard the words, looking like she didn't want to pay attention to anyone.
"Mei'er—" Mrs. Gran pinched her face and straightened her body, and whispered to her: "There are guests here, don't embarrass your father."
When everyone arrived, the servants began to serve the food.
Potato stew, cold cuts of chicken, pickled beans, honey bread, fruit slices... The dishes were rich but not luxurious, and to Wayne they could even be considered farm dishes.
"Everyone!" When they were almost done eating, Duke Gran tapped his wine glass with his spoon. "I believe you all know that Miss Aisuen Hitzfeld and Mr. Ethan Doyle came to Green Town to help with the investigation. Let us express our gratitude and respect to the two of them!"
"In the name of Gralant!"
At this moment, everyone, regardless of gender, age or status, raised their cups to greet the two.
The ceremony was not very grand, after all, they didn't stand up.
But it can be said to be very rare. You know, not long ago, Hitzfeld was worried that they would be harassed.
The two of them also raised their cups to return the gift. This level of response was enough.
At this time, Hitzfeld was very glad that she had been strictly taught etiquette by her wife. Otherwise, she would have made a fool of herself if she stood up.
"Ahem!" She heard another snort from the opposite side.
Mei'er noticed that she was looking at her and made a "10" gesture to her.
"Mr. Gran." After dinner, Hitzfeld took the initiative to find Duke, "We hope to talk to Madam and Mr. Noan separately."
"I'm afraid not." Duke shook his head.
"Oh! I'm not rejecting you. We can talk, of course, but they are both busy... Chikalia is busy training the militia all day long, and Grace is dealing with the autumn harvest."
Indeed - Hitzfeld realized that this time of year was the time to harvest the last crop of grain.
It is impossible for the people of Green Town to live only on fish and fruit. Perhaps the Reising Company will trade food here, but they must have their own crops.
She was just about to make amends when she heard Duke say, "How about this? I'll arrange for the master to meet you. If you have any questions, you can ask him directly. What do you think?"
Ok?
Hitzfeld was stunned at first.
Then he realized who the "master" Duke was referring to - it could only be the mayor of Green Town, Bar-Gallant!
really weird……
She was secretly complaining in her heart.
I thought this person was the hardest to meet, so I mentioned looking for Grace and Chekaria first.
As a result, the two "side dishes" didn't work, so they directly gave her the "main dish"?
What is this operation?
Did I blame these people wrongly?
"No problem." She said immediately, "Thank you for your understanding... This is the best."
"I am a person who values efficiency." Duke smiled. "I am glad that we can save each other's time."
"But there is a limitation I want to mention first. This meeting cannot last too long."
He tilted his head to glance at the clock.
"It's probably around 10:11 to o'clock, half an hour at most."
"...May I know the reason?"
"The master is not young after all." Duke sighed.
"His spirit has begun to wane and his will has begun to weaken. Naturally, I have to worry about his health."
"Please understand."
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Thanks to: Meng Papa, Toilet Paper Destroyer, Dark Spider No Spider, 灬~... and the above readers for their blades and rewards~!
Thanks for your support~!
Chapter 27 Fisherman
Of course, Hitzfeld would not refuse this precious opportunity just because he could only talk to the town lord for half an hour.
At the end of the discussion, she pretended to casually ask Duke if he knew where "Red Maple Street" was in the town, and the answer she got was that he had never heard of any road in the town called Red Maple Street.
"Can I know where you got this place name from?" Duke asked her.
"Maybe it's a fairy tale serialized in a newspaper, or maybe I heard it from somewhere," Hitzfeld answered him. "It's been a long time, I can't remember clearly."
They didn't dwell on this issue for too long. Duke seemed to have something else to do, so he told the two of them to do as they pleased, washed their hands, and left in a hurry.
Hitzfeld glanced at the clock.
It’s exactly 10 o’clock.
She remembered the secret gesture that Mei'er had made at the dining table, and her eyes kept searching between the servants, just in time to see the little girl staring at her eagerly.
Come here - seeing that she had been discovered, Mei'er gestured to them to follow her, and ran out of the restaurant from the other side.
Hitzfeld and Ethan looked at each other and hurried to catch up, chasing Rose almost the same route as yesterday, all the way into the tower, and finally caught up with her in the spiral staircase.
"Go ahead." Hitzfeld's chest rose and fell. "What do you want to say by calling us here?"
"Please don't be too surprised by what I'm going to say next." Mei'er was breathing heavily, with a serious expression on her face.
"If you can take responsibility for what you say." Hitzfeld did not respond directly to her request.
But soon she had to express her shock, because the girl then told them seriously that she suspected her parents and uncle were planning to usurp the throne!
"What makes you think that?" Hitzfeld asked her.
"Grandpa Bal's health is getting worse day by day. This is something that everyone can see." Mei'er clenched her fists, "But they never want to find a doctor for him! Isn't this hoping that he will die soon?"
"Are you close to... um, your Grandpa Barr, Rose?"
"Of course!" The girl nodded. "My parents always scolded me, saying that I was rebellious and unruly, and that I was not like a child from this family. Only Grandpa Bal was willing to play with me and tell me stories. He was like this when I was very young."
"So he's a very easy-going person?" Ethan wiped his chin and could feel the stubble. "It seems to subvert the impression a bit."
"I'm telling you - you can suspect anyone, but you can never suspect Grandpa Bal!" Mei'er warned him righteously, "I hope you can take this opportunity to tell him the truth!"
"What truth?"
"Of course someone wants to kill him!" The girl became excited. "I've told him this more than once! But he doesn't believe it at all! He always thinks I'm kidding!"
Hitzfeld and Ethan looked at each other again.
"If there is a chance, we will remind him." Hitzfeld comforted Mei'er, "Go do your thing, Miss Gran, don't disappear for too long, otherwise they will get suspicious."
After Mei'er left, Ethan suddenly chuckled.
"What are you laughing at?" Hitzfeld was a little surprised.
"Nothing... I just remembered the moment I saw you." Ethan kept stroking his chin. "Maybe you haven't noticed, but you're actually very similar to her. Just as alert, just as scared, just as distrustful of anyone..."
"If you really don't trust anyone, I won't tell you anything about the Nightmare Man and the follow-up information." Hitzfeld was a little unhappy.
"So you are different." Ethan nodded. "It would be great if everyone could make the right choice."
"Don't say these useless things." Hitzfeld glanced at the corridor where Mei'er disappeared. "Do you believe what she just said?"
"Do not believe."
"why."
"I look at this from the perspective of stakeholders." Ethan held up a finger. "If the Gran and Noan families have rebellious intentions towards the Granant family, then the most reasonable explanation I can think of is... they, like the Copperfield family, do not agree with the Granant's conservative policies. In this case, they should not be so restrained when facing the town's trade and murders."
"But in fact, they are so restrained." Hitzfeld helped him complete the answer, "which means that they have never betrayed in the general direction. They have no motive to murder Baal."
No matter how precocious Mei'er appears, she is, after all, just a child... probably under 13 years old.
She may think she is more clear-headed than anyone else, but her experience and vision limit her ability to make correct judgments based on the information she observes.
As for not letting the old man see a doctor... there are too many explanations. Maybe these two bloodlines have good medical skills, or maybe the bodies of those who inherited the power of the tree demon are different from those of ordinary people, and they don't want to reveal the secret to outsiders. These are all possible.
"What's wrong, Hitzfeld?"
Ethan obviously regarded Mei'er's request as a farce. He took two steps back and didn't hear any footsteps following him. He turned around and saw the girl still standing at the entrance of the corridor, frowning and thinking.
He raised his eyebrows slightly, a little surprised.
"Have you...thought of anything, Hitzfeld?"
