The Lord Of Mysteries
Chapter 23: Side Arm

As Klein walked in Zouteland and while enjoying the warm, humid wind, he suddenly realized something.

He only has three cents of change. If he returns to Iron Cross Street via a public train, he will have to pay four pence. If he were to hand over a one-pound gold banknote, it would be the same as using a hundred-dollar bull to buy a bottle of cheap mineral water on Earth. There's nothing wrong with that, but it's awkward enough to do it.

Should I use three pence to travel three kilometers and walk the rest of the way? Klein reached into his pocket with one hand as he slowed down his pace, considering another solution.

That's not gonna work! Soon, he rejected the idea.

It took a while for him to walk the rest of the journey. Considering how he brought twelve pounds—big fortune—it's not safe!

Furthermore, he deliberately did not carry the gun, fearing the Nighthawks would confiscate it. If he faced the danger that triggered Welch's death, there was no way he could fight back!

Get your change from the nearest bank? No, it's impossible! There is a processing fee of 0.5%. That's too wasteful! Klein shook his head silently. Just thinking about the costs involved alone had already hurt her heart!

After putting aside one solution after another, Klein's eyes suddenly lit up as he looked at the clothing store in front of him!

Absolutely right! Isn't the normal course of action to buy something at a reasonable price to get the change? Formal suits, shirts, vests, trousers, leather boots, and sticks are all within budget. They should be bought sooner or later!

Oh, it's very troublesome when putting on clothes. Besides, Benson knows more about this than I do and he is better at bargaining.I should consider it only after he returns.. Then should I buy a stick? Absolutely right! As the saying goes, a stick is a man's best defense option. It's half as good as a crowbar. A gun in one hand and a stick in the other are civilized fighting styles! After arguing internally, Klein made up his mind. He turned around and entered the Wilker clothing, Clothing and Hat store.

The layout of a clothing store resembles a clothing store on Earth. The left wall was filled with rows of formal clothes. The middle row is decorated with items such as shirts, trousers, vests, and bow ties. On the right are leather shoes and boots that are placed inside a glass cabinet.

"Sir, how can I help you?" A male salesman wearing a white shirt and a red vest came and asked politely.

In the Loen Kingdom, wealthy and powerful men of high standing enjoyed wearing black suits consisting of white shirts paired with black vests and trousers. Their colors are relatively monotonous, so they require their male waitresses, salespeople, and flight attendants to dress more brightly and colourfully, to distinguish themselves from their masters.

Instead, mistresses and mistresses wear dresses of all kinds in glamorous fashion. Therefore, the female servant would wear black and white clothes.

Klein thought for a moment before answering the man's seller's question. "Sticks. Something heavier and harder."

The kind that can break someone else's skull! The seller of the red vest secretly judged Klein before taking him to the store. He then pointed at the row of sticks in the corner. "The "golden stick was made of Iron Heart wood. Very heavy and hard, and it costs eleven seven pence soli. Will you try it?"

Eleven seven pence soli? Why don't you rob a bank! Big problem with gold inlay! Klein was surprised by the price.

With an unperturbed expression, he nodded gently. "Good."

The seller took down Ironheart's wooden stick and carefully handed it to Klein, seemingly afraid that Klein would drop and damage his merchandise.

Klein took the stick and found it heavy. He tries to move with her and finds that she cannot swing it as smoothly as she wants.

"It's too heavy." Klein shook his head in relief.

This is no excuse! The seller took back his cane and pointed to the other three sticks.

"It's made of walnut wood, made by the most famous cane artisan in Tingen, Mr. Hayes. It costs ten soli three pence. It is made of ebony and inlaid with silver. As hard as iron, it costs seven soli. six pence. It is made from the core of a white boli tree and is also inlaid with silver, for seven soli ten pence…"

Klein tried each one of them and found them with the appropriate weight. He then tapped them with his fingers to understand their violence. Finally, he chose the cheapest.

"I'll take the one made of ebony." Klein pointed at the stick with the silver inlay held by the seller.

"No problem, sir. Please follow me to continue the payment. In the future, if this stick is scuffed or stained, you can leave it to us to handle for free." The seller took Klein to the counter.

Klein took the opportunity to release four gold-pound banknotes from his tight grip and release two smaller fractions.

"Good day, sir. It costs seven six pence soli." The cashier behind the counter greeted with a smile.

Klein planned to maintain his polite image, but when he reached out his hand with the one pound gold banknote, he couldn't help but ask, "Can I get a discount?"

"Master, what we have are all handcrafted, so our costs are very high." replied the seller beside him. "Since our boss isn't here, we can't lower the price."

The cashier behind the counter added, "Master, I'm sorry about that."

"Good." Klein handed over the note and received a silver-encrusted black stick.

While waiting for the change to be given to him, he took a few steps back and distanced himself from them. He swung his arm as a test.

Whooshing sound! Whooshing sound! Whooshing sound!

The wind sounded extremely fierce as the stick split the air. Klein nodded in satisfaction.

He looked forward again, preparing to see the banknotes and coins, but was shocked to see the red-robed seller retreating far away. The cashier behind the counter had been pulled into a corner, leaning near the double-barrel shotgun hanging on the wall.

All-purpose weapons use certificates can be used to buy or store any type of civilian firearm, but getting a certificate is very troublesome. Even traders who have substantial standing may not be approved. The hunter license is relatively easy. Even farmers on the outskirts of the city could receive approval. However, the license was limited to a limited number of hunting weapons. People with sizeable assets will tend to apply for someone to use them for self-defense in emergency situations, such as now …

Klein looked at the two wary sellers as the corner of his mouth twitched. He laughed dryly. "Not bad. This stick is perfect for swinging. I'm so happy."

Realizing that he had no intention of attacking them, the cashier behind the counter relaxed. He handed over the banknotes and coins he took with both hands.

Klein looked at what he received and saw two five soli notes, two one penny notes, one five cent coin, and one penny coin. He could not help but nod inwardly.

After a two-second pause, he ignored the way the sellers looked at him and unfurled the four banknotes towards the light to ensure that anti-counterfeiting watermarks existed.

Klein kept the banknotes and coins when he was done. With a stick in hand, he lifted his hat and walked out of Wilker Clothing and Hats. He lavishly spent six pence by taking a short-distance train without a trace before moving once before arriving home safely.

After closing the door, he counted eleven pounds and twelve banknotes three times before putting them in the table drawer. He then found a bronze revolver with a wooden handle.

The clink! Clangs! Five brass bullets fell onto the table when Klein inserted the silver demon hunter bullets that had an intricate pattern and the Dark Sacred Emblem into the revolver cylinder.

As before, he only entered five rounds and left the spot empty to prevent any misfiring. The remaining rounds were placed along with five ordinary bullets in a small iron box.

Pa! He snapped the cylinder in place, giving him a sense of security.

He excitedly stuffed the revolver into the sheath on his armpit and tied it up safely. Then, he repeatedly practiced releasing and pulling the gun. He rested whenever his arm hurt, and this continued until sunset when he heard the sound of tenants walking along the corridor outside.

Phew! Klein sighed before putting his revolver back into his armpit sheath.

Only then did he take off his formal coat and vest. He put on back his usual brownish-yellow coat and swung his arms to make them relax.

Knocks. Knocks. Knocks. He heard the sound of approaching footsteps before the twisting sound of the key being inserted.

Melissa with her soft black hair came in. His nose twitched slightly as he turned his gaze toward the unlit stove. The glint in his eyes dimmed slightly.

"Klein, I'll heat up the leftovers last night. Benson's probably going home tomorrow." Melissa turned to look at her sister.

Klein placed his hand in his pocket as he leaned against the edge of the table. He smiled and said, "No, let's eat outside."

"Eating outside?" Melissa asked in surprise.

"How does the Silver Crown Restaurant sound on Daffodil Street? I heard they serve delicious food," Klein advised.

"B-but.." Melissa was still confused.

Klein smirked and said, "To celebrate my new work."

"You found a job?" Melissa's voice rose involuntarily, "But, isn't the Tingen University interview tomorrow?"

"Other work." Klein smiled faintly before pulling the stack of banknotes from the drawer. "They even gave me a four-week down payment."

Melissa looked at the golden pounds and soli as she widened her eyes.

"Goddess..You-they-what work did you get?"

Klein's expression froze as he thought of his words.

"Security companies whose mission is to search, collect, and protect ancient relics. They need professional consultants. It's a five-year contract, earning three pounds a week."

"Are you upset because of this last night?" melissa asked after a moment of silence.

Klein nodded. "Yes, although being an academic at Tingen University is honorable, I prefer this job."

"Well, that's not bad either." Melissa gave an encouraging smile. He asked half suspiciously and half curiously, "Why did they give you a full four-week down payment?"

"That's because we have to move. We need a place with more rooms and a bathroom that belongs to us" Klein said with a grin and shrugged.

He felt that his smile was perfect, just short of the word: "Shocked?"

Melissa was stunned for a moment before she suddenly spoke in a daze, "Klein, we are living quite well now. Occasionally grumbling about not having a private bathroom is just a habit. Do you remember Jenny? He lived next door to us, but ever since his father got hurt and lost his job, they had no choice but to move to Lower Street. The family of five ended up living in one room, with three of them sleeping in bunk beds and two of them sleeping on the ground they even wanted to rent out the remaining vacant place to someone…

"Compared to them, we were really very lucky. Don't waste your salary on this. Anyway, I love Mrs' bakery. Smyrin."

Brother, why is your reaction completely different from what happened in my head. Klein's expression became blank when he heard his brother.