Charlot apanied Sylvie Martin on an outing. He carried no firearms, bringing only a newly ized alchemical e.

  This alchemical e had a simple yet elegant design. Crafted from aremely rare type of wood, it was lightweight, resilient, aic. Dozens of silver stars adors surface, fed from the scabbard of an a sword from the Sherlock dynasty. When swung, it created a dazzling silver glow that Charlot particurly enjoyed.

  It was not a magical item but had beeed with alchemical teiques to enhas durability.

  Wood, no matter how sturdy, could be proo crag after being embedded with so many silver stars. However, the alchemical treatment re flexible enough to rival steel.

  A good e was not only a luxurious, practical on but also a gentleman’s favorite accessory, widely popur across all nations of the Old ti.

  Lately, Charlot’s financial situation had improved. inally, he inteo use the scabbard to craft a magical rapier but abahe idea when he learhe price exceeded his budget. Instead, he issiohe creation of this alchemical e, which cost one flor and twelve times.

  After all, he wasn’t skilled in swordsmanship, and wielding a e wasn’t much different from using a rapier.

  Sylvie Martin, walking alongside her former fiancé as they left 58 Elysée Avenue, felt slightly apprehensive.

  Charlot chose the first restaurant they came across and secured a window seat, skillfully two dishes.

  The cuisine of the Fars Empire was quite unique. Uhe ese-style single dishes, meals were served as set menus.

  Each dish sisted of a main course, side dish, apa, paired wine, dessert, soup, and other pos. Even the simplest menu offered at least five items, with wine and soup being essential.

  This particur restaurant was of det quality. Charlot ordered mb chops, croissants, potato wedges, mushroom soup, sparkling apple cider, several pieces of roasted chi, and a vegetable ptter—a substantial meal, typical of a gentleman’s choice.

  For Sylvie, he ordered a dessert-focused dish with cheese, a sele of biscuits, and a serving of milk tea—a typical dy’s menu.

  Charlot was quite hungry. The two ate in silence, without engaging in versation.

  After the meal, Charlot paid the bill and purchased a few bottles of wine. His new home cked everything, including a proper stock of alcohol. The sparkling apple cider tasted excellent, so he bought more.

  As was his usual practice, Charlot didn’t take the wih him immediately. Instead, he instructed the restaurant to deliver it ter to 58 Elysée Avenue.

  The two left the restaurant and soon found a general store.

  After purchasing the items Sylvie Martin needed, Charlot also bought twenty pounds of kerosene. He had been spending many te nights researg his diary, whied a signifit amount of fuel for his illumination mp.

  After paying, Charlot once again arranged for the delivery of the items aurned home with Miss Sylvie.

  Remembering his current “romantita,” Charlot, despite not having crified his retionship with Annie Bretagne, decided it rudent to prepare. He stopped Sylvie, who was about to head upstairs, and said with a slight smile, “Miss Sylvie, I’d like to ask you for a favor. During this period, could you address me as your cousin? You know how people talk about a man and woman living uhe same roof, and such rumors could be more detrimental to your reputation than mine.”

  “Certainly, Cousin Charlot.”

  Without giving him a ce to expin further, Sylvie readily agreed and hurried upstairs.

  The young woman had no qualms about choosing the rgest bedroom on the sed floor. Located at the far end, it had three bright windorivate washing area, and a massive built-in wardrobe.

  The room’s inal bed, made of solid materials, had bee behind because it was too bulky to move.

  For a young girl, the room was nearly perfect, aside from the slight unease caused by its spaciousness.

  Standing at the south-fag window, Sylvie gazed out at the sic Lukavaro River, her heart swelling with ce.

  She gently ched her fist and murmured, “A new life, here I e.”

  A young girl’s heart is always brimming with dreams of a radiant future.

  About ten mier, Charlot knocked softly on her door. “The deliveryman from the general store is here.”

  Sylvie opehe door, and the deliveryman carried iems, pg them where she directed.

  Throughout the process, Charlot stood at the door without stepping inside, maintaining a gentlemanly demeanor.

  This left Sylvie slightly puzzled about her former fiancé.

  The Charlot Meburg she remembered wasn’t like this.

  This wasn’t like Charlot at all.

  Ohe deliverymen had finished a, Charlot politely bid farewell to Sylvie. He escorted the men downstairs, secured the door tch, auro his third-floor suite.

  Charlot had chosen a suite he staircase on the eastern end. It sisted of a bedroom, study, washroom, and living room. From the living room, one could step out onto a terrace overlooking Elysée Avehe terrace spahe eastern aern ends, with waist-high short walls and access to the entrances of all five suites.

  The south-fag side of the terrace, however, was not tinuous, each suite its own private outdoor area. From his south-fag terrace, Charlot could enjoy tea while admiring the picturesque Lukavaro River.

  Lying on an old sofa left by the previous ndlord, Charlot silently calcuted his finances.

  “I started with five écus, sold the multi-headed fil for seventy-five écus, won thirteen écus at cards, and received five hundred fifty écus from my brother. After dedug the fifty écus for the house down payment, I still have…”

  “Five hundred hree écus!”

  “That’s quite a sum.”

  “Resear the Agmirs Labyrinth hasn’t been goiely. Even the professors at my alma mater, Sheffield Uy, know little about this overseas byrinth. I should i in some materials or sult with byrinthology experts.”

  The m, as usual, Charlot went to work at Kilmainham Prison.

  Shortly after entering his office, an ued visitor arrived—Mrs. Pascal, the receptioary.

  She brought startling news, leaning in to speak quietly. “Miss Menielman may be transferred out of Kilmainham Prison, removed from her position as warden, and reassigo the military.”

  Charlot was stunned by this revetion.

  Sihat day, Miss Menielman had not returo Kilmainham Prison. While Charlot appreciated the kind treatment from the Empire’s First Rose and his mentor, the warden, he couldn’t help feeling relieved at the prospect of not having to work overtime every day.

  However, there was a vast differeweeemporary absend her perma departure. As one of Menielman’s close associates, Charlot’s career relied heavily on her support. If she left, his prospects would be bleak.

  Mrs. Pascal wasn’t merely spreading gossip. She fixed Charlot with an inteare, clearly waiting for a response.

  Though not particurly adept at office politics, Charlot quickly realized that Mrs. Pascal was fishing for information. The news about Miss Menielman’s potential reassig was merely a probe.