Chapter 195 (2): Cream Cake is Good

The Snow family’s estate was located in downtown Fawst, more than three times bigger than the Lando Estate. In addition to a newly constructed main house, there was also a well-equipped old castle and a number of mansions circling the main house like they were guarding it. From above, the layout formed a typical hexagram for magical defenses.

According to what Wayne had learned, the Snow family had transitioned from feudal lord to top capitalists before the revolution that shifted the regime into a constitutional monarchy. They started banks and built factories, devoting themselves to developing ports and establishing maritime trade companies. The family business covered a great variety of industries.

They had legal sources of income to accumulate great wealth, so it stood to reason that their house would be a little bigger.

As Wayne had expected, the day the investigation team arrived, the Snow family threw an outdoor party in the yard, attended by every family member. The investigation team was invited to enjoy the local delicacies and cultural specialties.

The latter referred to redheads. Most maids hired by the Snows were redheads with large curls, but the most notable redhead was still Marion. She nursed a glass of red wine and leered at Wayne, her eyes basically dripping honey.

She was quite attractive, and a honeytrap was effectively set up, but somehow, she didn’t impress Wayne like Filomina or his other first loves had.

If he was to pinpoint the reason, it would be because he had consumed too many good things and thus become a more sophisticated consumer, paying more attention to his mental and psychological satisfaction.

So she was pretty. So what? A noble lady from a remote area couldn’t even serve the High Reverend of the Church of Moonlight as a maid. Someone trying to seduce him would have to be at least a high reverend. She should behave if she didn’t want to be humiliated.

He gave Marion the cold shoulder, humoring her with disingenuous ‘yeah’, ‘haha’, and ‘I’m busy’ while she fawned on him. After trying and failing to seduce him despite her effort, Marion took her leave in frustration, planning to put on the proper battlesuit tonight and launch an all-out assault.

How ungentlemanly of Wayne to question a woman’s charm in public!

Well done! At least you don’t have a death wish!

Veronica watched them coldly, mentally filing Marion in the wench category. She was about to mock the scumbag when a blonde head leaned in and started a conversation with him with enthusiasm.

You again!

Veronica seethed. Vera seemed to be courting death lately. She would grant her the wish tonight and toss her into the ocean.

The welcoming banquet lasted until after the afternoon tea. Wayne politely turned down Adlai’s offered accommodation. The investigation team had booked rooms at a hotel, so they wouldn’t be staying at the Snow Estate.

Adlai made a couple more offers, but didn’t insist that they stay. Again, he reiterated that the Snows would cooperate with the investigation and respond to Wayne’s call at any time. And whatever he wanted to look into, they would make the arrangements accordingly.

“No rush,” Wayne said. “We’ve taken two trains and a cruise ship to get here, and we got stranded at sea for a day due to an accident. I plan to let my team rest for the next two days. Once everyone has recovered from the travel, we’ll begin the investigation.”

“Sir Wayne, I’ll arrange a tour guide for you. Marion will make a good one. Perhaps she can show you some surprises.” Adlai spoke pointedly.

He was referring to both Marion and the gift she would bring him.

“I’ll look forward to that.” Wayne raised his glass of orange juice with a smile and gently knocked it against Adlai’s glass. “Finish yours in one shot. I’ll drink however much.[1]”

Adlai cursed in his head, emptying his glass while tamping down his discomfort.

“Oh, I’ve heard of the Snow family’s affluence. You were devoted to the royal family and helped the past sovereign become the sovereign of Erland, which was considered a great contribution. For that, the family was knighted and received a fief.”

“That is the case,” Adlai responded. “My ancestors turned the fief into a plantation, providing many hard-working farmers with a job that would sustain them. The later generations learned from them and took great care of the subjects living in the fief, so the family was well regarded.”

Wayne rolled his eyes.

What plantation? For bananas or cotton?

“Where is the fief?”

“In Her Majesty’s hands, of course. All of Windsor belongs to Her Majesty, Sir Wayne.” Adlai took the opportunity to demonstrate loyalty.

Ha, a real comedian!

It didn’t work on Wayne at all. He was only loyal to the Queen portrayed on the silling bills rather than the actual Queen wearing a crown. If he were forced to pick the Queen in the real world, he would ask for the gems on the crown instead.

Adlai seemed to have sensed a kindred spirit in Wayne, which made him smile even wider. He offered to have Marion give Wayne a tour around the Snow family’s old fief.

“Thank you for your hospitality,” Wayne said. “I could not ask for more. I hope that I’ll have another chance to drink with you.”

“I hope so, too, Sir Wayne. I wish you a smooth and fruitful investigation.”

***

Fawst City.

The Ministry of Magic—or the Lando family, more precisely—had reserved the top floor of a luxurious hotel for the investigation team. No one would be foolish enough to accept the Snow family’s accommodation. For one, it would be dangerous, and for another, the Queen would frown upon the arrangement.

Inside his suite, Wayne looked at Mona and Vera, who were carrying the suitcases inside, and then at Veronica, who was staring out of the windows.

How entertaining. They should all push harder! Until one of them breaks first!

“I won’t point out the obvious that there are other empty suites on the floor,” he said. “There are two bedrooms in the suite. Vera and Veronica will take the bigger room, and Mona the smaller one. I... will decide where to sleep later. I don’t mind cramming myself into a tight space.”

Nice of you to offer,

Mona grumbled silently.

But you never make good on such promises.

You’re dead, Vera

, Veronica thought.

Meanwhile, Vera was wondering if they would play cards tonight.

After Wayne made the arrangements, Veronica clenched her fists and reached out to drag Vera into the bigger bedroom, but Wayne stopped her.

“What, are you going to take her side?” Veronica snapped.

...You speak like you are the spouse. If you’re so concerned, acknowledge our marriage. Don’t occupy the spot without doing anything with it!

“Don’t beat her up yet. You’ll have all the time in the world tonight. I’ll even be the referee.” He checked the time. “I’ve asked around. There are many boutique shops in the downtown area. I have a feeling that we’ll get to earn a lot through corruption this time. I’ll celebrate early and take you shopping.”

“Huh?!”

There were so many things wrong with his statement that Veronica didn’t even know where to begin. She showed her disdain for his scummy desire to claim all three of them and said in exasperation, “Aren’t you going to investigate the Snow Estate tonight?”

“Why would I visit the place tonight?”

“To sneak in and retrieve their account book. Isn’t that how secret investigations usually go?”

Yeah, right, while wearing a catsuit that’ll make farts visible!

Wayne rolled his eyes. “Your lack of intelligence is showing. The Snow Estate is a magical fortress. Even if I could sneak in, they would be ready for me. What’s the point of checking fake account books?”

Veronica frowned. “Then why take us shopping? To lower their guard?”

“No, I just want to buy you clothes. Nothing more.” Wayne patted Veronica on the shoulder. She had set out on the trip in a hurry without bringing her luggage, so she had to wear Vera’s clothes. It was a little too loose in the chest area.

Veronica blushed, looking away with a huff.

This scumbag showed up too late to buy her affection. The previous scumbag in her life was always ready to spend money on her. A couple of clothes weren’t enough to win her over.

“Boss, are you planning on starting the investigation with their fief?”

“Yes, according to the intel we have, the Snow family is close to Obed, the traitor of the Ministry of Magic. For a period of time, Obed was often seen around Fawst...” Wayne narrowed his eyes. “The legendary mage must have left something in the city, and the fief is the most likely place.”

“A demon, maybe?”

“What, do you think demons grow on trees?” Wayne rolled his eyes. This was the mortal realm rather than hell. If Obed had a demonic partner, he wouldn’t have been messing around with the Thousand-Eyed Demon.

There would certainly not be a demon in the Snow family’s fief!

1. It’s usually the other way around. In China, it’s considered a show of respect to finish one’s glass in one go, and the other party will do the same. When someone doesn’t want to put that pressure on the other, they may say something along the lines of “I’ll finish mine. You don’t have to finish yours.” ☜