After the three took turns resting for an hour and dispelling The Mutated Sun Sacred Emblem's effects, they set off on the return journey.
The trip from Morse Town back to Tingen required about three hours. When the carriage stopped below 34 Zouteland Street, it was already seven in the evening.
Throughout the journey, even while driving, Leonard repeatedly examined 3-0782, the "Mutated Sun Holy Emblem," with a puzzled expression, trying to find something wrong with it. But until the sealed artifact was returned to Chanis Gate, he found no answers.
Returning from the basement to the second floor, Angel was stopped by Klein. He glanced at the spiral staircase leading underground, and while Leonard hadn't yet caught up, he said:
"Let's continue searching for the 'red chimney' tomorrow? We've delayed for several days—we're falling behind schedule."
After this mission, which was almost like a field trip, has he finally emerged from his grief over Old Neil's death?
Angel nodded and asked, "Still in the afternoons?"
"Right. I've already reported to the Captain. Leonard and I will search for Lanevus's trail in the mornings. The red chimney search can only happen in the afternoons."
Since Klein's divination after their raid on Madam D's stronghold revealed the swindler Lanevus was connected to the Aurora Order, this criminal who'd absconded with over ten thousand pounds had been upgraded to a suspect in an extraordinary incident. The Nighthawks could now get involved.
During their previous investigation, they'd discovered some leads and were taking turns monitoring an asylum, where a certain patient had supposedly had extensive contact with Lanevus before going mad.
Not having participated in that mission, Angel didn't know the details. She was more concerned with the investigation report for the "red chimney" she'd paid 30 pounds for. After nearly half a month of searching, they'd basically eliminated all buildings within Tingen proper. Their next step would be to venture into Tingen's outskirts.
After arranging the time with Klein, Angel left the Blackthorn Security Company. For her, not on duty at Chanis Gate today, leaving work now counted as "coming home late."
At least there's no one waiting for me at home...
Angel smiled bitterly as she hailed a hired carriage. She didn't immediately return to Narcissus Street but first rode to the Evil Dragon Bar in the Docklands, where she purchased many materials for crafting special ammunition at the underground market, nearly exhausting her cash on hand.
Only then, carrying a wooden box, did she return to Narcissus Street.
"Mr. Benson?"
Stepping down from the hired carriage, Angel was about to head home when she spotted a man jumping down from a nearby public carriage. Dressed in vest and shirt, carrying a briefcase in one hand and his removed coat draped over the other arm, his receding hairline and exhausted face were unmistakable.
Hearing someone call his name, Benson turned curiously and discovered it was his younger brother Klein's female colleague.
"Good evening, Miss Granger." He glanced at the hired carriage preparing to depart, pursing his lips. "More and more companies refuse to let employees leave on time."
"At least the salary is generous enough. Small matters like this just have to be endured."
Angel smiled in response. The two walked side by side toward the opposite side of the street, stopping at the door of 2 Narcissus Street, the Moretti residence.
"Though I should clarify—I actually got off work at seven today. The reason I'm only getting back now is because..." She lifted the wooden box in her hand. "I went to the Docklands to buy some things."
Benson nodded knowingly. "I just came back from the Docklands too. Normally this business would be done by five in the afternoon, but our inefficient boss..."
"Klein... Benson?"
Benson's complaint about his boss was interrupted by a clear call. Through the bay window facing the street, a young face flashed by. Then the Moretti home's door opened, and Melissa poked her head out.
"I thought it was Klein coming home."
"You're being rather biased, little sister."
Moving closer to the doorway so the light spilling from the room illuminated him, Benson said with feigned dissatisfaction.
"That's because you working late has become the norm. You coming home late doesn't surprise me at all. If I came home from school one day and found you already at home, then I'd worry you'd lost your job."
Melissa spoke without mercy.
Watching the siblings banter back and forth, Angel smiled with a hint of envy.
"Miss Angel, since I happened to run into you today—I was planning to ask you about this anyway." After chatting with Benson for a few moments, Melissa looked over. "We're planning to hire a general maid, preferably someone skilled at cooking. Do you have any recommendations?"
A general maid who's also good at cooking?
Angel nearly blurted out a suggestion to hire a maid and a cook separately, but reconsidered—with the Moretti family's income, they couldn't afford both simultaneously. They could only choose someone "multi-talented."
Right, Trommy mentioned she could make some simple dishes...
She thought of the woman who cleaned and did laundry at her place.
"If your requirements for cooking aren't too high..."
Angel introduced Trommy, the domestic worker at her home—well, only half her home—to Melissa and Benson.
"But she already works at your house. If we hire her..." Melissa still hesitated, seemingly worried that taking Angel's domestic worker would be passing her own problem to someone else.
"I think we could arrange a joint employment. After all, I only need simple cleaning and laundry, and you probably don't need a maid on call twenty-four hours either. This way, though Trommy would be busier than now, her income would be higher, and neither of us would need to pay a full employment fee."
Angel conceived a win-win solution.
This would undoubtedly increase Trommy's workload, but compared to her current routine of rushing between multiple employers daily, having two fixed, neighboring households—possibly with room and board—would actually be better for her.
While Melissa still frowned in thought, Benson had already nodded in agreement.
"I think Miss Granger's plan is very suitable. The only thing requiring careful discussion is the price." He nodded to Melissa, stopping his sister from continuing to speak. "If convenient, could she come to our house tomorrow evening to try some housework?"
As they hammered out the details, a hired carriage slowly passed by and stopped at the curb.
An exhausted-looking Klein stepped down from the carriage. Before he'd taken two steps, he noticed the three of them standing by the roadside. First startled, he then quickly approached and came to his family's doorway.
"Klein, I didn't expect you'd be the last one home."
The sharp-eyed Melissa spotted him first.
"I didn't expect to be later than Benson." Klein forced a smile, then looked at Angel. "Angel, did you just get back too?"
"Yes, I ran into Mr. Benson and we chatted for a bit. I'm also curious how I arrived home before you, even though I made a detour through the Docklands."
Angel noticed Klein's fatigue had worsened since their earlier parting—clearly not time wasted resting at Blackthorn Security Company, but rather a trip somewhere else.
"I went to Mr. Azik's place to ask some questions. He's planning to leave Tingen tomorrow and go to Backlund."
Recalling the university instructor with copper-colored skin, Angel asked in confusion:
"Didn't he just return from vacation?"
"He left something in Backlund. It'll take some time to retrieve it."
Klein answered, a trace of melancholy in his eyes.
Something left in Backlund requires a personal trip? And from his tone, it sounds like he'll be gone for quite a while...
Angel didn't dwell on it, simply nodding to show she understood.
Since Klein had returned, she no longer intended to disturb the Moretti family. After casually saying goodbye, she was about to leave when Melissa called out to her.
"Miss Angel, are you free this weekend?"
"I have Sunday off this week. Is there something you need help with?"
Melissa's face lit up with delight. She quickly glanced at Klein, then said:
"This weekend, there's an event at the Heart Park on Red Moon Street in the North Borough—not far from St. Selena's Cathedral—celebrating the new park's completion. Melissa and I both have the day off. Um, Klein does too, so..."
She looked at Angel with anticipation.
The latter glanced at Klein and saw his bewildered expression—clearly he hadn't been informed of his sister's arrangements in advance.
Unwilling to disappoint Melissa's "careful planning," Angel nodded.