Chapter 78: In the Golden Ship
“Can an investigator forge his identity?” Park Noah asked.
“I’ve never forged my identity.”
“What? But you just gave a different name.”
Kyle Leonard snorted as if he had heard a funny question. “I thought you knew everything about me, but I guess you didn’t. Which family do you think I am the son of?”
“Ah.” Only then came the realization. Kyle Leonard. He was the second son of the Duke of Leonard.
“It doesn’t matter which name you use as long as you give Leonard as the last name. My family’s name guarantees my identity. If you need to identify yourself somewhere, don’t answer immediately, but give the name Noah Leonard. The same goes for Muell. They won’t be able to identify you, but they will send a confirmation request to Leonard immediately, so it will eventually be under my jurisdiction.”
“Oh…” Park Noah stared at him admiringly. Now that she saw him again, she realized he was a reassuring man—a rare sight. He headed the Investigation and Security Bureau, and was even the direct descendant of Laurent’s oldest noble family.
Noticing her stare, Kyle Leonard narrowed his eyes at her, assessing whether or not she doubted his words.
“But of course, only if you won’t defame Leonard. I’m telling you to use it when you really need it, not when you want to buy ice cream. Do you understand?”
“Aye, of course. Do you think of me as the same age as Mu?”
“When you make that face, I have an ominous feeling.”
“You’re being too much.”
While they bickered at each other, they had almost crossed the bridge. Soon, they entered the ship and beheld the interior that was as splendid as a hotel.
“You said it was a luxury liner, and it’s incredible.” Park Noah turned her head at every side, admiring every corner. Unfortunately, she was dragged away by Kyle Leonard.
“The fifth floor is all reserved for first-class passengers. Convenience facilities such as restaurants, cricket stadiums, swimming pools, smoking rooms, and others are located on the fifth floor, and the rooms are located one floor down this corridor. I don’t think you’ll be able to come up to the fifth floor, just in case you get caught.”
Seeing Park Noah with regretful eyes as she looked back, Kyle Leonard offered a slight comfort. “The size and splendor of the ferry is far below that of the cruise. Let’s have the cruise experience someday, when the investigation is over. All you have to do is rot in Sorrent anyway.”
“Oh, that’s great. I was thinking of going on a trip with Mu and the butler when this is all over.”
“…Butler is not the word for me.”
Park Noah quickly boarded the open elevator without replying. As the assistant smiled and gestured at them to come inside, Kyle Leonard entered the elevator with a displeased look.
The iron door, decorated with patterns of rose vines, then closed shut. The mana-driven automatic flotation lift began to move smoothly downwards without a rattle.
Park Noah looked at the floor plan plastered the elevator wall blankly. The ship was composed largely of five layers. The three compartments on the fifth, fourth and third floors were covered with gold, but the second and first floors were silver. She looked at the buttons in front interestingly. Is that all gold?
However, Kyle Leonard had already nagged at her not to touch anything.
“From below the deck of the boat, first-class passenger amenities are available on the fifth floor, first-class rooms on the fourth and second-class rooms on the third floor. On the second and first floors, there’s probably a sailor’s cabin and a mana operating room.”
Park Noah queried to the assistant, feigning curiosity on the ship’s structure. But, all she thought about was how many pieces of gold would come out if she were to gather all the gold on this ship. She tried to make her questions sound intellectual, feeling a little embarrassed.
“Yes, but this central elevator is for passengers and is not connected below the third floor. For safety reasons, we only run from the third to fifth floors.” The assistant explained with a smile.
As he said, there were only three buttons on the elevator. Park Noah glimpsed at the buttons flashing gold, and became lost in the thought of whether it was pure gold.
The elevator stopped shortly with a soft rumbling sound. The assistant opened the door and bowed deeply.
“Oh, we just arrived. Shall we get off, madame.”
“Let’s go.”
Kyle Leonard pulled her shoulder gently. At the same time, Park Noah pressed her hat to her hair a little more, which completely blocked her sight.
The first-class corridor was crowded with people visiting their own rooms. Kyle Leonard’s hand on her shoulder moved to the other, his arm now draped over her entire shoulders.
The hem of Park Noah’s dress, which came down to her ankle, was so close to him that it was almost wrapped around his leg.
Kyle Leonard tilted his head slightly toward her and whispered. “Don’t raise your head. Can’t you show your eyes?”
His low voice tickled her ear. Park Noah felt a little tired. As she glanced up at him, Kyle Leonard, who had been keeping a sharp eye around him, immediately met with her eyes. His violet orbs behind the glasses were radiant.
“Didn’t you promise to listen to me?”
Even the words seemed to tickle Park Noah’s ears, and she felt strange. Am I in trouble, or is Kyle? She lowered her eyes again.
“…I did.”
Why does Eleonora have such unusual eye and hair color? Park Noah blamed the appearance of the witch while she held Muell tightly, moving as Kyle Leonard led the way.
But as soon as they arrived in front of their room, about to open the door, a loud voice boomed in the hallway, stopping their steps.
“Mr. Valtalere, it’s been a long time!”
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