Having briefly outlined the nature and territorial tendencies of malevolent spirits, the woman known as Magician continued,
"Though Susanna Mattise's power is on par with a Sequence 5, it's not impossible for you to handle her. You could use the dirk on Charlie and swap your fate of encountering the Montsouris ghost with his. After the Montsouris ghost kills Susanna Mattise, you can transfer the fate of encountering it back into the knife.
"Alright, that was a joke. This plan has far too many uncertainties. It's virtually impossible to pull off.
"Firstly, the Montsouris ghost might only kill those who come across it.
"Secondly, even if the Montsouris ghost does kill Susanna Mattise, you won't know. You wouldn't be able to change fate in time without affecting Charlie.
"Thirdly, Charlie shouldn't be an orphan. His parents and siblings might still be alive. No one knows if the Montsouris ghost will leave Trier to kill.
"Fourthly, the Montsouris ghost might not be able to kill Susanna Mattise.
"Fifthly, Charlie himself admitted that he and Susanna are mystically bound as husband and wife.
"I'm saying all of this mainly to discourage you from going down that path. Using Charlie as a 'hostage' suggests that you're inclined to take such risks.
"Actually, this situation presents both a crisis and an opportunity.
"For you, the best solution is to ask Mr. K for help in dealing with the threat posed by Susanna Mattise.
"Remember, asking for help is an effective way to build relationships and earn someone's trust. Of course, the other party must be willing and capable.
"You can showcase your potential and make Mr. K see that you're valuable.
"I wish you the best of luck. I hope you can quickly gain Mr. K's initial trust and join that organization."
Lumian's initial reaction to the letter was that Madam Magician tended to ramble and digress. She seemed to enjoy finding lofty excuses and often entertained far-fetched notions bordering on absurdity. This contrasted sharply with Madam Hela's succinct and polished reply.
This writing style must be Madam Magician's trademark… Lumian pursed his lips, summoned his spiritual energy, and ignited a flame, burning the paper in his hand.
After reading the two letters, he discarded the idea of using Fallen Mercury to resolve his issue with Susanna Mattise. Their fates had been entwined for more than just a brief moment. It couldn't be as simple as erasing the fate of encountering the Montsouris ghost.
In comparison, seeking Mr. K's assistance was indeed an effective solution Lumian hadn't considered.
This could quickly bridge the gap between him and Mr. K, fulfilling Madam Magician's mission.
After contemplating for a moment and determining how to approach Mr. K and demonstrate his worth, Lumian changed into a grayish-blue worker's uniform, put on a dark-blue cap, and left Room 207.
Upon reaching the ground floor, Lumian saw Charlie lingering near the entrance, wearing a linen shirt and black pants.
"What are you up to?" he asked with a grin.
Charlie forced a smile.
"Ciel, can you come with me to the pawnshop? I'll treat you to breakfast and lunch!"
The establishment's official name was Pawnbroker Shop or Pawnshop Company.
"To the pawnshop?" Lumian sidled up to Charlie and lowered his voice. "Are you alright?"
Charlie glanced around and gave a bitter smile.
"They said there's no problem this time. Susanna, that evil spirit, has been purified.
"Whether there's an issue or not, life has to go on. Haha, I heard that from a hotel guest. Sounds pretty sophisticated, right?
"Anyway, for people like us, a day without work puts us on the brink of financial ruin. We'd soon be hungry again. I have to pawn the diamond necklace for cash. You know, only cash gives people a sense of security. Clothes and jewelry can't do that. Even food is lacking!"
At this point, Charlie's excitement grew.
"Madame Alice said the necklace is worth 1,500 verl d'or. If I pawn it, I should get around 1,000.
"My god. I've never seen 1,000 verl d'or before. Even if I become an attendant foreman, it'd take me years, maybe more than a decade, to save that much!
"When it's time, we'll have lunch at a café on Rue des Blouses Blanches. I want DuVar broth, coarse salt beef in red wine sauce, and apple tenderloin!"
Did you learn nothing else at Hôtel du Cygne Blanc, just the names of dishes? Lumian grumbled and asked thoughtfully, "You want me to protect you?"
Charlie laughed.
"I'd be scared carrying that much money alone. Ciel, you might not have had that experience yet—thinking everyone's a thief who'll rob you on the streets.
"I felt that way when I got the necklace. I was so nervous, I nearly passed out. Can you imagine?"
"Yes." Lumian smiled. "I probably won't have that experience. Not now, not ever, because I'm the one who makes others think I want to rob them."
Take Margot, for example, who had just forked over more than 1,000 verl d'or, nearly enough to buy the diamond necklace!
Charlie's smile froze.
After a few seconds, he forced a smile and said, "That's why I want you to come with me to the pawnshop."
He had seriously doubted Ciel's means of making money. His neighbor was clearly capable and smart, but he wasn't rushing to find a job. He roamed around daily, seemingly without money troubles, but lived at Auberge du Coq Doré, not Hôtel du Cygne Blanc.
Remembering how Ciel had posed as a lawyer to infiltrate the police station, provided vital information, and helped him survive Susanna Mattise's threat, Charlie felt it was a small concern.
Even if Ciel's a thief, robber, or con artist, he's one who risked his life to help me!
Pleased with Charlie's apprehensive expression, Lumian asked, grinning, "Which pawnshop are you going to?"
"I heard the pawnshops in Quartier de l'Observatoire offer better prices." Charlie had already decided.
Lumian nodded.
"I'm actually headed to Quartier de l'Observatoire."
He planned to ask Osta Trul for Mr. K's contact information.
Charlie was thrilled. He spent a whopping 1 verl d'or to treat Lumian to a barbecue pie, cream bun, and plum wine. Naturally, this included his own portion.
Lumian graciously accepted.
Exiting Rue Anarchie, Charlie winced when he saw Lumian heading straight for the public carriage sign.
He glanced around, making sure no one was nearby, and whispered,
"Last night, you said your blade was called the Cursed Blade. Will anyone cut by it really have their entire family die?"
Before meeting Susanna Mattise, Charlie never believed in such things. Even if he had heard about them, they were just fodder for boasting and tall tales. But now, he couldn't help but wonder if Ciel truly wielded a mystical weapon.
Lumian turned to Charlie and grinned.
"Want to give it a try?"
Charlie shuddered and smiled sheepishly. "I believe you."
"Do you? Well, I was just bluffing Susanna Mattise last night. I'm just an ordinary guy. If I hadn't, I'd be dead!" Lumian said, still smiling. "Doesn't the Cursed Blade story I made up ring a bell? You've heard of the Montsouris ghost legend when that maniac was having his bout of clarity, right?"
Charlie's eyes widened in realization.
That's it! It's a spin on the Montsouris ghost legend!
Ciel is a master of deception. An ordinary person managed to fool that malevolent spirit, Susanna Mattise, and saved our lives!
I only spin tall tales in bars and occasionally lie. I can't even begin to compare to him.
He's got guts and smarts. A person like that is destined to make it big!
Seeing that Charlie genuinely believed the lie he'd just spun, Lumian did his best to keep a straight face.
He asked earnestly, "Are your parents still alive? Do you have siblings?"
"…" Charlie was taken aback and leaped to the side like a spooked rabbit. "Why do you ask?"
Could it be that the Cursed Blade is real? Is he trying to figure out which family members I have?
Lumian couldn't contain his laughter anymore.
"You're not actually scared, are you? Aren't you too easily pranked?"
Charlie slapped his forehead, exasperated with the thought of the Idiot Instrument.
He couldn't distinguish which of Ciel's words were false and which were true.
However, after being pranked, he felt even more certain that the Cursed Blade was fake and based on the Montsouris ghost legend.
Ciel loves using such fabrications to fool others, just like the Idiot Instrument.
Hmm… The Cursed Blade story is a good one. Now that it's mine, I'll use it at the bar tonight to spook people!
The two of them arrived at Quartier de l'Observatoire in a public carriage. Charlie asked for directions several times before finally finding Phil's Pawnbroker Shop.
Housed in a seven-story off-white building, it featured pillars, arches, relief sculptures, and large windows.
Etched above the grand entrance were the words: "Freedom, equality, fraternity"
Freedom to pawn any item; equality to discriminate against anyone who comes to pawn something? Fraternity to seize every opportunity to lowball prices? Lumian couldn't help but criticize.
How ridiculous for a pawnshop to carve the Republic's political slogan on their door?
Inside the hall, there were several counters, with rows of benches in front of them.
At the moment, dozens of people sat there, waiting for the clerk to appraise their items and call their number.
Charlie easily found an empty counter and handed over the diamond necklace. He received a slip with the item's name and corresponding number for appraisal.
Soon, Charlie's number was called from the counter.
He walked over with anticipation, only to return looking as if his spirit had been crushed.
Lumian, who was browsing newspapers in the hall, asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"
Charlie spoke in a daze, his voice tinged with disappointment, "That necklace, that necklace is a fake. It's only worth 12 verl d'or…"
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