The First Magic World War

Having knocked on the door of the Liemar Detective Agency, Charles saw a girl about Silvie's age in a small room by the door, who greeted him with a smile, "May I ask what business you have here, sir?"

Charles glanced at the nameplate on the desk: Miss Melmi, Trainee Detective, graduated from the National Academy.

He smiled faintly and said, "I'd like to consult with Miss Vinnie Yarsaenu. I don't have an appointment, but we know each other, my name is Charles Meklen."

Melmi pulled a rope inside the room. In the Fars Empire, where telephones and telegraphs didn't exist, indoor communication was a bit quirky, like this rope-pulling method which could transmit different messages through various signals.

However, in the powerful countries of the Old Continent, magic alchemy communication devices were used, and though they weren't as convenient as telegraphs and telephones for long distances, the reach was sufficiently long.

After a while, a small bell inside the room rang. Miss Melmi gave a slight smile and said, "I'll take you upstairs!"

A clear voice called out, "Sister Melmi, I'll take him upstairs instead."

Silvie Martin hurried down the stairs, nodded slightly at Melmi, and added, "Charles is my cousin."

Melmi showed a look of realization, tugged at her long skirt, slightly bowed her head while covering her chest modestly, and performed a customary lady's courtesy.

Charles placed a hand over his chest, returning a standard Imperial greeting, and followed Silvie upstairs.

Silvie chattered, "Sister Melmi is a nice person. She graduated a year before me and is already a very excellent Trainee Detective. Maybe next year she could become a Detective Assistant, but you mustn't entertain any thoughts about her."

Charles felt a bit awkward and said, "Can we not talk about the past?"

Silvie looked back and replied, "Alright! My dear cousin, you really have changed a lot."

Charles thought to himself, "Cutting off past social ties was a smart choice indeed. Luckily, this ex-fiancée of mine wasn't so attentive, or she would have figured things out long ago."

Silvie led Charles to the office of the agency director, bowed her head in a greeting, then exited.

Charles noticed another person in the room.

A man who looked remarkably young, but could definitely not be a youth.

His gaze was too sharp, revealing a worldly wisdom and an age that spoke of deep understanding!

His eyes were so penetrating that one might overlook his features.

It took Charles a few minutes to come to his senses, secretly thinking, "Why does he look the same, but feel so different? He isn't the man from Sparrowhawk Street who tried to kill me!"

Vinnie Yarsaenu, with her lake-blue eyes, showed a peculiar astonishment and said, "Don't start a fight in my office."

Charles was slightly surprised and asked, "I do not consider myself a rash person, Miss Yarsaenu. Why such an admonition?"

The man gave a slight smile and said, "Vinnie was talking about me, Mister Mecklen! First time we meet, but your reputation precedes you."

"I am Aubrey Barrington Atwood, president of the Liemar Detective Agency."

"Mister Mecklen, you've killed eight of my men. You truly have impressive skills."

Charles suddenly felt, "Should I fight for it? Summon the Evil God again?"

Aubrey Barrington showed no intention of fighting, evidently the words from Vinnie Yarsaenu, "Do not start a fight in my office," had its effect.

Charles sighed and sat down on a couch in the office, stating, "I would rather not do this, but the former prison warden offered such a high price that your detectives were overly brave."

"Please allow me to formally introduce myself: Charles Meklen, Grand General of the Patrolling Army in the Lucavaro District, Clerk Chief of the 35th rank, third class! The faithful lapdog of Menierman Sumei!"

Vini Yarsaenu couldn't help but laugh, her laughter soft and pleasing to the ear.

Even Aubrey Barrington Atwood cracked a smile and said, "Yes, if it weren't for that status, I would have killed you right now, instead of hiring an assassin."

"Since you have reached 22 Madele Street, did the assassin I hired fail?"

"You killed him?"

Charles shrugged and said, "No, he just glanced at me from a distance and then turned away."

Vini Yarsaenu was slightly surprised and said, "Aubrey Barrington hired a Mid-Level Transcendent. How could you possibly have driven him off?"

Charles casually replied, "He went to 1 Sparrowhawk Street, unfortunately, he encountered the Lucavaro District Patrolling Army in training—over two hundred people seemed a bit excessive."

"After all, Mister Atwood only paid for one person's job."

Charles's answer was humorous yet subtle, without displaying any edge.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Aubrey Barrington Atwood showed a pondering expression, and after a while, he said, "I see, Mr. Mecklen, although the strength you showed was mediocre, the power you actually possess far exceeds what you've shown."

"So, during our first investigation, you were still a First Rank Transcendent, and I sent Wells and Edison. You were no longer a First Rank Transcendent then."

"When I sent Winterburn, you performed beyond Fourth Order!"

"Miss Yarsaenu invited me over, intending to resolve our feud, but the lives of my eight men can't just be overlooked."

"I have a suggestion. How about we settle this with a duel?"

Charles asked, "Will you fight personally?"

He had already decided to choose the site of the duel at Machu Picchu.

Although Aubrey Barrington Atwood is a High-Level Transcendent, he might not be able to break through the labyrinth; if he could also lure him into a fight with Lord Leo, perhaps he could really eliminate this trouble.

Aubrey Barrington Atwood shook his head and said, "I promised Miss Yarsaenu that I wouldn't take part personally."

"However, at that time, I thought the assassin had already taken care of you."

"Looking back now, I underestimated Mr. Mecklen, and agreed too quickly, but I don't intend to go back on my word."

"The one to face you will be Wells, Edison, Winterburn, or perhaps a relative of a detective who died at your hands."

"Blood vengeance, in a public duel—nobody can call that unfair, right?"

Charles nodded. He roughly understood that Aubrey Barrington Atwood still had some fear of Menierman's elder sister; otherwise, he would not have taken such a circuitous route.

Furthermore, openly killing an imperial official of the 35th rank isn't easily dismissed.

After all, according to imperial law, Charles hadn't done anything wrong.

Aubrey Barrington Atwood smiled slightly and said, "Then please, Mr. Mecklen, await the formal challenge."

The famed detective rose to his feet, hat in hand, nodded slightly to Vini Yarsaenu, and then walked out of the office with unhurried steps.