Chapter 87: Yeah, That’s Me!

Chapter 87: Yeah, That’s Me!

Worried that Stuart’s attire didn’t match his own and might cause misunderstandings when meeting Miss Kate, Louis had Stuart turn invisible.

After exiting the train station, Helen looked up at the large clock atop the tower with admiration. She knew this clock was named after her cousin, ‘Ocris’. She had heard about it several times before but was seeing it with her own eyes today.

Numerous vendors were hawking goods near the train station entrance. Noticing Helen sneakily wiping the corner of her mouth while eyeing an ice brick, Louis pulled out a 1-pound note and handed it to the Yordle vendor.

The vendor floundered in panic upon seeing the large bill, pulling out a large crumpled wad of “Shi” notes and coins. But he still struggled to make change.

“Sir, we just opened this morning; it’s hard to make change,” apologized the Yordle vendor awkwardly, handing the ice brick to Helen instead. “Please consider this a gift to the young lady.”

Helen took off her detective cap, gave a happy little bow, and accepted the ice brick.

So sweet.

At that moment, Louis realized just how much 1 pound was worth. Staring at the thick wad of change in his hand, he fell into deep thought.

Then, he secretly tucked the 1-pound note back into the vendor’s pocket and walked away with Helen.

Along the way, Louis asked Stuart about the currency’s purchasing power.

“My Lord, two thousand pounds is indeed no small sum. In the countryside around Englen City, you could buy a farmhouse big enough for a family of five.”

Hearing this, Louis’s eyes lit up—was that equivalent to maybe two hundred thousand RMB? Meaning 1 pound was about one hundred?

Stuart stroked his beard and added thoughtfully, “During ‘Frankischko’s’ era, wizard currency could be exchanged for Muggle banknotes. But nowadays, if you want to exchange money, you’d have to go to places like Blackhorn Alley. And the market rate fluctuates quite a bit.”

“Oh? So those two thousand pounds could buy quite a few interesting things, right?”

“Of course, my Lord.” Stuart pointed towards the large-wheeled bicycles on the street. “Take those ‘iron horses’, the coolest ride currently most popular with young people. The average market price is just six pounds. Brand-name ones go for just over thirty. Of course, there are also ones costing hundreds—those are purely playthings for the aristocracy.”

As he spoke, Stuart gestured towards a group of elegantly poised noble ladies riding past on bicycles—their vehicles were practically works of art, decorated with gold and silver trimmings.

“These ‘iron horses’ are pricier than some automobiles. And the cheapest automobile costs only a few hundred pounds.”

Saying so, Stuart pointed towards some vehicles on the distant street.

Following Stuart’s finger, Louis saw several incredibly ugly, bulky, and clumsy-looking ‘black tractors’—some even lacked roofs.

“Of course, even the cheapest car is only affordable to nobles and big merchants—they’re incredibly precious, costlier to maintain than a fine horse. So, just because someone can buy one, doesn’t mean they can afford to keep it.”

Louis nodded. On the wide, spacious avenue, there were quite a few bicycle riders, and riders on horseback too. But those vintage cars were scarce. Every single one parked near the train station entrance to pick people up drew crowds of staring eyes.

Louis even spotted a gaggle of Goblin reporters hidden around a street corner, secretly snapping photos of those ugly-as-sin tractors.

Louis shook his head, a bit disappointed. Now he knew what Trif drove—one of these roofless old tractors, maybe even one of those four-wheeled contraptions costing a few hundred pounds.

However, among the vintage cars parked roadside, two were rather nice luxury models. They had collapsible roofs, logos, looked vibrant with reds and greens—truly handsome vintage cars. These were quite decent, stirring a little desire in Louis.

One particular convertible vintage car even had several beautiful ladies sitting in it, posing for photographers—that was definitely a top-tier luxury car.

It was the kind of thing that could open wizards’ eyes to the world outside.

Plus, if Helen and Little O sat on it as ladies, it would be quite amusing.

Just then, a sleek, pure black, stretch limousine-type vintage car pulled up nearby.

“Tsk tsk tsk…” Stuart looked at the approaching stretch black luxury car and smacked his lips involuntarily. “This kind of car? Well, it couldn’t be bought with just a few large houses.”

Stuart didn’t even need to say it, because this car had several mounted policemen clearing the way ahead! Someone was even waving signal flags near the hood, guiding it to park!

Louis’s eyes couldn’t help but brighten slightly. This car was absolutely a long-nosed ‘vintage car’ that matched modern aesthetics—very much like those super-luxury cars in Tom and Jerry!

Upon closer look, there was a pure gold angel statue right on the front of that sleek hood!

The car was beautiful, and the person getting out was even more so.

The moment the chauffeur opened the door for her to step out, reporters from the street corner unleashed a barrage of camera flashes—where the cars with posing beauties could be called luxury, this was the aristocrat among luxury cars.

And these reporters had probably been waiting for this car! Or rather, the person inside!

As this car arrived, the gentlemen and ladies near the other vehicles became noticeably more reserved. Their gazes towards the lady stepping out were a little cautious.

Louis couldn’t resist putting his pipe in his mouth, studying the newly disembarked lady for a moment.

This lady wore a very fashionable outfit. A slim, straight skirt below, black stockings on her arms.

She wore a very beautiful blue lady’s large-brimmed hat on her head—adorned with several long swan feathers. Under the hat was a layer of delicate black veil, faintly revealing half a captivating face—and the wavy brown hair beneath it was equally charming.

This attire matched the style worn by the heroine in the Muggle movie Victoria Hits the Iceberg, which had just premiered this year. If director Trif had seen this lady before casting, he would definitely have struggled over choosing his heroine.

Sensing the oddly dressed young man by the street staring at her, the lady seemed slightly displeased. She raised her head and gave Louis a glare with her big eyes.

Then she froze right there.

Louis also blinked involuntarily.

[Count Crowley’s Senior Heiress—The Charming Young Widow ‘Kate Crowley’]

[Louis thought this twenty-six or twenty-seven-year-old lady was very ladylike and full of charm.]

[And surely more sophisticated… After all, this was a truly mature big sister…]

“Excuse me, Sir… You, you???” Miss Kate addressed Louis politely. Her voice was magnetic, but the tail end of her question faltered slightly. She couldn’t help but open her eyes wider, taking another look at Louis and Helen.

“Yeah, Conan, that’s me.”

Louis grabbed Miss Kate’s hand, intending to give it a kiss, but she withdrew it almost imperceptibly.

He smiled, unfazed, then pulled Helen closer and introduced, “This is my assistant, Haibara—Helen! Why have you put your hat back on? Take it off now.”

“I thought we were playing detectives today, Louis?”

“When did we say play detective? Both of us are dressed in priest robes right now!”

Miss Kate covered her face.

She knew the Sacred Tree Theological College—Father had said these two guests were from there; one of her childhood girlfriends taught there.

But she had never heard of any Sacred Tree detective, and besides, their outfits were just too bizarre…

Hearing Miss Kate’s thoughts, Louis frowned. He glanced down at his own and Helen’s robes—nothing was wrong. Quite simple and unadorned! Perfectly proper clerical attire!

Well, except Helen’s hat.

Louis quickly put his pipe away.

[“You suddenly realize Miss Kate seems skeptical of your identities—leaving the client with a poor first impression from the get-go isn’t a good start.”]

[“You decide to…”]

[“A. Reveal your abilities. Completion Rewards: Solerndor Daily 1, Ministry of Magic’s Fury 1, Crowley Family’s Trust 1, Payment (200-8000 pounds) 1, Vintage Car Discount 1, Mana +1”]

[“B. Change the subject, chat about something else, and showcase your grace and charm. Completion Rewards: Reporters’ Follow-up Articles 1, Police Station & Ministry of Magic Attention 1, Helen Curiously Sits up Front (Kate Anticipates Sitting with You in the Back) 1, Miss Kate’s Handkerchief 1, Ocris Favorability -30, Random Attribute +1”]

[“C. Ignore Miss Kate’s doubts. However, due to ‘Kendrik Barriff’, she will still take you along, gaining less attention and trouble. Completion Rewards: ‘Get in, Father Conan, Miss Haibara.’ 1, Experience +50”]

Seeing this A/B/C, Louis suddenly didn’t feel sleepy anymore.

He knew exactly what that handkerchief meant.

Right now, tucked into his pocket were handkerchiefs secretly slipped in by Lilith and Yingling.

“Louis,” Helen whispered, poking him. She sensed they were being thought of as frauds and signaled Louis to quickly show some skills.

Meanwhile, the nearby reporters had spotted the people Miss Kate was actually here to greet. Old cameras swiveled towards them, the shutters erupting in a furious crackle-crackle-crackle.

Amid the explosion of flashes, Louis smiled faintly, seemingly enjoying this feeling of being the center of attention.

Miss Kate’s eyes flickered slightly—this person seemed remarkably calm and composed.