"Thanks to Barrick's popularity, we can maintain our current life... It seems that he has already left us a way out."
Edith's mother was still talking intermittently. She didn't seem to be telling it specifically for me, but she couldn't stop remembering Barrick.
And naturally it was difficult for me to listen to her words.
I am still staring at the name on the stone tablet.
Long time no see, Mr. Profiteer.
Unexpectedly, you actually stayed in Woolworth with your family.
"...I was skeptical at first, after all, his business has been stagnant, but he finally convinced me, and we followed him to Woolworth...Besides, Edith
I need my father’s company..."
You actually have such a lovely daughter, it makes me jealous.
Why...from then on, you should be able to live a peaceful life.
It’s so unfair, isn’t it? You must feel the same way, right?
"..."
I sighed softly.
Alas...
I thought I at least succeeded in saving you.
Damn fate.
"What's wrong with you? You don't look well. Could it be that...you know Barrick?"
Edith's mother noticed something strange about me.
"No...I'm just a little sad."
I hastily made up an excuse to cover up.
"You——"
The other person is smiling:
"I told you, you don't have to worry about us."
"Well..."
"There are a lot of good people here, such as the hotel owner I just mentioned to you, and Barrick's old friends... and Miss Xue. Thanks to God, there are always a majority of good people in the world.
."
I agree.
Yes, there are so many good people, but unfortunate things can still be seen everywhere.
"The gods will protect us."
After Edith's mother murmured this to herself, she showed a nostalgic expression as if she suddenly thought of something, and looked at me with a hint of interest:
"Can I tell you a true experience of Barrick? It has something to do with God."
"Okay."
"Barrick was originally a traveling businessman. On his way, he encountered robbers and his goods were looted. Later, with only the money left, he arrived——"
"Hey——! It's time to start cleaning!"
The shout that interrupted Edith's mother came from the gravekeeper standing not far away.
He was urging us to leave and injecting magic into a row of fallen brooms.
"Ah, it turns out it's getting late. I'm really sorry that I have to keep you enduring my nagging."
"Don't worry, I'm quite free."
"Um...goodbye, sir."
"Goodbye."
The other party nodded slightly awkwardly, then patted Edith's head behind her:
"Edith, say goodbye to my brother."
"...Goodbye."
"Goodbye, little Edith."
The mother and daughter gradually left, and I could still vaguely hear Edith complaining:
"Mom, why do you have to be polite? I don't feel comfortable at all!"
"Naughty children are not polite."
"Then I want to be an adult, not a child!"
"Haha...adults need to be more polite."
"Eh-why?"
"When Edith grows up, you will naturally know."
"..."
Their backs are far away.
I walked towards the exit of the cemetery.
The gravekeeper used magic power to pull several snow brooms and stared at me silently.
When I was about to just pass him by, he suddenly asked:
"You're not here to 'visit' the deceased, are you?"
His voice was very hoarse, and I couldn't help but take a look at him - he was a bald but still strong old man.
"..."
"I'm talking too much. Don't worry too much. I'm just asking casually."
He didn’t wait for my reply and then said:
"There are quite a few people like you."
"Oh? What do you mean?"
"Sneaky guy."
"Well..."
"First of all, most of the people who come in have their heads lowered and their steps are heavy, but you have a relaxed look on your face."
There was a hint of pride in the old man's tone:
"My eyesight is not bad."
"...Haha, you are so awesome."
Strange, why didn’t I find him...
"Secondly, no one will talk to that mother and daughter for no reason. You are the first."
"Do you know them?"
"Of course, they come almost every day."
The old man's mustache trembled:
"Poor man."
"..."
"I know you too. Are you the detective in charge of that murder case?"
"Hmm."
This time I was a little surprised:
"You have really good eyesight."
"I just happened to have met you before, but at that time you still looked like a beggar, unkempt."
A few broken teeth broke into my sight as the old man opened his mouth, and he snorted mockingly:
"No matter how dignified you are, I can still tell it's you. Haha, thanks to the Lord's promotion."
The old man didn't think too highly of me. He must have understood everything in his eyes as "the lord's care"... although it was just his guess.
But I didn’t feel any discomfort, so I didn’t want to worry about it.
"Yes, I have to thank you Lord."
I cater to him.
The old man’s behavior forced me to think about a question:
Did Edith's mother realize that I was the notorious "stalker pervert"?
"Hey, by the way, has the murderer been found?"
"Well, I'm still trying to find clues."
If she really found out, she probably wouldn't treat me well.
"Hmph, you have to handle this case well. After all, a noble is involved... Do you want me to give you some advice?"
"Well...indeed."
Maybe, she didn't understand this aspect.
Maybe she heard the rumors about "stalking perverts", but she ignored them.
Or maybe she doesn't care at all.
"You kid...are you so absent-minded and unwilling to say anything? Just think of it as satisfying the curiosity of an old guy like me."
Alas, probably, she doesn’t know anything at all, just like me - even though I lived in the same city with Barrick for about half a year, I never noticed each other.
We just immerse ourselves in our own affairs.
Thinking about it this way, the old man in front of me was one of the few people. I had some admiration from this.
"Sorry, I can't tell you the truth."
"..."
My sincere answer made the old man speechless for a moment.
"..."
"Don't talk if you don't want to, blame me for talking too much..."
A frustrated look vaguely appeared on the old man's face:
"You should leave quickly, I have to work."
"Okay."
"...Oh, let me say something more~~"
The old man laughed strangely again:
"Actually, there is a third reason."
"......?"
"People who really come to 'visit' the deceased usually buy a bouquet of flowers from me."
His dark finger pointed at the small wooden house next to him - white chrysanthemums were neatly placed on the shelves in the house.
"I cultivate it myself and use special preservation techniques to keep it in stock all year round."
The old man's extraordinarily gentle tone made me stunned.
"...Why are you dazed? I'm done, don't just stand there!"
However, the next second he urged me to leave.
"...Hmm."
Tiredness welled up in my heart, so I simply responded to the old man, then raised my legs that were slightly sunk in the snow, and slowly walked towards the brightly lit place.
It was pitch dark, and the night covered most of the field of vision.
The light coming from the windows of the building did not bring any warmth, but it actually made me feel dazzling, as if it was a ball of flames without temperature.
They are burning secretly, waiting, and once the time is right, they will destroy everything that is unfavorable to them.
This is not a good thing...
I shed a cold sweat because of my fantasy.
I turned around quickly and ran to the cemetery without stopping.
The old man is still here.
"Hey - can you sell me a bouquet of flowers?"
I shouted to the old man.
The old man glanced at me, then limped closer to me:
"Why did you suddenly come back here...just to buy flowers?"
"Yes, please."
I try to make my words sound sincere.
"...Have you decided where to put the flowers?"
"I keep it for myself for viewing."
"..."
"..."
"Fifty-dimensional version."
"...Uh, does everyone have this price?"
"No, generally speaking, I only accept one-dimensional copies...what you say is another matter."
"..."
I gritted my teeth, too lazy to make any unnecessary rebuttal.
However, even if I searched all my pockets, I still couldn't get enough money.
Seeing this, the old man waved his hand:
"If you can't afford it, don't waste my time."
"..."
"Wait a minute, I'll pay for him."
Suddenly, a familiar crisp voice came from behind me.
——Manda stepped forward and handed the money into the old man's hand.
......
"Fortunately I met you~~"
While carefully protecting the white chrysanthemum that I put in my coat, I happily promised Manda:
"I will pay back the money as soon as possible, I swear."
"Well...I can't possibly embarrass you. How can you be so solemn?"
Manda muttered, then said seriously:
"I have something important to explain. You go back first, and I will follow you...don't lock the door."
"Hmm."
......
I picked up the slightly cracked glass and slowly drank the cold water.
I shuddered after taking a sip of cold water, and the chair creaked and shook as if in agreement, but my dry throat still urged me to drink more unsatisfied, so I took another sip, and another shudder...
..
After about five or six such cycles, Manda quietly opened the door.
"Oh~~Catch the thief."
"Uh...Shh! Shut up!"
Manda quickly stopped me:
"This is no time for joking."
"Yes yes yes..."
"Well...just answer it once! It's so cold..."
Manda complained and quickly closed the door:
"There was no light at all. I thought you weren't here."
"I can't find the candle~~And this is also to help you hide yourself."
"You don't have to worry about that, I've carefully observed the surroundings."
Manda, who was wearing casual clothes, cast a fire-making spell and lit the fireplace.
"Really? She is indeed Miss Manda who is about to become a great police officer."
"Well... stop teasing me. Let me ask you - this, why don't you replenish your magic power?"
Manda walked straight up to me and pointed at the dim mark of warmth on the corner of my coat.
"Ah~~I forgot."
"Even if you haven't forgotten, it won't help, right?"
At some point, Manda’s eyes were filled with interrogation emotions:
"Because you can't use magic."
"Well, your humorous talent is very poor."
"I'm not kidding."
"Okay..."
"Be more serious!"
"I'm very serious."
I'm confused about Manda's behavior.
"..."
"..."
"...Rita told me, you won't fail to remember...Miss Qianzhihe."
"..."
"Pa!"
The glass slipped from my hand and shattered on the ground.
"In addition, there is——"
Manda ignored my gaffe and drew her sword——
In an instant, the tips of her hair lit up with bright, beating fireworks, and the fiery colors impacted my pupils.
She is full of energy.
How to describe her...?
Like...a flamingo that has traveled a long distance.