Chapter 148 - 147: Black Silk

Chapter 148: Chapter 147: Black Silk

’Baron Godric Split Shadow must be the fat man in the painting, but everyone else besides him is missing.’

’Especially the part about his adopted daughter, Jasmine.’

’So the girl in the painting is Jasmine?’

’No wonder she looked nothing like the Baroness beside her.’

’The painter, Vio Bell... missing...’

’I don’t know what Vio Bell’s connection to them is, but since he’s a painter, it’s highly likely that painting is his work.’

Hesia picked up his cup and took a sip of the complimentary mint water. After a moment of thought, he spoke up. "Thank you for your help, Miss Clara. But I’d like to know, why would you risk breaking Guild regulations to help me?"

A blush immediately crept up Clara’s cheeks. She twirled the tip of her chestnut hair with a finger, her voice soft. "Because... because Kalin and I are good friends. I’ve heard her mention you many times." She lifted her eyes and shot a quick glance at Hesia. "And also..."

"Ahem."

Hesia looked over at Zoya, who had choked on the mint water. "Not used to it?"

"I’m fine."

After the interruption, Clara didn’t continue what she was saying.

Hesia thought for a moment about the name Kalin.

’She must be that senior Guild receptionist who got together with Captain Hulk.’

The reason sounded a bit flimsy, but since she had put it that way, pressing her further would be tactless.

"Miss Clara, regarding this commission, have you heard any other rumors or clues about it at the Adventurer Guild in Rose Town?"

Clara didn’t understand why Hesia was so fixated on a commission that paid next to nothing and had already been accepted by someone else, but she maintained her enthusiastic attitude.

"I’m not too clear on the specifics anymore..." She tilted her head, trying hard to remember. "But I do know Vio Bell. In fact, over in the Royal Capital, the news of his disappearance caused quite a stir a few years ago. I can’t believe the last place he was seen was actually Shadow Split Town."

"Vio Bell? Is he famous?"

Clara’s eyes widened in surprise. "Goodness, Mr. Galen, you’ve never heard of him? He’s one of the most celebrated court painters of the last several decades. They say even His Majesty the King has his work in his collection."

Hesia had little interest in the world of art, so it was natural he hadn’t heard the name.

’But this only deepened his suspicion. If Vio Bell was such a famous painter, it made it all the more likely that the painting was his work.’

’But why was the painting just abandoned in the manor, instead of being carried off as loot by the Blood Axe Gang?’

’Even if they missed it at the time, so many Adventurers and scavengers went through there afterward.’

Just then, the pre-meal bread and wild mushroom soup were served.

The rich aroma of mushrooms, mingled with the sweet scent of cream, instantly wafted through the air.

Clara elegantly took a spoonful of soup. Then, as if she had just remembered something, her eyes lit up. "Oh, right! I know the captain of the Black Stone Squad, Feiyang Yang. The Guild records say they were the last team to investigate Shadow Split Manor. If you need, perhaps... I could ask him to come over?"

"Would he be willing to? I wouldn’t want to trouble him."

Clara let out a small laugh. She gently dabbed the corner of her mouth with a napkin, her beautiful eyes sparkling with confidence.

"Oh, Mr. Galen, you don’t have to worry about that in the slightest. For that blockhead Feiyang, my word is probably more effective than a royal decree. I’d bet that if I send for him, he’ll come crawling out of a barrel at ’The Pig and Whistle’ in under ten minutes."

She stood up and smoothed her skirt. "Please wait a moment. I’ll be right back."

After Clara left, Zoya suddenly said, "*Hísi*."

Hesia didn’t understand the Elven Language and looked at her in confusion.

"The lamb tastes *hísi*. I don’t like it."

The words were barely out of her mouth when Zoya, her face devoid of expression, pulled out a dagger.

The gleaming blade fell, precisely slicing the lamb open, but its tip struck the porcelain plate hard, letting out a crisp yet suppressed THUD.

As if she truly hated the taste of the lamb, she quickly diced the meat into small pieces, the blade making a series of THUD, THUD sounds against the plate.

Then, she placed the plate of "executed" meat on the floor.

From under the table, a creature lying in wait immediately poked its head out.

The CLATTER of teeth against the plate intertwined with loud GULPS.

In just over ten seconds, Bruce had licked the plate so clean it reflected the light.

Hesia didn’t give it much thought. Just as Clara had said, she returned in less than ten minutes with a tall man in tow.

The man, Feiyang Yang, wore a suit of heavily worn leather armor with a broadsword hanging at his waist. His beard was messily shaved.

From the moment he walked in, his eyes were glued to Clara. He had the eager look of a hound waiting for a command from its master.

"M... Miss Clara! Are you in some kind of trouble? I’m telling you, if those scumbags at the tavern dare to bad-mouth you again, I swear I’ll knock their teeth out one by one and use them as dice!" Feiyang’s voice boomed, causing guests at the other tables to turn and stare.

"Quiet down, you stupid bear! Do you want everyone here to laugh at us?"

Clara shot him a chiding glare, but there was no real anger in her voice.

She turned and introduced Hesia. "Feiyang, this is Mage Galen. He’d like to know about your investigation at Shadow Split Manor back then. Tell him everything you know."

Only then did Feiyang notice Hesia at the table.

He looked Hesia up and down. His pretty-boy looks—the type Feiyang hated most—and the fact that Clara had been eating with him, instantly set off alarm bells in his mind.

"Who are you?" Feiyang took a step forward, puffing out his chest. "Are you just like those other guys, using a commission as an excuse to bother Miss Clara? Don’t think you can cozy up to her just because she’s friendly. Let me tell you..."

"Feiyang Yang, shut your mouth!" Clara’s voice turned cold. "Mr. Galen is my friend. If you dare to treat him with that kind of rude attitude again, I guarantee you can forget about ever having a meal with me again."

The anger on Feiyang’s face instantly froze. He hurriedly lowered his head and mumbled a greeting to Hesia. "Mage... sir... hello."