Embers of Embers

Chapter 16 The Dark Side of Old Dunling
The dark steam tram moves forward silently in the city shrouded in gray fog. This time is when the fog is thickest at night in Old Dunling. The visible range does not exceed ten meters. The ghost tram is chosen to set off at this time. Without making any sound, we moved along the railway track on the remote road, cleverly missing all the patrolling mounted policemen. We stopped and picked up many mysterious guests along the way. Everyone sat in a gorgeous carriage, soundproofed. Partitions separate each seat from each other.
Eve looked out the window, it was pitch black and there was nothing, here was the iron can that isolated everything, and the enclosed space made her feel flustered.
"Where are you taking me?"
Eve began to regret a little. The detective in front of her was not trustworthy, at least not completely trustworthy. She should have been more careful about him.
This is the compartment in the carriage. Lorenzo is sitting opposite Eve. He looks very familiar and said slowly.
"Attending Saab's ball."
With that said, Lorenzo took out a mask and handed it to Eve.
"Saab is mainly engaged in smuggling business. He has a group of cooperative Viking pirates in the northern seas. They are responsible for plundering and delivering the goods to the port of Rendona, and then Sabo sells the stolen goods."
"Those are all shady things. Ordinary people have no purchasing power, except for the upper-class nobles, so he will hold dances regularly. Although it is called a dance, it is actually a trade fair. One hand pays for it and the other hand delivers the goods."
Listening to Lorenzo's words, Eve's heart calmed down slightly.
"The threshold for participating in this dance is very high, and I also asked someone to get the tickets."
"That coin?"
Eve was deeply impressed by that coin. This was the center of a country, but there was a currency in circulation that she had never seen before. Eve had to be vigilant.
"Yes, they usually call these butcher coins. They are minted by Shrike, the owner of the Lower City. It has the image of Shrike engraved on it."
Lorenzo explained to Eve the complexities of downtown.
Wherever there are people, rules will be derived and classes will be divided, even the chaotic and dirty downtown area is no exception.
"What you need to do to rule a region is to unify the currency. Now everyone knows that coins and banknotes with lions printed on them are hard currencies internationally, while coins with shrike printed on them in the lower city are the mainstream. Every butcher coin can be Trade it directly, whereas on the black market you can exchange it for any currency.”
"You can understand that the entire downtown area is a huge casino, and the butcher coins in your hand are your chips."
As Lorenzo said, he took out a few more and handed them to Eve. The hands were heavy, and he didn't know what kind of precious metal they were made of.
"Saab is very cautious. His business is very profitable and everyone wants to replace him. He usually hides in a well-guarded bunker, but this time he will attend the ball. That is the only chance we have to directly contact him. .”
"He would not let anyone know the location of the ball. Every time there was a ball, a postman would deliver letters to the nobles, inform them of the station's location, and then leave at midnight.
Lorenzo said as he put on a mask for himself. It was a brass mask with sporadic gears set on the edges for decoration.
"So we don't know where we're going?"
Eve also wore a mask with feathers on the edge, like some keen bird.She looked out the window, it was still dark and there was nothing.
"Yes."
Lorenzo nodded.
"Although Sabo is a Viking, he is never reckless. He is even a little too cautious."
In the impression, the Vikings are a group of reckless men. They believe that dying on the battlefield is a matter of honor. Their souls will be taken back to the Hall of Valkyrie by Valkyrie, where they will join the never-ending banquet of the gods and ancestors.This belief was very strong in the ignorant times hundreds of years ago. This group of desperate Vikings once attacked the old Dunling gate directly.
It's a pity that times have changed, and all faith will be shaken under the continuous artillery fire. When the war airship loaded with ammunition passes through the kingdom's airspace, everything in the old era will be swept into the grave.
"How do you know this?"
Eve suddenly asked, looking at Lorenzo with blue-green eyes under the mask. Under the brass mask was a mysterious identity.
"You are a detective, you have butcher coins, and you know so many secrets. How did you do it?"
Eve is conditioned to believe that Lorenzo is a gangster. This guy has behaved like a gangster from the beginning, more like a wanted leader than a detective.
This had to make Eve wary. Now that Lorenzo's weapon was on him, she had a complete advantage.
In response to Eve's question, Lorenzo was silent for a few seconds, and then smiled calmly.
"I said I have a very powerful buddy, and he told me all this. Do you believe it?"
Perhaps no one would have thought that the noble Shrike would become Lorenzo's backup. After all, the class gap between the two was too huge. One was the emperor in the darkness, and the other was an unknown detective.
"Actually, no matter whether I answer you or not, you will have questions about me, right? We are just allies united by interests. This alliance is the strongest and most fragile. When interests diverge, we will become mortal enemies. .”
Lorenzo told the story calmly, not as rational as ordinary people.
"Eve, the downtown area is a huge casino. It is even said that life is a gamble. You can't control anything except yourself and the cards in your hand."
Gray-blue eyes stared at her, and his voice was steady and strong.
"How about the first bet, bet on whether I am trustworthy. If you think I am trustworthy, you will continue to act. If you think I am not trustworthy, it is still too late to leave now."
Holding up a finger, Lorenzo finally said.
Eve was silent, she was struggling.
I am the princess of the Phoenix family, and just like Lorenzo said, I have a noble status. If Lorenzo is up to no good, I will be a sheep going to the wolf's den now, but similarly if I don't make any achievements, my father He will definitely find a way to get himself out of Su Yalan Hall.
With safety on one side and dreams on the other, Eve made the decision without even thinking about it.
"If you dare lie to me, I swear I will kill you."
The girl said fiercely, then leaned on the chair and waited to arrive at the ball.
This is really a stubborn person. If it weren't for her background, maybe Eve could really become a good police detective.
Lorenzo didn't say anything. Everything tonight had gone smoothly so far. It couldn't have been smoother. From the moment the girl accepted Lorenzo's invitation, he knew that she would not give up so easily just because she was a child of the Phoenix family. .
Only a phoenix was born from the ashes, not a free-roaming chicken.
The carriage shook slightly, and faint sounds of conversation came from the surrounding compartments, and finally everything disappeared.
Finally, the attendant knocked on the door to inform them that they had arrived.
According to Lorenzo's script, the two of them would be lovers tonight. Although Eve didn't understand why it wasn't the lady and his male attendant, she didn't say anything in the weird atmosphere around her and was just attracted by Lorenzo. Walk along.
The white mist of steam rose slowly, making the air warm.
The small platform is already full of people, most of them dressed in luxurious clothes and wearing different masks. They are the buyers of tonight's dance, because no one can recognize anyone wearing the mask, but in fact, even if they know each other, they will remain silent. This dance is like a beautiful dream, and nothing should be remembered after waking up from it.
The lights were dim, and when Eve looked around, she could only see gray mist and darkness. She only knew that she was in the Lower City, but she didn't know where exactly.
Looking at the sky, the familiar black shadow was still swimming in the clouds, which made her feel a little relieved.
"If you don't understand, please remain silent. Our identity tonight is a newly joined couple. Sabo will be wary of new people joining, so don't reveal the truth."
Eve nodded and said nothing. At this moment, the attendant came out, bowed and led everyone to the ball.
It was a winding road, with only dim lights as companions along the way. Apart from these, there was nothing. Men with guns followed the team to prevent anyone from leaving.
While traveling, Eve suddenly smelled a strange smell, and then more lights rose.
Underfoot is a red carpet welcoming guests, but from the faint light, it can be seen that the nearby ruins are like decay. The little light comes from the candles. Behind the weak light are old and withered faces, just like the trend. The dead man of light.
Lorenzo tightened her grip, and then Eve saw more. There was a fishy smell in the darkness, something seemed to be flowing slowly, and a faint whimpering scream could be heard.
The closed door opens.
It seemed to be the gate of heaven, endless light poured out from the gate in front, the aroma of wine and singing, the intoxicating sound of coins colliding together, lazily moaning constantly, with an atmosphere of restless spirit.The guests all exclaimed, and then hurried to the paradise of heaven, as enthusiastic as devout believers.
Mead and cheese, wealth and beauty, these are taboos that can satisfy everyone, as long as you are willing to sacrifice your life to join.
"Lorenzo...what is this?"
Eve stood in front of the gate, her soul froze as if she had been hit by a huge impact, but Lorenzo had no intention of comforting her, and instead whispered in her ear.
"Welcome to the dark side of Old Dunling, Miss Eve Phoenix."
(End of this chapter)