Mystery Detective of the Steam World

Chapter 16: Splendor Club

The Golden Fish Tavern was a somewhat shabby, ordinary tavern, also known as a cheap restaurant.

The people here were all from the lower levels of society.

If Levi were to make an analogy, the people here were like migrant workers, making a living on a few coins’ worth of boxed meals.

Of course, the “boxed meal” of this era, its quality……………

Disguised as a middle-aged man, Levi looked at the coachman before him stirring his bowl with a wooden spoon.

What was inside looked like a big pile of heated nasal mucus.

It was enough to ruin any appetite.

Better go back for a steak instead.

Levi fiddled with the broken wooden cup by his hand, waiting silently.

Fortunately, he did not wait long before he saw another coachman walk into the Golden Fish Tavern.

The man across from Levi happily raised his hand and waved.

“Hey, Kent! Over here!”

“Hm? What is it?”

The coachman named Kent walked over, curiously looking at his companion, while the latter also looked at him in confusion.

“Why are you so late? Did you run far?”

“Hey, don’t mention it.”

Speaking of this, the coachman named Kent began pouring out his complaints.

“I just had a passenger. She made me circle here, then circle there, taking a huge detour. I almost got dizzy before she finally got off.

But when I came to my senses, I realized the place was only two streets from the church!

What a waste of time! Luckily, that kind lady gave me quite a generous fare……….”

“Where did she get off?”

Hearing this, Levi asked, and Kent froze for a moment, then looked at him.

“Oh, at the Splendor Club on Squirrel Street.”

“Thank you.”

Levi stood up, placed a few pennies on the table before them, nodded, and turned to leave.

With a lead, things would be much easier.

Levi also had his own information channels—or rather, the most effective one.

“Splendor Club?”

Inspector Lestrade sat behind his desk, carefully grooming his two mustaches in the mirror with a comb while frowning.

“You’re certain?”

“I’m not certain, but that coachman wasn’t lying.

And as things stand, this is our only clue.

No matter what, we have to check it……… What kind of place is this Splendor Club?”

When Levi questioned the coachman named Kent, he had carefully observed him.

The man’s expression was open, without concealment or signs of lying.

That meant the woman had indeed entered the Splendor Club.

She might even be a member.

The next problem was how to enter for investigation.

“A private club. You need a recommendation to join……… Its reputation is very good, no bad records……… That’s all I know.

For this type of private club, if it doesn’t involve illegal matters, our police have no right to investigate or interfere.”

Inspector Lestrade spread his hands, showing his helplessness.

Unlike Doctor Doolittle’s pharmacy, this type of club had a private nature.

And the people who hosted and participated in them were wealthy, powerful, and influential.

Not like Doctor Doolittle, who was dirt poor and could be easily crushed.

So even if Levi wanted to repeat his old trick, using a report to get inside for a search, it would not work.

“Thanks. I’ll think of a way myself.”

That was easier said than done.

Levi truly had no clue how to join a private club.

He had only been in this world for just over a week.

Private clubs were all about connections, and among the people Levi knew, no one could provide him with such access………

Leaving the police station, Levi sighed.

For him, the best option was to use his skills well, negotiating and observing to lock onto his target.

But if he couldn’t even get inside, everything would be meaningless.

No matter how strong his ability, it was not enough to twist truth into lies.

He couldn’t just walk up to the door, claim he was a member of the Splendor Club, and expect them to let him in.

Thinking of this, Levi recalled a prank he had seen online: someone carrying a ladder, pretending to be a repairman, and entering all kinds of places.

Most of the time, they got let in……… Of course, such a trick would not work in this era.

Still, thinking about it was amusing.

While pondering, Levi returned to White Oak Street.

The tall clock tower was not far away.

Just as he was considering whether to have afternoon tea today, suddenly a pair of hands reached out from behind, covering his eyes.

A playful and cheerful voice followed.

“Guess who I am?”

“Miss Katie?”

Levi turned his head, and there stood Katie, who had vanished after that day.

Her outfit was no different from before: a peaked cap, long sleeves and trousers.

Her sapphire-blue eyes curved like crescent moons as she grinned mischievously at him.

“Hehe, you guessed right! So? Surprised? Unexpected?”

“It really is a little unexpected. Where have you been all this time?”

“I had some business and went home first.”

Katie pouted.

“As a result, they locked me at home for several days. I was only just let out.”

If you ask me, it’s strange they even let you out at all.

Levi had thought that next time he saw Miss Katie, it would be because she secretly snuck out from home.

He hadn’t expected her to actually be released.

Was her family so carefree?

Or did they simply not care whether she lived or died?

But thinking again, with this young lady’s courage and skill to brawl with monsters, ordinary people probably couldn’t do anything to her anyway.

“Right, about that bounty……….”

“Bounty?”

“The bounty for capturing the Courtesan Killer.

The City Council issued five thousand pounds.

We split it half and half.

Your two thousand five hundred pounds are on this punch card.”

While speaking, Levi took a punch card from his wallet—this was the equivalent of a bank card in this era.

“The password is six eights. It’s unregistered. You can redeem it at Baron Bank.”

“……………………”

Katie took the punch card, looked at it curiously, then returned it.

“I appreciate the thought, but this little money is useless to me.

Besides, I don’t usually spend much either.

You should keep it.”

“………………………”

My goodness, truly a rich person.

Although Levi had long suspected she was from nobility, her unintentional display of extravagance still left him a little breathless.

“Right!”

Before Levi could put the card away, Katie leaned forward excitedly.

“Compared to this trivial matter, have you been investigating any interesting cases lately? Count me in, how about that? Consider it repayment!”

Two thousand five hundred pounds—a sum many would never earn in a lifetime—was just a “trivial matter” to you?

Levi put away the punch card.

He knew well that people who didn’t lack money would never accept it if you forced it on them.

And for this young lady, compared to money, she clearly preferred thrill and adventure……… Right.

“I’m still investigating the follow-up to that case.”

“The Courtesan Killer’s?”

“Mm.”

Walking down the street together, Levi explained the situation to Katie.

As expected, her interest grew immensely.

“So you’re planning to enter that Splendor Club to investigate? See if they’re connected to that Magic Book?”

“Pretty much, but I haven’t found a way to infiltrate yet.”

“Hmm……… I might be able to ask someone. You said you’ve already installed a communicator?”

“Yes.”

Levi nodded, then took a silver card case from his pocket, pulling out a card and handing it to her.

“If you need me, you can reach me through this number.”

“Alright.”

Katie took the card, studied it carefully, then waved at Levi.

“I’ll head back first. If there’s anything, I’ll let you know!”

With that, she vanished down the street like a gust of wind.

Levi watched her figure disappear into the crowd, then smiled and shook his head before turning away.

Back home, Levi enjoyed the dinner prepared by Irene—bread, vegetable salad, roast beef, and pea soup.

It had to be said, Irene’s cooking was quite good.

Or perhaps Levi’s expectations of food in this era……… were simply not that high.

As long as there was meat and bread, it was fine.

Just like a burger meal.

Far better than heated nasal mucus soup.

After dinner, Levi picked up the newspaper, while Irene quickly cleared the plates and returned to her room downstairs for her own meal.

Maids could not dine with their masters; that was the rule.

Levi didn’t care about this, but Irene insisted on fulfilling her duties as a maid.

Still, for Levi, having someone stand behind him watching while he ate felt uncomfortable.

“Riiiiing—————!”

Just as Levi turned a page of the newspaper, the communicator on the wall beside his desk—about the size of a public phone—rang shrilly.

Levi put down the newspaper, lifted the receiver, and as expected, Katie’s excited voice came through.

“Success! Mr. Levi! Tomorrow we’re going to the Splendor Club together!”

He had to admit, that was fast.

Katie was clearly full of curiosity and enthusiasm for this matter.

The next day at noon, a carriage arrived at Levi’s clock tower at the appointed time.

Levi opened the door and saw Katie inside.

“Come on up.”

Katie proudly beckoned him with a smile, and Levi entered the carriage, sitting across from her.

When the carriage started moving again, Levi had time to study the girl before him.

Unlike before, Katie now wore a pure white long-sleeved dress, covered by a black cloak trimmed with gold, and a felt hat.

The hair she had always hidden under her cap was now free—platinum strands cascading down to her waist, glittering in the sunlight.

Though Levi had suspected her to be a noble young lady, no moment confirmed it more than now.

Not only was she a noble, her status had to be very high.

Only……… remembering that day in the sealed chamber, when this young lady fought a monster with her fists, Levi was speechless.

He wondered what kind of upbringing she had received.

Forget it, her identity aside, having her as an ally was still a good thing.

By the time the carriage reached the Splendor Club, it was already afternoon.

This was the best time, as agreed with Katie.

To investigate inside, one had to go when there were many people.

For such private clubs, the busiest times were in the afternoon and evening.

Most members came after work, to drink, chat, and play cards.

It was also the best time for new faces to appear.

Levi stepped off the carriage and looked toward Katie, extending his hand.

She smiled lightly, took his hand, and stepped down.

“Well then, Detective, let’s see what interesting things this place holds!”