Mystery: But the Witch's Path

Chapter 7 The Ice Cream Bill from the Little Snake

After finishing his conversation with Hahn at noon, Lucius returned to his room to catch up on sleep.

When Lucius woke up, it was already dinnertime, and he was woken up to eat again.

While eating, I thought that I'm not as free as I used to be, when I could eat whenever I wanted and not eat if I didn't want to. Now, having someone control me really makes me uncomfortable.

While eating, I listened to Hahn report on today's events and what needs to be done tomorrow.

"Around 3 p.m. this afternoon, I received a bill from the East District. It was a bill for ice cream ordered by your friend Will from the 'Mousse Hut' dessert shop. It said that you approved it. There was also a paper crane that came with him."

"who!?"

Upon hearing Lucius's question, Hahn reviewed the bill again to confirm that the name was Will.

He calmly replied, "Will, Will Onsett."

After confirming it was him, Lucius could only helplessly say, "Oh, that's true. Just put the origami cranes in my room."

What I was thinking was, "Why did that little snake send me the bill? I don't even know him. Is he trying to fleece me? But since he knows, why didn't he just come in person? Instead, he sent the bill first. He probably sneaked some ice cream from the dessert shop while his parents weren't looking. He should still be around eight years old and hasn't restarted yet. I don't think his name is like that either..."

And shouldn't the biggest question be how someone who has never left home could have friends outside? Since Hahn finds it reasonable, does the Monster Path have this ability?

There's no point in refusing the bill; an ice cream doesn't cost much.

...........

Hahn continued, "Tomorrow is the day of the master's memorial service, and the invitations have already been sent out. Tomorrow, I will accompany you, young master, to greet the guests at the door, and afterwards you will accompany Earl Rafe Strauss to entertain the guests until the banquet ends."

"We will set off the day after tomorrow to return to our fiefdom to bury the lord and inspect the fiefdom, which will take about a month."

"Returning to Backlund in a month..."

...........

"This is basically the schedule for the past two months. Young Master, please see if there's anything to add." After reporting on the recent arrangements, Hahn handed the schedule to Lucius.

Lucius flipped through the pages casually and said, "We should have a guest arriving soon. Just guide him to see me. I'll explain the rest later. If not, then just follow your instructions."

Hearing that guests had arrived, but not remembering the young master having any friends, could it be someone he met this morning?

Hahn Clayton instantly felt he had failed in his job.

Unsure of what kind of guests required what kind of hospitality, Hahn directly inquired, "Understood. Would you like some more desserts and drinks?"

"No need, normal hospitality will suffice. He's just an ordinary guest." Lucius himself had no control over what was about to happen. Choosing for oneself and being forced to choose are two completely different feelings.

........

Da da da

"Young Master Lucius, your guests have arrived."

After explaining the situation, Hahn opened the door and brought in the strange "guest," a middle-aged man who was unremarkable in both clothing and appearance, carrying a huge box on his back.

Lucius stood up to greet him: "Hahn, you can go out first. And this gentleman? Please make yourself at home."

Seeing that the middle-aged man didn't sit down, Lucius asked curiously, "This gentleman? May I ask your name?"

To everyone's surprise, the man didn't even bother to reveal his name, saying directly, "Lord Sheffield, you're too kind. I've come here on a mission to deliver this mirror to you. I have other matters to attend to and cannot stay any longer."

Watching the person opposite put down the box on their back, open it, and take out a square full-length mirror, the frame of which was made of a metal and inlaid with various colorful minerals to form a variety of intricate patterns.

As expected of royalty, even if these frames were machine-carved before the time travel, they would cost nearly ten thousand pounds. With the current level of craftsmanship, plus the cost of these pure crystals and gemstones of various colors, the price would probably be less than a thousand gold pounds.

Baron Sheffield, here is a mirror and a bottle of 'reagent' for you. You can apply the 'reagent' to the mirror when you want to use it.

This small pocket mirror is included as well.

Looking at the two mirrors gave Lucius a chill. The Church of the True God also had mirror divination, but communicating with others through mirrors should be the exclusive ability of a "witch"!

"Someone will contact you through the mirror at seven o'clock. All you need to do is apply the 'reagent' to the mirror before seven o'clock."

"Now that everything has been explained, I'll be leaving."

Before Lucius could even speak, the strange fellow turned and left.

The entire conversation was unlike a normal exchange; the way they spoke was mechanical and rigid, like a pre-set system that wouldn't do anything unnecessary.

Watching the people leave, Lucius had no interest in seeing them off; after all, what was the point of acknowledging their lack of interest?

.......

"Young Master"

Lucius looked in the direction of the sound and saw Hahn standing at the door with his men, carrying various desserts and a pot of something he couldn't identify.

"Hahn's guests have already left, so you don't need the desserts; you can eat them yourselves."

"Just put this mirror in my study before seven o'clock."

After finishing his sentence, Lucius left the reception room immediately.

After watching Lucius leave, Hahn felt that everything that had happened that day was strange.

"Butler Hahn, what about these things?" the maid asked after everyone had left.

Hahn looked at the people's eyes and said, "You can eat, but you need to finish your work first and move the mirror to the study."

Looking at the mirror, Hahn also felt something was off. It was clearly not an ordinary mirror; judging from its shape, it looked more like a mirror that should be placed in the lady of the house's room.

But this mirror has a spirit, so it must be an extraordinary item. Shouldn't such a thing be placed in a treasure vault and sealed with a wall of spirit?

Everything that's happened since today has been strange. I'm considering informing Earl Rafe Strauss, but since I serve Sheffield, not the Strauss family, revealing information about my master without authorization is a grave taboo…

But I'm also worried that something might happen to Lucius Sheffield. Maybe I should consult Earl Rafe Strauss tomorrow?

This matter immediately stumped Hahn, the experienced butler.

.............

After moving the mirror to his study, Lucius ordered everyone to leave so as not to disturb him, and began applying a "reagent" to the mirror. This red reagent was likely composed of blood.

As the clock struck seven, the surface of this special mirror began to change, eventually forming a reflection of "George III".

Then, King George III quipped, "It seems you've made your decision."

Lucius prepared to continue feigning ignorance, saying, "I've already spoken with Uncle Rafe, and he..."

King George III said expressionlessly, "You don't need to explain this to me, but as long as it's just you and Rafe, no one else should be told."

"Since you have already agreed, someone will announce your succession to the earldom at your father's memorial service tomorrow morning. As for the forged identity, you need to write it down as soon as possible and leave it at the door for someone to pick up."

"Someone from your occult teacher will meet you later with a potion. Right now, you should be thinking about how to avoid having your true identity discovered by others tomorrow."