Mystery: But the Witch's Path

Chapter 9 Morse Town

After everyone had left, the two walked back towards the manor, talking as they went.

Uncle Rafe said directly, "Starting tomorrow, you will need to return to your own territory to arrange your father's burial and inspect the territory. Due to my status, I cannot accompany you, so you will have to rely on yourself. As for safety, you don't need to worry; I will have someone go with you."

Seeing Rafe's serious expression, Altair asked doubtfully, "Uncle, isn't this a bit too ostentatious?"

Seeing Altair's confusion, Rafe explained: "You are now the sole heir of the Sheffield family. Although no one dares to lay a hand on you now, there's no guarantee that once you're in the territory. Your family's wealth is also enormous."

"Everything is for safety reasons, and also to prevent 'they' from looking down on you because of your youth. If anyone is found to be 'cheating' or 'slipping up' during this period, they will be severely punished without any leniency."

........

When the first rays of sunlight streamed into the room through the window the next morning, I was able to sleep until I woke up naturally, a rare treat.

This good sleep made Altair feel much better today, and even the gray sky over Backlund looked exceptionally pleasant from the window.

After Altair finished washing up, he saw that the servants downstairs had already started their work.

Good morning, Hahn.

Good morning, Count Altair.

"It seems Backlund is having a rare good day today, with even the sun shining in."

Hearing his Count's words, Hahn compared the weather over the past few days and indeed felt a slight difference, remarking, "Today in Backlund is truly a rare sunny day..."

After finishing the morning greetings, Hahn began arranging for staff to prepare breakfast and clean the rooms.

While eating in Altair, Hahn began his work report, stating that he needed to go to the steam train station at 9:00 AM this morning, take the train to Tingen, and then return by horse-drawn carriage to Morse for the burial...

"After you rested yesterday afternoon, Lady Anna, the etiquette tutor arranged for you by the royal family, sent a letter saying that she would accompany you to the territory so that you could quickly master the etiquette. Her luggage has already been delivered..."

At first, everything was proceeding as normal, until Altair heard news about his etiquette teacher. He was drinking soup at the time and choked, coughing uncontrollably...

Once things returned to normal, she immediately asked, "When did this happen? I didn't know about it."

Hahn replied calmly, "It was after dinner last night. You should have seen the letter after you rested, but since you were already asleep, I didn't wake you."

"Okay, I understand." Hearing Hahn's words, Altair understood the situation and wondered, "Why is the etiquette teacher the first one to arrive? Shouldn't it be the occult teacher?...

Just as breakfast was over and everyone was ready to leave, the etiquette teacher, "Madame Anna," finally arrived late. Altair's first impression of her was that she was "old-fashioned."

.........

On the steam train to Arhova County and Tingen, Altair was getting annoyed by the lectures of "Lady Anna." "Count Altair, when we met, you shouldn't have extended your hand to me as a 'handshake'... but should have accepted my 'curtsy'."

"Now that you have inherited the title of Earl, although I am your teacher, I do not have any noble status and you should not bow to me in public."

"My 'professional authority' teaching style is effective; once outside the classroom, I only need to maintain the necessary politeness."

"And your clothing. In the Kingdom of Rune, men mainly wear black and white, and only commoners wear colorful clothes. Women mainly wear black, dark blue, or dark purple, etc., with black and white being the main colors for commoners."

"Although people have become more lenient about their clothing as times have changed, I find it difficult to accept that you are dressed in men's clothing."

........

In short, from the moment Altair sat down in his private carriage, Mrs. Anna began her two-hour etiquette instruction, evaluating everything from the initial greeting to manners, attire, and attitude towards servants.

Then she taught them what to do if they encountered a similar situation again. If they weren't on a speeding train, she would have already started a etiquette lesson.

Under the aura of "Madame Anna", "Altair" could only pretend to be a good student and study.

During lunch, a whole host of faults were pointed out, from my posture while eating to the size of my mouth opening...

Surprisingly, she wasn't bothered by "Madame Anna" in the afternoon because she went to see "Hahn," the butler, and the butler was so impressed by her that he wanted to jump out of the car on the spot.

Poor Hahn.

After a long journey of five hours, the steam train arrived in Tingen on time at 5 p.m.

After getting off the train, Hahn's brother, Amos Clayton, was already waiting on the platform.

Upon seeing Amos, he had already bowed deeply to himself. He then said...

Count Altair

To avoid being lectured by "Lady Anna," Altair returned the greeting with a normal nod.

Then, looking at "Madame Anna" and seeing her smile, Altair knew he wouldn't be "educated" that night.

After loading the coffin and luggage onto the vehicle, we boarded a carriage arranged by "Old Clayton" and headed to our destination, "Morse Town".

After a drive of more than half an hour, we arrived at the Sheffield family's "castle," where old Clayton was already standing at the door with many servants waiting.

Upon seeing the carriage arrive, he personally opened the door for Altair. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they entered the castle.

Since they arrived early, and Altair had never been here before, Old Clayton guided him through the introduction of the castle.

"This castle was designed under the supervision of the first Sheffield, and its main style was the then-popular Gothic style. It took more than 10 years to build, and it was expanded under the supervision of the fifth Sheffield... It took more than 600 years to reach its current form."

........

The funeral was held as scheduled the day after arriving in Morse.

Since Old Sheffield worships the Lord of Storms, Old Clayton invited the priest from the River and Sea Church in Tingen to pray for Old Sheffield.

After Altair sprinkled the first handful of soil, the papal officials he had invited filled it in...

........

After the funeral, old Clayton led Altair on a brief introduction to the town, saying, "The name 'Morse' comes from the first 'Sheffield'."

"The town's name has never been changed by the successive barons in honor of the family's founder."

Most of the residents here are descendants of those who followed the Sheffield in their campaigns, and some were survivors of the abolition of the Slavery Act.

"The last population influx was 7 years ago, led by Altair's father."

......