novelraw Chapter 270: Dracula
Chapter 270: Dracula
As the hands of the clock neared four, the carriage arrived in Belfast.
Nestled on the slope of a mountain, the trading city of Belfast appeared bustling and prosperous.
From the mountain’s peak, one could see rows of houses stretching down to the coast and beyond, a view that encompassed the entire city.
A few minutes before four in the afternoon, the carriage returned to the detective agency.
The trip to the Elm Forest on the outskirts of the city would take at least two hours, so it was already too late in the day to go.
After leaving their things at the agency, Lu Li and Anna returned the carriage to the rental service and collected their deposit.
On the way back, they passed by the market, and just as he had the last two times, Lu Li bought groceries—some for dinner, and some for Anna to practice her cooking with.
Back at the agency, Anna’s spirits seemed to lift. Reverting to her usual girlish demeanor, she floated into the kitchen with the food in her arms.
Lu Li lit the oil lamp on the dining table and covered it with its glass chimney.
Flicking the match out with a practiced motion, he watched a thin wisp of smoke rise and dissipate. His gaze then fell upon the sculpture by the door.The sculpture remained in the exact same position it had been in when they left yesterday, unmoved.
The next time a Trader appears, I can ask if he knows anything about this sculpture’s origin, Lu Li thought.
Returning to his desk, Lu Li tucked the 5,000 shillings from Mery and the 500 shillings he had kept between the pages of a book into the farthest drawer. Once the “Cries for Help in the Alley” case was closed, he could buy a second piece of Deep Sea Stone.
As he finished, Anna emerged from the kitchen. She approached the table and, pursing her lips, stared intently at Lu Li.
The fire in the kitchen hadn’t been lit yet.
“I just remembered we have another matter to attend to,” Anna announced.
“What is it?”
“One that might earn us a bit of money.”
...
Twenty minutes later.
Lu Li and a concealed Anna stood before Madam Anlei's Art Gallery.
Though perhaps “former” should now be added to the name: the former Madam Anlei's Art Gallery.
The gallery’s sign had been taken down, and the new owner of the premises was directing workers as they swept the debris-strewn floor.
“Oh...” Anna murmured, her voice laced with disappointment.
Lu Li had expected this. Benjamin had already mentioned that the gallery wasn't popular with visitors. He had thought that solving the ghost problem might attract more customers, but it seemed to have had the opposite effect.
Anna’s sigh cut off, replaced by an indignant tone. “Ask him where he moved to.”
“There’s no need,” Lu Li replied, shaking his head. He had a good idea what Anna was thinking. “He probably doesn’t have much money.”
“Fine...” Anna sounded a little dejected, but then she suddenly gasped as if sensing something. “Lu Li, I feel a ghost nearby...”
“Pay it no mind,” Lu Li said, already turning to leave. It was getting dark.
“Its aura is very faint.”
Lu Li paused. “Where?”
...
The back alley of the former Madam Anlei’s Art Gallery.
In the deserted alley, something lay next to the overflowing trash cans, covered by a white cloth.
Lu Li stopped in front of the trash cans. At Anna’s will, the white cloth flew aside, revealing what looked to be an expensive oil painting.
The richly dressed man depicted in the portrait turned abruptly toward Lu Li. His face, powdered and painted like a woman’s, twisted into a sinister grin. “Young flesh... It has been so long since I have...”
“That’s Dracula,” a voice whispered beside Lu Li. Anna recognized the painting and added that the ghostly aura was radiating from it.
Perhaps, like Anna, this Count Dracula was also a ghost bound to a painting.
“Who’s there?!” Dracula suddenly shouted, his painted eyes darting around. But there was no one before him except the man with the umbrella.
“I’m here,” Anna replied, materializing beside Lu Li. The ground was caked in grime, and even without physical contact, she had no desire to step on it.
“Anna...” Dracula blinked, the name sounding vaguely familiar. His gaze fell on Lu Li and froze. “Wait, I recognize you! You’re the one who killed the pregnant ghost!”
“Allow me to correct you. I freed her,” Lu Li answered, not wanting to be cast as a villain.
Dracula snorted, his gaze shifting from Lu Li to Anna with wary curiosity. “What are you doing here?”
“That question is better directed at you. Haven’t you realized where you are yet?” Anna retorted.
Dracula was taken aback. He glanced around again, and his painted face paled. Pinching his nose, he cursed loudly, “Damnation! What is happening... Why am I next to the trash cans?!”
“It seems Benjamin didn’t take you with him,” Anna guessed, then added, “Or perhaps he secretly threw you out.”
Her murmur carried through the empty alley and, of course, reached Dracula’s ears.
A cold glint flashed in Dracula’s eyes, and an unpleasant aura emanated from the painting. He hissed, “You insignificant insects, the great Count Dracula...”
Anna unleashed a fraction of her own aura, her voice turning to ice. “Who do you think you’re talking to?”
Dracula trembled from the bone-deep chill and fell silent.
“Apologize to Lu Li,” Anna demanded.
“F-Forgive me, Mr. Lu Li...” Dracula, knowing when to bend the knee, offered a sincere apology.
The coldness on Anna’s face dissipated. She retracted her aura and asked Lu Li quietly, “What should we do now? Sacrifice him to the Spirit Gun?”
Dracula didn’t know what a Spirit Gun was, but he was all too familiar with the word “sacrifice.” He shuddered and cried out hastily, “Please, wait! Esteemed lady and gentleman, you can’t do this to me!”
“Why not?” Lu Li asked.
Dracula opened his mouth but couldn’t utter a word.
He had never really interacted with humans and didn’t know how.
“Let me ask another question, then.” Anna lifted her chin and sniffed. “What use are you?”
The ghost in the guise of a stately, middle-aged man answered uncertainly, “Use... None, it seems.”
“Have you ever harmed anyone?” Lu Li suddenly asked.
Hearing this, Dracula bared his teeth again. “Of course! I am the great Count Dracula! No one can... except for you two, no one can...”
Lu Li didn’t wait for him to finish. Turning to Anna, he said, “Then take him.”
He knew what to do with this painting-bound ghost.
“Alright!” Anna covered the painting with the white cloth once more.
Dracula’s terrified shriek came muffled through the thin fabric. “What are you doing? Where are you taking me?!”
Heading for the mouth of the alley, Lu Li spoke without looking back. “Make him be quiet.”
“Mhm!”