1 Chapter 1 Wayne Detective Agency

March 13, 1938, A.D.

Windsor Kingdom, Lundan City.

The departing winter couldn't bring much warmth to this city; pedestrians hurried on the streets, the impact of the economic depression still lingered, the dark clouds of war could descend at any moment, and the city was far from happy.

In the eastern district of Lundan City, Bellick Street, was the Wayne Detective Agency.

Two and a half stories tall with a basement, facing the street—considered a stroke of luck in the not-so-wealthy East District.

But that was the landlord's joy, irrelevant to Wayne. If he didn't pay the rent soon, his happiness would be down in the sewers.

In the ground-floor office, Wayne looked at his client with a smile, two investigative reports laid out on the desk before him.

"Dr. Laina, regarding your two commissions, I have one piece of good news and one piece of bad news. Which would you like to hear first?"

"I've been having bad luck lately, so tell me the good news first."

Dr. Laina shrugged, a middle-aged man mercilessly reaped by time, his once luscious hair given to the younger generation while accepting their unwanted greasiness.

As a doctor, he couldn't even grow a beard in protest.

"The good news is that the used car you were interested in has been confirmed to be an accident car. You can take this report and use it to negotiate a lower price."

Wayne passed over the first report; it was appraised and attached with a forty-year-old Soul Ring, not recommended for night driving, as the previous owner might fight for the steering wheel.

"That's hardly good news, that's the gift I planned to give to my child. Now I'll have to look for another one."

With resignation, Laina said, "Now tell me the bad news, I hope I can bear it."

"The bad news is that your wife indeed has a lover on the side..."

Laina cut in immediately, "Who is it, that brainless dock worker or that damned failed art student?"

"To be precise, both."

"..."

Both? What does that mean?

In utter bewilderment, Laina was confused by the simple word.

Seeing his client's puzzled look, Wayne patiently clarified: "Over the past week, Madam Laina met with the dockworker three times, and with the failed student three times as well, each time meeting the student first, then going to find..."

"That's enough, no need to say more, give me the report to read for myself."

Laina cut him off again, picking up the report to read. The writing was clear, with detailed accounts of time and place, and even included photographs, all of which were very convincing.

Moments later, Laina sighed. He wasn't furious but instead calmed down after a brief anger.

"Wayne, your report is all correct, but you got one thing wrong," he said.

"Which part?" Wayne asked.

"That is actually the good news."

"Ah, so it is. How about some more coffee then?"

"Certainly."

Dr. Laina cheerfully paid the subsequent commission and chatted with Wayne over coffee like it was wine, complaining endlessly about his unhappy marriage.

Perhaps because he had been paid, Laina was no longer his client, and Wayne had no intention of listening to his complaints, bluntly interrupting to pitch other services of the Detective Agency.

Such as, marital and family disputes.

"Didn't you already investigate that?"

"I did, but this one is for you."

Wayne pulled out a third investigative report from the desk drawer, with evidence of Dr. Laina's unclear affair with a certain nurse.

Laina's forehead started to sweat, he nervously lifted his coffee cup to hide his panic. The writing was clear, with detailed accounts of time and place, and even included photographs—all very convincing.

"Wayne, how can you treat your client this way?"

"Don't get me wrong, this commission came from your wife. Honestly, she was much more generous than you."

"Damn, that's my money."

Laina roared, and as a societal elite, he quickly caught on, probing, "She hasn't seen this report yet, right?"

"Dr. Laina, my professional ethics require me to maintain client confidentiality. I regret that I cannot answer your question," Wayne firmly refused.

"Give me the report, I'll pay double."

"..."

"Triple!"

"Heh."

"Five times, surely five times will do, I could hire a professional hitman at the docks with that kind of money."

"Done deal."

"Damn, you are a disgrace to detectives."

Laina paid and took the report, cursing as he left the Detective Agency, swearing he'd still come back to Wayne for future investigations.

No other reason, but the kid really had something.

What mattered was that he got the job done when paid, which was a commendable quality given Windsor's redundant and sluggish system.

Counting the money until the office was empty, Wayne finally spoke, "Dr. Laina, I forgot to remind you, if my lady didn't get what she wanted here, she definitely won't let it go. She'll commission another detective to investigate, good luck with that."

"..."

"Tsk, he left so quickly!"

Wayne finished counting the earnings and began to work on today's case files, casually taking out a journal and jotting down the praise from his clients.

His words were full of commendation.

Based on this journal alone, he was undoubtedly a helpful, broad-minded, passionate young man contributing to society.

As for the quick money he had made by compromising his professional ethics, Wayne felt not a shred of guilt. Sure, he seized an opportunity to make a killing, but wasn't he also taking heavy losses?

He had to return half of Madam Laina's deposit. A failed investigation would also damage the reputation of his Detective Agency, and he took the risk of his capability being questioned, not to mention the potential that a hitman might come knocking. With tears, he earned five times the commission fee—he was the one at a loss.

The money earned with skill required no shame—it was a deal struck between willing parties.

By the time Wayne finished his work for the day, the sun had already set, and darkness began to envelop the city. The streets and alleys quickly fell silent.