My esoteric uncle Jules

Chapter 128 Marrying Lolita?
Seeing this, Jules finally became interested.

Because the man had deliberately chosen a secluded corner to talk to Ram, he moved closer and eavesdropped.

After being slapped hard across the face, Ram didn't retaliate; instead, her expression turned pleading.

"...Please have mercy, this time we're sure to make a profit."

The muscular man remained expressionless.

“Mr. Ram, my master has lost patience with you. If you can’t produce an antique of sufficient value this time, then you can expect your sister to sink into the Thames and become fish food.”

Upon hearing this, Ram's expression changed, and she gritted her teeth, saying:

"This thing won't work either?"

He took out the exquisite iron box from his pocket and handed it to the person in front of him.

The man took the box, opened it, and glanced at it, his expression showing a visibly momentary surprise.

But then he shook his head and said calmly:

"The items are nice, but they're not what the master wants—you should keep looking."

Ram's face was full of doubt and resentment:
"Isn't what's inside good enough?"

The man suddenly stood up, leaned forward, and looked down at him with an oppressive air.

"Don't you understand yet? To marry that girl named Lolita, the master needs an antique that can impress her! An antique!"
Such fragile jewelry, in wartime, wouldn't even be worth as much as a shell of the same size!

Lolita?
Upon hearing this familiar name, Jules was momentarily taken aback, but he did not act rashly; instead, he simply continued listening calmly.

The more he listened, the deeper his brow furrowed.

Antiques? Could they be related to Matilda?

Before he chose to "die together" with the incarnation of the Blood Cup, he asked Matilda to help him find Lolita.

The two people over there were still continuing their conversation:

"...London is currently under temporary lockdown, so you still have a chance to make up for your debts."

But I can't guarantee what will happen to your lovely sister if we return to London and you still haven't made amends..."

The man chuckled sinisterly twice.

"Don't hurt her!" Ram's expression changed instantly.

The man snorted coldly and said:
"Then bring out something that will satisfy the master!"

After saying that, he turned around and left.

However, as soon as the man turned around, he saw someone standing in front of him, looking at him with a gloomy expression.

"Who are you? Get out of the way, don't block my way." The man frowned and waved his hand impatiently.

When Ram saw that the person blocking his way was Jules, he immediately became anxious and quickly spoke up:

"I'm fine, don't stop him!"

Clearly, he thought they had come to stand up for him.

Jules shook his head and said calmly:
"Don't worry, I'm just asking about something."

The man, having worked under others before, narrowed his eyes upon seeing this and said:

"Are you two friends?"

Seeing that Jules remained silent, he snorted coldly and said:
"Whether you have any connection with this person or not, I advise you to mind your own business."

Upon hearing this, Jules chuckled:

"Trivial matters? I don't think so."

Although he was smiling, his expression remained extremely gloomy.

Even as Ram frantically gestured for him to stop, he remained unmoved.

The man realized at that moment that Jules was not someone who could be easily dismissed, and slowly said:
"May I ask what brings you here?"

Jules twitched the corner of his mouth and said:
"Who is your master?"

"This seems to have nothing to do with you, sir." The man's gaze was somewhat dangerous.

Jules shook his head and said calmly:
"I just wanted to ask about the person your master is about to marry, which you mentioned earlier."

He didn't initially think that the Lolita the man in front of him was the same person as the Lolita he knew.

How old is Lolita? Why is she getting married?

However, the more he listened, the more he felt something was wrong.

It has to be an antique... and it also has all sorts of miscellaneous details, which can barely match up.

An unbelievable, even infuriating, conjecture suddenly surfaced in his mind:

Could it be that the "master" behind this man is actually marrying the Lolita he knows?

Although he was relieved to know that Lolita was safe, his excitement was quickly overshadowed by anger.

He wanted to see just how many scoundrels were behind the other side who dared to do such a thing!
However, when faced with Le's questioning, the man sneered:
"No comment. This is my master's private matter. Don't interfere."

As he spoke, he looked Jules up and down, as if trying to discern something from him.

Jules took a deep breath and, under the varied gazes of those around him, calmly said:
"Really? Well, I'm sorry to bother you. It's just that the name sounds a lot like a friend I used to know. Perhaps I can even have some connection with your master."

Upon hearing this, the man looked Jules over a few more times, then said with interest:
"Judging from your accent and appearance, you must be from London, right? That's not impossible. If the wedding goes ahead as planned when we get back to London, you might even be able to come and join in the fun."

After he finished speaking, he glared fiercely at Ram beside him.

"Of course, all of this is contingent on this good-for-nothing not messing things up!"

The man left, but the chatter in the tavern didn't stop.

People looked at Jules and Lahm with curiosity, mockery, or pity.

Among them, the most mocking glances fell upon Ram.

After all, Ram was indeed somewhat famous in the area, with many people admiring him, but also many who were indifferent to him.

Seeing Ram slapped in public naturally made him secretly pleased.

At this moment, Jules and Lahm sat facing each other at the same table, their states forming a stark contrast.

Ram kept rubbing his hands together, looking around anxiously.

Jules, however, remained as still as a meditating monk, as if he hadn't been the one confronting the man just moments before.

After a long pause, Ram finally couldn't help but speak:

"What were you thinking just now? The people standing behind that are high-ranking nobles from London! Even I wouldn't dare to offend them!"

Jules slowly opened his eyes and said:
"I'm thinking about whether or not to kill him." His tone was casual.

Ram was startled and quickly looked around to make sure no one was listening before nervously saying:

"Don't drag me into your mess! Don't let that guy's ordinary appearance fool you; apparently, he possesses some kind of supernatural power!"

He sized up Jules a few times, just like the man had, and after a long while, shook his head and said:

"I admit you must be quite something, but you're probably no match for him yet."

Jules' lips curled into a smile, and he said:
"maybe."

Because he saw through the man's true strength, he did not refute Ram's words.

But this mere first-tier superhuman dares to be so arrogant.

He became curious about who the "master" behind the other party was.

Could this be another case similar to the Wellington family's?
If he weren't worried that killing that person would cut off the trail to Lolita, he would have already taken action, given the extent of the man's rudeness.

Even if you don't kill them, leave them with a memorable lesson.

Lam ordered another drink, and seeing Jules deep in thought, hesitated for a moment before saying:
"Another glass of ale, for this gentleman."

Upon hearing this, Jules raised his head slightly and said:
"Thank you."

Ram grinned:
"Small idea."

The two of them kept drinking, one cup after another.

After several rounds of drinks, Lahm was already quite tipsy, with a small portion of wine remaining in his large glass. Jules, on the other hand, had an empty glass, but his expression remained unchanged.

"Hiccup... You can really hold your liquor..."

Ram leaned back in his chair, smiled, and said:
"Tell me, why did you stop him?"

Jules took a deep breath and said softly:

"Hearing clues about old friends inevitably brings excitement."

Ram lowered his head and chuckled:

"Is that Lolita someone you used to know? She's really unlucky to have been targeted by someone like that..."

Jules' expression remained unchanged as he said:

"And what about you? Why were you forced by them to search for antiques?"

Ram's Adam's apple bobbed, and he said hoarsely:
"I owe debts, debts that I can't pay off even if I sell myself."

“They kidnapped my sister and threatened me that she would die if I didn’t find an antique that satisfied them.”

It seems this person is also a tragic figure...

Jules pondered for a moment and said:
Do you know who his mastermind is?

“I don’t know…” Ram exhaled, his breath reeking of alcohol. “All I know is that he’s a high-ranking nobleman in London who could crush me with a flick of his finger.”

"I advise you not to go against that person. If they target you, you might end up in a worse situation than me..."

Jules smiled:
"I'm not afraid."

"Aren't you afraid?" Ram suddenly sat up and stared straight at Jules.

After a while, he laughed again.

"Aren't you afraid? Aren't your family members in London afraid?"

“I have no family,” Jules said in a flat tone.

Ram paused for a moment, then said:
"Feel sorry."

He shook his head and said:

"So you don't own any property or houses in London? I see you're a Londoner... surely you have at least some of these things?"

Jules shook his head slightly:

“I am not a Londoner, but I come from London—I naturally don’t have any of these things.”

"Oh? So where are you from?"

Ram suddenly became interested and chuckled:

"Ireland? Or overseas? That doesn't seem like it. You look like a true Londoner."

Jules was silent for a moment, then said:
"My hometown is far, far away, and I may never have the chance to go back in this lifetime."

He stared blankly at the moonlight streaming through the tavern entrance, lost in thought.

In this world, he had no relatives or friends. Lolita and a few others were among his few close friends and acquaintances.

His determination to find out the truth about the "marriage" became even stronger.

……

The next morning.

Jules stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the dense forest before him, and at something hidden in the darkness.

"Hmm...where am I? What happened?"

Hearing Ram's groggy voice, he turned his head and said calmly:

"You drank too much last night, so I carried this here for you. Is it alright?"

Yesterday, he intended to leave directly, but the tavern owner stopped him.

Because Ram had fallen into a deep sleep and could not be woken up no matter how much they called, the tavern owner, who had no choice but to close for the day, asked him to take Ram away.

After a night's sleep, Ram was clearly sober.

"Thank you for your help!"

He subconsciously touched himself, hesitated for a moment, and said:
“My things…”

"Don't worry, it's in the cabinet next to me."

Upon hearing this, Ram rushed over, opened the cabinet, and took a look. Finding that nothing was missing, she breathed a sigh of relief.

At that moment, Jules' voice drifted over:

"I opened that metal box and took a look inside. You don't mind, do you?"

Ram lowered his head and sighed:
"It's nothing. Since it can't save my sister, it's no different from a piece of trash."

His expression was very depressed and pessimistic, as if he thought his sister was doomed.

“Don’t be so negative,” Jules patted Lam on the shoulder with a smile. “You know, there’s more than one way to get rid of debt.”

This time, however, Ram didn't rush to refute or dissuade Jules. Instead, he gave a wry smile and said:
"If I could eliminate creditors, I would have done it long ago."

Jules sat down next to Ram and asked:

"I didn't even have a chance to ask yesterday before you fell into a deep sleep. What was the name of the person who slapped you earlier? Where does he live in Blankocor now?"

Upon hearing "the person who slapped you earlier," Ram gave a helpless smile, but it quickly turned into one of hatred.

"His name is Uriel Barthold, the infamous debt collector! You'll know his notoriety if you go and ask around among the poor in London!"

As for his address... it should be in this area, but I don't know the exact location. However, I do have a way to contact him.

Ram pulled out a stick of incense, about the length of a finger and the thickness of a toothpick, from his pocket.

"If I light this, he'll get here very quickly."

It seems to be some kind of trinket related to the principles of lamps... there should also be casting involved.

Jules played with the incense stick, and gradually came to a conclusion.

The "master" behind Uriel appears to be as powerful as, or even more powerful than, the Wellington family.

He smelled a somewhat familiar scent from this incense stick.

He was familiar with the scent, after all, he had once impersonated a steam priest for a period of time.

He immediately recognized it as the unique scent of the Steam Church!
In other words, the other party must have close ties with the Steam Church to be able to obtain incense produced by the Steam Church!
He returned the incense to Ram, saying at the same time:

How many incense sticks do you have?

Ram shook his head and said:
"Just this one."

"Then, keep it safe. We might need it in the near future."

Jules smiled calmly, but it gave Ram a bad feeling.

"You're not planning to ambush him, are you? Even if you kill Uriel, we can't afford the wrath of his master!"

Jules did not answer, but simply said:
"We can talk about these things later. What we need to consider now is to go to St. Reliever Monastery."

After all, if you don't want to clash with that 'master' and can't get the antique, your sister is doomed.

“That makes sense…” Ram nodded, then casually grabbed the calendar and flipped through it.

“No, tonight is the night of the full moon, we can’t go.” He suddenly shook his head violently.

Jules stopped in his tracks:

"Full moon? Is there anything special about that place?"

He had already received similar information from the priest, so he wasn't surprised; he was just curious how Ram knew about such things.

Ram shrugged and said:

"Based on my observations of those adventurers, not one of them entered the monastery on the night of the full moon and came out—not a single one."

"However, according to someone who didn't dare go in, it seems that some kind of special treasure appears inside when the moon is full..."

(End of this chapter)