Bailonz Street 13

It might have sounded to you all like I said the people survived. The passengers with relieved faces began to leave. Even the first-time passenger, whoa had never seen me before, left. The man who had been revived started to walk out with the support of others, looking much better than before. Thank goodness.

“Thank you.”

I heard a murmured gratitude from the man as he passed by, which made my heart flutter slightly. But I tried to suppress it. After all, I had done nothing. I just sat there, crying in a panic. It was Liam who killed the monster and saved these people. Yet, the man thanked me. Did I even deserve to hear those words?

“If you hadn’t brought him here, he wouldn’t be here now.”

Liam Moore, looking a bit more stern, responded while patting my shoulder. It was because of that.

If there was one person I managed to save, it would be that man. It might seem insignificant compared to what Liam did, but still… it was a relief that none of these people had died. Finally, the tension eased, and I managed a small smile. Yes, let’s think of it that way. Be content that everyone is safe.

Then, very belatedly, I remembered something that had been pushed to the back of my mind. Why had I forgotten so much in such a short time?

Lucita’s request!

Right. The black market job wasn’t over yet.

I asked urgently in a slightly shrill voice. What if we missed the auction because we were stuck here? Unresolved cases are the greatest dishonor to me.

Ah. Liam sighed and scratched his cheek. After a long pause, he finally spoke, looking a bit sheepish.

“Well… you see…”

I had a bad feeling. His demeanor suggested, ‘How should I explain this?’

No way. My mind began to jump to the worst conclusions. But perhaps I had become someone who could think a bit unrealistically now, considering the ‘supernatural’ things…

I asked hesitantly.

“Don’t tell me that place we were just in was the auction house.”

“…”

Seriously? Really?

It felt like a different space from what we knew. Almost like another world existed beneath our own. Is this even possible? Creating another space and holding an auction there? Einstein would roll in his grave.

As I stood there with my mouth agape, Liam slowly answered.

“There’s such an auction method.”

I gave up trying to understand.

Sure, whatever. There’s magic, strange doctors who use magic, monsters. Werewolves and vampires would be fascinating. In fact, maybe Count Saint Germain is still alive, and there’s alchemy too? Sure, why not.

I looked at Liam with a somewhat cold gaze. Instead of feeling excited, I felt… tired.

“Why does such a method exist?”

“Well…”

Liam hesitated. Perhaps it was hard to explain. Herschel, noticing this, began to explain instead.

“For anonymity. They don’t want to be discovered by the general public and want to quietly do illegal things. It’s like only selected people can participate in a party.”

“Then what about the monster?”

Liam raised his hand. Yes, go ahead, Liam Moore.

“…Spaces created like that sometimes vary in security depending on the skill of the creator, and there are things that slip through the weakened gaps.”

“The one who created this space wasn’t very skilled?”

“Exactly.”

“So, um, do people outside notice anything while we’re inside?”

“No. They know something disappeared, but even if they exist in the same space, they don’t perceive each other. It’s a separate dimension.”

Wow. It’s like they held an auction in a semi-dungeon. Then how did I end up there? I couldn’t understand. As I pondered with my chin in my hand, Liam approached.

“Let’s rest for now. You saw ‘something like that,’ so you need a break.”

“Does seeing something make you need a break?”

“Pretty much.”

I was full of questions.

Herschel glanced at Liam but started walking ahead with a smug smile. Watching him, Herschel came up to me and whispered.

“He’s worried about you.”

“I know. He’s always worried.”

Herschel responded with an ambiguous smile.

“…Most people don’t care that much.”

Ah. Human nature breaking down.

I understood. Liam Moore cares only for people he likes, and even then, only briefly. Honestly, I know his attitude changes like boiling soup.

Liam Moore keeps a distance from everyone, remaining moderately awkward. Nothing is precious to him, and he doesn’t commit to anything. He wouldn’t scream in agony even if someone were on the verge of death.

Such a cold and capricious person, why does he treat me like the back of his tongue? I can’t imagine. It’s also true that I wonder if his interest has an expiration date.

As I slowly followed Liam, I spoke to Herschel.

“Earlier, Liam had a knife in his hand.”

He looked at me with a subtle expression. He probably didn’t want to show it, but he didn’t expect me to notice. He must have misjudged me, thinking my insight was that poor.

“Well, um… it was there until just now. It disappeared. Is it similar to that space earlier?”

As Herschel was about to respond,

“Jane.”

Liam, opening the compartment door, looked back at me. He extended his hand. Did he hear? I wasn’t sure, but his expression seemed calm.

“Go ahead and ask, Jane. Liam is ready to answer.”

Herschel said.

I wasn’t sure if that was true. There’s no way Liam Moore’s secrets would be revealed so easily, nor would he confess everything just because we encountered a monster.

But Herschel pushed me forward with firm conviction. Later… um. I’ll have to return his coat.

Approaching Liam with a quiet smile, I held his hand. The compartment door closed. The noise outside was now separate from us. The train continued its quiet journey.

Everything was peaceful.

＊ ＊ ＊

It was our detective, Liam Schofield Moore, who broke that peace.

He led me to the sofa and naturally took a seat across from me. Then, leaning slightly forward, he met my gaze. His elbows rested on his knees.

The light, either from an oil lamp or a gas lamp, illuminated half of his face. It had a slight reddish hue, either from the light or his physical activity, I couldn’t tell. But it wasn’t bad. Maybe I even found it somewhat charming. Shadows flickered across his sharply defined nose.

I watched, slightly entranced, before squinting my eyes.

“You must have many questions.”

Liam Moore began.

“Too many. I’ve had many from the start.”

“But I can’t tell you everything now. I want to protect you as much as possible.”

Here, I wanted to borrow dear Lucita’s words.

‘The longer you hide something, the less it helps.’

If Liam Moore didn’t want to see me driven to madness by frustration, he had an obligation to have a candid conversation with me immediately. At least he should explain why he’s doing this and why he has to hide things from me. Protection requires understanding. Protection without understanding is merely an unilateral constraint.

I asked, sinking into the sofa.

“Why do you want to protect me?”

He seemed to be choosing his words. Unsure of how much to tell me.

If Herschel were here, his words might have been simpler, but he had separated us from Herschel. So, he probably thought this space was meant for just him and me. Whether this was an extension of the ridiculous daytime play or not, I didn’t know.

After a while, the man who had been carefully choosing his words finally began to speak slowly.

“Because of the gaze. People who know a lot change from their core. You’ve already faced many threats just by being with ‘Liam Moore.’ Poison was delivered to you, remember? And the horses of the carriage you were about to board went mad. Such threats, malicious and insidious attempts to endanger your life. But I’m not trying to stop you from solving cases. You love this work. I deeply respect that choice.”

He knows well.

“So, it’s fine. You have enough strength to handle it. Besides, human affairs can be solved by humans. But there are things that distort the essence.”

I squinted and laughed.

“You talk as if your work isn’t quite ‘human’.”

“…”

Liam clammed up like a pricked clam.

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