Chapter 177 Silver Necklace
"But, what does this necklace mean?"
Andre put on his gloves and picked up the necklace pendant. It was a silver necklace that looked quite old. There were some suspicious dark brown and almost black stains on the pendant and the chain, which looked very much like old bloodstains.
The pendant of the necklace is an oval silver plate the size of a coin, with the German royal coat of arms engraved on the front: a griffin on the lower left and a dragon on the upper right. The two fantasy creatures are connected head to tail and chase each other around a crescent moon. There is a crown on the top of the crescent moon and a shield in the middle of the crescent moon. The surface of the shield is engraved with a map of the entire German Kingdom.
"No, I've never seen it before." Winston took another sip of his beer. "It's an interesting necklace, though. The pattern on the pendant is a variation of the German royal coat of arms – look at that crescent moon, it means the owner is a direct female descendant of the German royal family. If it were a male descendant, it would be a full moon."
"I do have some historical knowledge." Andre looked at the pendant over and over again, puzzled. "Strange, the thickness is a bit unusual."
"I think so too. It's thick, like a locket... the kind you put small oil paintings of people in." Winston pointed to the side of the locket. "But I looked all around and couldn't find any openings, seams, or mechanisms."
Andrei fiddled with it for a long time but found nothing. Finally, he raised his hands in frustration and made a gesture of surrender: "No, I can't open it at all."
He pushed the pendant in front of Winston again. Winston smiled and put the pendant into the watch pocket on the front of his vest.
At that moment, an old memory suddenly flashed through Andre's mind -
Count Saka stood in his study with a frown on his face, looking down at a silver object in his hand.
Little Andrei shot in from the door like a cannonball and hit Count Saka's leg with a bang. He used all four limbs to hang on Count Saka's calf like a koala, and said incoherently: "Teacher, what is that in your hand?"
"Nothing." Count Saka quickly stuffed the item into the watch pocket on the front of his vest. A silver chain hung down, swaying in front of Andrei's eyes...
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"...Andre? Andre?" Winston waved his hand in front of Andre's eyes. "What's wrong, Andre?"
Andrei snapped back to his senses and looked thoughtfully at the familiar silver chain: "...Do you think this necklace could possibly belong to the teacher?"
"...Godfather? And the Delman royal family?" Winston laughed, "No, Earl of Mordor is a hereditary title. The ancestor who received the title from the Delman royal family must have been three or four generations ago.
"From what I know, my adoptive father isn't that close to the royal family. Rather, he's quite disgusted by the extravagant and ostentatious lifestyle of the Delman royal family. Even the list of gifts and greetings for festivals and holidays are handled by the butler. The royal family is also very cold towards the Modor family. Logically, he shouldn't have received such an item."
Winston took out the necklace again. "This should be the personal property of a direct descendant of a female member of the German royal family. This kind of intimate jewelry will only be passed down within the family. If it is lost elsewhere... then something must have happened. If such a major event really happened, it is unlikely that I would be completely unaware of it."
Andre shrugged and didn't dwell on the question any more: "Who are you going to take with you?"
"I was planning to take you with me," said Winston, "but if these two letters refer to the same party, there's no need to waste an extra place. You could be a surprise arrival disguised as a kitchen helper... As for the enclosed letter, I'm going to ask Is to come over."
Ish Ho Lind was Winston's lieutenant in the Shadow Army. He was also one of the children adopted and raised by Count Saka, though he was much older than Winston, Andre, and the others. Andre still remembered him; he was a calm and reliable person with considerable skill, and a trusted confidant of Winston's.
"Good choice." Andre nodded in agreement. "That Madame Butterfly seems to be coming for you. The more people the better."
The invitations came one after another, and the plan to involve Vivian... The mysterious Madame Butterfly tried every means to get Winston involved, but they didn't know what the other party's plan was for the time being.
At this point, we can only take it one step at a time.
"Let's not talk about this anymore." Winston patted Andrei's shoulder and changed the subject, asking about his adopted brother: "How are your uncle and aunt doing lately?"
Andre's expression instantly darkened. He picked up his passion fruit honey water and drank it in one gulp. "Same old story. Why don't you ask Jericho?"
He put down his cup and turned to go upstairs, leaving Winston alone at the bar, confused. "Did I say something I shouldn't have?"
Jericho appeared out of nowhere, picked up Andre's cup and went to the sink to wash it. "Some time ago, the master and the young master had a big fight, and they haven't reconciled yet."
Winston blinked. "I've heard about that.... Why did they quarrel?"
After washing the cup, Jericho casually placed it on the drain rack. Then, as quietly as a cat, he emerged and sat on a bar stool. "The master doesn't want you to continue investigating the truth behind Count Saka's death. He wants you to return to the front lines and become a fierce general, ready to take over his position in the future. Not to 'waste time on the Evil Eye Moon' all day—those are the master's exact words."
Winston was silent for a moment. "Indeed, it's my responsibility to uncover the truth behind my adoptive father's death, not Andrei's. Andrei should have had a better future. Given his family background, joining the army or the Moon Worship Cult would have been far better choices than he has now."
"Master and Madam thought so too. They even asked His Majesty the King for help, but His Majesty said that everything was up to the young master. You know the young master's stubborn character. Once he makes up his mind to do something, no amount of horses can change him. He is determined to get to the bottom of Count Saka's case and help His Majesty the King eliminate this group of corrupt nobles.
"The master tried to force the young master to return home, but he was adamant he wouldn't go. So they sent me to supervise him," Jericho said resentfully. "The master was very resolute this time. He cut off all financial support for the young master. The mistress also sided with the master, but she couldn't bear it. Although she couldn't openly provide money or resources, she still instructed the city priests to help the young master."
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