Chapter 224: Chapter 224 Night Visit to Fireworks Alley_1
Aiden could understand this approach. The best weapon against a gang was the police, and the best way to deal with a heretical organization was to poke its intelligence to the Heresy Tribunal.
Of course, it was also beneficial for the Heresy Tribunal to get early information about illegal organizations operating in their jurisdiction.
But the information provided by the other party couldn’t be fully trusted. After some thought, Aiden decided that it would be safer to leave this matter to the Heresy Tribunal’s judgment.
"Indeed, why don’t you go with me to the Heresy Tribunal now and explain things properly?" he continued smoothly.
"Please spare me that!" Kael immediately raised both hands in surrender, "I really don’t want to have too much contact with that formidable place. Everyone there looks at me as if I’m a criminal—they’d likely hold me for questioning for at least two hours. It would be better if you relay the message for me."
"That’s not up to you," Aiden locked eyes with Kael, "What if you’re issuing a false alarm, and I relay it for you?"
"Umm..." Kael looked distressed, but then his eyes darted around as if he had a new idea, "How about this—let me prove to you right now that what I’m saying is true, how about that?"
"How are you going to prove it?" Aiden asked skeptically, frowning.
"I’ve actually recently tracked down a member of the Blood Moon Cult active in Silvertown’s lower district, and that guy... seems to be a wanted criminal." Kael made a beckoning gesture, "I’ve been thinking about nabbing him lately. Since I met you today, why not... come with me and see? Having you bear witness will save me a lot of trouble."
"If he’s a wanted criminal, why not just report him to the Heresy Tribunal? They’ll go catch him," Aiden said.
"Then the bounty would be gone, wouldn’t it?" Kael smiled, "Even if he’s just a B-level bounty, catching him would be a nice bonus."
"So, where do you plan to catch this person?" Aiden inquired about the location just in case.
"Uh, this..." Kael’s expression became evasive, a knowing smile forming, "The place where the guy hangs out is in the lower district, a place men would like..."
"Firework Lane?" Aiden’s brow furrowed slightly.
"You know your stuff, Warden!" Kael snapped his fingers.
Aiden thought that wasn’t really about knowing his stuff—it was that entertainment facilities in this world were so scarce that, in his original world, he would have guessed an internet café for that kind of question...
"You go there often, right?" Kael suddenly teased with a sly smile.
"Not often," Aiden denied.
This was the truth; Aiden hadn’t frequented the pleasure districts of this world.
It wasn’t that he wasn’t interested, but the medical standards of this world were... quite backward. Sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis continued to be a social issue that plagued countries and regions including the autonomous states.
As for birth control methods of the era, latex condoms had not yet become widespread, and the mainstay was still condoms made by traditional methods using sheep intestines, which, to Aiden, a modern person, seemed... somewhat problematic.
From this, it was clear that the development of technology really mattered.
"Don’t deny it, Warden. We’re all men here! Even though I’ve become undead now, I’ve been alive before, we understand these things! Hehehehe... Ah, alright, alright, sorry, sorry. I got carried away!" Kael flashed a sly grin, which disappeared when he saw Aiden silently pointing a gun at him. He quickly put his hands up.
"Let’s not stray from the topic," Aiden said expressionlessly, "What would a vampire with no such needs be doing in that kind of place?"
"According to my investigation, that guy is likely feeding there," Kael resumed his serious demeanor, "Vampires have to worry about being seen when they feed in crowded places. Infiltrating residential homes is not that easy either, since only vampires of the Duke rank or higher tend to use the ability to vaporize their bodies. But if you find a woman in Firework Lane..."
"I see," Aiden nodded in understanding.
As long as they could create a scenario where they were alone with a normal person, the vampire could safely use their charm ability to subdue their prey and feed.
"So, Warden, are you willing to come over and be a witness?" Kael spread his hands invitingly, "I can split the bounty with you."
Aiden thought for a moment. It seemed this vampire was only willing to reveal information about the Blood Moon Cult in this way.
Accompanying this vampire to catch a wanted man, especially in a bustling area of the city, made the possibility of a trap waiting for him quite low.
"Alright," Aiden decided, "I’ll go with you, but you better not be deceiving me."
"Great! Let’s head over there and hail a carriage," Kael pointed energetically towards a nearby road intersection where several rental carriages were parked.
"No, let’s walk a bit further before we call for a coach," Aiden gestured in another direction.
He often took carriages there when in a hurry or going to places outside of public coach routes, and some coachmen recognized him. He didn’t want a coachman greeting him by asking where he was heading and Kael thoughtlessly shouting "To Firework Lane"... especially considering that other jail guards sometimes took those rental carriages.
So a quarter of an hour later, they appeared in Firework Lane.
It was a street that came alive only at night, with heavily made-up women and smartly dressed greeters standing at the door, constantly trying to draw passersby inside.
"When will this person appear?" Aiden whispered to Kael.
"If we’re lucky, he might show up in five minutes. I’ve been observing for several days now, and his appearances have been quite regular, coming into Firework Lane from the north side at fixed times," Kael checked his pocket watch.
"With so many people coming and going from the north side, can you recognize him?" Aiden asked, "What if he’s in disguise..."
"Rest assured, vampires who feed on humans emit a very distinct scent, and we vampires who do not drink human blood regularly are quite sensitive to it. All we need to do now is wait patiently. Uh, would you like to..." Kael looked over tentatively, "find a place to kill some time first? I think we have enough time left..."
Aiden turned his face away, staring blankly at Kael, his gaze a bit chilling.
"Just kidding, don’t be so serious," Kael chuckled dryly, waving his hands.
Just then, a voice came from their side: "Hey there, sir, you haven’t been here for quite some time!"
