A/N: I apologize for the latest chapters being updated less and less frequently, but this one should make up for that. In addition, this took quite a long time for me to type up, as well as thinking up plausible differences from the original story and whatnot.

Chapter 31: Who is the Count of Monte Cristo?

Two days have passed since Pegasus hired one of his associates, Detective Boville, to dig up as much as he can about our mysterious Hakushaku. It was at about noon on the second day, that the American received an email:

My sources have determined that there are two people currently in Domino who seem to know the Count of Monte Cristo: Wei Lin, a rich Chinese businessman; and Father Buu Soh Nii, a Korean minister who is famous for his generous acts. Lin can be found at his penthouse in Domino's Central business district. As for the priest, he has taken residence behind the local Protestant church.

Pegasus then arranged a plan for the following day: while the detective would visit the Korean, he will meet with the Chinese economist.

The next day, a Nissan S30 was found parked nearby the local church. The driver exited his vehicle and walked behind the place of worship in order reach his true destination. Boville politely knocked on the small building's front door. Almost immediately, the detective was given a response.

"Is Father Buu Soh Nii at home?" asked the P.I.

The man who answered the door wore thick, heavy glasses and a black attire typical of some preachers. The pastor replied in fluent Japanese (with a Korean accent), "Yes, I am he. May I ask who you are, my son?"

"I am Detective Boville. I was sent here today by one of my unnamed clients in order to carry out a confidential mission that will not implicate either of us."

The minister made a gesture of approval. He opened the door for the agent and led him inside his small apartment. The building's interior was quite modest; it contained no electronics (except for some lighting), no decorations, no rugs, etc. What made up for the priest's lack of luxury were hundreds of books, shelved in several bookcases in the living-room.

He offered the stranger a chair in the living-room. As the investigator seated himself, the religious man sat opposite towards him. In the middle of the two men, stood a lamp on a small table.

"It is because of your renown, Father, that the police have come to you in order to glean certain information about someone you know," said the detective, "Now, Father, I can only hope that nothing personal will prevent you from telling the truth to an agent of the law."

The minister replied, "Oh, yes, Detective, as long as your investigation does not go against the principles God has made me to live by. Just know this: because I am a religious confidant, the secrets in a confessional must stay between me and God, not between me and His creation's form of justice."

"Don't worry, Father. I shall to my utmost to respect your conscience."

"Good," said the Korean pastor, as he made it so his face is covered in shadow.

"Now, since you seem to be ready, may we begin the investigation?"

"Yes, by all means, Detective."

"All right, then. Do you know who is the Count of Monte Cristo?"

"Ah, I assume that you are referring to my young friend, Sah Koh Nii?"

"What?! Sah Koh Nii?! His name isn't 'Monte Cristo'?"

"I believe 'Monte Cristo' is the name of a small Italian island that used to be owned by the Italian government a few years ago, not of family."

"Well, then... come, let us talk about Sah Koh Nii instead."

"All right, good Detective."

"How well do you know about Koh Nii?"

"I am one of the few who knows him personally."

"Who is he?"

"The son of a martial arts master in Korea. His late father and mother were Korean and Japanese, respectively."

"Hmm... let me reconfirm this," said Boville, as he took out his notes, "According to my sources, what you're saying is true, but the police must require more than just that, Father."

"Very well, then. Years ago, he and I were friendly rivals in his father's dojang."

"Despite the fact that you are ten years his senior?"

"Yes. Although I had more experience in martial arts, he underwent rigorous training that made him a worthy opponent."

"And what of his title: 'Hakushaku'? Or in your language, Baekjak or Poguk."

"What about it, Detective?"

"How did he receive that title? The Empire of Japan ended seventy-four years ago."

"I can only assume that he used a portion of his vast wealth to accomplish that task," said Buu Soh Nii.

"All right, then. Speaking of his fortune... there are rumors that it comprises of some ¥3 trillion (around $30 billion). Is that true?"

"I do not know, but twenty-seven trillion Korean Won is extremely immense..."

The investigator replied, "Yes, it is. Now, have you ever been to his island, Montecristo?"

"No, Detective. But, I have heard that it used to be a natural preserve... that is until my young friend somehow acquired it."

"But, of all things, why does your friend, Koh Nii decide to purchase a small island?"

"In order to have the title of a count, of course."

"I assume that you know what happened to Sah Koh Nii in the years after the two of you trained together in martial arts?"

"I'm afraid not. I have lost touch with him since he decided to travel the world when he turned eighteen."

"Which was about twelve years ago... according to my sources once again?"

"Yes, that is correct."

"Do you know the reasons of his departure back then?"

"I recently visited him and learned that he wanted to learn more than just martial arts."

"I see. And does your friend have any enemies?"

"The only person I see that would fit that role would be Wei Lin. He is an acquaintance of mine."

"Ah, Wei Lin! He's that Tokyo Bank representative, right?"

"Yes, it would seem so. How do you know this man?"

"He... well... um... helped me one time, but that's a different story. Do you think that he will provide me anything of interest?"

"Probably, for he was another rival of Koh Nii years ago."

"Father, do you think that Monte Cristo has ever been in Japan before his rescue of Mokuba Kaiba?"

"I believe he came to this country to learn some judo or jujitsu."

After Boville wrote down some notes, he asked, "For my last question:do you know why the Count of Monte Cristo purchased a country house in the Tohoku region?"

"He told me when I visited him a couple days ago."

"Which is?"

"So that he could turn it into a museum of sorts open to the public."

"I see... well, I'm done asking questions now. So, I shall depart. Goodbye, Father."

The minister walked the visitor to the door, bowed, and retreated inside... Almost half an hour later, a red limousine was located somewhere in the financial district. This time, Pegasus made his way to a certain building.

When he entered the penthouse, he was told to wait in the parlor by Wei Lin himself. It wasn't long until the Chinese businessman appeared before the American.

The man's height was 5'6'' or 5'7''. Give that his hair was greying somewhat, he seemed to be in his middle forties, but according to Pegasus' notes, the economist was thirty-five. He wore a fashionable business suit that gave off hints of his own heritage.

Upon his arrival, Lin said in Chinese, "You do know, Mr. Pegasus, that I do not wish to speak English. But, not to be entirely rude to a guest such as yourself, I permit you to speak it."

"Very well, but I know how to speak the Chinese language as much as I do English, so..." said Pegasus as he gradually changed his discourse.

Lin gave off the a surprised form of expression typical of his countrymen. For the next fifteen minutes or so, he was interrogated by the judge with similar questions given to Father Buu Soh Nii. But, because he was an enemy of Sah Koh Nii, he did not respond answers on a neutral stance; instead, his responses much more comprehensive.

He recalled detailed accounts of the Hakushaku's younger days: that he was a fierce martial arts rival to Koh Nii, whereas Buu Soh Nii was merely a mainstay in the 'competition'. Apparently, the two fought against one another in various matches that always ended in draws. Wei Lin believed that the 'reason' for the count's world-wide sojourn was so that Koh Nii would eventually learn enough skills to best him in combat.

He also informs Pegasus of Koh Nii's eventual conversion to Christianity, which somehow led him to the island of Montecristo (meaning 'mountain of Christ' in Italian) to acquire his title. As for his fortune, the count supposedly discovered a colossal gold vein somewhere in the Arctic.

"And do you know why the Count of Monte Cristo has come to Japan?" asked Pegasus.

"Bah!" cried Lin, "The bastard just wants to be the center of attraction, that's all!"

"How much do you think he spends a year?"

"Probably ¥56 billion ($500 million) at the most. I despise him for his miserly ways."

"But, $500 million is quite a lot of money, Mr. Lin."

"Perhaps, but he could easily spend much more than that, if you think of it."

"Well, then, do you know any reason for his buying of the country house in Tohoku?"

"He claims that he will auction it off to the highest bidder sometime in the near future."

"Interesting..." said Pegasus. I'll make sure if that's the case, I'll buy the house under an untraceable alias.

"It has come to my attention that you clearly dislike, if not, hate this Sah Koh Nii, Mr. Lin. Why is that?"

"Because, Mr. Pegasus... he humiliated me many years ago in a martial arts tournament."

"How?"

"By defeating me in front of my friends and family."

"So, he was able to trounce you after all these years?"

"Yes, and to make matters worse, I have challenged him to a series of duels and have utterly lost to him once again!"

"What did these duels consist of?"

"The first time with pistols; the second, foils; and the third and final time, a game of Duel Monsters."

"I know that you lost, but what were the consequences of these matches?"

"A broken arm for the first; second, a large stab wound; and finally, internal heart problems."

"Heart problems? Surely, the two of you didn't use..."

"Yes, we did. Unfortunately, I was unable to cause even a single electrifying shock to him, for he finished me off in his first turn."

Almost like what he did with Kaiba-boy a couple of weeks ago.

Lin then revealed the scars of his defeats. Pegasus was barely able to stand the dreadful sights before his eyes. Around the Chinese businessman's heart were traces of near third-degree burns.

"As you can see, I hate the man with a passion, Mr. Pegasus."

The visitor got up, as if he received all the information he requested. He shook hands with Lin and left for the door. Once he saw the American leave his penthouse, Wei Lin retreated into his private study, and quickly removed his wig, his contact lenses, and his fake scars... to reveal the physical features of the Count of Monte Cristo.

And, for the first time since the count's dinner on Saturday, Pegasus finally slept peacefully.