"A deeper level of acting should mean that the prey is no longer limited to beasts or monsters, but could also be a person. To be precise, anyone I consider a hunting target is prey."
"And the so-called traps are no longer limited to their real-world meaning, no longer limited to specific objects. We can adapt to local conditions, utilize all available surrounding resources, and transform them into an environment that benefits us; that, too, is a kind of 'trap'."
Lex let his thoughts wander, his inspiration now more active than ever.
"Just like last night, after I sensed the state of that madman and understood his thought patterns, I turned the Captain's Cabin into a trap."
"The opponent also stepped into the trap exactly as I had envisioned, allowing me to shoot him."
"Afterward, the Black Bowties leader also became a trap in a certain sense. I used him to distract my opponent, successfully approaching and attacking."
"And at that time, to maximize the effect of the Shadow Gauntlets, I deliberately stood in a dark place, which was also a trap."
"I utilized the ship's environment, making the prey step into one trap after another, allowing me to easily repel him."
"From this, it seems that traps are not limited to specific objects. The surrounding environment, the means that can be utilized, even language, actions—anything that can put the prey in a difficult situation can be considered a 'trap'!"
Lex nodded, very satisfied with his summarized 'Hunter's Acting Code', and reminded himself to use more traps in future hunts. This way, in another two or three months, he might be able to fully digest the potion.
The next day.
As soon as Lex finished breakfast, the butler informed him that Inspector Lewis and the other Inspectors had arrived again and wished to see him.
In the hall on the first floor, Lex met the Inspectors and noticed that, in addition to Lewis and the two others, there was one more person.
This was a young man, around twenty-five or twenty-six years old, similar in age to Young Miss Martha. He had short, slightly curly brown hair, was dressed in a proper suit, and looked a bit shy.
"This is my friend, Warren. He is a profiler. Since we still haven't caught the culprit and time is pressing, I asked him to come and help."
As Lewis introduced him, Lex noticed that the Inspector was not wearing his black-framed glasses today. Instead, he wore a round, single-lens monocle.
There were tiny symbols on the frame of that monocle, so small that an ordinary person would find it difficult to notice unless their eyesight was as Beyonder as Lex's.
When Lewis, wearing that monocle, looked at him, Lex always felt a bit uneasy, as if he was being scrutinized by the Inspector, and that if he wasn't careful, his secrets would be seen through.
Since his father, Bison, had left early, only Lex was there to entertain these guests today.
He had a servant bring red tea and smiled, "Officer, what can I do for you?"
Lewis sat up straight and said, "Mr. Lex, a serious incident occurred on the nearby beach last night."
"A sailboat caught fire, and the police found a considerable number of bodies in the cabin. Although most of the bodies were burned beyond recognition due to the fire, through autopsies, we discovered that some of the bodies were missing internal organs."
"We have reason to believe this was the scene of some evil ritual."
Lex, who already knew about this, still put on a moved expression and said, "Officer, do you mean this is the 'large number of sacrifices' mentioned in that diary?"
Lewis nodded, "I believe so, and I believe this is just the beginning. Oh, by the way, take a look at this."
He took an envelope from his pocket, pulled out a piece of parchment from inside, and had the butler hand it to Lex: "I wonder if you recognize it?"
Lex took it and saw that it was the parchment he had obtained from Old Lady Paris's home, which contained incantations praying to an evil god.
He had used his identity as 'Duke' to have a child deliver this item to St. Witt's Church for him. Now that the parchment was in Lewis's hands, it indirectly proved that this was a Night Watchers team.
[He is testing you!]
Lex was about to say he didn't recognize it, but as the words reached his lips, he suddenly had an idea.
Lewis knew he had been to Paris's basement, and bringing out this parchment now seemed to be a test.
So he changed his words, "I don't recognize it, but it seems to be written in Hermes. I've studied this ancient script, but I'm not very proficient... Wait..."
Lex looked up: "Could this be the evil incantation for Paris mentioned in the diary? But I didn't find anything like this when I was at her house. How did it end up in your hands, Officer?"
Lewis took off his monocle, wiped it with a handkerchief, and put it back on, saying, "We always have some special channels to obtain what we want."
"By the way, Mr. Lex, I'd like to ask you some questions privately."
Lex understood the implication in his words and gave a wink to his butler, Sebastian. The gray-bearded, classically-faced butler then waved his hand, leading the servants out of the hall.
Lewis cleared his throat and lowered his voice: "Mr. Lex, do you know about Beyonder?"
Testing me again?
Lex nodded generously: "I've been to West Balam, and during my journey, I heard Adventurers on the ship mention it."
"Are you interested in becoming a Beyonder?"
Lewis posed another question, adjusting his monocle.
Lex cleared his throat, spread his hands, and offered a helpless smile: "Of course I'm interested. I long for the Beyonder, I yearn for the mysterious. Unfortunately, my parents have warned me more than once that they won't allow me to enter this circle."
"Especially my father, he often tells me that my goal should be in the Upper House in Backlund, not in some dark, mysterious Beyonder gathering."
On this point, I did not lie. My mother truly doesn't want me to enter the world of mysteries, and my father truly hopes I can assist him in his career. It's just that they respect my choice.
Lewis said with a mix of relief and disappointment: "I see. Hmm, I got off topic. Let's get back to business. Due to the tragedy that occurred last night, we have once again seriously considered your suggestion and are prepared to adopt it."
Lex knew he was referring to the 'bait' matter.
Using the diary owner's hatred for him and desire to eliminate him, to lure the opponent out from the shadows.
In fact, Lex suspected that the madman on the ship last night was very likely the owner of that diary.
If that were the case, then as 'bait', he would have to bear no small risk. After all, in this plan, he must appear as the Baron's son, not a Beyonder, not the bounty hunter 'Duke'.
"I'm glad to hear you say that, Officer. In fact, I've been preparing for this for the past two days."
Lex leaned forward slightly, appearing very interested: "So, do you have a plan?"