On Friday morning, as Lex sat on the steam train heading to Tingen, he unfolded his newspaper and was startled by a sensational headline on the front page:
"Intis Ambassador Assassinated, Aurora Order Claims Responsibility!"
Oh my goodness.
As expected of a gathering place for lunatics; after I picked up the Ambassador's beyonder characteristics and magical item, I wished no one knew about it.
But these lunatics from the Aurora Order actually came out and declared, "We did it!"
Impressive, truly impressive.
Lex put down the newspaper. Looking like a middle-aged gentleman, he smiled and nodded at the little girl across from him who had been staring at him, then looked out the window.
This trip to Backlund had gone smoothly in both its initial and latter parts. Although there were some unexpected incidents in the middle, the outcome was quite perfect.
Lex thought for a moment; this trip had cost him quite a bit.
The Thousand-Faced Traveler cost 1,700 pounds, Mr. Green's identity and invitation letter cost 300 pounds, carriage rental was 225 pounds, plus the Golden Rose and other miscellaneous expenses.
All in all,
it should have cost around 2,300 pounds.
The anonymous account, which originally held 7,000 pounds, now only had 4,700 pounds.
However,
the gains were substantial.
Firstly, the Thousand-Faced Traveler is not a one-time consumable; it can continue to be used and is powerful.
Secondly, from the Ambassador, Lex obtained a Conspirer beyonder characteristics and an unappraised magical item.
Finally, Lex felt that his potion had been somewhat digested after the fire he set in the East District last night.
Speaking of that fire, although it seemed fierce, Lex had actually created firebreaks in those houses. When the flames reached a certain level, they would extinguish themselves even if left unattended.
When he scouted the East District, he planned a route to shake off pursuers, and along that route, there were many vacant, uninhabited houses. He had prepared flammable materials in those houses beforehand, so he could set fires along the way during his escape, creating Confusion and intercepting pursuers.
As for the potion digestion, that was just a bonus.
But still,
why would the Aurora Order assassinate the Intis Ambassador? What benefit would that bring them?
To create an international dispute between Intis and Loen? That's unnecessary; the relationship between these two countries is hardly friendly.
So, what was the Aurora Order after? Were they just full of themselves?
It couldn't possibly be that they accepted someone's commission, could it?
Lex shook his head, no longer dwelling on the question. It was all the better that the Aurora Order was willing to step forward and admit it. This way, Intis would only believe that those lunatics were also responsible for taking the Ambassador's beyonder characteristics and magical item.
It was already one in the afternoon when they arrived in Tingen.
As Lex walked out of the train station, he heard a newsboy shouting, "Pamela Miss's performance is tonight at the Red Theater! 'The Return of the Count' is showing again! Get your tickets fast!"
"There's a show tonight?"
"I wonder if Kaven likes watching performances."
Lex smiled faintly, got into a taxi carriage, and entered Tingen City.
At the Elk Bar, in the Hunter Club lobby.
On the east side of the lobby, the Seer, dressed in a classical robe, had no business today. He let the plump blue cat lie on his lap while he shuffled a deck of tarot cards.
Just then, someone walked over: "Kaven, you have a letter."
"A letter?"
Kaven looked up and took the letter handed to him. There was no writing on the envelope.
He opened the envelope and found a folded letter and a ticket to the Red Maple Theater inside.
Kaven habitually stroked the blue cat's head. As the cat purred comfortably, he unfolded the letter, then suddenly stood up, causing the blue cat to drop to the floor.
The blue cat looked up and meowed a few times, seemingly displeased by its owner's sudden movement.
Kaven, however, stared at the letter, which contained only a few words.
"Meet me at the theater tonight. Remember to destroy after reading."
The signature was "Mr. Bodyguard."
Kaven, of course, knew that "Mr. Bodyguard" was the Duke! However, he still cautiously pulled out his crystal pendant.
"The person who invited me to meet at the Red Maple Theater tonight is the Duke."
"No."
"It can't be a specific name; even with revelation, there will be many uncertain factors."
As a professional charlatan, Kaven quickly changed his divination statement: "I will encounter danger at the Red Maple Theater tonight."
"I will encounter danger at the Red Maple Theater tonight."
After seven repetitions, he saw the crystal pendant begin to spin counter-clockwise, indicating that he would not encounter danger going to the Red Maple Theater tonight.
"That's good."
"However, I can't rely too much on divination. It's best to invite Nafi Miss. I hope she likes watching performances. If she doesn't, I'll hire her to go with me."
Having made this pleasant decision, the Seer returned to his room, changed into formal attire, left the blue cat behind, and headed out.
Night quietly descended.
Many carriages were parked at the entrance of the Red Maple Theater. The play "The Return of the Count" had been a great success since its premiere. This was already its third performance, but it still attracted a large Spectator.
A taxi carriage stopped near the theater entrance. The door opened, and Kaven, adjusting his semi-tall top hat, emerged from the car. He then very gentlemanly extended his hand and helped a tall but beautiful girl out of the carriage.
"Why do I have to wear a dress here? How am I supposed to move around in this?"
The girl, a full head taller than Kaven, twisted her body uncomfortably, making it seem as if the cream-colored long dress she wore might tear at any moment.
Kaven shrugged and said, "This is a theater; everyone is dressed similarly. You can't just wear your usual clothes, can you? Look, I've also put on formal attire."
"Such a hassle. Let's hurry back after we've met the person. I'm not used to wearing this dress. See, I can't even take big strides like I usually do."
Complaining and taking small steps, Nafi followed Kaven into the theater.
Arriving at the box specified on the ticket, Kaven knocked on the door, then stepped back slightly, standing beside Nafi.
The door opened, and under the Light of the gas lamp in the room, they clearly saw that the person who opened the wooden door was a man in a formal suit. He wore a half-mask that covered his eyes, had two slightly upward-curling small mustaches, and a darker complexion, revealing a familiar smile to them.
Nafi's eyes immediately lit up. Then, disregarding the structure of her dress, she took a big stride and rushed into the box.
With a "rip, rip" sound, the newly bought, lady-designed long dress suddenly tore.
But now, Nafi didn't care about anything else. She hugged the man in front of her tightly, excitedly lifted him, making his feet leave the ground, and then exclaimed, "Boss, when did you get back?!"