After successfully borrowing the Goddess's power to create the Sleep Charm, Silas fell into deep thought.
It wasn't melancholy over becoming a devotee of the Goddess; he was analyzing why his potion had digested so quickly.
Secrets Suppliant, one who prays to hidden existences.
Was it because praying to the Goddess who represented concealment matched the name of the potion that caused it to digest rapidly?
No, it wasn't just that.
Silas carefully recalled the moment when the potion had digested rapidly. It wasn't when he prayed, but rather the instant he received the Goddess's response and gained Her attention.
Right, prayer was just an action. The true purpose of prayer was to receive a response from the hidden existence!
The key point was establishing a connection with a hidden existence!
He soon thought of the Sequence 8 potion's name, "Listener."
First, pray to a hidden existence, establish a connection, then listen to the voice of the great being, and become a believer.
That's how this pathway operated; it all made sense now!
So, could he switch the target of his listening to the Goddess?
If so, would there be hope of advancing to Sequence 8 without becoming a fanatic of the True Creator?
For a moment, Silas's thoughts raced, and a bright path seemed to appear before his eyes, making him unable to resist feeling pleased.
Although it might not work, having hope was always a good thing.
Thus, this cheerful mood of his continued until the next day, and he was even smiling broadly during meals.
"Silas, did something good happen?"
Rosanne couldn't help but ask.
"Sort of."
Silas smiled and tore off a piece of bread to soak in his vegetable soup.
This meal counted as a working lunch.
Since it was inconvenient to go home for lunch, they ordered from Old Will's Restaurant down the street, with a waiter delivering it at the appointed time.
Because there were official matters to discuss, Dunn had gone to meet with the captains of the Machinery Hivemind and the Mandated Punishers.
Klein had gone to the divination club for lunch.
Adding those on leave, those guarding underground, and those with unfinished work, in the end, only he, Leonard, Rosanne, and Frye were left to eat their working lunch in the hall.
Frye was cold on the outside but warm on the inside, rarely speaking, so only the three of them chatted intermittently.
The midday sunshine was beautiful. Sitting in the spacious hall, eating while chatting casually, such days were quite pleasant and leisurely.
"So what exactly are you so happy about? Did you come into a large sum of money again?"
Leonard asked jokingly.
"No, I'm just happy thinking about going to the theater with my sister this weekend."
Silas smiled and deflected.
He always felt that Leonard was somewhat different. Whether through verbal probing or daily behavior, he seemed convinced that Silas was out of the ordinary.
Not only that, he always had this confident air about him, as if he were the protagonist of a story, relaxed and at ease when facing anyone.
"Going to the grand theater for a performance, how nice."
Upon hearing this, Rosanne said enviously and wistfully, "I haven't been in a long time.
Damn it, work sucks away all my energy. Even on rest days, I just want to sleep in.
Why hasn't a new clerical staff member joined yet? I need someone to save me from my dark circles!"
"That's when you should think of those who rarely need sleep."
Leonard tapped his chest lightly and smiled.
"Sleep is a gift from the Goddess. I should be grateful."
Rosanne glanced at Leonard resentfully, then looked at Silas. "So when your sister goes to the performance, she'll definitely wear a pretty dress, right?"
"A dress? I haven't really paid attention. She probably only has her two everyday dresses."
Silas answered casually. Those two dresses were bought when they first moved.
Cecilia said buying expensive ones would make her stand out too much at school, so she only bought two rather plain dresses.
He saw Rosanne's expression freeze.
"Only everyday dresses?"
She asked, emphasizing each word.
"Uh, yeah?"
Silas felt something ominous.
Rosanne's chest heaved. She took a deep breath.
"Mr. Silas Londor, do you think it's appropriate to let a beautiful young lady in the prime of her youth wear only an ordinary dress on an occasion like going to the theater?"
"I guess... not really."
After thinking it over, Silas honestly replied.
He'd almost forgotten that in this world with scarce entertainment, going to the theater was already quite a ceremonial occasion.
Many middle-class families, even at considerable expense, would maintain face by wearing proper attire to participate in such refined activities.
Although Silas felt that clothes were just clothes and a performance was just a performance, based on common sense, not preparing a beautiful dress set for his sister was indeed a dereliction of duty as her brother.
Especially now that he wasn't short on money.
"Having one custom-made is too late now." He mused aloud. "I'll just take her to buy something ready-made."
"Buying ready-made might be very expensive..."
"Is anyone here!"
An angry voice suddenly rang out, interrupting Rosanne's words.
Several people looked up to see a lady in a luxurious dress striding in. She was getting on in years, slightly plump, with undisguised fury on her face.
"Madam, is there anything we can help you with?"
Leonard took the lead, standing up and bowing to the lady.
The lady, originally full of anger, first swept her gaze over Leonard's face, then lingered on Silas's face for a while.
Her angry expression softened considerably. "Mm, do you have any capable people here? I need some help."
Capable people?
Silas thought for a moment before reacting. Oh, right, this place was publicly known as a "security company."
Security companies in Loen roughly shouldered jobs like bodyguarding, escorting, and investigation, and incidentally would take on some rather dangerous work.
So asking for "capable people" was a euphemism, representing that the job might involve the gray area of illegality.
But we're actually legitimate Nighthawks...
Just as Silas was about to refuse, he heard Leonard cheerfully speak up. "That's right, madam. We're certainly very capable. But may I ask what you need us to do?"
Hearing him ask this, the lady's just-softened face turned vicious again:
"Catch a cheater!"
---
Mrs. Pond from the dock logistics company recently felt that her husband was having an affair.
He frequently came home late, and his attitude toward her was getting worse.
The more she thought about it, the more suspicious she became. After a huge fight with her husband, she marched out in a fury to find a private detective. By chance, she found the Blackthorn Security Company.
"But isn't it possible your husband is just busy with work?"
Rosanne asked curiously from the side, eating her metaphorical popcorn.
"Impossible!" Mrs. Pond categorically denied. "I have solid evidence."
"What evidence?"
Rosanne pressed.
"He's been eating his fill elsewhere! Not only is it less frequent, but the portions aren't enough!"
Mrs. Pond said indignantly.
Silas savored this statement for several seconds before finally realizing what this formidable lady was talking about.
"Pfft!"
Frye, who had maintained a cold expression throughout, couldn't hold back and sprayed out a mouthful of black tea.