After obtaining the special tool Silas had provided, Edward finally demonstrated the qualities expected of a Night Watcher captain.
He immediately organized a squad, taking the severed head to search for their target, while he himself remained at headquarters to receive updates from the field, formulate plans, and determine the final arrest strategy.
According to the message Lady Daly sent to Silas and the others, the investigation team had ultimately traced their target to the warehouse district of Port Enmat.
The area connected the slums to the port, with chaotic public order and a complex mix of people. The numerous warehouses also provided excellent hiding places.
However, with the tool Silas had provided, they were rapidly narrowing down the search area.
It probably wouldn't be long before they pinpointed the exact location and launched their operation.
"A Sequence 6 leading the team, plus a series of powerful Sealed Artifacts.
If they still can't catch their target, I'll have nothing more to say," remarked Silas, his face flushed and spirits high after devouring several large steaks the night before.
"Also, Lady Daly, we'll be taking the coach back at noon today."
"So soon? Won't you wait until we've made the arrest?" Daly asked with some surprise.
"We won't wait. Our presence here isn't exactly welcome. Besides, don't we want to get back to Tingen quickly to share [that matter] with the captain?"
Leonard said with a smile, winking at Lady Daly to remind her that the three of them needed to tell Dunn about acting as soon as possible.
"Ah, I see. Then thank you for your trouble," Daly said, no longer trying to persuade them to stay.
"I need to get back to the team to discuss the operation plan. You're welcome to visit Port Enmat again anytime."
"Let's not come back next time," Klein muttered. His voice was soft, and Lady Daly, who had already hurried downstairs, didn't hear him.
After packing their luggage and securing their suitcases, the three sat in their hotel room chatting.
Leonard suggested a few rounds of poker, but Silas declined, telling him he had arranged to meet someone.
"Who is it? A lady?" Leonard's interest was piqued.
"Yes." Silas nodded.
"Is she pretty?"
"I suppose she's pretty," Silas recalled Grela's face. "Though not as pretty as Cecilia."
"Don't bring up your sister at a time like this! Silas, you sly dog, you actually managed to arrange a meeting with a pretty girl without saying a word. Do we need to make ourselves scarce?"
Leonard teased him with a laugh.
"It's not what you're thinking."
Silas sighed helplessly and began to explain.
When he heard about the young woman's unique idea of trying to solidify ritual magic, Klein showed great interest. "Can I join?"
"Of course. You are my esteemed mysticism teacher, after all," Silas said with a smile.
Leonard also stayed at the hotel, wanting to catch a glimpse of this young lady.
They prepared the materials for the ritual.
After a short wait, they saw through the hotel window facing the street a carriage pull up, and Grela stepped down carrying a suitcase.
Silas first greeted her through the window before going downstairs to bring her up.
"Sorry, I'm a bit late," Grela said, her hair even more disheveled than the last time he'd seen her.
"There was an incident in the team. One of our members was injured, and we've been busy dealing with it. I only just managed to get away."
That's probably related to me, Silas thought to himself.
"No problem, we still have time before our coach leaves."
He told Grela, "Let's not waste any time then. Shall we begin? I haven't asked yet, what aspect of ritual magic do you want to study?"
At this mention, the young girl's spirits lifted. She set down her case, eyes sparkling.
"I want to see the ritual magic from your Secrets Suppliant pathway, preferably the kind with particularly striking effects!"
Young lady, that's far too bold of you.
Silas couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his mouth. He smiled and said, "Those rituals have very evil effects, and the ritual processes themselves are quite dark. I wouldn't recommend observing or studying them. How about I show you ritual magic related to the Evernight Goddess instead?"
"No way." Grela shook her head decisively.
"I'll have plenty of opportunities to observe those rituals later. The chance to personally witness a Secrets Suppliant perform magic is rare."
Her reasoning was sound, and Silas couldn't immediately come up with a counterargument.
"Alright then, I'll demonstrate a few less dangerous rituals for you," he said with a sigh, accepting her terms.
He created a spiritual wall, lit two candles, and used his blood to establish a connection with the True Creator.
Silas executed the entire procedure swiftly and professionally. This was the capability of a Secrets Suppliant whose potion was nearly fully digested.
Just as he was about to follow the procedure and recite the True Creator's honorific name, he suddenly sensed something unusual.
It was a spiritual resonance from the same Sequence, as if something related to the Secrets Suppliant had appeared nearby.
Had the lunatics from the Aurora Order tracked them down?
"No way, right?" he said in surprise, terminating the ritual. Under the astonished or puzzled gazes of the others, he stood up and strode quickly toward the window.
***
A Night Watcher carriage was racing through the streets, bearing the police department's emblem, causing other carriages on the road to swerve aside.
The carriage charged forward relentlessly before stopping in front of the Fishing Club.
Several Night Watchers hastily jumped down and rushed into the club.
"Captain! Captain Edward!"
The leader called out loudly, drawing the attention of everyone present. They looked toward the source of the voice and immediately recognized the men Edward had sent out to monitor and investigate the target.
"Mark, why have you brought people back?"
Edward had been discussing the operation plan with his team members. Seeing them, his brow furrowed.
"Did something go wrong with the investigation?"
"Captain Edward!" Mark, the leader, was panting, his face full of anxiety.
"We've discovered something we must tell you!"
Not just him, the other Night Watchers were equally agitated, drawing everyone to gather around.
"What is it?" Edward asked, seeing their state.
"It's... it's..." Mark glanced around, seeing that nearly everyone had gathered.
He turned to look at Edward, revealing a crazed and twisted smile as his belly swelled:
"I wanted to let you know... Ma'am, M sends her regards."
Behind him, the carriage had already charged into the hall.
BOOM!
A muffled, massive sound suddenly erupted from within the Fishing Club building.
Intense tremors, scorching shock waves, billowing smoke... as if a meteorite had struck nearby, the hotel room where Silas stood shook violently!
The windows shattered from the blast, fragments clattering against various parts of the room.
"Cough, cough..."
Silas opened his eyes, feeling dizzy and disoriented, his ears as if filled with mercury, unable to hear anything.
He lay on the ground amid the chaos, covered in dust and debris, his arms and thighs cut open.
What happened?
Silas wondered in confusion. He felt someone pat his arm. Looking up, he saw Leonard, blood streaming from a gash on his forehead, shouting anxiously about something.
Behind him, Klein was struggling to shield Grela, a wooden splinter embedded in his shoulder, blood flowing down his arm.
Ah, so that's it. Silas finally understood.
They were under attack.