Bab 180: "Arrangement"
On the way to the activity room, Fors looked through the first-floor window at the garden outside as she sincerely said to Xio,
"This is my dream residence. When I have enough money, I'll buy a house like this in Backlund."
Xio followed her friend's gaze as she looked outside and whispered,
"I lived in a place like this when I was a kid—"
After saying that, she realized that she seemed to have lost her composure and quickly changed the topic. "I thought you would say that you wanted to buy a manor in the suburbs or other places with good scenery."
"No, I'll choose Backlund because the delicacies here are more convenient," Fors said seriously.
As they spoke, they had reached the door of the living room.
As the door was not closed, they could easily see what was inside through the gap.
The first thing she saw was a girl in her early twenties wearing a low-cut lace gown. She was leaning towards Ebner, pretending to be curious about something.
Xio frowned when she saw this scene and stopped.
"What's wrong?" Fors asked in surprise.
"That woman has signs of 'chaos' and 'madness'…" Xio replied as she pointed at the girl who was circling Ebner.
Fors sized up the lady and said hesitantly, "She seems to be an ordinary person…"
"Who said that ordinary people can't be 'chaotic' or 'crazy'? Many such people are actually more dangerous than Beyonders." As Xio spoke, her expression turned serious as she pushed open the half-open door and walked into the activity room.
Ebner, who had been annoyed by Miss Irene in front of him, was relieved to see Xio walk in. Then he quietly took a few steps back and said apologetically to Detective Zreal and Miss Irene, "I have a friend coming over. Excuse me."
"Go ahead," Detective Zreal replied with a chuckle.
Just as Miss Irene was about to say something, she met Xio's "dignified" gaze. Her mind instantly went blank, and her body trembled slightly, like a small animal that had encountered its natural enemy. It took her a long time to recover.
At that moment, Ebner had already left the activity room with Xio and Fors.
"It's horrible…" Irene muttered.
"Heh heh, that's Miss Xio Derecha, the very famous Arbiter in East Borough and the dock area. Many gang leaders are intimidated by her 'might,' much less you," Detective Zreal explained with a chuckle.
"Xio Derecha? Is she on good terms with Detective Bryan?" Irene had recovered by now, and she turned to look at Zreal.
"There are rumors that they are very close. It seems like it's true…" Detective Zreal nodded first, then said playfully, "Hehe, you might have provoked her just now."
"She's just a little girl. She doesn't have a body, so she probably doesn't know how to please people… When I find an opportunity to show Detective Bryan my 'inner beauty', He'll completely abandon her." Irene snorted.
…
In the stairwell leading to the third floor, Ebner, who had long witnessed Miss Irene's "inner self" in the "Backtrack" scene, was telling Xio about Irene's background.
"I see… But Ebner, you have to be careful. I can sense 'madness' from her. She's probably the kind of person who would do anything to achieve her goals… I'm afraid she's already targeting you," Xio said worriedly after hearing Ebner's description.
"There's no need to worry too much. She's just an ordinary person." Ebner wasn't very nervous about this. After all, from the scene of him "retracing" she didn't seem to have any intention of stepping into the "Beyonder" realm. Otherwise, with her vast "friendship", she would've long obtained the potion.
At that moment, Fors, who had been listening by the side for a long time, noticed the heavy atmosphere. She changed the topic. "Ebner, where are you taking us?"
"Go to the study on the third floor… I know you guys don't really like this kind of socializing, and I've set up a small library there. It's quiet and has a lot of food placed there. Before the official banquet starts, you can spend time there… This is preferential treatment for my friends." Ebner blinked and said seriously.
"That's great." Fors's eyes lit up when she heard that as her heart leaped with joy.
She could eat snacks and read books quietly, and she could also taste the delicacies after the main meal started. Was there a better banquet than this? It was perfect.
Xio wasn't against socializing, but when she saw how happy her friend was, she pursed her lips and smiled before following Ebner into the study on the third floor.
Just as Ebner said, apart from a row of bookshelves against the west wall, the rest of the tables and coffee tables were filled with fruits, desserts, and drinks.
Behind the table and coffee table were two long sofas that could fit a person. They were soft and comfortable.
Upon seeing this scene, Fors immediately forgot her reservations and lay down on the sofa. At the same time, she grabbed a piece of cake and grumbled, "Wearing high heels is really tiring."
This Miss Salted Fish was wearing a light-colored long dress that was daringly made of lace. She also wore a silk cardigan with high heels.
These was the clothes Xio had prepared for her. It would have been more fitting to wear a pair of satin shoes, but Fors was curious about the feeling of wearing high heels and wanted to give it a try… However, she only felt regret now.
If Ebner wasn't present, she would have taken off her shoes.
Xio shook her head, feeling helpless at her friend's indecent posture. She walked forward and straightened her body before sitting beside her.
Ebner saw them take their seats and was about to say something when a servant came to the study door and knocked. He reported, "Detective Bryan, your friend Mr. Darkwill has arrived."
"Go do what you need to do. Fors and I are fine here," Xio said when she saw this. She had come so early to help, but seeing how the Macht couple had arranged the banquet in an orderly manner, she dismissed the thought.
Ebner nodded and said casually before leaving, "You can read here. I bought quite a few interesting books."
With that said, he closed the door of the study and took out the Solomon gold coin, wiping the blood on the portrait.
…
In the study, just as Ebner left, Fors took off her shoes and lay down on the sofa again, completely ignoring Xio's protests.
Xio tugged at his slanted shawl and covered half of his fair shoulders before saying, "Take note of your image. What if Ebner returns?"
"What's wrong with that? Even if I take off all my shawls, it's still much less than where Miss Irene showed herself." Although Fors didn't care, she still adjusted her posture.
Xio sighed and ignored her. Instead, she walked to the row of bookshelves and quickly found two books she was interested in. They were Aristocrat heraldry and Intis Kingdom History.
Just as she was about to take it away and read it, she suddenly saw an ancient-looking book next to "Noble heraldry". It was the "Feast of Blood" she had read in batches.
"So it's here." Xio's heart stirred as she pulled it out from the bookshelf.
…
Tingen, 36 Zouteland Street.
When Klein entered the Blackthorn Security Company, Rozanne, Anna, and the company had already gotten off work. The place had turned abnormally cold and dark.
Dunn, who was wearing a black trench coat, sat on the sofa in the reception area. He didn't light the gas lamp, as though he had merged into the lightless area.
"You found a clue?" he asked in a mellow voice, startling Klein, who was looking around for the Captain.
Klein quickly turned around and looked into Dunn's gray eyes.
"Yes, we—"
Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly paused because layers of illusory pleas echoed in his ears.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
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