Faced with the aggressive Helene, "Earl" Gusin merely chuckled and settled back into his high-backed chair. He took off his silk top hat, hooked it onto his cane, and spun it playfully. His blue eyes turned toward her as he said teasingly:
"I just wanted to observe you first, to see whether you came to Molora voluntarily for some purpose, or whether, like the other exiles, you killed someone, broke the law, and were bought here by the Church of Knowledge."
"And now? Which do you think we are?"
Helene planted both feet on the table with a thud, posing the question with a hint of provocation.
"Neither. That Demoness seems wanton, wandering around the city every day, scouting out men and even women, but she never actually takes anyone to bed. Even when choosing her 'prey,' she only picks the most vicious criminals. That 'monster' should already be Sequence 6. His manners are coarse and his behavior outrageous, like a seasoned pirate, but underneath he's an educated man. I even suspect he's an undercover agent for the Church of Knowledge...
"As for you, you're definitely here to find that item hidden underground, but I'm not sure who hired you. Official Beyonders? Feysac's Einhorn royal family? Or some secret organization?"
Gusin delivered all this in one breath, then flicked his cane, returning the hat to his head and covering his short brown hair. His gaze remained fixed on Helene.
"I came here for a chance to become a demigod. My companions are also here for opportunities to advance, for greater power."
Helene's answer was half true and half false. Before he could press her, she took the offensive:
"What about you? The Iron and Blood Cross Order didn't send you to infiltrate this City of Exile just to run a