He's at Sea! (The Previous Two Chapters Have Been Revised)
"Annie, go tell the guests I need to change into something more appropriate and ask them to wait a moment."
After Audrey stood up, she didn't leave immediately, but instead said this to her personal maid.
"Okay, I'll go and call the changing maid in right away..."
"Go and tell them not to keep the guests waiting too long."
Audrey stated that she simultaneously activated her "Psychiatrist" abilities, giving Anne Psychological Suggestion. Her true purpose was to distract Annie and prepare her for the possible interrogation that followed.
"OK.."
Annie's eyes went unfocused for a moment, then she turned and left.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Audrey turned and went into the bathroom. She told Susie to keep watch outside the door, while she prayed softly inside.
"The Fool that doesn't belong to this era..."
She would pray to Mr. Fool for help, asking him to send down protection to prevent her from revealing important intelligence to MI9.
Before long, her prayers were answered, and she felt a sixteen-winged Angel, with overlapping gold and black wings, descend upon her, protecting her soul with surging power.
"Good afternoon, Your Excellency Earl Hall."
Because there were outsiders present, Audrey did not call her father by a more affectionate name, but instead politely lifted her skirt and bowed.
"Audrey, please sit down."
Slightly overweight but still very handsome, Earl Hall sat behind his desk, smiling as he said to his beloved daughter, "Speak with these two guests."
Audrey glanced at the guests in the chairs and saw a man and a woman, both dressed in neat military uniforms.
Good afternoon, Your Excellency.
They rose to greet them.
"Their etiquette and movements were impeccable, as if they had undergone specialized training. Their expressions were very serious, giving off a sense of mental pressure... Hmm, I've felt a similar aura from Miss Hugh. They are indeed members of MI9, extraordinary individuals of the 'Arbiter' Pathway..."
"This tall man kept Consciousness at the female officer next to him, it seems this lady is in control..."
Audrey returned the greeting while using her abilities to observe the two of them.
Good afternoon, may I ask who you are?
She asked in an almost innocent tone, looking utterly endearing. The male officer's eyes wavered for a moment, and the lines of his face visibly softened, but the female officer remained unmoved.
"We're from MI9. My name is Mary, and this is Chuck. We're here to investigate matters concerning the [Blood Bishop]..."
The female officer said.
"Madam, please be careful with your words. Miss Audrey has no connection with such dangerous individuals."
At that moment, someone corrected them seriously but politely. It was Earl Hall's guard, an extraordinary being from the Church of Evernight. He wore a black overcoat, his expression deep and serene. He stood behind Audrey, casting an indifferent gaze at the two of them.
Mr. Ham Duke, the protector of his father.
He's speaking up for me...
Audrey glanced back and saw her father Earl Hall, smiling calmly.
"... I'm sorry, I misspoke."
The female officer smiled and said, "To correct you, we're just here to get some information about the situation."
"Please continue."
Ham Duke then nodded and took a step back.
The female officer, who identified herself as "Mary," adjusted herself slightly and continued to ask:
"Miss Audrey, have you recently invested in a textile factory in the East Borough?"
As expected, it was because of this.
Audrey thought to herself.
The Plague outbreak occurred in the district controlled by Mr. Temperance. MI9 more follow-up investigations afterward; sooner or later they'll discover his frequent activities there, leading to an investigation into me...
"Yes."
She answered truthfully.
Could you please describe your investment process in detail?
Officer Mary was not surprised by this answer and continued to press for details.
That was a charity project.
Audrey recalled, "I was about to come of age, so I started developing my own business. While arranging for people to investigate the lives of people in the East Borough, I discovered this factory that was on the verge of bankruptcy. Although someone had taken over the textile factory, it was still short of funds, so I invested some money."
She concealed the fact that she knew Luther, only saying that her investment was a coincidence.
Do you remember the person who took over the textile factory?
"Hmm... I can't quite remember."
Audrey frowned, thought for a moment, and shook her head, saying, "It's strange, I can't remember what he looked like at all."
The two officers exchanged a glance.
After a moment, the female officer, Mary, continued in a friendly tone, "Miss Audrey, perhaps you could cooperate with us in performing some Ritual to help you recall..."
"Don't go too far!"
Ham Duke roared, "Miss Audrey is of such high status, how can her memories be probed at will?"
"Based on our preliminary investigation, the true owner of that textile factory is very likely the [Blood Bishop]," Mary explained to the other party, her eyes fixed on the Earl Hall. "This concerns matters of national importance, ordered personally by His Majesty. We must take it seriously; please understand."
Earl Hall's expression remained calm, revealing nothing about his demeanor.
"Even if they investigate, it'll be fine... I've already secured Mr. Fool's protection... However, I can hint to Dad that he agrees to this, but as compensation, he should get some extra benefits from MI9..."
Audrey thought to herself.
"Stare!"
Just as she was thinking about how to pass a secret signal to her father, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the study, and a man also dressed in military uniform burst in.
"Emergency assembly!"
The man shouted, "We've spotted the [Blood Bishop]! He's at sea!"
"So, what are we going to do today?"
On the first floor of an Inn on the Toscarter Island in the Sonia Sea, Anderson spread raspberry jam on toast and casually asked...
"I need to take a tour of the island, assess the situation, and find suitable manpower," Luther replied, sipping his milk. "As for you, you can continue to consider whether or not to join my Fleet."
"Hehe... well, I think I 'Adventurer Mutual Aid Association first." Anderson, sweating, quickly changed the subject with a laugh. "I've already arranged with their contact to collect the bounty today."
Having said that, he lost all interest in spreading the jam evenly, swallowed it in a few gulps, drank some coffee, and then slipped out of the first floor.
It seems he really doesn't want to be a pirate...
Luther thought with some regret.
That's true. After all, he was the "strongest adventurer" in the Fog Sea, and then he became a pirate. The change in status is too great... Let's just leave it at that and send him to the island where the "Life School of Thought" Councilor is located. That way, we'll call it even.
He watched the Hunter's retreating figure, seeing him brush past a down-on-his-luck middle-aged man.
"A standard breakfast and a bottle of Lielangqi."
The old man walked into the hotel restaurant and spoke to the waiter.
Luther frowned slightly.
He sensed the aura of an extraordinary being emanating from the other person.