He Xi found her slightly dazed expression rather amusing.
Thinking he was still far from reaching 200 Parsing Points, He Xi decided to strike while the iron was hot. "You seem to enjoy exploring abandoned manors, don't you?"
"Mm," Zoya murmured, gazing at the distant spires. "I read a novel once where the hero and heroine explored a forgotten castle together and uncovered secrets buried for ages."
A faint longing crept into her voice.
"Aren't you afraid of all the scary things? Like undead creatures and curses?"
[Moon Pupil Elf...+4]
[Moon Pupil Elf...+3]
[Moon Pupil Elf...+3]
He Xi smoothly steered the conversation from the castle's architecture to tales of monsters, then from the protagonist's wisdom to the courage it took to face desperate situations.
Zoya gradually opened up, while He Xi responded without letting on and watched with satisfaction as his Parsing Points climbed rapidly.
Before long, they had returned to Shadow Split Town.
Bruce suddenly stopped, his nostrils twitching. "Woof! He Xi, Zoya, I smell a stranger."
He Xi and Zoya immediately stopped, alert, and hid themselves among the sparse bushes.
"It's the guy who showed up that night, wearing shiny white iron armor."
"Loris?"
When Clara had said earlier that someone had taken the job before him, He Xi had already guessed it might be Loris.
After all, the neglected commission had sat untouched for so long. The only recent connection to the manor was the skeleton that had mysteriously disappeared—and this cleric of the Holy Sun Church happened to be investigating that very matter.
Clearly, the man hadn't come for the paltry reward of 20 Silver Scales.
"Bruce, sneak over and see what's going on. I'll stay in touch with you using [Telepathic Communication]."
"Woof! Got it!" Bruce's form blurred, then melted into the surroundings.
He Xi