Back to Bexland
"Not of this era," Altair murmured softly.
She understood the meaning of those words perfectly, because it was her doing. "Copying designs and names from the Great Old One days, if you can divine Sequence Two, I'll be impressed."
The way she's acting now is just for show. After all, the factory's official statement is that I "only hold 5%, making me the smallest aristocratic shareholder."
However, the Fool's Honorific Name begins with "Fool Does Not Belong to This Era," well—good luck.
Adela, observing Altair's expression, whispered, "If possible, the family hopes you'll try to recruit some valuable designers. Of course, if it's truly impossible, there's no need to force it."
"The family has already asked Artisan to conduct research," and it will take about three more months to fully understand the technology.
"Yes, I will do my best." Altair nodded after regaining his composure.
After the talks concluded, Madam Sharon invited the two women, saying, "To welcome Ms. Adela's arrival, I've organized a special welcome ball tonight. Would you like to join us, sister?"
"It can give you a novel experience and is also beneficial for your future 'role-playing'."
Altair glanced casually and immediately noticed the difference between the two people beside him. Madam Sharon seemed to be imagining, longing, relieving stress, and reminiscing, while Adela's mood was very calm, as if Sharon's words were not spoken to her and did not move her in the slightest.
After letting out a sigh, Altair politely declined, saying, "I'd rather not attend the ball; I have no interest. I also need to arrange things to return to Bexland. It seems I'll be spending this year in a lot of work."
After saying this, Altair stood up, bid farewell to the two men, and prepared to leave Baron Khoy's mansion and return to the Wutong District Courtyard.
Madam Sharon and Adela rose to see them off. As they reached the door, Adela took out a vial of red reagent and explained, "This is my communication reagent. You should have used it before; I don't need to teach you. Once you've settled things back in Bexland, remember to contact me—."
After receiving the communication reagent, Altair nodded to indicate that she understood. She had been using this kind of thing ever since she met Vivian.
However, unlike discussing serious matters, she and Vivian used the communication reagent to express their longing for each other.
After Altair returned to the Wutong District Courtyard by carriage, she saw Old Clayton as soon as she entered the villa gate. He was sitting in the villa hall, as if waiting for her, and only breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her return.
Upon approaching, Altair said to Old Clayton, "I've just revised our itinerary. We plan to return to Bexland for the New Year this year, while Hahn will stay in Morse Town for the time being. We'll return to Bexland together early next year when we transport the Extraordinary Material."
"In a moment, send a telegram to both Earl Leif Count Strauss's family and Bexland Manor, indicating my intention to return to Bexland for the New Year."
After explaining these matters, Altair did not linger to explain his reasons. Instead, he returned to his room alone and instructed the two maids Vera and Irene, to pack their luggage and prepare to leave Tingen City.
If it's an act, she has to play the whole game. If she doesn't return to Bexland and discuss things with the other shareholders, she can still bring a share of the weapons to the Demoness Sect, which will definitely arouse suspicion. She can't reveal her true colors yet.
As for the Lunar New Year, I have no relatives or friends here now, so where am I supposed to spend it? It's not like I'm not even going to celebrate.
After everything was explained and everyone left, Altair recalled the scene at Madam Sharon. He felt as if he had forgotten something. After receiving the Chik Ring, he inexplicably made an oath with Adela.
Woo! Woo! Woo!
After a loud Steam Whistle resounded throughout the platform, the jet-black Steam Locomotive, billowing white smoke and accompanied by clanging and clattering sounds, slowly pulled the Steam train into a stop at the Bexland Station platform.
Altair, dressed in a magnificent outfit and accompanied by two personal maids, quietly left through a special VIP passage.
Altair only left Bexland twice and returned twice, which is indeed not many times. But every time he returned to Bexland, he had the same feeling: his nose was dry, itchy, and he wanted to sneeze.
After walking a few steps, Altair saw Vivian, dressed in Wine Red Dress, a dark green Wool Coat, and Black Felt Hat, slowly walking towards her with several servants.
"After receiving your telegram yesterday afternoon, I arranged the time according to the schedule, but I still didn't expect the train to arrive early."
While listening to Vivian speak, Altair handed the Luggage Tag to the servants, instructing them to go and move the luggage.
Although Altair and his two companions were all Beyonder with greater strength than ordinary people, they were still overwhelmed by the sheer volume of luggage. Moreover, it was not in accordance with the basic standards of this era for noble ladies to carry luggage.
After everyone left, Altair slowly walked up to Vivian and asked, "Why did you come in person? You could have just sent a servant to fetch me, especially since the weather and temperature in Bexland aren't very good today."
--
Vivian, standing opposite Altair, rolled her eyes at her after hearing this. She took off her Wool Coat and draped it over Altair, saying, "You think you know the weather in Bexland is bad? Why don't you wear a thick coat? This isn't Tingen City."
While the two were still exchanging pleasantries, the servants had already loaded the luggage onto the carriage and arranged it properly, ready for them to return at any time.
After everyone boarded the carriage, the Coachman drove it away from Bexland Station. After a long half-hour drive, the carriage finally made it back to the Sheffield Manor in Empress Borough.
The street cleaning system at this time was still very primitive, without the snowplows of the modern sense. Once it snowed, workers had to use shovels to clear the snow one shovel at a time, which was a time-consuming and laborious task.
Back at the manor, Altair and Vivian sat in front of the fireplace to warm themselves, drink tea, and chat.
After Altair finished explaining why she had returned, Vivian looked at her with disbelief and said, "The Demoness Sect offered two Sequence Four Demoness of Despair Beyonder Characteristic just to win you over?"
"Hmm." Altair, who was still sipping his tea, nodded slightly in response.
"Did Adela come to Bexland with you?" Vivian asked.
"No, at least she didn't come with me." After saying that, Altair asked curiously, "You two know each other?"
Vivian shook her head, her tone grave. "I know her, but she doesn't know me. I know this person; she's a Sequence Four Demoness of Despair."