Chapter 156

"By then... you will understand the feeling that destruction and survival are separated by a mere breath."

"But... if..."

"If what?"

Theresis squinted, feeling that Duhkare had become quite neurotic after his trip to Victoria.

"If you can use clumsy words to attract His attention, even just to arouse His slightest interest, and make Him willing to tilt His gaze and scales slightly towards our side..."

As Duhkare spoke, a glint of light appeared in his eyes.

"Kazdel will be great again."

Theresis looked at Duhkare, who seemed somewhat unfamiliar to her, and for a moment she didn't even know how to begin.

Although he didn't get along well with this Bloodfiend Great Lord due to his personality.

However, from his personal perspective, it is impossible for him to be turned by the enemy or have his plans thwarted.

But... what exactly did he mean?

He found it hard to believe that such terrifying creatures could roam freely in this Terra.

However, a warning from the Bloodfiend Great Lord might allow the plan to be delayed for a few days... and Victoria isn't in a particularly urgent situation either.

"Phew... it's finally over."

The Doctor, feeling somewhat uncomfortable, took off his high heels and put them on the floor.

Zuo Jian stood in the lobby of the building, looking at the Doctor behind him who looked like a complete couch potato, and smiled apologetically.

"Where are your two newly adopted, adorable daughters?"

They went back to their own rooms; I told them I had things to take care of.

"Really? That's great! -- Also, when exactly are you planning to tell Laurentina what you're doing?"

"I..."

"To be honest, I think she's quite perceptive... Regarding today's events, although I intentionally tried to steer the conversation in an unpleasant way... the other party was far too cooperative..."

"To be honest, I think she's probably already figured something out."

"... Find an opportunity... The situation is a bit beyond my expectations. I didn't expect it to involve Kazdel's plans at first, and I'm afraid we really can't just wait until she's reunited with her captains before revealing everything."

"I'll find a time to be honest with her, but... I'll also try to keep her out of these situations."

Looking at Zuo Jian's expression, the Doctor thought to himself that the second half of the sentence was just something to say.

Just by looking at Laurentina's expression, she knew that the other party would definitely get involved.

Even if he doesn't tell her, she'll find a way to find out and get involved.

"Oh, right, Doctor, there's one more thing. Regarding the trip to Kazdel, I've sent a message to another body that's still moving freely... She'll be heading to that Mobile City, but she's probably not very suited for negotiation or conversation."

"So, I might have to trouble you..."

"Wait, who?! Me?"

"To Kazdel?"

Suddenly, the Doctor jumped up, looking at Zuo Jian with an expression that seemed to say, "What are you talking about?"

But then, she quickly calmed down.

Because what she just said wasn't even her words.

'What are you doing! Why did you make such a loud noise all of a sudden! What's wrong with going to Kazdel? Why are you so agitated?'

The Doctor wondered to himself, puzzled, about the Wraith.

'Absolutely not! Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely not going to Kazdel!'

No.

Chapter 114, The Duke's Meeting

"Why me? Go to Kazdel... that place is so remote, isn't it?"

The Doctor frowned. Although the Wraith in her mind seemed very flustered, she herself maintained basic composure.

No other reason than that I couldn't remember why I was panicking at all.

This is the confidence that amnesia brings me. jpg

"The main reason is that I estimate it will be difficult for me to interfere in matters so far removed from Victoria in the near future... You see."

As if he had expected it, Zuo Jian raised his hand and placed it on the communicator beside him.

As if he had expected it, after a few seconds of pause, the communicator rang with a clear ring.

"This is?"

The Doctor paused for a moment, looking at Zuo Jian's expression, and seemed to guess who was on the other end of the communicator.

Zuo Jian looked somewhat troubled and shook his head slightly.

"I don't know why, but it seems that anyone who comes down from above always likes to catch their subordinates off guard. However... he thought his entry was quiet, but..."

His expression gradually changed from distress to a smile.

This feeling of being in control was somewhat unexpected... and it brought him pleasure.

Hello, sir.

A deep voice came from the man on the other end of the phone, but Zuo Jian interrupted him abruptly as he finished his greeting.

"I'm fine, Mr. Herman from room 709 on the fourth floor. This is the address you used when you registered at the hotel front desk... Would you like me to address you differently?"

[... You can also call me John Smith.]

"Very well, Mr. John Smith, welcome to Londinium. I'm sorry I couldn't greet you right away; I was just dealing with a whole host of troublesome matters."

"I suppose you haven't had lunch yet? There's a sandwich provided by the hotel kitchen to your left. I hope you won't mind."

At that moment, the man in the gray coat stood frozen in place in the room.

He turned his head slightly and realized that a plate of exquisitely made sandwiches had indeed appeared beside him without him noticing...

What the hell? When did it get here?!

"You seem quite nervous, sir. But that's alright. There's some cool water to your right, and if you need, I can have a waiter bring you a few bottles of wine, if you really require that."

Glug...

[... the Gray Hat... you can call me that.]

The Gray Hat swallowed hard.

Damn it.

He knew this matter wasn't so simple.

They're deceiving themselves again!

At the time, he was thinking, how could they possibly be contacted when he was just relaying a message for the Duke Wellington? And theoretically, his superior was the Duke Kest!

Wellington doesn't need to do Coster such a favor for such a trivial matter...

As expected... there's definitely something extraordinary behind this!!!

Damn it, he's been thrown in as a spy.

Wellington, being a general by profession, valued his men but also believed that randomly dispatched personnel were unlikely to gather any useful intelligence.

However, if he could swallow his pride and ask Curst for a useful "spy" to find out what he wanted to know, it wouldn't be a big deal for this war noble, who wasn't the type to be obsessed with saving face.

For Kasper, exchanging a Gray Hat for a favor from the Iron Duke... that's a huge bargain.

From beginning to end, neither of them suffered any losses... except...

He.

Your hospitality is truly... overwhelming...

The fact that a sandwich can appear silently at your side means that the other person could also slit your throat with a knife without you noticing the next moment.

He told himself that there was cold water to his right... which was a way of letting him know that his every move was being monitored...

Damn it.

What kind of person can just swagger around and act arrogantly because of an official position given to them by their superiors? He's a complete idiot.

Meanwhile, the Doctor upstairs looked at the Zuo Jian and couldn't help but sigh.

"Seriously, is it really okay for you to threaten him like that...? And did you actually have this kind of fetish before?"

"Well, how should I put it... It's already annoying enough that Rat sneaked into my territory, and now another one with ill intentions has come... It's only natural that I'm in a bad mood, right?"

Zuo Jian waved his hand, then held the phone to his ear and spoke.

"Gray Hat? That doesn't sound like a name, but it doesn't matter, sir. Why don't you tell me why you called me?"

[...]

Damn it.

What is the Gray Hat supposed to say?

When he first heard what the mission was, what was it?

A gang has been getting a bit restless lately.

Send him to deliver a message to the Duke.

If they don't listen, then give them a proper talking-to.

He had initially thought this kind of work was a business trip paid for by the company.

Incidentally Duke Kest also gave him the opportunity to gather various intelligence on Londinium.

Damn it!

He initially felt a little guilty because he thought the task was too easy.

Now it seems...

Education?

Are you kidding me?

I infiltrated the hotel without leaving any trace.

However, he was seen through in an instant, and his entire body was exposed to the other party's view.

And for him, slitting his own throat was a matter of an instant.

But... even now, in such a desperate situation...

The Gray Hat silently took out his uniform and the iconic hat from his suitcase and put them on.

[... Your recent performance... seems to have... displeased the Duke Wellington?]

"Oh? What's wrong with you?"

Zuo Jian grinned, then leaned back on the sofa, crossed his legs, and replied.

[Um... that... this...]

Damn it, how am I supposed to respond?

[If I had to pinpoint a problem, the Duke is probably dissatisfied with everything... because... he wants you to visit the Duchy in person.]

On the other end of the phone, Zuo Jian glanced at the Doctor with an expression that seemed to have expected this.

It's as if it's saying...

See? He knew it.

[If possible... I would also like to bring the two adopted girls... The Duke wishes to inquire in person about... the Earl's inheritance.]

Chapter 115, On the Eve of the Meeting... Exposed?!

"Is that so? It seems that the Duke above us has finally reached his limit."

Or perhaps, they finally realized something was wrong?