Mr. A's Gathering

At 7:30 PM, outside the main entrance of a house in Backlund's Empress Borough that seemingly belonged to some noble.

Xio, who had changed into her usual traditional knight practice outfit, and her good friend Fors stood in the shadows by the roadside, waiting for the arrival of Viscount Glaint and Miss Audrey.

Fors had been waiting somewhat boredly and instinctively pulled out a cigarette to pass the time, but right then, Xio beside her sniffed and said bluntly,

"Smoking is harmful to health."

Seeing the utter seriousness on Xio's face, Fors felt a guilty twinge and didn't argue, changing the subject instead.

"Xio, you went to Abner's room last night. Did you really not do anything?"

Xio gave her a sideways glance and replied, "If you hadn't been sleeping so soundly, I would have dragged you along with me at the time."

"The way you said that suddenly makes me a bit scared..." Fors put on a terrified look, but seeing that Xio had no intention of continuing along that line, she asked with concern, "Are you still worried about the matter of chanting that honorific name? The exorcism ritual Abner performed this afternoon didn't have a good effect?"

Xio shook her head and said in a low voice, "Not really. Although I can't be sure whether the evil spirit was exorcised, that ritual brought me courage... I'm not that scared anymore."

"Then why do you still look so unenthusiastic?" Fors asked in puzzlement.

"I just suddenly figured out why Abner wouldn't tell me the truth... Aside from my strength being insufficient, it's mainly because I acted too rashly. If he really had told me, I'm afraid I'd have already couldn't help but provoke someone I shouldn't have by now... and perhaps even implicated you and him."

*Actually, I