Deception

After briefly describing the characteristics and Territory of the Evil Spirit, That One Lady known as the "Magician" continued, "Although Suzanne Matisse's strength is equivalent to Sequence 5, there are ways to deal with her. You can use that knife on Charlie to swap the Destiny of 'encountering the Montsouris Ghosts ' with him. After Suzanne Matisse is killed by the Montsouris Ghosts, you can swap the Destiny of 'encountering the Montsouris Ghosts ' back and store it again in the knife."

"Okay, just kidding. This plan has far too many uncertainties and is almost impossible to succeed."

"First, the Montsouris Ghosts may only kill those who encounter him;"

"Second, even if the Montsouris Ghosts killed Suzanne Matisse, you wouldn't know, and therefore wouldn't be able to reverse her Destiny in time, thus not affecting Charlie;

"Third, Charlie is probably not an orphan; his parents, brothers, and sisters may still be alive. Whether the Montsouris Ghosts will come out of Trier to kill people is currently unknown."

Fourth, the Montsouris Ghosts may not actually be able to kill Suzanne Matisse;

Fifth, Charlie himself must have admitted that Suzanne and he could have a marital relationship in the Mysticism.

"The main reason I'm saying all this is to tell you not to think or do that. The fact that you're using Charlie as a 'hostage' shows that you have that inclination."

"In fact, this is both a crisis and an opportunity."

"The best solution for you is to seek help from Mr. K and ask him to help deal with the threat from Suzanne Mattis."

"Remember, asking for help is an effective way to build relationships and gain the trust of others, provided that the other party is willing and has the corresponding ability."

"You can appropriately showcase your potential to make Mr. K feel that you have value to him."

"I wish you all the best, and I hope you quickly gain Mr. K's initial trust and become a member of that organization."

Lumian's first reaction after reading the letter was that "Magician" liked to Lady on, rambling on about topics and then bringing them back, always finding a plausible reason as an excuse. Moreover, she always had some absurd, almost joking ideas, which contrasted sharply with "Hella 'Lady" concise and succinct reply.

This style of letter writing must be the "Magician" Lady's habit... Lumian pursed his lips, rubbed his spiritual energy, lit Flames, and burned the Paper in his hand.

After reading the two letters, he also gave up the idea of using "Fallen Mercury" to solve the problem of Suzanne Matisse. After all, his and Suzanne's paths crossed for more than just a short period of Destiny, and it couldn't be as simple as separating the Destiny of "encountering the Montsouris Ghosts".

In comparison, asking Mr. K for help was indeed an effective method that Lumian had never considered before.

This would also quickly bring him closer to Mr. K, in order to complete the "Magician" Lady's mission.

After a moment's thought, considering how to tell Mr. K about this matter and how to demonstrate her own value, Lumian changed into Gray-Blue Worker Uniform, put on a dark blue-black Flat Cap, and left Room 207.

Upon arriving on the first floor, Lumian saw Charlie, dressed in Linen Shirt and black trousers, lingering near the entrance.

"What are you doing?" he greeted with a smile.

Charlie put on a smile:

"Charles, could you come with me to the pawnshop? I'll treat you to breakfast and lunch!"

The official name for a pawnshop is Pawnshop or pawn company.

"To the pawnshop?" Lumian leaned closer to Charlie, lowering his voice to ask the last question, "Is everything alright?"

Charlie glanced around and said with a bitter smile, "They told me that this time there's no problem, that Evil Spirit of Suzanne has been purified."

"Regardless of whether there are still problems or not, life goes on, haha, I heard a Hotel guest say that, doesn't it sound very cultured?"

"In short, for people like us, not working for a day means being on the verge of bankruptcy. Before long, we might be experiencing hunger again. I need to pawn that Diamond Necklace and get Cash. You know, only Cash can give you a sense of security. It can't be Replacement by clothes or jewelry, and even food is a little less reliable!"

At this point, Charlie became increasingly excited:

Mrs. Alice said the necklace was worth 1,500 Felkine, and she should be able to get 1,000 dollars if she pawned it.

"Oh God, I've never seen a full 1,000 Felkine laid out before me in my entire life. Even if I became Head Waiter, it would take me several years, or even more than a decade, to save up such a sum of money and books!"

"Then, let's have lunch at the White Coat Street Café. I want a bowl of Divar Soup, a bowl of coarse salt Red Wine beef, and a bowl of apple tenderloin!"

"You haven't learned anything else at the White Swan Hotel, but you've learned to recite menus?" Lumian thought to himself, then asked thoughtfully, "You want me to protect you?"

Charlie chuckled and said, "I'd be scared to carry such a large sum of money alone, Charles. You probably haven't experienced what it's like to walk down the street and suspect everyone is a thief who's going to try and steal from me."

"I had this feeling when I brought that necklace back before, I was so nervous Past almost fainted, isn't that hard to imagine?"

"Yes." Lumian laughed. "I probably won't have that experience, not now, and not in the future, because I'll only make people think I'm trying to steal him."

For example, Margot just contributed over a thousand Felkine, which is almost enough to buy that Diamond Necklace!

Charlie's smile froze on his face instantly.

After several seconds, he forced a smile and said, "That's why I hoped you could come with me to the pawnshop."

He had just started to seriously doubt Charles's way of making money. This neighbor was clearly capable and intelligent, yet he hadn't been in a hurry to find a job, spending his days wandering around as if he didn't need the money. But he was staying at the "Golden Rooster Inn" instead of the "White Swan Hotel."

Thinking of how Charles had infiltrated the police station disguised as Lawyer to provide him with crucial information, and how Charles had helped him survive Suzanne Matisse's threats, Charlie realized it was nothing compared to what he had learned.

Even if Charles really is a thief, robber, Swindler, he's still the thief, robber, or Swindler who risked his life to help me!

Lumian, pleased with Charlie's startled expression, asked with a smile, "Which pawnshop are you planning to go to?"

"I've heard that some pawnshops in the Observatory District offer fairer prices," Charlie had been thinking for a while.

Lumian nodded:

"I'm going to the Observatory District anyway."

He planned to ask Aosta Roul for Mr. K's contact information.

Charlie was overjoyed and spent a fortune of 1 Felkine to treat Lumian to Grilled Meat meat pies, cream tarts, and plum Sour Wine, which of course included his own portion.

Lumian accepted it readily, without any hesitation.

Emerging from the Messy Street, Charlie saw Lumian heading straight for the Public Carriage stop and followed her with a touch of pity.

He glanced around, and seeing that no one was around, asked curiously in a low voice, "Last night you said your knife was called the ' Cursed Blade.' Will the whole family of someone cut by it really die?"

Before meeting Suzanne Matisse, Charlie didn't believe in such things at all. Even if he heard about them, he only used them as bragging material and fodder for his speeches. But now, he suspected that Charles really possessed a magical weapon.

Lumian turned his head and smiled at Charlie:

Want to give it a try?

Charlie shuddered and said with an awkward laugh, "I believe you."

"Really? But I was just Bluff Suzanne Matisse last night. I'm just an Ordinary Person; I'd be dead by now if I hadn't done that!" Lumian said with a laugh. "Don't you think my ' Cursed Blade ' story sounds familiar? Didn't you hear the legend of the Montsouris Ghosts when that Madman was lucid?"

Charlie's eyes widened as he listened, his face filled with astonishment:

Yeah, isn't that just a modified version of the legend of the Montsouris Ghosts?

Charles is such a liar! An Ordinary Person actually managed to fool that Evil Spirit, Suzanne Matisse, with his Bluff, and both of us survived!

I just brag a little in Bar and occasionally lie to people; I'm nowhere near as good as him.

A bold and intelligent person is bound to become rich!

Seeing that Charlie actually believed the lie he had just made up, Lumian tried hard to keep from laughing out loud.

He asked in a serious tone, "Are your father and mother still alive? Do you have any brothers or sisters?"

Charlie paused, then jumped to the side like a startled Rabbit. "Why are you asking this?"

Could there really be a "Cursed Blade"? Is he trying to figure out who my family members are first?

Lumian burst into laughter:

"You're not really scared, are you?"

"You're way too easily pranked!"

Thinking about the Fool's Instrument" device, Charlie slapped his forehead in frustration.

He could hardly tell which of Charles's words were false and which were true.

However, after being pranked, he became even more convinced that the "Cursed Blade" was fake, adapted from the legend of the Montsouris Ghosts.

Charles likes to use fake things to deceive people, like Fool's Instrument.

Hmm... "The Cursed Blade" is a great story. Now it's mine. I'll use it to scare people at the Bar tonight!

The two arrived at the Observatory District by Public Carriage. Charlie asked for directions several times before finally finding the pawnshop called "Phil Pawnshop".

That One in a seven-story Ivory building, complete with pilasters, arches, reliefs, and large windows.

Above the imposing gate, above the sign "Phil Pawnshop," are three Vocabulary:

"Liberty, Equality, Fraternity"

"Freely pawn every item, equally discriminate against everyone who comes to pawn something, and love any opportunity to lower the price?" Lumian couldn't help but mutter to himself.

How Jester it is that a pawnshop would carve the political slogans of the Republic on its door!

The pawnshop's main hall has several counters, with rows of benches placed in front of them.

At this moment, dozens of people were sitting there, waiting for the clerk to finish appraising the value of the items and call their numbers.

Charlie found an empty counter, handed over the Diamond Necklace, and received a slip of paper with the name and corresponding number of the item to be appraised.

After a while, the counter staff who were responsible for paying for the pawn tickets called out Charlie's number.

Charlie Past full of anticipation, only to return as if his soul had been lost.

"What's wrong?" Lumian asked, puzzled, as he flipped through the newspapers laid out in the hall.

Charlie said, bewildered and disappointed, "That necklace... that necklace is fake, it's only worth 12 Felkine..."