A suspicious attitude

With brown hair and eyes, regular features, and a robust build, Lugano Toscano wore an inexpensive black suit, his head down, and walked quickly through the crowd, pressing his top hat low on his head.

After many twists and turns, this Beyonder, who had already advanced to Sequence 8 "Doctor," entered the Stone Slab Street next to the Honest Man's Market and the Bookstore, and climbed the creaking wooden stairs to the top floor of an old house.

He woke up this morning and before he even had breakfast, his companions told him that he was wanted as a Beyonder Subordinate Charles Dubois, managing a Dance Hall.

Although Lugano was quite bewildered, not knowing what the Savoie Gang's leaders were doing, and was very certain that he hadn't gotten involved, as a wild Beyonder, simply existing was a crime. Being wanted, how could he dare to go to the "Purifier" and "Machinery Hivemind" to clarify things? He could only pack his bags and move directly to the Safe House that had been prepared beforehand, a place that even his companions hadn't told him about, intending to observe for a few more days before deciding what to do next.

During the Factory's lunch break, the Market District became even more lively. Lugano went downstairs for a stroll and, unsurprisingly, discovered that he really was wanted, with a bounty of 2,000 Felkine.

He realized from this that he was not valued and might be forgotten by the Official Beyonder in a while.

Reaching the room, which was not much larger than the attic, Lugano took out Brass-Colored Key and opened the Deep Brown Wooden Door.

Amidst the creaking sound, a figure appeared in the "Doctor's" Eyes.

That was Charles Dubois, sitting at a simple Wooden Table, with blond hair tinged with black, wearing silver earrings, a white shirt, a dark jacket, grey-blue trousers, and lace-up leather shoes.

How did he find this place? Apart from myself and the Landlord who lives in another district, no one knew about this Safe House! It was only officially opened today! Lugano's pupils dilated instantly, as if trying to see the figure in the dimly lit room more clearly.

The curtains, which had been open, were drawn at some point.

Lumian smiled at Lugano and said, "What, you're not welcoming me?"

Lugano instinctively put on a smile:

"It's an honor to have you visit. I just didn't expect you to know I had such a shabby place."

This was both a self-deprecating remark and an insinuation of Lumian:

I haven't forgotten that I'm your dog!

As Lugano spoke, he entered the room and closed the Wooden Door behind him.

The room suddenly went dark, and he immediately heard a snap of fingers.

The Candle on the simple Wooden Table suddenly lit up, its yellowish flame flickering.

Lumian lowered his raised right palm and nodded slightly, saying, "What do you want to ask?"

Lugano didn't inquire what crimes the Savoie Gang leaders had committed that had led to his own arrest; he was more concerned with something else:

"Mr. Charles, how did you know I was in this Safe House?"

Lumian laughed:

"I can find anything I want."

This... Lugano Toscano's eyes narrowed as he sensed the other party's strong confidence.

Charles's actions proved his words true.

Lumian, of course, wouldn't tell Lugano that he had followed him multiple times and figured out the locations of his three Safe House.

As a "Hunter," he spends his free time wandering around the Market District, honing his tracking skills, and is very familiar with the area.

He only randomly selects ordinary passersby and guests to follow, and it's impossible for him to observe them all. But Lugano Toscano, who offered himself up and became Beyonder of his subordinates, was definitely a key target for investigation, lest he be sold out without even knowing what happened.

Before Lugano could ask any further questions, Lumian said directly, "I need your help with something."

"It would be my honor," Lugano, making it sound like he would definitely agree without even asking what it was about.

This is too obsequious! I'm a wanted criminal now, I don't own anything like Breeze Ballroom, so I can't possibly give you any more resources... Lumian rubbed his chin with his right hand:

"I'm going to the Kingdom of Feynapotter and would like to ask you to be my translator."

Lugano answered without hesitation, "No problem."

Is that so? But I have a question... Lugano's "loyalty" without asking why or considering the benefits aroused Lumian's suspicion as a "Conspirer," and he instantly became highly focused.

Could this guy, like the little boy Ludwig, be someone sent by some force to contact me? Lumian raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, "I thought you would refuse. After all, you've become a ' Doctor,' and even without taking any risks, you can live a very good life."

"Doctor" can use Extraordinary Ability to treat diseases and injuries, and can easily support themselves in any country or city.

Lugano said with a fawning smile, "I'm also wanted, and I'm thinking of finding a place to hide for a while before returning to Trier. Besides, I'm sure you'll give me a generous reward."

"While a ' Doctor ' can heal, they can't just openly use their Extraordinary Ability without any disguise. That would attract the attention of the Official Beyonder. Unless they only operate in the black market, the best option is to forge a Doctor license, open a clinic, and supplement conventional treatments with their Extraordinary Ability. This requires a large sum of start-up capital and sufficient medical knowledge. I already have the latter, and as for the former, I just converted all my savings into the Main Ingredient and Auxiliary Ingredient for ' Doctor ' Potion."

As he spoke, Lugano's smile became even more ingratiating:

"Once I become a famous Doctor in Trier, I can earn at least 200,000 Felkine a year. Then I really won't need to go out and risk my life anymore. Even if I don't want to be too famous and get targeted by the Official Beyonder, earning 40,000 to 50,000 Felkine a year will be easy."

"You seem to know a lot about Doctor. Trier's income..." Lumian gazed at Lugano's face, his doubts fading somewhat, but still remaining.

He made a quick decision, slowly rising to his feet and saying, "Very well, wait for me here for three days. I'll come back to you after I've finished my other business. I'll pay you 5,000 Felkine in advance, and another 5,000 Felkine once I no longer need your translation services. If there are any battles along the way, you can divide the Spoils of War according to adventurers' rules. I'll also compensate you with another sum of money afterward, no less than 5,000 Felkine."

"Yes, Mr. Charles." Lugano saw Lumian out of the room with a smile.

Throughout the process, Lumian kept observing the "Doctor's" expressions and movements out of the corner of his eye, but found nothing wrong.

Is he really that kind of person, without any abnormalities, or is he just a good actor? Lumian looked ahead and steadily descended the stairs.

Jenna didn't stay long at Apartment 601, No. 3 White Coat Street. After packing her belongings, she planned to go to a Safe House in the Memorial Hall District owned by Franca.

--As the mistress of Gardner Martin, the leader of the Savoie Gang, Franca is strangely not yet wanted, but she may be arrested by the Official Beyonder in a few hours. Therefore, before Chaillot Town, this "Pleasure Witch" packed her own things and Jenna's large luggage into the "Traveler’s Bag" so that she could change accommodations at any time.

As Jenna, carrying a brown suitcase, entered White Coat Street, she caught a glimpse of some strange symbols, like children's doodles, in the alley to the side.

That was a message from the "Purifier" requesting a meeting.

Jenna walked forward, hesitating as she went.

She had indeed discussed with Lumian, Franca, and Anthony how to explain last night's experience if they encountered a "Purifier," but she still felt the risk was too great and was quite apprehensive about actually meeting Official Beyonder.

After nearly ten minutes of deliberation, Jenna sighed softly, turned onto Market Avenue, and headed towards the alley behind Saint Robles Church.

That's where we're supposed to meet.

Her brother Julian was still in Leucer Harbor and would return to Trier in a few months. She didn't want to implicate her only remaining relative because of her own affairs, nor did she want him to live a life of hiding and fear. Therefore, unless there was absolutely no other way, she hoped to build a good relationship with the "Purifier" so that they could take care of her brother.

"I am already Witch who brings Calamity, so I shall bear the burden of these dark and dangerous things..." Jenna lowered her eyelids and muttered to herself silently, her pace quickening from slow to fast.

This time, she encountered not only Valentine and Imre in the Back Alley of Saint Robles Church, but also a Blond Hair Men with golden eyebrows and a golden beard, wearing a brown double-breasted coat.

"This is our Deacon, Mr. Angoulême," the half-breed Imre introduced. "He takes last night's Calamity very seriously and wants to know if you have any information."

In their view, Celia Bello had a close relationship with Charles and Franca, the latter two being Gardner Martin's dual subordinates and mistress, respectively, and should have been aware of the Riot and Mutation in the Market District.

It was because of Jenna, the informant, that the "Purifier," at Angoulême's suggestion, temporarily refrained from taking action against Franca and Apartment 601 at No. 3 White Coat Street, instead issuing a warrant for Charles Dubois, who had been identified as a "soldier" of this Concealment organization by other members of the "Iron and Blood Cross Order."

Jenna turned her gaze away from Angoulême's Golden Button and suddenly smiled sweetly:

"Are you referring to the Calamity that occurred last night in an attempt to break the seal on Fourth Epoch Trier?"

Imre and Valentine were initially dazzled by Jenna's smile, but then their eyes widened and their gazes froze in shock at the information revealed in her words.

Angoulême paused for a moment, then sighed inwardly, as if he had expected this.

Jenna tilted her head slightly and added with a smile, "Would you believe me if I said I personally witnessed the beginning of the problem and the process of the Ritual, and that Trier entered the Fourth Epoch, escaped again?"

Valentine and Imre's eyes widened, and they remained silent, unsure how to respond.

"Is it related to the ' Hostel ' you reported earlier?" Angoulême asked in a deep voice.

Jenna hummed in agreement and nodded gently.

"What about Franca and Charles?" Angoulême then asked.

Jenna was talking about what was bound to happen in the Future few days:

"They've left the Market District and probably won't be coming back."

Upon hearing this, Angoulême quietly breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Tell me more about your experience."