Favors

Lumian's gaze lingered on the Minor Arcana, then he noticed another person standing in front of the Full-Length Mirror in the room.

The man was wearing a white shirt and a black vest, his face was rather Paleness, and his brown hair was partly sticking up and partly drooping, as if he had just gotten up.

For some reason, Lumian always felt that this person had a contradictory temperament that was both elusive and reserved. His brown eyes revealed an indescribable repression, and being looked at by him was like being stared at by Abyss.

"' Knight of Swords '?" Lumian asked.

The man nodded slightly and said, "' Seven of Wands,' is there anything I can help you with?"

"How did you know I was the ' Seven of Wands '?" Lumian did not mention his specific code name in the letter, only saying that he sought help from the "Knight of Swords" as instructed by the "Magician" Lady.

The "Knight of Swords" spoke slowly, as if suppressing something:

"The Lady Hermit me that the Seven of Wands Lady, which belongs to the Magician, will be arriving in Feynapotter soon and may need my intelligence or other assistance."

The "Magician" Lady actually communicated with the "Hermit" Lady specifically about my matter... Lumian suddenly realized and said, "I would like to ask you to help me find two people in Santa Port and the surrounding Sea Area, trying not to alert any forces."

"The specifics," the "Knight of Swords" said in a tone that suggested he was reluctant to speak.

Lumian recounted the relevant information about Batna Comte and Norfie, concluding, "I'm not sure if they're still alive; perhaps they've already become Corpse."

As he spoke, he took out two sketches that looked like photographs and handed them to the "Knight of Swords."

This is an image of Batna and Norfie that he directly copied from his mind using the knowledge in Aurora's Witchcraft Notes and his own expertise in Ritual Magic, with an effect comparable to that of a camera.

--The most crucial and difficult part of Ritual Magic is finding a suitable and safe object of supplication. Official Beyonder use it more often, since they have corresponding Orthodox God. Wild Beyonder rarely pray to dangerous beings for such a small matter. Lumian belongs to the Tarot Club and can be considered a semi- Official Beyonder. He can not only ask Mr. The Fool for help, but also borrow the power of Lady. Magician.

The "Knight of Swords" took the two photographic sketches, examined them carefully for a while, and said, "I will help you find them as soon as possible."

He did not ask for any payment or make any demands.

This left Lumian quite moved:

It's always better to be organized!

Of course, this kind of internal mutual assistance often turns into favors, which will have to be repaid in the future. For some people, it is better to have a price tag on their debt than to owe others a favor.

Lumian didn't have such thoughts, after all, getting the "Knight of Swords" to come and agree to help already involved a personal favor.

He asked carefully, "What mission do you have in Feynapotter? Do you need my help?"

The Knight of Swords paused for a moment before saying, "The matter of Feynapotter is nearing completion, but I will be traveling to the Southern Continent afterward, and I may need your assistance."

"No problem," Lumian readily agreed.

With a hint of curiosity, he asked, "Lady ' Hermit ' also in charge of matters related to the Southern Continent?"

Isn't this too busy?

According to the "Magician" Lady, this Major Arcana is mainly responsible for matters related to the sea and a Concealment organization of a certain faith called "Hidden Sage," and has little to do with the Southern Continent.

The Knight of Swords replied in a suppressed voice, "It's my own business, and it has nothing to do with Lady ' The Hermit '."

"Understood." Lumian expressed his understanding, because many of the things he had done before were not arranged by the "Magician" Lady. Even this operation to track down the Core Member of "April Fool's Day" in Santa Port, if it did not involve That One Celestial Worthy, would also be considered his private behavior.

The "Knight of Swords" paused for two seconds, then added:

"Furthermore, I am only temporarily subordinate to Lady ' The Hermit '."

What does "temporary affiliation" mean? Does it mean it can be transferred to another Major Arcana later? Lumian was a little confused.

Without offering any explanation, the "Knight of Swords" abruptly vanished into nothingness.

Without activating his "Spirit Vision," Lumian was unable to detect the other party's departure trajectory in time.

It didn't feel like "Teleportation," nor did it blend into the shadows... After making a quick assessment, he changed into a brown-green narrow-sleeved short-sleeved shirt and Brownish Yellow loose trousers, which were quite common in Santa Port.

After leaving the Master Bedroom, Lumian tossed the "Lie" ear clip to Lugano:

"Go find Valerio and get your new Identity Documents. Don't forget what he looked like when we first met."

"I remember it very clearly." Lugano took the "Lie" ear clip.

He was about to complete his disguise on the spot when Lumian stopped him:

"After leaving the room, find another secluded, deserted spot to use it. When you return, revert to your original appearance before entering the inn."

Doesn't this mean I'll be keeping this Mystical Item by myself for a while? Aren't you afraid I'll run away with it? It's not only incredibly powerful and valuable, but it's also extremely valuable! Lugano didn't dare ask any questions. Following his employer's instructions, he took the "Lie" ear clip, picked up a cloth bag stuffed with disguise clothing, and left the room.

After watching Lugano's figure disappear through the doorway, Lumian smiled, picked up the Golden-Yellow Straw Hat, and said to Ludwig, "There's plenty of food on the table in my bedroom. Don't wander off until I get back."

"Okay," Ludwig agreed, even somewhat expectantly.

Could someone take advantage of the guardian's absence and secretly attack this little boy?

As Lumian crossed the sofa area, he casually placed the Golden-yellow Straw Hat on Ludwig's head.

At the same time, he changed into a round-brimmed felt hat, a common local accessory, and walked out of the Suite step by step.

He wasn't worried at all about what might happen to Ludwig if he were left Alone in the hotel; the real danger lay with those who might come into contact with the little boy.

Once in the corridor, Lumian adjusted his hat and activated his Contract Ability, "Shadow Transformation."

He suddenly thinned into a pure shadow, merging with the shadows at the base of the walls on both sides.

In that dark and ethereal world, shrouded in a light veil, Lumian, smelling the faint scent of Gray Ambergris Perfume he had deliberately left on the "Lie" ear clip, began to track Lugano.

This isn't about checking for translation issues; it's about awaiting a potential attack.

Now that the Great Adventurer Louis Berri has raised the banner of investigating the Sea-Praying Ritual and adopted a tough and radical image, the Fishing Guild and the people of Milo Village will most likely react quickly, eliminating this Outsider with swift and decisive action to Intimidation all those who are secretly plotting against him.

In this situation, Lumian, Lugano, and Ludwig would all be in danger.

He deliberately sent Lugano alone to get Valerio's Identity Documents, wanting to see if Juan Oro and his men were watching his companions and might take the opportunity to attack Lugano.

In this way, if the relevant events occur, Lumian can rescue Lugano immediately and take the opportunity to capture or kill a few Beyonder of the Fishing Guild, demonstrating the strength and confidence of the Great Adventurer to those who are still observing, giving them more confidence to try something.

Of course, the Fishing Guild and the people of Milo Village may not necessarily take action in the near future. They could very well feign weakness to lure the hidden enemies out of their lurking shadows, causing them to emerge one by one for a final cleanup.

Lumian followed Lugano all the way to Valerio's underground casino, watching him pay the remaining 50 Gold Riso and take away two Identity Documents belonging to a local.

There was no attack... Was it the Fishing Guild Fishing, or did they fail to recognize Lugano after he used "Lie"? Lumian wandered in the shadows, pondering the possible reasons.

Lugano didn't dare linger on the street for too long. He knew that his employer had offended the Fishing Guild, and he might be dragged into an Depths and beaten up by those guys who dared not target his employer.

Near the Solo Hotel, in the gap between two buildings, he quickly transformed back into his original, modified appearance, then removed the "Lie" earrings and changed into his usual simple black suit.

Only then did he breathe a slight sigh of relief, turn onto Aquinas Street, and head back towards the entrance of the Solo Hotel.

There were three or four Vagrant on both sides of the street, all looking lazy and as if they were about to fall asleep from the Sun.

Lumian knew that the Vagrant problem in Feynapotter was not as serious as in the Kingdom of Loen and the Republic of Intis. This was because the kingdom had fertile land, abundant pastures, and the improved seeds and livestock from the Church were highly productive, resulting in a food surplus throughout Feynapotter.

Here, grain prices are 15% to 20% cheaper than in countries like Intis —before the Kingdom of Loen abolished the Grain Law and began importing large quantities of grain from Feynapotter, the same weight of black Bread cost almost twice as much as in Feynapotter.

Despite the abundance of resources, farmers, herders, and urban residents who went bankrupt due to land annexation, usury, and other factors, and became Vagrant, could still receive some free food from places like the Church of the "Earth Mother," the Order of Abundance, relevant government departments, and folk Charitable Organization. They might not be able to eat their fill, but at least they wouldn't starve, and they could recover their physical and mental strength to find new work.

As Lugano neared the Solo Hotel, Lumian, hidden in the shadows, suddenly sensed something amiss.

Three Vagrant on the street occasionally adjusted their posture, displaying an indescribable stiffness.

The next second, Lumian saw the Vagrant spring up, and with Distortion movements like rusty Puppet, each pulled out a Pistol and aimed at Lugano from three directions.

Bang bang bang!

They pulled the trigger one after another, leaving Lugano no room to dodge.