" Author?" Audrey asked casually, observing Glaint's reaction.
The following was a normal conversation, and she did not shy away from talking about her personal maid Annie was following beside her.
Glaint straightened up and chuckled:
"Yes, I think you should have seen her work, especially ' Stormwind Villa,' which has received widespread acclaim in the last two months."
"I like this book, especially the calm and collected Ms. Cissy," Audrey replied with a slight smile.
At the same time, she mentally rolled her eyes at her own hypocrisy.
This is because her recent hobby is not novels at all; her reading progress on " Stormwind Villa " has been stuck at about a third of the way through for almost a month.
Since Tarot Club and meeting the powerful the Fool, becoming a truly extraordinary person, she has been integrating the mystical knowledge she has learned and systematically studying psychology, lacking sufficient interest in other things.
Viscount Glaint led Audrey toward the living room furnished with sofas, saying with a broad smile:
"Then I'm sure you'll have a good impression of Ms. Fors Wall, because she's just like Ms. Cissy from the Stormwind Villa —calm, Wisdom, and languid."
"And, my dear Miss Audrey, would you like to play the piano for us later? It would be the best tribute to literature and to the novel."
Audrey looked at Glaint's profile and sensed from his expression, tone of voice, and certain body language that he wanted to show off.
He wants me to be something he can brag about... Audrey thought as if she were meeting this friend for the first time.
She maintained her elegant smile and said:
"My music teacher, pianist Mr. Viknar, believes that my recent level has noticeably declined and that I need more practice."
"Alright." Glaint was about to say something when she noticed a lady going to the long table for dessert. " Audrey, this is Fors Wall, author of * Stormwind Villa *."
Audrey looked up and saw that Ms. Fors was about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, about 1.65 meters tall. She was wearing a beige high-necked dress with ruffles, and her brown hair was slightly curled and draped over her shoulders. Her light blue eyes turned towards her as Glaint introduced her, with a hint of amusement and amusement in them.
In just three seconds of observation, Audrey noticed many small details:
"Ms. Fors's fingers had yellowish stains... she liked rolling cigarettes..."
"There are obvious calluses on the area where the author gripped the pen, which is consistent with the author's identity..."
"Her arm movements indicated she possessed considerable strength, a trait not typically associated with a Author, unless she was a fitness enthusiast, naturally so, or had previously pursued a different profession..."
"Her style in ' Stormwind Villa ' is calm, rational, and precise, which is likely related to her previous profession..."
"Her eyes and expression are very relaxed now, giving the impression that she's looking down on me and Granlint. Is this the psychological advantage that Beyonder have over ordinary people?"
"If her Beyonder status was discovered by Glaint by chance, she would definitely feel uneasy and anxious. After all, she couldn't predict the other party's reaction or what would happen next, and the unknown brings fear."
"... This shows that she proactively contacted Glaint, learned about our interests beforehand, and had a certain degree of confidence in what was to come..."
Why would an Beyonder proactively contact Glaint? Is it for financial assistance, extraordinary materials hidden in the vault, or something else they seek help with...?
At this moment, Glaint was introducing Fors:
"Madam, this is Miss Audrey, whom I mentioned earlier. She is the most dazzling jewel of Backlund. Her father is Earl Hall, a senator highly trusted by the King and respected by the nobles."
"Good afternoon, Ms. Fors. Your copy of ' Stormwind Villa ' is still on my bedside table." Audrey gave a curtsy, strictly adhering to aristocratic etiquette.
Then, she silently added in her mind: That's because I've been looking at it for a month and I still haven't finished it...
Fors simply returned the greeting:
"Good afternoon, Miss Audrey. Your beauty has truly impressed me; I think I already have material for my next novel. Oh, and Viscount Glaint also praised your outstanding musical talent."
In front of a large crowd, the two exchanged only a few pleasantries and did not discuss anything else.
Watching Fors walk towards the dining table, her gaze fixed on a small cake smeared with cream, Audrey looked away and followed Glaint to the living room.
She recalled the details she had just witnessed, trying to accurately grasp the other person's thoughts in order to gain the upper hand in future interactions.
Taking a step forward, Audrey, who was as aloof as a neutral Spectator, stepped on the hem of her dress, swayed, and almost fell.
Just then, her personal maid Annie, who was prepared, caught her and salvaged her beautiful image.
"Miss, the unique design of this dress requires you not to walk too fast," Annie whispered in Audrey's ear.
"I understand," Audrey replied, her face flushed.
"I was just too focused on observing others and forgot to watch my step..." she complained to herself, feeling wronged.
During the salon that followed, Audrey maintained an elegant and sweet smile throughout, despite the eager Author, critics, and musicians.
Finally, as her cheek muscles began to ache, she received Viscount Glaint's Psychological Suggestion.
After waiting a few minutes, she used the excuse of going to the restroom to lift her skirt, slowly stand up, and leave the salon.
After confirming that no one was watching her anymore, she went around to the study on the first floor and said to her personal maid Annie:
"I need to discuss something with Glaint. You stay at the door and don't let anyone else in."
"Okay." Annie wasn't surprised, because she knew that her young lady and Viscount Glaint shared the same interests and often discussed mystical matters in private.
Entering the study and locking the door, Audrey saw Glaint sitting behind the desk, fiddling with a pen, while Fors Wall stood in front of the bookshelves, casually browsing the collection.
"Let me reintroduce you, Ms. Fors, a true Beyonder." Glaint put down his pen and stepped forward.
"Really?" Audrey deliberately showed her doubt.
Fors put the book back in its original place, turned his head and smiled:
"It seems I need to prove myself."
She walked slowly to the door, extended her right palm, and placed it on the doorknob.
Suddenly, Audrey's vision blurred, and she seemed to see Ms. Fors become a phantom and pass through the door.
She was horrified. Looking closely, she realized that Fors was no longer there.
A few seconds later, the handle was turned, and the locked door was opened Fors Wall walked in with a smile, while the maid Annie, who was standing guard not far from the door, was completely unaware of what was happening behind her.
"That's truly an amazing ability," Glaint exclaimed in admiration.
Audrey took a light breath and said:
I have no further questions.
At the same time, Fors's demonstrated abilities confirmed her true thoughts, because neither money nor materials could stump such Beyonder.
There are no Beyonder protecting Glaint's house... Is Fors hoping to use my and Glaint's identities and resources to accomplish something? Audrey tried to act like a Spectator.
Fors chuckled twice and said:
Let's have an open and honest conversation; we don't have much time left.
"I used to be a clinic Doctor, and by some chance, I became Beyonder, and it's been over two years now."
"I want you to do something for me, and my reward is to guide you into the circle of truly Beyonder and sell you the recipes and materials for certain Sequence Potion."
Upon hearing this promise, Glaint eagerly asked:
"What is it?"
"I have a companion who is imprisoned and awaiting her final Judgement. I hope you can get her out, by any means necessary," Fors described succinctly.
Audrey frowned slightly:
"Ms. Fors, the abilities you've demonstrated seem well-suited for this kind of task..."
Fors shook his head and laughed:
"No, that's not it. Places I can go through, she can't. I can only go in to see her often and chat with her for a while."
"Furthermore, I don't think a risky rescue is a good idea. Life is short enough, but there are so many things to do."
Audrey observed the other person's face and body, and asked carefully:
"I understand. What crime was your companion imprisoned on?"
Fors's expression immediately turned somewhat awkward:
"My companion is actually very respectable, inspiring genuine obedience. She's of noble and kind character. Well, uh, she just went a little too far in her methods when persuading a certain villain..."
After delegating the mission, Klein maintained his routine of studying the occult in the morning and practicing combat in the afternoon. His life was so regular that he almost forgot he was a Nighthawks, and the "curse" of frequently encountering extraordinary events seemed to have disappeared.
Saturday arrived, and it was his turn to guard the Chanis Gate.
"You can help yourself to the coffee I left here and the black tea in the clerical office," Dunn said, his deep gray eyes sweeping around the guard room.
Klein had already made up a reason to explain to his brother and sister in advance, nodded happily and said:
"Yes, Captain, you are a truly generous gentleman."
Dunn smiled and said:
"This helps you relax; being too tense is bad for your health."
He picked up his hat, grabbed his cane, and slowly walked towards the door.
Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly turned around and said:
"Oh, I forgot to remind you, no matter what sound you hear, do not open the Chanis Gate unless it is opened from the inside."
"Remember, whatever you hear, whatever happens."
"Captain, you're scaring me..." Klein tensed up, feeling that the darkness underground surpassed even the glow of the elegant gas lamps.
PS: There were too many free chapter updates, oops. There won't be three updates on Monday, just two chapters released earlier, one at midnight and the other at noon.