"Call the police?" Fors Wall repeated in surprise.
For Beyonder, proactively reporting to the police seems like something from another world.
Hugh paced back and forth a few times, scratching his rough blond hair as he said:
"The scene of Darkholme's death was so gruesome and bizarre that any police officer with eyes would surely pass it on to the Mandated Punishers, the Nighthawks, the Machinery Hivemind, or that special department belonging to the military. Then, we can leak a little information to them, letting them know that the killer is Qilangos, and create a scene of a city-wide manhunt."
"Our goal is simply to find Qilangos, not to capture him. With so many Beyonder 'helping' us, things will be much simpler and safer. Once Qilangos panics and makes a mistake, that will be our opportunity to collect the bounty. Heh, I mean, to find his trail."
Xiu chuckled twice, then looked at the astonished Fors and said:
"Do you think I'm the kind of person who'd crash into any obstacle I see? The gap between us and Qilangos is as vast as Desi Bay."
Fors slowly nodded and said:
"Your self-assessment is very accurate. You've done far too many similar things, and the losses you've suffered as a result are enough to elevate you to Sequence 8."
Fortunately, you were rational enough in this matter.
Hugh looked down at the triangular dagger in his hand and said thoughtfully:
"... I must confess, I just clearly felt death approaching. Qilangos was undoubtedly nearby. It was an aura evil enough to break the rules, which triggered my instinctive reaction."
Fors put the silver bracelet with the remaining two stones back on, thought seriously for several seconds, and said:
"I agree with your idea. First, notify Miss Audrey, then call the police."
"Yes, whether Darkholme discovered Qilangos's trail or his men found it, we can investigate in this direction to find out Qilangos's previous activity range and residence."
Xiu frowned, his thin golden eyebrows furrowing.
"But Qilangos certainly won't stay where he is."
Even as one of the seven pirate generals, and with the aid of magical items, Qilangos must be extremely cautious in Backlund.
Even Nast, the " King of the Five Seas," once encountered Calamity here and was nearly captured.
"No, what I mean is, to deduce or determine Qilangos's purpose in coming to Backlund from these clues. Once we understand what he really wants, no matter how he disguises himself or tries to pull any tricks, he will eventually be exposed to us. Then our mission will be complete," Fors explained in detail. "My experience in writing these past two years has taught me that if you grasp the key, things become simple."
Xiu stared at his friend in surprise, seemingly unable to believe that the other could say something so reasonable.
"I'm different from you. I'm just too lazy to think, while you think with your muscles." Fors pursed her lips and smiled, tilting her head.
"Mocking me won't make you any smarter..." Hugh tried to straighten the few stray blonde hairs that were sticking up. "Alright, let's go to Queens Borough and tell Miss Audrey about this."
Fors nodded slightly and said:
"So, what is our emergency contact information with Miss Audrey?"
"..." Xiu paused, looking blankly at the distant tombstone, and said, "She told me that her pet dog, the golden retriever we saw before, would go for a walk by itself at least five times a day, um, the most recent one was after lunch."
"So, we have to sneak around and wait outside the Earl Hall's luxurious residence?" Fors's lips twitched.
Hugh suddenly turned his head, revealing a fawning smile:
" Fors, or would you like to infiltrate directly?"
"I don't think this will be difficult for you; it's one of your strengths."
"A hereditary earl for centuries, one of the most influential members of the Senate, the largest shareholder of Bavant Bank, the fourth largest shareholder of Bank of Backlund, a special advisor to the Royal Bank of Loen, the third largest shareholder of the Sucht Bank of the Kingdom of Intis, the second largest shareholder of the Constant Coal and Steel Consortium, and so on and so forth—this is the illustrious status of Miss Audrey's father. Hugh, use your brain! Would such a powerful figure not employ Beyonder? Wouldn't he have some hidden resources? This is not the same as those impoverished Viscount and Baron!" Fors replied irritably. "I swear in the name of God, if I dare to infiltrate, I will be discovered and caught within five minutes."
Xiu nodded repeatedly, indicating his approval:
"Let's go wait for that golden retriever..."
After saying that, she led the way, and after a few steps, she turned her back to Fors.
"Um, well, I'll try my best to make up for your loss in the future, um, I mean that stone."
Upon hearing this, Fors's lips curled up slightly as he said:
"I'm saving myself."
"And Hugh, you're going the wrong way!"
"God, if you are an ' Apprentice ' and become a ' Traveler ' in the future, that would be a disaster!"
Outside the Earl Hall's luxurious villa.
Hugh and Fors hid behind the plane trees of Intis, quietly watching the target building and the people coming and going.
After an unknown amount of time, they saw the large golden retriever sneak out from a hidden hole at the base of the wall, its ears perked up, looking around cautiously.
Just as Susie began her brisk and cheerful walk, a black male dog suddenly darted out, fawning over her and circling around her.
"This is the first time I've ever seen a dog's face show such a human-like expression. Just how much does it hate that black dog?" Hugh murmured in amazement.
She could see the obvious disgust in Susie's eyes and facial expression.
Fors chuckled and said, "It's like encountering a reckless, disgusting, and persistent pervert."
Seeing Susie trying to speed up and get rid of the black dog, Hugh stepped forward to uphold " Justice."
"My verdict is, get out of there!" Hugh whispered sternly.
The black dog hesitated for a moment, then tucked its tail between its legs and fled in a sorry state.
Susie breathed a sigh of relief, slowed down, gave a polite howl, and wagged her tail.
"Thank goodness, that was close! I almost had to say 'thank you' to them..." the golden retriever thought to itself, relieved.
That would be a very awkward situation...
The melodious tune slowly faded away. Audrey, sitting on the piano bench, frowned as she held the latest intelligence sent in by Hugh and Fors.
She closed the piano lid, rose gracefully, and paced back and forth in the practice room, pondering what she should do next.
" Qilangos is a very dangerous guy... If we continue to investigate, it could lead to terrible things for Hugh and Fors... It might even expose me... Hmm, let's do as they say... Oh right, the ' Tarot Club ' is in two hours. I wonder what Mr. The Fool's suggestions are. If he's still not interested, I'll discuss it carefully with the Hanged Man..." Audrey gradually calmed down.
This was the first time she had encountered, or rather, personally participated in, such a dangerous situation, which had already resulted in a death!
3 PM.
As Audrey's vision cleared from the deep red and hazy state, she once again saw an endless Gray Fog that seemed unreal, a palace that resembled the dwelling of Giant, an ancient and mottled bronze table, the Fool was forever shrouded in a thick fog, the " The Hanged Man," and the " The Sun."
In an instant, Audrey's slightly tense and worried emotions were soothed, and her heart was so calm and so certain.
I attended a ' Tarot Club ' outside the material world, and I was facing the almost divine Mr. The Fool. I and Qilangos are simply not on the same level... Audrey proudly straightened her back, slightly raised her chin, and cheerfully greeted them:
Good afternoon, Mr. The Fool! Good afternoon, Mr. The Hanged Man! Good afternoon, Mr. The Sun!
After exchanging pleasantries, Klein saw that Miss " Justice " gestured that she had something to say, so he nodded slightly in agreement.
"Respected the Fool, I wonder if your Blessed has received the 300 gold pounds as compensation?" Audrey resisted the urge to immediately recount the matter of Qilangos and instead inquired about her leader's Blessed.
Klein chuckled softly:
"I haven't been following this matter, but since my Blessed haven't made any further requests for help, they must have received it."
"Yes, I've checked repeatedly, there are 300 gold pounds sitting in my anonymous account..." Klein added quietly, in a cheerful mood.
"That's wonderful!" Audrey exclaimed with relief, then turned to look across the room. "Mr. The Hanged Man, there's been progress on the Qilangos matter."
Alger sat up straight, unable to hide his joy, and asked:
Where is he?
"Unfortunately, just as we discovered his trail, he became aware of our investigation and killed the people involved." Audrey recounted the key points of Hugh and Fors's ordeal and explained their subsequent thought process in detail.
Alger nodded slightly and said:
"I will keep a close eye on it."
Having said that, he turned to look at the head of the long bronze table, and under the blank, seemingly confused gaze of " The Sun," Derrick, he said:
"Honorable the Fool, if we have ascertained Qilangos's true purpose and what that very important and wondrous item he sought is, please allow me to invoke your name and inform you through a ritual."
He did not repeat his request for help from the other party's Blessed, because since he had already asked and the Fool had given a reply, there was no need to repeat himself, otherwise he would offend the gods.
Therefore, Alger only expressed his desire to "report".
If the final temptation is strong enough, he believes that Mr. The Fool's Blessed will surely appear.
"Is that even possible?" Audrey's eyes widened in surprise.
If only I had applied for the right to "report," I might have occasionally received guidance from Mr. The Fool... she thought with slight annoyance.
Under everyone's gaze, Klein, enveloped in the thick Gray Fog, leaned back in his chair, nodded slightly, and answered slowly:
"Can."