For a fleeting moment, Klein's casually sweeping gaze paused, freezing on that familiar figure.
He immediately realized that he had acted somewhat abnormally, and in the Demigod's Spirit Intuition, this was a problem that could not be ignored.
Klein's back muscles tensed, and his mind raced with thoughts that sparked a flurry of ideas.
Instead of reflexively averting his gaze, he remained fixed on the Demigod resembling the " Black Emperor " and smiled at Councilor Macht, saying:
"It's clear that more than just retired military officers are here."
This is seemingly meticulous observation, but actually meaningless nonsense.
Congressman Macht chuckled:
"Any club, in the end, will exceed its original boundaries."
His answer seemed to say nothing at first glance, but upon closer examination, it made one feel as if he had said something, or perhaps the exact opposite.
At this moment, the gentleman with broad shoulders and slightly long arms, dressed in a black suit, naturally turned his head and glanced at where the two were. He saw a wealthy man who had donated 15,000 pounds curiously looking at them and talking quietly with the MP Macht next to him.
This made him think that the other person's surprised look just now was more like a normal reaction after learning his position.
Then he looked away and continued the conversation that was still going on.
At this moment, Klein's vest was covered in a layer of cold sweat, and his legs felt weak.
Although he had faced Demigod before and even fought with them, this was the first time he had encountered such a close-quarters, dangerous situation in a small setting. More importantly, he was far from prepared to face Demigod. He didn't have a single Marionette and only carried the " Death Knell " revolver, the Azik Copper Whistle, and the Adventurer Harmonica.
The " Sea God Scepter " cannot be carried by the physical body and has stringent environmental requirements for its use, otherwise it would cause numerous casualties; if Klein carries " The Groselle's Travels " on his person for too long, it will passively enter the world within the book, making it very difficult to escape later; " The Creeping Hunger " is still unsealed and is restless every day, so it cannot be taken out in advance unless there is a need; the " Fate Siphon " talisman is made from the " Worm of Time " and might attract Amon, so unless it is used soon, Klein dares not carry it around indefinitely...
If the Demigod suspected of being the " Black Emperor " discovers the problem, there's only one best solution he can think of:
That is to play the harmonica, summon the messenger lady, and ask her to help me escape Backlund the Spirit World!
He didn't intend to have Reinette Tinekerr. Instead, he would hold the " Death Knell " revolver and wait for an opportunity to fire a shot from the sidelines. This was Backlund, the home ground of the official Beyonder. Given the Messenger's peculiar appearance, if that man were to accuse her of any crime, Klein would inevitably face an onslaught, with more and more Demigod and powerful Sealed Artifact appearing.
That was close... Klein logically looked away, using his " Clown " abilities to control his legs, and walked out the front door without showing any abnormality.
He didn't ask the Macht next to him who those people were, showing no interest whatsoever, thus proving that he had really just glanced at them casually before.
However, the other person's glance back revealed his face to Klein:
Thick but not messy black eyebrows, short and stiff buzz cut of the same color, deep blue to almost black eyes, a high and straight nose like a mountain peak, a large mustache extending outwards from the corners of the mouth, a deep profile, a long face, and cold lines.
He's a tough guy, possibly in his thirties or forties, so it's hard to say for sure.
Judging from appearance alone, Klein felt he was more like Demigod of the " Arbiter " pathway than the " Black Emperor ".
Of course, this Demigod's temperament is actually closer to that of a " Warrior," but he is too short.
With this clear image, Klein no longer needed to ask and could directly ask Arrodes for the answer. Even if he was still wary of the " Magic Mirror," he could ask Miss Hugh, Miss Sharron, and others to conduct a simple identity investigation.
He believed that no matter how well a Demigod hid, their position wouldn't be too low, and they would be easily discovered.
One step, two steps, three steps— Klein left the " East Balam Veteran Officers Club " with impeccable manners.
Once inside the carriage, he leaned against the side wall, closed his eyes, remained silent for a few seconds, and then let out a long sigh in his heart:
"The trail that had been broken in the Great Smog of Backlund Incident has finally been reconnected..."
He didn't open his eyes or speak for a long time, as if he was still reliving the business issues they had discussed earlier, but in reality, he was more focused on calming the emotions he had just suppressed.
During this process, Klein noticed that his personal valet, Richardson, seemed to want to speak several times, but then kept his mouth shut, as if he was having some kind of trouble.
In the end, he said nothing and focused on preparing Marquis tea for his employer.
Klein, preoccupied with what had just happened, was in no mood to worry about his problem and pretended not to have noticed anything.
In the silence and the sound of turning wheels, they returned to 160 Böklund Street.
Upon reaching the third floor, Klein was about to take a bath in the tub that the maid had already prepared when Richardson, carrying his top hat and cane, stepped forward and respectfully asked:
"Sir, are you planning to travel to the Southern Continent soon?"
"Yes," Klein replied frankly. He was even prepared to give the housekeeper Taneja, another 500 pounds in cash as living expenses at Dawn Dantès' mansion when he was in the Southern Continent.
At the same time, he also gained a deeper understanding of the importance of the positions of butler and personal servant in high society:
There are many things that cannot be hidden from their masters, so when irreconcilable conflicts arise in their beliefs or political stances, a change of allegiance is inevitable.
Richardson hesitated for a moment and said:
"Sir, I was born in the Southern Continent, I speak the Dutanese, and I am very familiar with the local customs. I should be able to help you."
Dutanese was the common language of the Ancient Balam Empire. In present-day West Balam, the common people still use this language. Only those in the middle and upper classes understand foreign languages such as Ancient Feysac, Loenese, and Intis language.
Klein felt mostly fortunate about this, because Ancient Balam was once a unified empire with a true god, so although the various states within it had their own accents, they all used the Dutanese and the same written language, which saved him a lot of trouble.
If you encounter dozens or even hundreds of languages mixed together, that would be a real headache... However, Dutanese and Ancient Feysac are not from the same system, and I can't master them as quickly as I could with the many branches of the latter. Finding a translator is essential. Uh, Anderson seems to be very good at Dutanese; I haven't heard him mention any communication difficulties in West Balam... After listening to Richardson's words, Klein suddenly understood what he had been struggling with.
As a personal male servant, he is required to accompany his employer when he goes out on business, unlike the butler.
In other words, a personal male servant is not only a personal secretary, but also Acting the role of a business secretary to some extent.
Clearly, Richardson loved life in Backlund, loved everything about it, and didn't want to return to the Southern Continent. He didn't want to see any sights or things that would remind him of the past. That's why, on the carriage, he tried several times to explain his expertise but couldn't bring himself to speak, hoping that Dawn Dantès could find someone more suitable.
Klein pondered for a moment and said:
"It's obvious you don't really like the Southern Continent, so why are you telling me all this?"
Richardson slowly lowered his head, looking at his toes, and said:
"You gave me the opportunity to gain experience and grow, and I think I can be of help."
It's a very simple sense of gratitude... If you don't say it, no one can be sure you'll Dutanese, after all, you were born and raised in the colonial estate of East Balam... Klein looked at Richardson carefully for a few seconds, smiled silently, and sighed to himself.
However, he did not intend to let his personal male servant accompany him to the Southern Continent. Firstly, it would make his various actions inconvenient, and secondly, if the other party were recognized by acquaintances of the Rose of Redemption's Spirituality Religion, it might affect the rest of his life.
Klein smiled and said:
"I have many friends there, they all Dutanese and know all the customs."
"Well, you have more important things to do. You need to stay in Backlund and deliver gifts to some friends' homes every now and then. I'll give you a list then. Also, read the newspapers carefully, pay attention to valuable investment news, conduct on-site investigations, and then give me the corresponding reports. I'll have Ms. Taneja prepare a special fund for these matters."
Richardson was taken aback at first, then said with a mixture of surprise and delight:
"Yes, sir, I... I will try my best!"
At that moment, he felt he was being given an important role, and his vision inexplicably blurred.
For the first time since birth, he felt that the future was full of hope and something to look forward to.
After seeing Richardson off, Klein took a relaxing bath to unwind, then put on his pajamas, went back to his bedroom, took out a pen and paper, and drew a complex symbol that combined the concepts of "voyeurism" and " Concealment."
On the surface of the full-length mirror, ripples suddenly spread out in concentric circles, and silver light formed Loen language:
"Supreme and great master, your loyal, humble, and lowly servant Arrodes answers your call!"
Are you leaving Backlund again?
Klein nodded and said:
"Yes."
Before Arrodes could indicate that he could ask a question, he spoke directly:
Will I still be able to contact you in the Southern Continent?
"Of course! Just bring out that magical receiver." The silver words on the mirror's surface rapidly Reorganization. "However, you can't let it remain in reality for too long, or use it too frequently. The Southern Continent has many gifts from the ' Mother Tree of Desire,' and it might be able to sense it through this."
Klein nodded slightly and asked casually:
What do you know about the ' Mother Tree of Desire '?
The " Magic Mirror," Arrodes, fell silent for a long time before the silver light on its surface began to writhe and transform into a complete sentence:
"I dare not say it, nor dare I show it."
P. S.: Requesting guaranteed monthly votes for July!