Mystery: The Last Shepherd

Chapter 194 Applying for Bodyguard
What Miss Justice said is pretty much the same information Hugh got from the masked man.
[The Magician] Fors listened to the conversation of the group and nodded thoughtfully.

Although she already knew the whole story, hearing about that insane massacre again still frightened her. Mr. Anderson's subjective intention was to save the victimized girl, but his methods were so extreme that they inspired awe.

Mr. Fool's followers are far too dangerous!
Fors glanced furtively at the tall figure at the head of the long table, thinking to herself. By now, she was convinced that Anderson was a follower of the Fool. However, since Mr. Fool didn't intend to say it publicly, she naturally wouldn't tell anyone else.

So Fors remained silent and listened quietly to their discussion of the matter.

"Did the deaths of high-ranking officials and wealthy businessmen affect the high-level situation in Backlund? How did the upper class view the brutal killing of their peers?"

"The Hanged Man," Alger asked.

"Well, I haven't thought about that yet."

[Justice] was taken aback upon hearing this. "However, those people didn't have a good reputation in upper-class circles to begin with. I guess most people would be happy to see them suffer misfortune, right?"

"uncertain."

Alger shook his head slightly and said calmly.

Even if there are conflicts among the upper classes, they remain internal. Once an external attack occurs, they will only feel insecure and fear for their own lives.

There was a moment of silence above the gray fog.

"Everyone, I've recently run into a troublesome situation."

After the discussion on this matter concluded, [The Sun] Derrick asked for everyone's opinions again.

It turned out that a ruin belonging to a "fallen creator" had been discovered in his city, "Silver City." He was assigned to a team to explore the ruins and was about to set off.

Moreover, the leader of the exploration team was none other than Elder Lovia, the Shepherd Elder of the Mystic Path, a Sequence 5 extraordinary being. He was somewhat worried, wondering if this mission would be dangerous.

My advice is, don't go!

The Hanged Man bluntly replied, "Unless you want to die."

Next, he began to teach [The Sun] how to use underhanded tactics, such as feigning illness and losing control to avoid going to war. Seeing the other party hesitate, [The Hanged Man] skillfully used moral blackmail, elevating his avoidance behavior to the level of protecting Silver City, completely fooling [The Sun] Derrick.

Listening to their conversation, Fors felt an urge to cover her face.

Although Mr. Sun is very tall, he seems quite young and rather naive. He's been completely outmaneuvered by Mr. Hanged Man. Well, of course, it's all for his own good.
By the time Alger had settled things with Derrick, it was almost time for the party.

"Well then, let's end the party here."

Klein said calmly.

"Your will is our standard."

Audrey, Alger, and the others rose at the same time and bowed to the head of the long table.

The crimson light dissipated, and the ancient palace above the gray mist returned to its tranquility once more.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"call--"

Fors opened her eyes and stretched from the chair behind her desk.

Although she had attended the gatherings two or three times already, she was still filled with awe and shock at the world above the gray fog and the Fool who presided over everything.

To be able to so easily transport one's mind to such a strange place, only a god could probably do that. Right, quickly tell Hugh about that.

Fors pushed back her chair, walked out of her bedroom, and went to Hugh's room.

"I have some good news that I forgot to tell you."

She knocked on the door, went in, and said with a smile.

"So, is there any progress on your new book?"

Hugh, engrossed in maintaining his triangular thorn in his room, asked without looking up.

"That's not yet."

Fors's face darkened for a moment, then she perked up again. "It's good news for you. I've joined a new circle of extraordinary individuals, and someone there is selling extraordinary ingredients for the 'Sheriff' potion for 600 pounds."

Xiu paused in wiping the triangular thorn, then suddenly looked up.

"You're not kidding?" "Of course not."

Seeing his friend's shocked expression, Fors smiled and said, "The organizer of that gathering is capable of distinguishing the authenticity of extraordinary items and is very reliable. The only problem is that the assessment is strict, so I can't bring you in for the time being."

"Great!"

Hugh tossed the triangular thorn onto the bed and exclaimed with delight, “I can buy it for 600 pounds! Miss Audrey’s fee is more than enough to cover it.”

Although the investigation into Lannister's whereabouts was ultimately unsuccessful, Audrey still paid the full amount of £1500 as compensation for the danger they had faced.

"Okay, give me the money, and I'll bring the stuff back later."

Fors was also happy for her friend. Hugh didn't know the relationship between extraordinary properties and potion ingredients, so she could explain it to her after they got back.

Speaking of Miss Audrey, Fors quickly recalled another matter.

"I say, should we take Miss Audrey's new commission?"

She asked Xiu.

Hugh, who was excitedly pacing back and forth on the ground, suddenly stopped. After a moment, she looked at Fors hesitantly.

Since it was Miss Audrey's commission, the money was definitely enough. The only problem was that it was too dangerous. They were either being chased by a pirate general or suffering a curse from the offspring of an evil god.

But she gave a lot of money.
The two looked at each other with conflicted expressions.

“However, she said this mission is very easy,” Fors said. “Perhaps we should ask for more details before deciding whether to accept it?”

"you're right."

Hugh nodded immediately.

Buying potion ingredients would cost 600 pounds, significantly reducing her cash reserves. She would still be happy to replenish them if given the chance.

The two arrived in a carriage at Earl Hall’s villa in Queens.

Previously, their meetings with Miss Audrey had always taken place at Viscount Grynt's mansion or the horse farm outside. But this time, for some reason, Miss Audrey invited them directly into the villa.

With Audrey's confinement over, Hugh and Fowles successfully got past the gatekeeper and met each other.

"Bodyguard job? £20 a time? We'll take it!"

After hearing Audrey's description, Hugh and Fors agreed without hesitation.

Following behind Miss Audrey to balls and salons sounds like it's completely safe, and you get £20 for each one—it's a steal!

The two looked at each other, their eyes filled with fervor and emotion.

This time, I finally have an easy and profitable commission!

"I'm glad you agreed."

Audrey, dressed in a beautiful green gown, smiled demurely, and after a moment, she continued, "However, my mother has some requirements for you."

"any request?"

"She said she wasn't confident in your abilities and wanted our family's guards to test you."

At this point, Audrey became a little embarrassed.

Their smiles hadn't lasted long before they froze because of those words.

The Earl's guards?

Can we win?
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

A few days after the Kapin case, Lu Ze finally saw the news of the gathering in the newspaper. Ernst Trading Company had started buying goods again, indicating that the gathering would be held the following night.

I'm going to check out what the Extraordinary Gathering in Backlund is like. I got news from Klein that the Extraordinary materials have been sold; that's great, faster than I expected.
I've been lying low for a while now that the regulations have been relaxed, what else should I do besides attending parties?

Lu Ze is going to sort out the current situation.

　Thank you to reader "Master Pseudoman1887" for the 510 Qidian coins.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)