Mystery: The Witch of Desire

"What, you also know a Mr. Alphabet? Why are you so concerned about the Aurora Club?"

No, not at all.

Klein shook his head, and after a moment's thought, said without hiding anything:

“We have recently been monitoring a fraudster named Lanius who has been in contact with Sirius Arepis, a member of the Aurora Society, and has become involved in some evil rituals concerning the true Creator. At present, we do not know what their scheme is.”

The Aurora Society... Speaking of which, Xiaobai's extraordinary characteristics came from a member of the Aurora Society, a guy named Marcus. In his memories, there was also a person named Lanluus.

After a moment's thought, Livre slowly said:

“It seems there is indeed a problem. When I was still in Tingen, I had already dealt with an Aurora Society ‘listener’. When I communicated with him, I saw the figure of Lanuus. It seems that the Aurora Society’s presence in Tingen is a bit too high.”

She continued:

“I don’t know their specific scheme. It might be related to the descent of the evil god’s offspring. This is no small matter and shouldn’t be something that a few low-ranking members could accomplish. So, I’ve always thought this would happen in a large city like Backlund… But now it seems that anything is possible.”

Klein's expression grew increasingly serious, and after a long while, he looked at Livre with genuine concern:

"Miss, if a similar incident were to occur in Tingen, could I use the opportunity to offer you free assistance to combat the Aurora Society's conspiracy?"

Livre gave a wry smile, somewhat helplessly:

"First, I'm not in Tingen right now, I'm at sea, you should know that. Second, do you really think I have the ability to stop the descent of the offspring of an evil god? Please, aren't you an official night watchman? Report it to the church."

Klein replied calmly:

"Of course I will report it to higher authorities when appropriate. I asked you this question just to confirm what kind of power I can leverage. In fact, if something like this really happens, you would only be the third person I would ask for help."

Klein, that guy, does have a bit of a provocateur's talent...

Livre, still fuming, didn't continue the topic and instead asked casually:

"Um, how is your colleague, Emily?"

Upon hearing this, Klein revealed a somewhat sly smile:

"Why are you so concerned about Miss Emily? Could it be that you were actually a man before you reached Sequence 7?"

Livre gave a cold laugh:

"If some people don't want to be reported and banned on their dating platforms, they'd better be careful with their words and actions."

Klein stuck out his tongue and said seriously:

"She's doing well; she's successfully been promoted to 'provider'."

The provocateur... the sharp-tongued Emily? I'm a little curious...

Livre imagined the gentle Emily provoking others, and unconsciously felt a little excited.

Next, Livre recounted some intelligence and knowledge she had gained at sea, and Klein also shared some secrets he had heard as an official Beyonder. A few minutes later, the two concluded their 'after-meeting' at the Tarot Club.

Back in her cabin on the Marlin, Livre sorted out the things she was most interested in for this tarot reading:

First, there's 'Hurricane Admiral' Zilingus. Such a dangerous guy actually came to Backlund; it's necessary to remind Fors and Hugh to stay home more often, and also to subtly inquire whether they know Miss Justice.

Secondly, there's the Aurora Society's scheme in Tingen. If they really intend to pull something big in Tingen, Emily, as the Night Watcher, will definitely be involved. It seems we need to put some pressure on Little White and see if we can get it to hear more about the descent of the evil god's offspring.

Thinking of this, Livre looked at Little White, who was taking a nap nearby, with a mischievous smile.

Little White shivered, its scales standing on end, and looked at Liviel with a puzzled expression:

"Livia, what's wrong with you? Why are you doing that kind of thing in broad daylight?"

……

……

Inside the Earl of Hall's villa in Backlund, Queens.

Audrey Hall danced around the room excitedly, as if she were going to ballroom dance. Then, she stroked the golden retriever's head and laughed:

“Susie, do you know, I’m finally going to meet those legendary big shots. Before this, I could only hear about their deeds from my father and brother’s conversations.”

Susie stared with her big, watery eyes and let out a soft "woof":

"Congratulations, Audrey. I wonder if one day I'll meet some 'big shot' among us dogs?"

Among dogs, you must be considered a big shot, Susie…

Audrey didn't say this aloud, and began to plan how to complete Mr. Hanged Man's task.

After careful consideration, she was pleasantly surprised to discover that she actually possessed a good ability to find people in Backlund.

First, her father, Earl Hall, is the kingdom's leading banker and one of the wealthiest nobles, with a good reputation and extensive network of connections. She herself is also very popular among the younger generation. Therefore, she has a lot of resources at her disposal in the upper echelons of society.

Secondly, her two new extraordinary friends each have their own circles. "Apprentice" Fors was a clinic doctor and is now a rising writer, with many connections in the literary world, the publishing industry, and among middle-class doctors.

Hugh Deercha, the "arbitrator," has long been known for mediating and arbitrating cases for the lower and middle classes. He is well-known in the East Side of Backlund, among the working class, and in many gang organizations, and has many secret channels.

In addition, their contact with other extraordinary individuals, and the circles they have expanded into, make their ability to find people considerable.

She found it somewhat amusing to think of Fors and Hugh: Hugh, who was only 1.5 meters tall, was such a dignified figure who had single-handedly defeated an entire gang in the Joewood district, and was unfortunately arrested by the police for it.

Hugh's good friend, Ms. Fors, contacted him through writers' circles, offering to take him to Mr. A's party in exchange for his help in rescuing Hugh.

For Audrey, this was a trivial matter. She didn't even need to intervene herself; she easily used her connections with the aristocracy to get Hugh released by the police station in the Georgewood district and also conveniently cleared Fors's detention record in Georgewood. The somewhat famous writer could now once again be active in the salons.

As Audrey reminisced about her acquaintance with these two fascinating ladies, she began writing to them, intending to entrust them with the task of finding Ziringus…

……

……

Three days later, in the waters near the Rothschild Islands.

On a deserted island 25 kilometers northwest of the generous city of Bayam, a huge steam-powered hybrid sailing ship is moored.

Steel tycoon Hussein stood in the captain's cabin, gazing anxiously at the distant sea.

As agreed with the Sick Admiral, today was the day the Black Death would arrive, and Tracy would bring him hundreds of prisoners. He would then take these people back to Backlund, and Viscount Steward would give him a large reward.

"When working for the royal family, money isn't the most important thing; connections and status are..."

Hussein often taught his subordinates this way, believing that it was precisely because of his insight that he was able to gain the support of the royal family and become a steel tycoon in Backlund.

With noon approaching and the Black Death still not appearing, Hussein grew increasingly anxious.

"Mr. Luger, could something have gone wrong?"

He looked at Ruger Doyle standing to the side and asked with a solemn expression. This well-dressed, somewhat refined-looking man was a bodyguard sent by the royal family for him. The Rank 6 judge, Viscount Stratford, claimed that as long as Ruger Doyle was around, no pirate on the sea could threaten his safety.

Although Hussein was not an extraordinary being and did not know the division of power among extraordinary beings, he believed Viscount Stratford's words, for the viscount always possessed a convincing air of authority.

Ruger Doyle replied slowly and deliberately:

"No need to worry, everything is going according to plan. Tracy has already completed several deals and is trustworthy. Perhaps the storm a few days ago slowed things down."

Just then, a ship appeared in the northwest direction.

Hussein excitedly asked a nearby waiter for a telescope, and after seeing the ship's appearance clearly, he was somewhat astonished:

"No, it's not the Black Death! It's the Marlin!"

Ruger Doyle frowned, then calmly said:

"Perhaps Tracy had some urgent business and couldn't come in person, but instead sent her men to escort the Marlin to the transaction. Don't panic, everything is still going according to plan."

Hussein nodded approvingly:

“That makes sense. This way, we can save the trouble of changing the prisoners to another ship.”

As the two talked, the Marlin continued its journey toward the deserted island.

However, to Hussein's surprise, after approaching the coast, the Marlin suddenly turned, skimmed over the deserted island, and headed straight for Bayam in the southeast.

Hussein paused, looking at Luger Doyle beside him with some confusion:

"Mr. Luger, was this also part of the plan?"

Ruger Doyle stared blankly at the Gunfish speeding past the deserted island, clenching his fists and furrowing his refined brows.

After a long pause, he finally roared in fury:

"Damn it, that bitch Tracy! What is she doing?!"

Just then, a mirror in the captain's cabin shattered with a bang, and Tracy's figure slowly appeared beside it, the sapphire ring on her finger shining brightly.

A playful smile flickered in her azure eyes:

"Excuse me, what did you just say?"

Ruger Doyle froze, looking somewhat flustered. Then, he cleared his throat and said in a low voice:

"Why hasn't the Marlin docked? You should know that we're very close to Bayam. We'd better hurry."

Tracy chuckled softly:

"Several naval ships caught up with us, so I had to order my men to stop the Marlin on the back side of the island."

As she spoke, she raised her right hand, which was adorned with a sapphire ring. Her slender, fair fingers moved up and down as if performing an elegant dance, a sight that stirred the imagination.

"A lewd witch..."

Ruger Doyle cursed under his breath, then turned to Hussein and said:

"Don't worry, everything is going according to plan..."

Before he could finish speaking, Ruger Doyle suddenly felt a strong stiffness in his body, as if his joints were rusting, and his consciousness was gradually becoming unclear.

He looked at Tracy's nimble, dancing white fingers, and in his vision, he saw faint, ethereal threads.

Ruger Doyle jolted awake and, with his last ounce of consciousness, shouted:

"Manipulating others is prohibited here!"

In an instant, the faint spiritual thread snapped, and Ruger Doyle seized the opportunity to break free, taking a few steps back. He pushed his palm forward and roared in Ancient Hermes:

"Costume alteration is prohibited here!"

Tracy's form collapsed and transformed into the appearance of Livre.

Liviel couldn't help but feel a little regretful: in actor mode, she could only exert half of her normal strength, so she couldn't fully control the puppet and Luger Doyle managed to break free.

Ruger Doyle looked at Livre, who had revealed her true form, and his expression turned cold:

"Faceless Man? No, Master of Puppets! What do you want?"

Livr didn't explain to him. Instead, she conjured up terrifying frost in her hand, which transformed into a long spear that gleamed with cold light, and hurled it at Ruger Doyle.

Luger Dalton, who was fully on guard against the control of the spirit threads, was startled. He hadn't expected Livre to have such an attack method. He hurriedly raised his palm and chanted in Ancient Hermes:

"prohibit!"

In an instant, the ice spear seemed to have crashed into an invisible wall, turning into countless fragments.

But beneath the scattered debris, several solid threads wrapped around and bound Ruger Doyle's body.

Ruger Doyle was even more terrified, not understanding why Livre possessed so many abilities. He hurriedly tried to chant again:

"This area is off-limits..."

But before he could finish speaking, Livre snapped her fingers, and cold black flames spread along the spider silk, climbing up Ruger Doyle's body.

Ruger Doyle let out a piercing howl, struggling to shout in Old Hermetic:

"Fire is prohibited here!"

However, the black flames, which possessed icy properties, did not burn like ordinary flames. They were not adequately restrained by Ruger Doyle's prohibition. Instead, under Livre's spiritual influence, they burned even more fiercely, quickly leaving him completely burned.

With a flick of her fingertip, Livre flicked a spider silk thread, slicing across Ruger Doyle's neck like a sharp blade.

rub!

Ruger Doyle's head rolled off, his unwilling eyes wide open, and he lost consciousness.

Livre turned to look at Hussein beside her; his face was filled with disbelief, and his whole body was trembling violently.

After a long while, he seemed to finally realize his predicament and knelt down with a thud:

"Don't kill me! I'll give you whatever money you want!"

"I'd like you to transfer all your assets to my account, but unfortunately the bank won't agree..."

Livre sighed and walked up to Hussein, the blood-stained spider silk on her fingertips gleaming with a chilling light.

Hussein grew even more terrified, retreating while pleading for mercy: