"Annie, go tell our guests that I need to change into proper attire and ask them to wait a moment."
After standing up, Audrey didn't immediately leave. Instead, she said this to her personal maid.
"Yes, I'll call the dressing maids in right away..."
"First go inform them, don't let our guests wait too anxiously."
Audrey said, simultaneously activating her "Psychiatrist" ability to give the other party a psychological suggestion.
Her true purpose was to send Annie away so she could prepare for the interrogation that might follow.
"All right..."
Annie's eyes lost focus for an instant before she turned and left.
Audrey seized this opportunity to turn and enter the bathroom. She had Susie stand guard outside while she prayed in a low voice inside:
"The Fool that doesn't belong to this era..."
She wanted to ask Mr. Fool for help, to have Him descend protection and prevent her from revealing important information to MI9.
Before long, her prayer was answered.
She felt a sixteen-winged angel of interwoven gold and black descend upon her, guarding her mind with surging power.
"Good afternoon, honorable Earl Hall."
Because outsiders were present, Audrey didn't use a more intimate form of address for her father, instead curtsying properly and politely.
"Audrey, please sit."
The slightly portly but still handsome Earl Hall sat behind his desk, smiling cheerfully at his precious daughter.
"Have a chat with these two guests."
Audrey naturally looked toward the guests in the chairs. She saw a man and a woman, both wearing crisp military uniforms.
"Good afternoon, esteemed miss."
They rose to greet her.
"Their etiquette is very precise, as if they've undergone special training.
Their demeanor is serious, giving off mental pressure... hmm, I've felt similar temperament from Miss Xio.
They're definitely MI9 members, Beyonders of the 'Arbitrator' pathway..."
"That tall man keeps unconsciously glancing at the female officer beside him. It seems this lady is in charge..."
Audrey returned the greeting while observing them both with her abilities.
"Good afternoon. May I ask who you are?"
She asked in an almost innocent tone, her manner endearing.
The male officer's gaze wavered slightly, the lines of his face visibly softening, but the female officer remained unmoved.
"We're personnel from MI9. I'm Mary, and this is Chuck. We've come to see you to investigate matters related to the 'Blood Reverend.'"
The female officer said.
"Madam, please speak carefully. Miss Audrey has no connection to such dangerous individuals."
At this moment, someone corrected her seriously but politely. It was Earl Hall's guard, a Beyonder from the Church of Evernight.
He wore a black coat, his expression deep and tranquil. He stepped behind Audrey, casting an indifferent gaze at the two.
Mr. Hamm Duke, Dad's bodyguard...
He's speaking up for me...
Audrey glanced back and found her father, Earl Hall, smiling calmly.
"...My apologies, I misspoke."
The female officer smiled.
"Let me correct that. We've only come to understand the relevant situation."
"Please continue."
Only then did Hamm Duke nod and step back.
The officer calling herself "Mary" adjusted slightly before continuing to ask:
"Miss Audrey, did you invest in a textile factory in the East Borough within the past few months?"
So it is because of this.
Audrey thought to herself.
The plague outbreak occurred in the district controlled by Mr. Temperance.
If MI9 investigated afterward and visited the area, they'd eventually discover he was often active there and trace it back to me...
"Yes."
She answered truthfully.
"Could you describe the investment process in detail?"
Officer Mary wasn't surprised by this answer and continued pressing.
"It was a charitable project."
Audrey recalled, "I was approaching adulthood and began developing my own ventures.
While arranging personnel to investigate living conditions in the East Borough, I discovered this factory on the verge of bankruptcy.
Although someone had taken over the textile factory, they were still short on funds, so I invested some money."
She concealed the fact that she knew Silas, claiming her investment was coincidental.
"Regarding the person who took over the textile factory, do you still remember them?"
"Hmm... I can't seem to recall clearly."
Audrey frowned in thought and shook her head. "It's strange; I actually can't remember his specific appearance."
The two officers exchanged glances.
After a moment, the female officer Mary continued amiably, "Miss Audrey, perhaps you could cooperate with us in performing some rituals to help you remember..."
"Don't go too far!"
Hamm Duke said angrily, "Miss Audrey holds a noble status. How can her memories be casually probed?"
"According to our preliminary investigation, the true owner of that textile factory is very likely the 'Blood Reverend,'" Mary explained to him verbally while keeping her eyes fixed on Earl Hall.
"This concerns matters of national importance, ordered personally by His Majesty.
We must take it seriously. Please understand."
Earl Hall's expression remained calm, revealing nothing.
"Even if they investigate, it doesn't matter. I've already received Mr. Fool's protection... However, I could hint to Dad to agree to this, but as compensation, extract more benefits from MI9..."
Audrey thought to herself.
"Thud, thud, thud!"
Just as she was considering how to pass a signal to her father, urgent footsteps suddenly sounded outside the study, and a man also wearing a military uniform burst in.
"Emergency assembly!"
The newcomer shouted, "There are traces of the 'Blood Reverend.' He's at sea!"
***
"So, what are we doing today?"
Sonia Sea, Toscarter Island, first floor of a certain inn. Anderson spread raspberry jam on his toast and asked casually.
"I'm going to walk around the island, assess the situation, and look for suitable personnel," Silas answered while drinking milk.
"As for you, you can continue considering whether to join my fleet."
"Heh heh... Well, I think I'll head over to the Free Adventurers Union first," Anderson said, sweat forming on his forehead as he quickly changed the subject with a smile.
"I arranged with their contact to collect my bounty today."
With that, he had no mood to spread the jam evenly. He gulped it down in a few bites, washed it down with coffee, turned, and slipped out of the first floor.
Looks like he really doesn't want to be a pirate...
Silas thought with some regret.
Well, it made sense.
After all, going from being the "Strongest Hunter" in the Fog Sea to suddenly becoming a pirate, the change in status was simply too drastic... Forget it then.
He'd take him to the island where the "School of Life's" council member was located, and they'd call it even.
He watched the hunter's retreating figure and saw him brush past a down-and-out middle-aged man.
"One standard breakfast and a bottle of Lanti."
The older man walked into the inn's dining room and spoke to the server.
Silas frowned slightly.
He sensed the aura of a Beyonder from the other party.