Xia De had originally intended to ask Dorothy about the exam questions that evening, but as soon as the two of them spread out their books in front of the fireplace, the scorching badge on Xia De's chest reminded him that the Witch had already arrived downstairs.
The ringing of the doorbell downstairs was a bit slower than the heating of the badge, so Xia De had time to look out from the living room window. The familiar carriage, coming from the snow-covered City, indicated that it was Miss Jialinna who was visiting this time, not Miss Silvia.
"What about the demon?"
The Great Witch was decisive. As soon as Xia De opened the door downstairs, she immediately asked. Behind the Duchess was the deep Winter night, and Tifa, in the night, had just stepped down from the carriage, giving Xia De a look of concern.
"Oh, Miss Jialinna, how did you know about this?"
Xia De asked curiously, then stepped aside to let the Witch and her entourage in.
The Duchess was imperious. After entering the door, she took off her fox fur shawl, which was for warmth, and handed it to Tifa:
"I just came back from Silvia's place. She told me about Margaret Anjou encountering a demon. That Princess didn't mention who she encountered this with, but we immediately guessed that this matter must be related to you. A young girl like Margaret Anjou doesn't know how terrifying the Evil Spirits of the third epoch are, but how could we not know? What exactly happened?"
The concern in her tone was evident.
"Let's go upstairs to talk, but don't worry, the opponent is not a very terrifying demon, and I have already found a way to deal with it."
Miss Jialinna probably rushed over, and besides Tifa, there were only two other accompanying maids. They went to the kitchen to prepare tea with Dorothy. Although Leia disliked her Grand Aunt a bit, Dorothy's attitude towards the Duchess was barely neutral, and she had no special thoughts.
"Xia De, do you understand what you encountered?"
After she sat down on the sofa, her tone was still so stern, which made Mia, who was warming herself by the fireplace, wriggle and look over, as if worried that Xia De was being bullied.
"I've seen Darkness and Human Pus, how could I not know what a demon represents?"
Xia De said, taking off the continuously heating badge from his chest and handing it to her:
"After the Human Pus incident, I met a very powerful friend who can help me expel demons. Look at this, I bought this from him for self-defense."
The "Witch Detection Badge" was originally made for Xia De by Miss Jialinna, so she easily noticed the bone-white edge on the side of the badge. When Father Augustus made the bone round badge using angel bones, he considered the issue of concealment, so under normal circumstances, no one could tell what that layer of bone was for.
Even after the Witch inspected it, she couldn't figure out what it was. It wasn't until she took out a small bottle of black, muddy substance and dripped it onto the badge that the rising black flames finally smoothed out her furrowed brows:
"What material is this divine artifact made of? It seems you really have met an extraordinary alchemist."
"Miss Jialinna, please don't worry about the demon. I will handle it within a week at most, you don't need to worry about me."
Xia De said once again, then hesitated for a moment and took the Duchess's hand.
The Red-haired Witch's expression immediately softened, and she turned her head to look out the window, a very rare blush on her face. Tifa, standing behind the sofa, winked her left eye at Xia De, which was a sign of encouragement.
"If you think you can handle it, I won't say much more, but you must be careful when dealing with matters related to demons. The Evil Spirits of the third epoch are immortal and can even directly hide in people's hearts."
"I have a lot of holy water at home. When things are resolved, I'll bathe in holy water."
Xia De said again, then changed the subject:
"Besides the demon matter, I also learned something else. Yesterday, at the Three Cats Inn, I encountered people from the Apner Library again. I overheard their conversation with the Truth Society and the Pantanal Voodoo Society. The fragments of poetry they sold were actually all incomplete. The location required for the Selected One Ritual is not a body of water, but an 'island in the water'."
"The Church's patience with the Apner Library is probably running out soon."
Miss Jialinna sighed. Xia De did not mention that Sir Prisia was the Chosen One, after all, Luvia had not yet decided how to deal with the fourth Chosen One.
"However, the Pantanal Voodoo Society..."
She considered for a moment:
"Sister Devlin has recently been investigating the Great Swamp area, and the Council, to help her, has also collected a lot of information. I can't think of a reason why the Voodoo Society would also be involved in the Chosen One matter. I hope they are just hired thugs."
The maids brought the tea, while Dorothy went directly into the study, showing no intention of speaking to Miss Jialinna. The Duchess talked with Xia De for a while longer. When the first cup of tea was finished, she glanced at the grandfather clock in the corner of the living room:
"I have other things tonight. Come out with me now, we'll be back in about two hours."
"No problem, but what are we going to do? Do I need to prepare extra weapons and spell materials?"
Miss Jialinna thought for a moment:
"There shouldn't be any danger. Silvia is also coming with us. The Council found a suspected Keeper, and we're going to try our luck. You can bring weapons, but in my opinion, they are unnecessary."
"A new Keeper? Then let's go now."
Considering that the demon was still watching him and Dorothy, Xia De did not bring the Night Watchman, but left the sword for the girl and the cat at home.
He prepared his other relics and boarded the Duchess's carriage in the night. The carriage carried everyone towards the eastern part of the City.
In the planning of Tobesk City, both the eastern and southern parts of the City were wealthy areas, but most nobles lived in the south, while respectable middle-class people like Doctor Schneider were concentrated in the east.
The Winter sun set very early, and the minimum temperature, which had long fallen below freezing, also kept people from staying on the streets at night as much as possible. The nominal center of the eastern City was the local Natural Church. The carriage carrying everyone did not pass there, but Xia De could see the grand side tower of the Natural Church a few streets away in the night, as well as the church's spire, which seemed to shimmer under the faint Moonlight.
Two streets west of the Natural Church, lay Tobesk's very famous Regent Park. It was established to commemorate Regent John about 200 years ago and is the largest park in Tobesk City. Its establishment and maintenance are also related to the Natural Church.
And tonight's destination was this park.
The carriage quietly crossed the bridge over the Nington River. When it stopped at the bridgehead, Miss Silvia, dressed in a black dress, was waiting for them in the shadows not illuminated by the streetlights.
Not far from the Witch was the Nington River's channel. This river could not compare to the Terraril River west of Yodel Palace; it was merely a small, decorative river within the City.
Due to the heavy snow a few days ago, the river was now frozen, with snowflakes covering the ice. By the river at night, the Witch, like a beautiful woman in a landscape oil painting, was staring at the river. Only after the carriage stopped did she turn and walk to the elegant gas lamp at the bridgehead.
"Xia De will handle the demon matter himself."
The Duchess said simply, then instructed Tifa:
"You, Julia, and Annie wait for us in the carriage."
"Okay, Miss."
Tifa, who was about to get out of the carriage, then shrank back in. After handing a heavy canvas bag to Xia De, the silent coachman drove them away.
"What were you looking at just now?"
Miss Jialinna asked Miss Silvia, also gazing at the river under the sparse starlight:
"The river here isn't stinking, it seems the Natural Church has done something."
"I was calculating Tobesk's snowfall."
Miss Silvia said simply, smiling at Xia De:
"If my numerical divination is not mistaken, Tobesk's snowfall this Winter will far exceed previous years' levels... Xia De, do you really not need our help with the demon matter?"
"No need, I can solve it myself."
"I actually like snowy weather. Let's not chat here, this way."
The Duchess said softly. She led the way, walked down the bridgehead, and turned left, arriving at the entrance of Regent Park.
Regent Park was originally a private royal garden. It began to open to the public during Leia's great-grandfather's time and later hosted the Delarion-Carson Rick Industrial Expo. Every Summer, grand unseated concerts are held here, and the shores of Regent Lake in the center of the park are a good place for an evening stroll after dinner.
Lunqin Avenue, where Doctor Schneider's clinic is located, is a 10-minute walk from here. The doctor often comes here for walks when he has nothing to do.
Of course, there was no one in Regent Park on a Winter night. Because in previous years, someone illegally stored steam engine parts in the park, causing a joint protest from nearby residents. Therefore, the use and opening hours of Regent Park were strictly restricted by the City Hall.
At this time, the park was not allowed to enter, but for Xia De and the two Witches, this was not a problem at all.
Walking inwards along the gravel path, stepping on the snow layer on the ground through the sparse coniferous forest, and after walking down a downward slope, the Regent Lake was not far away in the Darkness.
This small lake's area was only a quarter the size of Saint Delan Square. It was an artificial lake dug to connect with the Nington River.
"It's here."
Miss Jialinna said softly. The two Witches walked on either side of Xia De. Xia De carried the canvas bag, looking at the lake by the Moonlight.
"I don't feel any traces of elements."
Xia De whispered softly, his nose simultaneously catching two perfume scents. Although these were both unique perfumes called "Witch's Scent," their smells were actually different.
Probably noticing Xia De's imperceptible nose twitch, Miss Silvia's face flushed slightly, but she smiled and said nothing.
"Yes, before this, I went through the Leedweich Field archives. In recent months, the only strange rumors coming from here are young men and women who sneak in at night for trysts, hearing someone singing in the lake."
Miss Jialinna said, looking at Miss Silvia. The Witch with short black hair took a beat to nod:
"We need a special method to summon the Keeper, but before that, we need to do something else."
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