“No problem, but when the fourth Chosen One is about to appear, what else do you want to Diviner for? Have you run into trouble?”
Luvia asked with concern, and Xia De shook his head:
“Dorothy’s rented house was robbed, and it’s suspected that Jack the Thief snuck into the study through the window. Since he dared to steal from Dorothy, I naturally can’t let him off. Oh, Luvia, I know this is a waste, but I can’t pretend this didn’t happen.”
“You don’t have to explain to me. On the contrary, I’m glad you’re so good to Dorothy. It means that on the path of pursuing an epic, you still remember to care about the people around you.”
Luvia smiled, but didn’t pick up the coin:
“If you want to catch him, I don’t think I need to help. The Five Gods Church is certain that relic is the ‘Invisible Man’ corresponding to Venarus’s trial. The Church paid for the Prophet Association to conduct a Diviner, and as a thief, his whereabouts are completely uncertain, but the main branch Divinered the items he will steal this week.”
“Oh? There’s such a thing?”
“Do you have a map of Tobesk with you?”
“Of course.”
Xia De rummaged through the small toys in his pocket for a while, then unfolded the map onto the table. This was a map left by Sparrow Detective, not only highly accurate but also with unique markings:
“If the Diviner result is not misinterpreted, this week, that thief will repeatedly commit crimes in this area.”
Luvia reached out and drew a circle in the center of the map, roughly encompassing Yodel Palace, Saint Delan Square and the surrounding areas, and even a part of the opposite bank of the Terraril River. In other words, this was the core area of the entire central district of Tobesk.
“The stolen items are related to the royal family, directly touched by King Larus III in 1853, and themselves symbolize identity and status.”
Luvia said, and Xia De moved Mia to the edge of the map, letting her hold it down:
“But within such a large area, there must be more than five digits of things the King has touched, right? Not just inanimate objects, but the King’s children, relatives, horses, pets, mistresses—these all belong to ‘symbolizing identity and status’.”
Luvia said, pointing to Yodel Palace, while Mia lay beside them, watching the two talk:
“The scope is indeed a bit large. The Church suspects here the most.”
“Yodel Palace? Yes, this can be considered the most valuable place to steal in all of Tobesk City.”
“Besides Yodel Palace, the parliament and the nobles and high-ranking civil servants living in this area could also be targets of theft. You know, noble medals, commissions—the King has directly touched these.”
Luvia then pointed to Saint Delan Square on the map:
“Of course, that also includes you.”
The purple-eyed girl said with a smile, and Xia De deeply agreed.
He decided that when he slept these next few days, he would tie a string from Mia’s paw to his wrist, so he would always know if Mia had been taken away by someone else. The Diviner only revealed one of Jack the Thief’s actions, which didn’t mean he would only commit one theft this week. Perhaps after visiting Leia’s house, that thief suddenly became interested in the Detective’s cat.
“What does the Church plan to do? Launch a large-scale ritual in the surrounding area that can sanctify the City? Or urgently dispatch Thirteen Ring Sorcerers from surrounding areas to grid the region and manage them separately? Or find seven or eight targeted angel-level relics to counter this relic?”
“No, no, no.”
Luvia quickly shook her head:
“Jack the Thief gets stronger when facing stronger opponents. If overly powerful forces are used for defense, it might instead cause the relic itself to lose control. But if only ordinary defensive strategies are used, the Church is almost certain to let him escape. Therefore, the current plan is to maintain low-intensity contact battle preparations, without setting up large-scale perception rituals, but requiring the Ring術士 teams of the Five Gods Church to be fully mobilized.”
“That’s not bad, but I just don’t know if other organizations like the Truth Society will also get involved besides the Church. I heard from Yiluna that quite a few organizations are involved in this matter.”
Xia De pondered:
“It’s a pity I don’t know the exact time and location of Jack the Thief’s actions, otherwise I would definitely make a move. Even if not for the wise man's stone, then for Dorothy. Luvia, you don’t know how low Dorothy’s mood was when she came to my house this morning.”
“Is it really appropriate to discuss one lady in front of another lady?”
Luvia raised an eyebrow, then said:
“However, I do know the time of Jack the Thief’s action, just not the location.”
She was satisfied to see Xia De’s surprised expression:
“By this.”
Luvia took out an ancient silver coin:
“Remember it? The Diviner’s Silver Coin, which can assist a Diviner in performing Divination. With this relic, and that sudden inspiration, I glimpsed the coming fate. Today is Monday. Two days later, on Wednesday night, in the heavy fog, Jack the Thief will commit another crime.”
Xia De frowned slightly. Jack the Thief himself had anti-Divination power, so no matter how excellent Luvia’s Divination skills were, it was impossible for her to Diviner with such precision. He vaguely understood that this was related to Luvia’s unique “other self,” similar to how Luvia knew what the large book in Miss Pa Wo’s hand was, but he didn’t expose this point:
“Wednesday night. On Wednesday night, I will be here, at the Prophet Association, attending the reading salon held by Princess Leia. Yes, this location is very good, offering a direct view of Yodel Palace. If I can find any clues, I’ll try to take action. Even if there’s no opportunity, I’ll help the Church. Although I am only a Four Ring, I should still be able to play some role. In any case, that thief must be caught.”
“Alright.”
Luvia helped Xia De fold the map:
“I’ll stay at the association on Wednesday night. Maybe I can help you then.”
Although both she and Xia De were Four Ring, she had already tacitly agreed that Xia De’s combat power was stronger.
“Okay.”
Xia De then remembered Dorothy saying this morning that she also wanted to help, but Leia would also be at the Prophet Association on Wednesday, and due to the repulsion of their souls, the Writer certainly couldn’t come.
“Then let Dorothy go to Saint Delan Square Six on Wednesday night to help me look after Mia. I might encounter a battle on Wednesday, so I can’t just bring this cat with me.”
Xia De made up his mind, then hesitated whether to let Luvia bring the Night Watchman to the Prophet Association in advance. Although this sword is an angel-level relic, it is only extremely effective when fighting evil; otherwise, it is just an extremely sharp sword.
And the information on Jack the Thief shared by Yiluna showed that although he was a thief, he would not be judged as “evil.”
“Do you want to have dinner together tonight? If you come back late, I can wait for you at your house.”
The purple-eyed girl suddenly asked again.
“What? Oh, of course, I was distracted just now. I mean, of course, we’ll have dinner together.”
Xia De thought again of the book with silver corner protectors that contained one-third of Knowledge. He hadn’t been able to show it to Dorothy last time, but perhaps he could let Luvia see it this time; maybe she would know what it was:
“Last week I got a pretty flying glowing object. After dinner, you can come to my house to see it.”
As soon as Xia De finished speaking, Luvia immediately showed a mischievous smile, an expression Xia De had seen on Dorothy’s face over the weekend:
“Xia De, isn’t that reason a bit too old-fashioned?”
Dorothy had also said that, but the next sentence was Luvia’s “original”:
“But I also bought a very pretty nightgown. You might like it.”
(Mia running)
Jack the Thief’s stealing range is the urban area of Tobesk, so Miss Jialinna’s manor, located outside the City, is very safe.
This Monday, Xia De planned to go to Huntington City to deal with Professor Drake’s matter. Considering that this matter would likely involve relics or something more terrifying, Xia De temporarily left Mia at Miss Jialinna’s manor before departing.
However, Miss Jialinna had gone into the City with Tifa. The officials accompanying Princess Margaret had indeed brought some trade proposals. Since Saladir County was also involved, Miss Jialinna also had to attend the meeting.
But fortunately, Mia was quite familiar with this manor, and the maids in the manor also liked this cat very much. Xia De leaving her here meant he didn’t have to worry about Mia being wronged, but when Xia De was at the manor entrance, preparing to board the carriage back to the City, he saw the cat on the study window sill looking at him from afar, and at that moment, he was truly worried.
After returning home, he brought the Night Watchman, wrapped its scabbard with cloth strips, carried it in his hand, and then went to Huntington City through the basement.
By the time he arrived at White River Valley Vineyard, it was already eleven in the morning. Xia De rode directly to Bernhardt Manor, also in the west of the City, but unfortunately, Mr. Bernhardt was not there.
The Old Butler knew that Xia De was Bernhardt’s good friend, so he directed him to the White King Club in the City, which was also where Mr. Bernhardt had invited him to dinner the first time Xia De came to this City.
Xia De could not enter the White King Club directly; it was the most exclusive club in Huntington City, only accessible to members or accompanied by senior members. Fortunately, it allowed for finding people. After Xia De explained his purpose to the doorman at the entrance, a waiter immediately went to find Mr. Bernhardt.
Before long, Mr. Bernhardt personally came to the entrance to greet Xia De, looking in good spirits:
“Oh, Mr. Holmes, we were just talking about you. Come with me quickly, I’ve found all the information you were looking for.”
“We? You have other friends here?”
Xia De followed this distinguished middle-aged Vampire into the understatedly luxurious club. Mr. Bernhardt nodded:
“Yes, I want to introduce you to my friend, Father Nobel of the Peace Church. He’s an old friend of mine.”
Led by a waiter, the two walked into the club’s restaurant. The restaurant was very quiet, with local gentlemen conversing softly. The tables were spaced far apart, a design specifically for private conversations.
“Father Nobel? That surname is not common.”
Xia De had already seen the middle-aged priest in a black uniform robe, who turned to look at the two.
“It really is him.”
Father Nobel was the Eight-Ring Warlock who appeared in the battle the night before Princess Margaret left Huntington. The Miracle he used on the rooftop, similar to a “white dove suicide bomber,” left a very deep impression on Xia De.
---Author’s Note---
PS: Extra update.
It’s so hot lately.
