Chapter 2361: The Expanding Team

Chapter 2361: Chapter 2361: The Expanding Team

"Then we have made an agreement... That’s all about my business. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave."

"Are you really that afraid of me?"

The beautiful head in the water spoke mournfully, while the surrounding mist grew thicker:

"Is my charm truly less than that of the witches in the manor? How about keeping me company, talking with me?

I’m really too lonely, even just one minute, one minute would be enough. I would consider today as the best Valentine’s Day."

Blushing, Shard firmly pressed his chest and turned to sprint away. He wasn’t stopped, and as he dashed into the small house where the elevator platform was parked, he heard the wild and joyful laughter in the distance behind him.

Half an hour later, at the Belindel Estate. The aroma of black tea filled the surroundings, mixing with the perfume of the witches, bringing a delightful sense of euphoria.

"So, the Silver Dragon’s scales are less than half a day’s boat ride from us?"

Miss Aphrola asked in amazement in the study, her brown wavy long hair tied together, cascading down her back. Shard rarely saw her with such a hairstyle.

After Shard nodded, the "Light’s" Grand Witch excitedly said to Miss Eles:

"Shard doesn’t need to go personally. We’ll fetch it back, that way there will be four scales."

Miss Belindel, holding a teacup, gently nodded:

"Then, Hevy, Miss Eles, I’ll leave it to you two. Luviya, once they’re back, we’ll proceed with the ritual. Four scales should be enough to expand the divination range to search for other scales."

"Of course, no problem. I didn’t expect Shard to bring us such a surprise early in the morning. It seems he spent all day yesterday for this; I hope he enjoyed last night’s supper."

Luviya smiled at Shard, who felt like she was hinting at something. He glanced sidelong at Tifa, who was standing by the desk organizing documents with Miss Matilda and Miss Swift. At that moment, she happened to look at him and then smiled, biting her lip.

Shard jerked his head back as if electrocuted.

Miss Sylvia, sitting to Shard’s left, was considering another matter:

"The dragon scales might reveal the true content of the Chosen One Ceremony, but Shard, have you confirmed who the Chosen One is this time?"

"Emma, don’t rush, Shard will eventually have the answer."

Vanessa, sitting on a single sofa, said. The Witch of the Earth, who arrived with Ciris early in the morning, was somewhat lazy. Last night their performance at the Edington Opera House lasted until eleven o’clock. Though she didn’t perform, she waited until the troupe girls finished before resting.

"I feel Shard already has an answer in his heart."

The Blue Dragon Girl squinted her eyes and smiled, causing everyone to look at Shard. Shard, holding Little Mia, immediately shook his head:

"Don’t look at me like that, I only have a hunch about which of the last holy swords corresponds to whom, but it’s still far from the answer... Speaking of which, Miss Belindel, what were you all discussing when I arrived earlier?"

The Countess sighed:

"This Sunday, the Church will send people to inspect this estate. It’s not particularly targeting me; all ancestral homes of the Seven Great Families will be inspected. So today and tomorrow, we need to hastily conceal some traces. I’ll place some already valueless documents and materials in the library. Everyone must leave here until the evening on Sunday before returning."

"That’s fine with us, but where will Little Liana go?"

Angelina, obediently sitting and listening on a small stool, immediately raised her hand to ask.

The Red-haired Little Princess and the Elf Girl were sitting side by side, with a Little Unicorn lying in front of them, leisurely closing its eyes pretending to nap. Occasionally, it secretly opened its eyes to glance at the cat on Shard’s lap.

"It would be too cruel to let her stay in the carriage all day. Miss Eles, can she come to your ship with us?"

Miss Aphrola asked the Blue Dragon Girl, but before the latter could answer, the Little Unicorn immediately objected with a soft hum. It seemed somewhat afraid of Miss Eles. Emilia quickly soothed it, then helplessly looked at Shard:

"I’ll persuade Little Liana; she’s just throwing a little tantrum."

"No worries; don’t force it. So, Bella, how is your farm outside the city?"

Miss Aphrola asked the Countess again, who shook her head:

"Once you leave the city, it’s not so easy to get back in. Now the Church of the Five Gods has intensified their reconnaissance ceremony covering the city’s edges. A powerful exotic creature like the Unicorn, once it approaches, will surely be detected... Vanessa, didn’t you book an entire floor at the Goethe Grand Inn?"

Ciris answered her. The young golden-haired girl stood behind the sofa:

"I’m afraid that’s not feasible. The Goethe Grand Hotel is just a street away from the Dawn Chapel. Didn’t Iluna just send a letter yesterday saying the entire Dawn Chapel is under inspection? We all know this means that the Dawn Church’s papacy has sent foreign Circle Sorcerers to isolate and scrutinize local clergy members. It’s too dangerous there for now; don’t let Little Liana get close."

Vanessa then asked the Black-haired Girl beside Shard:

"Emma, about Margaret’s Manor, will it work?"

The Grand Witch of Space didn’t refuse immediately; she thought for a moment:

"It shouldn’t be a problem. There are plenty of empty rooms at Margaret’s Manor, so temporarily accommodating Little Liana is certainly possible. Besides, Margaret would be delighted. She’s been quite busy lately and often mentions to me that Shard hasn’t visited her in a week."

She glanced at Shard as she spoke, and Shard discreetly gave her a reassuring gesture.

Shard was investigating vampire-related matters with Mr. Benhart, and the Grand Witches were naturally not idle either. Besides dealing with their numerous mundane identity-related issues, they were focusing their efforts on investigating the Light Seekers Workshop and the Dragon Feast Cult.

Of course, their investigation into the latter was a bit more relaxed, since the church was primarily handling it. After last weekend’s great battle, even Shard wasn’t sure what the Light Seekers Workshop was up to now.

Miss Belindel hadn’t forgotten about the organization "Eternal Light," which Shard mentioned as helping ordinary people. Since "the Night of the Long Fang" as Shard called last weekend, the organization gained quite the attention for saving many people in the Lower District. Their public activities increased recently, though few reported them.

Currently, Miss Belindel had sent people to establish contact with "Eternal Light" based on the information about the dock porter and his son that Shard provided, hoping to obtain new information as soon as possible.

"Also, I need a corpse for ritual materials. A corpse that died from overeating, is that easy to find?"

Shard asked Miss Belindel at the end, and she nodded without hesitation, indicating they could find one within a day or two. Considering the advanced corpse preservation techniques, the body could be used at any time.

The group didn’t linger at the estate for long, and soon Shard left, heading back to Spider Alley.

He and Mr. Benhart still met at the Spider Inn, planning to visit Miss Les and receive the "task reward" for helping Mrs. Jude. Mr. Albert had work during the day, and since the troublesome matters were resolved, he decided not to join the others for now.

"Wait a moment, Mr. Benhart, let’s talk."

The two sat in a corner of the inn, and Shard returned the red crescent-shaped pendant with the five-colored cord to Mr. Benhart, who was surprised:

"Did you successfully dream?"

"I succeeded a few days ago, but with recent concerns regarding Mrs. Jude’s matters, I haven’t had the chance to tell you."

Mr. Benhart opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately just sighed:

"You’re really something."

Shard shook his head:

"I need your help. Although I might not proceed with this, it’s better to be prepared."

The other looked a bit alarmed:

"Why do you always drag me into such matters? Back in Milestone... well, I suppose I can’t refuse, can I? What do I need to do?"

"Three symbolic items of your race."

"No problem, I have quite a few of those at hand. The Order sent a lot this time, used relics from Milestone."

"At least ten vampires who can assist me in prayers."

"That... I don’t have the people here, but Miss Les and Marquis Mosen should be able to arrange it. That’s easy, I can communicate with them."

"Then there shouldn’t be a problem."

Shard breathed a sigh of relief, and Mr. Benhart restrained from asking "what Divine Descent Shell are you planning to use" and instead carefully posed another question:

"Is the situation really this dire?"

"Yes, it’s indeed that serious. Don’t be too shocked, in fact, this might not even be enough. I’m still preparing third and fourth contingencies."

"Uh... Being friends with you is undoubtedly a fortunate thing."

There were no unexpected events during the visit to Miss Les; however, the meeting location was not Earl Les’s estate but the "Senator’s Club" under Belindel’s Big Ben.

This time, Miss Les met with them alone, without Mrs. Jude appearing. After the two sat down, this young vampire noblewoman politely praised them:

"Viscount Benhart, you and your friend are more capable than I imagined. Mrs. Jude approached me during breakfast to lavishly praise you. Knowing she’s not the type to be threatened, I even wondered if you might have intimidated her. But [Richard’s Notes], such a relic you effortlessly found and dealt with; it was truly the right call to let you handle this matter."

"We’ve kept our promise, what about yours?"

Mr. Benhart asked, and the Vampire Girl elegantly set down her white porcelain teacup, glancing at him with brown eyes:

"You’ve proven your capabilities, so of course, I will keep my promise. This matter shows at least that you genuinely intend to achieve things and are capable, without dragging everyone into the abyss. From today until the business at Moon Bay is concluded, I can summon and mobilize about 25 of the same clan, though there may be more whose obedience is uncertain. These are now at your disposal."