"Understood," Lin Ruo nodded in agreement. He observed as Kaspars skillfully maneuvered through the crowd and made his way to the back of the bar.
The level of alertness here is quite low. If I were an official Beyonder, I could have easily identified and captured the criminals here at once. Lin Ruo commented silently, his eyes scanning the crowd. He muttered under his breath and took another sip of the wine in his glass.
He had ordered a mix of Su Le wine, half and half. The taste was passable, although it didn't compare to the fine wines Lin Ruo was accustomed to. Nonetheless, he wasn't a particularly choosy person when it came to drinks.
About halfway through his glass of wine, Kaspars reappeared in his line of sight. With quick strides, he approached Lin Ruo and spoke in a hushed voice, "They've agreed. Come here at the same time tomorrow, and I'll take you to meet them..." After a pause, he added, "Of course, there's a fee of two pounds."
"Tomorrow..." Lin Ruo set down his glass and inquired, "Should I pay you today or tomorrow?"
"Right now..." Kaspars responded almost instinctively.
"No problem!" Lin Ruo nodded, swiftly taking out two pounds from his bag and handing them to Kaspars. The action immediately brought a pleased smile to the drunken face. He exclaimed, "Refreshing!"
With that, he clenched his right fist and tapped it against his left chest, saying, "May the storm accompany you!"
Lin Ruo grinned at the gesture but didn't reply.
Subsequently, he exited the Braveheart Bar, boarded a carriage, and returned to his lodgings. After spending some time in the kitchen, preparing dinner, Lin Ruo settled down to read the evening paper while enjoying his meal, providing his mind with a rare moment of relaxation.
Then, in the midst of reading, his movements abruptly halted.
"Effective..."
Ray Bieber had managed to escape the jurisdiction of the Mandated Punishers.
A sly smile tugged at the corner of Lin Ruo's lips. A fountain pen belonging to the [Truth] power suddenly appeared in his hand again, , as he wrote:
[Hanass Vincent and Sirius Arapis will be exposed by the Church of the Storm's Beyonders next week as members of the Aurora Order.]
This particular "Truth" didn't consume much power, which wasn't surprising. After Lin Ruo's intervention, it was only logical for the Mandated Punishers to intensify their search for hidden members of the Aurora Order in Tingen. Under these circumstances, the chances of Hanass Vincent and Sirius Arapis being discovered were quite high. Employing the Truth to facilitate this outcome naturally didn't demand a significant expenditure of power.
And thus, this was just another step in Lin Ruo's intricate plan.
"In the fashion of Ince... After Hanass Vincent and Sirius Arapis are discovered, they'll likely be scripted into death, and then..." Lin Ruo twirled the pen between his fingers, his gaze darkening. "What more will you do..."
"Perhaps you'll hasten the arrival of the Descendant of theTrue Creator..."
He mused briefly before setting the pen aside and stretching lazily.
"It's time to study..."
...
The night passed without further incident. After Lin Ruo concluded his studies, he drifted into a peaceful slumber and awoke to the morning, commencing another day of work and learning. During this period, he was once again drawn to Tingen in the afternoon, but as Klein was taking turns and engrossed in his own tasks, Lin Ruo remained blissfully unaware of any actions or changes unfolding within the official Beyonder community.
Nevertheless, Lin Ruo paid this fact no mind, engaging in a casual chat with Klein. Their discussion primarily centered around intriguing tidbits from the world of the Beyonder, as well as the colorful histories surrounding Emperor Roselle.
As the saying goes, beset by Roselle, one enjoys happiness!
As evening descended, Lin Ruo returned to Backlund. Utilizing the powers of the Faceless, he replicated his appearance from his visit to the Braveheart Bar the previous day. Then, with a secondary disguise layered atop, he ventured out once again.
Following a sequence of carriage rides, Lin Ruo alighted at the entrance of the Braveheart Bar.
Pushing through the weighty black doors and passing the familiar guard, Lin Ruo entered the establishment to find Kaspars seated at the bar, nursing a glass of wine.
Approaching him, Lin Ruo gave Kaspars a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Good evening, Mr. Kaspars!"
Kaspars glanced at him, recognition flashing in his eyes. He placed his wine glass down and replied, "Follow me."
With Lin Ruo in tow, Kaspars limped through the bar's kitchen, then led him down the alley and finally to a dimly lit house.
Inside, Kaspars handed Lin Ruo a mask designed to conceal the upper half of his face. "For you," he said.
Lin Ruo accepted the mask and promptly donned it.
Kaspars rapped rhythmically on the door, causing a small panel to slide open, revealing a pair of brown eyes.
After a quick glance at Kaspars and Lin Ruo, the individual behind the door swung it open and ushered them inside, handing Lin Ruo a hooded robe as they did so.
Putting on the robe, Lin Ruo followed his guide through a dimly illuminated sitting room on the ground floor. Illuminated solely by a single candle on a coffee table, the room accommodated over a dozen individuals, all similarly clad in masks and robes. It rather resembled a scene from a horror film.
Selecting a corner to sit, Lin Ruo's gaze swept across the assembly, seeking to discern their identities.
A man with a round face was probably the "Apothecary" from the original story. A slightly wrinkled complexion indicated he might be the elder "Eye of Wisdom." Then there was the woman whose face was fully obscured by a hood.
Having surveyed the attendees, Lin Ruo's attention returned to the elderly man on the solo sofa. Glancing at the wall clock, the man remarked, "Our tardy companions won't be joining us. Let's begin."
"I have a weapon to offer," stated the hooded woman, her voice shrouded in shadows. "It's a dagger crafted by a master artisan. Each strike inflicts a unique poison effect, with a chance of inducing bleeding that can't be cured with ordinary medicine. Its can be used for half a year."
Describing the weapon's properties, she continued, "For 450 pounds, or the formula for the Barbarian Potion."
Lin Ruo studied the woman briefly, then spoke, "I possess a Barbarian Potion formula, but I'm uninterested in your weapon. I propose a Gold pounds trade—450 pounds, or a Provoker's Potion formula."
"I have Gold pounds!" the woman hastened to assure, fearing Lin Ruo might change his mind at any moment.
"Agreed!" Lin Ruo affirmed. Retrieving a previously copied potion formula, he handed it over. This preparation allowed him to preemptively copy all the potion formulas he knew for this very purpose.
The note was passed to the elder man, who verified its authenticity using a ring adorned with diamonds and green gems, simulating the power of a Notary. The woman, her anxiety alleviated, counted out 450 pounds and passed them to Lin Ruo via the intermediary. She then received the note, her eagerness apparent as she immediately unfolded it to confirm the formula.
Stowing away the Gold pounds, Lin Ruo specified, "I require the Provoker Potion formula, obtainable through Gold Pounds or formula exchange. Should you wish to sweeten the deal, the Barbarian's Follow-up Potion formula is also acceptable, of course, with an adjustment for the difference."