Returning to the Municipal Square.
Wide, bold colored tents erected amongst the fleeting pedestrians. On its foot were people gathered for brief entertainment displayed by multiple clowns wearing ludicrous outfits of red, blue and white.
Selina navigated through the congestion of clamor, raising voices of hawkers and clamping . Sun hat pressed so as to not lose it from the passing crowd.
Her steps were deliberate and each were mechanical. For it is needed to safely avoid any mishaps across a venue packed with people.
Soon, the firework's front came into view. Upon entering, Selina quickly noticed the bold and colorful rockets painted in varied patterns, displayed by the racks and shelves.
Behind the counter was a man, bearing wrinkles that suggests old age. He had a very prominent white mustache that compliments his tidied hair. Currently inspecting a rocket by his hand.
Arriving there, Selina took her sun hat first before turned to the gentleman and greeted warmly. "Good afternoon Mister."
The man retracted his attention from the rocket to Selina, he replied with the same manner. "Good afternoon as well miss, my name is Harold. How may I help you?"
"I wish to buy a handful of fireworks." Selina said.
He first set the rocket aside below the counter and asked. "How many would you like?"
She thought for a second before saying. "Twenty-four rockets should be enough."
Harold suddenly raised a brow and pressed further. "Missy, what are you going to do with such an amount of rockets?"
Selina gave a sheepish smile at the owner. However, she already expects him to pose this question if ever she mentions her needed quantity.
On the consideration of the distance, a few rockets won't be enough to cause a commotion for the officials to take notice or even fail to keep them at bay. After all, the circus is currently in the city and the routes are almost linear.
With a prepared excuse, she said calmly. "For research purposes..."
"..."
Harold's eyes narrowed at her response.
That excuse wouldn't convince even the most gullible!
Harold sighed gravely and requested. "Let me see that research application."
Selina's chest tightened. I... Don't have that...
Seeing the lady's expression gradually loosen its vibrancy than before. The gentleman couldn't help but pricked his brows as he revoke. "Are you sure it's for research purposes?"
He wouldn't mind selling a batch at one go, it would even raise the day's sale!
But if he isn't sure about the person's motives, especially at the order for a batch. He would feel responsible for any complications caused by the usage of his fireworks.
Hearing Harold's question. Selina hesitated, but after a few seconds, she said nonetheless. "Yes Mr. Harold."
Harold gave a faint nod and stated. "That'll be fifteen pounds and ten soli, tax included."
Selina reached for the compartment of her dress and pulled out a leather wallet. Taking out exactly twenty-five notes, with pounds and soli before handing it to the counter.
Just before Harold can prepare a batch from the store room left most of the store. Selina called and said. "Ah! Mr. Harold, could you perhaps... Leave it behind your store until tonight?"
Then she hastily added. "I will personally take it so please."
Selina can't afford to be noticed carrying around a batch of rockets. Unless she want to be subjected to rumors or alert officials and the Rose School of Thought members before the operation could arrive.
This deepened Harold's suspicion. Prompting him to pose a question. "What for?"
Once more, Selina gave a composed and reserved facade as she said. "Please."
Harold began to grew anxious at each of Selina's words. He began massaging his glabella with his right fingers and steadied himself by the counter, he asked. "Miss... What's your name?"
Selina calmly replied. "Selina Roy."
"Okay Ms. Roy. If there's ever a commotion brought by fireworks, I will put you first on the suspect lists." Harold declared.
His words settled into Selina. But regardless, she agreed. "I don't have any objections..."
With a much heavier sigh. The stressed Harold walked out of the counter and headed towards the store room.
However, before he could open the door, he said. "You can leave. Expect your package near the trash bin."
Selina nodded and said deeply. "Thank you very much."
This confused Harold for a moment. The lady's words were eerily sincere. But regardless, he brushed it off and turned for the door.
...
Outside of the firework store, Selina donned her sun hat once more and began thinking her other objectives for the day. The man from the underground market... I haven't started looking for him.
With this in mind. She turned for the nearby public board in the Municipal Square, with the intention of using the displayed map to search for the locations of each asylums in Tingen City.
From the crowd, Selina managed to reach the wooden board pasted with multiple articles and news that layered the map of Tingen.
"A Gigantic Mine Rich in High-Quality Iron Ore Spotted! For Shares, Contact the Steelworks Company!"
"Milo Disaster Ends! Church of the Storms had now took possession!"
I guess the transfer had finally succeeded? Selina murmured to herself.
With a swept of her hand and repositioning the flyers and articles. She was now able to see the map clearly.
There's seems to be only one here in Tingen... She mused silently as she browse the places displayed by the map.
Greenhill Mental Asylum...
After noting the location. Selina settled. Alright... Let's head there.
She then gestured for a passing carriage to halt. Informed the coachman her destination and boarded its wooden interior.
...
As the carriage move on to its course. Selina fell into thoughts. What will I do if I managed to contact him?
Reveal the gun from thigh and attempt to pressure him? But what if he's a fighter? My combat prowess doesn't exceed a normal person, let alone a beyonder!
Her eyes stared blankly at the fleeting images of the streets. Collecting supplementary ingredients... That's right! The ingredients were definitely meant for him!
If that's the case, right now he's considered a normal person. Even then, if he became a Spectator, the abilities he will gain won't be accompanied by a sudden increase of strength. After all, a spectator won't be a spectator if you perform plays yourself!
The carriage drove pass the streets and stopped across a distinctive area with a large, foreboding building. It was styled in almost gothic-revival, derived from early monasteries. It had a gray-bricked exterior, tall iron gates from the street, and occasional barred windows indicating a patient's confinement.
Selina took liberty to gaze at the tended flower beds by the fences before closing in to the porch of two doors.
With a push, it revealed a reception room, furnished with a desk and a few sofas.
The clerk behind the desk was holding document by her hand while applying stamps by the other. Her appearance was young but normal, with a few features standing out such as the blue eye and brown hair.
Selina walked to the receptionist and greeted softly. "Good afternoon."
The young receptionist abruptly stop her task and looked at Selina. "How may I help you?"
"My name is Selina Roy, I'm looking for a man who works here as a doctor. Particularly, he's someone who often wore a gold-rimmed glasses, is he present by any chance?"
The receptionist gave a impression of indifference as she replied. "No, he stormed off much early today."
Selina sighed inwardly but pressed. "Did he happen to mention where he had gone?"
The young lady shook her head. "Unfortunately, Mr. Gudarian doesn't add personal matters when at work."
Gudarian... So that's his name? Selina made sure that she caught the tidbit in mind.
"That's alright. Oh, my arrival can be quite a surprise for him, so let's take this as a little secret shall we?" Selina brought her right point finger to her lips as she closed an eye.
The young lady who were in a state of ennui was suddenly rosed with excitement. "Are you his partner?"
To her, this beautiful white-haired lady who exudes elegance to become a companion of someone who is obsessed with superstitious beliefs is just too shocking.
Selina hardly maintained her smile as she replied dryly. "Words can rephrase it much better...
"But promise to keep this a secret for now okay?"
The young lady's eyes became a bit wider as she nodded with disbelief. Because even if she mentions it, no one would believe her!
Seeing the receptionist's expression, Selina wore her sun hat first before leaving the asylum.
Along the way, even Selina couldn't believe how she acted. Was I that inviting before?
Earlier, after hearing that Gudarian wasn't present. She knew that at some point, the receptionist would have to mention a visit from an unknown person.
This will likely alert him, presumably leading to either isolation by moving or reinforced cautiousness alongside officials or maybe even the organization behind him.
So with stakes, she opted to use psychological redirection. From appearing as someone foreign to a significant person whose likely new and unacquainted.
Gudarian's nature of being reserve in personal matters only added on to her bluff. But to her surprise, her own nature also contributed to the act.
Well. At the very least, it gave a positive result... She conceded inwardly.
But that act was unlikely of me... It's best to restrain myself from such behaviors... Selina fortified herself, then gestured for a passing public carriage to halt.
...
After buying a takeout, Selina arrived back at her residence.
Upon opening, she was greeted with dusk permitting from the transparent windows of each room. Casting faint golden glow at short hall.
Just as she was about to enter, from the door mat, she saw a white envelope stamped with a symbol of gales, streaked with four lightnings.
Could this be the notice Mr. Leith from the Church of Lord of Storms, had mentioned? With slight wariness, she picked the nested envelope.
It had no notable features on the surface, only that it was smooth to the touch. The symbol was its only trait that is prominent.
Her finger tore the envelope by the top. Upon taking out the note within it read:
"Dear Miss Ivory.
We're glad to formally inform you that the inheritance procedure had succeed and the purchasing of your property went accordingly. As of this moment, your account is now worth 2.8 million pounds. We hope that you'd use this amount of money to rebuild yourself in the society and be a remarkable civilian in effort for the future.
Sincerely, The Church Of Lord of Storms."
Ending with a signature from the archbishop of the Holy Wind Cathedral, Capital of Loen, Backlund.
I'm... quite wealthy now... The amount baffles Selina to this moment. Looking at the few last sentences, she sighed. With this... I can now return to being an aristocrat. Only. With a different identity...
Her gaze shifted at the fleeting light coursing from the living room.
At this moment, she began considering her next approach. If I were to become an aristocrat now... I can quickly return the favor from Miss Justice and in this way, I can contribute more to the Tarot Club, helping Mr. Fool regain his strength much faster...
But then...
The luster in her eyes became vacant while the silence of the room caught on to her chest ... If the week had passed without the cult appearing, then we'll have to leave Tingen.
She had already learned essential things in this world. Its economy and the era its in currently in. Anything else can be informed by the Tarot Club and Mr. Fool through Rosell's diaries, as well as by joining secret organizations from the influential figures.
With a settled mind, she took the stairs to the second floor and did her usual routine of showering and eating, before preparing her luggage.
Afterwards, she took her cloak and draped it onto herself. Concealing her figure and visage.
She then exited her residence from the alleyway, intending to return to Harold's Fireworks store by foot.
...
With the crimson moon casting its pallid glow, Selina made her way from Daffodil Street to the edge where the Municipal Square met East Borough.
The blood-tinted light revealed a rusted bin by the shop's door, its foul stench seeping into the surrounding blocks. Beside it sat a cardboard box, sealed with strips of transparent tape.
That must be it… Selina murmured under her breath as she stepped closer.
A careful shake of the box produced a rattling clamor from within—the unmistakable sound of rockets, just as Harold had promised. Satisfied, she hefted it to her chest and started forward.
But as she walked, unease set in. Carrying such a bulk would slow her to a crawl if pursuit came.
So she stopped, lowered the box to the ground, and tore it open. One by one, she distributed the fireworks along her chosen route, tucking each away behind bins, beneath broken fences, or under scraps of debris.
Each became a hidden checkpoint, a trap to slow or scatter the cultists should they follow.
By the time she reached her residence, only a single firework remained in the box.