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Lucca Brewster, with white hair and a white robe, withdrew his gaze. The bishop beside him, following his earlier look, proactively explained:
"His name is Checker Ward, a Sequence 9 Hunter. I've checked the archives; he's a down-on-his-luck noble from Intis, with a relatively clean family background."
Lucca Brewster's face was expressionless, but his tone was gentle:
"No, Montella, you must understand, always maintain reverence and humility towards knowledge. That young man is no longer a Hunter; he's already a, hmm... qualified 'Provoker'."
Lucca Brewster emphasized the word "qualified," and Bishop Montella replied with some surprise: "What? 'Provoker'? But it's only been less than two months since he became a 'Hunter', this..."
Lucca Brewster pondered for a moment, then instructed Bishop Montella: "He's a good prospect; you can pay attention to him. If he's willing, he can be absorbed into the Church."
He paused, then added: "Provided he passes all examination subjects."
......
The procession began its journey. Checker, mingling within the group, was still unaware that they had already taken notice of him, excited only by the feeling of the potion's digestion.
The journey was long, starting from the southeastern border of Lenberg to enter the Feynapotter Kingdom, traversing directly through the Feynapotter Kingdom to reach the southern port city of Southville, then taking a ship to Desi Bay in Loen.
After a period of rest in Desi Bay, they would directly take a ship through the safe passage of the Berserk Sea to Berens Port in northern West Balam, then travel by carriage to their destination, Cookawa City in the Northern State.
According to Bishop Montella, who was in charge of the operation, if all went well, it would take approximately three months to reach their destination. Therefore, the Church had also advanced a large amount of salary to ensure their families lived without worry.
-----------------
Backlund, steam train station. Aaron saw off Mother and Avonie, taking many things with him, such as bicycles and a newly developed tricycle prototype.
Aaron took a carriage to the Pound Family ancestral home on Williams Street. By this time, this ancestral home had been taken over by the East Tucker Guard. After hearing Dairen's report, Aaron went straight to the basement.
In a more secluded spot on the side of the basement, a secret door was opened, and several Beyonder family members stood on either side, vigilantly staring at the entrance.
Aaron's pupils constricted slightly. Through the not-so-bright lighting, he vaguely saw a large underground structure at the end of the passage.
Aaron's lips curled slightly. Hmph, trying to trick him into exploring alone? He would gather helpers and go in to gang up on it.
He waved his hand, signaling Soro Bint to close the secret door and simultaneously set up a Wall of Spirituality on it to isolate any potential influence.
Leaving the basement, Aaron instructed: "Maintain a certain number of guards to specifically patrol the basement and surrounding areas, to prevent anyone from digging tunnels nearby, and continue to monitor Rafter-Pound."
After re-emphasizing the confidentiality discipline, Aaron returned home. As soon as he reached the third floor, he saw Evelyn, who had visibly gained weight in the past few days, sleeping on a blanket.
Looking at the little creature still sleeping on the blanket even though he had approached it, Aaron's mouth twitched slightly. How could it have lost all its vigilance? He remembered how alert it used to be. Now it would be sold and wouldn't even know what happened.
Aaron picked up Evelyn, then gently put it back on the blanket, its face full of confusion. Evelyn meowed, looking at Aaron with a resentful gaze.
Aaron pretended not to see, stroking its small head and smiling as he said:
"I'm cultivating your vigilance; don't let anyone abduct you. Also, the gift I prepared for you is already on its way; it should arrive in about two more weeks. I spent quite some effort finding it, you know."
White Feather Spirit Cats are inherently spiritual, and after a long time together, it could already understand the most commonly used Loenese. Hearing "gift," Evelyn immediately forgot its earlier resentment and happily wagged its tail.
-----------------
Over the next two weeks, Aaron attended various social gatherings during the day, often visiting Earl Hall's home for noble gatherings, promoting his East Tucker Bicycle Company at various events.
At night, he roamed the West Borough, accelerating his acting, and under the pseudonym Lucivide Joseph, became the most famous bounty Hunter in the West Borough, hating evil as if it were his enemy, and earning respect.
After feeling that his potion's digestion was nearing completion, Aaron also expressed to Kaspars his desire to enter the local Beyonder gathering, receiving a reply that it would only be possible on Sunday evening.
On Sunday evening, Aaron arrived punctually at the Brave Bar but did not see Kaspars. A drunkard eagerly led Aaron to a certain card room.
Kaspars was playing a card game invented by Roselle, while betting on an ongoing boxing match outside. A glass of Southville beer was by his hand, and he was living quite comfortably.
Seeing Aaron arrive, Kaspars reluctantly put down his cards, gulped down several mouthfuls of beer, and limped to the door, lowering his voice:
"I've already arranged the Beyonder gathering you want to attend. I know you're one of them, and you're also very strong, but you need to be careful; the people inside are not to be trifled with. Don't throw a tantrum; it will be very dangerous."
Seeing Aaron's indifferent expression, Kaspars cleared his throat and didn't mention payment. He turned back to his card partners, said something, and then, leading Aaron, limped towards the bar's kitchen area.
From there, they entered the alley behind, then circled to a dark house. Kaspars took out an iron mask that covered the entire face and handed it to Aaron:
"This is the rule there; after all, they don't want others to know their true identities."
Aaron nodded slightly, put on the mask, maintaining his cold persona, and silently took out 5 pounds, handing it to Kaspars.
Kaspars immediately beamed with joy, no longer delaying. He stepped forward and knocked on the door with a rhythmic beat.
A small wooden board on the door suddenly slid open, revealing brown eyes behind it. Kaspars proactively said:
"This is the famous bounty Hunter, Mr. Lucivide, whom I reported earlier."
After confirming his identity, the door swung open, revealing a man wearing an iron mask standing there, who handed Aaron a hooded robe.
He closed the door, turned around, and led the now-dressed Aaron through the Dark living room into the first-floor sitting room.
A candle was lit on the coffee table there, its dim, weak light casting flickering shadows throughout the room.
Around the coffee table, about a dozen people sat on sofas and chairs, all dressed in hooded robes and iron masks.
Aaron, having put on his robe, quietly found a chair in a corner and sat down, silently observing the people around him. Unfortunately, everyone was very cautious, so there were no useful clues.
After the observation yielded no results, Aaron looked at an old man on the single sofa opposite him. The nasolabial folds on his cheeks were very deep, and his skin was slightly shriveled. As if sensing something, the old man's previously closed eyes lifted and met Aaron's gaze.
Aaron politely nodded slightly, then shifted his gaze, thinking to himself:
"This should be the 'Eye of Wisdom' old gentleman, also a follower of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom, and his public identity is the great detective Isengard Stanton."
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