Chapter 22
Danger in the Dark
We've known each other for almost a year, haven't we?
You sold me something for ten times the price?
Martin didn't know exactly how he felt; his heart was probably broken.
"It's not that cheap! That's holy water! You only know what holy water is? It's the holy water of the sun!"
Alice blushed and continued to argue.
"I'm just a Sequence 8 Lightbringer, not a Sequence 7 Sun Priest."
"I don't have the ability to make the holy water of the sun."
"I will arrange a ceremony and pray to the Lord in order to provide you with the best holy water."
Can blessed holy water be priced the same as ordinary holy water?
"You came to me late at night asking for the goods, shouldn't you give me some compensation?"
Alice's very reasonable words made Martin feel a little better.
"Is it because you're bad at cooking that you can charge more than others?"
Xia Er nodded thoughtfully.
"My food?"
"That's still better than you, someone who can't even raise a dog properly."
Alice felt unjustly humiliated; she was already quite outstanding among Sequence 8.
"Alice, I'm a little curious."
Xia Er wasn't angry. He reached out and lifted a corner of the girl's robe collar, looking at the simple linen petticoat underneath with surprise.
"What did you do with the money you swindled from me?"
"If you had just bought yourself some nicer clothes, we wouldn't have been fooled by you for so long."
This guy's austere lifestyle really made Maynard and Martin think he was a virtuous ascetic.
"This was made for me by my mother."
"Furthermore, your behavior would be considered harassment no matter where you are, wouldn't it?"
Alice rolled her eyes at Xia Er and said.
She casually slapped away Xia Er's outstretched hand.
"This is a robe to wear over your clothes, not a dress. The clothes underneath are your normal outerwear for going out."
"Besides, you tugged at my sleeve and pulled my collar, and I didn't say anything to you."
"I can say that very casually," said Xia Er.
"Then we're even."
Alice tossed her hair and said generously.
She was an Intis girl and didn't really care about such things.
"Young master, this is not in accordance with noble etiquette."
"You shouldn't be so rude to Miss Alice."
Martin followed behind, offering words of advice. The three of them had already crossed the bridge and walked quite a distance.
Was I rude?
Chael looked at Alice and asked.
"Be confident, you're pretty good except for being a little annoying."
Alice patted Xia Er on the shoulder. She had no idea about etiquette; there was no such thing in the countryside.
"Young master, you are a nobleman..."
Martin looked at his young master's current state and tried to persuade him helplessly.
You should be mindful of your family's image...
Because Alice was there, Martin didn't say it explicitly.
"Alright, Martin, stop looking so gloomy."
"Although my father, mother, and brother are all nobles, I am not a noble; I am just an ordinary believer in the goddess."
Charles stated it bluntly: Congressman Maynard's future titles and political resources would belong to his eldest son, and he would have no titles.
Why not serve the goddess properly?
"Tell me, are you now a sleepless person?"
"So that's why you couldn't sleep last night and asked me to go for a walk?"
Alice was somewhat exasperated; she had almost managed to turn this guy into a eulogist.
"I don't understand what you're saying."
Chael began to play dumb.
He was now a little curious: if Maynard really became a singer, could he still manage to get a bishop position within the Church of the Night's internal system?
"What are you people doing?"
Just then, a group of police officers in black and white uniforms and leather boots came over after hearing what was happening.
"What is he saying?"
Alice looked at Chael with a puzzled expression.
Xia Er glanced at Martin, who understood and, displaying exceptional professionalism, stepped forward to dismiss the group of patrol officers.
"You're really amazing."
"He dares to come to Backlund without even knowing the Rune language."
Xia Er said admiringly.
"Do you think I want to? If I could make money back home, who would want to come to such a far place?"
Alice wrinkled her nose upon hearing this.
If she hadn't met this sucker, it would have been really difficult for her to survive in Backlund.
Both Maynard and Martin received excellent educations and are fluent in almost all the languages of the Northern Continent, especially Intis.
Intis was the origin of the Industrial Revolution, and this was a topic that was almost universally covered in the education of the aristocratic children of the New Party.
As for whether Roselle might have overthrown the throne of the descendants of Sauron?
Xia Er didn't care at all.
Prince and general, would you rather have a kind?
"Can the Intis Embassy help you find a job?"
Shael looked at Alice, "You're supposed to be from the Church of the Eternal Sun, right? Why are you coming to Rune to work illegally?"
I don't like that ambassador.
"It's annoying to look at."
Alice thought of the flicker of disgust that crossed Becker's eyes.
"Is there funding for overseas assignments?"
Xia Er leaned closer and asked.
Alice nodded subconsciously.
"Then why did you rip me off?"
Shael was amused and annoyed by Alice's reaction; it was clear that Alice was not the only member of the Church of the Eternal Sun in Backlund.
You go out to work with your companions!
So you're targeting me here?
"Ahem, we have internal regulations."
"Martin, you're back?"
Alice immediately changed the subject when she saw Martin return.
"Young Master, Miss Alice, the matter has been resolved."
Martin bowed to the two men.
"Why has it taken so long?"
Xia Er was a little puzzled. These patrolmen were good at bullying homeless people, but did they really dare to stop them in Backlund?
"Young master, these patrol officers said they heard about some commotion and that's why they came to check these streets."
"How's your shopping going? Shall we call it a day?"
Martin said, forcing himself to speak.
He didn't know if his words could persuade the young master, who was becoming increasingly interested in the mysterious world.
"Um?"
"Which direction are they investigating?"
"I asked directly," Xia Er asked.
"there."
"Young master, perhaps we shouldn't disturb these patrol officers."
Martin answered Chael's question first, and then offered his advice.
"You're right, let's try a different approach."
Chael nodded, then walked toward a street where his inspiration was particularly active.
The shadows cast by the buildings there felt to him like lurking beasts in the dark, oppressive and dangerous.
"Let's go, it's on me. Let's find a bar, have a drink, and then go back."
"Okay, I'm actually a little hungry."
Alice followed without hesitation.
"I didn't say I'd treat you to a late-night snack, did I?"
"Shaiel looked at Alice and said."
"I didn't say you had to treat me, did I?"
Alice was faster and at one point overtook Chael.
Martin watched the two figures walk away and quickly followed.
As long as Xia Er doesn't join in the fun, Martin won't say anything more. It's just a drink; what problem could it cause?