Chapter 856: Tingen Team Reunites
When Angel and Klein entered the private room, two people were already waiting inside.
That was Dunn and Daly talking in low voices.
Unlike her usual black robes and strange eyeshadow and blush makeup, Ms. Daly wore a dark blue long dress today. The design was a bit like an evening gown for formal occasions, but it was closer to everyday style. It revealed a large area of white shoulder and neck skin, forming a sharp contrast with the dark fabric.
She only wore some light makeup on her face, which made her skin, which was a little less rosy than that of ordinary people due to the influence of the potion, look much more rosy. A pair of earrings made of various complex symbols hung on her earlobes, allowing her to retain a hint of the mysterious aura of a "psychic".
Dunn, who sat next to her, wore a simple white shirt and a dark brown vest, without the old-fashioned and dull windbreaker. This made him look a little younger than usual and closer to Ms. Daly's style.
The two people's whispered conversation came to an abrupt end when Angel pushed the door open, but a few key words still reached her ears.
They seem to be discussing what to do before the end of the year... maybe getting married? Isn't that too soon?
Several thoughts flashed through Angel's mind. He didn't use divination to confirm them, but asked with a smile:
"Where's Leonard?"
"He's coming from the East District, so he'll be late." Daly glanced at Klein, who had used the Faceless Man's ability to return his appearance to the Tingen period. Her gaze finally stopped at Angel, and she replied, "There have been rumors recently that the Aurora Society has returned to Backlund. He used to investigate serial murders in the East District, but now he's tracking down these cultists."
The serial killers are probably referring to Sherman, but I've already told Leonard her identity and reported it to Archbishop Anthony, who oversees the Backlund Diocese. Even if she's caught, it can be quickly resolved... But weren't all of the Aurora Society's bases in Backlund cleared out by the three major churches after the Great Smog? Only six months later, and they're back?
Considering that Catalina of the "Witch Cult" is protecting Viscount Stratford, and Lola and Vincent's investigation into the royal and military factions behind the smog has recently entered the "finishing" stage and seems to be preparing for some major events, Angel believes that the "Aurora Society" may also be preparing to intervene in this matter again.
Could it be that less than a year after the great smog, Backlund is about to face some major disaster again?
Angel pondered this with some worry, but considering that today was the day for several members of Team Tingen to reunite, she put these vague worries behind her and sat down with Klein, occupying one-third of the table in the private room, leaving the last space for Leonard, who had not yet arrived.
While waiting, the four of them were not idle. Klein was very interested in the circumstances of Dunn Smith's "disappearance" over the past year, but the latter was obviously unable to disclose any information due to certain restrictions. He subtly steered the conversation from work back to the trivialities of life and instead asked about the relationship between Angel and Klein.
"It's been over a month since you got 'engaged'. Have you decided when to hold the wedding? And which identities to use?"
Dunn asked with a smile on his face after glancing at the ring on Angel's ring finger.
Which identity... Angel was stunned, then he remembered that Dunn and Daly were not aware that Christine and Dwayne Dantes were also one of their fake identities. He was probably asking about the choice of "Angelica" or "Angel".
"I think Angelica Thatch is a good match. The combination of the Pirate Queen and the crazy adventurer... But other pirate generals, such as 'Vice Admiral Disease' or 'Vice Admiral Iceberg', might be disappointing."
Daly also joined in the conversation, joking in a lighthearted tone.
Fortunately, she didn't mention the "Golden Queen." Revealing one's identity in front of old friends is too embarrassing. Leonard must have told her all this while secretly investigating Klein and me. Perhaps it was also thanks to those "Great Pirate Series" books... Angel glanced around nervously, and after a moment, he replied:
"Perhaps after these recent events are over, we will choose a suitable time... As for the identity issue, I think it doesn't matter which one I choose. My relationship with him will not change because of this."
Klein, who was silent at the side, glanced at her, as if thinking about something.
When the private room fell into a moment of silence, the door was pushed open from the outside, and Leonard, wearing a black windbreaker, walked in. Seeing that everyone else was there, he smiled awkwardly and said:
“The key figure always appears at the end.”
This self-deprecating remark eased the atmosphere in the room, returning it to the relaxed atmosphere they had when they were still in Tingen. Even Klein couldn't help but laugh and said:
"Then I'll punish you by making an impromptu poem."
This was a "special program" arranged by everyone at the time for Leonard, who often arrived late. It usually ended with him reciting a poem he had copied from somewhere.
This time, Leonard also moved his lips, as if he was about to say something golden, but in the end he just pursed his lips and sighed softly:
"I've almost forgotten..."
This attitude of surrender was understood by everyone, and he sat down, waiting for the waiter to bring plates of food and pour glasses of champagne. The aroma of baked foie gras, fried mullet, and chicken mixed with the aroma of wine filled the entire room and activated everyone's taste buds.
Angel and the others raised their glasses and looked at Dunn, who naturally stood up, looked around the room, and said with a smile:
"Cheers to the reunion of everyone from Team Tingen and Team Backlund!"
His humorous remark made everyone laugh.
Daly, who wasn't actually part of the Tingen Squad, gave him a serious look, raised her glass, and took over the conversation:
"Happy birthday to you too."
"Happy birthday, Captain."
Angel, Klein, and Leonard raised their glasses together. The five of them clinked their glasses above the table and drank the limited champagne in one gulp.
Since everyone was familiar with each other, they started eating without too much formalities. This restaurant, which shares the same name as Old Weil in Tingen City, did a good job in recreating the flavors of dishes from various countries in the Northern Continent. Rorsted's grilled fish, Intis's foie gras, and Dixie's oysters all had a local flavor that made everyone praise it.
"It's a pity Xijia is not here, otherwise she would insist on writing about tonight's dinner in her novel, and the title would be 'Reunion of the Dead'."
After putting the tender and fragrant seared foie gras into his mouth, Klein muttered.
Indeed, our tombstones are still standing in the Raphael Cemetery in Tingen... Angel looked around and found that three of the five people present had been declared dead, and the living were in the minority.
"I'll be returning to Tingen City soon to take care of some business. If nothing goes wrong, I should be able to see Xijia, Luo Yao, Frye, and Koenli. I don't know if Luo Shan is still working as a clerk. She always thinks staying up late is too bad for her skin."
Leonard took a sip of the newly added champagne and spoke in a low tone.
He knew that, whether for the sake of confidentiality or to protect their families, the three people present would not be able to restore their original identities in a short period of time and could only continue to act in secret. This meant that when they returned to Tingen, he, the only survivor, would have to bear the gaze of everyone again.
Shaking his head to get rid of this emotion, Leonard unbuttoned his windbreaker, revealing his untucked shirt. The dull temperament he had brought from work also changed, and he returned to his usual casual self.
Then, he looked at Dunn and Daly who were sitting side by side, and asked cunningly with a smile on his face:
"Captain, besides celebrating your birthday, there should be something more important at this dinner?"
Angel stopped serving the wine, and Klein also stopped tasting the oysters.
The two of them looked at Dunn together.
Dunn, who usually endured the stares of all the team members, was actually feeling a little uneasy. He was about to say something when Daley beside him spoke up:
"Speaking of which, when we were in Tingen, Angel told me about her hidden thoughts. She said that not long after she joined the Nighthawks, she became interested in the mature and reliable Dunn, and then she asked me... 'If you don't want him, then I'll do it.'"
As Daly spoke with a smile on her face and in a tone that made people think, Klein and Leonard looked at Angel in disbelief. Even Dunn, who was reaching into his pocket to take something out, looked over in confusion, as if he was surprised that he had a secret admirer.
"Really?"
Klein asked with a stern expression.
"No... that's not the case. I just wanted to give Daly a push, to encourage her to be brave enough to confess her feelings to the captain..."
Angel never expected that she would become the focus of conversation at Dunn's birthday party, and at the very likely "proposal" scene. While explaining to Klein, she suppressed Daly with her eyes. From the corner of her eye, she saw Dunn pull a small box from his pocket and immediately raised her voice and said:
"Captain, now is the time. Be brave!"
Her cry drew everyone's attention to today's protagonist, and she wished she could use "invisibility" to leave the scene, or directly dive into the mirror world, leaving a mirror substitute who would be laughed at by everyone to bear everything on her behalf.
Fortunately, no one else had time to pay attention to her. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the small wooden box in Dunn's hand. The box was surrounded by brass, looking classic and elegant. It was about half the size of a palm and had already opened a crack.
Although there was suspicion of plagiarizing Klein, choosing this time was not bad... Angel chuckled secretly after escaping the gaze and looked at his captain expectantly. At the same time, he also noticed that Daly's expression was a little stiff, and there was an incredible emotion in her eyes.
"Well, thank you all for coming tonight," Dunn said with a smile as he took something out of the box. "This makes me very touched and happy..."
He blew on the monocle in his hand, wiped it with his sleeve, and put it on his left eye.
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