Chapter 802 Two Meetings
In an apartment on Limestone Street in the East District, Sherman changed out of the clothes and cloak he wore when committing the crime in his safe house. He first burned them with black flames to remove any possible occult information left behind, then threw them into the small fireplace, lit a fire, and watched the gray smoke float into the air and disappear at the top of the window.
Compared to six months ago, Backlund's air quality had improved significantly. The release of new pollution made Sherman feel a little guilty, but only slightly.
She changed into the dress that had been prepared here, and put on the hooded cloak that could cover her long hair and half of her face. Then she packed her belongings and was about to leave this temporary place.
When passing by a mirror with several cracks, Sherman stopped and his eyes lingered on the face reflected in the mirror.
The female face that she had always dreamed of and now easily possessed now had a hint of melancholy.
After staying with Miss Triss for so long, I seem to have been infected with her emotions... Shaking his head, Sherman took a last look at himself in the mirror, turned off the gas light, and hurriedly left the apartment.
Walking along the narrow and cramped Limestone Street to the White Whale Street full of factories and warehouses, Sherman walked straight to a factory where horse-drawn carriages were coming in and out from time to time.
As she passed through the gate, she looked up. On the brand new nameplate were the words "Black Bear Cannery" and a black bear paw with only four fingers. It was once the symbol of the "Black Claw Gang," but now it has become the trademark of Backlund's best-selling canned fruit.
Entering the bustling factory area, Sherman looked at the boxes of brightly colored, appetizing canned goods in glass jars being loaded onto the carriages. Sherman seemed to see gold pounds and stacks of banknotes flying towards him, and a bright smile appeared on his face under the hood.
Originally, he took over this canning factory just to find something for the gang members to do when order was gradually restored in the East District and the gang's business scope was shrinking. He didn't expect that after listening to Miss Irene's suggestion, he would make so much money by switching from cheap tin pickled fish cans to canned fruit in glass jars... She muttered silently, her eyes wandering around, and soon found Liv busy in the factory.
Not only did the poor people who joined the Black Claw Gang out of desperation have a stable income, but even Liv could do some work that was within her ability but easier than washing clothes, so that Freya and Daisy didn't have to help at home every day and could go to public elementary school.
For Freya, who is approaching adulthood and cannot continue her studies even after graduating from elementary school, this is just a chance to learn literacy and simple knowledge so that she can find a better job after graduation. But for Daisy, it may be an opportunity to change her destiny.
This may be the last thing I can do for them... Carefully avoiding Liv, Sherman walked through the production area filled with steam and all kinds of sweet fruit and sugar smells, and came to the warehouse at the back of the factory. He went up the stairs to the third floor to his own office, or rather Sherman's office.
In fact, after I became Sherman, this place has belonged to Xiu. Unfortunately, she comes here less often than I do. If it weren't for someone specifically managing it, this factory would have been in chaos long ago... She pondered, opened the door with her key, and her sharp eyesight noticed a person standing in the corner of the dim room.
She was wearing a black long dress, with a graceful figure and beautiful facial curves. With the curtains drawn and only a faint light shining into the room, it looked like it was coated with a layer of gold, both holy and charming.
"Miss Triss."
Sherman greeted him and turned on the gas lamp, filling the room with warm light and dispelling the melancholy and cold atmosphere emanating from the other person.
"I didn't expect your factory to be doing so well. I've been watching from the window for half an hour, and three horse-drawn carts carrying canned goods have already left."
Triss seemed to dislike the light and shrank into the corner, speaking in a joking tone.
"The profits are not huge, but they are enough for the gang members to support themselves and their families."
Sherman's serious response startled Triss. She slowed down her tone, no longer mocking him.
"That's great...was it your short friend who came up with this idea?"
"It was Miss Irene who suggested this. It was also her idea to switch from supplying cheap canned goods to sailors to producing this kind of fine product. It seems to be working well now."
Irene Watson... Triss recalled the woman she had met several times before the Great Smog, a woman she almost mistook for her "comrade-in-arms" in Tingen City. It was difficult to associate that ordinary face with the "Golden Queen" Angelica Sage.
What's more, she never expected that the woman who looked a little stupid could come up with such a business plan.
"Heh, you should know that the focus right now isn't on this factory..." After a while, Triss forced a laugh from deep in her throat and said in an inexplicable tone, "How's your witch role-playing going?"
"I only need to take out two more targets to complete this large-scale performance, but the feedback I've received hasn't been as good as I expected... Perhaps the authorities have suppressed the news, resulting in the serial murder case not being widely publicized and causing panic among the public about me?"
Sherman frowned and muttered in confusion.
"Of course, even if the official Beyonders don't suspect you're acting, they'll at least know that the murders, which clearly demonstrate these characteristics, have some kind of religious connotation. They'll definitely suppress the news to prevent it from spreading and causing panic... You need to change your strategy and conduct the final two assassinations publicly, allowing a large number of passersby to witness their deaths and thus complete the act."
Triss recalled the method that Mitis taught her in Tingen, and passed it on to the "junior" in front of her.
Hearing this, Sherman's brows became even more melancholy, and he asked carefully:
"Will this... attract the attention of those Night Watchmen stationed in the East District?"
"Oh, you've already caught their attention," Triss scoffed, leaning against the wall with her arms folded. Her black hair and dress almost blended in with the darkness of the corner. "I came here this time because your Miss Irene asked me about the serial murders in the East District and whether it was done by the 'Witch Cult'... How do you want me to answer?"
Sherman, who had learned from many actions that he did not belong to the "Witch Sect" and guessed that Miss Irene might have a certain official background, opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.
At this moment, she was extremely glad that she followed her inner thoughts and chose targets who were full of evil. Otherwise, Miss Irene would have rushed to the East District, dragged her into the mirror, and thrown her into the church for trial.
"Anyway, complete your last two performances as quickly as possible and then leave the East District to avoid being caught by those Beyonders. Even if you kill guilty people, they won't think you're innocent..."
Seeing Sherman's silence, Triss shook her head and gave him a warning, then quickly changed the subject:
"Get changed and come with me to the West End. My date with Viscount Stratford tonight is less than three hours away."
Sherman sighed silently when she realized that the "mystic mentor" in front of her had suddenly become the "housekeeper" who arranged all her activities. She found a light blue dress that was full of youthfulness in the lounge attached to the office, took off the dress in front of Triss, and changed into it.
This guy doesn't avoid me at all. I remember when I first became a "witch", I didn't dare to change clothes in front of Mitis... Triss curled her lips and looked away.
A sudden doubt arose in her heart: Why was she, a "witch" who had never forgotten her male identity and was extremely resistant to the female body, chosen as the vessel of the "Original Witch" and even given the name "Chik"?
Could it be that my resistance and contradictory psychology towards my identity actually brings me closer to that god?
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After a not-so-long wait, Angel met Sander again in a private room of a cafe across from the East Balam Veterans Club.
Without further ado, the retired officer, who was over fifty but still full of energy, personally opened the suitcase Angel had brought and checked the 7,000 pounds inside. He then closed the suitcase with satisfaction and laughed.
"I had originally prepared for many twists and turns in our first collaboration, but I didn't expect Miss Theresa to be able to deal with our useless munitions so smoothly... Hehe, I heard that the Gargas Islands have been very lively recently. I hope the Feysac people can handle it."
"Unless more troops are sent, they will soon be forced to retreat to Nas City. The surrounding areas will probably be occupied by the rebels and pirates."
Stuart on the side interjected, glancing at Angel from time to time as if showing off.
But he soon noticed the ring on Angel's left ring finger on his knees, and showed undisguised surprise.
"Christine, you, you are engaged?"
He hesitated, but finally asked the question.
Sander, who was obviously more informed than the major, glanced at the young man behind him and said with a playful tone:
"At the ball at Senator Macht's house three days ago, Miss Theresa and Mr. Dantes were already the focus of everyone's attention. I'm just a little curious. Are you and that gentleman who also recently arrived in Backlund really as the rumors say, uh, a perfect match?"
Is he asking whether Klein and I are together because of interests or because of true love?
Angel quickly understood what the other party meant. He glanced at Stuart, whose expression had collapsed, covered his mouth with his hands, chuckled, and replied:
"The first time I attended the Macht family's ball, I was attracted by Dawn's mature temperament and elegant manners. Subsequent interactions proved that he was a more suitable partner than those flamboyant young men... Of course, our shared interests were also an important bond."
Feelings and interests are equally important, and this is also in our interest. After all, both of them are important "business partners"... Sander narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment, then his smile widened and he nodded.
"In that case, I look forward to attending your wedding." He then changed the subject, "Also, a military leader wants to meet with you secretly soon. Please be prepared at any time. I will notify you in advance."
Seeing Angel frowning subconsciously, Sander added with a chuckle:
"Don't worry, she's a woman."
That's not what I'm worried about... Angel muttered, then put on a relaxed expression and nodded.
"I'm looking forward to meeting this lady."
After saying that, she stood up and said goodbye gracefully. Finally, she took a reluctant look at the box containing a huge sum of 7,000 pounds, which was almost equivalent to the production cost of the "Iron Knight" magical item. She left the cafe, leaving behind Sander with a smile on her face and Stuart, who was expecting and breaking down his defenses without authorization.
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