Chapter 357: Sudden Arrival
Woo——
With the roar of the whistle, a steam train drove into the Backlund train station.
Shrouded in thick smog, passengers of varying heights and clothing walked out of the carriages one after another. It was already night, and driving late at night was not safe, so this was the last train of the day. After that, the station would enter a rest period of more than 10 hours to prepare for the busy early morning of the next day.
A tall and thin staff member was holding a red pennant, directing the passengers who were walking slowly in the dim light and yellow fog to the exit. This boring work soon made him yawn, and he was looking forward to the end of get off work time after the steam train unloaded the passengers and cargo and left the platform.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up. A lady who looked out of place in the dirty and messy environment around the platform walked out of the mist. She was wearing an Intis-style long skirt and a fluffy shawl covering the exposed upper body. She looked only about 20 years old. Her loosely tied hair was covered by a light-colored hat. Her perfect facial features made her face seem a little unreal.
He involuntarily went forward and asked in a low voice with a hint of flattery and a hint of fawning:
"Beautiful lady, how can I help you?"
A smile appeared on the dignified and holy face of the lady in the long dress, and she handed the small suitcase in her hand to the staff:
"Since you want to help, just carry it."
With the staff member who volunteered to carry her luggage, the lady walked forward in the smog. The fog grew thicker as night fell, but it did not block her vision at all.
"I haven't been back to Backlund for a while. Has the smog here always been this severe?"
She asked seemingly casually.
"It's gotten worse since December, ma'am," the staff member, carrying a suitcase, trotted along, surprised at the woman's stamina as he replied, "But don't worry. I saw in the newspaper that a new bill will be passed next year to restrict factory emissions and promote the use of anthracite. The smog will soon decrease."
He showed off the knowledge he had just learned from his colleagues at lunch.
"Really? That's such a pity..."
"W-what?"
Hearing the lady's strange response, he looked forward with some curiosity.
At this time, the two of them had walked out of the platform and onto the street. The beautiful lady took the suitcase from the staff member, leaned close to his ear, and whispered in a soft, pleasant voice:
"What I mean is, after helping such a beautiful lady carry her luggage, shouldn't you find a corner, choose a way to die that suits your status, and keep this memory in your heart forever?"
After saying this, she carried the box and walked towards a four-wheeled carriage with an exquisite and luxurious appearance and the crest of Baron Langdon's family hanging on it.
After a brief moment of surprise, the enthusiastic staff member bowed and returned to the train station.
His pace gradually quickened, and he hurried towards the platform with a somewhat rapid breathing.
In two minutes, the last train will leave. If I go back to the platform now, I still have time to commit suicide by lying on the tracks.
This was a way of dying that was very fitting for his status and what that lady had requested.
————
"It is said that the 'Lady of Despair' is not a bloodthirsty person. As long as I don't reveal my true identity, she has no reason to hurt me."
Angel said slowly, sipping his coffee.
"And I've made full preparations. I have a pre-ordered magical item that will arrive in a few days, and Mr. Fool has promised to grant the corresponding blessing. Combined with my own counter-divination, I should be more than prepared for this meeting."
Sherlock in front of her still had doubts on his face. After a moment, he left the living room and walked around the second floor. A few minutes later, he returned to Angel with a dark gold brooch in the shape of a sunbird in his hand.
"Wear it. This Sun Brooch possesses extraordinary abilities against resentful spirits and undead spirits. More importantly, when wearing it, the wearer will be immune to most fears. Even if you've used the 'Magic Pocket Watch', it can offset most of its side effects. Of course, the brooch itself has negative effects, as I believe you learned at the Eye of Wisdom gathering."
As soon as she took the sun brooch, Angel felt the surroundings becoming hotter, as if she had entered the height of summer and stepped into the desert. Even the air she breathed into her lungs became scorching and dry. She tried to inject spirituality into the brooch, and after quickly understanding its abilities and uses, she put it back on the table. Only then did she feel how cool and pleasant the temperature was in the living room with the fireplace burning.
If I were wearing it, I'd probably be sweating profusely the moment I saw the "Lady of Despair." I'd appear even more guilty and fearful, and more likely to be discovered to be having problems... But its ability does have a way of restraining certain enemies, not the "witches," but Ince Zangwill, who had already jumped to the "Sleepless One" path.
Of course, even with this magical item, it would be too bold to talk about "restraining" a Sequence 4 demigod. It would only increase one's chances of escaping...
and……
"You gave me such a valuable magical item. If I die, wouldn't it all go to 'Madam Despair'?"
She forced a smile and joked, trying to lighten the mood in the room.
"That's not funny at all," Sherlock pursed his lips, his expression becoming more serious. "By the way, you left the master key behind. It can only open some locks that don't have spiritual power, but it might cause you to get lost while escaping, or even run back into the enemy."
Angel did not argue and obediently handed over the brass key that was sealed in the bullet box by the spiritual wall.
This key helped her track down the Apostle of Desire, but it could also lead her straight to the "Lady of Despair". It is indeed not suitable to carry it with her.
"Finally, I have some slightly better news." After exchanging the magical items, Sherlock's expression finally brightened. "I heard about my teacher from my informant in the East District. He might be in Backlund and could be of some help to us, but I heard he's wanted by the military."
"Wanted by the military? Isn't that also because of the collaboration between the Witch Cult and the royal family?"
Angel guessed that the other party was referring to Mr. Azik, who had noticed that the two were affected by "0-08". This mysterious teacher was likely to possess High-Sequence strength.
"Perhaps, but it's also possible that someone is trying to interfere with him and force him away from Backlund to prevent him from affecting these people's plans. This actually shows that the person behind the scenes is wary of his abilities."
Sherlock analyzed, his eyes a little vague, as if he was recalling the teacher's past.
"I'll try to contact him, maybe it will be helpful to you."
This guy... he's used every possible method he can, and he's almost joining me in the fight... But taking him to see "Ms. Despair" might only make things worse...
Angel raised his coffee cup to hide his expression, drank the coffee in one gulp, and stopped Sherlock from pouring more coffee.
"That's all, then. I'll go back to sleep tonight and continue making some preparations. This will also prevent the people Prince Edessak sent to monitor you from thinking you're not doing your job properly."
She joked.
"...Isn't he the same..." Sherlock muttered, standing up quickly under Angel's scrutiny. "What I mean is, you can just move in with me. There are plenty of empty rooms here. Of course, that's after I solve the case with the prince."
"There are plenty of empty rooms, but are you sure you can use them?"
Angel scoffed, picked up the sun brooch on the table, and trembled at the sudden burning sensation.
Hearing her almost acquiescent answer, Sherlock smiled as he sent Angel out the door. He then slowly closed the door and sighed as he looked at the living room which had become deserted again.
He slowly walked into the study, found a file bag, took out all the paper pages inside, and spread them on the table.
It was an unfinished investigation report on Talim's death.
He planned to stay up all night to finish it today, and complete Prince Edessak's commission tomorrow.
————
"Sharing a house...is indeed a way to save money, and it's also more convenient and safer..."
Late at night, Angel returned to No. 47 Red Rose Street and stood in front of the door. She looked up at the house where she had lived for three months, with a smile on her lips.
"In the room, I don't need to wear the ring anymore to disguise myself, and he can reveal his true appearance..."
Thinking about all this, Angel made up her mind to go to her landlord, Mrs. Wallis, early tomorrow morning to discuss the termination of the lease.
"But we can't be like the rude Feysac people in her eyes and disappear without giving up the lease."
Angel took out her key and was about to open the door to go home when she suddenly felt a burning sensation in her chest. The feeling was not strong, but it made her heart sink to the bottom.
That was a warning from the occult stand that intercepted the curse directed at her. And in Backlund, there was only one person who could curse her—the "Witch of Pleasure" Severia.
This only means one possibility:
"Ms. Despair" has returned to Backlund.
Woohoo, thank you Dan Gou for the reward!
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