Chapter 183 Audrey's Doubts
The next afternoon, in a luxuriously decorated villa in Queens.
In the living room, guests were chatting with each other, enjoying afternoon tea and exquisite snacks. The ladies talked about the latest popular elements and anecdotes, and the gentlemen shared their insights on music and literature.
The door of the study was closed, isolating the noise from the four people in the room.
Audrey Hall, wearing an intricate long dress embellished with lace, gracefully took a plump envelope from her side and handed it to the two women sitting across from her.
"Thank you for your generosity, Miss Audrey."
Hugh Dilcha, wearing a knight's training uniform and with messy yellow hair, took the envelope, opened it and examined the banknotes inside.
That was the reward they received for risking their lives to investigate "Vice Admiral Hurricane" Qilingos, a brand new gold pound that still smelled of ink.
Fors Wall, who was standing by, also came over and looked at the banknote Xio pulled out, confirming that it was a large 10-pound note.
Each piece is worth 10 pounds, and the envelope is so thick, how much would it be in total...
Holding the envelope that clearly exceeded the original payment amount, Xio stared blankly at Audrey, who smiled, her hands folded in her lap, looking at the two "detectives" who were helping her investigate Qilingos.
"I'm very sorry for the danger you encountered during your investigation. Here's £800 in total, including compensation for this accident. You can divide it among yourselves."
800 pounds... Even if it's divided equally, plus the money I saved, I can afford the Sheriff's potion formula.
Quinn squeezed the envelope in his hand again, wondering if he was dreaming.
She wanted to open the envelope right now and count all the bills one by one. It was definitely not because she did not trust the beautiful and generous Miss Audrey, but... what if the person who put the money in accidentally counted it wrong?
Fors, who was standing by, was quick to move and held down Xio's hand as it was about to be raised.
It's so unbecoming to do this in front of two nobles!
Her eyes warned the other person.
Viscount Grelint, who was sitting on the sofa nearby, coughed lightly, attracting their attention, and then said:
"Where's the 'Pharmacist' formula I need? Was there any new information at yesterday's gathering?"
Due to the special nature of the Extraordinary gatherings being held at irregular intervals, he and Audrey would not attend every one of Mr. A's gatherings, but would be represented by these two Extraordinary people.
"I'm sorry, Viscount Greylint, your purchase requests are still posted at the gathering. It seems no member possesses these formulas. However, we've recently contacted someone from the Psychological Alchemy Society," Fors reported the details of yesterday's gathering to the Viscount, then turned to Audrey. "Perhaps we'll soon get a clue to the Audience formula."
"I'm really looking forward to the day when I become an Extraordinary." Audrey replied with a faint smile, a hint of excitement in her eyes that was noticeable to everyone.
The few of them continued chatting about rumors in their respective circles and sharing their knowledge of the occult. Compared to the noisy salon outside, this place was more like a small enthusiasts' gathering. Viscount Glint didn't often act like an aristocrat, and Miss Audrey was even more approachable, allowing the somewhat reserved Xio and Fors to quickly blend into the friendly atmosphere.
…
Using her "audience" ability to secretly guide the conversation, she made her two Beyonder friends curious about the Viscount's collection of books. After they began selecting books they wanted to read from the bookshelf, Audrey quickly rubbed her somewhat stiff face, then put on a perfect smile.
Through her many interactions with Fors and Hugh, she had already grasped the preferences of the two ladies and made corresponding arrangements in Grellint's study in advance.
Soon, these two candidates she has chosen for the Tarot Club will come into Mr. Fool's sight, and through His confirmation, He will determine whether they are qualified to join this more high-end and more secretive gathering of extraordinary people.
Audrey calmly observed the two people beside the bookshelf. Only after she saw Xio take down the "History of the Loen Kingdom Nobility" did she breathe a sigh of relief.
Inside the book was a page of Emperor Roselle's notes, and on the back was what looked like a translation, but was actually the ancient Hermetic text of the Fool's Name.
After seeing this, the curious Xio would definitely try to recite it silently. Mr. Fool said that as long as one recites His name, one will enter His sight. Once one passes Mr. Fool's examination, the Tarot Club will have a new member, a member recommended by oneself, a member belonging to one's own side!
Of course, they belong to Mr. Fool first...
Audrey added silently.
“Dongdong——”
There was a knock on the study door, and then Audrey's personal maid Anne walked in.
"Miss, Mr. Howard has returned from the bank and he has something to report to you."
Howard was the manager of Audrey's "private accounts" used to purchase extraordinary materials. This time, when Audrey attended the salon, she asked him to go to the bank to withdraw some cash for use in the extraordinary people's gathering next week.
He walked into the study after Anne announced it, without even glancing at the others, and came to Audrey's side, whispering:
"Miss, the 2,000 pounds you asked me to withdraw has been sent back to the Earl's Mansion, but..."
He hesitated, as if he felt that such a small matter should not trouble his young lady, but finally decided to report the matter.
"There's an extra £350 in one of your unregistered accounts. It's a small matter, but I thought I'd let you know."
350 pounds is indeed a small matter, but how could there be an extra amount of money in my account for no reason?
Audrey frowned slightly, thinking about her financial situation, and suddenly remembered that this amount had appeared somewhere.
"Which account?"
"The one at Backlund Bank..." Howard gave the account name.
Is that the one I use in Tarot Club?
Audrey immediately remembered the purpose of this account. It had only been used once, and only one person knew about it...
"I checked the time and location of the transfer. It was two days ago, and the location is in Backlund, in the Hillston district."
"Thank you, Howard. You and Annie can go out first. I still need to talk to my friends."
Audrey watched Anne and Howard leave the study and close the door. Audrey still had a smile on her face, but her heart was already in turmoil.
Miss Queen, who had taken a long vacation from the Tarot Club and disappeared without a trace, actually appeared in Backlund?
Because they were both women, Audrey paid the most attention to the mysterious "Queen" at the Tarot Club. Based on the information she revealed at the Tarot Club and the content of their conversations, she had guessed that she lived in the area between Tingen and Enmat Harbor, and she even did not rule out that she had some connection with the local official Beyonders.
I didn't expect that she was in the same city as me.
Looking at Hugh and Fors walking towards her after borrowing books from Viscount Greylint, Audrey had a plan in mind.
"Ms. Fors, and Miss Xiou," she said, smiling a smile that could melt any ice. "Could you do me another small favor? I need to find someone in Backlund."
"She's a young woman from Tingen City in Ahowa County, and recently arrived in Backlund..."
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