Ebner also had no intention, like Hvin Rambis in the original work, of trying to "hypnotize" Audrey here while she was under the protection of the "Paper Angel." After all, the current "Pride" was essentially a "marionette." Once it came into contact with the power of Sefirah Castle, there was a very high probability that Klein would notice the flaw—wouldn't that completely expose him?
While Ebner's thoughts were racing, Audrey was still pretending, in a rather "clumsy" manner, to explain the reason she had been able to advance so quickly:
"Just as I told Islant before… my secret is simply 'being brave enough to apply things.'
"Um… let me put it this way. In my future plans, there was always the option of becoming a psychologist. Since I now possess the corresponding Beyonder abilities, I—I'm certainly very willing to try, very willing to use them to help the people around me solve mental or psychological problems.
"In the process, I found that my grasp of the potion's power was getting better and better. Then one day, I inexplicably felt as if something inside me shattered with a crash, merged into my blood, and allowed me to vaguely see one illusory star after another. Mr. Rambis, what does that represent?
"Um, I don't know why, but from that day on, I became certain that I could become a 'Hypnotist.' Perhaps this was a hint from my subconscious."
As she spoke, she seemed a little embarrassed by this somewhat childish behavior. The "Island of the Mind" faithfully reflected this point… although this was completely like flirting with a blind man, because Ebner hadn't invaded her mind at all.
In fact, Ebner didn't need to invade it. After all, there were many ways to determine whether what someone said was true—"Insight," "Prophecy," "Divination," and so on could all achieve that.
Ebner controlled Hvin Rambis to nod lightly and say,
"Very talented. You actually managed to explore the 'Acting Method' on your own."
"The Acting Method?" Audrey displayed surprise and confusion both inwardly and outwardly, before quickly gaining some understanding.
Ebner cooperated by explaining,
"It means exactly what you understand it to mean. Acting according to the name of the potion and summarizing the corresponding principles. This is an effective way to digest the potion and mitigate its negative effects."
He didn't explain too much on this point. After saying a few simple sentences, he changed the topic:
"You indeed have the talent and qualifications to apply for the Sequence 5 'Dreamwalker' potion formula. However, before that, I will gradually give you some tasks. This is both a matter of fairness and training your abilities, because once you become Sequence 5, you will lead two to three psychological research groups. Every judgment and every choice you make will affect the future of your subordinates, and even their lives. Therefore, we cannot allow someone who severely lacks the ability to handle affairs to advance to Sequence 5."
"That's understandable." Audrey had no objections. "What is the first task?"
Under Ebner's control, Hvin Rambis smiled and said,
"A simple but relatively long-term task. Each of your feedback reports will count as contributions."
At this point, he put away his smile and asked seriously,
"I heard that you work at the 'Bryan Film Company'?"
"Yes." Audrey nodded. There was no need to deny it, since that was her public position.
"Very good. I hope you will use the convenience of this identity to get close to Ebner Bryan and obtain some intelligence from him." Ebner paused here, glanced at Audrey—whose mouth had opened in surprise—and then added, "I suspect that this detective has certain connections with the kingdom's wanted criminal, the 'Crazy Adventurer' Gehrman Sparrow. When you investigate him, try your best to extract information in this regard.
"Oh, and also pay attention to whether there are any Beyonders of the 'Corpse Collector' pathway around him."
Hvin Rambis is probing for information about Mr. 'World'? He even knows that there is a connection between Mr. 'Tower' and Mr. 'World'…
No wonder Mr. 'World' wanted to join forces with Madam 'Hermit' to kill him… This person has grasped too many secrets of the Tarot Club and may pose an enormous threat to us members!
Audrey controlled her "Island of the Mind," only showing an appropriate level of shock.
She then responded to Hvin Rambis's commission:
"I didn't expect that Viscount Bryan would actually be connected to a wanted criminal. I will do my best to investigate this matter clearly!"
"If necessary, you may 'hypnotize' those two friends of yours. Their relationship with Ebner Bryan is somewhat closer.
"Of course, only use it when absolutely necessary. After all, such behavior isn't very good," Hvin said with a smile.
Hearing this, Audrey nearly clenched her fists. However, considering that the other party was a demigod, she refrained from acting, though she still felt disgusted by his intentions.
"I understand." Audrey deliberately pressed her lips together to express her unwillingness.
The Hvin Rambis, seated on the sofa seemed not to notice at all and smiled with satisfaction:
"You truly are a noble young lady full of a sense of justice."
After praising Audrey a few more times, he did not, as in the original work, "hint" for Audrey to forget the memory of meeting him, but instead directly vanished before her eyes.
He didn't read my mind or hypnotize me… Does this mean that the blessing of Mr. Fool's Angel completely blocked the other party's intrusion, and throughout the entire process I didn't notice anything at all?
It should be the latter. Mr. Fool's Angel's blessing is really impressive! Hmph, and you still wanted to use me to probe Mr. 'Tower' and Mr. 'World'? I'll only pass along Viscount Ebner Bryan's issues of conduct to you!
As Audrey's thoughts flickered, her mood had already improved considerably.
...
Above the gray fog, after listening to Miss "Justice's" report, Klein thought for a moment and then relayed the matter to Ebner in the tone of "World."
In his view, if Ebner was willing to take action, and with his own cooperation, even without Madam "Hermit's" help, there was still a certain confidence in resolving "Pride."
However, very quickly, the reply he received from "Tower" was: "I know."
You know? What is that supposed to mean? Shouldn't danger be strangled in its cradle? Or is it that… the waters behind 'Pride' are so deep that even Mr. 'Tower' doesn't dare to act rashly?
After pondering for a moment, he materialized a sheet of parchment and wrote down a divination statement:
"There is an Angel behind Hvin Rambis."
After carefully reading it twice, Klein removed the pendulum from his left wrist, letting the yellow crystal pendant hang over the parchment, nearly touching the line of words.
After calming himself for a few seconds, he closed his eyes and silently recited the divination statement he had just written.
When the sound stopped, Klein opened his eyes and looked at the pendulum in his left hand.
The yellow crystal pendant was rotating clockwise, and at quite a fast speed!
...
In the West Borough, after "arranging" things with Audrey, Hvin Rambis returned to the rented house he was living in.
As for his own property? It had already been sold three days earlier, and the money obtained had entered Ebner's pocket.
The moment Hvin arrived home, he sensed something was wrong and immediately spoke out, "Come out! I know where you are!"
As he spoke, he looked toward the shadow beside the bookshelf in the living room.
As his voice fell, a figure was quickly outlined there.
It was a lady. Her features were delicate, her temperament elegant. The pale-purple evening gown she wore revealed her fair, rosy shoulders and a dazzling expanse of milky white, drawing Ebner's gaze.
The Purple Saintess? No—just something similar to the 'virtual personality avatar' Audrey split off at the end of the original work!
(End of Chapter)