"You're referring to Baron Ebner Bryan's territory, Beldan?"
While "Josena" revealed a look of sudden realization, she also pondered inwardly: It seemed that George III's plan to use Miss Xio Derecha to have Ebner Bryan check and balance 'Pride' had succeeded.
However, although Hvin's proposal carried selfish motives, Beldan's situation indeed fit the requirements quite well.
The numerous "film city" constructions could conceal the arrangement of the ritual, and the rapidly influxing population could provide sufficient "sacrifices" for the offering…
In addition, Ebner Bryan was very likely the chief culprit behind the disappearance of the "Gray Saintess." Using his territory for the sacrifice and then framing him afterward could not have been more perfect.
Thinking of this, after Hvin gave a slight nod, "Josena" clapped gracefully and beautifully with a smile. "What an excellent plan… However, the 'Saintess' is currently unable to mobilize members of the Sect. May I trouble you to help with the 'arrangements'?"
"It's possible…" Hvin Lambis looked at "Josena" for several seconds and said with an unchanged smile, "But what compensation can you offer?"
"Am I myself not a high-quality compensation?" "Josena" straightened her chest and asked ambiguously in return.
Ebner manipulated Hvin to shake his head slightly. Though he did not speak, the meaning was obvious.
"What an unromantic man!" "Josena" pouted charmingly and pressed her body even closer. Only after realizing that Hvin truly remained unmoved did she cease her attempts at seduction and instead said, "If the matter of the ritual altar can be handled properly, the 'Saintess' can provide the 'Stomach of a Dream Devourer,' the main ingredient for a 'Dreamweaver.'
"As for investing in Beldan and attracting more population, you need not worry. The 'Saintess' will request His Majesty to grant policy favoritism, and some of our Demoness Sect's industries will also be relocated there."
A "Dream Devourer" was a powerful dream creature that lived within the sea of collective subconsciousness. It could not only devour the "Dream World," but also "create" and "replace" it… It was especially adept at disguising itself as ordinary figures within dreams, making it extremely difficult to capture.
Miss "Sloth," Krosfiya, had found it too difficult to capture a "Dream Devourer," and thus directly schemed for the previous "Greed's" "Dreamweaver" beyonder characteristic.
If the "Violet Saintess" was truly willing to provide a Sequence 3 main ingredient, that indeed demonstrated considerable sincerity.
"However, how can I ensure that you and the 'Violet Saintess' behind you won't go back on your word after the matter is accomplished?" Hvin asked with a serious expression.
"The 'Stomach of a Dream Devourer' will afterward likely be stored on my person. As long as you keep me by your side, wouldn't you be able to take it at any time? I'm merely a Sequence 6 'Demoness of Pleasure'—I cannot resist a demigod existence." "Josena" spared no effort in "promoting" herself.
But not to mention that the current "Pride" was merely a marionette—even the real Hvin Lambis would not possibly keep a Demoness of obviously problematic origins at his side. Thus, he immediately rejected her proposal.
"Then I can only report to the 'Saintess' and request His Majesty to 'notarize' this for us…" "Josena" said as if disappointed.
But Ebner immediately had Hvin agree to this plan, thereby displaying "Pride's" trust in George III, who was likewise a member of the Twilight Hermit Order.
As for the real reason…
When Vera takes the throne in the future, won't whatever George holds effectively become mine?!
...
Inside the villa at 28 Pinster Street, Ebner, who was enjoying dinner in the dining room, cut a piece of steak and put it into his mouth while contemplating the "new" developments on Hvin's side:
In fact, if it were merely about building the film city and accumulating 'wishes' along the way, Beldan's current funds would be sufficient…
But considering the war that would break out at the end of the year, more houses still needed to be built, and more supplies stockpiled. At that time, refugees could be taken in, and as many people as possible saved.
By that calculation, there was still quite a shortage of funds… I needed to film more movies while peace still lasted and harvest another wave…
As for the task of recharging the 'Alvin Palace,' that would have to rely on income from other nations, especially the Intis film companies!
Yes, it seemed I should find time to visit and "comfort" Helene a few more times, so she would work even harder…
As his thoughts turned, Ebner turned his head and said to Xio, who was burying her head in her food at the dining table beside him:
"Your 'Imperative Mage' materials have arrived. This weekend, you can go to Beldan to conduct your advancement ritual."
Xio was not surprised, as Ebner had mentioned this matter long ago. Without stopping her knife and fork, she spoke indistinctly while eating, "…No problem… prepared…"
Instead, Fors, who was sitting nearby, exclaimed in surprise, "Xio, you're going to become a demigod too?"
She suddenly realized she had fallen far behind. Being inferior to Ebner was one thing, but now even Xio was about to leave her far behind.
Xio swallowed the food in her mouth and smiled at her friend. "With Ebner's help, your 'Recorder' should digest very quickly. It probably won't be long before you catch up to me."
"Yes…" Fors first nodded, then sighed with emotion, "A year ago, I never would have imagined I could reach Mid-Sequence. I even thought I might just die during some full moon… Let alone becoming a demigod?!"
At this point, she glanced at Ebner, who was smiling at them, and thought: All of this change came after meeting Ebner… I really should thank Mr. Rosen, who lent money in the East Borough.
At this moment, Xio also thought of this and decided that later she would visit the prison of MI9 and deliver him a "good" meal.
...
7:30 p.m., 39 Böklund Street, at the home of MP Macht.
Klein, dressed in a tailcoat, stepped down from the carriage while fastening the buttons of his clothing. Under the illumination of the fountain lights, he entered the foyer and saw Mori Macht, dressed in an olive-green military uniform, wearing an orange-red sash and combat medals.
His wife, Liana, wore an off-shoulder gown and smiled as she said to Dwayne Dantès, "Welcome, our 'hero'… I heard you stepped forward to help Vahana recover the money her husband was defrauded of?"
In the original work, as a bachelor, it had not been suitable for Dwayne to publicize helping the etiquette teacher, but now that he had a wife, the situation was naturally different.
"That was Daly's credit. I was merely a 'messenger,'" Klein replied in a joking manner.
"Why isn't Daly here?" Mrs. Liana looked around and, not seeing Daly, asked directly.
"She's further along in her pregnancy now and it's inconvenient for her to go out," Klein replied with a smile.
On the other side, MP Macht knew clearly that Dwayne Dantès's wife came from the Nighthawks. Using extraordinary means to investigate such an ordinary case was naturally far more efficient than urging the police department personally.
Thus, after exchanging a smile with Klein, the MP stepped forward, gave him a hug, and said in a lowered voice:
"You are a true 'friend'!"
A person who extended a hand in others' times of difficulty was worth befriending.
Klein modestly said a few words, then asked:
"Why hold the banquet on a Tuesday?"
Generally speaking, banquets were held on weekends, and this one had not been prepared in advance—it had been arranged at short notice. Klein had only received the invitation yesterday.
"Because I received a commission and need to ask everyone for a favor," MP Macht said quietly.
Klein frowned slightly upon hearing this and asked with some confusion:
"What kind of favor?
Does it require many people?"
MP Macht sighed and shook his head.
"It's my good friend and former close comrade-in-arms during our service in the Southern Continent, 'Viscount Lavran'… He recently acknowledged an illegitimate daughter and plans to hold an adult ceremony for her, officially recognizing her identity…
"But how could the nobility possibly approve of such a thing? So almost no one is willing to attend that coming-of-age ball.
"To prevent the ball from becoming a joke, Viscount Lavran had no choice but to ask me and other good friends to invite some distinguished friends to lend support…
"Sigh, after all, this sort of matter is hardly glorious. Who knows how many will be willing?"
As he spoke, MP Macht looked expectantly at Klein.
A coming-of-age ball for an illegitimate daughter? Klein thought for a moment but did not give an immediate reply. He merely said, "I'll consider it."
I'll decide whether to attend after performing a divination later.
MP Macht understood and did not press further, only sighing once more.
At this moment, in order to change the topic, Klein glanced around and then expressed the concern appropriate for an "elder": "Is Miss Hazel not here?"
Mrs. Liana smiled helplessly upon hearing this.
"She has gone to the headquarters of the Church of the Earth Mother for further study. It will be at least another month before she returns to Backlund."
...
In the captain's cabin of the "Future" anchored at the private harbor of the Bayam Resistance in the Rorsted Archipelago, "Admiral of Stars" Cattleya, seated by the table, had just turned a page of her notebook when her spirituality was stirred.
She quickly raised her head toward the doorway and discovered that Mr. "Tower," dressed like a professor, had already appeared there.
(End of Chapter)