"Mmm... I think I understand what you mean." In a laboratory on the seventh basement level, Otto sat on a swivel chair, leisurely crossing his legs, one hand supporting his cheek, smiling as he looked at the two people sitting opposite him.
However, his gaze lingered more on Rita.
Rita could feel Otto's scrutinizing gaze and clearly understood the emotion behind it.
It was a look of surprise mixed with great interest, as if to say, "I didn't expect you to get caught up in Durandal's shenanigans to this extent."
This look made even someone like Rita feel a little ashamed, as if she hadn't managed Durandal properly...
"Joining a city exploration team is indeed a very interesting choice, and it can also solve some of the problems the MOTH is currently facing." As he mentioned the problems, Otto gave Rita a deep look.
Lord Overseer Otto is indeed aware of the current issues.
"But as you can see, I'm swamped with things right now and can't spare any time for related matters. So, I'm sorry, Durandal, but I have to decline your invitation."
Otto spread his hands and gave the two a helpless shrug.
Indeed, Otto didn't look very good right now. Durandal clearly remembered that when she first met Otto, he was full of energy, not at all like he was now.
His golden hair was a bit frizzy and messy, reminding her of Theresa just after she woke up.
And the heavy bags under his emerald green eyes—Otto might as well have had "I'm sleep-deprived" written on his face.
"The Overseer doesn't need to participate in the activities. Just your consent is enough for us to reach five people," Durandal explained to Otto.
A faint smile constantly hung on Otto's lips. This wasn't his usual expression; he genuinely wanted to laugh.
He had created all the regulations for the city exploration teams. How could he not remember what was in them?
"Mmm, I understand that, of course." Otto nodded after Durandal finished speaking. "But I still have to refuse... because if I want to solve the problem, I can't join your team."
Otto glanced at Rita again.
"I see..." Durandal nodded, her tone a little disappointed.
Although she didn't even know what "problem" Otto was talking about, it didn't stop her from respecting his decision.
But just as she was about to turn and leave, Otto called out to her.
"Although I can't join your team, I can recommend someone to you. I'm sure she would be very happy to join you."
Durandal turned back in pleasant surprise. "Really?"
Otto nodded and handed her a piece of paper with an address written on it. "Go find her here. Although she doesn't have a role to play right now, she's been idle for so long, I'm sure she's been wanting to go out and take a look."
As he spoke, Otto turned to look at Rita again. "And she will be a great help in solving the problem..."
Durandal carefully examined the address Otto gave her and then sincerely thanked him.
"Then I'll leave it to you," Otto said as he saw them off. Although Durandal didn't know why, she nodded along with Rita.
Only Rita understood. She had just received a very special mission from Otto... but why her?
For Lord Overseer Otto to entrust such a heavy responsibility to a newcomer who had just joined, and even be willing to grant such high authority... was he just that magnanimous, or was his judgment of character just that good?
I have to say, it's really impressive...
---||---
"Let's see... the address is on the tenth basement level... huh? This address seems to be near Senior Theresa's place..."
Durandal scrutinized the paper, then suddenly frowned, discovering that something was amiss.
"Since it's someone Lord Overseer Otto recommended, it's normal for them to live nearby," Rita said with a smile. "Lady Durandal, do we need to buy a housewarming gift?"
Durandal fell into thought. She didn't really understand what a "housewarming gift" was.
"It's a gift you bring when you visit someone's home." Seeing Durandal's confusion, Rita patiently explained again. Durandal understood and immediately nodded.
"Of course we should buy one, but what should we get?"
The smile on Rita's face widened.
"How about we ask Lady Theresa?"
In the end, the two of them didn't go and wake Theresa up for a third time. Rita was just joking; she didn't really want to see Durandal face the wrath of a grumpy Theresa.
Besides, she was the one who suggested it this time. She might not be in the position of a spectator.
The only benefit of scarce resources was now apparent: no choices meant no need to choose. Durandal and Rita bought a large bag of candy and other things and stepped into the address Otto had given them.
Among the rows of small Western-style houses, this single Chinese-style building was particularly conspicuous. This style seemed to be called a siheyuan? [A historical type of residence common throughout China, a courtyard surrounded by buildings on all four sides.]
Before crossing the threshold, Durandal specifically looked up at the sign hanging above.
"Taixuan Martial Arts... Rita, do you know it?" Durandal felt the name was familiar, as if she had heard it somewhere before.
"Of course I've heard of it," Rita replied, also a little surprised to see this sign here.
"Taixuan Martial Arts is renowned throughout the world. Every generation has produced several powerful masters. This generation's Seven Swords of Taixuan is unprecedented, practically dominating the entire martial arts and combat world."
They placed an immovable mountain on the heads of all who came after, and how many people, seeing the gap, lost hope of reaching the top and quit those circles?
Although she had never fought any of them, she had observed their battles.
Powerful... extremely powerful. Among the people she knew, perhaps only a handful could match them.
Of course, Rita didn't say this out loud, but her expectations for the person living in this courtyard had already been raised to a very high level.
Even if it wasn't a master like one of the Seven Swords of Taixuan, anyone from Taixuan Martial Arts wouldn't be far off.
Taking a deep breath, Durandal raised her hand and knocked on the door.
"Coming," a childish voice called out. Soon, the door opened. Rita and Durandal both looked down to see a little girl with a sword on her back, tilting her head up and looking at them in surprise.
"Sushang?" Durandal was a little surprised.
Could it be... that the person Lord Overseer Otto recommended was her?!
Rita's focus, however, was completely different. She stared at the sword on Li Sushang's back, a flash of surprise in her eyes.
This sword... I've seen it before.