As Caesar's group arrived at Enmat Harbor and just sat down in the carriage, Ms. Daly, who was there to greet them, suddenly dropped a bombshell topic before they could even exchange many pleasantries.
"The three of you, you should all know about the acting method, right?" Ms. Daly's gaze swept back and forth across their faces as she asked with a smile.
How did she know?
Caesar's eyebrow twitched, but he didn't speak.
Not only did he remain silent, but the other two in the carriage also kept quiet. Leonard and Klein both glanced at Caesar; they had each hinted at the acting method to Caesar before, and at this moment, they both understood that Caesar had already grasped the method of digesting potions.
For a moment, only the sound of hooves and carriage wheels rolling over the road could be heard, and the atmosphere became strange.
Shouldn't this kind of thing be an unspoken understanding? Why say it out loud?
Caesar thought to himself, not understanding why Daly brought up the topic so directly.
"Hehe, look at you all, you're just like innocent men unwilling to reveal their romantic experiences. You think you haven't said anything, but you've actually completely exposed yourselves."
Daly couldn't help but laugh.
Ms. Daly, that's bordering on harassment.
Caesar's mouth twitched, and he opened his mouth, "Ms. Daly, how did you know?"
He didn't recall having met Daly much, so why did she immediately expose his secret?
"I found out from a letter Dunn wrote to me."
Daly gently pinched her round, fair fingers. "Dunn told me that Klein joined the divination club, and Caesar, you're trying various rituals every day. The speed at which you two are mastering potions exceeded his imagination. As for Leonard, I started suspecting you when I was in Tingen, but you've always been so lackadaisical and not diligent about digesting potions, so I only dared to confirm it recently."
Leonard gave an embarrassed laugh upon hearing this, offering no explanation.
So it was Captain who leaked the information.
"Communicating with a lady, yet only discussing work and no romance. Captain should reflect on himself."
Caesar said somewhat helplessly, "Ms. Daly, so why are you asking about this?"
So Daly began to explain. It turned out the whole thing started with Klein; he not only hinted at the acting method to Caesar, but also vaguely shared it with Dunn. Dunn might have perceived his intention, but because Klein didn't explain it thoroughly, he didn't fully understand and felt it was inconvenient to ask directly, so he mentioned the matter in his letter to Daly.
No wonder Captain came to my dream last night.
Caesar thought.
"I want you to help me explain the acting method in detail to Dunn. Do it as soon as possible, before the Church makes you keep it a secret," Daly told them. "The Church strictly forbids sharing this method internally. I've already sworn before the Goddess's holy relic not to share this with anyone who doesn't know the acting method. I only dared to discuss this with you after I confirmed that you all had mastered it."
As for why the Church was blocking the information, Daly didn't know. The Cathedral only said it was a matter of secrecy, and she wouldn't know the reason until she was promoted to Archbishop or High-Ranking Deacon.
"I understand, Ms. Daly."
Klein said seriously, "When I return from my business trip, before making a special application, I will explain it thoroughly to Captain."
Ms. Daly really cares about Captain. To help him, she specifically found an opportunity to ask us.
Caesar thought to himself.
"That would be wonderful."
Daly seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
As the people in the carriage conversed, the carriage was also driving through the streets of Enmat Harbor. Not long after they finished talking, the carriage arrived at the Nighthawks' headquarters in Enmat Harbor. "Enmat Harbor Fishing Club"—these words were written on the sign of the building, accompanied by artistic silhouettes of fishing rods, hooks, and sea fish.
Caesar was stunned looking at the sign.
He suddenly felt that, in comparison, a name like Blackthorn Security Company was far too normal.
"This is a coastal area after all, and many cases happen by the water, so using this name as a cover is more suitable," Daly explained, leading the group into the club.
Unlike the Blackthorn Security Company's lobby with partitions to obscure the front and back, the Fishing Club here was a completely open space, with several sets of sofas arranged around a table, filling the lobby. Nighthawks were scattered in twos and threes among the sofas, either chatting or resting with their eyes closed.
The number of people was double that of Tingen City.
Caesar thought, observing keenly that although these people sat casually, their eyes carried anxiety and unease, as if they were enduring something. A faint, elusive scent permeated the surroundings, making Caesar feel both familiar and a genuine sense of revulsion.
Undoubtedly, it was the aura of the True Creator.
"Welcome back, Ms. Daly."
The receptionist here was a well-mannered male waiter, dressed in a shirt and vest with a black bow tie. He bowed slightly to Caesar and the others, indicating, "Presumably, these three are the reinforcements from Tingen."
When the Nighthawks closer to the front desk heard the word "Tingen," they couldn't help but turn their heads and cast scrutinizing glances at the three of them.
"Please leave your names here, so I can register you," the waiter said, taking out a registration book.
"Where is Captain Edward?"
While Caesar's group was completing their registration, Daly inquired.
"Captain went out on business. He told me before he left that he would be back tomorrow and instructed me to arrange your accommodation and meals first. Any matters can be discussed tomorrow."
The waiter said respectfully.
He won't see us?
Caesar, the three of them exchanged glances.
What does this mean? Deliberately giving us the cold shoulder, a show of force?
Ms. Daly's shoulders shrugged slightly and then dropped, as if she had taken a deep breath.
"Did Captain say what he went out to do?"
She asked calmly.
"I'm sorry, I don't know."
The waiter shook his head.
"..."
Daly was speechless for a moment, seemingly completely exasperated with the Captain of Enmat Harbor.
Caesar thought for a moment, then lowered his head and quickly wrote his name in the registration book, then handed it back to the waiter. "Since we're here to provide support, we naturally follow the host's lead. It's getting a bit late today, so please trouble you to arrange our accommodation and meals."
Anyway, it wasn't a case from Tingen, and since the other party wasn't in a hurry, he certainly didn't need to be. He was happy to be idle; ideally, the matter would be resolved without him having to act. It would be like a free trip to Enmat Harbor, with travel expenses to boot.
Thus, under the gaze of the other Nighthawks in Enmat Harbor, Caesar and his group were led out of the hall and settled into a hotel next door. This place also seemed to be an asset of the local Nighthawks team, specifically for hosting out-of-town guests. Because Enmat Harbor was a transportation hub and many Nighthawks and related personnel passed through, they simply bought the adjacent building and converted it into a hotel.
"They seem to be hostile towards us."
After settling into the standard room at the hotel, Leonard suddenly spoke.
"Mainly towards me, I guess."
Caesar smiled, saying indifferently.
This seemed understandable, after all, they had been tormented by enemies of the same Pathway for a long time.
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I'm so tired lately... studied for years, now working full-time — it really feels like a loop that never ends. Sorry if updates slow down a bit, I just need to rest for a while. Thanks for sticking with me!
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