Since Mr. Hardy and his Family had gone to Desi Bay for vacation, Lex's plan to continue tracking the 'Descendants of Mania' with him fell through, so he instead came to the 'Elk Bar' in the South District.
This time, he didn't go directly to Nafi's safe house to avoid some 'old friends' monitoring the area. He hadn't forgotten that he blew up the house Kaven rented the last time he was in Tingen, and it was very likely that he was already on the Night Watchers' blacklist.
Moreover, this was also part of the Acting of a 'Conspirer'; a qualified 'Conspirer' would never let his guard down.
In the afternoon, the bar had few customers. Melodious music played in the hall. Lex, with Levto, came to the bar and ordered two Nanville Beers.
While talking to the Bartender, he used Kardashian to hypnotize him and had the Bartender send a note to Kaven at the Hunter Club.
At the club, by the window, the Seer was reading a book. A blue cat, a bit fatter, was yawning on the table, napping there.
Kaven suddenly felt something, looked up, and saw the Bartender approaching, placing a note down: "This is from a customer outside."
"A customer?"
The Seer unfolded the note, which read: "There's a good play showing at the Red Maple Theater tonight. I hope you and your friends can grace us with your presence."
Below was the number of a private box.
Seeing this number, a cold-faced, bearded young man suddenly flashed through Kaven's mind.
The Duke!
He's back?
The basis for this association was the private box number, which was the same box where he had met the Duke at the Red Maple Theater previously.
Kaven cautiously took out a crystal pendant and divined whether there would be danger in going to the Red Maple Theater tonight. After receiving the revelation 'no danger,' he put away the note and continued reading the 'Introduction to Mysticism' in his hand as if nothing had happened.
By evening, it started to rain.
The pattering rain fell, blurring the street lamp shades, making the Light from the gas streetlights hazy, and splashing water as carriages drove through the streets.
A rental carriage arrived at the entrance of the Red Maple Theater. A tall figure emerged from the carriage, his exaggerated height making the coachman shrink back in fear.
Levto held up an umbrella, shielding Lex from the misty rain. Lex looked up at the Great Theater, leisurely took out the fare from his pocket, and placed it in the coachman's hand: "Keep the change."
The coachman counted it; besides the fare, there was almost 1 soli in change. Since he didn't need to give change, it was naturally his tip.
He thanked him happily, thinking about buying a small cake for his children later, something he usually couldn't afford.
Arriving at the private box agreed upon with Kaven and the others, Lex took off his hat, revealing a cold-featured Face—the Face of 'the Duke.' Levto took off his coat; the Marionette looked no different from a living human in any aspect.
As soon as Lex sat down, he heard a knock at the door. Levto walked to the door, opened it, and outside stood the delicate-looking Kaven and the bright-faced Nafi.
Seeing Levto, Kaven thought he had misunderstood; it wasn't 'the Duke' meeting them tonight. But then a familiar voice sounded from inside the room.
"It's me."
"This is my bodyguard, Mr. Baal."
Hearing Lex's voice, Kaven didn't enter rashly, lowering his voice: "Tell me something only 'the Duke' and I know."
Lex shrugged in the room: "So it was you who taught Nafi last time. Let me think... Ah, you said you were a noble, and your Family was on its last legs. Therefore, your father sent you into an organization, and you became a ''Diviner'.'"
Kaven relaxed. He had only told 'the Duke' this, so if the other party knew it, he could be trusted.
Furthermore, he had done another divination tonight and received the same revelation: there was no danger at the Red Maple Theater tonight.
When he nodded slightly to Nafi beside him, the young woman cheered, pushed Levto aside, and rushed towards Lex with open arms.
"Boss~"
Lex was prepared this time, thinking, 'I'm a 'Conspirer' now, how can I let this little girl pick me up off the ground repeatedly? What about my Face?'
Seeing Nafi pounce, Lex deftly dodged, just about to tell her to stop. Unexpectedly, Nafi, having missed, suddenly changed direction nimbly and burst forward, pouncing with a fierce momentum. Before Lex could react, she picked him up in one go.
"Boss, I missed you so much!" Nafi held Lex over her head, her Face beaming with innocent joy.
Lex, whose feet were a few centimeters off the ground, twitched the corner of his mouth slightly and shook his head: "You've been promoted, haven't you?"
"Mhm, mhm, I'm already a 'Weapon Master.'"
Nafi put Lex down.
Lex clenched his fist and cleared his throat: "It seems you've mastered the 'Acting.' How did you Playact the previous Sequence?"
"It's simple, really. I just found people to fight every day, and the potion disappeared as I fought!" Nafi patted her chest, causing a surge, and said proudly, "The Acting for this stage is easier. I just practice with different weapons every day, and the potion keeps digesting."
It can be done like that?
Well, she's a 'Weapon Master' now. If you look at the potion name, the digestion of the potion at this stage certainly can't be separated from weapons, but this is too easy!
Lex collected his thoughts and looked at Kaven: "And you?"
Kaven smiled helplessly: "I haven't found the most crucial main Material yet, so I'm still a 'Clown.'"
"Which main Material?"
"The misty treant's true roots."
Hmm, I once had this Material, but I sold it to Klein. However, members of the Tarot Club should have a way. Lex nodded slightly: "I will use my channels to help you collect this Material."
Kaven quickly nodded: "That would be wonderful!"
Lex smiled and spread his hands: "Let's get to the point. I've returned this time because I have something to tell you. Besides being a Hunter, I am also an Adventurer of the Sea and an informant for the Kingdom's Navy."
"After the New Year, I will have my own ship. I want to recruit a group of core members. Are you interested?"
Nafi shouted without thinking: "I'm joining! Finally, I can go on an adventure with Boss!"
Lex looked at her and nodded: "Good. If you want to find someone, you can tell me their information, and I will use my channels to help you find them."
"Really? Oh, good, good." Nafi nodded repeatedly, delighted.
Kaven, however, cleared his throat: "Excuse me, may I go to the restroom?"
"Of course," Lex smiled.
And I know you're not actually going to relieve yourself; you want to do a divination, Lex thought, with considerable experience.