Oedis spent a total of £130 to acquire Russell's "relics".
However, when he submitted his expense report, he said he spent 151 pounds, including a 20-pound "handling fee" and a 1-pound fee for hiring a horse-drawn carriage.
Of course, hiring a horse-drawn carriage would cost less than 1 pound.
After successfully obtaining the money, Odis generously took a taxi back to the herbalist shop.
However, as soon as he entered, he discovered two uninvited guests in the herbal shop: Simon, the owner of the underground fighting arena, and his manager, Gers.
The waiter, Kayner, greeted them, saying, "Sir, these two have been waiting for over an hour."
Odis nodded: "I understand."
He sat down opposite Simon: "Didn't I tell you? I have no interest in working with you."
Simon smiled mischievously as always: "Last time I told you I knew some relatively confidential information, but it seems you didn't take it seriously."
"Let me be more specific. I've heard that people in the church really like to catch people like you who have magical abilities."
Odis said coldly, "Do you want me to give you a map of Backlund and tell you how to get to the main churches of the three churches?"
"If you had any decent connections, you would know that I am not afraid of your threats at all."
Simon paused slightly, clearly not expecting Odis to say that. While assessing whether the herbalist was lying, he said, "The nobles also need some more exciting entertainment; they're in Queens..."
"There's a special fighting arena at 155 King's Road in Queens, right?" Odis sneered, "Competing with me in intelligence?"
"I also know that your real name is not Simon, but Diess, and that you have a daughter who is being fostered by distant relatives at 349 Hillland Avenue in St. George District."
"Because you were afraid that your enemies would come looking for you, you never dared to keep it with you."
Simon gaped, his face filled with disbelief: "Sir... I didn't mean anything by it."
Odis took out his pipe: "Everyone has weaknesses, don't they?"
Simon immediately stood up: "I'm so sorry for the inconvenience. We'll leave now. Please... please don't be angry."
Odis pointed to the chair opposite him: "Sit down."
Simon had no choice but to sit down obediently.
Odis lit his pipe, took a puff, and said, "I can go and play a few matches, but we're not partners; you're going to serve me."
"After each competition, I will pay you one-tenth of your earnings. Besides the competition, you need to take care of other trivial matters."
"Also, give me a forged ID document. I don't want to participate in the fights there using my real identity."
The fighting arena at 155 King's Road is, to be precise, an extraordinary fighting arena.
The nobles of Rune appear cautious, elegant, and refined on the surface, but they also have a sinister, lewd, extravagant, and violent side.
The fighting arena has always existed in Backlund, but in modern times, it has gone underground and gradually disappeared from public view.
However, the nobles still enjoyed watching life-or-death matches, with extraordinary combat being the most popular. Odis heard that a single ticket cost as much as 100 pounds.
After being promoted to "Fighting Scholar", Odis wanted to go there to fight a few matches to hone his combat skills.
Before his promotion, Odis knew that his combat strength was about the same as that of a goose, so he tried his best not to fight with people. Even if he did fight, he had the "Flaming Arrow" and the scepter, and ordinary low-sequence extraordinary beings were no match for him.
If he accidentally offended a "middle-sequence" extraordinary individual, he would simply seek help from the "Mechanical Heart." Of course, this has never happened in the past three years.
But becoming a "fighting scholar" is different; you need to spar with more people to hone your skills in real combat.
He had long wanted to go to that fighting arena to try his skills, not only to train himself but also to make money.
As for the fact that it was a performance for nobles, Odis had no psychological burden about it.
However, he has always lacked a legitimate way to access the Queens underground fighting arena, and he doesn't want to associate his fights with "Mr. Gal" and "the leader".
Unexpectedly, Simon offered a great opportunity. When Simon proposed a collaboration at the underground fighting arena in the bar, Odis had already planned to use that channel to go to the fighting arena in Queens.
However, he certainly wouldn't be manipulated by a nobody like Simon. At the same time, he knew very well that Simon would not give up, and today's meeting was inevitable. Therefore, Odis made some preparations in advance and took the initiative in this matter.
Simon was overjoyed to hear that things had taken a turn for the better: "No problem!"
Even one-tenth is still a considerable income.
As the owner of the underground fighting arena in the bar, he seemed to be doing very well, earning several hundred pounds a night when there were matches. However, this kind of shady income required a powerful backer, otherwise he would inevitably run into trouble.
A large portion of his income came from his backers.
Not a single mistake, not a single poem, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single look!
He could pocket the money he earned from serving Odis, and he would also have the opportunity to meet some of Backlund's high society.
Simon promised to come back the next day to report on the progress of the matter, and then politely took his leave of Odis.
Odis glanced at his pocket watch and said to Kaina, "Let's go to the backyard. Today I'll teach you how to handle the leg bones of the mutated flamingo."
Dealing with those leg bones doesn't require much skill; Kayner could do it.
...
South of the bridge, 22 Tutwa Street.
When Hugh Deercha returned to her place, she was surprised to find that Fors was already up and sitting at his desk, writing furiously.
"Hugh, you're back." Fors looked up and smiled, "What's new at that mysterious party?"
"It was a very peculiar party." Hugh hung his coat on the hanger and asked casually, "Are you rushing to finish your manuscript today?"
Fors' smile vanished instantly: "Yes, the manuscript is due tomorrow, and I've only written the beginning."
Hugh nodded slowly; she knew that was the case, otherwise Fors wouldn't have gotten up so early.
"Only hearing some strange tales can soothe my anxious heart." Fors turned to Hugh, carrying a chair with her. "Tell me quickly, what magical things happened at that party?"
"It's not that amazing." Hugh sat down opposite Fors, seemingly eager to confide in her. "The organizer of the gathering actually promised to protect Byron…"
She briefly recounted Byron's investigation and the conversation between Byron and the "leader".
This is a very peculiar place. They have attended so many extraordinary parties, and none of the organizers of any of them would make such a promise.
"He must have a strong sense of justice!" Fors commented.