After reminding Klein of several matters, the two men's "small meeting" also came to an end.
As for the question of what exactly had happened to Roselle on the moon, since Ebner himself was still uncertain, he did not say much to Klein about it.
Perhaps when exploring Rhine Carendia's "Observer Castle" tonight, we might discover some clues.
After all, judging from the "secrets" analyzed from those five survivors, if one wants to reenact the ritual from eleven years ago, the "Observer Castle" itself is one of the conditions.
Thinking this, Ebner returned to reality.
Next, after making some preparations, he "teleported" to the hot spring villa north of Indo Port.
At this time, the two ladies, "Greed" Ksenia and "Sloth" Closfia, were drinking afternoon tea in a lounge. When they saw Ebner arrive, they both smiled and greeted him.
There was no need to mention Madam "Greed." Although the suggestion planted in her mind by Adam had been removed by Ebner, as a price she had become his believer, and thus behaved with utmost respect.
As for "Sloth" Closfia, she was more casual. After Ksenia brewed a fresh pot of tea for Ebner, she directly asked,
"Did you bring the 'Traveler's Luggage' you mentioned at noon?"
They had actually met several hours ago, but since Ebner needed to attend the Tarot Club, he had temporarily returned to Backlund, as it was relatively safer there.
"I brought it…" Ebner nodded and handed over a pouch decorated with exquisite patterns on its surface.
This was not the "spatial pouch" obtained from the Secret Saint Botis, but a newly made one crafted by Ebner using a Worm of Star. After all, Botis's black pouch looked far too plain and was unsuitable as an item to trade to a lady.
Closfia took the pouch and examined it before saying, "These patterns look full of mystic symbolism, but they don't seem to have any actual meaning?"
"Of course they don't. They're just for aesthetics!" Ebner replied frankly. "A good appearance fetches a good price."
"As expected of a film company boss. A professional at catching people's eyes!" Closfia sighed, then asked, "So, what price do you want me to pay?"
"In fact, I don't want money. I'd like to make a request instead," Ebner said after some consideration.
"What request?" Closfia blinked, her expression turning strange.
Given her understanding of Ebner, his request might not be particularly difficult, but since he was being so cautious, it was surely hard to voice.
"Uh… I would like to ask you to bring Miss 'Plant' over, for me to… ahem, for me to conduct some research," Ebner coughed lightly as he stated his request.
After discovering that the state of the God of Desecration Suah was abnormal and very likely the result of Lamia's scheming, Ebner had wanted to study the so-called Miss "Plant," who was said to share the same essence as Lamia.
"Miss 'Plant'… You mean Flar?" Closfia's expression grew even stranger as she asked pointedly, "What exactly do you mean by 'research'?"
After all, Flar was a replica of her daughter Judy. Not only did she look identical, her personality was even more simple-minded than Judy's. Closfia liked her very much and treated her as another daughter, so she naturally had to clarify what "research" meant.
Flar… Miss "Plant" finally has a name? While various thoughts flashed through Ebner's mind, he looked at Closfia sincerely and said,
"It's purely academic research… Mm, when I previously investigated Lamia, I discovered that the plant she handed over to the Church—the predecessor of Miss Plant, Flar—may have some issues…
"Studying it would actually be for her own good."
Hearing this, Closfia pondered for a moment before nodding. "Alright. After we finish exploring that Fourth Epoch Sanguine Duke's ancient castle today, I'll go ask Flar for her opinion… But whether she agrees or not isn't something I can control."
In truth, Closfia understood very well that Ebner could completely bypass her and go directly to Flar. Given Flar's "deep" feelings toward this "detective," she would never refuse.
That he raised this matter in the form of a request was itself a sign of respect toward her.
"That's only natural. I won't force her," Ebner nodded matter-of-factly.
"In that case, it makes it seem like I'm taking advantage… I should give you some compensation." Saying this, Closfia did not wait for Ebner to refuse and took out a gray-white illusory scale, handing it to him. "There's a 'persona clone' I condensed inside this. As long as you activate the scale with spirituality, the information of that persona will overlay your own. People around you will only perceive you as the identity of that persona…
"Mm, it's roughly equivalent in value to the 'spatial pouch' made from a Worm of Star. Since you already have 'Lust' and 'Gluttony,' you probably don't need it, so consider it making up the price difference."
Seeing that Miss "Sloth" was firm in her attitude, Ebner did not decline further. After putting away the scale, he glanced at the clock and saw that it was nearly six o'clock. He looked around at the two ladies in the lounge and asked,
"There are still a few hours before the full moon rises. Shall we have dinner at the hot spring villa, or go to the small town near the Antars Mountain Range to try their local specialties?"
Closfia and Ksenia exchanged a glance and replied in unison, "The latter."
…
The Antars Mountain Range is located in the northwest of the Feysac Empire, west of the Evernight Plains and south of the Lent Plateau.
The mountain range stretches from the northwest through central-eastern Feysac, vast in territory. Although the climate is cold, there are still quite a few towns nestled among the mountains, and Lasting Town is one of them.
This small town, rich in natural and mineral resources, is the most prosperous town within several hundred miles. Especially during the relatively warmer summer, gold prospectors from all directions gather here, using it as a base to venture into the mountains to try their luck.
However, today Lasting Town was particularly lively. More than a dozen great noble families from the Empire's northern border had sent their younger generations to the town. Combined with their attendants and hired bodyguards, unfamiliar faces—once rare in the town—were now everywhere.
Therefore, when Ebner and the two ladies, having altered their appearances, appeared on the town's streets, they did not attract much attention.
Seeing such a scene, Ebner, Closfia, and Ksenia frowned simultaneously before each employing their own methods to gather "information."
After a short while, Closfia, who had "read" quite a bit of intelligence from the mind of a noble youth, smiled and said,
"An 'Ancient Castle Trial'? That Sanguine Duke's ancient castle has actually become a place for multiple northern great noble families to train their descendants and obtain extraordinary items?
"Tsk tsk, does His Highness Rhine so enjoy nurturing the younger generation?"
Additional chapter at nine or ten o'clock.
(End of Chapter)