"Yay!"
Bernice gave Pulchra a big hug.
However, Pulchra pushed her away, looking slightly disgusted.
"Oh, right."
"And Aya."
Saying this, Bernice prepared to hug Hoshimi Aya, but her hands weren't aiming for a hug; they were reaching for Hoshimi Aya's fox ears on top of her head.
Grabbing from behind, Bernice was ninety percent sure she could touch the fluffy ears on Hoshimi Aya's head.
She had wanted to touch them since the first day they met, but she never had the chance, mainly because Hoshimi Aya didn't give her one.
But just as Bernice's hand was about to touch Hoshimi Aya's ears, Hoshimi Aya immediately squatted down, protecting her ears.
"Idiot, Bernice."
"Thiren's tails and ears can't be touched casually."
"Don't you know that?"
"You'll get beaten up, and you'll deserve it."
Lucy said, annoyed.
"It's fine, she can't touch my ears."
Hoshimi Aya said, moving away from Bernice.
Seeing this, Pulchra also distanced herself from Bernice.
"Of course I know."
"Then next time, I'll just touch her chin."
Bernice pondered.
Pulchra and Hoshimi Aya's eyes widened.
"I suggest you drop that idea."
Hoshimi Aya said silently.
She could almost see herself meeting Bernice, greeting her, and Bernice reaching out to touch her chin.
Bernice saying such a thing meant she was truly capable of doing it.
"Alright, alright."
"Got it."
Bernice nodded.
But she looked a little disappointed.
...
As evening approached,
Caesar drove back to Wildfire Town with Ling.
As soon as they returned, the others immediately shared the news of Pulchra joining the Sons of Calydon and the information about the Triumphant Ones.
"How is that possible?!"
"We just shook hands and made peace last night."
Caesar said, disbelievingly.
After all, they had just met last night, and that Overlord Uncle Pompey didn't seem like that kind of person.
"Hmm, to be honest, I don't quite believe it either."
"But I did hear that there are indeed many new faces among the Triumphant Ones."
"So, it can be concluded that what Pulchra said is true."
"However, I suspect it's the personal action of their second-in-command, Lucius."
Lucy guessed.
"...That second-in-command of the Triumphant Ones really doesn't look like a good person."
"But we can't jump to conclusions like this."
"I'll go ask Overlord Uncle Pompey directly to clarify."
Saying this, Caesar prepared to drive to the Triumphant Ones' camp.
"If you go directly like that, will they admit it?"
"Besides, right now, apart from Pulchra's one-sided account, we have no evidence."
"What if they turn around and say you're there to cause trouble?"
Lucy stopped Caesar, who was about to leave.
"Then what should we do?"
Caesar asked, confused.
"I have a method that isn't really a method."
Hoshimi Aya said, breaking her silence.
"What method?"
Caesar inquired.
"Tell me the address of the Triumphant Ones' camp."
"Tonight, under the cover of darkness, I'll secretly take care of Lucius, and that'll be that."
"And you can rest assured, with my skills, I won't leave a single trace."
"They won't suspect us."
Hoshimi Aya thought.
To be honest, she had wanted to do this for the past two days.
After all, the Hellfire Ride was getting closer.
And Overlord Uncle Pompey was indeed a good person; if she remembered correctly, back at the location of the Blazing Fire Lake,
Lucius was no match for Overlord Uncle Pompey at all.
If Lucius hadn't drugged him beforehand, he might have been dealt with by Overlord Uncle Pompey on the spot.
"Aya, that really isn't much of a plan."
"If their second-in-command were to have an accident, wouldn't the first suspect be the Sons of Calydon?"
"During a critical period like the Hellfire Ride, their second-in-command gets assassinated."
"Any smart person would realize that the Sons of Calydon would be the beneficiary."
Ling said, exasperated.
During such a crucial event, there were only two teams.
If the Triumphant Ones' second-in-command was assassinated, anyone would suspect the Sons of Calydon.
"Indeed, it would be great if we could find evidence."
Lucy nodded in agreement.
"I can go to the Triumphant Ones' camp to collect evidence for you."
"However, I only left this morning, so it might be inconvenient."
"And Lucius knows I left."
"But I still have a few friends there."
Pulchra interjected.
"Hmm?"
"Never mind, if the matter is exposed, it won't be good for your friends."
"Perhaps there are other ways."
Caesar rejected Pulchra's suggestion.
After all, Pulchra's friends were members of the Triumphant Ones; if these matters were exposed, their situation within the Triumphant Ones would be very difficult.
Moreover, if their reputation spread, they would be ruined.
"There are still a few days until the Hellfire Ride."
"Such a big move by the other side can't be without any clues."
"And Pulchra also said that many new faces arrived at the Triumphant Ones today."
"If Overlord Uncle Pompey is a smart person, he should also realize something."
"Of course, if Overlord Uncle Pompey already knows, then disregard what I said."
"In short, we can gather information from those new faces that have appeared."
"With so many of them, they can't all keep quiet."
Ling thought.
During such a critical period, the other side must be planning something big.
And according to Pulchra, quite a few people arrived.
Moreover, this was just the minimum number of people who had arrived; Pulchra had only come in the morning, so it was uncertain if anyone else had joined in the afternoon.
"The problem is that the Hellfire Ride is about to be held, and most of the Triumphant Ones' Motorcycle Clan will stay in the camp."
"As the event date approaches, they shouldn't have any missions requiring them to go out."
"Everyone is waiting for the results of this Hellfire Ride."
"If we want to probe for information, the best way is to go to the Triumphant Ones' camp."
"But given our current situation, if only one person goes, they are very likely to encounter danger."
"After all, they are already targeting us."
"There's a ninety percent chance or more that one person going alone will not return."
Lucy pondered.
Moreover, they didn't have a suitable candidate to send to gather information.
If there was a risk of exposure and not returning, even fewer people would go.
...
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