Chapter 381
“This is the result of a collaboration between the Pharos Medical Society and the Church of the God of Order...” Lafayette seemed to recall something, slowly rising to her feet and standing before Charles. She asked, “Would you like to give it a try?”
After standing, Lafayette’s figure was slightly hunched, yet she was taller than Charles had imagined. Even with her back bent and legs crooked, she still appeared to be at least 1.8 meters tall—this height was disproportionate to her slender limbs.
If she could stand fully upright, she would likely be over two meters tall.
Charles had to take a half step back, tilting his head up to meet Lafayette’s gaze, which now held a hint of hesitation.
Encountering Lafayette was something Charles hadn’t anticipated; it was an unexpected event, possibly a piece of crucial intelligence.
If it had been the influence of a “Instigator” or “Gambler” potion, Charles might have readily agreed, eager to see what she had in store.
But under the influence of the “Detective” potion, Charles refrained from making any more dangerous attempts, his expression wavering as he said, “I…”
“Your mental state will deteriorate day by day, Charles. I’ve seen too many cases like yours…”
Lafayette didn’t seem intent on pressuring him. Instead, she walked past Charles to a cabinet, opened it, and retrieved several vials of potions. She returned to Charles and placed the vials on the table.
“These sedatives were made by the Pharos Medical Society. They’re reliable and should help you get a few nights of decent sleep,” Lafayette said, gesturing to the potions. “Take them as a gift from me.”
Charles bowed slightly and replied, “Thank you for your generosity, Lady Lafayette.”
Just as he reached for one of the vials on the table, a sudden explosive sound and a wave of heat surged through his mind!
A spiritual alarm?!
No!
Charles quickly realized.
This wasn’t a spiritual alarm.
It was **Keen Sense**!
Someone was watching him... from behind that wall in the corner... in the dark room beyond...
Is it Qiangyin?! Is he here too?!
Charles couldn’t afford to hesitate. He grabbed several vials from the table, tucked them into his pocket, and expressed his gratitude to Lafayette again, his tone slightly more animated.
The excitement in his voice was meant to mask the sudden quickening of his heartbeat.
“Let’s go, Charles. I have another place I want to show you—my sunroom!” At that moment, Windsor’s voice came from behind, allowing Charles to breathe a little easier.
Windsor had inadvertently helped him out.
“Miss Charles, you go ahead. Hehe...” Lafayette glanced at Windsor and said, “Windsor, stay for a moment. I need to discuss something with you.”
“Uh... Charles, you go on ahead. I’ll catch up in a bit.” Windsor’s face showed a hint of reluctance, but she still made a little room for Charles.
Charles nodded and left in silence, stepping out of the corridor and into the light outside.
As she saw the brightness, she felt some of the pressure ease.
Meanwhile, in the underground room, Windsor looked at Lafayette with a puzzled expression and asked, “Teacher Lafayette, why did you want me to stay? I still need to accompany my friend.”
She was eager to express her feelings for Charles in the sunroom... She would win Charles over, keeping her close until Charles accepted her—or until she broke down mentally.
That was Windsor’s idea of fun.
“Don’t touch her, Windsor... Hehe...” Lafayette’s dark laughter came from beneath her bandages. “She’s a ‘Detective’... She faced the Otherworld even before becoming an ordinary person. She would make an excellent candidate for a saint…”
“Tsk...” Windsor frowned slightly.
She regretted bringing Charles to see Lafayette; she should have acted first.
“Don’t worry, Windsor...” Lafayette raised her hand and gently patted Windsor’s head. “She will be yours eventually.”
It was only after Windsor left the underground collection room that Lafayette turned her gaze to the table. She didn’t continue with anything; she simply sat quietly, as if waiting for someone.
After a while, the wall in the corner of the collection room slowly rotated, revealing a tall figure with white hair and a mask stepping out, walking slowly toward Lafayette.
“Hehe... Lord Qiangyin... What brings you here today?” Lafayette looked up at Qiangyin, smiling as she asked.
“You can’t leave yet, Lafayette.” Qiangyin’s gaze fell on the seated Lafayette, his eyes heavy. “The dissemination of the secret arts must be expedited.”
“Starting with the servants of the Church of the God of Order?” Lafayette looked at Qiangyin, her smile fading slightly. “Are you in such a hurry?”
“The Keybearer may not necessarily be under the control of the Pleasure Society; we must prepare for the risk of negotiations breaking down.” Qiangyin raised his hand, his long fingers lightly tapping the table. “We may face a joint assault from the Goddess of Salvation Church and the Holy Ascendancy; we must be ready.”
“Ah... has the Church of Order agreed?”
“Of course. After witnessing this technology, they’ve become enamored with it.” Qiangyin nodded slightly. “Absolute justice, absolute order—that’s what they seek.”
“Do as you wish.” Lafayette waved her hand, seemingly uninterested in continuing the conversation with Qiangyin. “I need to get back to my experiments.”
“Then I won’t disturb you.” Qiangyin didn’t seem to mind Lafayette’s attitude and turned to leave.
Meanwhile, in the palace’s back garden.
Windsor walked ahead, looking gloomy, while Charles followed behind, feigning ignorance as she asked, “Your Highness Windsor, where are we going?”
“To the back garden...” Windsor’s voice was listless.
Just the thought of entering the sunroom and being unable to do anything made her feel like there was nothing left to do.
Charles could clearly sense the unmasked sense of despair in Windsor’s tone. At that moment, she summoned the system and glanced at the remaining time.
Almost an hour left... The conversation in the reception room and the trip to the basement had only taken an hour.
If she acted early, could she survive an hour under Qiangyin’s watch?
Charles felt uncertain.
She didn’t know what Lafayette had said to Windsor when she was left behind, but now, Charles had to find a way to start acting—even if Windsor didn’t make a move against her.
Walking along the familiar green path, Charles saw the steel-structured glass “birdcage,” the place where she had once been confined during the simulation.
Upon seeing the sunroom, Windsor’s mood seemed to lift a little. She pushed the door open, turned to Charles, and invited, “Please come in. What do you think? This is where I usually unwind, and I designed it myself.”
“Hmm... an amazing room, Your Highness Windsor.” Charles didn’t have a good impression of the place, but she had to force herself to compliment it.
At that moment, Charles felt the familiar gaze again—this time, she turned around to look at the newcomer, then quickly lowered her eyes.
It was Qiangyin, wearing a mask.
Seeing Charles turn around, Windsor followed her gaze and quickly walked to the door, standing directly in front of Qiangyin.
“Please hold on, Lord Qiangyin... I don’t recall inviting you.” Windsor’s tone was blunt, as if she had an inherent aversion to men, even one as imposing as Qiangyin.
“Princess Windsor, I’m just here to find Lafayette and happened to stop by to say goodbye to you.” Qiangyin slightly bowed his head before looking in Charles’s direction.
The girl before him, with her head bowed... gave Qiangyin an uneasy feeling, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint why.
But he had no intention of speaking with the red-haired girl. Noticing she wasn’t inclined to meet his gaze, he exchanged a few words with Windsor before taking his leave.
Qiangyin was gone...
That was good news for Charles.
After Qiangyin left, Windsor had the maid bring out pastries and milk tea, placing them on the round table in the glass sunroom, hoping to chat with Charles a bit more before finding an excuse to send her away.
Though she wanted Charles to stay forever, she had to obey her teacher’s words.
“So, Charles, what are your plans next... Charles?”
Windsor chatted casually, but suddenly realized that Charles hadn’t responded to her for quite some time.
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