Evening, Queens District, inside the great hall of Duke Negan's manor.
Melodious music flowed like water as pairs of elegantly dressed men and women danced gracefully along with it.
The spacious hall was as warm as spring, with high-powered gas lamps illuminating the night as brightly as day.
In such a comfortable environment, the ladies could freely show off vast expanses of their snow-white skin, adorned with jewels that sparkled brilliantly under the lights.
Waiters carrying golden champagne wove through the crowd, while on the tables to the side, all kinds of delicacies were beautifully arranged.
The moment any dish cooled even slightly, it would be removed and replaced with a fresh serving.
This was a life of extravagance that the poor of the East Borough couldn't imagine even if they wracked their brains.
When they slept on penny rope beds, the most extravagant dream they could have was merely eating white bread dipped in cream, or thick slices of fatty meat with coffee.
As a member of the nobility, Kons Lierson didn't quite take such a lifestyle for granted, but he had long grown accustomed to it.
So accustomed, in fact, that he would never think to compare these scenes with what he'd witnessed in the East Borough during the day.
More than any of that, his attention was focused on the stunning young woman before him.
"You know, I can't go into too much detail about the mission, or I'll be reprimanded by my superiors," he said, shaking his head.
"Then just tell us a little bit about the less important stuff, Kons, please," Glaint, who was secretly a Sequence 9 Apothecary, said with unbearable curiosity.
"I'm just dying to know!"
The others seemed to share the sentiment, including Audrey.
The ball had been going on for a while, and these noble young people interested in the Beyonder world had naturally gravitated together again, discussing a recent incident: the detectives who solved the serial murder case had been threatened, but the killer was struck down that very same day.
The official statement was naturally that the brave and wise police of the kingdom had acted swiftly.
But the young nobles had received inside information and knew the killer was a Beyonder, and had died at the hands of another Beyonder.
As they chatted, under someone's subtle guidance, their eyes naturally fell on Kons, who had joined MI9.
That's what led to the scene just now.
"Alright, I'll say just a little bit," Kons said, feeling Audrey's attentive gaze.
His heart stirred as he revealed a mysterious smile. "The aura left at the scene was very similar to the one at the Capim case."
"The Capim case?
You mean the powerful Beyonder who killed the human trafficker Capim has now struck down the mastermind behind the serial murders?!"
Viscount Glaint exclaimed.
The others all showed expressions of surprise, and even Audrey's rosy lips parted slightly as she gazed at Kons.
He couldn't help but feel a bit giddy, and leaked a slightly dangerous piece of inside information:
"Internally, we've given him the codename... Blood Reverend."
Blood Reverend?
Hidden among the crowd, Audrey savored the name with mixed feelings.
That title sounds so bloody and crazed, not nearly as good as the codename our Tarot Club gave Mr. Anderson: Temperance, elegant and restrained...
"Blood Reverend, what a great codename!"
Christine said excitedly, clearly already a fangirl of this person. "He's always fighting the bad guys, using blood to uphold his faith in justice..."
According to what you're saying, where does that leave us who are investigating him?
Kons thought to himself, but didn't say it aloud.
In a daze, he couldn't help but recall Mr. Levi's weary face. He shook his head slightly to clear his mind, and noticed everyone was watching him.
"Sorry, I think I've said too much," he said with a bitter smile. "If I keep going, I really will get reprimanded."
Hearing this, people let out polite laughter and stopped asking questions, chatting idly as they dispersed.
Kons wanted to chat a bit more with Audrey, perhaps even share a dance, but suddenly saw a tall young man walking toward them.
This man had a round face and narrow eyes, very similar to the nation's founder on the banknotes, but without that seriousness.
Instead, he had more youthful vitality.
It's the Third Prince, he must be here for Audrey!
Kons cursed his rival silently, but still joined Audrey in bowing to him.
"Good evening, Your Highness."
"Good evening," Edessak Augustus said with a smile, his gaze sweeping lightly over Audrey and Kons's faces.
Here we go again, the awkward and boring small talk...
Audrey thought helplessly, though her face maintained a sweet, gentle smile.
Then she saw that the Third Prince, who had shown considerable interest in her some time ago, merely nodded slightly at them before passing by and heading toward Duke Negan on the other side of the dance floor.
He made no further attempt to engage Audrey in conversation.
Prince Edessak just walked away like that?!
Kons found it hard to believe.
He saw that even Audrey seemed stunned for a second, a flash of confusion crossing her beautiful emerald eyes.
But immediately, those eyes became warm and charming again.
He heard her laugh as she pointed to the long table on the other side. "Kons, would you like to get something to eat with me?"
"It would be my honor."
Kons snapped out of it and responded.
Perhaps Prince Edessak has found a new target, or perhaps he's simply lost interest in Audrey... But either way, this is good news for me.
After all, if I really had to compete with a prince, I might be at a slight disadvantage...
I need to establish my achievements sooner and get promoted within MI9.
That's what he thought.
***
Several days later, also in Queens District, in the house where Mr. A held his gatherings.
"Lord Envoy, everyone's here," the young man said excitedly as he led over twenty believers into the room, addressing Silas.
"Mm."
Silas, wearing Mr. A's androgynously handsome face, examined each believer one by one.
The high spiritual intuition brought by being a Secrets Suppliant allowed him to easily sense the thick, crazed aura emanating from them.
This level of aura definitely wasn't produced in a short time...
"Is this all of them?" he asked, feigning surprise.
"Please, you must save us, respected Lord Envoy!" These people all knelt down, saying devoutly and fervently, "All we have left is our faith in the Lord!"
"Of course, of course," Silas nodded calmly. "I have sufficient ability to protect all of you, but I am only willing to protect the Lord's most faithful believers."
"The Lord hears from above and bestows His great mercy upon those who are saved, delivering them from the hands of their enemies," he said in a trance-like tone.
"Let me hear what you've all done for your faith in the Lord?"
The believers all became excited.
To demonstrate devotion to the Lord and then receive salvation, wasn't this exactly as it said in the holy texts!
So they eagerly began to speak.