After hearing Raphael's threat, Audrey quickly regained her composure. Pointing at the cards on the table with a smile, she asked him, "Are we playing for real or just pretending?"
Raphael was momentarily taken aback before replying, "For real, of course. And we're playing for money..."
As he spoke, he took out his wallet and handed Audrey a few coins as her stake.
Over ten minutes later, two policemen wearing the emblem of a crown flanked by swords knocked on the door. The younger one produced a sketch, asking the homeowner, Mark, if he had seen the person depicted.
The person in the portrait was exceptionally beautiful, with a sweet smile. It was Audrey Hall.
Mark wasn't a gangster and had no experience dealing with authorities. He half-closed the door, trying to prevent the officers from seeing Raphael and the others in the living room, while immediately stammering, "N-no... haven't seen her."
The two policemen outside were the sort responsible for maintaining order in a few blocks. Though they often extorted and were not much better than gangsters, they also had plenty of experience dealing with lower-class common folk.
The middle-aged officer noticed Mark's slightly unnatural expression and immediately sternly demanded, "Where have you seen this young lady?" He sneered, "If we have to take you back for questioning, watch out, we might break your other leg!"
Meanwhile, the younger officer bluntly shoved the door open and immediately saw the three people playing cards in the living room.
Both officers' attention was instantly drawn to Raphael. Their gazes only swept briefly across Carter and Audrey.
Since Audrey's back was facing them and she wore male clothing with her hair hidden under a hat, she didn't attract their attention...
The young officer immediately plastered on a smile, "Mr. Collins, w-what are you doing here?"
Raphael Collins gave the young policeman an unfriendly look, saying, "Do I need to report my whereabouts to you?"
"That's not what I meant," the officer said, taking two steps forward and scratching his head with a smile.
Those two steps made Mark's and Carter's hearts leap into their throats.
Raphael, however, pulled a long face and threw his cards down, "What lousy luck."
This wasn't an act. He didn't understand why he and Carter had lost several rounds in a row. In just a short while, Audrey had already won 3 soli and 6 pence.
Actually, Audrey had been using her 'Spectator' Pathway abilities, carefully observing Raphael and Carter's expressions and body language to gauge their psychological states.
Or perhaps she simply collaborated with Susie, letting the Psychologically Invisible golden retriever peek at the other two players' cards.
With just a glance from Susie, Audrey could roughly know what cards Raphael and Carter held. So even when her own hand wasn't great, she kept winning...
Raphael glanced irritably at the two policemen, "The owner of this place doesn't seem to have filed a report. Why don't you two go attend to other matters."
The two officers quickly echoed, "Yes, yes, of course."
They immediately retreated from the room, even remembering to close the door behind them...
...
Once outside, the two officers breathed sighs of relief. Mark's earlier unease was now interpreted by them as the man's awkwardness from having crossed the Mafia's Godfather.
On that point, they could only silently pray for the cripple in their hearts, but had no intention of intervening...
...
Back in the apartment's living room, Mark and Carter let out long sighs of relief, especially Mark. The earlier tension had left him feeling somewhat drained, almost collapsing onto the floor.
Raphael, on the other hand, lit a cigarette and said to Audrey, "You're quite good at cards."
Seeing the gang leader's disgruntled expression, Audrey smiled slightly, "Just passable."
As she spoke, she pushed her winnings back to Raphael, having noticed his pained expression when he took out money earlier.
Raphael waved a hand dismissively, "Those are your winnings. It has nothing to do with me now."
Audrey nodded slowly and took the money back. Sure enough, she caught another glimpse of reluctant longing in Raphael's eyes.
Carter then asked, "Boss, what now?"
"We head back to Mafia headquarters," Raphael said, then explained, "Since the official Beyonders haven't found any leads on us, we should appear at headquarters as usual." He glanced at Audrey and added, "Welcome to the Mafia."
Audrey was stunned.
"I... I refuse to join," she stammered.
"I knew you'd be happy about it," Raphael said, as if he hadn't heard her.
"I'm saying I REFUSE!"
"Yes, yes, I know you're very pleased," Raphael said with a smile.
Audrey felt a strong urge to use her abilities to make Raphael suffer a bit. But remembering Mr. Fool's task, she ultimately restrained herself...
...
Later, Raphael applied makeup to Audrey again, using a large fake beard to cover half her face.
Though it still gave a somewhat ruggedly handsome appearance, it largely concealed her appearance.
Then he had Carter find a rental carriage. He instructed Mark that if anyone asked, he should say his compensation had been completely extorted by the Mafia.
When the police hear this, they'd at most lament Mark's misfortunes but would never take the initiative to help him recover the money.
Inside the rental carriage, Raphael remained vigilant, constantly observing the outside. In truth, he was somewhat surprised that the official Beyonders had found no leads at all.
Previously, he only knew he had a special constitution against divination. Now, he realized the level of his uniqueness seemed remarkably high...
...
~Western Continent - Jizhou Branch, Shadow Cottage~
Underground altar...
Before the circular altar where the 'Otherworldly Demon Monarch' (actually Raphael) had been summoned, an offering table held an incense burner, a pig's head, a sheep's head, and an ox head. Behind the offering table stood a jade tablet engraved with the words 'Mystic Sound Demon Monarch'.
Branch leader Qingzhi made a hand seal with his right hand, causing yellow paper on the offering table to float up. He bit open his index finger and used his blood to draw several strange symbols on the paper.
Then he brushed the talisman against the jade tablet, intoning: "Swiftly, as decreed by law!"
The talisman spontaneously combusted. Qingzhi stared intently at the jade tablet. Seeing it begin to emit a faint glow, he immediately prostrated himself: "Hail the Ancestral Master!"
In his earlier conversation with the Otherworldly Demon Monarch, Qingzhi hadn't been entirely truthful. For instance, he could actually contact the Shadow Cottage's Blood Sect Patriarch, the Mystic Sound Demon Monarch, at any time, and he had a rather clear understanding of the founder's specific condition.
Moreover, his summoning of the Otherworldly Demon Monarch was actually on the orders of the Mystic Sound Demon Monarch...
In an instant, a divine presence descended upon the jade tablet. The kneeling Qingzhi immediately felt immense spiritual pressure along with boundless distortion and madness.
He sensed that the Patriarch's condition seemed to have worsened.
"Reporting to the Founder," Qingzhi reported, "Several hours ago, this disciple, following the method you bestowed, successfully summoned a Demon Monarch from another world."