The fairy maid cheers for her deceased master today.

What kind of answer is that?

Clearly, Irene was really drunk.

But looking into Irene's stunningly bright, flawless emerald eyes...

Ex swallowed back the retort that was on the tip of his tongue, and could only helplessly curl the corners of his mouth: "Is that so? That was truly... an unforgettable first encounter."

After waiting for a long time, she still talked about the scene of their encounter in the "Rainy World".

Sure enough, this was just her inner world, and it was always different from reality.

"Yes!" Irene nodded vigorously, struggling to her feet, taking another gulp of wine, her cheeks flushing even more. "That's why I knew it... we're not strangers!"

She suddenly leaned even closer, almost touching Ex's ear, her warm breath, carrying a hint of alcohol, brushing against his skin.

"Sir...do you believe in fate?"

Ex's gaze swept over her slightly flushed cheeks, her cleavage, and finally settled on the hand gripping her wrist. Those fingers were slender, yet possessed an undeniable strength, like a drowning person clinging to a piece of driftwood.

A slight thought crossed his mind, and he was about to speak—

"Owner!"

Angel suddenly interrupted, her voice like a bird being strangled.

She squeezed between X and Irene, her little face tense, her blue eyes swirling with emotions X had never seen before—grievance, unease, and a hint of seriousness.

[Angel senses something is very wrong!]

[Angel needs to act immediately!]

"Sister Elena is drunk," Angel said, her voice a little nervous. "Master, we should take her home."

Her little hand grabbed the hem of Ex's clothes, held it tightly, and then shook it.

Did I just... hear Angel's inner thoughts?

It was only then that Ex realized what was happening. He looked at Angel's tense little face, and then at Elena's innocent yet trusting emerald eyes, and instantly understood.

Even my own fairy-like girl has a little jealousy jar, and it's probably been overturned.

But it's okay.

He'd played a couple of games with Gala Gemu too. Games, you know, once you understand one, you understand them all.

So he took Angel's hand in his own and squeezed it gently: "Don't worry, you are irreplaceable."

Just coax her a little. Just get started, and Angel will calm herself down.

Then he looked at Elena, his voice softening, "Elena, we should go back."

Elena's eyes lit up, like sparkling glass: "Really?!"

She sat up straight immediately, then slumped back down, murmuring, "Let's go back in the ghost carriage!"

They were indeed drunk; even the ghost carriage appeared.

■

Since there was no ghost carriage, X could only find an ordinary carriage.

Of course, there was no silent ghost carriage—the carriage wheels rolled over the damp pebbles with a dull thud.

In this rainy world, the sky is always rather dark because of the constant rain. Therefore, the gas lamps outside the windows seem to burn out of thin air, burning from morning till night.

Alex leaned back in the soft chair, Elena's head resting on his shoulder. Her cheeks were flushed a lovely pink, and her breath carried a faint scent of alcohol. Angel sat opposite, her blue eyes fixed intently on Elena.

"Master," Angel said, "Sister Elena is leaning against you...so close."

X didn't move, only glancing at Angel out of the corner of his eye. He stretched out his left hand and lightly snapped his fingers in front of Angel.

"bite."

A crisp sound echoed through the carriage. Angel was immediately drawn to it, watching X's fingers with curiosity.

"Watch closely." A smile played on X's lips as he flicked his finger through the air, and a silver coin appeared out of thin air between his fingers. "My magic!"

Silver coins fluttered. Ex clenched his fist, then opened it again. A silver flower.

"Wow!" Angel's eyes lit up, and she leaned forward. "Master is so amazing!"

"Just a little trick." X tossed the silver flower to Angel. "It's yours."

Angel happily took the little flower and held it tightly in her palm.

When she was in a better mood, she started caring about Elena again.

She looked at Elena, then at Ex, and whispered, "Is Elena alright?"

"Don't worry, she's fine. She's just drunk."

"But..." Angel wanted to say something more.

"Shh." Ex put his index finger to his lips. "Keep it quiet and let her rest."

Angel obediently shut her mouth, but her gaze didn't leave. She watched Elena leaning on X's shoulder, her little head lost in thought.

The carriage moved smoothly through the rain. Ax's thoughts, however, drifted far away.

Irene was content, she had no wishes... no, she just kept them very hidden.

She definitely has unfulfilled wishes... and these wishes are hidden in her subconscious.

The reason is simple. What Irene's inner world reveals is 1848, three years prior in the real world.

Her intention to deliberately showcase this year indicates that she subconsciously longs to return to this year.

So what secrets did London hold that year?

How can I find the key intelligence myself?

"Squeak—"

The carriage suddenly stopped. The carriage lurched violently, and both X and Angel lurched forward.

"What's wrong?" Ex asked.

The driver's voice came from outside: "Sir, there seems to be something blocking the road ahead."

Ex frowned. He gently helped Elena sit up straight, letting her lean back in her chair, and then said to Angel, "You stay here and watch over her. I'll go down and check on her."

"Yes, Master." Angel nodded and immediately sat down next to Elena, looking serious, like a little mother cat protecting her cubs.

Axe pulled out his revolver, pushed open the carriage door, and jumped out.

The raindrops immediately hit his face, cold and damp. There were only a few pedestrians on the street. The nearby shops were also open.

"Driver, what's blocking the way?" Ax asked.

The driver pointed ahead: "It's right there, sir. It looks like... a figure."

Ax looked in the direction the coachman pointed. Sure enough, in the middle of the street stood a black figure. The figure was motionless, like a statue.

"You wait here, I'll go check it out," said X, and walked forward.

X raised the muzzle of his gun and slowly moved forward.

When he got to the figure, he found it was just a doll in a black cloak that had been deliberately placed there.

"Is this... a prank?" Ex muttered to himself.

He crouched down to examine the doll. It was actually a scarecrow, very crudely made, seemingly just a random human figure.

As he was observing, he suddenly heard a slight noise.

"Click".

It sounded like a stone rolling down. Ax looked up sharply and saw a dark shadow flash across the rooftop at the end of the street.

"Who?" Ex shouted.

No one answered; only the sound of rain and wind could be heard.

Axe straightened up and looked around warily. But he found nothing.

"Master, what's wrong?" Angel's voice came from inside the carriage.

"It's nothing," X said. "It's just a doll. Let's go."

He turned back to the carriage and said to the driver, "It's alright, go around there."

The carriage started moving again. Ax sat in his seat, his brow furrowed. What...what was that dark figure from earlier?

And what does the scarecrow blocking the way represent?

"Master, I think I just heard something," Angel whispered.

"Yes, I heard it too. What sound did you hear? Where did it come from?"

"It's footsteps! It sounds like it's coming from the roof."

Therefore, Angel did not hear the sound of the doll being placed.

Did that scarecrow appear out of thin air? Or... was it already placed here?