Bad woman, am I pretending to be bad?

Is the saying "love me, love my dog" a way of saying that because you care about her, you extend that concern to those poor people in similar circumstances?

Unable to find peace of mind, the red-haired girl tried to see it as a deliberate prank, but what if, what if it really was?

Unable to distinguish truth from falsehood, Sueby now realizes that her understanding of Watson is extremely shallow; she only knows that she is a wealthy, dignified, composed, yet fickle noblewoman.

She would abandon her dignity and lie to comfort herself, but she would also use her words and actions to ridicule herself without hesitation.

Having already lost her status, her dignity, and her wealth, what could she possibly have to attract the other person?

Feeling conflicted, the red-haired girl didn't know how to face Watson, especially after those words, she was even more unsure how to get along with him in the future.

Shame, humility, gratitude, or perhaps something else entirely?

Perhaps noticing Sophie's absent-mindedness, Charlotte, sitting beside her, reached out her fingertip and lightly tapped the back of Sophie's hand, asking softly.

"What's wrong? Are you looking at the street scene in the city center, or are you thinking about your sister's whereabouts? It is indeed a bustling place. Even now, it is still brightly lit and crowded with people."

The red-haired girl's scattered spirits returned to focus. When she saw that it was Watson, she nodded slightly, and even if it wasn't, she subconsciously gave a soft murmur of agreement.

"Ah."

"Don't worry, even if the murderer escapes to the central area, I will arrest him and bring him to justice. This is the content of the commission, and it is also the promise I made to you."

Setting aside her previous assertiveness, the girl raised her eyebrows and looked at Sofby with utmost seriousness.

Upon seeing those clear, bright eyes, all my worries seemed to vanish, and I uttered a heartfelt word, a word I had long wanted to say.

"......Thanks."

"I'll only say thank you once at the end. At least, I can't accept your thanks until the case is actually solved."

This is different from the previous solemnity.

Charlotte simply pulled her felt hat down, picked up her suitcase, and stepped out of the station as the train doors opened, leaving behind the red-haired girl who seemed to want to say something but hesitated, her hand just reaching out.

Why did you leave so abruptly, leaving me so unsettled, when I still hadn't figured anything out...?

Leaning against the back of the chair, feeling utterly exhausted, Sufby felt particularly helpless and lost as the figure gradually disappeared into the distance, until she caught sight of a cloth umbrella, soaked with snow water, hanging on the seat next to her.

—The snow is heavy outside, go back early.

It was a beautifully written note placed on the side of the chair, with Josephine Watson's signature at the end.

She gently gripped the umbrella handle. The snow was still falling gently outside the window, but for some reason, she felt a warm sensation. She didn't know if it was the lingering warmth between her fingers or the effect of her mind.

As the view widens and dawn approaches, the streets of the Marais district are nearly deserted, and the coal lamps on both sides have been extinguished one after another, leaving only the faint moonlight.

Kicking away the thick layer of snow, unfazed by the silence or deterred by the biting cold, Charlotte walked calmly along the road leading to the suburbs.

She didn't know much about Lavis Cemetery, only that it was a small cemetery where some famous and important people were buried.

As for the specific location?

"Sir, do you know how to get to Lavis Cemetery?"

Stopping a homeless man with faltering steps, Charlotte pulled out her increasingly meager penny and tried to sound sincere.

Her momentary generosity led her to deep regret.

"Madam, it's very late, and the area isn't exactly safe. If you really intend to go to that cemetery, you'd better follow the main road and walk a little further."

His voice trembled slightly as a young woman inquired about the location of the cemetery late at night. This was indeed alarming, but fortunately, the coins in his hand had some weight, which helped him suppress his unease.

"Thank you."

Having achieved her goal, the girl no longer hesitated and quickly walked away into the distance, soaked by the wind and snow.

"According to newspapers and magazines, winters in Tingen are characterized by this much snow and rain, and the popularity of hats is largely due to the fact that ladies and gentlemen don't always carry umbrellas..."

She murmured some amusing stories to herself, and as the trees in her eyes grew more lush and the green flowers and grasses reached above her knees, her pace slowed down.

It wasn't that the journey was difficult, but rather that the breathtaking scenery before her eyes captivated the young woman.

The lush pines and cypresses stand tall and straight, the cabbage blossoms are exceptionally graceful, and the misty fog loses its hold here, revealing the bright moonlight, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere.

As you approach, you see a slender, elegant woman bending down at the row of tombstones, her thin lips slightly parted, as if she were whispering to the souls who have passed away.

"Ms. Mozambique".

Charlotte's movements were exceptionally gentle as she softly called out the beauty's name, as if to respect the ancients who slept in this place.

When facing different people, the face you present should naturally be different.

"Miss Watson?"

As she wiped the dust off the tombstone, a faint hint of surprise flickered in Ms. Mosang's eyes as she glanced at the girl approaching.

"Hmm, Ms. Mosang, are you not welcoming her?"

"No, it's just that it's quite late. Shouldn't a young girl like you get some sleep?"

Charlotte tugged at a strand of hair that had fallen to the side of her face and looked away, seemingly trying to hide her unease.

“I still haven’t forgotten what I learned this morning… And you said I should rest, but what about you?”

“The tombstones don’t need to close their eyes; they talk non-stop, day and night, so I have chronic insomnia, which is an unavoidable symptom of this job.”

After writing a few lines in the book in her hand, Madame Mossant lightly pressed her elbow, as if signaling others to be quiet, before she stopped what she was doing and walked toward Charlotte.

"You still haven't given up on becoming an extraordinary being?"

"Yes, madam, I... do not want to wait anxiously and watch innocent lives perish."

The black-haired beauty stroked the girl's cheek, feeling both helpless and pleased.

Knowing the girl's steadfastness and kindness, she made some efforts to help her after leaving the firm.

“I can recommend one position to the church as a basic-level clerical staff member. If you want to advance to the Extraordinary, this should be the safest and most stable path.”

After listening to the introduction, Charlotte immediately drew further conclusions.

Indeed, Ms. Mosang was far from an extraordinary individual who achieved her success by chance. Even though she was an outsider, she was able to squeeze herself, whose origins were unclear, into the system. Therefore, she must have a considerable amount of influence in the Church of the True God.

Feeling something in her heart, but not showing it on her face, the girl lowered her head, her tone tinged with guilt.

"I can't accept such a favor. Won't this put you in a difficult position?"

"No, being a civilian employee is just a starting point, an opportunity. Whether you can become extraordinary depends on your own efforts. If you still have any questions, I will try my best to answer them."

It must be said that this is indeed good news. Although time is still tight and it is not feasible to get on the right track, she has at least more possibilities to step into the extraordinary.

Without holding back her words, Charlotte readily shared her knowledge, like a sponge, since Ms. Mossant was so willing.

"Madam, how many extraordinary beings are there in a city like Tingen?"

"...Not counting travelers who wander around, and excluding heretics who lie dormant, there should only be about thirty of them."

After a moment of silence, Ms. Mosang gave a general answer, her eyes showing thoughtfulness.

With a population of approximately 500,000, the extraordinary individuals are indeed a very small minority.

She paused briefly, as if deep in thought, and after a moment, Charlotte pressed on with the question that concerned her most—

"Ms. Mosang, I have a question. If one wants to obtain extraordinary materials, what methods are available? Is it only possible to hunt the corresponding extraordinary creatures, or is it possible to participate in transactions that may exist between extraordinary individuals?"

Chapter Twenty-Six: Gathering of the Extraordinary

"Extraordinary materials..."

Ms. Mo Sang gently stroked the top of the monument with her fingertips, her brows furrowing slightly as if she were carefully choosing her words.

"If the ultimate goal is to concoct a magic potion, the materials are usually divided into two categories: extraordinary materials and auxiliary materials."

"The former is taken from extraordinary species, often the most peculiar organs of that species, while the latter is more like the base for refining materials, to put it another way, like the solvent in many chemical experiments."

Instead of answering the question directly, the black-haired beauty, considering that the girl was new to this extraordinary world and her knowledge was relatively limited, broadened the scope of her explanation quite meticulously.

"Ms. Mossang, you also know about chemical experiments?"

Without asking any further questions, Charlotte simply opened her eyes wide, like any eager student, her tone brimming with surprise.

The more she talked to this woman, the more she felt that she was a treasure waiting to be discovered.

"Yes, but that was a long time ago, so long that I can hardly remember. I worked as a teacher at the university in Florence for a period of time."

With a look of remembrance and sorrow in her eyes, Ms. Mosang lowered her head and couldn't help but look at a nearby tombstone.

"I'm sorry, I asked something I shouldn't have."

Sensing the somber atmosphere, the girl immediately lowered her voice and bowed her head to express her apology.

"No, that's all in the past. In my eyes, tombstones are sometimes no different from people. Death is just a continuation of life. Whether it's us or them, we always have to look forward."

Smiling, she reached out and stroked Charlotte's short, silver-gray hair. The more the dark-haired beauty looked at the girl, the more she liked her.

Despite wanting to become extraordinary, he always manages to be patient, suppress his thirst for knowledge, and take care of his own feelings; that's why he is like this.

"As you said, extraordinary materials can indeed be obtained by hunting those extraordinary species and extracting key parts, but since the year of the Holy Arrival, the number of most extraordinary species has been declining sharply or even becoming extinct. It is quite difficult to find and hunt them by one's own strength."

The Year of the Holy Arrival?

Based on the historical knowledge remaining in the original body, Charlotte knew that the Year of the Holy Advent referred to the beginning of the current Age of Gods calendar, which began thirty-one years ago.

Perhaps noticing that the girl was somewhat distracted, Ms. Mossang raised her fingertip and gently touched her smooth forehead.

"For ordinary people without extraordinary abilities, hunting those supernatural species is not only impossible, but also extremely dangerous. It's best not to even have such thoughts."

It is a caring reminder, and also a metaphorical warning.

“I understand, Ms. Mozanne.”

Clearly, Charlotte had been misunderstood as daydreaming, so she nodded softly and pretended to be well-behaved.

Even as I speak, I don't forget to suppress the slight arrogance in my heart. As expected of me, even my hesitation can be cleverly misunderstood by others and turned into a situation that is more favorable to me.

"As for the other possibility you mentioned, transactions do exist among extraordinary individuals. Most of them organize gatherings by a highly respected extraordinary individual, announcing the time and place of the event through some obscure symbols or numbers."

"Then, Ms. Mossan, if I want to get involved, is there any shortcut?"

With her hands clasped together and placed in front of her chest, Charlotte displayed her eagerness and urgency.

"Generally speaking, for ordinary people to participate in extraordinary gatherings, they need an opportunity or a guide."

“But, Ms. Mossant, you know that I only came into contact with this secret knowledge through you, and I know nothing else.”

His eyes held a hint of pleading, as if all his hopes were placed on the beautiful woman. Though his words contained no entreaty, his actions weighed heavily on her heart, as if he were accusing her—

You're the one who mentored me and ignited my thirst for knowledge, so you have to take responsibility for me!

"..."

Looking at the girl's slightly helpless face, Ms. Mosang wanted to keep quiet, but in the end her heart softened.

“I have indeed presided over similar gatherings as a notary in the past, but that was in Florence, and I know very little about the extraordinary circle in Tingen.”

He expressed his helplessness verbally, but his feet never stopped moving.

The beautiful woman moved to a newer tombstone, bent down, and opened and closed her thin lips as if she were talking to it.

After a long pause, she sat up again, made the sign of the cross on her chest, and then spoke to Charlotte.

"The Connor Bar in the Marais district is organizing a party soon. If you mention Amani's name, you can join in."

I noted down these key pieces of information, and I also remembered the names and actions of the people Ms. Mossant mentioned.

Now that she knew of the existence of extraordinary power, Charlotte would no longer consider it an unintentional act.

The word "notary" carries extra weight, and the woman initially claimed to be unaware of the details, but after leaning down and speaking softly, she revealed the specifics, including the location of the event and the conditions for participation.

As the vigil keeper claimed, perhaps Ms. Mossant was indeed communicating with the spirit of the deceased, and Amani might have been an extraordinary person who had recently passed away.

What kind of ability is this? If it were used to solve cases, wouldn't it be invincible?

As for why she can't see it, it's probably because she's not yet an extraordinary being.

"Thank you for your help, Ms. Mozanne."

"No need for thanks. If you want to express gratitude, thank this lady who is so willing to share."

She took out a handkerchief and wiped away the dust from the tombstone. The black-haired beauty's movements were gentle, delicate, devout, and natural.

Charlotte also approached and clasped her hands together, bowing in a very respectful manner.

"Ms. Amani, thank you for your generosity. I will come here often to offer you bouquets in the future."

It was just something she said casually, but she never expected the girl to do it so sincerely. Ms. Mosang's gaze softened even more.