Bad woman, am I pretending to be bad?

As the final blessing drew to a close, Zelena bowed deeply, and after a moment, rose and walked toward the waiting crowd.

"Today the moon is full, and the goddess's gaze is upon us. The sealed artifacts placed at the bottom will feel more at ease. You can take turns keeping watch at night and rest occasionally in between."

"Great!"

Pedeline raised her hand high and couldn't help but cheer, but when everyone's eyes were on her, she hurriedly covered her lips and even blindfolded herself to hide her momentary lapse in decorum.

After all, if you forget the occasion, other people's gazes will 'kindly' remind you, so that the embarrassment won't happen again.

Noticing that the Conch Girl was gently tugging at her clothes, as if trying to escape and make amends, Charlotte didn't question it and naturally offered to help.

“Well then, Ms. Z, Pederina and I will head back now to get on with the things you asked us to do this afternoon.”

“Well, there’s no rush to translate the ancient Su language. As for the lady you mentioned earlier, I’ve done some investigation. Her identity is indeed questionable. Melissand does exist, but she moved away from her original city with her family a few months ago, and her whereabouts are still unknown.”

The fact that this point was pointed out indicates that there was suspicion. Obviously, as expected, the wicked lady deliberately revealed a flaw to cover for herself.

With the bait scattered, it's time to mention the location to the person in front of you, lift the rod, and count the catch. After all, even Melissand herself doesn't care about those informants developing on the periphery.

“Madam, I vaguely remember her. Out of curiosity about the elegant Melissand, I secretly followed her for a while. I lost her around the Marais district, on Third Avenue. After all, any further on would not be on my way to my residence.”

Without going into detail about the arched bridge, being too specific would only expose flaws. What Charlotte needs now is to infiltrate the situation and find an opportunity to elaborate on the topic.

"Yes, caution is essential during investigations and operations. Realizing this will help you avoid a lot of danger. I will follow your leads and dig deeper."

A look of surprise crossed her eyes. Zelena had indeed found clues about the Enlightenment Society in the Mahei District, and Route 3 was roughly where the clues pointed.

Perhaps I should also label the girl in front of me as someone with keen observation skills.

"However, it is important to remember that extraordinary characteristics can also attract each other. When you come into contact with an event, you are often influenced by it and drawn into what follows. This is the case in many past cases."

Although these were just some practical experiences, Ms. Z's parting words revealed her concern for her and her subordinates.

With the door open and out of sight of others, the Conch Girl immediately collapsed, sprawling casually in a corner of the soft sofa.

"Finally, this tedious part is over. I'm so tired and don't want to move. I don't think the goddess cares about the small prayers of us little believers. If she listened attentively every day, she would probably get annoyed too. After all, those words are all pretty much the same."

Muttering to herself, laziness is human nature, and the red-haired girl's lazy antics are quite adorable, but Charlotte wouldn't allow it, because without Pederine, there would be one less comrade-in-arms who shared joys and sorrows.

I can't stand seeing my friends do bad things, and I can't stand seeing them do well.

"Although Ms. Z did not specify a timeframe, it has been two days since the document was issued, and we have only completed a quarter of it. This progress is too slow."

Picking up the papers on the table, Charlotte used her past knowledge to translate them line by line, while offering calm and unhurried reminders.

The goddess doesn't care, but Ms. Z does; that's Pederina's weakness.

Of course, thanks to the leisure of that morning and afternoon, her slight lapse in concentration was inconspicuous. Isabella had already found accommodation and settled her meals in Florence, so she now had enough energy to deal with others.

Everyone has a role to play, and the urgency of that role is not determined by time, but by the circumstances.

"Okay, I'll help."

Dipping her pen in ink, Pedeline sat down beside Charlotte and began writing, somewhat drowsily arranging and reviewing the words she had translated.

"Charlotte, have you noticed that Ms. Z hasn't been in a good mood today, as if it started this morning?"

Muttering to herself, even though they hadn't spent much time together, the Seashell Girl's talkative nature was still very evident.

"People will always have times when they are unhappy. This can happen during arguments, conflicts, and separations."

Her voice was flat and gentle, and Charlotte knew perfectly well why the other person was in a bad mood—after all, it was entirely Charlotte's doing.

The departure of a dearest friend to a city rife with crisis would unsettle anyone and cause them genuine concern.

The pen tip presses down, gliding across the paper and making a pleasant rustling sound.

However, it doesn't matter. In the days when she's not around, I'll make myself feel the emptiness and the restless loneliness.

"That's right."

Pedeline yawned lazily, stood up, took a small loaf of white bread from her bag, broke it in half, and handed it to Charlotte.

"I'll share half of the plain bread, which has no sawdust or butter, with you in the evening."

"Thank you——"

Midway through her speech, Charlotte suddenly choked up, pointing to a certain description in the document and only murmuring it aloud.

"Wait, I think I know where they're hiding."

Intentionally interrupting and bringing up a topic are deliberate words.

P.S.: Sorry for the late update.

Chapter 130 Alternation and Renewal

"You mean, the Enlightenment Society?"

Although she was a little lazy, when it came to serious matters, the Conch Girl immediately lost her nonchalance and solemnly confirmed the matter again.

"Yes."

She nodded slightly. To some extent, some of the information about the Enlightenment Church was deliberately shown to the church and to herself by Melissant.

Charlotte could only accept this kindness with tears in her eyes.

“Pedeline, look closely. The actions of the Enlightenment Society in this document seem unrelated at first glance, but they actually point to something. Even if this is just my speculation, since there is no conclusive answer yet, the hypothesis still has value…”

Given the known outcome, the reverse reasoning process is not difficult and is more persuasive. By timely introducing the arch bridge, a location not previously mentioned, one can fill the gap in one's thinking and gain even greater trust from the other party.

“In that case, it is indeed true. Just as Ms. Z said, Charlotte, your observation skills are very sharp.”

Clearly, under her deliberate avoidance of the main issues, Pederine soon fell into a cognitive trap, spontaneously connecting disparate clues.

"It is just an unproven hypothesis and requires further verification."

Her voice remained unchanged, and her calm and composed personality perfectly matched her elegant temperament, undisturbed and serene.

"Okay, then I'll hurry and remind Ms. Z. It's almost dusk, so we can take advantage of this quiet time to set off."

Pedeline picked up the heavy lyre and was about to push open the door when, as if remembering something, she turned back and stuck her tongue out at Charlotte.

"I will not forget to tell Ms. Z about Charlotte's hard work in this matter. You can rest assured about this."

Upon hearing this, Charlotte simply tapped the other person's forehead with her finger, causing the former to whimper.

“I won’t be suspicious of my companions, Pedeline, and you don’t need to repeat that to me either.”

Even though they had only spent about a week together, how could she not know the nature of the Conch Girl?

Lively and energetic, yet indifferent to fame and fortune, valuing friendship and having her own principles, she is a very cute but also easily fooled girl.

"Hmph, I know, but don't you dare hit my forehead next time!"

She stormed off in a huff, without giving it much thought. Charlotte picked up her pen again and began recording the translated words one by one on the pile of papers.

Practicing the cipher text can also help her consolidate her knowledge to avoid forgetting what she has learned before.

The flickering lights cast a soft, hazy glow, making every sound, from the rise and fall of breath to the approaching footsteps, all seem exceptionally clear in this tranquil setting.

despair.

The leather boots of the middle-aged man stepped across the threshold with a soft, disturbing sound.

"Good evening, Melvis."

Without looking up, he responded hastily.

"Okay, you go ahead with your work. I'm just filling in for Pederina in case you civilian staff get hurt."

Her long, dark brown hair was tied into a single ponytail. The woman, dressed in a simple robe, perfectly accentuated her elegant beauty.

Of course, from a spiritual perspective, this woman is a deep red, almost blood-red, and is already close to the point of being out of control. In terms of danger, she herself is the greatest threat.

"Are you worried about me? Don't worry, those delirious words and hallucinations are not enough to shake my will. If it really comes to that, I will... take my own life."

Perhaps noticing Charlotte's slightly furrowed brows, Melvis smiled and spoke frankly, yet with a hint of bitterness in his expression.

“No, Melvis, since you approached after Pederina left, you must have heard what I said then. I will not suspect my companion, never.”

With a pause at the tip of her pen, the ink spread and rippled under her fingers, swallowing the negation she had just written.

Charlotte raised her eyes and looked directly at the girl in front of her. In reality, her own melancholy temperament had a more mature charm, while both Pederine and Melvis were more like young girls. It was just that the order of appearance changed the way she addressed her as a senior.

She smiled with relief, and then said:

"Because I had already lost everything. When Bathory crushed my past happiness, all that was left in my heart was sorrow and helplessness."

The crimson amber contrasted with the emerald green jade, and Charlotte handed the white bread that Pederine had given her earlier to the other woman.

“Even if it means being in danger, I don’t want to experience that feeling again. Humans are creatures that easily forget things; we always have to look forward. New relationships, new social distances—for someone who has lost their past, you are my only friends, my only ones now.”

"I am not good with words, so I don't like to use them often. I would respond to Pederine's words of great joy, but I would also feel secretly happy. Melvis, you are the same. Thank you for being willing to tolerate my dullness at that time."

After a moment of hesitation, Melvis initially tried to refuse, but eventually accepted the clean bread and swallowed it all in small bites.

When a person who is usually silent speaks with sincerity, the power of their words is amplified infinitely.

Even after being corrupted by the 'vampire' traits, her sense of smell was almost indistinguishable from that of a vampire, and even though drinking and eating tasted like chewing wax, she still refused Charlotte's kindness.

How similar they were, both having lost their families and finding no one to turn to. Perhaps that's why she couldn't help but soften her voice when she first met the person before her.

She stopped speaking, simply moved a chair over, picked up a pen, and shared the burden of the backlog of tasks with the former.

The soft rustling of fingers touching pen and ink drifted in my ears, like a melody repeated over and over again. In this small room where only their breaths rose and fell, it seemed that even the tempting words that had haunted me day and night had faded away.

If we're talking about blaming someone, she'd naturally feel resentful because Zelena, focused on the bigger picture, didn't save herself in time during the Black Forest incident, even though she knew the importance of things and that it was only natural.

But who could she confide in about the agony of being infected and living in pain day and night, on the verge of mental breakdown? And if she lost the former, who could she rely on?

however--

“Melvis, can you tell me about your past? Pedeline is too lively and told me about her past early on. Ms. Z has many things that remain unchanged because of her identity. Only you are a friend I want to understand but have been unable to.”

Upon hearing that title and looking at the beautiful woman before him, lost in sorrow, Melvis remained silent for a moment, as if he had come to understand something.

Just as gentle as when they first met, she spoke softly:

"it is good."

......

The time spent in tacit understanding always seems to stretch out, yet always too short. When the Conch Girl hurriedly pushed open the door, Melvis had already left, satisfied with his departure, while Charlotte, having finished her pile of official documents, waited quietly for the man to approach.

“Phew, Charlotte, Ms. Z said that we will also be involved on the scene this time. Based on the clues you provided, we did find traces, but we failed to catch the retreating members of the Enlightenment Society.”

Pedeline gently patted her chest to calm her breathing, then took her hand and led her outside.

Charlotte did not resist; rather, it was the result of a prior discussion between her and Melissant.

If it's just about providing clues, how can one accumulate merit in a short time and gain the opportunity to become an official extraordinary person? Only by leading the sheep to the entrance and having her do the final cleanup can it meet expectations.

A report that defeats a group of extraordinary individuals by relying on their keen senses and the use of their environment without possessing any hidden powers is truly striking and effective.

Yes.

It was her turn to go on stage.

Chapter 131 The World Shattered (4k)

Click.

The cylinder rotates, and as the fingertip presses down, brass bullets are loaded one by one, each one firmly and weightily fitting into the slot.

"Are we traveling there in the commissioner's carriage?"

It's a concise question.

"Yes, Ms. Z has already found several members of the Enlightenment Society at the location you previously assumed. However, if several extraordinary individuals specializing in physical strength choose to flee, even a mid-ranking individual will inevitably be overwhelmed."

An old-fashioned typewriter placed in a corner of the room spontaneously struck down its keycaps, raised and lowered its linkage, and left enough line spacing on the swallowed paper to write clear paragraphs.

This was an artifact used by the members of the arbitration tribunal to communicate with each other, similar to the telegraph of later times, but with the influence of extraordinary matter diminished, focusing only on the function of transmission.

Pedeline tore off the page with the words on it and, while packing her things, briefly explained it to Charlotte.

"Originally, after obtaining the clues, Ms. Z only planned to observe first and then take action after confirming the situation. However, the members of the Enlightenment Society seemed to have been alerted and scattered to different directions to escape. Therefore, the plan had to be brought forward, and we, as civilian staff, also needed to participate in this manhunt."

As Charlotte listened to the Conch Girl's story, she gently stroked the revolver's barrel, letting the wood grain rub against her palm, bringing a cool, thin touch.

It is much lighter than the one the old detective gave to Watson.