About the time I was picked up and adopted by Tallulah

07. Leopard vs. Lynx

"Uh... Miss Black?"

In the barbecue restaurant near the seaside, Orson blinked. The woman standing in front of him was the serious-looking Filin woman whom he had met once before in the cabin of the transport ship. She was accompanying Miss Ceylon, the daughter of the mayor of Xiosta City.

The other party was standing in the passage between Orson and the exit, staring at Orson with extremely cold eyes. It was obvious that her target was not the other people in the restaurant, but herself, an outsider.

"Need I repeat? If possible, I hope you can leave Xiosta. I have briefly assessed your threat level, and considering the young lady's concern for you, I think asking you to leave Xiosta is the best option."

Hei did not explain too much to Orson's confusion, but just repeated what he said when they just met. However, this time, Hei's right hand was lightly placed on the shoulder bag beside him. Through frequency detection, Orson could clearly sense that the bag contained a crossbow.

Orson was sure that the other party was not joking with him, or that it was some second-rate reality show prank, but the question was - "why"?

I just arrived in Xiosta, and the only thing I did was go to the hotel to see the sexy lynx swimsuit (?). Just for this thing, I will be deported?

If "looking at women's swimsuits" is a crime, then Xiosta would probably have put 3% to 7.8% of men and 2% to 3% of women in prison in less than days.

As for the 'threat level'... Orson felt like crying, because he had always been unable to learn how to "act like he was someone who was not easy to mess with", and now someone finally discovered that he was a tough guy?

"I'm sorry, I'm not sure why I—"

Orson wanted to continue asking Hei why he was targeting him, but before he could finish his words, Hei, who was standing in front of him a second ago, suddenly became dazed.

It wasn't that she suddenly had low blood sugar and couldn't stand steadily and was about to fall, but she made a move at an extremely fast speed -

brake!!

The dinner knife that was originally placed on the seat opposite him suddenly disappeared, and then rushed towards his forehead at the speed of a bullet.

"Keng!"

Orson raised the spoon to block in front of him, and a violent metal collision sound broke out instantly. Everyone else in the restaurant raised their heads and looked towards the kitchen. They thought that some unlucky chef had smashed the iron pot on the ground while flipping the spoon, which caused such a loud metal collision sound.

"...Is this some form of war, Miss Hei?"

Orson shook his numb wrist and looked at the "dinner spoon" in his hand. The spoon part was completely damaged and was stuck in the middle by a dinner knife with extreme force.

Just now, Hei swung the dinner knife towards Orson at a speed that ordinary people could not see. If he let it fly over without any obstruction or evasion, half of the handle would probably be buried in his head.

"I'm not mistaken. You are just as dangerous as I expected."

Hei, who suddenly swung a dinner knife to attack Orson, said this coldly, and the hostile aura on his body became more and more obvious.

"Did you see anything wrong...? Anyway, could you please apologize for what you just did? I never did anything illegal or disrespectful, and yet you attacked me with such force that it could kill me. Is this kind of behavior permitted in Xiosta?"

Orson placed the "twisted artwork" in his hand, which looked like it had a strange beauty, on the table. He did not feel any fear about the black behavior just now. Instead, he used a serious tone to seek a more reasonable explanation or apology from the other party.

Orson's temper is considered to be the best in the entire Rhodes Island/Reunion Movement. At least in terms of "ruarua head stroking hair", this Chimera's tolerance is recognized by everyone as the highest.

For example, although Cross usually looks like someone who is easy to bully and doesn't care, if someone wants to rub her head, Cross will just dodge slightly, but if someone still wants to rub her by force - he will be hit by a Tsukuyomi, Infinite Space, and Six Paths of Reincarnation from her suddenly opened eyes.

But Orson is different. People have almost reached a consensus that whether or not one can defeat this guy depends entirely on one's own ability. As long as one can block Orson, find an opportunity where the other party will not escape, and trap the other party in a corner or a dead end, then one can do whatever one wants without having to worry about Orson suddenly getting angry or making a fuss.

This has been certified by the Medical Department, Security Department, Logistics Department, etc.

This chimera usually chooses to run away, but will not get angry or lose its temper with others. It is precisely because of this personality trait that it can surpass other competitors in the "Mascot Competition".

But what most people don't know is that Orson is not a purely good-natured person, nor is he "not angry", it's just that most of the time, people can't see the boy's anger, that's all.

Not everyone knows the origin of the name "Silence", and those who know the origin of this title will definitely not regard Orson as a simple mascot to rub faces with.

It was obvious that the actions of the Filin woman named "Hei" in front of him at this moment had exceeded the level that Orson could just smile and ignore.

"..."

Hei and Orson's eyes locked with each other, neither of them backing off or looking at each other.

"I won't apologize, foreigner. I want to know the extent of your disguise. I know exactly what kind of person you are, and what your true nature is beneath that facade. If someone like you were to appear near the young lady... no, even your mere presence in the city of Xiosta would be a huge threat."

Hei said lightly. She noticed that some tourists around had noticed her, the strange guy who had been standing still since she entered the door, so she sat in the seat opposite Orson.

"Disguise, a huge hidden danger..."

Hearing Hei's words, Orson frowned.

Most people don't notice Orson's "dangerous" side. I don't know if it's because of his Chimera physique, or simply because of his temperament, but almost 9% of people, when they see Orson, will only regard him as "a guy with a subtle initial favorability who seems easy to bully."

But the person in front of him, called "Hei", was different. She immediately noticed his side as an "executioner" and made her own judgment without any hesitation.

This means... this Feilin named Hei should be an absolute expert in "killing".

Not only that, she should have had the same experience as herself, fighting for her life and using all her strength to crawl out of hell.

Rather than saying that he was a dangerous person in Xiosta, it would be more "dangerous" that such an incredible guy could walk around the streets in such a revealing swimsuit.

Orson couldn't figure out how this woman named "Hei" ended up together with the naive Miss Ceylon. After all, Orson could sense that the relationship between her and Ceylon was not a simple employment relationship. It was precisely because Hei acted like an ordinary person next to Ceylon when they first met that Orson failed to immediately realize the other party's bloody identity.

But let's put all these confusions aside for now. What I need to consider now is how to remove the other party's vigilance against me, otherwise I will become the focus of attention as soon as I arrive in Xiosta.

"Miss Hei, I bear no ill will towards Miss Ceylon or this beautiful coastal city-state. I'm only here to accompany my... uh, my friend to complete some tasks. I know you won't believe me, but you can check my identity. At least I'm not some mysterious guy with no background."

Orson temporarily suppressed his anger. Although it was really unpleasant to be told to get lost for no reason and to have a knife thrown in his face, it was most important to resolve the misunderstanding first if possible.

I don't know if moving out of Casimir/Lungmen/Chernobog's identity will be useful in a place like this, but at least it's much better than being a 'suspicious unemployed vagrant'.

"Interesting suggestion. Are you trying to tell me that I have many disguises?"

Hei's expression remained unchanged, and she didn't even bother to inquire about Orson's identity. It seemed she simply wouldn't trust any explanation of her identity.

"Miss, I don't understand why you are so hostile to me. I also don't know how I am a cause for alarm in your eyes. What I want to say is—I don't deny my past actions, but I am definitely not the person you imagine me to be."

Since the other party refused any way to alleviate his suspicion, Orson only had the option of "confessing".

Orson looked into the dark and light golden eyes without any avoidance, and said this sentence without any disguise.

He once slaughtered the villagers of an entire village, fought against patrol teams and army groups in the north, and even fought for his life with the internal guards, "the most precious and scarce combat force of Ursus."

This guy, covered in donated blood from head to toe, is definitely not a kind and lovely person, but Orson never thinks that he is an incurable "executioner".

He did not regret anything he had done along the way, because it was the best he could do to protect his companions.

Orson does not intend to escape the blood on his hands, but he will never regard himself as a "dangerous and hopeless sinner" because of the lives he has taken.

Perhaps Orson had had this idea before, but with the encouragement and support of his friends, Orson gradually gave up the idea of self-destruction.

"..."

Hei looked into Orson's eyes, and couldn't catch even a moment of hesitation in those black pupils, which made her speechless.

Even Hei had to admit that the boy's reaction when he revealed the 'hidden thing' was completely different from what he had expected.

Although Hei had seen those beasts in human form who disguised themselves as evil people with calmness and innocence, the performance of the young man in front of him...even he couldn't see the so-called flaws.

Orson's performance can only prove two possibilities:

Or maybe this young man is actually even more terrifying than he originally expected, able to control his own heart at will, and is a pure monster whose scheming is even more unfathomable than that of the "Master".

Or... he is really as he said, although he is stained with blood like himself, but in essence he is still harmless to humans and animals, and can even walk in the sun.

Thinking of this, Hei's face, which had originally been expressionless, finally showed a hint of hesitation and confusion.

—Crawling out of the hell of death, with hands stained with the blood of the dead, yet able to walk in the sunshine with a clear conscience as a matter of course...Does such a person really exist?

Hei was still looking at Orsen, but his gaze was no longer one of pure observation. Within those pale golden pupils was a hint of confusion, and even more rare—envy.

—No, absolutely not. Born from the shadows, soaked in the blood of the dead, this bastard should have some self-awareness. The so-called "light" and "peace" are all just pretenses.

After a brief thought, Hei made her own choice, or rather, her past "experience" made her make the choice.

Hei could sense that this young man was very similar to himself, and if he and he existed at the same time—

Then, he definitely shouldn't be able to accept the "light" so easily.

After reaching the final conclusion, Hei placed half of his palm in the backpack containing the crossbow, and the "bodyguards" in black suits in front of the door seemed to have received a signal and moved closer, surrounding Orson with him as the center.

Why did Miss Hei seem even angrier after I negotiated leniency? What on earth did I do to piss her off?!

Orson was a little confused. Although he was not bragging, Orson always felt that as long as he was sincere and spoke nicely, the other party would understand him. But now it seemed that Hei didn't buy it at all?

At least when I was in Rhodes Island, as long as I sincerely said, "Please don't rub me, I'm really troubled," the other party would definitely comply (?).

"This is your final ultimatum. If you cannot leave this city, I will assume my role as Xiosta's security captain and use methods that may be unpleasant to you."

Black has already made a clear threat.

——Her melody... becomes a little fluctuating at this time?

Orson, who was thinking about what he should do, caught the momentary turmoil in Hei's heart and became confused about it.

During the previous negotiations, Hei had never shown any inner fluctuations, but when she was about to use force, she became a little anxious.

This means that Hei is very clear that her current behavior is inconsistent with her inner "position", and she has become [wavering]

But Orson no longer had time to analyze the specific reasons for Hei's wavering. Now he had to find a way to prevent himself from being deported.

"Excuse me, what can I do for you, Miss Dolkos' bodyguard?"

Kal'tsit, who had gone to the back to answer a phone call, walked over from behind the two of them. Her tone sounded calm, but Orson could easily hear the anger mixed in it.

Kal'tsit and Orson are somewhat opposite and similar in some senses.

Orson was "almost never seen angry," while Kal'tsit was "almost never seen not angry." As the supreme commander of Rhodes Island, the director of the core medical department, and the guardian of the earth, most people, when interacting with Kal'tsit, would always think that this lynx was "blaming" them, angry at their own incompetence.

Of course, Kal'tsit rarely gets angry either. Those are just illusions caused by people's awe of this doctor.

It would be better to say that Kal'tsit's "anger" in the true sense is always inseparable from Orson and the "Doctor".

Just like now - Orson could easily tell from Kal'tsit's upright ears and tail, as well as her cold and indifferent expression - the green cat was angry for the first time in a long time.

"This has nothing to do with you, Dr. Kelsey."

"This is directly related to me. The young man you are questioning is my patient, my most trusted companion, and my irreplaceable... uh, male friend."

Kal'tsit spoke with a powerful tone, but when she talked about the end of her relationship with Orson, she lost control and the whole paragraph fell apart.

"Then I have no choice but to expel you from Xiosta City-State as well."

Hei stood up from her chair with a crossbow in her hand, and her action was like a switch, causing several bodyguards around to come over at the same time. Each of them took a posture of pulling out a baton from the inside of his clothes and surrounded the two of them.

"Um... I think there must be some misunderstanding between us - right Kal'tsit?"

Orson couldn't get into a fight with the local security chief in Xiosta no matter what. It wasn't because he was a coward or anything like that, but simply because he didn't want the 'holiday' he had worked so hard to get for Kal'tsit to be ruined in this way.

But if it was Kal'tsit who could always analyze problems with the most rational thinking, she wouldn't be here—

"Mon3tr, dinner is ready."

"Why would we fight at a time like this?"

Orson placed his hopes on Kal'tsit's rationality, but found that the green cat head was even ready for battle earlier than him, and even had the posture to summon M3.

Hei stared at Orson intently, Kal'tsit stared at Hei intently, and Orson kept switching his gaze between the two.

Some tourists also noticed the unusual situation here, and they all came over, discussing whether they were filming a movie, saying that the boy over there seemed a little familiar, and that the girl on the film had a great figure, etc.

For Hei, even though she had begun to waver in her belief in Orson's 'essence', she still had to stick to her original idea. If this young man was a "killer" who was carrying blood and countless lives, then for Miss Ceylon, she could not let him stay in this city at any cost.

As for Kal'tsit, her life was once saved by the "Doctor", and then when her spirit was about to collapse, she found redemption and courage from the young man Orson.

Kal'tsit doesn't like to rely on others, but she has been taken care of by Orson too many times.

In this case, at least during this journey, I must protect Orson. This has nothing to do with ability, it is simply my obsession.

This Aunt Filin, who seems to be as powerful as the elite operators of Rhodes Island, has clear hostility towards Orson, and can even be said to have "murderous intentions", so there is only one person left to do what he wants.

From a rational point of view, I should choose a more legal way to resolve this situation, such as suggesting that Orson follow Hei to the police agency in Xiosta to prove his safety.

But Kal'tsit didn't intend to continue thinking rationally at this time——

Kal'tsit didn't resort to any roundabout tactics. Instead, she stood directly in front of the boy, just as he had done to her.

As for Orson, he was numb.

He began to think about whether to call the police and said that the lynx and the leopard were fighting and asked for help quickly.

Just when everything seemed irreversible, Kal'tsit and the cell phone in Black Pocket rang at the same time.

"My Lord? I'm on a mission on the beach—yes, I understand."

"Hello, um, there's been a change of schedule, right? Okay. Please inform your supervisor and we'll keep the appointment as scheduled."

The two men who were about to fight restrained their confrontation after answering the phone.

"I still have things to attend to—but my conclusion remains unchanged. If you continue to linger here, I will show no mercy the next time we meet."

Hei said to the two of them as he put away his crossbow.