“Watch out, Your Highness!” Several soldiers blocked the way in front of Caesar. Li Yue looked at him, her expression holding a trace of complexity.
She was in a hurry. After poking the corpse on the floor with her finger, she tried to push past the soldiers and leave. As she approached them, the soldiers took a half step back, their expressions filled with a hint of nervousness.
Li Yue felt somewhat restless. She let out a sigh, privately annoyed that she hadn't brought her identification when she left. Otherwise, she could have at least used her identity as a police officer to brush them off.
The theater’s backstage preparation room was very large, separated from the stage by only a single wooden board. If needed, this board could be raised, making this area part of the stage as well.
Kieran lay about two thirds of the way across the stage. Li Yue stood before his corpse while a group of soldiers surrounded Caesar near the entrance. The scene looked like a play about a murder—grotesque, eerie, and strangely amusing.
“There’s no need to be so serious, everyone.” Caesar spread his hands and gently pushed aside the two soldiers in front of him, a relaxed and kind smile appearing on his face.
“It seems our mysterious and cold lady has already handled the crisis while simultaneously saving my life.” Caesar stepped out from the crowd and extended a hand, seemingly wanting to shake hers.
Li Yue was momentarily stunned, but then she realized she should give this man, who held great prestige in the secular world, a graceful way out. After hesitating for a few seconds, she slowly reached out her slender hand and shook Caesar’s heavy, rough hand.
Caesar turned his grip to cradle her hand from beneath and knelt on one knee. His other hand was placed over his chest, his expression appearing sincere and earnest.
“Noble lady, how may I repay you for saving my life?”
“Hiss!” Li Yue instinctively yanked her hand away. She felt a jolt like an electric shock run through her, followed by a wave of revulsion and disgust. Suppressing her inner irritation, she forced a tiny smile, one where only the corners of her mouth twitched up slightly.
“I don’t need anything,” Li Yue said with a smile, her mind already considering what she actually needed.
Honor? No, I don’t care. Money? As long as I can support myself, it’s enough. Although I cared about it before, it doesn’t seem like I need to move out now.
What do I need? Right now, all I want is to wait until next year, find Clo, and then find a way back—or start looking for one now. Unfortunately, I don’t have a single lead.
Thinking of the past, her expression went blank for a moment. Then she snapped out of it and squeezed through the path the soldiers had cleared.
“Wait.”
Caesar slowly rose to his feet.
“Are you interested in becoming my personal guard?” Caesar smiled. The surrounding soldiers instantly held their breath, their eyes filled with shock and a hint of envy.
“No.” Li Yue didn't look back. She was a bit confused; it seemed she had rejected him instinctively, as if she had a strange, inexplicable aversion to the profession.
“Wait. In a few days, there will be a banquet hosted by Marquis William. I hope you can accompany me.” Caesar’s expression didn't show any embarrassment, though these two interruptions were somewhat undignified. He himself didn't seem to care, however.
“Why?” Li Yue raised an eyebrow and turned to look at him, her interest piqued slightly.
William? The one Captain Roland mentioned? If I can attend, I might be able to see the captain. He might know the meaning of that badge.
“That William seems to have secretly hired many rogue magic users.” Caesar shrugged, a sneer and a touch of helplessness in his eyes. “I’m worried something like today might happen again.”
“It would be quite rude to attend a banquet with so many guards.” Caesar slowly walked forward. “For us secular nobles, if we want to hire orthodox magic users, we have to rely on the Association.”
“And?”
“My personal magic user is a well known old gentleman, unsuitable for attending these kinds of occasions.” Caesar smiled. “If it’s you, you can simply attend as a friend.”
“Just a friend?”
“I believe William will show me that respect if I invite a friend to join me.” Caesar’s tone carried a hint of confidence and pride. Li Yue didn't understand what this noble was thinking.
Are modern nobles really this cautious with their lives? Is the status of a magic user really that high?
It didn't seem so. Caesar had just called himself secular. In reality, the vast majority of magic users were at the apprentice or trainee level, making up ninety percent of all magic users across the continent. A Magician was already exceptionally strong, a core figure in the central area of a city.
The secular world encompassed magic users below the Magician stage. Li Yue considered herself part of the secular world as well, but she seemingly couldn't be classified by normal ranks.
She nodded, appearing to reluctantly agree.
Caesar clapped his hands, looking to be in a good mood.
“Then in two days, I’ll send someone to pick you up.”
Li Yue left her address and hurried out, completely ignoring Caesar, who seemed quite pleased. He ordered his subordinates to clear away Kieran’s corpse and pulled a pocket watch from his pocket to check the time.
Clip clop. The carriage stopped in front of the Orange Bird Bar. The coachman opened the door for Li Yue and bowed low, seemingly treating the person before him as a true noble.
A pattern of an orange feathered bird with its wings spread was painted on the bar wall. Even before entering, she could faintly hear melodious music.
She pushed the door open gently. She had already drafted the content of her letter while in the carriage; the paper and pen were items she had swiped from the theater before leaving.
The band on stage was playing jazz music. People were dressed in ordinary clothes, either dancing gracefully or drinking leisurely. Li Yue’s arrival didn't seem to disturb them much. She found a quiet spot at the bar counter and ordered a whiskey.
The server quickly brought the drink to the noble looking lady. Li Yue took a sip, slowly savoring the flavor.
“Is there anything else you need, miss?”
“Tell your boss I’m looking for a Blues musician.”
The server was stunned, looking at the jazz band on stage in confusion. But seeing Li Yue’s expressionless face, he realized this wasn't a joke.
A man with a scar on his face soon walked over, a humble smile on his otherwise ferocious looking face.
“We don’t have such melancholy music.” The owner paused. “Would you like a glass of Purple Roland wine?”
“Fine.”
Li Yue took a letter from her coat. Since that sentence had made things clear, she didn't need to be too wary anymore.
After downing the strong whiskey in one gulp, she readjusted her veil adorned with a blue rose and turned to leave.
Even the taste of strong liquor is so mild. Has my sensitivity to such strong substances also decreased?
The owner watched her glamorous figure leave and let out a soft sigh.
“Back to this work again. Is something big about to happen?” The owner rubbed his weary lower back. “Roland really has found an extraordinary character. I can't even sense her mana intensity, and her looks are stunningly beautiful.”
Rate on N.U.
