The Morton family’s carriage was parked in front of the Association, with bodyguard Mei Asina doubling as the coachman.
Personal maid Wendy glanced at Loxy descending the steps.
It was unclear who had brought misfortune to her young lady—her pale pink lips were pressed downwards, her dark brows furrowed slightly, and her misty blue eyes showed obvious displeasure.
Wendy reached out to take the small handbag, cautiously asking,
“Miss, what are your plans next?”
“To the city library.”
Loxy calmed herself, trying not to recall the rough friction on her hand and that unfamiliar touch.
Just the thought made her sick.
The carriage wheels slowly rolled forward, but after only a few steps, Loxy spoke again.
“Forget it, stop at the intersection up ahead for a moment. We’ll move on later.”
Inside the carriage, Wendy serving attentively looked at her mistress with some confusion but remained dutiful, simply informing Mei to pull over by the roadside without another word.
“Mr. Hughes, please take care.”
“Thank you.”
“Goodbye, Miss Wheeler.”
“Goodbye.”
After closing the Association’s doors, Herman stood on the steps, lifting the bag in his hand—it contained two boxes of ice cream that Miss Mary Wheeler had just slipped him.
Such a warm-hearted girl.
Herman shook his head and set the bag down.
He wasn’t in a rush to leave but glanced around the vicinity.
Sure enough, at the next street intersection, a luxurious carriage trimmed with silver was parked.
He raised an eyebrow and quickened his pace, taking three steps in two to approach.
As he neared the carriage, Mei Asina in front frowned slightly.
Her hand rested on her waist as she turned back to look.
Seeing it was Herman, a man she had met once before, she relaxed a bit and gave a small nod, though her hand never left her side.
Sharp senses indeed—was he a Contract Holder with enhanced physical ability?
Herman thought this to himself as he reached out to knock on the carriage door.
The half-closed curtain on the glass was drawn fully aside, and Wendy peeked out at the visitor—it was the gentleman who had visited her lady a few days ago.
So, Miss Loxy had deliberately brought the carriage a bit farther, just to wait for this man?
Why all the sneaking around…
The maid felt something odd but showed no expression, quietly saying,
“Miss, it’s Mr. Hughes.”
“Open the door. Let him in.”
Loxy’s tone was a little cold, tinged with disdain.
She had just decided on her Contract Path but worried something might go wrong during the ritual, so she still wanted to ask this man who had already traveled some distance along the Secret Path.
Of course, she also wanted to scold—no, warn this audacious detective and make him repent for his deeds!
The carriage door opened, and Herman stepped inside.
The interior was quite spacious, easily fitting four people, with a small table set in the middle.
Herman sat opposite Loxy and the maid, placing the bag on the table, smiling as he said,
“Good thing, Miss Morton, you’re quite sensitive to words.”
“I was a bit worried you wouldn’t realize that what I left was a code.”
Loxy, “???”
What words? What code?
Ah, so the circles made on her hand earlier were actually writing?
Loxy rested both hands on her lap, fingers interlaced, tilting her chin slightly.
Her misty blue eyes showed a hint of disdain as she said lightly,
“Your worry is completely unnecessary, Mr. Hughes.”
Code? Why would these two need a code to meet?
Wendy remained expressionless, but her delicate ears twitched.
With outsiders present, some sensitive topics weren’t appropriate to discuss.
Herman took out a box of ice cream from the bag—Saint Marguerite brand, strawberry flavor.
He opened the box lid while continuing,
“So, shall we go to my place now?”
“Or somewhere else?”
Wendy, “!!!”
Loxy’s gaze briefly paused on the ice cream covered in strawberry sauce before quickly looking away.
“Somewhere else is inconvenient.”
“Then your place.”
As a ‘detective,’ Herman could see through this noble girl’s little moves without effort.
He chuckled inside and nudged the bag containing the remaining box of ice cream toward Loxy, making his meaning clear.
Loxy coldly refused, “Thanks, but I’m not fond of sweets.”
Right, you prefer unsweetened coffee.
The detective didn’t expose his accomplice but smiled and said,
“My stomach isn’t very good. I can’t eat too much cold food at once.”
“This is still a ways from the Red Bridge District. By the time we reach Mel Street, it’ll probably have melted in the carriage.”
“Just do me this favor, Miss Morton?”
“All right then.”
Loxy reluctantly took the bag and began eating the ice cream she ‘endorsed.’
The cold, soft texture, the tartness of the strawberry combined with the richness of the milk—an old feeling of happiness returned.
Her misty blue eyes narrowed slightly, and the corner of her mouth lifted faintly.
Within minutes, her mood completely reversed.
Maid Wendy glanced at her mistress, then at the ‘code’ man.
She quietly resolved to be a bit more courteous to Mr. Hughes from now on.
Red Bridge District, 13 Mel Street.
After watching the great detective Herman Hughes and his trusty partner Peanut wrestle over a hat for a while, Loxy sat on the sofa quite satisfied.
The two began discussing business.
Herman swirled the coffee in his hand and said seriously,
“So, you finally chose the ‘Seeker’ path.”
“Yes,” Loxy nodded.
This was the result of her careful consideration—firstly for safety, secondly because Harvey Michelson had mentioned the subsequent Secret Paths, which caught her interest.
Seeker, Revealer, Diviner.
The name suggested a strong connection to knowledge.
The word ‘Truth’ in the Church of Truth’s name also gave a hint.
This was exactly what Loxy needed—she wanted to find a way back.
“Hm, although this promotion is stable, you might have to find the materials for the subsequent Secret Paths and the contract ritual on your own.”
“Of course, I’ll keep an eye out to help.”
Herman took a sip of coffee, put the cup down, and continued,
“Have they told you about the ‘Seeker’ contract ritual and the secret elixir formula at the Church?”
“Mr. Michelson said I don’t need to worry about the elixir. Once the church approves, my quota will be sent to the Association.”
“But the contract ritual…”
Loxy frowned, “Master three unread books completely within a week.”
“That’s a bit unexpected.”
“Do you think it’s too easy?” Herman smiled.
“Actually, that’s normal. From what I know, the lower Secret Paths have lighter contract rituals.”
“Secret Path 9, Secret Path 8 sometimes don’t even require a contract ritual. Taking the elixir alone might be enough for promotion.”
Loxy was puzzled.
“Then isn’t Hannah Carter a low Secret Path?”
“Why was her promotion ritual…”
Herman straightened up, his expression serious.
“That’s exactly why I sought you out today.”
“Hannah Carter was definitely exploited. While investigating her, the evil god organization behind her made a move.”
“It’s the Blood Rose.”