On the top floor of the building, a man with black hair and brown eyes, dressed in dark clothing and in his late twenties or early thirties, observed the arms transaction at a distance and couldn't help but speak up: "He's actually looking for Mézard? Oh, by the storm, Alfred—had I known this, we'd have taken on the task ourselves. Even after accounting for all expenses, we'd have made at least twenty thousand pounds!" Beside him stood a younger man in a black coat, in his early twenties or late twenties, with bright golden hair and blue eyes as clear as a lake—handsome in appearance. Upon hearing this, Alfred shook his head: "No, that would be too conspicuous. Mézard's stance has always been ambiguous. To initiate talks about arms supplies before fully understanding his position would be extremely risky. That's precisely why Daven Tout could earn twenty thousand pounds—he dared to take that risk." The man with black hair and brown eyes exhaled, "Alfred Hall, who dared to launch an attack on a thousand-strong army with just a few dozen men, claims he's afraid of risk!" Alfred glanced at him and said, "Pagni, this isn't the same thing. Back then, I was confident I could eliminate their command center. Once their structure collapsed, a thousand scattered soldiers might not even be as formidable as a thousand pigs. Moreover, this transaction itself is a test—part of establishing connections and laying the groundwork. If we're doing it now, who will we turn to next? Who next after that? If we keep doing it, we'll eventually reveal our identity, putting our diplomacy at a disadvantage. And as the transactions grow deeper and broader, certain powers with half-gods might take notice—then we'd be in serious trouble." "Ha!" Pagni laughed. "How could half-gods possibly find time to pay attention to such modest military supply deals?" "There aren't many half-gods from each faction, and they've got so many things waiting for them to attend to!" "I know. I'm just giving an example," Alfred replied calmly. Pagni didn't press further on that point and turned his attention back to Donatelle Tangates outside the warehouse. "Supposedly, this gentleman is very generous—he donated shares worth over ten thousand pounds to the Church of Night just a short time after arriving in Beckett. Is that what you call early investment?" "He also works at the same charitable foundation as your sister. Honestly, such a man is quite popular among young women. He's well-looking, refined, intelligent, experienced, and has strong interpersonal skills. Women who've met him could hardly keep track of them all, yet he's now at the age when people expect them to settle down. Alfred, you must emphasize to Odile that a gentleman remains a gentleman, and that a flaw in character is something that never truly improves. Don't let Beckett's most brilliant gem be stolen by someone like this." Alfred turned his head and fixed Pagni with a stare. "I don't need to worry about this sort of thing. Odile is no naive young girl; her understanding of the world is far more mature than you might imagine. Moreover, both my parents are in Beckett—there's enough strength there to prevent some unpleasant incidents from unfolding." Pausing and glancing toward the nearby weapons warehouse, he added, "The representative sent by Mesnyes is actually Higges. I'll go and say hello to him." It wasn't exactly the ideal time to meet, though... Pagni was about to speak when Alfred had already turned and descended the stairs. Before him stood a young man without a hat, wearing a windbreaker, his golden hair slightly swept back, his deep blue eyes like lakes beneath a clear sky—tall and well-proportioned, exuding an inherent dignity that was hard to describe, even without the presence of soldiers around him, clearly conveying an aura of authority. "Alfred!" Higges had noticed the man as well, and called out in mild surprise. Alfred... the younger brother of Miss Justice... this feels remarkably like the path of the "Arbiter"... Klein raised his right hand, removed his hat from atop his head, and placed it gently against his chest as a gesture of courtesy. After exchanging greetings with Higges, Alfred turned to Doun Tanats: "Your character is widely celebrated throughout Beckland, even though I am based in Eastern Bayland, I've heard of it." Character? Did they mean the character of a military arms merchant? Klein muttered under his breath and chuckled, "I've simply done what I thought was right." Alfred nodded. "I think we don't need an introduction, do we? Higges must have told you about me." "Yes, Colonel Hall." Klein smiled in reply. "It's only recently that I've come to learn that Miss Audrey has a brother serving in the military on the Southern Continent, where he has earned considerable commendations." Alfred's gaze swept over Daven Tan-Tsai's face, then shifted the conversation. "I originally expected you to join the 'Run Charity Education Fund,' but I didn't expect you to choose the Southern Continent instead." Klein maintained his earlier smile. "For an outsider, it's difficult to truly integrate into the established circles merely through donations, charity events, banquets, and dancing." Alfred hummed in agreement. "Very sensible." "After a few more pleasantries, he turned to Hagis and asked, 'What happened in Cookwa recently? It seems quite serious.' Hagis smiled warmly and replied, 'I'm not entirely sure. At the time, we all took refuge underground in the general's manor. Later, however, we heard that thunderstorms had struck the Resurrection Square area.' 'Thunderstorms?' Alfred's gaze shifted again to Dauin Tangates. 'Indeed,' said Kline, nodding, 'my inn is not far from the Resurrection Square. I saw continuous lightning strikes hitting that area—everything happened during the day.' Alfred then turned back to Hagis, 'What was the final scene like?' 'Most of the area collapsed and shattered,' Hagis stated without reservation. Alfred nodded gently, then indicated toward the side, addressing both Hagis and Dauin Tangates, 'I have a few matters to attend to. I'll catch up with you later.' 'Until then.' Klein responded with polite grace, as though he were in a social setting rather than outside a weapons warehouse. He was about to watch Alfred Hall depart, when his body subtly shifted and his head suddenly turned toward the other side. ... Deep within the dense, native jungle where things like Baryn were common, a figure emerged, bending slightly and slowly taking shape. The man had a full-faced, brown-skinned appearance, wearing loose garments, a dagger at his waist, and a silver-white mask in his hands. After glancing left and right, the figure straightened up, clearly resembling the "Lord of Hell" Ludewil who had entered the Underworld earlier. Yet now, his eyes burned with two bright crimson flames—unlike before. "I'm so hungry..." Ludewil opened his mouth, emitting a sigh that seemed to rise from deep within his chest. He then turned his gaze toward a specific direction, murmuring to himself, "There is the master of this secret figure. Fate has brought them together once again." "He has an item from the 'Hunter's Path' that can provide a perfect supplement." Before the words had fully settled, a blood-soaked mouth suddenly split open on Lutherville's left cheek, opening and closing as if speaking: "Medici, the issues we must address first are the ones that already exist! Once this spirit-seer has completely lost contact with its master, it is effectively dead—its residual spirit will soon return to the Underworld, unable to sustain the physical form. Without the Underworld's support within him, we will inevitably begin to weaken, until we finally dissipate." "Yes, right now the most urgent matter is to find other 'Gatekeepers.'" A second mouth appeared on Lutherville's right cheek. "Red Angel" Medici immediately exhaled sharply: "Thorin, Einhorn—were either of you ever women? You've completely discarded the dignity of angels and thrown it into the toilet! The fact that this man has managed to resist 'Zero-Zero-Eight' so many times proves he's no ordinary being. With this opportunity to secure him, how can we possibly let him go?" Once this secret guardian has fully passed away, nothing will ever be this easy again! "Moreover, the 'Hunter's' items on his person can effectively extend our own existence. We can always find a new guardian once we've dealt with him." Luther维尔's bloody gash on his left face immediately chuckled: "Medici, have you completely sacrificed your mind to the 'True Maker'? That man has clearly advanced. With our current condition, defeating a 'Sorcerer of Illusions' is not difficult—killing him, however, seems almost impossible!" Medici remained calm, offering a low, steady smile: "This isn't beyond resolution. As long as you allow me to chant the Lord's sacred name, help will arrive immediately—perhaps even with a guardian already in place." Luther维尔's right mouth instantly opened and closed: "Thorin, let us unite to face him and seek out a new guardian." "Agreed," his left mouth responded without hesitation. "Red Angel" Medici chuckled heartily: "You two have indeed been fooled! My plan has succeeded—I'm certain you two were women all along!" Ludewil's mouths on either side roared in unison: "Shut up!" "Hmph. We've been fused together for two millennia—how could we not have sensed your tricks? There's no point in struggling anymore!" As he spoke, the colors surrounding "Lord of Hell," Ludewil, instantly thickened and layered upon one another. He had already entered the spiritual realm, beginning to weave through it. "He was referring to a heavy box filled with gold bars and coins. Hagis had originally planned to join Dautremer de Thénardier for a drink after the settlement, celebrating the successful completion of the transaction and discussing potential future business opportunities. Yet Dautremer de Thénardier had suddenly decided to leave so promptly. 'Very well, then, on that carriage,' he indicated. Alfred, who had already walked some distance, turned back with mild surprise, puzzled as to why Dautremer de Thénardier had suddenly deviated from the established routine."