Whooo!
The monstrous steam locomotive let out a deafening roar as it exhaled thick plumes of smoke, dragging its long body behind it as it slowly pulled into the station, slowing down bit by bit.
When the train finally came to a full stop, Xio Derecha, carrying a small suitcase, followed the crowd onto the platform and then out of the station.
There, she immediately saw a familiar figure waiting beside a carriage, raising his hand in greeting.
A faint smile curved across Xio's lips.
That friend, of course, was Ebner. The moment Xio appeared, he noticed her too — despite her short stature, her very presence drew attention. As someone who had relentlessly pursued and "disciplined" vicious criminals as a Disciplinary Paladin, she naturally carried a quiet aura of authority that made those around her instinctively step aside.
When Xio approached, Ebner naturally took her suitcase from her and led her up into the carriage.
It was only then that he finally took a closer look at his old friend. She was wearing a brown tricorn hat tied with a silk ribbon, a red fitted jacket that accentuated her waist, a blue cloak draped over her shoulders, and a white shirt beneath, the collar decorated with layers of lace.
Matching her coat were dark trousers, and at her belt hung several small square pouches — the kind used to store combat essentials.
Altogether, she looked smart, capable, and heroic.
Perhaps because of the month-long "disciplinary" missions she'd undertaken, her once round, slightly childish face had slimmed down quite a bit.
Seeing this, Ebner sighed softly. "You didn't need to push yourself this hard… I've already found a way to clear your father's name."
Xio glanced toward the coachman and noticed that it was actually Chelsia, the puppet of Ebner's "Magic Mirror," in disguise. The area around the carriage was also sealed by spiritual power, so she shook her head and said,
"I know you'll help me avenge him — to clear my father's unjust charge… but this is something I want to take part in personally.
"You once told me that to uncover the entire truth behind this matter, I'd have to at least reach the level of a demigod!
"At the time, I thought you were exaggerating the difficulty… but now, it seems the affair my father was caught up in is far beyond what even demigods can handle."
From the sound of it, she's already discovered something? Ebner was slightly startled, then asked directly. Between them, there were few secrets left — aside from dangerous knowledge that couldn't be spoken aloud.
Xio removed her hat and set it beside her, looked across at Ebner, and smiled faintly. "Do you remember when we accompanied Mr. Gaston through the first three floors of the Dream Labyrinth Tower?"
"Of course," Ebner said at once, nodding.
That adventure had been a turning point for him — it was when he had truly cast off the "confused, aimless" state he'd been in since crossing over, and fully integrated into this world.
Otherwise, like some of his short-lived "counterparts," his stay in the world of mysticism might have lasted no longer than a month.
Xio too seemed to drift into that memory for a moment before continuing. "At that time, my reward on the ninth floor of the Dream Labyrinth Tower was a novel.
"It told the love story of a beautiful girl named Sherman and a nobleman. The worst part was — it was unfinished. The story stopped right after Sherman became that noble's mistress… I remember thinking that her fate couldn't possibly end well.
"Recently, one of my informants sent word that 'Sherman' has reappeared… except now she's a he.
"He's my friend from East Borough — Sherman!
"And behind him stands a witch… most likely the very witch Prince Edessak once fell in love with — Triss!
"Also, one of your newly hired butlers seems to be connected to that witch as well."
As she said this, Xio let out a soft sigh.
Ebner wasn't surprised she had found this much. As Princess Vera's direct subordinate in MI9, Xio held considerable authority — even more so now that King George III no longer considered Vera a threat, giving Xio wider freedom of action.
With those advantages, and the key clues she'd extracted from him, it wasn't strange that she'd managed to catch Triss's scent.
After a moment's thought, Ebner asked tentatively, "So you think you've figured out who your enemy is?"
"Since the Dream Labyrinth Tower implied that Sherman's story was the key to my father's death, the connection isn't hard to guess…
"Even if we don't yet know which nobleman Sherman later became mistress to, he must be someone tied to my father's case!
"And Triss likely used Sherman to get close to such a noble in order to uncover the truth behind the prince's murder.
"It's very possible that Edessak and my father were both silenced because of the same incident!
"Add to that what Mr. World discovered — the Mad Captain, the MI9 demigod, the events covered up by the Great Smog…
"When you put it all together, the culprit isn't hard to guess.
"Most members of the Loen royal family — perhaps even His Majesty himself — are my enemies!"
As she said this, Xio actually felt a bit grateful that she hadn't learned the truth a year ago. If she had, her impulsive and reckless younger self might have thrown herself headlong into danger, failing to avenge her father and dragging Fors and Ebner down with her.
It was only after joining the Tarot Club that she learned the Augustus family was an angelic lineage surviving from the Fourth Epoch — that even "The Fool" Himself, before fully recovering His power, could only have "The World" investigate them discreetly.
Ebner did not confirm or deny her deductions. He instead studied the "river of fate" around her. Revealing the ritual of the "Black Emperor" or the true goals of George III to her now would still bring unnecessary danger.
In this world, Beyonder powers were far too varied — knowing things one wasn't ready to know could be fatal. For instance, in the original events, even Hyron didn't know Klein personally, yet when Klein sought information on artifacts containing the "Fire Stealer's" characteristic, he inadvertently glimpsed her image.
After a brief pause, Ebner said, "I still can't tell you too much. But I can say this — Vera can be trusted."
"Of course I trust Her Highness… she's different from the other Augustuses." Xio gazed at Ebner for a moment before nodding.
"In fact, she isn't an Augustus at all," Ebner added, partly to prevent Xio's resentment toward the Augustuses from causing conflict or mistrust later on.
Xio blinked in surprise, then her eyes widened in sudden realization. Piecing together the clues she'd seen from the princess's past behavior, she exclaimed, "Tamara?"
"Exactly." Ebner nodded slightly but didn't elaborate further.
Xio didn't press the issue either. Instead, she asked, "Where's Fors?"
I remember she didn't come to pick me up last year either.
Ebner coughed lightly and said, "She hasn't gotten up yet…"
Xio instinctively glanced at her watch — the hour hand already pointed to one in the afternoon. She sighed, half angry, half exasperated. "Honestly! I leave for a while and she gets lazier and lazier — sleeping until the afternoon!"
Then she shot Ebner a glare. "And you don't even try to keep her in line!"
Ebner gave an awkward chuckle and hurriedly changed the subject.
Xio gave him a brief, knowing look but didn't press the issue. As they continued chatting casually, her fingers brushed one of the pouches at her waist.
Inside was a small gift she had prepared…
Because tomorrow, May 12th, Thursday, was Ebner's birthday — and she intended to give him a surprise right at midnight.
Ebner, of course, was completely unaware — he'd long stopped paying attention to the birthday of this body.
Nor did he know that Xio wasn't the only one planning to surprise him tomorrow.
(End of this chapter)