"By the way, Mister Gentleman, do you need any help?"
"Help?" Luo En was a little puzzled. He didn't understand why Katarina would suddenly say this.
"Yes." Katarina nodded, smiling as she looked at Luo En.
"Mister Gentleman seems to be in a hurry, as if—he's encountered some trouble."
Luo En's eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly.
He had indeed encountered trouble—
Before Luo En could answer, Katarina spoke in a sincere tone, as if talking to herself:
"If there's anything I can help you with, please do tell me."
"You…" Luo En deliberately put on a half-believing, half-doubting expression. He wanted to see what she was really up to.
"What? Are you doubting me?" Katarina pouted unhappily.
"Hmm…" Luo En nodded.
Hearing this, Katarina puffed out her cheeks slightly.
"Hmph!"
Seemingly realizing that this was a bit rude, after a few seconds of composing herself, she spoke in an 'I know everything' tone: "I know that adventurers like you go through all sorts of thrilling adventures, and naturally—you also make all sorts of enemies."
"I can help you solve them~"
Hearing this, Luo En shook his head slightly:
"Even if I really am in trouble, how can you be sure you can actually help me?"
Hearing this, Katarina's face broke into a confident smile.
Not directly refusing meant there was room for discussion.
She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice: "My family's shipping company has a certain amount of influence at sea.
Moreover, we also have some business cooperation with the Governor's Mansion. So, if you really get into some trouble, I think I can definitely help."
Shipping company… Governor's Mansion…
Perhaps—I can really use her connections to get Danitz and me out of Bayam… Luo En instantly thought of this.
Thus, his cold poker face softened slightly, and he began to actively converse with Katarina.
The meal ended in an atmosphere that was outwardly harmonious but inwardly filled with ulterior motives.
After the meal, Katarina proactively extended an invitation, hoping Luo En would accompany her shopping.
Luo En initially wanted to refuse, but remembering what she had just said, he hesitated and nodded.
"That's great!" Katarina's face immediately showed an expression of immense excitement.
Smiling, she naturally linked her arm with Luo En's and led him out of the restaurant.
They walked for several hours.
Luo En felt his legs were a bit numb; it was the first time he had walked so far since coming to Bayam. If Danitz knew he had gone out shopping with a lady, he would probably complain about him too.
But unlike Luo En, Katarina beside him still seemed full of energy and enthusiasm.
Are women's stamina this good when shopping—Luo En complained inwardly.
As they passed a flower shop, Katarina suddenly stopped.
"Do you know?" She looked at the blooming flowers and whispered, "The reason I came to Bayam alone, besides longing for those sea adventure stories—"
"And…" She seemed a little shy, fidgeting for a moment, then turned to Luo En and spoke in a slightly melancholic tone:
"I actually—ran away to escape a marriage arrangement at home."
"Marriage arrangement?" Luo En was a little surprised.
"Yes, a marriage arrangement." Katarina nodded, continuing in that pitiful tone, "My father, in order to expand the family business, wants me to—marry a noble's offspring whom I don't like."
Katarina smiled, fabricating a Rosell-esque reason, inspired by a novel by Emperor Rosell.
She believed that a 'pure' little guy like the one in front of her, who seemed a bit old-fashioned but was full of Justice, would absolutely be unable to refuse a delicate young girl who bravely ran away from home to resist an arranged marriage.
But unfortunately—
For ordinary people of this era, running away from home to resist an arranged marriage was a very fitting, slightly romantic, and sympathetic reason within the historical context.
But for a Transmigrator like Luo En, who had been bombarded with countless similar 'tropes' in the information explosion era—
This kind of reason seemed a bit too 'classic,' even 'outdated.'
Thinking of her abnormal charm, Luo En's vigilance instantly maxed out.
"Why are you telling me this? What do you want?" Luo En's voice showed no change, but he calmly withdrew his arm from Katarina's embrace, "Are you trying to make me help you resolve this so-called marriage arrangement?"
Katarina looked at him, thinking he was shy, and nodded heavily with a natural, slightly bashful expression.
"You think?" Luo En looked at her, his eyes behind his glasses sharpening, "I will definitely help you?"
Katarina didn't speak immediately. She just looked up, meeting Luo En's gaze with her pure blue eyes. After a moment, a supremely confident smile appeared on her face.
"Exactly."
Looking at her like this, Luo En remained outwardly calm, but he thought to himself.
This woman has an overinflated sense of self-worth, and her mind—is somewhat abnormal, even twisted.
And that expression, as if she has me completely figured out, definitely doesn't make her an easy person to get along with.
Meanwhile, at Roy King's home,
Roy King was somewhat frantically packing his important belongings, such as cash, Beyonder materials, and a few Mystical Items for self-preservation.
Just today, that 'extremely lucky' Brando had visited him again.
To make that plague god believe he was 'not home' and leave quickly, he even deliberately used a portion of his 'luck' that he had accumulated for a long time.
But the Turtle tactics couldn't be used forever.
Now, he had completely figured it out.
Staying in Bayam was too risky. Who knew, one day he might be completely implicated by that Brando, or some other, more terrifying trouble.
It was wisest to quickly pack his things, leave here, go to another city to lay low, or directly seek refuge with his teacher.
Just as he stuffed the items into his suitcase and everything was ready.
A thick, seemingly illusory vine, without any warning, grew out of his room's floor out of thin air!
!!!
Immediately after, a soft yet emotionless female voice suddenly echoed in his room.
"Mister Roy King, don't be nervous."
A graceful figure wearing black boots and with chestnut-colored long hair slowly materialized.
"I just—have something I'd like to consult you about."