Oh, Caesar, it's you."
Benson greeted Caesar warmly when he saw him outside the door.
"Good evening, Benson."
Caesar smiled and replied.
Benson Moretti, the eldest of the three Moretti siblings, had bravely taken on the heavy responsibility of raising his younger siblings after their parents' passing. He not only ensured their food and lodging but also made sure they all had an education. Caesar, also an older brother, greatly admired him for this. Moreover, Benson Moretti had rich social experience and was very good at talking, providing Caesar with a lot of help when he rented his apartment. Caesar was very grateful to him.
"I heard Klein say that you're going on a business trip with him tomorrow. Did you come to discuss something about the trip with him? Come in and sit for a bit; he'll be out once he's finished cooking."
Benson sent the young maid away and then smiled at Caesar, inviting him into his home.
Unlike Caesar, Klein's family didn't know he was a Nighthawk. They only thought Blackthorn Security Company was a normal company involved in antique protection, so Caesar couldn't casually reveal anything in front of them.
"No need, I still have things to do," Caesar declined. "Besides, I'm not here for Klein; I have something I'd like to ask of you."
"For me?"
Benson asked, surprised.
"Yes, it's like this. If I go on a business trip, Cecilia will be alone at home, and I'm a bit worried about her." Caesar frankly expressed his concern. "So, I'd like to trouble you to look after my sister. You don't need to take care of her daily life, but if something happens, I hope you can help her out."
"I understand. This is something I should do even without you asking."
Benson smiled and said, "What a coincidence, I was actually just about to look for you. Klein only recently graduated from university and isn't very familiar with social matters. For this business trip, I also wanted to ask you to look after him."
The two older brothers had the same thought.
They exchanged a knowing smile.
Because he still needed to rush to buy a suitcase, Caesar no longer stood on ceremony. After a quick farewell to Benson, he left 2 Narcissus Street. He went to a luggage store on the shopping street and bought a suitcase for himself, as well as a smaller, easy-to-carry suitcase for his sister Cecilia, and a good quality calfskin handbag.
He returned home, quickly packed his things, and had dinner. Caesar left Cecilia enough money, and reminded her to be extra careful, before returning to his own bedroom and going to bed to rest.
Caesar vaguely dreamed. He dreamed of himself in his previous life's rental room, drinking soda and browsing videos, with a TV and game console around him. These things he hadn't touched in a long time made him incredibly nostalgic. Just as he was about to turn on the game console to play a few rounds, the world suddenly shook. The misty dream quickly became clear, and the surroundings were familiar—it was the living room on the first floor of Narcissus Street 6, where he rented.
I'm dreaming?
Strange, I know what I'm doing.
Caesar lucidly realized he was dreaming.
He felt like this before, when was it? Oh, right, it was the time Captain Dunn forcibly pulled him into a dream. Caesar subconsciously thought, and looking up, he was startled.
Dunn was pressed against the window glass, staring intently at him!
What does the Captain want to do?
What should I do?
Just as Caesar was lost in thought, Dunn had already walked around to the door, pushed it open, and unceremoniously entered. He hung his top hat and black windbreaker on the coat rack behind the door, then nodded at Caesar and walked straight to the sofa opposite him and sat down.
There's no other way, I can only play along with him.
Caesar feigned being in a dream and asked, "Captain, what's wrong?"
"Don't you welcome me?"
Dunn raised an eyebrow and smiled.
In someone else's dream, he seemed less serious than usual.
"Uh, of course I welcome you."
Caesar had a headache, so he could only use the tea on the table to entertain Dunn. Afterward, Dunn didn't leave immediately but kept looking at Caesar, as if he himself wasn't sure what to do.
Could it be that he's trying to act out a "Nightmare"? Whatever it is, hurry up and finish acting so you don't disturb my sleep! I have a business trip tomorrow!
"On this business trip, be extra careful of your safety."
Perhaps Caesar's internal grumbling had an effect, as Dunn suddenly spoke first.
"Ah? Oh, I understand."
"Be careful of Lanevus; he has a grudge against you and hasn't been caught yet."
"Understood."
"Watch out! He's over there."
Just then, Dunn suddenly pointed behind Caesar.
Caesar subconsciously looked behind him, and indeed, Lanevus appeared. He wore his characteristic mocking smile, gesticulating wildly behind Caesar.
Uh.
Caesar looked at this "Lanevus," who was exactly like the image in the newspaper, somewhat at a loss.
Because this illusion was created by Dunn, he didn't understand the real Lanevus—the real Lanevus hated him so much that when he saw Caesar, he would likely tear him apart alive, not harmlessly scare him like this.
Facing "Lanevus," Caesar couldn't help but glance at Dunn out of the corner of his eye, noticing that he seemed to be anticipating something.
The Captain wants to scare me.
Should I cooperate with the Captain and pretend to be scared?
No, if I pretend, it won't provide the "feedback" needed, it won't help the Captain digest, and it might even affect his understanding of "acting."
In a flash, Caesar had made up his mind.
Give his most genuine reaction!
"Lanevus, you motherfucker!"
He cursed, picked up the teapot from the table, and slammed it onto "Lanevus's" head with a clang. Fragments scattered everywhere.
Dunn and "Lanevus" were both stunned.
They were stunned, but Caesar wasn't. Taking advantage of this, he had already rushed to the coat rack and picked up the cane placed there.
This cane was bought for him by Cecilia, who felt a gentleman must have one. Caesar carried it for a few days when he went out but felt it wasn't quite right, so he threw it onto the coat rack. Now it came in handy!
"Whack!"
He rushed over and struck "Lanevus's" head with a single blow!
"Lanevus" fell to the ground in response.
"Whack! Whack!"
"How dare you come back to find me?"
Caesar roared, continuing to strike the fallen Lanevus. He swung the cane as if it cost nothing, fiercely hitting his head and back. Lanevus clutched his head, wailing.
Seeing the opponent lose his combat ability, Caesar swiftly drew his revolver from his waist holster and aimed it at his head.
"Whoosh—"
A gust of wind, wrapped in black mist, roared, sweeping away everything in the world. When Caesar opened his eyes again, the dream had returned to a state of chaos. Both Dunn and "Lanevus" had vanished.
He's finally gone.
Caesar gave a wry smile. Captain, you should go bother Klein; he's two doors down from me.
After an unknown amount of time, he finally felt sleepy again, so he let the dream sweep him away, falling into a deep sleep.
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