Daly Simone, a Beyonder of the Corpse Collector Pathway, was formerly a Nighthawk belonging to the Blackthorn Security Company in Tingen City. Due to her unique talent, she had already advanced to Sequence 7 Spirit Medium in just two short years. Because of this, she was highly regarded by the Holy See and transferred to Enmat Harbor in East Chester County, with the potential to become the youngest deacon in the Goddess Church.
Caesar had met her once during the incident with Old Neil. Her vibrant and exotic eye makeup and mysterious style left a deep impression on him, like a true Spirit Medium.
—Now, thinking back, Caesar immediately understood the reason Ms. Daly was able to advance so quickly. Clearly, she was intentionally role-playing as a Spirit Medium, and must have already mastered the acting method.
"But if the Nighthawks captain of Enmat Harbor likes Ms. Daly, then he should just pursue Ms. Daly. Why does he dislike Captain Dunn?"
Caesar couldn't quite grasp the logic.
Wait a minute...
His heart suddenly stirred.
Two men and one woman, could it be...
"Because Ms. Daly seems to have more favorable feelings for our captain." Leonard's answer was exactly as he had guessed. "Of course, these are all my speculations. You two are new, so you might not know. Ms. Daly has been working in Enmat Harbor, but she still frequently returns on official business to assist the captain. Not only that, they also communicate often, and their usual interactions are very natural."
Caesar nodded, recalling the events of that night with Old Neil, Ms. Daly's and Dunn's conversation, and the look in her eyes toward Dunn. It all seemed rather significant.
Gossip was indeed humanity's favorite topic. Klein was also listening intently to Leonard. At this point, he couldn't help but interject, "The captain has also always encouraged us with Ms. Daly's situation; he greatly admires Ms. Daly."
The three exchanged glances, all sensing the underlying meaning.
"Since they both have feelings for each other, why don't they take it a step further?" Klein said.
"Perhaps the captain has some reservations about himself." Leonard shook his head.
The other two immediately understood. Indeed, the captain was a bit older, and Daly had already been recognized as a genius, and there was also the captain's hair... ahem.
"Don't say that, isn't the captain also very charming?"
Caesar shook his head and said, recalling Dunn's usual gentleness and wisdom, "Ms. Daly has truly good taste. Such a man is worth spending one's life with. And the captain, it's rare to have such a lady pursuing him, yet he's still hesitating."
"Do you think we should give them a push?" Leonard chuckled.
Caesar thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"Let's not. I feel like Ms. Daly will eventually win over the captain. Besides, perhaps this period of unspoken ambiguity is also very important to them. If we directly expose it, it might lose its charm."
"Smart!" Leonard nodded. "The others in the team probably think the same way."
"Everyone else knows?"
"Even if they haven't reached a conclusion, they've at least guessed something, except for Rosanne. She's truly clueless, hasn't thought about anything."
Leonard unceremoniously poked fun at the Blackthorn Security Company's receptionist.
"Woo—"
Just then, the train whistle let out a loud blast, and after a jolt, the carriage began to slow down. They had arrived at the transfer station, Stone.
The carriage grew lively. Some passengers got off, while others with luggage boarded. However, fewer got off and more got on, and the carriage gradually became crowded and noisy. Several ladies walked into the carriage, laughing and chatting about something, but then suddenly quieted down when they saw Caesar's face. They sat down, whispering, their eyes occasionally glancing at him, but Caesar pretended not to notice.
"Wait a minute, wasn't our initial topic about the captain of Enmat Harbor, Edward Crawford?" Caesar suddenly realized they had long gone off-topic. "We were saying before that he dislikes Captain Dunn, right? Does that have anything to do with us?"
"Of course, it does." Leonard said, "Unfortunately, Edward Crawford is not a broad-minded gentleman. He dislikes the captain, and he'll dislike us by extension, especially you, Caesar."
As he said this, he shifted his gaze to Caesar. "You represent the Tingen City Nighthawks, coming to clean up their mess in Enmat Harbor. Given his personality, he will definitely feel humiliated, definitely hate you, and want to make things difficult for you."
Huh?
Caesar was momentarily stunned, then sneered.
If you're narrow-minded, I'm not exactly magnanimous either!
"Then we must uphold the captain's honor." Caesar said with a smile.
If the other party was strictly business, then so be it, but if he really tried to pick a fight, Caesar wouldn't let him off the hook.
— — — —
After stopping for ten minutes in Stone, the train resumed its journey, changing direction to head south. The three Nighthawks had a memorable lunch on the train and finally arrived at Enmat Harbor at 3:30 in the afternoon.
Caesar picked up his suitcase and stepped out of the carriage door. A wave of hot air, salty and damp with the unique smell of the ocean, immediately greeted him.
He scanned his surroundings, looking past the crowded people into the distance, where the ocean and harbor were faintly visible.
"Don't bother looking, they definitely won't send anyone to pick us up."
Leonard thought he was looking for someone to meet them, so he shook his head and said, "That captain definitely wouldn't be that considerate. Ms. Daly?"
Caesar followed the sound and saw a mysterious and charming lady standing near the exit. She wore blue eye makeup, had a beautiful face, and a black robe that showed off her unique temperament, making her particularly noticeable among the diverse crowd. Many gentlemen passing by couldn't help but cast admiring glances at her.
Ms. Daly also saw the three of them and gave them a captivating smile.
"Ms. Daly, did your captain arrange for you to pick us up? He's actually changed his ways this time." Leonard led the three over and said.
Daly shook her head. "It has nothing to do with Captain Edward. I confirmed your itinerary with Dunn and came on my own initiative. Captain Edward is busy with a case at headquarters and didn't arrange for anyone to pick you up."
Leonard smiled and looked back, sweeping his gaze over the others, his eyes conveying the meaning: See? What did I tell you?
The station was not a good place for reminiscing. After a brief chat, the group followed Daly out of the station and into the carriage she had prepared.
"What's wrong with you all? You're looking at me a bit strangely."
Not long after the carriage set off, Ms. Daly asked with a smile.
Having just learned about Ms. Daly and Dunn's situation, Caesar's and Klein's attitudes were inevitably a bit deliberate.
"Nothing, it's just that seeing Ms. Daly go out of her way to pick us up, we're a little touched." Caesar said with a smile.
"Touched, is that so?"
Daly's expression didn't reveal whether she believed him or not; she just repeated the phrase.
She was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly spoke, "You three, you should all know the acting method by now, right?"
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