Those aristocratic youths who attended this salon knew that the matches at the fighting arena at 155 King's Road occasionally featured some strange abilities, but the arena explained that these were magic tricks and illusions.
Few people doubt this, because everyone knows that the games there are more focused on entertainment.
Only then did people realize that there might be extraordinary individuals among those contestants.
But they quickly realized that it was unlikely, since why would a mysterious extraordinary being participate in such a competition for others to watch?
The noble children present are still under the protection of their families. They can only guess at the existence of mysticism and extraordinary beings through some clues. They do not know much about the extraordinary beings and have not yet come into much contact with the dark side of Backlund.
The discussion about the Extraordinary Case on River Bend Avenue continues, and Theodore answers Joels' question: "Lelouch is very likely an Extraordinary."
Then he smiled and said, "This week's competition will be very exciting because my cousin has arranged for Lelouch to face two good friends of that veteran player who died."
Edith, the Viscount Thomas's daughter, asked, "Won't the police arrest this Lelouch?"
"There has always been a consensus between the fighting arena and the police," Theodore explained: "If a criminal appears among the fighters, and that criminal still participates in the match as scheduled, then the fighter will be allowed to participate in another match in the presence of the police."
"If this athlete dies on the field, it is tantamount to committing suicide out of guilt."
"If a contestant wins the competition, he will receive a large commission, which will be delivered to the person he designates before he is taken away by the police for trial."
"Furthermore, the fighting arena will occasionally bail out very promising fighters. The specific arrangements depend on the fighter's ability and his choice."
Theodore paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "So if Lelouch shows up on Sunday, this week's matches are sure to be very exciting!"
"Are there any seats left? I want to watch this week's game," said Joels, the organizer of the salon.
"Me too!"
Several noblemen expressed their willingness to go and watch the match, including Audrey. At this moment, she had mixed feelings and hoped to observe Lelouch again to see if he was a bloodthirsty demon.
Theodore said, "No problem, I've got it covered."
...
In the afternoon, at 51 Henry Street, Gard Herbalist.
Odis was continuing to write "The Combat Manual" in the backyard when Max, the captain of the "Mechanical Heart" team, suddenly arrived.
As Odis poured tea, he asked, feigning ignorance, "What do you want with me?"
"Captain Iconsel sent me to warn you that he can pretend he doesn't know anything about the River Bend case, but he doesn't want anything like this to happen again," Max said seriously.
Back when Odis operated 176 River Bend Avenue, he was still under the close surveillance of the "Mechanical Heart," so they were naturally aware that Odis had some arrangements there.
But they have never known exactly what was arranged.
This is the attitude of "the mechanical heart," and even the entire Church of the God of Steam and Machines towards Odis's research, which they considered to be just some trinkets made using spirituality, and did not pay much attention to them.
Max had provided the church with some of Odis's research, hoping to see if Odis was researching the resurrection of his family.
The church scholars gave a negative answer, and Max stopped paying attention to Odis's research.
At the time, both church scholars and Max thought Odis's research was too novel, somewhat absurd, and impossible to achieve.
What they didn't know was that it was only the theoretical part of Odis's research, and a very small part at that.
After the incident on River Bend Avenue late last night, the "Mechanical Heart" team remembered that it used to be one of Odis's strongholds, which is why they speculated that the culprit in yesterday's case was likely Odis.
However, since Odis had provided information about the 3N Party a long time ago, they knew very well what kind of people the 3N Party were, so Ikonser chose to turn a blind eye.
Odis smiled and said, "They came to us suddenly, and I didn't have time to ask for your help, so I had no choice but to do this."
After giving a brief explanation, he asked, "Which official organization of extraordinary individuals took on this case?"
"The night watchman." Max didn't hide it.
"I understand," Odis said. "The character of Lelouch will soon disappear."
He then skipped over the topic: "I contacted the Temperance faction of the 'Rose School' through some channels, but it wasn't them who sent someone to tell us the 'werewolf's' address."
Max rubbed his forehead, and after sitting down in the chair, he asked, "Is the information reliable?"
"Reliable." Odis believed that Miss Sharon had no reason to deceive the "mysterious queen."
Max sighed: "The trail has gone cold."
"Don't rush," Odis said with a smile, sitting opposite Max. "We can also start with the motivation."
"This is very likely a wild Beyonder who has a grudge against the 'Rose School,' or even an Beyonder who has a grudge against that 'werewolf.' Knowing that he is no match for him, he used this method to inform the official Beyonders about the 'werewolf.'"
Max nodded slowly and said, "I will continue to investigate the area around the 'werewolf's' residence and continue to investigate the man named Bernie to see if we can find any new clues."
He then said, "Have you ever considered that they might also be targeting you?"
"I have indeed thought about that," Odis said. "But… but I am an informant for 'The Mechanical Heart.' Besides this room full of herbs, I don't have anything of value. There's no reason for them to test me in such a cautious way."
Max thought it made sense. After a moment of silence, Max said, "We should both keep an eye out for clues about this case."
Based on Max's experience, someone named Bernie might never be found again.
Fortunately, this case has already eliminated a member of the "Rose School," so if it's closed like this, no one will say anything.
After discussing the case, Odis added, "Help me investigate someone; he's an underling of Darnessy from MI9."
As he spoke, he took out a portrait of a man in his thirties with short hair and a prominent Adam's apple, as if an egg was stuck in his throat.
When Odis was negotiating with Danesi before, he noticed that his subordinate's gaze was a bit strange. However, Odis knew that it would be dangerous to investigate the people from MI9, so he decided to ask a member of "Mechanical Heart" to check the files under some pretext.
Not a single mistake, not a single poem, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single look!
Max asked, "Why are you investigating him?"
"There was no specific reason, but I just felt that something was wrong with him."
Max nodded: "I'll help you look into it, but we need a catalyst."
"Yes, I know."
The two chatted for a while longer before Max took his leave.
As soon as Odis sat down, Simon, unsurprisingly, arrived.
The matter we're discussing today involves some confidential information, so the two of them will talk directly in the lounge in the backyard.
Simon, who had a fierce look on his face, smiled with a hint of flattery and said, "Your plan is really meticulous and perfect. I was worried about offending the 3N Party just two days ago, but today I realized that you must have deliberately provoked them."
Odis smiled slightly, offering no comment on Simon's speculation.
Simon seemed to feel greatly encouraged, and he continued, "I should have thought of that. If you can find out my background, you can certainly find out the background of the 3N Party as well."
"You must have known that the 3N Party has a rule that whoever can kill their leader can become their new leader, so you provoked them and made me reveal the address of the South Bridge District, where you set up an ambush and killed one of the 3N Party leaders."
Simon chuckled and said, "I've been hiding since last night. The police haven't been able to find me, let alone you."
"However, I still went to the fighting arena on King's Road to check if you had any matches this week, and the arena manager, Mr. Bishop, actually received me personally."
"He also told me that the police would be at the fighting arena on Sunday, and that he would vouch for me as long as I was willing to become the leader of the 3N Party, and that the police would never arrest me."
"However, you will have two matches that day, both in the evening, one around 7 p.m. and the other around 9 p.m.
"The first match is a pure fighting competition, and the second match is a completely no-rules competition. You can use any weapon, and even if you kill someone in it, you won't have to worry about being held responsible."
He exclaimed, "It wasn't until this moment that I realized your goal was to become the leader of the 3N Party!"
"Although I've heard that the 3N Party has a bad reputation, it can serve the nobles and get to know many high-ranking figures in Backlund."
"In a few years, you too will be a powerful figure in Backlund."
Odis maintained his smile and made no comment. Suddenly, he took out his wallet, counted out six 10-pound notes, and handed them to Simon: "You should hide for the next couple of days. By Sunday, you won't have to hide anymore."
"Thank you, Mr. Lelouch." Simon chuckled as he accepted the money. "Yes, yes, the police won't be investigating you on Sunday, so you won't have to hide anymore."
Odis suddenly said seriously, "At least half of this 60 pounds should go to your wife, so that they can no longer live as dependents."
"Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Lelouch. I will give her all 30 pounds, no, all 60 pounds." Simon laughed, "Once they become your subordinates, they will definitely earn a lot of money, and they won't have to live such a hard life anymore."
Odis simply nodded, exchanged a few more words, and then saw Simon to the door. Only after watching Simon get into the taxi and leave did he coldly laugh and say, "If I wanted to gain the favor of nobles, would I need to go through all this trouble?"
After saying that, he winked at another horse-drawn carriage on the street.
The taxi quickly followed. The driver and passengers were all Enoch's men. Odis had arranged for them to wait for the match in the morning.