After standing outside for about half a minute, Odis finally stepped into Gard's herbal shop.
There were no customers in the herbal medicine shop at the time, only the former shop assistant, Kena, was carefully sorting the herbs. When the doorbell rang, someone entered.
He immediately turned around, smiled, and asked, "Sir, may I ask you...?"
Kaina had already recognized Odis in disguise, but he tried to hide his joy and continued, "...What would you like to order?"
"I want a batch of petals from the Deep Sleep Flower," Odis said with a smile.
Kaina nodded in a mocking manner: "There happens to be a batch here, in the warehouse at the back. Please follow me, I'll take you to see it."
As he spoke, he casually asked his sister to watch the store at the front desk before leading Odis to the lounge next to the warehouse.
Upon entering, a sense of familiarity washes over you. The lab bench is filled with beakers, graduated cylinders, and various glass bottles, but it has clearly been organized and is no longer as messy as before.
The armchair, desk, and small bed for resting are all still there, and they are basically kept as they were.
Odis walked around the room, and after confirming that there were no unusual means of eavesdropping, he breathed a sigh of relief: "This is the most home-like place I've ever been."
He then smiled slightly and looked at Kaina: "How have you been lately?"
"Business is doing quite well," Kayner said. "Your share has already been deposited for over two hundred pounds."
Odis smiled and said, "I'm asking how you are?"
Kaina scratched his head: "It's pretty good too."
He then said, "Our income has increased a lot, and our family has moved to a bigger house. We can also buy some meat and white bread to eat every week."
The two orders Odis gave to Kaina for carving "extraordinary puppet" parts alone amounted to several months' worth of his income. However, since this money was not a fixed income, he did not squander it.
Odis then asked, "Would you like to come with me to the sea?"
He smiled and said, "What I really need is someone I can trust to manage my money."
Although Odis trusted Mandy a lot, he was also very clear that no matter how much he trusted someone, he couldn't entrust everything to that person.
He still intends to stick to his original approach: he cannot give Mandy the authority over finance and personnel.
Kaina hesitated for a moment before saying, "I... I don't know how to file taxes."
"No need to file taxes." Odis was somewhat amused and exasperated. Pirates had to file taxes? Was there no law anymore?
He paused for a moment and said, "The specific tasks are handled by others. Your main role is to help me review where money is needed."
"Whenever I need money, you can just give me a rough estimate."
Currently, Odis mainly uses the new "extraordinary puppets" to keep accounts. They do not falsify accounts, but their way of handling problems is too rigid, which has led to many jokes and caused a lot of trouble.
Odis desperately needed someone who could make flexible decisions at any time.
For such a person, professional competence is secondary; the main requirement is that they be deeply trusted by Odis.
Kaina answered almost without hesitation: "Okay, I'll go with you."
He smiled and said, "My sister can run her own herbal medicine shop now. At most, I'll find her an assistant."
Odis smiled and reminded them, "Nothing on the high seas is as prosperous as Backlund."
Actually, Cruz Island was already quite convenient at this point, with housing, shops, and restaurants, but these were just places to maintain daily life. Unlike Backlund, which had such a diverse range of goods.
Kayner said, "I am willing to continue to serve as your subordinate."
Odis smiled and said, "I'll come pick you up in a week or two. In the meantime, make sure you have a job at the herbal shop."
Kaina nodded: "Okay."
After a brief chat, Odis took his leave.
After that, Odis had nothing urgent to do, so he went to the mall to buy groceries and meat. When he returned to Hilton Avenue, he no longer used the word "travel" but took a horse-drawn carriage back, taking the opportunity to look around the streets of Backlund.
Back at 99 Hilton Avenue, Bernadette sent an "invisible servant" to help Odice in the kitchen. Not knowing how to help, she just stood at the kitchen door and chatted with Odice.
That evening, Bernadette took a satisfied bite of chicken and asked, "How did you come up with the idea of preparing the chicken this way?"
She ate mostly roasted and fried chicken, and occasionally stewed chicken, but only at Odis's place could she get chicken that was first boiled and then stir-fried.
"I just thought it would taste better this way, so I gave it a try," Odis said vaguely.
At the same time, he thought to himself: The people of the mysterious world have it pretty tough. Even Princess Intis, who was once a princess, had never eaten home-style dishes like stir-fried chicken and braised pork ribs.
Then Odis changed the subject: "What did you do during your time in Backlund?"
He noticed that Bernadette seemed quite free; she hadn't left the house all day.
"I read magazines and drink coffee," Bernadette said casually. "Occasionally I'll also read novels or newspapers."
Odis paused for a moment: "I thought you came to Backlund on something very important."
"There is indeed something very important," Bernadette said, "but that matter will have to wait."
"I need to find something to kill time before the right opportunity comes along."
Odis thought for a moment and said, "That makes sense. After all, you are the 'Mysterious Queen,' and you shouldn't go out unless it's something important."
"If you spend all your free time strolling around the streets, then you're a 'shopping queen'."
Bernadette glanced at Odis: "Why do I hear a hint of sarcasm in your voice?"
"I think that waiting while reading a magazine is waiting, and waiting while going out for a walk is also waiting," Odis said. "Why not go out and walk in a crowded place?"
He had thought before that communicating more with ordinary people would probably help strengthen humanity.
Bernadette shook her head and said, "Our approach requires us to maintain a sense of mystery at all times. In my opinion, not showing too much of ourselves is usually enough to keep us mysterious."
Odis smiled and said, "I had forgotten about that. It's right to try not to go out."
"How about we visit the Kingdom of Rune Museum tomorrow?"
Bernadette paused for a moment, thinking she had already heard it, before realizing that Odis was joking with her. She put down her knife and fork: "Didn't I make myself clear?"
"I've explained it clearly."
"Then why bother going to a museum?"
"Didn't you say you wouldn't show your face too often?" Odis said seriously, "But it's not like you won't show your face at all."
Bernadette was both amused and exasperated. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Alright then, let's go to the museum tomorrow."
Actually, she had already been there once and felt there was nothing to see.
Odis took a sip of wine, leaned back in his chair and said, "But I don't need to go too early tomorrow. I haven't slept in late in a long time. I'll sleep in a little longer tomorrow."
Bernadette hummed in agreement: "As long as I don't sleep until 5 p.m., it's fine."
The museum closes at 5 p.m.
Odis chuckled: "If I sleep that late, wouldn't you have to check on me to see if I'm in any danger?"
"Let's see," Bernadette said. "Of course we'll see. Let's see how late you can sleep."
The two smiled at each other again, and Odis suddenly realized that the woman, who was usually quite serious and aloof, was exceptionally humorous when she told jokes.
They talked and chatted for more than two hours over the course of the meal.
After finishing their meal, they drank tea for a while before returning to their rooms to rest.
After changing into his pajamas, Odis lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling in the darkness. Having suddenly come from a battle at the level of angels to the peaceful life in Backlund, he felt a little out of place.
This made him realize that his life was still moving too fast.
The next day, Odis slept until after nine in the morning, stretched comfortably, and went to the bathroom to wash up.
As soon as he stepped outside, he saw that Bernadette was already wearing a light blue dress and a pair of delicate earrings, and was sitting in the small living room on the second floor, clearly ready.
She didn't need any makeup at all; her exquisite features and superb temperament amazed Odis, who was momentarily stunned.
"What was that sudden pause you were in? Bernadette frowned slightly. "It's as if I sitting here startled you."
"I was just momentarily dazed," Odis smiled. "I thought it was the saint described in the scriptures descending upon us."
Bernadette smiled with satisfaction: "Hurry up, I've been waiting for over half an hour!"
"Okay." Odis quickly entered the washroom.
A minute later, the two of them had come downstairs to the living room.
Bernadette couldn't help but say, "You...you didn't need to be so quick. Did you brush your teeth properly? Did you carefully choose your clothes?"
"Brushing your teeth can be done quickly or slowly," Odis said as she put on her trench coat. "I only have two outfits, so choosing one isn't difficult."
Bernadette thought for a moment about her wardrobe, said nothing, and went out to the street with Odis. They hailed a horse-drawn carriage and headed to the Kingdom of Rune Museum.
Once inside the carriage, Bernadette asked, somewhat puzzled, "Why are we going by carriage?"
Bernadette has many ways to get to the museum in a second or two, and can even sneak in without paying. Odis can also get there quickly by "traveling".
"Sometimes I think that while our extraordinary abilities have given us great convenience, they have also made our lives much faster-paced," Odis said. "Today we finally have nothing else to do, so let's relive the feeling of slowing down."
Bernadette nodded, said nothing more, and simply turned to look out the car window.
Today is a weekday, and there aren't many people on the streets. Even the beggars' "business" isn't doing very well.
The two of them arrived at the museum at a leisurely pace, where the crowd had increased.
As they lined up to enter, the two quickly became the center of attention because Bernadette's attire was very different from that of women in Backlund.
Her dress was simple yet beautiful, while the dresses worn by women in Backlund were generally more formal and conservative.
To use Odis's inner words: Bernadette's attire is more fashionable.
However, in the conservative Kingdom of Loen, Bernadette's attire is considered somewhat unconventional.
Odis whispered to Bernadette, "Didn't you say you wanted to maintain an air of mystery? How can you maintain that mystery when you're attracting so much attention?"
Bernadette glanced at the murmuring crowd around her, her unique heroic spirit evident in her brows, and the people around her immediately looked away and stopped discussing it.
At this moment, Bernadette looked at Odis and said, "I told you we should reduce the number of times we come out."
Then she asked, "When we set off together, didn't you notice that my clothes were a little different from Backlund's style?"
Odis was taken aback; he hadn't noticed it at all.
It wasn't that they weren't paying attention, but rather that Bernadette's attire matched Odis's aesthetic, or more precisely, it matched the aesthetic of her pre-time travel period.
So Odis didn't feel anything was wrong at all, and even thought it looked quite comfortable. It wasn't until he got into the crowd that he realized something was amiss.
Seeing that Bernadette was waiting for his reply, Odis said, "Perhaps I was too nervous at the time."
Why are you so nervous?
"I get nervous just thinking about going to a museum with you."
"What's there to be nervous about?"
"It's just…" Odis thought for a moment before saying, "It's just going out with my beautiful female boss…"
At this point, the two of them laughed together. Odis laughed as he said, "You probably don't know that feeling. You're afraid of being discovered by your other subordinates, and you always feel like you have to be open and aboveboard while secretly doing it, but it's also quite exciting."
Bernadette couldn't help but laugh, "You're overthinking it. What can happen if they see us?"
For some reason, she felt like laughing after hearing Odis's reasoning.
"I don't know how it is either," Odis laughed. "I just feel both excited and nervous."
"It's like... it's like you're afraid that if your subordinates find out, they'll rush up and grab me, making me hand over that high and mighty Queen to them."
Bernadette thought about it for a while and realized she didn't quite understand this mentality, but she just found the feeling quite amusing.
As they spoke, the two entered the museum. After passing through the ticket gate, they followed the others and listened to the guide's explanation.
After looking for a while, Odis stopped in front of a golden mask brought from a highland kingdom: "Something doesn't seem right."
Bernadette looked closely at the mask inside the glass case: "Is this a magical item?"
"That's not what I meant," Odis said. "Why are the museums in the Kingdom of Rune full of artifacts from the Rose Island and the Southern Continent?"
"Isn't this normal?" Bernadette said. "Both places are colonies of Rune."
Then she realized another problem: "You've never been to a museum before?"
"I've never been here before."
Bernadette found it somewhat unbelievable: "Aren't you quite knowledgeable? How come you didn't come here to take a look?"
Odis smiled and said, "It's no fun doing it yourself."
He glanced around and saw that most of the people there were couples or spouses, some even with children.
Only then did Odis realize: the Queen was unaware that the museum, the Square of Order, and the Grand Theatre of Backlund were the three most popular dating spots for couples.
Odis continued the previous topic: "I mean, why aren't there any artifacts from our own country?"
"Yes, it's on the second floor." Bernadette said without hesitation, "Let's go take a look."
Upon arriving on the second floor, Odis saw that the artifacts here were indeed from the Kingdom of Rune, but they were mostly battle flags and armor.
Listening to the guide's explanation, I learned that almost every exhibit was related to a war, which sounded quite meaningful.
But Odis shook his head: "How dare you bring these things in? They would be better placed in a military museum. It's pointless to put them in a national museum."
Bernadette was taken aback: "Then what do you think the National Museum should display?"
"First, there are the artifacts unearthed in our own country," Odis said. "They prove how long the country's history is. Then there are the works of art, and things that can represent the highest level of modern craftsmanship."
"By displaying these military flags, armor, and other artifacts from the colonies, aren't you just saying that these things were looted through war?"
Bernadette slowly nodded, then asked, "Is something wrong?"
Odis suddenly froze, then slapped his forehead: How could I have forgotten this? Roselle is a colonizer, and on this point our ideas are completely different.
Not a single mistake, not a single poem, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single look!
"Yes." Odis then smiled and said, "I was wrong."
Bernadette glanced at Odis, then asked in a low voice, "Do you have something on your mind again?"
"I suppose so," Odis said. "But I'll have to explain my specific thoughts to you later."
His main goal was to find an opportunity to test whether his approach of de-elitizing and reforming through a planned economy was feasible.
Bernadette did not ask any further questions: "The artworks and unearthed artifacts are all on the third floor."
So the three of them went up to the third floor. Odis felt that this was more like a national museum. The artworks were exquisite and the artifacts looked like they had a lot of history, especially the Quaternary artifacts that were unearthed, which were very characteristic of the era.
After visiting the museum, the two had lunch at a nearby restaurant called Intis, and then strolled around the Plaza de la Order.
The square of order doesn't need to maintain a solemn atmosphere; many people bring their children to play, so it's more lively than the museum.
Bernadette once again drew attention, and Odis even hoped that a few clueless gangsters would try to flirt with her so he could show off.
As a result, only people dared to peek, but no one dared to step forward.
Bernadette noticed Odis looking around and asked, "Why do you keep looking at those gang members with such a provocative gaze?"
"I mainly look at whether they are professional or not," Odis said.
If it were a professional gangster, seeing people dressed like Odis and Bernadette, no matter how much Odis provoked them, they wouldn't go looking for trouble.
But if they are not professional, they may very well give Odis a chance to shine.
To Odis's disappointment, they were all quite professional, knowing who to cause trouble for and who not to.
Bernadette said earnestly, "We are all wanted criminals, don't be so arrogant! Try not to attract attention."
Odis glanced at the "Mysterious Queen's" dress: "Then why are you dressed so conspicuously?"
Bernadette smiled slightly: "Even if they see me, they won't remember what I look like."
"You're different."
Odis twitched his lips: "Why didn't you say so earlier if you had such an ability!"
As he spoke, he lowered the brim of his hat, but for a moment he seemed even more suspicious.
The "Mysterious Queen" maintained her smile, because since the day she emerged, this ability had been surrounding her and Odis, so Odis's appearance would not be remembered by those who saw her.
As they left the Plaza des Orders, Bernadette was somewhat amused and exasperated: "Why do you still look so regretful?"
"Sigh," Odis sighed, "I was hoping to experience what it would feel like to rescue you from those villains, but those bastards wouldn't give me the chance!"
Bernadette chuckled twice: "Do I need you to save me!"
She was in a good mood today and invited Odis to dinner at the Grand Hotel in the Kingdom of Rune, which is said to be the best hotel in the world, grand and luxurious, with delicious food.
After dinner, the two strolled along the banks of the Tasok River.
They didn't get back to their place until after nine o'clock. The two chatted and laughed as they went upstairs. When they arrived at their respective room doors, they said goodnight to each other.
Odis placed her hand on the door handle, paused for a moment, then turned back: "Oh, right..."
He just happened to see that Bernadette had also turned around, as if she had something to say to him.
Bernadette looked at Odis: "Is there anything else?"
"I wanted to tell you that I might have to get up early tomorrow," Odis smiled. "Also, shouldn't good friends hug each other when saying goodnight?"
Bernadette smiled and said, "Dream on."
After saying that, she opened her own door and went inside first.
Odis scratched his head, then patted his forehead after entering his room: "Go wash up and go to bed."
After washing up, Odis changed into her pajamas, lay on the bed, and stared blankly at the ceiling.
Just as he closed his eyes to fall asleep, a soft hand suddenly covered his mouth. Odis was startled and opened his eyes to see Bernadette, dressed in an Intis-style knight's outfit, squatting by his bedside and whispering, "You can only speak softly."
After saying that, Bernadette released Odis's mouth, and Odis immediately realized: "An enemy?"
Bernadette nodded slightly and raised her hand slightly. A small scene appeared in front of them, showing a middle-aged man sitting on a sofa on the first floor.
Odis seemed to realize something: "You agreed to come out with me today, not just to lure the enemy out, right?"
"Having such an intention..." Bernadette, seeing that Odis was somewhat displeased, quickly changed her tune, "But I really had a lot of fun today."
Odis glanced at the scene before him and knew that it wasn't very dangerous, or rather, the situation wasn't too urgent. He then said earnestly, "You don't need to comfort me like that."
"What are you trying to comfort me about?"
"I have to say I had a great time today." Odis smiled helplessly. "No wonder the 'Mysterious Queen' had time to show me around Backlund."
"I'm telling the truth."
Odis sighed: "Well, it's the truth."
"I…" Bernadette looked at Odis lying on the bed, looking like she wanted to punch him. Her eyes turned cold, and she reached under the covers with one hand, found Odis's hand, and squeezed it hard.
Oddess immediately writhed in pain, and just as he was about to cry out, Bernadette covered his mouth with her other hand again.
The "mysterious queen" said, enunciating each word clearly, "I say, I am very happy today."
Odis quickly and vaguely replied, "I believe you, I believe you!"
Bernadette then released her grip, and Odis looked at her hand, which had been squeezed until it was red: "Is a demigod this strong?"
Bernadette laughed and said, "Not only is he strong, but he also hits exceptionally hard."
"Alright, alright." Odis swallowed, pointed to the middle-aged man sitting on the first floor in the image before her, and asked, "Who is that?"
"Cecil, a demigod of the 'Order of Morse'," Bernadette said. "He is one of the 'Ten Pillars' and a 'mystic scholar'."
"Recently I've noticed that the 'Morse Penitentiary' seems to be carrying out some activities in Backlund again. They noticed my investigation as soon as I started, so I wanted to lure them over here to see how much power they've mobilized."
As Odis stood up, he asked, "Is a Sequence 4 really this arrogant?"
Dare to sit in the living room of the "mysterious queen"?
Before Bernadette could say anything, Odis added, "This means they have more than one Sequence 4."
"I have a feeling that an angel has come to them," Bernadette said. "He's hiding in the shadows, waiting for me to make my move."
Odis was taken aback: "Would the Royal Family of Loen allow angels from other factions to enter Backlund?"
"They should be able to evacuate in a short time," Bernadette said.
As Odis took out his pouch and "Gus Staff," he tied the pouch over his pajamas and said, "If something like this happens again, just let me know in advance. At least I'll be prepared to run."
As he spoke, he stuffed his coat and other clothes into the "spatial magic circle".
Bernadette smiled and said, "I was going to remind you when we went in earlier."
Odis nodded: "So when you heard I was going to give you a hug, you got so nervous you forgot?"
"No," Bernadette said seriously, "I just want to see you make a fool of yourself."
Odis was at a loss for words for a moment. After a couple of seconds, he asked, "What are your plans?"
"I'll go downstairs in a bit," Bernadette said. "Once you're hidden in the shadows, they won't be able to find you, so take that opportunity to escape."
Odis was taken aback: "Are you sure you don't need to stay and help?"
Bernadette countered, "Do you want to deal with this 'mystical scholar,' or with any angels that might exist?"
Odis smiled helplessly: "I was hoping to show off in front of you, but I haven't had a good opportunity."
Bernadette smiled and waved her hand, saying, "No rush, I'll give you that opportunity in the future."
Odis then took out the Hermit Ring from the Spatial Magic Array and put it on: "Alright, I'm more professional at escaping."
Then he asked, "Where should we meet?"
"The Bay Bar." Bernadette was clearly prepared.
She cautioned, "Don't use 'teleport,' the other side's angels are most likely hiding in the spirit world."
Odis nodded: "Okay."
After the two of them were ready, Bernadette got up, opened the door, and left.
Odis then used the power of the "Hermit's Ring" to lure himself into the shadows, and because of the "favor of the night," even angels could not find him.
After quietly opening the window, Odis, taking advantage of the moonlight, slid down the wall to the ground in the shadows.
Just then, Odis noticed that in a corner not far away, a member of the "Middle Sequence" of the "Morse Penitentiary" was keeping watch.
...
99 Hilton Avenue.
The "mysterious queen" Bernadette strolled down from the upper floor of this small villa.
Sitting in the living room was Cecil, a demigod from the "Ascetic Order of Morse".
Bernadette said coldly, "I did not invite you in."
Cecil stood up and asked, "Have you said goodbye to your little lover?"
It's rather strange, because Cecil clearly saw through a certain sealed artifact that Bernadette entered the villa with a young man.
When he entered, he only sensed Bernadette, but not the man.
Cecil believed that Bernadette must have used extraordinary abilities to hide the other party.
But the more this is the case, the more it shows that the man is quite important to Bernadette.
Bernadette ignored the other person and asked instead, "Is it Toriopo? Or Leticia Austin?"
These are the names of two angels from the "Morse Penitentiary".
Cecil did not answer, but said, "If you don't sabotage our plans again, I can let you go."
Bernadette smiled and shook her head: "Are you going to try to summon an Outer God from Backlund again?"
Cecil still didn't answer, but said, "I'm warning you again, don't try to sabotage our plans."
Bernadette stared intently at the middle-aged man before her, and suddenly, she pulled a metallic mask from thin air and put it on her face.
In an instant, the entire living room was enveloped by a chilling aura, and all the furniture and decorations around it emitted a pale white light, as if the place had suddenly fallen into the underworld.
At the same time, a stream of information suddenly appeared in front of Bernadette, and the surrounding air and furniture immediately turned into scrolling streams of information.
These information flows quickly formed an information vortex that enveloped Bernadette.
If Bernadette were an ordinary saint, no matter how fast she escaped, a part of her body would definitely turn into information flow, thus suffering serious damage.
But she was no ordinary person. The mask she wore made her surroundings deathly still, and even the information vortex seemed to freeze.
Bernadette said coldly, "Then I'll give you a warning too!"
After saying this, her pupils turned white, and she swept her gaze across the two enemies in front of her with a look that seemed to freeze the air.
All the creatures that came into her sight, including microorganisms invisible to the naked eye, had lost their lives.
The angel from the "Morse Ascetic Order" immediately used a stream of information to shield his face, blocking the "Mysterious Queen's" view.
The demigod Cecil's spiritual awareness gave him an early warning, and he quickly fled outside. Bernadette's gaze only swept over his arm, which immediately withered and died.