[Flandre doesn't understand!]
It took half a day before Flandre Scarlet sent the message.
[Flandre doesn't need to understand]
Alina's words were as gentle as ever. Flandre Scarlet scratched her head; since Alina said she didn't need to understand, she wouldn't think about it further.
Over the next few days, Beatrice didn't suddenly pop up to hug her and spin her around, so she was happy to enjoy the peace, only needing to read books every day. Then there were the cleaning staff sent by Lady Fumizuki, who were a bit afraid of her at first. Now, they would greet her warmly while they were cleaning. Occasionally, when chatting, those aunties would say how well-behaved Flandre was, looking much less troublesome than the naughty little things in their own homes.
After all, every time they came, they almost always saw Flandre Scarlet sitting quietly on the sofa reading a book, or watching TV while hugging a doll. She never ran around or threw tantrums—unlike their own bratty kids, for whom the sofa seemed to be covered in needles, unable to sit still for even a second.
"What is little Flandre reading?" the auntie who had just finished cleaning asked casually before leaving.
"Me? The book I'm reading now is 'Originium Arts: Compendium of Evocation School Spells.' The compiler written on it is Fremont. The content is very detailed; to be able to dissect Originium Arts to this extent, he's a very impressive person!" Flandre Scarlet replied.
"I've heard of that book. It's something only those at Lungmen University who specialize in those spells and prepare for the Celestial Masters Mansion exam would study. Little Flandre, you can understand it?"
Clearly, it wasn't that the cleaning aunties were completely illiterate; for instance, one of them had heard of the famous book in Flandre's hand. Seeing that Flandre really could understand the book, they praised her for a good while before leaving.
Flandre Scarlet focused her attention back on the book. Speaking of Evocation spells, Flandre Scarlet felt she was quite adept at them. For example, the Laevateinn she used was actually a combination spell of Evocation and Enchantment. And most of the Danmaku in Gensokyo's Danmaku battles was also an application of Evocation spells.
She had only become curious about the book in her hand after seeing the author. After all, this was a book personally compiled by the current Lord of the Liches; from it, one could see the level of magic in this world. After finishing it, she felt that if Patchy (Patchouli) saw this book, she would definitely be unable to put it down. After all, Earth was in an era of technology, and not many people studied magic anymore. Terra was different; for instance, the Sarkaz's research into incantations had never ceased.
The Liches, a race with a vast store of knowledge, were even more tireless in their research into the application of various witchcraft, incantations, and Originium Arts. So this 1090 edition of the book, while perhaps not the latest, contained many ideas and proofs that people on Earth could never imagine. She decided to keep the book safe and give it to Patchy the next time they met.
Shortly after those people left, someone knocked on the front door. Flandre Scarlet was a bit curious. After all, both Beatrice Swire and Chen Huijie had keys to her home, and the cleaners had just left. Who would come at this time? Could it be Hoshiguma?
Unfortunately, after opening the door, what she saw wasn't the tall green-haired Oni, but a white-haired ninja.
"Good afternoon, Miss Flandre Scarlet. Lady Fumizuki requests your presence." The other party handed over an invitation.
Flandre Scarlet looked at it; it was an invitation to an afternoon tea party in the back garden of the Governor's Mansion. Flandre Scarlet nodded and followed the other party into the car heading for the Governor's Mansion.
Under Shirayuki's lead, the two entered the back garden of the Governor's Mansion from the rear courtyard. Upon entering, she found three others besides Lady Fumizuki. Two were Chen Huijie and Beatrice Swire, while the other was a lady-like rat spirit... This reminded Flandre Scarlet of a certain treasure-hunting mouse, Nazrin. According to her memory, the person was named Lin Yuxia, the daughter of the Rat King and a key figure in the Lungmen underworld.
At the moment, the two people she was familiar with were locking horns. Only after seeing Flandre Scarlet enter did the two huff at each other and turn their heads away.
"Is this that little Blood Demon child?" It was Lin Yuxia who spoke, curiously sizing up the young girl. She was very clear on the other party's intelligence. She also understood very well what kind of destructive power this girl possessed. After all, if one truly treated someone who could scare dozens into killing each other as just a child, they would only die a miserable death.
"Hello, Big Sister. My name is Flandre Scarlet, you can call me Flandre!" Flandre Scarlet looked at Lin Yuxia and performed a lady's curtsy.
"You even have to learn this kind of etiquette?" Lin Yuxia stood up and returned a Yan fist-and-palm salute before asking curiously.
"Because Big Sister said Flandre must be a well-bred and polite good sister! Flandre cannot let Big Sister lose face!" Flandre Scarlet tilted her little head up, very proud.
Lin Yuxia nodded, thinking to herself, [So this little one comes from a family with deep heritage, a Blood Demon family that has existed for a long time but has no connection to the Royal Court?] However, her expression didn't change. Instead, she pointed to the empty seat next to her with a smile.
"Splendid. Come and sit! Hey, are you two not going to continue locking horns?"
After inviting Flandre Scarlet to sit, she turned to look at the other two. At this time, Beatrice sat down next to Flandre Scarlet, rubbing her forehead.
"You're the same as always, nothing but muscles in that head of yours. I told you, before I came back, I called home saying I wanted to buy property over there. It's just that the family saw the timing was right and took it upon themselves to buy a bit more. What's the use of blaming me for this?" Little Tiger expressed that she was being wronged.
But Chen Huijie was stubborn; no matter how she explained, Ch'en simply wouldn't believe her. Having no choice, she had run to Lady Fumizuki for help, which led to this unique afternoon tea.
"I've heard about this as well," Lady Fumizuki spoke. "Although the Swire Family is indeed suspected of taking advantage of the situation, Beatrice's contact with the family was two days before the incident. Besides, you should also know about the house purchase, Flandre Scarlet!"
Flandre Scarlet nodded. "That's right! Because Flandre liked it there, Big Sister Beatrice said she'd buy a courtyard so we can go play anytime."
"See, see!" Hearing Flandre's words, Swire looked at Chen Huijie triumphantly. Chen Huijie turned her head away, refusing to talk to her.
"However," Lady Fumizuki continued, "what the Swire Family did was a bit unscrupulous. So the Governor and I have considered a preliminary idea. Since the family has paid for the land, we can't make them give it back, but you must take care of the people in that small town. As for the price, we will send experts to re-evaluate it. You cannot buy houses at the price you used before. If that price is exposed, it will have a huge negative impact on the family and on Lungmen. Of course, if your family can't swallow it all in one go, Lungmen can provide a sum of money..."
Lady Fumizuki showed her fangs. Beatrice was no fool; she realized Lungmen was coming to "pick the fruit."
"Wait, one-third, no more!" Beatrice relented, knowing she had to give something up.
"Of course, your grandfather has already sent over the cooperation agreement," Lady Fumizuki beckoned. Shirayuki came out with a document. Beatrice flipped through it; the portion she had to give up was exactly one-third. Her grandfather had her completely figured out.
"Everything's already settled, why did you have to go through all this trouble..." Little Tiger signed her name reluctantly.
"You shouldn't say that. Your grandfather values you very much," Lady Fumizuki clapped her hands, and exquisite pastries were brought out.
What was placed before Flandre Scarlet was a cup of specially made black tea and a small cake made from a mixture of clotted blood and cream. These were things Flandre had described when chatting with Beatrice about the Scarlet Devil Mansion. Lady Fumizuki had carefully prepared this "Flandre Exclusive" imitation food.
Flandre Scarlet took a taste. The black tea mixed with fresh blood was sweet and enticing, and the small cake made her appetite soar. She was full of praise, saying it was the most delicious meal she had eaten since leaving home.