Chapter 39: A Sweet Rendezvous and Hidden Agendas

“So,” Xiluo’er said, gesturing around their surroundings, “you absolutely had to meet here?”

They were currently in a dessert shop in Kana City, one whose treats were likely quite good—at least, Xiluo’er could infer as much from the sheer number of customers inside.

Xiluo’er was beginning to suspect that Irene was simply a glutton. Yet, if that were the case, why had Irene ordered so many desserts for her instead?

Observing the array of sweets before her, then glancing at the rather perfunctory small slice of cake in front of Irene, Xiluo’er blinked in confusion.

She was the one seeking a favor; it was already presumptuous not to treat Irene to desserts. Why was Irene treating her instead?

Such unprompted generosity often concealed ulterior motives!

As she watched Irene smiling brightly and gazing at her, Xiluo’er couldn’t help but feel a prickle of caution.

“Oh, it’s all the same wherever we meet, isn’t it? As long as it doesn’t affect the transaction, right, little Cat Tail?”

“As I mentioned last time, it’s called doing the opposite of what’s expected~”

Irene then pointed to the desserts on the table.

“Besides, since we’re here, it would look suspicious to sit in a dessert shop without ordering any cakes or anything, wouldn’t it? This is for camouflage.”

Though Xiluo’er conceded that Irene’s reasoning was sound, she would have preferred to meet in the black market.

Primarily, meeting in such a public place meant she had to wear normal clothes, foregoing her cloak and mask.

Truthfully, Xiluo’er wasn’t particularly eager to appear so openly before Irene.

Mainly, every time they met normally, Irene would stare at her face with a beaming smile, making Xiluo’er feel strangely uncomfortable.

Indeed, just like now.

Xiluo’er shifted her gaze uncomfortably, clearing her throat twice.

“Cough, cough. The items, did you bring them?”

“Mhm, they’re all ready.”

Even as they delved into serious matters, Irene’s gaze never left Xiluo’er.

“Here, what you asked for: the sap of the Fire-Jaw Tree and the powder of the Corrupt Glow Grass. I managed to get both.”

Irene picked up a small pouch from beside her and handed it to Xiluo’er.

“Mmm… I’m sorry. Once I have money, I’ll return what I owe you for these items,” Xiluo’er said with a sigh after confirming the contents of the pouch were correct.

That was it. The main reason she asked Irene for help acquiring these materials was that she, Xiluo’er, had no money.

Though she hated to admit it, Xiluo’er truly couldn’t find a better solution at the moment than relying on Irene’s assistance.

She certainly couldn’t discuss this with Eve. How could she explain why an ordinary girl needed to buy such magical materials?

This was also why Xiluo’er hadn’t refused Irene’s suggestion to meet at the dessert shop. After all, when you eat someone’s food, your mouth is short; when you take someone’s hand, your hand is soft.

Xiluo’er pondered internally. If all else failed, perhaps she could find a way to request some mission expenses next time she met Shadow? The Chaos Cult surely reimbursed mission costs, right? Even if the money she was spending now wasn’t for their objectives at all.

“Oh, no rush, no rush. What kind of relationship do we have, little Cat Tail?”

“So, little Cat Tail, what you just said about finding a secret passage and a basement in the Lord’s Mansion—is that true?”

As she spoke, the usual sweeping gaze Irene cast over Xiluo’er’s entire body uncharacteristically held a trace of seriousness.

Xiluo’er nodded. “Yes. After seeing that scene with the Tracing Magic last time, I found a way to investigate the Lord’s Mansion, and unexpectedly, I truly discovered something amiss.”

“I suspect that might be where Rona hid the people she kidnapped and brought to the Lord’s Mansion.”

“However, Rona must be on guard now. I no longer have a chance to investigate the Lord’s Mansion thoroughly.”

Turning her frustration into appetite, Xiluo’er heartily devoured a large spoonful of the pudding before her.

Seeing this, Irene pursed her lips in slight disappointment.

Alas, Xiluo’er’s acting was better than last time; at least, there was no expression on her face while eating the pudding.

Her eating speed, however, still betrayed a minor issue.

A basement, huh…

Irene narrowed her eyes.

“Oh my, I never expected the Lord’s Mansion to actually have such a place. How surprising.”

Despite her words, Irene’s actual demeanor showed little surprise.

Observing Irene, who had assisted her greatly in the missing persons case, Xiluo’er frowned.

“Speaking of which, Red Spider, how are your own missions in Kana City progressing?”

“I’m actually quite curious: what exactly are you working on that overlaps so much with the missing persons case I’m investigating?”

Irene waved her hand dismissively. “It’s a small matter, nothing major. I’ll finish it in a while.”

“However, little Cat Tail,” Irene’s tone became unusually serious, “I definitely can’t tell you the details of the mission.”

“You know the rules of the Shadow Kill Group, don’t you? Carelessly revealing mission information won’t end well.”

Irene made a throat-slitting gesture.

Xiluo’er didn’t press further. If Irene didn’t want to speak, so be it. She merely felt that Irene’s assistance with the missing persons case had already far exceeded what their relationship warranted.

Just then, a server approached, speaking softly beside Xiluo’er.

“Miss, someone outside wishes to see you.”

Xiluo’er blinked in confusion. Who could it be? Who would ask to see her in this place?

Could it be another attempt at flirting?

Xiluo’er recalled her first experience at a restaurant with Eve.

Nevertheless, to be safe, Xiluo’er decided to go out and meet the person.

“Shall I step out for a moment?”

“Mhm, go on, little Cat Tail.”

Watching the back of the girl, dressed in an elegant small dress, as she walked out, Irene rested one hand on her chin and tapped her fingers on the table with the other.

‘Hmm, still quite clever, little Cat Tail. To ask such a question, it seems she’s already realized something.’

****

“Huh? Sister Eve?”

She had expected another flirtatious encounter, but the person who appeared before her was Eve, clad in a mage’s robe.

The sharp-eyed Xiluo’er also noticed two other individuals, similarly dressed as adventurers, standing on a nearby street, presumably waiting for Eve.

It appeared Eve was either currently on a mission or about to embark on one. Why, then, was she here looking for Xiluo’er?

“I was originally heading out of the city for some missions today, but as I passed by, I happened to see you through the window, so I thought I’d stop and say hello.”

“Ah, I see…”

‘Hiss… Is that truly the case?’