Chapter 84: A Trail of Pigeons and Lingering Questions

After the incident at the Lord’s Manor, the situation in Karna City might undergo some changes. However, Xiluo’er paid no mind to this. She was solely focused on finding Irene.

With the missing persons case now closed, Xiluo’er felt that Irene had, by all accounts, provided significant assistance. Thus, upon her return from the Lord’s Manor, Xiluo’er’s first thought was to inform Irene of the truth and outcome of the case.

Irene had already discussed Serol’s matter with Xiluo’er.

To her surprise, Xiluo’er had never imagined that the true storyline behind Karna City’s game prologue would unfold in such a manner. It was quite… lamentable, she mused.

The image of Serol, propped against the headboard, conversing with her during their previous encounter in the hospital room, remained vivid in Xiluo’er’s memory.

Xiluo’er wondered how Irene would react if she were to learn this truth.

However, the answer to that question remained elusive for now. Xiluo’er had spent an entire day traversing Karna City, yet Irene was nowhere to be found.

Irene had a limited number of usual haunts within Karna City. Xiluo’er doubted she could have missed her.

Given that she had searched all day without catching a glimpse of Irene, there was perhaps only one possible explanation.

‘Could Irene have already left Karna City?’

Xiluo’er furrowed her brow.

‘Why did she leave? Had her mission in Karna City been completed?’

Moreover, Xiluo’er felt that, given Irene’s personality, she would have at least informed her if she intended to depart.

But now…

The questions previously set aside due to the missing persons case resurfaced in Xiluo’er’s mind.

There was something amiss about Irene’s involvement in the investigation.

Whether it was the high-tier scroll Irene produced, her overly enthusiastic assistance, or her sudden disappearance, something felt off.

Previously, Xiluo’er had been too occupied with investigating the missing persons case and dealing with Rona to ponder these matters. Now, with everything settled, she reconsidered. Irene’s help might not have been as straightforward as it seemed.

What did Irene seek to gain from her involvement in the missing persons case?

Xiluo’er couldn’t fathom it, but she decided not to dwell on it further.

‘Never mind,’ she thought. ‘I’ll surely run into Irene again eventually.’

According to the plot’s progression, the sisters Eve and Irene would meet quite often in later storylines. Although they would ultimately become sworn enemies, and Irene’s fate in the original plot was rather tragic…

‘I’ll find a way to ask her when we meet again.’

Giving up on her search for Irene, Xiluo’er changed out of her “Cat Tail” attire and back into her “Xiluo’er” clothes.

****

Upon entering the Adventurers’ Guild, Xiluo’er immediately spotted Eve sitting at the front desk.

“Xiluo’er, why are you returning so late? Where did you go today?”

“Ah, I just wandered around outside,” Xiluo’er replied casually. She didn’t bother to concoct her usual excuse about “going out to meet a friend”—the one she used to tell Irene.

For some inexplicable reason, Xiluo’er had a feeling that if she said that, Eve would definitely get angry. So, she decided against it.

“It’s alright, Xiluo’er, I’m sure I can help you find a way to resolve the poisoning.”

Evidently, Eve assumed Xiluo’er had gone out to clear her head because she was upset about the poison.

Eve wiggled her arm at Xiluo’er. Perched elegantly on her arm was a white pigeon.

“Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I can ask for you right now.”

For some reason, as Xiluo’er looked at the white pigeon, her assassin’s intuition gave her a distinct feeling: this pigeon was eerily lifelike.

One wouldn’t normally describe a living creature as “eerily lifelike.” Xiluo’er’s thought stemmed from the unsettling sensation that this white pigeon was, in fact, inanimate.

“Hmm, thank you, Big Sister Eve…”

After one last glance at the white pigeon, Xiluo’er scurried upstairs to her room.

As she ascended, the white pigeon tilted its head, its pure black eyes seemingly scrutinizing her as it followed her movements.

Eve extended her hand and retrieved something tied to the pigeon’s leg. Immediately afterward, as if its mission was complete, the pigeon flapped its wings and flew directly out of the guild.

Eve paid it no mind. Instead, she took the retrieved item and returned to her own room.

Once inside, Eve uncharacteristically locked her door and checked that the windows were securely shut. Then, she placed the gem she held on the table directly facing her bed.

“Must you make speaking so complicated? Don’t you find it bothersome?” Eve suddenly spoke, as if to herself, addressing the gem on the table.

However, after a moment’s wait, a voice did indeed emerge, answering her question.

“It’s safer this way, isn’t it? There’s nothing wrong with keeping a low profile, Eve?”

The gem on the table emitted a faint, warm glow, and a slightly deep, mature female voice emanated from within. The voice sounded very mature, as if the speaker on the other end was an older, alluring woman—and one who, by the sound of her, was quite voluptuous.

If one were to ask about the extent of that voluptuousness, Eve knew precisely how ample this woman was. After all, this person had often used that very topic to tease her in the past, even when Eve was still young. This woman’s personality was simply that wicked.

“But I’m currently at the Adventurers’ Guild branch, and you’re the Guild Master. What’s the point of being so secretive?”

The person conversing with Eve at this moment was none other than the Guild Master of the vast Adventurers’ Guild. After losing her family during the civil war in Versati Kingdom when she was a child, Eve had been casually picked up by this idle woman.

From the perspective of ‘being taken in,’ the Guild Master should, for Eve, have been a mother-like figure. However, Eve refused this title, primarily because if such a person’s behavior could be called maternal, it would truly be an insult to the word.

Eve felt the Guild Master was more like an older sister—the kind who would order her around, use both tough love and cunning charm to swindle her allowance, and occasionally treat her to fun outings when in a good mood. A true older sister.

Eve even suspected that her stoic personality was largely influenced by this woman. After all, if she maintained a poker face, the Guild Master’s enthusiasm for teasing her would significantly wane.

“Fine, if you think it’s about keeping a low profile, then it’s about keeping a low profile.”

Eve didn’t say much. She knew that this idle Guild Master, who spent most of her time in her “pigeon coop,” probably just wanted an excuse to take her new pigeon for a stroll. In such a situation, what could she say besides “You’re right” or “If you think so, then it is so”?

Of course, she chose to comply.

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