While he not affected by the silence, Ulrich wasn’t sure Anna felt the same. However, looking at her expression, there wasn’t a trace of discomfort in either her gazes nor body language. For a moment, he’d felt like she was just like him, a more reserved person. Admittedly, in terms of eating speed, there was a clear difference as she barely finished a quarter of her meat, while he’d gone past half.

  “About that purification…” He swallowed the food before speaking his mind. “Do you need a face-to-face meeting?”

  “No. It’s best if I don’t meet this person directly.”

  “Why not?” He blurted.

  “Why would I need to meet that friend of yours? I don’t know them, and I do not need to talk to them directly to perform a thorough purification…” She spoke blankly, finding his inquiry rather amusing.

  Anna was right on that front. Yet, for some reason, the seer can’t help but feel a strange sense of hesitation in her voice, as though she was unwilling to meet a friend of his. Curious as he was, he didn’t dare to push his thoughts too hard.

  Either way, Anna didn’t care much about his assessment and requested Selena’s address, routine, and any peculiarity worth noting. To this, Ulrich gladly provided the necessary information on a white slip of paper.

  Being a Watchman had its perks, and one of them was the fact that stalking could be written off as ‘on-field’ duty; a Seer was actually quite good in this department. If he wanted, he could probably stalk a target in his sleep, or through other means of scrying without ever being in proximity to the target.

  “That's… quick.” Anna blinked, delirious at his swift speed.

  “Of course! Don’t you know, I’m currently employee of the month?” He said with a wide grin, recalling Rosaline and Captain Ottis’s praise.

  Once again, Anna blinked with a soft chuckle, amused by the young man’s strange sense of pride and accomplishment. That lasted for just a brief moment, and Ulrich felt extremely smug, having made Anna Castella smile. From his impression of the young lady, she was rather stoic and almost mechanical, like that certain receptionist lady in Helgan’s Keep, Lady Fia.

  Anyways, having arranged the matter with Selena, Ulrich proceeded to fulfill his side of the bargain. Immediately, Anna Castella leaned forward, her attention focused on his every word.

  He began his recount: starting from his first descent to the shadow realm, entering Margrave, meeting Silas, and their journey to Helgan's Keep, as well as their departure.

  To be honest, except for a few dangerous encounters, most being handled by Silas, he didn't have much to say. Admittedly, the priest was extremely preachy, being overly talkative throughout their journey, but it was a small price to pay. Rather deal with an annoying priest than be hacked to death by a horde of skeletons, mauled by beasts, or have his mind shattered by an esoteric monster.

  As time passed, and as Ulrich recounted without pause, her gaze intensified, shifting between confusion, amazement, and relief. Looking at it, the connection between Silas and Anna cannot be just mere friends, though he didn't dare inquire. That was beyond his pay-grade and business.

  In the end, Anna nodded, expressing her satisfaction.

  "Thank you," She said, twirling the piece of meat on her plate with the fork.

  Miss, don't play with your food!

  Besides Selena’s ordeal, there was another matter he wished to inquire about, one which will involve his plans. And he could only feel at ease in bringing up the matter if the other person was affable, especially someone of greater status. Hence why, Ulrich fulfilled his end of the bargain before choosing the time to mention it.

  “Say, are you planning to stay in Belham for a long time?” Asked Ulrich, his voice casual, like someone trying to find a topic amidst the silence.

  This time, she stopped cutting the meat and wiped her mouth, then looked up at Ulrich with a knowing smile. “Why, you want to treat me to another meal?

  “No, I wouldn't dare." He shuddered, fearing for his wallet. Just this one meal already ached his heart, but it was worth it if it meant earning Anna's rapport. Ulrich was neither rich nor poor, and he wished to save up as much as possible, especially regarding his plans with the rank 2 Rune of Shadow.

  “I will be leaving Belham soon.” She said absentmindedly as her gaze lingered on the reflection of the juice on her plate. In it was her own reflection: black hair and eyes, with a pale face that resembled the white moon.

  “Why? Were you hunting the Twilight Order members? And now that they’re gone, there’s no reason to stay?”

  Stolen novel; please report.

  She shook her head, much to his disappointment. Was there another reason that she passed through Belham, one he was unaware of?

  “The Twilight Order, annoying as they are, was never my target. If I encounter them, then I’ll burn them alive. But if not, I won’t go out of my way to hunt them. I’ve been searching for…” She paused, though Ulrich could guess the meaning of her words immediately, “Another member of ours in the surface world. The traces supposedly lead to the Scattered Fog Sea, but it seems like they have since returned to the Shadow Realm.”

  “So I plan to return to the Shadow Realm again, searching for that person.”

  Silas? That name echoed in his heart, though he didn’t mention it, seeing as she did not voluntarily say it.

  In that moment, the silence came. Ulrich hesitated for a minute or two before speaking again.

  “I plan to visit the Shadow Realm soon.” He said slowly, gauging her facial expression. Much to his disappointment, her face was blank: like a mechanical doll, and despite his enhanced observation as a seer, many of her thoughts were obscured from his scrutiny.

  Anna didn’t say anything, nodding her head slightly.

  “There’s a ruin, and it’s not too dangerous. I have nearly entered the inner gate.”

  As he spoke, she listened.

  “From my research and understanding, it once belonged to a powerful Rank 5 Shadowmancer, a Lord of some castle.” Finally, her body shifted, as though to find a comfortable position before urging him to continue.

  “Go on…”

  Seeing that he’d gotten her interest, Ulrich's confidence grew as he recounted his encounter with Knight Henrik, the danger within the Keep, as well as the East Tower of Lord William's quarter.

  By the time he finished, her demeanor changed, and her interest was evidently stirred.

  “You say it’s near Helgan’s Keep?”

  “Yes. Under a day of travel distance, using the Shadow Realm’s relative time.”

  She gave it a thought while chewing on the last piece of meat, then looked at him with amusement. “You brought it up because you want my help?”

  “Honestly, I do need your help.” He said dryly without hiding his intention.

  The danger within Cadry Ruin cannot be underestimated, and personally, he didn’t dare to venture inside alone; not after his perilous encounter with the Great Fallen Knight.

  If Anna wasn’t willing to provide a hand, he’d probably follow Ma’am Felanor's advice and expose his talents to Rosaline, seeing if the latter is willing to help him. On that part, he was a little hesitant and uncertain. Why was Ma’am Felanor so certain that Rosaline would help him on the basis of his so-called ‘talent’? The seer didn't know, not until he tried it firsthand.

  "I'm interested. But you will have to wait."

  Much to his surprise, Anna agreed, expressing her willingness to assist Ulrich in exploring the ruin. However, her current location in the shadow realm was rather far from Helgan’s Keep. Even at her fastest speed, it would take a day or two. That was perfect. Ulrich wished to prepare himself using that time, as well as focus his attention on other matters.

  At the same time, Ulrich had brought up the fact that he might recruit another friend to the expedition; to this, Anna agreed without giving it much thought.

  “Thank you,” Ulrich said with earnest gratitude.

  “It’s a deal. I benefit from this just as much as you need my help.”

  …

  After concluding their meal and supposed 'dinner date', Ulrich made his way home, awaiting news of Anna's purification result. She had agreed to inform him of the result soon, possibly tonight or early morning, as Selena was most likely asleep tonight. This was possibly one of the best pieces of news he'd heard of recently.

  Although, she did not exactly specify how she would inform him, that was rather concerning... On that, he was rather curious. Would Anna appear in his living room, talking to him? Or leave him a letter that burns to ashes after he reads it? The possibilities made him expectant of the news.

  As he entered the terrace house, taking off his hat and coat, Ulrich held back his other thoughts and made his way to the soft sofa in the living room. The coat and hat conveniently hung on the hanger by the hallway, just before the living room.

  Honestly, he wanted to descend to the Shadow Realm as soon as possible now that he'd gained Anna's assistance, explore the East Tower of Cadry Ruin, obtain the mentioned formulas of the Rune of Shadow, and advance to rank 2 as soon as possible.

  However, he couldn't do that, he couldn't leave Belham, not until he was certain that Selena had no issues; for himself and for the Ministry. When it comes to the Twilight Order, the seer had experienced plenty of their shrewdness. He wouldn't let the event of Lewis Smith repeat, not again—which was strange.

  After the encirclement of Terry Mondie, all of the Twilight Order heretics seemingly disappeared, on the run perhaps, or hidden underground. The Ministry, having learned about the involvement of the Bishop, expanded all their manpower across Belham, searching for every single trace of the heretics. Yet their effort fell short, coming up with nothing. At the very least, it seems that Captain Ottis and Rosaline's clashes with Terry Mondie drove the heretics back to their hiding hole.

  So for now, there was a brief moment of peace. And all the more he wanted to explore the shadow realm, get the formulas, and advance to rank 2 as soon as possible!

  Who knows how long it will last? And when those heretics will strike again?

  Be patient… Let's pray nothing is wrong with Selena. Then, I will descend to the shadow realm.

  With that in mind, he relaxed his body, letting it cave into the sofa, preparing to enter his dream. Gradually, the minty scent filled his nose, easing his nerves and mind.

  It didn't take much for the habitual sleeper to welcome the darkness before greeting a brightly lit sky. The sound of cars honking came, followed by hurried steps and polluted air; it was all too familiar.

  Ulrich stood from the bench, raising his hand to press on his hat, only to realize that there was no hat.

  A bit embarrassed, he quickly made his way to the outskirts of the city, searching for the old man who was destined to die in accordance with the supposed history.