"The bladders of mermen, elven dark leaves, and the dust of lake spirits."
While Old Parker was appraising the mystic materials, Lex asked him for the trading house's item records and began to read through them.
The trading house's goods were mostly the same as before, but Lex noticed a new item among them.
A magical item.
'Secrecy keeper: This item can protect your secrets. It can be activated manually, and it will also activate automatically when you are affected by a 'mind-reading' ability.
It will protect your secrets from being known, but every three uses, you will involuntarily reveal a secret from your heart to someone near you.'
'Price: 1500 pounds.'
"It's appraised."
Mr. Parker's flat tone drew Lex's attention away from the trading house's item records, and he heard the old man say: "Your items are too scattered. I suggest selling them as a package. The price would be around 125 pounds, what do you think?"
Lex put down the trading house's notebook and returned it to the old man: "I'll do as you say."
While Old Parker was registering these materials, Lex asked again: "Besides investigating the Sea Serpent Gang, are there any other commissions I can take?"
The old man looked up at him: "You certainly have a lot of time."
No, I'm just good at managing it. Lex quietly retorted in his heart.
Because of the Arbiter incident last night, the Sea Serpent Gang should reduce their activities and heighten their vigilance these days.
Even if he went back to the Dock Area, he probably wouldn't find out anything.
It would be better to take on other commissions; perhaps there would be an opportunity to practice Provocation and accelerate the digestion of the potion.
"There is indeed a task."
"Someone wants to hire a temporary bodyguard, yes, just for tomorrow night. The price is 100 pounds, with additional remuneration depending on the situation if an accident occurs."
Just one night?
Lex nodded: "Tell me about it."
The old man, who had finished registering, picked up the commission notebook and turned to a page: "The client is Ms. Helen, a young ready-to-wear merchant. She has recently sensed danger and predicts that it might erupt tomorrow night."
"According to her own guess, the danger likely comes from her competitor, a merchant with a not-so-clean background. Tomorrow night, she needs to sign an important contract, and she's worried her competitor might obstruct her. So, through a friend's introduction, she found us and hopes for a temporary bodyguard."
Old Parker closed the notebook: "Coincidentally, hunters willing to accept such commissions are usually busy. And they, apparently, don't have as much time as you do."
Tsk, this old man, could he also be a Provoker?
Lex stood up and said with a confident tone: "I accept this commission. Give me the client's contact information."
Mr. Parker took a card from under the counter and handed it to Lex: "Tomorrow, go to the address on this card to find her. Just say you're from Airos Security Company, and she will see you."
Lex put away the card: "There isn't really such a security company, is there?"
Old Parker seemed not to hear, offering no response.
The next day, Lex made himself look like he had a cold, sneezing several times in a row—of course, it was all an act.
Matthew, the butler, seeing this, said with some concern: "Sir, do you need a doctor?"
Lex shook his head: "I probably caught a chill while sleeping last night. It's not even September, and Tingen seems to have entered autumn early."
"I'll rest at the inn today. As for you two, I need you to go out and gather some information for me."
Gru, who was reading the 'Tingen Honest Man' newspaper, put it down upon hearing this: "What information?"
"Mainly about Councilor Maynard, Sir Videl, Mr. McGovern, and others. You can go to places like the City Hall, factories, and banks, and use your own methods to collect information about these gentlemen from their employees and workers."
"Hobbies, habits, lifestyle, anything. I need to understand these gentlemen as much as possible so that I can impress them better and faster during the upcoming visits."
Both the butler and Gru nodded, indicating they understood. Lex gave them some operating funds separately and watched them leave.
Half an hour later, Lex also left the inn.
However, he was disguised.
He still wore a knee-length light trench coat and a felt hat, but no mask. Wearing a mask in broad daylight would likely lead to police questioning before he even reached the employer's house.
To successfully protect his employer that night, Lex decided to prepare early.
Therefore, he feigned illness and sent Matthew and the other man away, thus gaining a full day's time.
Following the address provided on the card, Lex found the lady's house.
The employer's house was on Green Emerald Street in the North District, a terraced house, but it had a porch and a lawn in front, making it much more elegant than those on Daffodil Street.
Clearly, people who could live in such houses belonged to the middle class. Given that this lady was a ready-to-wear merchant, Lex was not surprised.
Lex, who had already disguised himself with darker skin, gloves, and a fake mustache, pulled the doorbell.
Ten seconds later, the door opened, and a young woman, likely a domestic worker, asked: "Sir, who are you looking for?"
Lex said steadily in a low voice: "I'm looking for Ms. Helen. Please tell her that someone from Airos Security Company has arrived."
The maid turned and went back into the house. A moment later, Lex met his employer in the living room.
This lady was in her early twenties, not yet thirty.
She had healthy, long, wavy auburn hair. She held a notebook in one hand and a quill in the other, occasionally jotting something down in the notebook while looking at the ready-made clothes casually placed on the floor.
Lex didn't disturb her. After 5 minutes, Helen finished her work, then realized she had left her guest waiting and offered a somewhat embarrassed smile.
"I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting."
"Are you an employee of Airos Security Company?"
Lex nodded slightly. Since he didn't know if the employer was married, he used a more conservative address: "Ms. Helen, I need to know your exact route, time, and personnel for tonight."
"Very professional."
Helen said admiringly: "Come with me, we'll talk in my study."
She instructed the maid to bring two cups of Sibert black tea and two servings of refreshments.
In the study, Lex diligently took notes and repeatedly asked Helen questions. He didn't touch his cup of black tea even after it had gone cold.
When Lex confirmed there were no other questions, he suddenly noticed that the lady was staring intently at him.
Had she been watching me the whole time?
Could it be because of the 'tag'?
Noticing Lex's gaze, Helen quickly turned her face away, her cheeks slightly flushed, and said: "I'm sorry, you look a bit like a friend of mine, which made me involuntarily think of him and get distracted for a moment."
Helen shifted her posture, leaning slightly back. This movement caused her neckline to open wider. Her legs were tightly pressed together, allowing Lex to appreciate the lines of her legs encased in stockings.
She asked with a smile: "By the way, I don't know your name yet? Are you from Tingen? Can I invite you for a drink when we return tonight?"