"Heh heh."
Lex opened the wardrobe, took out the Shadow Gauntlets, threw them on the table, and looked at the parrot in the cage with a smile: "What did you just say? I didn't hear you clearly."
"Cough cough."
Grego flapped his wings: "I said you misunderstood."
"The chest tightness I felt this morning was because I ate a bad fruit last night. After you left, I expelled those bad things from my stomach and I was fine."
"As for crying, that's because I didn't sleep well last night. I was tired."
"Besides, I wouldn't be sad for Rudolph. Remember the Detective game I just mentioned? That guy made me his assistant, made me pretend to be a silly bird to eavesdrop on humans, and then come back and tell him useful clues."
"But I'm just a bird, no, I'm a Dragon. How can I remember what you humans say? As a result, when he didn't get what he wanted, he plucked my feathers!"
"He even threw me into a coffin in a graveyard, making me see terrifying things and hear scary sounds!"
"Now he's finally dead, serves him right!"
"Let me out quickly, I'm so happy, I need to fly a few circles to celebrate!"
Well, it sounded like Mr. Kyle's friend hadn't been very good at treating his pet.
Lex opened the birdcage: "You can go for a spin outside, just remember to come back for dinner."
Grego flapped his wings excitedly: "Really? Hmm, I'm starting to appreciate you. Although you're sometimes bad, at least you haven't hurt me."
"When I become a Dragon in the future, I will protect you, so thank me. I'll allow you to lick my butt, oh no, I'm not a cat."
Lex picked up the Shadow Gauntlets and said with a smile: "I'm honored to have your appreciation, but please watch your words."
The parrot gasped, then shot into the air: "Got it, got it. Who made me both a Dragon and a gentleman?"
"Then I'll go for a spin, goodbye."
It flew out the window, circled the street, and let out a few 'ooh-woo-ooh-woo' calls. Fortunately, the street was bustling, and the clamor of human voices completely drowned out the strange calls of the parrot.
Soon, Grego flew away.
Two nights later.
Lex went to the safe house as usual, perfected the traps within, then headed to the Elk Bar.
As he walked into the Hunter's Hall, he heard a cheer and felt the ground tremble slightly, then saw the short-haired Nafi, her eyes sparkling, rush over.
"You—"
Before Lex could even ask 'What do you want to do?', he was already tightly embraced by the tall girl.
Oh.
Oh.
Girl, be more reserved, let me down quickly.
"Boss Duke, you're finally here, I'm almost suffocating," Nafi said with a wronged expression, "Old Parker won't let me go out, won't let me drink, won't let me tease cats. I'm so bored I could die."
Lex, whose feet were off the ground from Nafi's hug, helplessly patted her arm: "If you don't put me down, I'm really going to suffocate."
Nafi's face suddenly flushed, and she quickly let go: "Sorry, Boss. I just had no one to talk to, and suddenly seeing you, I got a little excited."
Lex landed back on the ground and took a deep breath.
Oh my, so big, almost suffocated me.
It feels so good to be alive.
He cleared his throat, not letting any unusual expression show on his face: "But at least you're still alive and kicking, which is very good. Just bear with it for a while longer, it won't be long before you can go home."
Carefully stepping around the beautiful but tall girl, Lex approached the bar and tapped the counter: "Old Parker, a glass of white wine."
As the old man opened the liquor cabinet, Lex asked again: "How's the Gray Bear situation being handled?"
"The official side has reportedly intervened, but there's no news yet. We don't have anyone over there, so even if there's progress, we wouldn't know. We'll only find out once the incident is over."
Old Parker placed a glass of white wine in front of Lex: "1 soli."
Lex paid, picked up the glass, and took a sip: "Is there any progress on the case I entrusted to you?"
Old Parker nodded: "It's been investigated."
"The two men, the tall one is named Arthur, and the bald one is named Matt. These might be aliases, just like their identities. They are merchants, traveling between West Balam and Loen for many years, trading spices, timber, rubber, and other goods."
"They are staying at the Narcissus Hotel."
Lex interjected: "The Narcissus Hotel, wouldn't that be in the Daffodil Street area?"
Old Parker looked at him with an expression of caring for an intellectually challenged person: "What do you think?"
Alright, in that case, I'll have to find trouble with them elsewhere.
Lex took a sip of white wine, waiting for Old Parker to continue.
"Finally, they've been in Tingen for over a week, going to bars every night, staying at the same bar for two or three days each time, and inquiring about you in the bars."
Lex nodded slightly: "So, which bar did they go to recently?"
"Bessick Street, the Hound Tavern. Someone saw them there last night." After saying that, Old Parker extended his hand, "The bounty and commission fee, a total of 12 pounds."
Lex promptly paid, finished the wine in his glass, jumped off the chair, and was about to leave.
Suddenly, his vision darkened.
Nafi spread her arms, blocking him: "Boss, I'll go with you!"
"No."
Lex refused without thinking: "Besides, this is my private matter, so don't interfere."
"But I'm almost suffocating."
"Still no."
"Hmph!"
Nafi stomped her foot in anger.
Bang!
Lex felt the floor vibrate, saw the beautiful girl's figure tilt, and then looked down. Good heavens, she had stomped a hole in the floor!
"Look, now you have something to do, fix it." Lex smiled, patted Nafi's arm, and walked around her towards the door.
"It's just a hole, I can fix it in no time," Nafi said sulkily, pulling her foot out.
Crack, crack—
Amidst a dense series of cracking sounds, radiating from around the hole, new cracks appeared, the longest one reaching the bar. The bar then shuddered and sank slightly.
Old Parker looked at Nafi with an expressionless face, and she guiltily lowered her head: "I'll fix it, I swear—"
Getting off the double-decker public carriage, listening to the sound of the wheels hitting the tracks gradually fade away, Lex pressed down his felt hat and walked along Champagne Street, soon arriving at Bessick Street.
Before long, he saw the tavern with the brown and yellow hound logo.
In front of the tavern, a burly man stood with his arms crossed. Lex passed by him, and the man merely glanced at him before continuing to stare at the street.
Lex pushed open the heavy tavern door, almost being pushed back out by the clamor and restless heat inside.
This place was clearly much livelier than the Elk Bar.