Several workers glanced at the middle-aged gentleman sitting on a nearby bench. Seeing him leisurely throwing some feed on the ground, attracting many pigeons, they all showed envious looks.
"Eat quickly, we have to work after we finish eating. Mr. Bering said that if we are late, we will be deducted 1 pence for every minute."
"He's truly a Vampire. Our pay today is only about 3 soli."
"Because we're working for the Embassy today, when do we usually get such a good thing? Making that Vampire pay 3 soli to hire us, that would be the death of him!"
The workers laughed.
Among them, a man with a chin full of stubble sighed. His skin was yellowish, seemingly due to long-term malnutrition. His eye sockets were deep, with dark circles, and though not old, he already had nasolabial folds.
"If only such good things happened every day. That way, I could keep my two children from working in the factory, and I could even let them go to school."
These words made the workers silent for a moment.
Soon after, it was almost time, so they quickly packed their things, preparing to leave.
As the worker with nasolabial folds was about to follow, a cane hooked him.
He paused, looking at the middle-aged gentleman beside him who was smiling at him.
He heard the other person say, "Do you want to earn a pound?"
A moment later, the worker, having taken off his clothes and hat, ran off excitedly.
The old gentleman feeding the pigeons took out a crumpled identity document, glanced at it, and smiled as he read a name: "Sam."
He scattered the remaining feed on the ground, and a large flock of white pigeons flew over. After the birds had all landed, the old man's figure had vanished from the bench.
Eight in the morning.
In front of the Intis Ambassador, guards were heavily stationed.
Workers from Bering Cleaning Company had to undergo strict inspections to enter the gate, including body searches and identity verification.
When a crumpled identity document was presented to the guard, the soldier responsible for verifying identities frowned, looking at the man in front of him with yellowish skin, deep eye sockets, dark circles, and nasolabial folds: "Sam?"
"That's me, sir."
The guard nodded, returning the document to him: "Go in."
Walking through the gate, Sam looked around and whispered, "Finally in."
The real Sam had already gone home with the almost-found 1-pound banknote. This Sam, of course, was Lex in disguise. He bought Sam's work clothes, hat, and identity document for 1 pound, successfully infiltrating the Embassy.
Before the operation tomorrow night, Lex felt it was necessary to get a clear understanding of the Embassy's layout to perfect his plan.
As the saying goes, details determine success or failure. Lex did not want to fail a potentially successful venture due to an overlooked detail.
After entering the Embassy, he paid attention to the layout, memorizing the routes he took, while following the other workers to the hall.
In the hall, a middle-aged man was pacing back and forth, somewhat nervous and anxious.
Seeing the workers arrive, he waved his arms vigorously and shouted, "Hurry up, you lazy bums. I'm warning you, today you all have to work hard for me. If anyone doesn't do well, I won't hire you again!"
It sounded like temporary employment.
Lex made a quick judgment in his mind, quickened his steps, and stood with the other workers.
The man, who should be 'Mr. Bering,' the owner of the cleaning company, cleared his throat and said, "Listen up, your task today, you guys, is to clean every inch of the Embassy!"
"There must, absolutely, be no trace of dirt. Also, I need a team of people to clean the sewers. Those willing to do it, step forward."
The workers looked at each other, but no one moved.
Bering was about to get angry when he saw someone in the crowd raise a hand. He immediately shouted, "You, come up."
Lex stepped out of the crowd and said, "Sir, I'll go."
"Very good." Bering said happily, "What's your name?"
"Sam."
"Excellent, Mr. Sam, today is your lucky day. You are the first to step forward, therefore, I will give you an additional 5 pence on top of your previous pay!"
Only 5 pence.
You are indeed a Vampire!
Bering pointed out a few more people, then said with a gloomy face, "You few, follow Sam's command. My requirement is that the sewers must not be blocked. Otherwise, tomorrow night, those distinguished gentlemen and ladies will probably have trouble."
A moment later.
Lex, holding cleaning tools, was already standing in the sewer. It must be said that Backlund's sewer System was still very advanced, but no matter how advanced, a place like this, full of filth, definitely did not smell good.
At this moment, Lex, with his feet on the ground, felt the stickiness of the surface, which gave him an even stronger urge to return to the surface.
But he still forced himself to endure the nauseating feeling, telling himself over and over again, today you are not Lex, but the worker Sam, bring out your professional quality.
Even so, the filthy environment still stimulated a dense rash of goosebumps all over his body. Forcibly enduring it, he lifted his lantern and walked forward in the empty, quiet sewer.
There were many forks here, and the sewage channel below emitted a repulsive stench. The hurried scurrying of rats could be heard from time to time in the darkness.
On some walls, pipes connecting upwards to the sewage channel could be seen. Their purpose was self-evident.
If one were to trace these pipes upwards, they would lead to the Embassy's washrooms.
And ensuring these pipes were clear was the work Lex and his team were about to undertake. However, no one would actively work, as no one would be willing to come down to inspect their work in such a dirty place.
All day, Lex worked in the Embassy. Not only did he participate in clearing the underground sewers, but he also trimmed the flowerbeds, scrubbed the roof, and replaced chandelier shades.
He was so diligent that after a day's work, the 'Vampire' Bering generously gave him an additional 5 pence as a reward.
Lex, of course, did not care about a few copper pence; what he cared more about was that through today's work, he had largely figured out the layout of the Embassy.
He knew the Embassy's emergency evacuation routes, where the kitchen was, how to quickly enter the sewers, how to navigate the sewers to quickly exit the Embassy, and so on.
After leaving the Embassy, he changed his face again, spent 5 soli, and took a refreshing bath in an inconspicuous hotel until there was no unusual smell on him. Only then did he, as 'Mr. Green,' return to Hope Road in Cherwood district.
As he walked with light steps towards the 'Golden Rose,' he heard heartbeats coming from the corner ahead—two of them!