The atmosphere in the study was somewhat heavy.
Lex looked at Bison, his eyes gradually changing from hidden anger to calm, then to a subtle chill, and finally, he responded in a deep voice, "I understand."
Bison met Lex's gaze without flinching, like a lion defending its pride.
Just as the atmosphere in the room was about to drop to freezing point, a knock sounded, followed by someone opening the door, and Amelia's voice came from outside: "Am I interrupting you?"
Lex didn't turn around, still looking at Bison, and said, "No, Mama."
He continued, "If there's nothing else, I'll head back to my room."
Only then did Bison hum in acknowledgment.
Lex took a few steps back, then withdrew his gaze, and as he turned around, he gave his mother a gentle smile before excusing himself.
Closing the door, Amelia turned to see her husband rubbing his temples, and she chuckled softly: "Did you argue?"
"Not quite."
"It's just that the boy is a bit unclear about his position. I reminded him," Bison said, lowering his hand and looking at his wife, "I have a feeling I'm losing control of him."
Amelia said softly, "My dear, he can't be a child forever. He has grown up, he fights pirates at Sea, he is already a Major Lex."
Bison, however, shook his head and said, "I need to find a way to strengthen my control over him."
Amelia frowned slightly: "He is your child."
Bison looked up, silently gazing at his wife, and corrected her expressionlessly: "He's an adopted son!"
Back in his room, Lex closed the door and saw Grego quietly curled up in its birdcage, its eyes unfocused, staring at the chandelier above.
Lex looked up and saw a mass of black, viscous liquid surging behind the lampshade, with a pair of amber eyes occasionally rolling within it.
"Kardashian, don't scare it."
Lex cleared his throat.
A soft chuckle sounded from the chandelier, and the black liquid poured out from the lampshade, dripping downwards. The liquid wriggled and changed, starting from the toes, gradually outlining a beautiful woman with exotic charm.
Kardashian turned around and sat on the nearby sofa, one long leg stretched out, her bare feet resting on the small round table beside her.
"Your emotions are fluctuating. You look unhappy. Were you angry just now?"
Lex rubbed his brow, saying somewhat helplessly, "Don't observe me."
"I've recently recalled some interesting knowledge. Prepare me some paper and a pen; I want to write it down," Kardashian changed the subject to something Lex was interested in.
"No problem. Tomorrow I'll have someone bring enough paper. I hope you're used to using a fountain pen." Lex pulled open the desk drawer, took out a round-bellied fountain pen, shook it, and then began to write a letter.
The letter was addressed to Osweld, the gist being to ask the old man if the Antiquities Society had 'Crystal Core of a Rock Giant' and corresponding blood. He had fully digested the Conspirer potion, and as soon as he clarified whether Sequence 5 required a corresponding ritual, he could consider advancing.
As for the missing auxiliary materials, Lex believed they could be collected very soon.
After writing the letter, he blew the metal whistle in front of Kardashian, summoning the messenger.
A moment later, he heard a phantom knock at the door.
"Come in."
Osweld's headless messenger passed through the door. It seemed very wary of Kardashian, circling widely around her and staying on Lex's other side.
After receiving the letter, the messenger uncharacteristically did not smooth the envelope and left with a hint of escape.
Lex couldn't help but look at Kardashian, who chuckled softly: "It's a Spirit Realm creature. It's normal for it to be afraid of me. No one wants to be inexplicably thrown into prison, do you agree?"
Lex deeply agreed.
He then asked, "Do you know how one can have their own messenger?"
Kardashian shrugged: "That's too simple. As long as you become a 'Gatekeeper', or just a Spirit Medium, you'll have messengers to command."
Well, please forgive me, I can't do that. Corpse Collector is not an adjacent path to 'Hunter'.
Lex tried to ask, "Aside from that method?"
Kardashian said bluntly, "I don't know. I don't need other methods. If I want a messenger, I can have one anytime."
She picked up the ladies' magazine from the table, and as she read, her clothes changed to the latest fashionable style.
Lex could only give up.
On monday morning, after breakfast, Lex received a message that his adjutant, O'Neal, whom he hadn't seen for several days, had arrived.
The young man was dressed in a crisp, wrinkle-free Lieutenant uniform. Upon seeing Lex, he saluted.
"Good morning." Lex greeted him proactively. Perhaps due to the Storm Church's recent storm, the weather in Backlund had been good these past few days. Today, in particular, was rare without any mist; the sky was clear, blue with white clouds, and the sun was bright, making one's mood exceptionally pleasant.
"Good morning, sir." O'Neal did not look down on Lex because of his youth. On the contrary, he believed that for Lex to become a Major Lex in less than half a year at such a young age, and not by relying on Family background, there must be something worth learning from him. Therefore, he maintained a respectful attitude towards Lex.
"Don't be too stiff; this isn't the Naval General Office," Lex smiled. "At this time, you should be at home with your Family, as New Year is approaching."
"It's like this, sir. This morning I went to the General Affairs Department to complete my transfer procedures. Afterward, Colonel Sturk asked me to inform you to report to the General Affairs Department on the first monday of January," O'Neal quickly stated.
Sturk was an official of the 'Black Sail' System, responsible for relaying directives from higher-ups.
Lex nodded: "I understand."
"Then I will take my leave." O'Neal saluted again and departed.
"It seems my mission has arrived. I wonder what kind of ship they'll give me."
With anticipation, Lex walked into the house.
At 3 PM, Lex appeared punctually Above the gray fog to attend this week's Tarot Club.
During the gathering, 'Sun' recounted their experiences in the temple. Silver City's expedition to explore the Fallen Creator's temple was not smooth; the exploration team kept reliving repetitive lives.
Everyone offered different suggestions based on their knowledge and experience.
The Fool offered the hint of 'Rose Redemption'.
Subsequently, 'Justice' Audrey offered three pages of Roselle's Diary, and Lex also contributed one page, which he had obtained from Viscount Yelise.
In the following segment, Lex continued to seek the auxiliary materials he needed and received a response from 'Justice' Miss. She explicitly stated that she could provide 'the complete root System of a Dark Flower'.
Ultimately, Lex finalized the transaction with 'Justice' Miss for 550 pounds.
During the free exchange segment, the members of the Tarot Club naturally discussed the Beckland Great Smog Incident. Lex also joined the discussion but did not reveal too much information. Thus, this week's Tarot Club concluded amidst such discussions.
On a steamship bound for Bayam, in the first-class cabin, a tall lady with chestnut-colored hair opened an envelope and took out a letter.
This was something her messenger had just delivered from Backlund. She unfolded the paper and saw it read:
'Dear Madam, as per your instructions, I have inquired further about Major Lex.'