Chapter 222: The Ball

"The question now is, when should we take action?"

Miss Beiyasi had hit the nail on the head. Within this brightly lit lounge, a few dozen minutes of planning had already formed the preliminary strategy for their operation.

Before tonight, none of them had imagined things would go so smoothly. Yet, all three possessed their own unique strengths and were regular Ringed Shushi trained by the Church and the Academy. Although the Silver-Eyed One had nine rings, they came from an illegal organization and were severely injured. While the sum of the three of them's rings only equaled the Silver-Eyed One's post-injury level, looking only at levels was far from enough in a battle between Ringed Shushi.

"The sooner the better. The 【Blood Spirit School】 has dispatched an eight-ring and a nine-ring Ringed Shushi to assist 【Blood of Mercury】, likely arriving by the end of next week. Therefore, we must take action within the week."

Xia De provided another key piece of information. He had heard about the 【Blood Spirit School】 from Miss Jia Jia Lin Na while at the Yodeer Palace on Wednesday.

"It would be best to do it before Thursday. The Church has decided to launch an operation on Thursday night to eradicate the cultists who worship the evil god, the 【Lord of Blood Banquet】. A thirteen-ring Ringed Shushi, 'Sun Greatsword,' will lead the team. After that, 【Blood of Mercury】 will also be on high alert."

Miss Beiyasi also provided the intelligence she had gathered.

"Shall we try another divination?"

Miss Beiyasi said, picking up the last Blood Coin, but Miss Anna Te shook her head.

"Just now, it was only to probe for information, which can be divined. But if one intentionally uses fate to peek at the best future, I fear it will put oneself in an even more dangerous situation."

The Dean of the Astronomy Academy had divined similar matters for Xia De, but that only provided a blurry silhouette of the future. If one wanted to use divination to determine exact future events, Xia De was very worried that the three of them would suffer the same hardships and misfortune as the Heart Collector and Xia De himself after his foolish "manipulation of fate" on Wednesday.

Therefore, he agreed with Miss Anna Te's caution.

"Besides, we must keep the last Blood Coin to search for the others... What time does the Church plan to act on Thursday?"

Miss Anna Te asked.

"Thursday night. I don't know the exact time or location."

"Then we shall also act on Thursday night, letting the Church draw away more of their manpower. It's the weekend now, so we have half a week to prepare, but do not involve unnecessary people in this matter. It is enough for the three of us to know the full details."

This was to maintain secrecy regarding the "Chosen One" matter.

Xia De also agreed to act at night; after all, he could still use illusions at night.

Miss Anna Te continued to arrange:

"Miss Beiyasi, during this half-week, try your best to find out the Church's planned operation. After the Church launches its action, the people from 【Blood of Mercury】 will certainly go to support those cultists. We can take this opportunity to enter the ruins."

"No problem."

Miss Beiyasi nodded, and Miss Anna Te reminded her again:

"To become a true Chosen One, you must also understand the meaning of 【Balance】. As for understanding, there is no hard numerical indicator. You need to ponder, to ponder how you can interpret this concept. Neither Xia De nor I can help you with this; please work hard on your own."

The young female Shushi was a bit worried, but compared to the eyes she was about to offer up, this was not worth mentioning, so she nodded.

"I understand."

Miss Anna Te pointed to herself again:

"I will use the next four days to investigate the entrance to the ruins, which is the area around that printing factory, as much as possible to ensure there won't be too many accidents. As for you, Xia De..."

Her purple eyes sized Xia De up, seemingly wondering what she should arrange for him to do, but Xia De already had plans.

"Miss Anna Te, I will likely be going on a long trip."

"Where to?"

"I don't know either. Perhaps very far, perhaps very near, but there is a high probability of a great harvest."

This answer made Miss Anna Te frown, but Xia De was willing to believe in Doctor Shi Nai De's divination, especially since after her divination, Xia De had encountered matters requiring more power.

"Don't worry, no matter what, I will be back before Thursday."

As he spoke, he took the folded Relic 【Witch's Copy Paper】 from his pocket and handed it to Miss Beiyasi.

"This cannot be kept anymore. Miss Beiyasi, I want to copy the miracle 'Sun Greatsword.' Can you help?"

That was the powerful miracle that the Church's thirteen-ring Ringed Shushi was famous for. Originally, he was still choosing between the 【Sun Greatsword】 and space-time miracles, but now it was time to make a decision.

"No problem, that's very simple."

The seventeen-year-old girl agreed immediately.

"When I was training at the Holy See, I had a good relationship with Mr. Hoger Lundell. Finding an excuse to have him demonstrate the miracle is no trouble at all."

In this way, once a similar miracle was obtained from the "Sun Greatsword," Xia De's "Blade of Chaotic Time" could also be used.

"That's good."

Miss Anna Te looked at the young detective and the Church's female Shushi. The former was frowning as if deep in thought, while the latter had a serious expression, realizing that the next half-week would determine the fate of her entire life.

"We act on Thursday night, so let's gather at Xia De's house on Wednesday night to discuss the final plan."

"No problem. I will bring the copy paper to the detective then."

"I have no problem either. I hope everything goes safely."

He spoke, looking toward the window. The room was draped with heavy curtains, and outside was the quiet night of the Northern Pearl. On this seemingly ordinary night, Xia De understood that perhaps the decision the three of them made would affect the history of the next few decades or even centuries.

【Outlander, you have ultimately been drawn into the epic of the Sixth Era.】

"Since I have already come here, no one can escape. Rather than being passively drawn in, by actively participating, perhaps I will have more initiative."

A smile appeared on the corner of his mouth as he watched Miss Beiyasi and Miss Anna Te whisper about going to retrieve that bell later.

Miss Beiyasi blushed a little, feeling embarrassed after learning that the female diviner was going to give her a very powerful 【Relic】.

【You don't seem nervous about what happens in four days.】

"My companions all have their own strengths. We even divined the troubles we might encounter in advance and can prepare four days ahead. In this situation, it is the Silver-Eyed One who needs to be nervous."

【Then if the most dangerous moment arrives, will you use that drop of divinity?】

Xia De smiled but did not answer.

He leaned back on the sofa, his body relaxed. He could hear the melodious and soothing dance music coming from the banquet hall outside; it seemed the ball had begun.

Xia De could hear it, and the two ladies could certainly hear it too. Miss Beiyasi, who was talking to Miss Anna Te, glanced at Xia De and suddenly asked:

"Is anyone willing to dance with me?"

She was asking both of them at the same time.

"Who do you want to invite?"

Miss Anna Te asked.

"Since it's so hard to be able to attend such a banquet, it would be a real pity not to dance."

Only at this moment did the seventeen-year-old girl show an attitude belonging to her own age.

She stood up and looked at Xia De and Miss Anna Te, her eyes flickering and her face slightly flushed.

"Let's go dance together. I've wanted to try dancing at this kind of high-profile banquet for a long time. Let's just treat it as relaxing before the big event on Thursday."

"But I don't know how to dance."

Xia De said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"It doesn't matter. I know how to dance, and we can teach you. Yi Lu Na is right; since we've come to the banquet, how can we not dance?"

Miss Anna Te said, also standing up, and handed the last Blood Coin on the table to Xia De for him to keep.

"It's also quite nice to relax before the final battle."

She straightened her dress, which was a bit wrinkled from sitting for a long time, while Miss Beiyasi used the hair tie on her wrist to tie up her long brown hair.

Xia De could only stand up, very worried that he would step on the girls' feet in a moment. He hesitated and said again:

"I really don't know how to dance. This isn't modesty; I don't know how at all."

"It doesn't matter, I do. Oh, detective, the girls are inviting you to dance; your current attitude won't do."

Miss Beiyasi said in a slightly reproachful tone, then spun around in place, letting her skirt swirl like an opening flower.

After turning around, her slightly flushed face looked at Xia De, while Miss Anna Te reminded him:

"But we can only dance in the corner for a little while; after all, you are the protagonist tonight. We don't want to be noticed, so..."

The female diviner adjusted her expression and asked with a smile in a tone like she was singing an opera:

"Knight Hamilton of Lei Jiede, are you willing to invite the two ladies who snuck into this banquet to dance?"

Miss Beiyasi covered her mouth and chuckled. At this moment, the room seemed to be shrouded in a strange halo of light, and the two ladies under the lights were so shy and charming.

【You should now...】

She reminded him with a chuckle.

"No need to remind me of this; I'm not that slow-witted old friend of mine."

Xia De knew what he should do now. He puffed out his chest and raised his head, then said in a pretentious tone:

"Yes, beautiful ladies... it is my honor."

He laughed himself, then reached out his hand to the girls.

Inviting two beautiful girls to dance at the same time was probably very strange, but they had no other options.

The two girls didn't take his hand, but instead each patted him with a smile, then walked out of the room shoulder to shoulder, seemingly going to the washroom to touch up their makeup.

Xia De followed slowly out of the room, touching the small box in his pocket containing the "Delarion Honorary Knight Medal." A month ago, when he first walked out of No. 6 Saint Deran Square with fear, he never imagined there would be such a day.

"I knew it, life will always get better day by day."

【Will it be better in the future?】

"That depends on myself."

He also walked out of the room. The ball was about to start, and there were many people in this bright corridor leading to the washroom. Everyone recognized Xia De and greeted him politely, and Xia De responded to each one.

No matter what stories would happen in the days to come, at least at this banquet for the knighthood tonight, the young outlander would have a very pleasant time.

Of course, it would be even better if he didn't step on Miss Beiyasi's feet twice and Miss Anna Te's foot once later. ===== CHAPTER 223 =====