Chapter 4099: The Yacht

"I will keep your secret, but you must not let this delay your studies."

Xia De said; he indeed had no intention of reporting Ajelina to Princess Lei Lei Qianya. In Xia De's view, if Ajelina was truly curious, occasionally reading such books was not a major problem.

The red-haired little princess nodded quickly:

"Of course not. I just... feel it is very interesting. Xia De, I knew you would understand me. Among the books I bought, there are two you should be interested in. You can come to me next week to get them."

The little princess added in a low voice.

"What books?"

Xia De asked out of curiosity. Ajelina lowered her voice even further:

"These are forbidden books circulating only within Sen Li Ke Jing. No, I mean rare books. It is said they were written by an author from the Fifth Era—'The Energetic Draconian Maid' and 'The Tail-Wagging Draconian Maid'."

The "she" beside him laughed before Xia De could react to the meaning of those awkward book titles. Xia De was dumbfounded:

"Why do you think I would like such books?"

"You don't like them?"

Ajelina was very surprised:

"But Sister said you like girls with big tails."

Xia De rejected Ajelina's gift. Moreover, he felt it would not be long before Princess Lei Lei Qianya discovered Ajelina's little secret. Meanwhile, Yi Lu Na, who seemed to be talking with Ellie, was barely holding back her laughter.

Young ladies have their own thoughts and secrets; mature ladies also have their own matters to discuss. Everyone was worried about today's visit to the 【Skin Pavilion】. However, the plan had been formulated, and Xia De would not delay any further. In Xia De's view, the only uncertainty today was the people "Desire" mentioned who had designs on the Pavilion. Xia De guessed others might be coming for the vitality contained within the skins.

According to the intelligence provided by "Desire," the Pavilion would appear on a pleasure boat in the artificial lake of the Upper District Park. Thus, the first step of the operation was to pinpoint exactly which boat it was. This time, besides Megan, Sylvia, and Grandmother Cassandra, everyone else was present. Manpower was sufficient, but not everyone needed to go out to participate in the operation.

According to the plan, Vige would rent a boat on the artificial lake today. Afterwards, Xia De, Vige, Vanessa, Yi Lu Na, and Sister Sister Daifulin would board that boat to carry out the operation.

Xia De rejected Miss Elise's proposal of "I will try to get the Radiant Messenger onto the lake." That artificial lake was neither big nor small; summoning the Radiant Messenger at close range made the risk difficult to assess.

Flora and Bella stayed at the "Fragrant Mansion" as a final insurance. The remaining ladies moved around the park to prepare for support. Xia De had specially requested Ellie to stay by Dorothy's side. This way, if Xia De blew the Butterfly-Calling Flute and Grace and Helen were temporarily unable to enter the 【Skin Pavilion】, at least the chosen ones of the space could first find a way to reunite Ellie with Xia De.

After locating the pleasure boat hiding the Pavilion in the artificial lake, if everyone could enter the 【Skin Pavilion】, then the five of Xia De would enter together. If there was a limit on the number of entrants, Vige would be the top priority. After all, as long as the agreement signed between her mother and the Pavilion remained valid, she must carry that skin.

Of course, Xia De was definitely going in. If only Vige was allowed to enter, the original plan would be cancelled, and the second plan would be adopted to forcibly attack the 【Skin Pavilion】.

So, after breakfast, Vige went to handle the boat rental. Around eight in the morning, everyone set off together.

Today was said to be a warm-up event before the opening of the Expo, but in reality, it was just opening Oakham Park to all citizens for sightseeing on the weekend. The park had already arranged positions for small vendors to sell goods. Some of the machinery scheduled for exhibition during the Expo would also appear today.

Rather than a warm-up, this was a tactic by the City Hall to attract locals to visit before the official opening, preventing insufficient visitor numbers after the Expo began. Therefore, pleasure boats on the lake were not easy to rent, but fortunately, the Astley family held some privileges locally.

On this sunny weekend, it seemed all the citizens had come out onto the streets. When departing from the Fragrant Mansion, Xia De realized he had never seen so many people in Arcadia City before.

"Some citizens from the Lower District have come to the Upper District. Although the City Hall does not normally forbid people from the Lower District from coming here, people rarely cross districts unless there is a reason."

Vige, who shared the carriage with Xia De, explained. Sunlight shone on her wrist, her skin so white it seemed to glow.

Dorothy was also in this carriage. She had discovered the signs on Jia Lin Na and the others this morning and realized she had suffered a great loss. Therefore, Jia Lin Na and the others voluntarily gave up their seats to her:

"Xia De, can the key to the 【Stained Blood Factory】 be used now?"

"Yes, it is time. Miss Feliana and Gina are still waiting for me. However, there is no rush to use the key now."

Xia De said, then thought of another matter:

"The Withering Suppression Crystal still requires Winnie's power. Remember to remind me to ask Winnie to bless me later."

"You want to bring the power of the blessing into the 【Skin Pavilion】?"

"Yes. If it is not used, Winnie can bless me again later. If it is really used... Miss Feliana's wisdom should be able to solve many troubles for me."

The image of the "Petite Feliana" doll floated before his eyes. Xia De actually wanted to wait until after dealing with the 【Skin Pavilion】 matters to meet the ancient witches. Because in that case, he could devote himself entirely to the encounter with them.

Oakham Park was quite lively today. However, even though it was the weekend and the park was open to all citizens, not everyone in the city had flocked here. After all, the high walls of class were far more solid than bricks and mortar. Well-dressed gentlemen and ladies and ragged laborers lived in two different worlds. A single announcement of opening was not enough to erase this invisible chasm.

Carriages were not allowed to enter the park. Thus, the group scheduled to board the boat entered the park in three batches and rendezvoused on the pleasure boat on the lake at 8:30.

According to the divination by the Prophets' Association, a major event would occur in the park during the Expo. Therefore, the Church had already deployed numerous divination rituals and alchemical items inside and outside the park. Xia De even felt there were quite a few Church Circle Mages in the park today.

Sister Sister Daifulin's attire was very special; if seen, it would certainly attract attention. However, besides the five preparing to enter the 【Skin Pavilion】, Winnie and Vige's maids were also accompanying them. With everyone covering for her, there was no need to worry about the nun's presence.

However, when preparing to board at the small dock by the lake, Xia De saw Yi Lu Na gazing at the park scenery under the blue sky and white clouds with her hands behind her back. So he suggested:

"If things can be resolved quickly, we can all have a picnic here at noon."

Yi Lu Na turned to look at Xia De and smiled:

"Then let us hope everything goes smoothly."

Miss Lin and Ajelina stayed at the mansion. Miss McDonald was responsible for organizing everyone to board the boat. The boat Vige obtained was a small sightseeing yacht, steam-powered, with an enclosed passenger cabin. The interior of the cabin was a salon-style open space with no partitions. The walls featured large wooden-framed glass windows paired with heavy velvet curtains.

The walls inside the cabin were solid mahogany paneling, with brass trim edging the seams. Wide double sofas and single armchairs were arranged symmetrically in the cabin, with a foldable small coffee table in the middle. A vanity table was set up in a small corner at the stern, equipped with an oval copper mirror, brass mirror lamps, perfume bottles, and a spare glove storage box.

Although this boat was not large, it was sufficient for everyone to use. The boatman was naturally one of Vige's maids. When the yacht set sail, there were 11 people on board. This was already the largest private yacht a park could conventionally allow; such boats were generally used only when noble families went out on group excursions.

As for the larger vessels on the lake, they were either large public sightseeing boats charging fares or new steam-powered vessels prepared for exhibition during the Expo. None of these boats were suitable for noble ladies to board.

"This is the first time I have ridden on such a yacht."

After taking a seat on the sofa, the soft seat and backrest made one feel as if sinking directly into them. Yi Lu Na looked very excited.

Sister Sister Daifulin remained silent as usual. Vanessa cast a spell to apply protection to the boat. Vige instructed her maids to prepare tea for everyone. Xia De opened the violin case Winnie had handed him and took out 【Night Watchman】 and Xiao Mi Ya...

"Xiao Mi Ya?"

Xia De looked in shock at the orange-and-white kitten squatting in the violin case:

"Wait a minute. Didn't you stay at the Fragrant Mansion with Miss Miss Difa?"

He then looked at Winnie, the Ice Maid lady responsible for packing Xia De's belongings before departure. She obviously did not expect Xiao Mi Ya to be there either:

"I did not put her in. I apologize; this is my negligence."

"It's fine. Xiao Mi Ya is always like this. When Xia De and I fought against Darkness back then, didn't this cat hide in a gift box too?"

Yi Lu Na laughed. Vige also turned her head to look at the cat, which had its eyes wide open, looking as if it were about to say "Pet me" to Xia De:

"Letting it stay here is no problem. After all, the whole boat isn't going in together."

As she spoke, she reached out to pet Xiao Mi Ya, but the cat raised a paw to block her. The cat darted out of the box, first jumping onto the scabbard of 【Bladeless Blade】, then using it as a springboard to jump onto Xia De's lap.

"The weather is really nice today."

Wei Ge didn't mind being rejected by Xiao Leaving Xiao Leaving Xiao Miya at all; on the contrary, she found it quite amusing. And as the yacht slowly set sail from the dock, the sunlight filtering through the lakeside treetops and shining through the window into the cabin made the light and shadow play across Xia De's profile, the witch said softly in a languid tone:

"Spring really is wonderful~"