Klein finally remembered what he had forgotten.
Bilt did not notice the mental confusion of the calm-faced mad adventurer. Facing the second sudden appearance of Alice, he was much calmer and explained naturally:
"Previously, a message was sent from 'Black Death,' the ship of 'Vice Admiral of Disease' Tracy. It said that adventurer Gehrman Sparrow can become anyone's appearance, just like 'Vice Admiral of Hurricane' Qilinqesi before.
"It is said that he used this to infiltrate the 'Black Death' and assassinate 'Vice Admiral of Disease' Tracy..."
Bilt's voice stopped. He suddenly realized that at this moment, Alice's eyes looking at Klein were sparkling, with an uncontrollable excitement, as if she were looking at a rare treasure.
Bilt suddenly felt that he and Sotos were a bit superfluous. As he hesitated, Alice turned her head and asked them:
"Do you have anything else to say?"
Bilt hesitated for a moment, then quickly said, "The admiral will host a banquet the day after tomorrow, and I have an invitation…"
"Then... see you the day after tomorrow?" Alice interrupted Bilt's words.
"See you the day after tomorrow." Bilt swallowed.
Alice gave him a smile and nodded. After thinking for a moment, she also smiled and nodded at Sotos, then reached out and pressed Klein, pulling him to disappear together.
…
"No one will come in now," After leaving behind a spirituality barrier, Alice looked at Klein with sparkling eyes. "Miss Elaine."
Klein weakly held his forehead.
Alice looked at him with that expectant gaze for a while. After realizing she wouldn't get a response, she lowered her head with a disappointed face and said in a heartbroken tone:
"I thought I was special to you. I didn't expect that you would rather become Elaine's appearance to win Tracy's favor, than fulfill such a small wish of mine…"
"Shut up," Klein couldn't bear it anymore and interrupted her words. "Where did you learn such lines again?"
Alice put away the fake acting, seriously thought for a moment, tilted her head and said: "TV drama? Or a novel?"
After a pause, she added:
"Maybe it was from little... Song Shu."
Klein suddenly understood why parents keep reporting TV dramas, cartoons, and games.
However, this also indirectly reflected that the main problem really lies with the children...
Looking at Alice, Klein rubbed his temples with a headache and recalled that line which had stunned him — "The taste of the Original Witch is quite good."
…Forget it, at least it wasn't "The taste of the Fool is quite good."
Klein comforted himself with a few words, took a deep breath, and tried to reason with Alice:
"I really can't turn into a woman, not even the figure... How about this: when I can really do it, I'll transform for you, okay?"
Alice stared at Klein for more than ten seconds, then showed a brilliant smile and said:
"I'll remember that, Mr. Fool.
"Let's consider this the reward for your commission this time?"
Klein felt his heartbeat pause for a few beats. He realized that now, he might really not be able to weasel out of it.
…
Two days later at 6 p.m., Klein once again arrived at the "Sweet Lemon" bar.
Seeing the adventurer as agreed, Bilt let out a sigh of relief. Then, nervously glanced around, but before he could speak, he felt a pat on the shoulder.
"Are you looking for me?" A cheerful girl's voice asked.
Bilt instantly froze in place. He watched the same girl from that day sneak around from behind him. After being stunned for a moment, he couldn't help but ask:
"Your clothes…?"
…An angel acting like a child was one thing, but wearing a burlap sack—what kind of local custom is that?
Alice tugged at the school uniform she was wearing and seriously answered: "Dressing like this feels more like I'm doing something important."
"Ah…" Bilt subconsciously nodded. Although he didn't understand what Alice meant, he wisely chose not to comment.
"You can pretend she doesn't exist," Klein repeated the previous suggestion, "Can we head out now?"
…
7:30 p.m., Olavi Governor's Mansion.
Klein transformed into Sotos's appearance, wearing a black tailcoat and matching bowtie, and followed Bilt into the banquet hall.
Inside it was as warm as spring. A huge crystal chandelier hung from the dome, sparkling with countless candlelights, illuminating the entire venue like daylight.
In the right corner, band members in vests and bowties played a lively melody. On the left were long tables, on which were roasted chicks, pan-seared foie gras, stewed lamb, Beckland-style roast goose, creamy cheese-baked Olavi lobsters, and other delicious dishes.
Even from afar, Klein seemed to smell their aroma and was about to grab a plate to load food.
At this moment, Bilt tugged slightly at his sleeve, turned his head, and lowered his voice:
"Remember the etiquette at such a banquet.
"Our goal now is to observe the admiral's conduct, so just holding a glass of wine is enough.
"There's Mist Champagne, Olmir Wine, Southville Red—all rare fine wines not seen outside. You can drink a bit, but not too much. We must stay clear-headed. Hmm, when drinking, just make it look like you're drinking."
Klein retracted his gaze and nodded. Then, they heard another voice: "Can I not eat either?"
Bilt had already given up trying to find out where this elusive lady was now. He calmly replied: "Could you please not let others notice you?"
The owner of the unseen voice asked: "So that means, as long as I'm not noticed, I can do anything?"
Before Bilt could speak, Klein shouted in a warning tone: "Alice!"
A few seconds later, a disgruntled Alice appeared beside Klein, holding a plate of Beckland-style roast goose in her hands, and a cup of golden, misty, bubbling champagne in her mouth.
She opened her mouth, and the champagne fell from her mouth and landed miraculously steady on the edge of the roast goose plate, with the bubbles not even disturbed.
Under Bilt's shocked gaze, Alice turned her head and asked Klein: "Can I drink alcohol?"
I can do that too… Klein appreciated Alice's acrobatic performance, self-evaluated with satisfaction, then looked at the champagne and uncertainly asked:
"You just want to drink alcohol?"
"You know," Alice blinked, "Minors can't drink alcohol."
(End of Chapter)