Mystery: Gray Walker

Chapter 116 A Proposal to Achieve Two Goals at Once

Clarice had already reached the door. She turned back to look at him, her eyes clear, not at all suggestive. She seemed more like a tired boss looking for a relatively relaxed environment to discuss work and, incidentally, solve her dinner problem.

"What, Advisor Green, is this condition even more difficult than sending you to Blackwater Alley to find clues?"

Green immediately stood up, carefully placed the 100 pounds into his inner pocket, and quickly caught up. "No, of course not. It's just... a bit unexpected. Where are we going?"

"I know a nice, quiet restaurant."

Clarice pushed open the office door. "Don't let that guy Alvin find out, or he'll definitely be jealous of you."

"Why?" Green asked, puzzled.

He thought I was very rich, but also very stingy.

......

Green followed Clarice out of the sanatorium, across two relatively quiet streets, and came to a stone building with an exquisitely carved porch.

Warm yellow light shone through the stained-glass windows, and the waiter in his smart uniform bowed slightly at the door.

"Here?" Green asked, somewhat surprised.

This place looked expensive, which didn't quite match his impression of the Night's Watch's spending habits.

"While we're still alive, let's be good to ourselves," Clarisse said calmly, as if she could read his mind, and went inside first.

The interior environment was indeed elegant.

Soft wall lamps illuminate the small round table covered with a pristine white tablecloth, while the air is filled with the aromas of food, coffee, and wine. Few guests are present, and they converse in hushed tones, creating a quiet and private atmosphere.

A waiter politely led them to a corner seat by the window.

Green sat down, gaining a new understanding of the lieutenant's standard of living. This was clearly not a place one could regularly visit on a night watchman's salary.

Clarisse took the menu and skillfully ordered several dishes:

"Herb-roasted oysters and foie gras with figs. For the main course, I'd like pan-seared cod with lemon butter sauce, and a steak, medium-rare. For vegetables, I'd like roasted asparagus and truffle mashed potatoes. A cream of mushroom soup and a bread basket. Dessert later."

Green was a little surprised. Ordered so much? How could two people possibly finish it?

Clarice ignored Green's reaction, seemingly unfazed, and then looked at the drinks menu, her finger pausing briefly on a particular column.

"Another bottle... Modia 20-year-old rum," she said to the waiter.

Green's eyelids twitched. Modia rum, especially the 20-year-old variety, was an absolute luxury in Oberhafen. He was even more puzzled.

After the waiter left, Clarice draped her coat over the back of the chair, leaned back in, and rubbed her temples.

"Don't look at me like that, Green. This isn't my usual drink. It's just... I'm a little tired today, and I wanted a little drink. Besides,"

She paused for a moment, then said, "Some things might be easier to say with a little alcohol."

"..."

These words brought back the absurd speculation that had been nagging at Green's mind.

The food was served quickly, and its aroma was irresistible.

The fresh aroma of grilled oysters complements the richness of foie gras perfectly. The main course is small in portion but very exquisite.

The bone-in steak in front of Green was quite impressive, while Clarisse's silver cod was pristine white and delicate. The aroma of truffles wafted subtly. The bottle of amber-colored vintage was poured into a decanter, and the waiter poured it for each of them.

Clarisse seemed to have temporarily set aside her worries, focusing on enjoying her meal with elegant and composed movements. Green was also cutting his juicy steak, the delicious flavor melting in his mouth, but most of his mind was still trying to figure out the vice-captain's intentions.

What was the purpose of this overly lavish and formal dinner?

"Not to your liking?" Clarice suddenly looked up and tapped the edge of her plate lightly with her silver fork.

"No, it tastes very good."

Green quickly composed himself. "I'm just... flattered. Miss Astraea, is there something important you need to tell me?"

He decided to be a little more direct.

"No need to be so formal, just call me Clarice."

Clarisse swirled the amber liquid in her glass, then took a sip. Her gaze lingered on the swirling surface, as if carefully choosing her words.

"There are indeed some things, about your cousin. How is she doing lately?"

Green's knife struck.

Emily? Why are you suddenly asking this?

Clarice considered for a moment, then continued, "I personally think she's very dangerous. She doesn't seem to be able to properly control extraordinary powers, which is unacceptable to any righteous church. I don't know if you understand what I mean."

She looked up at Green, "I understand your concern for your family, but if she loses control, it will endanger innocent ordinary people. And... wasn't she drinking an assassin's potion?"

Green nodded and said in a deep voice, "Her becoming an Extraordinary... was my oversight. I don't deny that."

"I'm not trying to assign blame, Green."

Clarice put down her glass. "I don't really care where that potion came from. After all, Oberhafen is such a big place, there are always some 'wild' extraordinary beings that sprout up like weeds, and the Church can't completely control every recipe and ingredient that ends up outside."

She paused, then frowned slightly: "But I must remind you, an ordinary person, even if they are lucky enough to drink the potion and gain power, will ultimately be unable to escape the fate of losing control if they do not have proper guidance, do not have an understanding and control of their own spirituality, and do not have the corresponding 'role' to digest the potion."

"The only difference is the timing and the extent of the damage caused when things get out of control. As the watchmen, we cannot allow danger to occur."

"I see."

Green took a deep breath. "Actually, I've been trying to find a way to calm her down, or at least something to stabilize her."

He thought of the "Master of Tricks" recipe and acting method bestowed by the "Fool," but this only worked for his own path. Now he just needed to wait for Lillian to bring him information about the "Witch" path, but that would take time.

"I have a suggestion now."

Clarice leaned forward slightly, lowered her voice to make sure only the two of them could hear, and said, "Introduce her to the Church of the Night."

"Not as a prisoner or an experimental subject, but as... a potential believer in need of special care and guidance. The Church, especially our Watchmen sequence, has rich experience and specific rituals for soothing the spirit and combating madness and loss of control. The authority of the night itself possesses qualities of tranquility, secrecy, and comfort, which may help her stabilize that restless 'assassin' spirit."

Green's eyes lit up.

This sounds like a viable option. Placing Emily under the supervision and protection of the Church of the True God is better than letting her struggle alone in the dark, constantly on the verge of exploding. Moreover, it seems to resolve the potential troubles that might arise from her identity being exposed.

But after a brief moment of joy, caution and doubt immediately arose.

He pondered for a moment, then looked up and stared directly at Clarice: "Why are you helping me? This seems to go beyond the scope of ordinary superior-subordinate concern."