The two ate in silence until Selyu finally couldn't hold back and asked.

"So, dear detective, are you still a demon hunter?"

Without any other interruptions, Selyu went straight to the point.

"It was one of my former professions. Now I'm a bona fide detective, certified by Suyalan Hall!"

Lorenzo tried to change the subject, but it clearly didn't work on Selyu.

"I learned quite a bit about you from that... Purification Mechanism?"

Selyu remarked as she spoke.

"This world truly is fascinating, it has everything."

Demons, the Armor of Original Sin, the Purification Mechanism—even though she didn't know much, just the peace in Old Dunling after their handling spoke of the organization's power.

"Wait, did they just sell me out like that?"

Lorenzo was puzzled by Selyu's calm tone.

To Lorenzo, the Purification Mechanism was a highly secretive organization; those who knew either got knocked into amnesia or were sent to the northern ice fields to dig potatoes for life.

"It's simple, I promised them commercial support. The entire Stuart group wields significant influence, and maintaining such an organization—even backed by the state—would be very costly, right?"

Sometimes Lorenzo tended to forget Selyu's identity: the future Duchess of Stuart. Though she didn't wield as massive an estate as Duke Salicardo, Stuart's connections spread throughout Ingwig; they had members in every industry, not to be underestimated.

"It's like a weird, unprofitable company. I became a small investor to gain a little power."

Selyu flashed a sly smile.

The Purification Mechanism wouldn't fully open up but was eager to share with those willing to cooperate and provide funds.

Besides, they didn't quite know what to do with this troublesome Selyu. Silencing her at a minor cost was ideal.

In a way, this also maintained governance, tying the Stuart family to the fast-moving chariot… though for now, she's merely a decorative ornament inside the chariot.

"So, am I that worthless?"

Lorenzo shook his head, somewhat annoyed.

"Actually, in that scenario, your information was already worthless; they were just taking an opportunity."

Selyu explained.

She had witnessed the whole event and had nothing left to hide about it.

"But, Lorenzo, you hide really deep, don't you?"

Selyu examined Lorenzo with that peculiar smile, her gaze traveling from head to toe like she was getting to know him all over again.

Lorenzo shifted uncomfortably, feeling like he was a street thug appraising a passing girl, but now with roles reversed.

Originally thinking he was just a detective with a knack for violence, who would have thought he was also a mysterious demon hunter?

"Everyone has some past, right?"

He tried to sound profound while shoveling more meat into his mouth. He had to admit, the meals in noble households were just better than those from street vendors.

"Speaking of, why am I here?"

Lorenzo asked as he looked up and saw another him, reflected in the Ice Sea.

Due to her height, Selyu had one leg on the chair and the other half-kneeling on the table, trying to get closer to him as she carefully observed Lorenzo's eyes.

Some say the eyes are the windows to the soul, and Selyu's posture seemed as though she wanted to lift the skylight and pull that strange soul out for a re-examination.

Lorenzo's first instinct was to look away; Selyu's gaze seemed almost magical—no one could hide their thoughts under it. She could easily see through you and find what she wanted.

Were it not for Selyu showing no signs of erosion, Lorenzo sometimes wondered if this troublesome kid was an undiscovered new breed of demon.

Lorenzo hated being stared down, or seen through. It felt like someone lifting your roof and yanking you out from your comfort; he tried to avert his eyes, but was firmly held in place by a pair of small, cold hands.

Selyu's hands held Lorenzo securely, compelling him to face her, scrutinizing this familiar yet unfamiliar face.

"We had an agreement, Selyu."

Lorenzo evaded her gaze, refusing.

"The one I made a deal with was a detective, not a demon hunter."

She squeezed Lorenzo's cheeks playfully, as if tormenting a furry big dog, twisting his face into various weird expressions.

"You know, if I pull hard, you'll fall down, right?"

Lorenzo threatened.

At this moment, Selyu's center of gravity was on him. A backward move would have her tumbling onto the dining table.

"Oh? Then Yawei hears the noise and comes in, seeing me fallen on the table… you know, Lorenzo, ever since you moved in, Yawei hasn't put down his gun… he really has issues with you."

Like a treacherous villain, Selyu's face carried a mocking expression.

For a moment, Lorenzo was thrown into an awkward silence.

"So be honest, demon hunter."

She firmly corrected Lorenzo's face, making their eyes lock.

It was quite an intriguing sensation; it reminded Lorenzo of the first time he met Selyu, back in Gaulunaro, a small port town near the White Tide Strait.

Lorenzo had learned about Selyu from asking around, this young girl surviving with her keen insight among the chaos of the town.

In a shabby alley, he saw Selyu. There were many others at the time, but upon seeing her eyes, like an Ice Sea, Lorenzo knew she was his target.

They were eyes like mirrors, reflecting the world in its entirety.

But suddenly, the cold feeling vanished. By the time Lorenzo realized it, Selyu had already returned to her seat, continuing to cut the food on her plate as if nothing had happened.

Unconcerned about decorum, she intentionally made smacking sounds, seemingly savoring Lorenzo's little secrets.

"So... why am I here?"

Lorenzo had no desire to discuss this further, a wary look on his face.

He remembered passing out in an alley, but waking up here.

"I needed something from you. Mrs. Van Rudd mentioned you'd been out for days; then I saw you on the way back, collapsed in an alley."

Selyu recounted the events.

"I brought you back naturally. You were injured, and Yawei helped treat the wounds. You slept the whole day."

"That's it?"

"That's it. What else?"

Selyu finished eating, placing her utensils aside.

This guy was always cold, like a lifeless puppet, but sometimes he seemed lively, rare moments of liveliness.

Lorenzo felt something off, and asked.

"So what's the matter you need me for?"

Just felt more trouble coming.

Selyu answered.

"Someone wants to see you."

"See me?"

Lorenzo quickly scanned through his social contacts; besides some demons and ghosts, most were corpses—not many would seek him.

"Yes, so please stay until tonight, Lorenzo."

Selyu stood up, smiling.

"A distinguished guest wants to meet you, tonight."

Wrapped in mystery, she delighted in seeing Lorenzo's vexed expression.

"You still haven't said what it's about, Selyu."

Lorenzo, sharp as ever, sensed something and asked again.

"As a demon hunter?"

From Lorenzo's perspective, the only thing that might catch those distinguished people's attention would be his demon hunter abilities. Going beyond the Purification Mechanism to find him directly seemed ominous.

Selyu shook her head.

"Rest assured, I haven't disclosed your affairs. We signed a confidentiality agreement, after all… though it seems rather useless."

She approached Lorenzo, fastening the buttons on his pajamas, with her voice brushing by his ear.

"It's in your capacity as a detective."

"In the capacity of Detective Lorenzo Holmes."

Her Ice Sea-like eyes seemed to smile at him as she said.

"So please dress appropriately then, and don't come out in your pajamas, okay?"

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