Chapter 539: Chapter 49: The Oscillation of the Hour Hand

Medea was somewhat disgruntled.

The so-called “soon-to-be son-in-law of the Lixini Family” was unequivocally Nora’s bluff. Even without using her brain, Medea could figure out with her chest that Aske was definitely not that kind of person.

Of course, that didn’t exactly make her feel any better.

After all, this was on Nora’s turf, and if she put herself in their shoes, Medea figured they could take full advantage of the home field to play some dirty little tricks, like deceiving someone into marriage… Just thinking about it made her feel sick, damn it.

She looked at Aske again, silently activating her mind-reading ability. The Squad Leader’s Mind Body surfaced with some superfluous thoughts, haphazard and lacking in value for reading—indicating that although Aske was politely responding to Nora’s parents, his mind was actually quite bored.

Next to him, Mia’s mind was filled with thoughts of eating this and that, and Sigrdrifa was pretty much the same. In fact, these two idiots had already put their thoughts into action; they were the ones feasting most joyously at the table.

Peggy sat next to Aske, quietly listening to his conversation with Nora’s parents, the picture of docility. Her Mind Body surfaced smoothly, showing her mind was empty at the moment, the girl lost in a daydream.

Thira sat opposite Nora’s parents, also silently and calmly listening in, occasionally adding a few words, her mind turning over how to establish a good relationship with Nora’s parents to gain the support of the Lixini Family in the future.

Medea sneered inwardly; Theodora was indeed on Nora’s side, just because her family was rich? How utterly pragmatic… Thankfully, her beloved Aske wasn’t that type of person.

Miel sat beside Medea, silent. Lately, the half-elf girl had been speaking less and less, and her presence in the team was also growing thinner.

But Medea knew she was actually pondering over something for a long time, tossing and turning with insomnia. If it wasn’t for the fact that Nora didn’t make a habit of reading the minds of others besides Aske, Miel’s relationship with the Anti-Christ would have been blatantly exposed to her.

The rest were Nora and Eleanor. Unfortunately, both were individuals whose minds Medea could not read.

Indeed, I just don’t get along with these two… thought the Enchanting Demon lady, as the knife and fork in her hand slowly twirled between her fingers.

As the essence of the Manipulation Law, the very least requirement was to have a full understanding of the surrounding environment and available conditions before formulating the next manipulation strategy.

As of now, it was clear, Nora and Eleanor were undoubtedly going to be her greatest rivals in love, and seeing as Theodora was clearly unreliable, efforts should be made to win over the remaining people.

Sigrdrifa and Mia were a piece of cake; Miel might pose a bit of a challenge, but in practice, not difficult. Rational people were the easiest to deal with; one only needed to present facts and logic.

Peggy was a bit more troublesome, after all, she only had eyes for the Squad Leader, and discussing any alliance tactics with her… she probably couldn’t understand or accept it.

Alas, if only I could grasp one or two skills of the Manipulation Law, I wouldn’t have to go through all this trouble.

Regarding the matter of subsequent advancement, Medea once sought advice from three nerds in the team. Peggy and Eleanor replied with “impulse,” as their skill comprehension often came during a surge of emotions.

This approach undeniably did not suit the Enchanting Demon lady, for she was more of the “calm type,” shrewd and tactical. To get her blood boiling… not unless someone wrapped himself in a blanket and lay on her bedroom bed.

Aske had suggested that she read similar books, such as “Hypnosis,” “Psychological Manipulation,” “Eighteen Techniques of Interrogation,” and so on. Of course, Medea had been trying, but the effectiveness of these efforts was still uncertain.

She absentmindedly fiddled with a lobster shell with her knife and fork. Across the table, Nora’s parents and Aske were chatting more and more animatedly. Marcus, especially, seemed quite interested in Aske’s rich past experiences.

It should be known that in this world, mercenaries are almost synonymous with “uncultured.” After all, why would any adult with a higher education willingly tie their head to their waist belt and live a life licking blood off knives?

However, this young man named Aske was not like that. First of all, he was a noble from Constantinople, born into the Achilles family of the Fourth Epoch Eastern Luo Empire, which could, by a stretch, be considered a suitable match for the Lixini Family.

Secondly, his way of speaking had also won Marcus’s favor. It was clear that this man was not one of the rude mercenaries with more muscle than brain matter, but rather resembled the well-educated, energetic youths Marcus often saw within his own family.

Not only did he possess a thorough understanding of the situation in various countries across the continent, but he also had mature experience and methods for managing teams. Had it not been for his connection with Nora, Marcus might have been inclined to recruit him as a reserve talent for the family, grooming him into a professional manager later on to help Kapaxilin handle some business.

But since he wanted to run his own Mercenary Group, that was fine too. Although the Lixini Family didn’t involve itself in military and political affairs, hiring security companies was essential. With the “Golden Skulls” handling matters within the borders of Italy, it was perfectly natural to expand influence abroad.

Therefore, he skillfully steered the conversation, expressing optimism about the future of The Azure Longsword Mercenary Corps and subtly suggested, “We could sponsor you.”

Named sponsorship, but in reality, it was an investment. Of course, if things with him and Nora went smoothly, turning the dry shares into a dowry later on would naturally be in the natural order of things.

“Dad!” Before Aske could decline, Nora had already started complaining in embarrassment, “Can you stop talking about investing? We’re not short of money!!”

I brought him here so you could get acquainted and foster a relationship, not talk business! Does our Mercenary Group look like it needs your money?

“Ha ha, look, Nora minds,” said Marcus, winking at Aske, who in turn showed an expression of bemused resignation.

Li Xiliya smiled from the side. Since her husband had a good impression of this prospective son-in-law, she naturally had no objections. As for Nora’s constant display of protectiveness towards Aske, she had noticed it all too well, gaining a certain understanding of the relationship between the two.

The couple were in high spirits, but the rest of those present weren’t quite feeling the same. Kapaxilin rested her cheek in her hand, looking utterly bored. Peggy, sitting next to Aske and lost in thought, suddenly seemed to realize something and looked at them suspiciously, sensing that the atmosphere was a bit off.

Eleanor gazed at the dishes on the table, her mind so bothered that she completely lost her appetite. Medea, on the other hand, wore a semi-smiling expression, her gaze towards Nora containing a hint of coldness.

Of course, Marcus and Li Xiliya were not dull and promptly noticed that the others present were off. Just as they were about to speak, a sharp alarm sounded from outside.

An alarm?

Marcus immediately stood up, and at the same time, there was a hurried knocking at the door.

“Come in!” Marcus hadn’t finished speaking when the secretary outside had already pushed the door open.

“Your Excellency,” he spoke rapidly, “The Church Court has just officially issued a Level 3 martial law order! The city has now entered a curfew state; I suggest everyone head back quickly!”

The so-called Level 3 martial law order corresponded to the outbreak of events with a deterrence level of R3, which would result in Solomon being subjected to wartime urban control.

All citizens would be forced to stay at home and not leave. Even members of the Lixini Family would find traveling troublesome, as coordination with the Church Court was necessary.

“What’s the reason?” Marcus asked in a deep voice.

The secretary didn’t answer right away; his electronic retinal implant in his artificial eye showed a cascade of information streaming like a waterfall. After about thirty seconds, he spoke:

“Your Excellency.”

“The hands of the Giotto Bell have moved clockwise by 15 marks!”

“It is now pointing at 10 o’clock!”