Faced with the relentless, "unconventional paths" taken by the two, so of Shimizu’s subordinates began to gradually fall behind.
However, the prowess of the Fourth Squad of the Arson and Theft Magistrate was not rely a matter of reputation.
Even though they had been left far behind and many subordinates had fallen back, the remaining few, including Nishino and Shimizu, ten or so in total, could barely keep up with Aoto and Mukiwa, still striving to keep pace, firmly pursuing Aoto and the others.
No matter what, they couldn’t shake off these remaining pursuers—Mukiwa’s beautiful brow furrowed: "No wonder they are the Arson and Theft Magistrate... they are different from ordinary officials..."
Mukiwa looked ahead again, surveying the surroundings.
Suddenly, she seed to recall sothing, her expression montarily blank.
Then, she suddenly swerved 90 degrees: "Mr. Tachibana, follow ."
"Where to?" Aoto asked in bewildernt as he followed Mukiwa in turning.
"I know a district nearby that’s perfect for losing pursuers." A subtle, intriguing smile played at the corners of Mukiwa’s mouth beneath her face cover, "The buildings there are very tall, and I’m quite familiar with that place."
...
...
Edo, concession territory—
"Mmm..."
Elodie groggily opened her eyes, seeing the familiar ceiling.
——Hmm? What ti is it now?
In her still half-asleep daze, Elodie turned her head to gaze around.
"I seem to have been... reading a book..."
Elodie sat up, rubbed her eyes, and glanced at the "Robin Hood" placed on her bedside table.
mories before she fell asleep slowly surfaced in Elodie’s mind.
After taking a relaxing bath, Elodie, as usual, sat at the table in her bedroom, engrossed in reading the "Robin Hood" she had already read countless tis before fleeing Europe with her grandfather.
She quietly savored this novel she deed an immortal classic, never tiring of, for about an hour, as her eyelids began to grow heavy.
However, Elodie had just reached a thrilling part of the story—Robin Hood once again stylishly escaped his pursuers after stealing from unscrupulous rchants.
This segnt was one of Elodie’s favorite parts in the "Robin Hood" tale.
After punishing villains, he would dashingly and calmly retreat—just imagining the scene made Elodie’s heart yearn.
Determined to finish this scene before sleeping, Elodie resisted her drowsiness and continued reading the novel.
Yet—she had ultimately overestimated her willpower.
After deciding to finish that scene before sleeping... her mory afterward beca very hazy.
She guessed she must have fallen asleep halfway, unable to resist the drowsiness, slumped over the desk.
After she fell asleep, her maid Leroy likely lifted her back to bed and placed her "Robin Hood" on the bedside table.
"I actually fell asleep reading..." Elodie smiled wryly and gently lifted the thin quilt covering her.
Feeling a bit thirsty, she intended to get so water from the table opposite her bed.
She jumped off the bed and slipped her dainty feet into colorful Persian slippers.
But just then, she suddenly heard strange, peculiar noises coming from outside the window.
"Hmm?" Elodie blinked toward the window not far away, curiosity unmistakable in her eyes.
——At this hour... why is it so noisy outside?
Elodie pondered in confusion as she slowly walked to the window and pushed it open.
The bright moonlight spilled through the opened window into the room, illuminating Elodie’s beautiful blue eyes.
Then she saw a slender figure.
He was running like the wind on the rooftop of the row of houses directly opposite Elodie’s bedroom window.
The person wore a black fox mask concealing his whole face.
His form was bathed in moonlight, with two swords hanging from his waist,
and because of his remarkable speed, he quickly darted out of Elodie’s line of sight in just an instant.
"Eh?" Elodie leaned her head out of the window, scanning for the "Black Fox Mask" figure with her eyes.
Observing carefully, Elodie discovered another figure near the "Black Fox Mask"—equally dressed in black but without a mask, only a black cloth over the face.
While Elodie was gawking at the two racing across the rooftop, she suddenly heard the raucous sound of footsteps from the street below.
She looked down at the street outside her window.
On the street, over ten officials carrying lanterns were gasping as they pursued the two figures dressed in black.
The commotion caused by the black-clothed figures and these officials disturbed the quiet of this concession area.
Many people, awakened by the clamor, like Elodie opened their windows to see what was happening.
After briefly glancing at the officials on the street, Elodie redirected her focus to the two black-clothed figures who were disappearing from her sight.
"All dressed in black... wall-climbing and roof-running... being chased by officials... could it be those two are...?!"
As the thought struck Elodie, her beautiful blue eyes lit up with a brilliance like stars in a sumr night.
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