Benjamin ended his call, overheard the two talking, walked over, and glanced at Rosie before heavily patting Nora Scott on the shoulder.
He advised Nora Scott earnestly, "It’s ti to confront it."
"What do you an?"
Rosie spoke as she started to roll up her sleeves.
"Can’t you see," Benjamin dug his ear, smiled, and pointed at Nora Scott, "the Living Map you’ve been talking about is actually your vase Hall Master."
"??? "
Rosie stared in shock, eyes wide open.
Wha—What?
"Speechless, eh?" Benjamin said with a grin, extending a long arm to drape over Rosie’s shoulder, guiding her to a corner table, "Co, let tell you about your Hall Master’s legendary tales in the Northwest."
"..."
Rosie’s brain turned blank, as she was led away by Benjamin.
Watching the two of them, Nora Scott took out her phone to check the ti, then walked to the door, "I’m heading out for a bit."
"Where to?"
Humphrey Jennings snubbed out his cigarette and handed her the car keys.
Nora Scott made a sound of acknowledgnt, raised an eyebrow, and said, "eting an old friend."
"Anchel has been a bit chaotic lately, stay safe."
"Got it."
Nora Scott waved, walking into the neon-lit streets.
Humphrey Jennings watched her back, lowered his gaze, and retrieved a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, but after considering for a mont, put it back.
*
Nora Scott arranged to et Glenn Flynn at a bar.
A bar where Matt Leung used to have a residency.
On stage, a folk singer was singing, and Nora Scott sat in the corner, casually sipping a drink.
Glenn Flynn spotted her in the crowd imdiately and walked over, "Miss Scott, long ti no see."
Nora Scott looked up.
Just like in her mory, Glenn Flynn wore glasses, scholarly and unchanged.
"Long ti no see," Nora Scott nodded, "Would you like a drink?"
Glenn Flynn glanced at the orange juice in her hand, smiled, and said, "Sa as you."
Nora Scott ordered another orange juice.
She glanced opposite her as Glenn Flynn adjusted his glasses, then sat down across from her.
He said, "I’m here to say goodbye."
"Where are you going?"
"Matt Leung’s hotown," Glenn Flynn said, "to continue teaching."
"Oh."
Nora Scott nodded, not interfering with his decision.
"Alexander Vaughn hasn’t contacted since then; he must have realized I betrayed him."
Nora Scott paused, reassuring him, "It won’t be too long."
"No pressure needed." Glenn Flynn’s smile was gentle, "Since then, you’ve always had soone secretly protecting , I’m aware. However, Alexander Vaughn is currently too occupied to target ."
"Better safe than sorry."
Glenn Flynn looked at her in surprise.
Nora Scott squinted, "What?"
Glenn Flynn shook his head, saying, "You’re more cautious than I imagined."
Nora Scott smiled slightly, "Better safe than sorry."
Her achievents to this point are due not only to skill and luck but also to... this perpetually perceived vase-like face.
"Indeed." Glenn Flynn agreed with her, "Not sure if you’ve heard."
"Hmm?"
Glenn Flynn enunciated, "Northwest Living Map."
"In Anchel for business?"
"No," Glenn Flynn paused, changed his statent, "Well, not entirely."
"Go on."
"The news hasn’t spread yet, but perhaps soone has ntioned to you, the Martial World has been quite agitated recently."
Thinking of Humphrey Jennings’ words, Nora Scott nodded slightly, "Hmm."
"There’s a reason for it." Glenn Flynn explained, "Alexander Vaughn has been investigating a project called ’Loulanel Plan,’ but now that he’s occupied elsewhere, he seems to intend to make the ’Loulanel Plan’ public to create chaos."
Nora Scott pondered, sipping her orange juice slowly, "To this day, no one knows what the Loulanel Plan is."
"That part is irrelevant." Glenn Flynn said as a server brought an orange juice, he nodded to the server, waiting for them to leave before continuing, "As far as I know, Alexander Vaughn and Francisco Vaughn created the ’Master Sliver’ identity for you, and while you’re worthy of it, the fa wouldn’t be possible without their behind-the-scenes marketing."
"..."
"Before this, your work was excellent and appreciated only by those who recognized quality. After this, your work hasn’t changed, but even those unfamiliar now blindly idolize you."
"..."
Nora Scott understood his implication, she squinted, leaning back thoughtfully, arms crossed.
"So, what the Loulanel Plan specifically studies doesn’t matter." Glenn Flynn said leisurely, "Alexander Vaughn only needs people to believe that the Loulanel Plan might possess wealth or benefits unattainable in a lifeti... Not saying it outright perhaps has even greater allure."
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