Steam Age: I Fight Against Divine Authority with Otherworldly Tales

Chapter 42 The Deal Inside the Cafe

"The God of Life - Elwin the Dawn".

Upon hearing the name, Suren immediately realized that this was the deity Ellie had prayed to. He pressed further, "You mean, that ruin was built by believers of the 'God of Life'?"

"I don't know the specifics. Albert basically didn't allow anyone else to read those books. I only came across the term by chance," Mrs. Howard said, shaking her head.

Suren frowned. He had always been more inclined to believe that the gods were false and that the power came from other sources.

However, according to Mrs. Howard, believers of the gods had already established ruins before the "Cataclysmic Era," which means that the gods existed at least at that time.

"No, it could just be ordinary religious belief, but that doesn't explain why Ellie's prayers were answered."

Suren pondered silently, but because there were so few clues, he was unable to piece together anything from the scattered information.

Suren kept this in mind, intending to investigate it when the time was right.

He looked up, about to say something, when he noticed that Mrs. Howard had somehow pulled out a hand mirror and was fixing her hair in front of it.

She was no longer as awkward as before; her stiff shoulders and neck relaxed, and she leaned gently against the back of the chair, adjusting her cuffs.

"Sir, I just remembered something. I heard that my husband posted a bounty on the 'Deathbird Monks' a few days ago, which has made some things clear to me."

She didn't continue, but looked at Suren with a smile, then changed the subject: "I think the information I just gave you was quite valuable, and you should keep your promise."

Suren chuckled slightly.

He understood that Mrs. Howard's change of attitude was because she had figured out his identity—a Deathbird, not one of those lawless "filthy lawbreakers".

From Mrs. Howard's perspective, Suren only knew that she had made a deal, but not the details or the other party, so she felt emboldened.

Suren nodded, picked up her unsweetened coffee and took a sip: "To be honest, Mrs. Howard, I admire your quick wit."

I will keep my promise, but you'll need to fabricate some traces so I can report back.

"It's very simple." Mrs. Howard smiled slightly. "The people I'm dealing with have already been arranged. Right now, to the average person, Mrs. Howard is discussing a perfume investment project with other noble ladies."

Mrs. Howard thoughtfully brought out several photos so that Suren could remember the features of these noble ladies.

A camera, an item that the poor might never be able to afford in their entire lives, was indeed a novel toy in the eyes of these nobles.

Suren memorized the person in the photo, then leaned back in his chair, picked up his coffee, and drank it all in one gulp.

"The Eternal Oath Knights are indeed quite reliable." He placed the cup back on the porcelain plate with a crisp sound. "Am I right, Mrs. Howard?"

Mrs. Howard's pupils contracted slightly, and the smile on her face seemed to freeze. She unconsciously sat up straight.

Suren stood up and tapped the table: "I know more than you think, but fortunately, I don't usually like to ruin friendly relations for no reason—provided the other party is obedient."

Mrs. Howard looked up at the young man with black hair and brown eyes, her eyes showing some surprise. Her lips moved, but no sound came out.

Suren had already turned to leave, but then stopped, as if suddenly remembering something, and turned her head slightly: "My name is Suren Cheen. If you ever need anything in the future, you can contact me. Of course, there will be a fee."

After saying that, Suren walked out of the coffee shop without looking back, leaving Mrs. Howard sitting there motionless.

After leaving the coffee shop, Suren walked straight across the street and turned into a small alley.

In the dim alley, with a thought, the "Mandala Ring" flashed a light that went unnoticed, and the camera appeared out of thin air in Suren's right hand, its cold body pressed against his palm.

He casually pressed the shutter button on a roadside trash can, and a photo emerged from the bottom of the camera.

He picked up the photo with his left hand, extended his right hand, and silently traced his index finger in the air.

The information shackles have been activated.

Those images, those memories, the events of today, and this photograph—under the influence of the "information shackles," anyone unable to break through the "information barrier" who investigates and probes them will only arrive at one conclusion: Suren secretly photographed Mrs. Howard's secret negotiations with several noble ladies.

Suren looked at his work clothes and, with a thought, instantly transformed the drab gray clothes into the uniform of the Deathbird.

Suren shrugged, making sure the uniform fit him perfectly. He nodded in satisfaction, a smile curving his lips: "The 'Mandala Ring' is quite convenient; a one-second disguise."

……

Outside the "Starlight Club," Carl leaned against the wall, his eyes fixed on the club's door. He muttered to himself, "Why isn't that guy Suren back yet? It's been almost two hours."

Are your eyes dry?

A familiar voice came from behind Karl. Karl was startled and turned around abruptly, only to find that Suren had somehow appeared behind him, looking relaxed and holding a photograph in her hand.

"How come you walk so quietly!" Carl complained, patting his chest. He paused, then widened his eyes and added, "I've been staring at this for two hours straight, and you're asking me if my eyes are dry?"

"Alright, alright, look what this is." Suren shrugged and handed over the photo in her hand.

Carl took the photo and brought it close to his eyes. In the photo, Mrs. Howard was discussing something with a well-dressed lady, her eyes filled with a smile.

He stared at the photo for a few seconds, frowned, and scratched his head in confusion. He looked at Suren and asked with some uncertainty, "So Mrs. Howard's affair was with a woman?"

Suren sighed. Carl's wildly imaginative ideas truly left him speechless. He pinched the bridge of his nose: "Is it possible that Mrs. Howard didn't cheat on me?"

"Uh." Carl choked for a moment; he opened his mouth, then closed it again.

He scratched the back of his head, somewhat embarrassed, and changed the subject: "So, you just infiltrated the 'Starry Club'? Why didn't you take me with you?"

Suren snatched the photo back and turned to walk towards Viscount Howard's residence, his voice still lingering in the air: "What kind of infiltration is this if you bring him along?"

Carl stood there for half a second, touched his nose, and quickly jogged to catch up with him.

Soon, the two stood in front of Viscount Howard's residence, and Suren rang the doorbell.

This time, however, it wasn't Viscount Howard who opened the door, but a blonde, blue-eyed lady—Howard's wife.