The Mystery:The Witch and the Scourge

Duke Negan was wearing the admiral's uniform that once fit him well, holding a wine glass in his hand and walking towards this side with a smile on his face.

What is slightly puzzling is that even at the dance held in his own home, the blond secretary and bodyguard followed closely behind Duke Negan, not squinting, and maintaining sufficient vigilance.

This is too cautious, are you so afraid of death... Louise cursed in her heart, and then said enthusiastically:

"Mr. Duke, thank you very much for inviting me to the ball tonight. I am honored."

Duke Negan waved his hand to indicate that he didn't need to care, and then looked back and forth between Louise and Audrey, and couldn't help but praise:

"Seeing two equally beautiful ladies from the northern and southern continents, I seem to see the root of the continuous expansion of the Loen Kingdom in recent years. It is precisely to allow ladies like you to easily enjoy the happy life today. This is the sentiment of all Loen people from His Majesty the King on down."

Louise didn't expect Duke Negan to say such words. She turned her head and glanced at Miss Justice beside her. The latter's eyes also revealed a puzzled look, but she was still very polite and skillful. responded:

"Thank you for everything you have done for this country, Mr. Duke."

Immediately afterwards, the two of them tapped their chests four times in unison and said:

"Praise the goddess."

Duke Negan accepted the two compliments calmly and said with a smile:

"I hope you have a good time. I will invite the two ladies to watch a good show after a while."

"After all," Mr. Duke said meaningfully, "the ball is particularly prone to inexplicable accidents. I believe both ladies are deeply aware of this."

After saying that, Duke Negan turned around and left without leaving Louise and Louise any time to react.

After a brief moment of staring, Audrey frowned and said:

"Mr. Duke's state is not quite right today."

In comparison, Louise looked more serious. The smile on her face had long since disappeared, leaving only a solemn and serious expression. She quickly analyzed:

"An unexpected dance occurred."

"For me, it refers to the ball where Ambassador Intis was assassinated. For you, it should represent the banquet where Qilingos attempted to assassinate Duke Negan... Both banquets had accidents. Why did Mr. Duke specifically mention this to the two of us today?"

"Is he foretelling that something unexpected will happen at tonight's dance?"

Louise quickly came to the above conclusion. Recalling Duke Negan's profound gaze just now, she was even a little worried whether Mr. Duke had seen through her plan... But after thinking about it, she felt that this was impossible. Because the power that wants Mr. Duke to die is too powerful.

So, she directly stated her question and stared into Audrey's eyes seriously, trying to get a response.

Unfortunately, Miss Justice also looked confused. She seemed to be shocked by Louise's guess. She shook her head and said:

"I'm not so sure either."

Then, she continued: "But I can ask my father, Earl Hall, he may know something."

Louise nodded with a smile and watched Audrey pass through the crowd and walk towards the center of the dance.

Then, she drank down the champagne in her hand and turned around quickly, ready to find the maid and give her a few words.

Perhaps because Louise was too preoccupied, she didn't even notice the footsteps behind her. After turning around, she almost bumped into an elderly gentleman.

"Oh!" She let out a weak exclamation, and quickly held the old man's arm in front of her to avoid something more embarrassing happening, and quickly apologized and said:

"I'm sorry, I was careless. Are you injured?"

The old gentleman's hair was completely white, growing untidy and unruly. It was obvious that he had not taken care of it carefully. His face was kind and rosy, and he was in good spirits. He held Louise's wrist, stood firm, and answered.

explain:

"It's okay, it's okay. It's just me, an old guy, who didn't pay attention to the road."

"That's good, I surprised you." Louise said politely, and then she wanted to leave, but her wrist was still held by the old man in front of her, and she could not break free smoothly.

"I seem to have never seen you before?" The old gentleman had a familiar character. He grabbed Louise's wrist, took a look at her and said:

"But you look a bit like my granddaughter."

Louise responded nonchalantly and said: "You are flattering me. Your granddaughter must be much better than me."

The old gentleman showed a disgusted expression, waved his hand and said:

"That girl is too wild-tempered and has not inherited any of my excellent qualities."

Then you said that she looks like me, are you complimenting me or hurting me... Louise curled her lips secretly, and soon the figure of the maid appeared in her wandering eyes. She blinked at her and felt relieved.

After arriving, he looked at the old gentleman in front of him and said:

"Are you a professor at a certain university?"

"Oh, how do you know?" The old gentleman seemed surprised, and inadvertently let go of Louise's wrist, and asked curiously: "You know me? But I have never seen you?"

"I guessed it." Louise said with a smile, and at the same time added in her heart: "Probably only professor-level researchers would attend such a grand ball in such a shabby manner."

"Then you are very smart!" The old man praised, and then introduced himself: "I am Russell Means, the dean of a research institute in Backlund."

Louise also said her name, bowed slightly and said:

"Nice to meet you, Dean Russell."

"Just call me by my name." Mr. Russell waved his hand and said, "Dean is too official, and you are not my student."

"You are really an approachable gentleman." Louise choked for a moment, then politely complimented.

Although Russell is very old, his mentality is very young. He showed a happy smile and said:

"I discovered another characteristic that is very similar between you and my granddaughter. Both of you have a very sweet mouth."

Louise smiled, not thinking of how to respond, when she suddenly noticed Miss Justice walking towards her quickly.

"Dean Russell, I didn't expect you to come to the dance tonight." Audrey said with some surprise.

Old Mr. Russell stretched out his hand to smooth the thick white hair on his head, but the hair quickly became ridged again. He smiled slightly and said:

"I have to relax sometimes. If I stay with you young people, I will become younger!"

"You are still so humorous." Audrey replied with a smile, then pulled Louise to say goodbye and walked to an empty place with no one.

"Who is this Dean Russell?" Louise asked thoughtfully.

"He is a very advanced mechanical expert. He has participated in many construction projects within the kingdom. He believes in the 'God of Steam and Machinery'... Anyway, he is very powerful!" Audrey quickly summarized and then said seriously:

"Do I know what Duke Negan wants to do?"

However, before Miss Justice's follow-up story came out, a crisp knocking sound came from her ears, causing everyone present to look towards the center of the ball hall.

Duke Negan was standing on the high platform with a serious face and cold eyes scanning the many guests under the stage.