Ciel had an idea now, one that needed to be implemented in reality, and the sooner, the better.
The bronze doorknob turned, and Avena stood at the entrance, saying with slight apology, “Sorry, I’m bothering you again.”
From Avena’s perspective, she did seem a bit hasty, returning to disturb Ciel so soon after leaving.
However, Ciel was still sitting on the sofa, in the same spot, seemingly relaxed and having made no move.
“Have you thought of a solution?” Ciel looked towards Avena and asked.
“A solution… not exactly,” Avena shook her head. “I just thought, if those cultists from Deton Manor have planted too many spies in the city, information about an extra person staying with me could spread quickly.”
“And then?” Ciel tilted her head slightly, asking knowingly.
“So I just realized, it might not be safe for you to sleep here after all.” Avena’s expression returned to its usual impassivity. She continued, “It’s too far from both me and Nia.”
“Then… should I leave?” Ciel blinked.
Ciel’s counter-question made Avena pause slightly, the words she intended to say caught in her throat.
She hadn’t considered how to answer that.
“Well… you could,” Avena racked her brain, not noticing her own quickened speech, “but it’s hard to find good housing right now, hotels are crowded and potentially more dangerous, and if you go to your sister’s place, you might draw the cultists’ attention to her…”
Not a single sentence explicitly asked Ciel to stay, yet every word discouraged her from leaving.
She just appeared unconcerned about Ciel’s departure, merely helping her brainstorm options.
Looking at the girl before her, who was inept at expressing her inner thoughts, Ciel couldn’t help but reveal a faint smile.
Although Avena didn’t know, Ciel knew what Avena had done in the simulation.
Even knowing they were heading into a cultist stronghold, even hearing that Ciel had lost control due to the potion, Avena had still been willing to follow Uris and Adele to Deton Manor to save her.
True friends are revealed in times of adversity. The Eye of Order contract only ensured Avena didn’t dislike her; it couldn’t compel her to risk her life for her.
This meant that deep down, Avena already considered her a friend.
Though they hadn’t known each other long, they had faced hardship together, forging a life-and-death bond.
Avena had been alone in Berren for so long, never attending the academy, either self-studying or solving cases at the police department. Judging by her demeanor, she likely didn’t have many friends at the department either.
So she must cherish this hard-won friendship, right?
Based on the simulation’s progression, Avena would invite her to spend the night in her room. So, Ciel decided to stop beating around the bush and asked Avena directly:
“Then… can I stay in your room? I can sleep on the floor.”
Ciel’s expression seemed hesitant, as if she were genuinely considering the matter. Even Adele could have seen Ciel’s slight embarrassment.
Avena, surprised that the conversation had circled back, paused for a moment. But seeing the look on Ciel’s face, as if she might give up on the idea at any second, Avena quickly replied:
“I don’t mind. If you really have nowhere else to go, you can sleep in my room for these few days… My bed is quite large, you don’t need to sleep on the floor.”
Hearing this, Ciel showed an expression of relief and smiled at Avena, “Thank you, Avena.”
“It’s fine. It doesn’t inconvenience me at all, just a small favor.” Avena shook her head expressionlessly, stepping back from Ciel’s room and placing her hand on the doorknob. “You can move your things to my room later.”
“Wait a moment, Avena.” Ciel spoke, stopping Avena.
Avena paused at the door.
She pushed the door open slightly again, looking at Ciel. “What is it?”
“Are you planning to call Adele over tonight to discuss things?” Ciel asked.
In the first notebook entry, Avena had called Adele over to her house in the early morning of the 21st, and the three of them discussed matters in the room.
The result of their discussion was that on the noon of the 21st, the two went to the church to report that Deton Manor harbored cultists.
With Adele taking the lead, Avena could quickly find High Priest Uris.
However, in the first simulation, Ciel’s simulated self had the important task of activating “Gambler,” possibly preventing her from recording the information about Avena inviting her to sleep over due to the timing.
But in the second simulation, without the task of activating “Gambler,” the simulated Ciel, aiming to prank her real self, directly accepted Avena’s request, preventing Avena from inviting Adele over. This left the entirely unaware real Ciel waking up to find herself in Avena’s bed.
Today was the 20th… After midnight, it would be the 21st.
Time was actually quite pressing for Ciel.
In fact, during this period, Kitty had already begun investigating Adele. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Adele would still be captured and taken to Deton Manor for brainwashing on the 22nd.
Ciel just didn’t know if, without her influence, Kitty would kill High Priest Uris on the same day, the 22nd.
But even if Kitty didn’t kill Uris on the 22nd, once the “Radiance Bishop” arrived at Deton Manor on the 23rd, Kitty, to save her own skin, would execute the plan to show loyalty and redeem her mistakes.
Hearing Ciel’s words, Avena looked at Ciel with some surprise.
She… did indeed have this idea. She was planning to call Adele over tonight.
However, after Ciel agreed to sleep in her room earlier, Avena had changed her mind, planning instead to visit Adele with Ciel early the next morning.
As expected, Ciel was always on the same wavelength.
“I did have that thought.” Avena nodded, but immediately regretted saying it.
If she really called Adele over tonight, asking her to leave again would be awkward, given the real danger.
It was a rare chance for just the two of them…
Fine, let her come. Adele could sleep on the floor.
Although Adele had done nothing wrong, Avena felt her fondness for Adele decrease slightly.