In the following three days, Fang Li diligently continued to eliminate Torches in Misaki City, attempting to lure Friagne out.
However, it seemed like Friagne had truly disappeared. Not only did he reveal no traces, but there was also a complete absence of information. It was as if he had already left the city, causing the number of Torches in Misaki City to steadily decrease.
The City Devourer's secret spell required approximately ten percent of the population in the entire city to become Torches before it could be activated.
Thus, Fang Li's continuous elimination of Torches not only prevented the City Devourer's secret spell from meeting the activation conditions but also kept it increasingly distant. In this situation, Friagne managed to withhold his actions, a feat that Fang Li couldn't help but admire.
After all, the City Devourer's secret spell was crucial for Friagne.
Even being mistreated by Fang Li, the Crimson Lord infatuated with Dolls could remain hidden in the shadows without making a move. It truly exceeded Fang Li's expectations.
"But, I don't believe you can endure it forever."
Therefore, Fang Li continued to eliminate Torches in Misaki City, making the activation of the City Devourer increasingly remote.
In reality, Fang Li's thoughts were correct.
Friagne had almost reached his limit.
In the dimly lit space, within the courtyard-style bonsai emitting a faint blue glow, Torches were extinguishing one by one. This caused a slight distortion to appear on Friagne's elegant face.
"That damn human…" Friagne gritted his teeth with frustration.
If it weren't for Fang Li, who was lost in his midnight wanderings, being able to compensate for all the losses, Friagne would have rushed out a long time ago.
"Master…"
Doll Marianne, lying in Friagne's arms, uttered a somewhat uneasy call once again.
This call immediately restored Friagne's composure. He gently stroked Marianne's head, conveying reassurance to her and somewhat self-reassurance.
"Don't worry. Although we lost a considerable portion, there are still many Torches remaining. As long as we obtain the midnight wanderer, we can replenish them at any time. Our plan hasn't failed. Rest assured."
"But, if we continue like this, all of Master's efforts for so long will be in vain." Marianne expressed some anxiety. "Hasn't that Crimson Lord arrived yet?"
"At this time, he should be here soon." Friagne looked at the Crystal Altar in front of him, displaying a worried expression mixed with irony. "Perhaps the other party didn't really take the so-called commission to heart; it's just a game for them. After all, accepting someone else's commission is quite unusual for a Crimson World Crimson Lord. It's as if there's been some mistake."
So, even if he became a special Crimson World Crimson Lord, having a short-lived enthusiasm wasn't impossible.
Just as Friagne thought this, a voice suddenly echoed in this spatial area.
"Hey hey hey, don't say that. After all, I've been in this business for countless years with 'fulfilling requests' as my principle. At least, I still have that much integrity, right?"
When such a powerful yet somewhat frivolous-sounding voice resounded throughout the dim space, Friagne's eyes brightened, and he finally smiled.
Turning his head to look behind him, Friagne's gaze was immediately drawn to the figure.
It was a man wearing a black suit, possessing a tall physique, with platinum-colored hair combed neatly to the back of his head. He wore sunglasses, resembling a bodyguard, and looked to be around thirty years old.
The middle-aged man walked noiselessly from the shadows, gazing at Friagne. He revealed a sharp smile.
"Sorry, I'm late. It seems I've had more Denizens hiring me lately. Before your commission arrived, a brother and sister pair even wanted me to work for them."
Hearing this, Friagne nonchalantly chuckled and said, "Regardless, being able to wait for you makes my restraint these past few days not in vain. I've long heard of your name, Sydonay of 'Thousand Changes.'"
"Your name is renowned on this side too, Friagne of the 'Hunters,'" Sydonay glanced at Friagne, speaking with a smirk as he spoke, "I never expected you, hailed as one of the top five Crimson Lords of the modern era, to send a commission my way. At first, I thought I might have misunderstood something."
Sydonay was a Crimson World Crimson Lord who enjoyed accepting commissions from others. Unlike the 'Denizens' who came to the present world and wreaked havoc for their own purposes, Sydonay's unique interest was slightly different. Fundamentally, he acted for his own goals, making him a typical Crimson Lord.
Moreover, unlike recent Crimson Lords like Friagne, Sydonay had been around for much longer. Mentioning the moniker 'Thousand Changes,' anyone in the Flame Haze and Crimson World Denizen communities who claimed not to recognize this character would undoubtedly be considered an inexperienced rookie.
Of course, even those who knew of 'Thousand Changes' might not truly understand him.
Sydonay wasn't just a Crimson Lord who enjoyed accepting commissions; he undeniably had this particular hobby. It was precisely because of this that he was surprised by Friagne's commission.
"Generally speaking, Crimson World Denizens who need protection from other Crimson Lords are usually minor players with limited power. To see a Crimson Lord like you commissioning me is truly surprising."
Saying this, Sydonay took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and extracted one. Placing the cigarette between his lips, he extended a finger. Accompanied by the sound of a 'snap,' a murky purple flame ignited at the tip of Sydonay's finger. He then lit the cigarette, took a deep drag, and, under the exhaled smoke, candidly spoke.
"Let me hear the details of your commission for now."
Upon hearing this, Friagne suddenly smiled. His gaze fixed directly on Sydonay's figure, and with an elegant tone, he uttered a line.
"I would like to commission you to help me deal with two individuals."
"Two individuals?" Sydonay immediately inquired, "Who are they?"
Friagne turned his head, looking towards the direction of the Crystal Altar. Gazing at a Torch extinguishing once again in a corner of Misaki City, a lethal killing intent surfaced in his eyes.
Then, Friagne spoke.
"One is a Flame Haze."
"And the other?"
...