“Thank you, Miss Jessica.”
“Goodbye, until we meet again.”
“You two take care as well. If you need any help, call the number on the business card.”
Jessica got back into the car, which started and headed towards Blacksteel International’s collaborative laboratory in Trimounts.
“I always feel like that Sarkaz lady looks a little familiar,” the team leader couldn’t help but whisper… After bidding farewell to Jessica, Xing Chen and Theresa prepared to continue with their plan.
Under the cover of the Blacksteel convoy, the two of them entered Trimounts, Columbia, without inspection.
Before parting, Jessica gave them a bank card as a thank you gift.
Both initially refused, but upon hearing that it was just leftover money from buying candy last month, they accepted.
You should take advantage of capitalists when you can, don't be overly empathetic.
“So what are we going to do next, Xing Chen? Find a place to stay?”
“Let me think,” Xing Chen pondered, his gaze unintentionally falling on the dress Theresa frequently wore, “How about we change our clothes first?”
“This outfit of mine was just made; it’s brand new, without any dirt or damage.”
“I know. Do you remember what you used to do?”
“What I used to do… You mean doing business with Columbia using witchcraft? Then I understand.”
Compared to other countries, Columbia’s attitude towards the Sarkaz is relatively lenient. The number of Sarkaz here is quite high, and coupled with Theresa’s public dealings with Columbia, her risk of exposure here is much higher than in other countries.
The two of them casually found a street-side clothing store. As soon as the owner saw them enter, he greeted them enthusiastically.
“Oh, my beautiful lady, you must be looking for Sarkaz-style clothing, right? You’ve certainly come to the right place. Our store collaborates with several Sarkaz designers from Kazdel and can offer clothing in various royal court styles.”
Xing Chen saw how friendly the owner was towards the Sarkaz and suspected something was amiss. But then he thought, in a capitalist society, making money is not shameful.
“How did you know I wanted to choose Sarkaz-style clothes, and not clothing brought by other pioneer races?” Theresa couldn’t help but ask the owner.
“Look at your clothes; they are exactly like those of the deceased Princess. You must really admire her.”
Theresa gave a perfunctory “Ah,” “Hmm,” “Right,” and then, guided by the owner, walked into the fitting room.
Soon after, the curtain of the fitting room opened.
“Xing Chen, what do you think?”
Theresa had changed into a black and red outfit and a tall hat, holding up her skirt with her hand, she twirled in front of Xing Chen.
Xing Chen always felt it looked familiar. Wasn't this the same style as Warfarin's fashion?
“Not bad?” Xing Chen had seen this outfit too many times, and it always reminded him of a certain abnormal blood demon doctor.
So, Theresa changed into another outfit, still black and red, but with a lot more silver-white metal.
“Alright?” This outfit leaned a bit towards a mercenary style, which didn’t quite fit Theresa’s identity as a high-ranking caster.
Theresa returned to the fitting room and changed into a new outfit, and Xing Chen still gave it a mediocre review.
The cultural heritage of the Kazdel Sarkaz is very rich, but due to the extremely poor living standards, their clothing is mostly similar.
Xing Chen’s favorite outfits were Mudrock’s original skin and the Big Girl’s music skin, but this store didn’t seem to have either.
Theresa seemed quite interested in all these clothes, appearing to have an impulse to buy them all. After all, she is both a woman and a tailor; with these two identities combined, it is understandable.
“Never mind, it’s better to save money,” eventually, the idea of thriftiness prevailed, “I just need some fabric, Xing Chen, you pick out a ready-made outfit for me.”
“Me?”
“As long as you think it looks good…”
Theresa’s face slowly turned red. The owner brought over the fabric and watched the two of them like a show.
Since Theresa said so, Xing Chen didn’t hold back.
What kind of clothes did he like then?
“Boss, first, a white lab coat, the laboratory style.”
“Alright. Let me go get it from the warehouse.”
Since they were in Columbia, they naturally couldn’t avoid Rhine Lab and other research institutions. A lab coat would make people think you were educated.
“And a white sweater and a black short skirt, with some simple purple lace.”
“Okay, customer, I’ll go look. Do you have any other requests?”
“Hmm… and a pair of black stockings,” a vague image gradually formed in Xing Chen’s mind, but it seemed to be missing something.
He turned his head to look at the mirror in the store; the reflection in the mirror made him suddenly realize.
“And a black wig and headband, as well as dark contact lenses.”
This clothing store wasn’t big, but it had a very complete selection. Plus, with the many items Xing Chen and Theresa bought, the owner dared not be negligent at all.
After all the items were ready, Theresa entered the fitting room. Soon after, the gentle and virtuous Princess transformed into an intellectual and wise Princess.
“Perfect.” Xing Chen applauded.
“You’re annoying.” Theresa pouted, “By the way, Xing Chen, aren’t you buying yourself some clothes?”
“Me? No need. I don’t have any risk of exposure. Besides, this outfit of mine is standard for a science and engineering male; it’s fine here.”
“No, that won’t do. If I buy clothes, you have to buy some too.” Theresa told Xing Chen in an unrefusable tone, then turned to look for desired clothes in the store.
“That one, Xing Chen, try it on.”
Xing Chen followed Theresa’s gaze. It was a dark windbreaker with a hood.
That was acceptable. Xing Chen didn’t like overly flashy clothes.
After paying, Xing Chen carried the large bags and walked out of the clothing store behind Theresa.
Next, they needed to find a temporary residence to serve as a cover for their identities.
If they stayed at Wandering's End, they wouldn’t be able to explain themselves if official inspections occurred.
After careful selection, Xing Chen chose an apartment in the city center, from which he could directly observe the Rhine Lab headquarters building nearby. At the same time, there was also a hot dog stand below the apartment building.
The next thing to do was to quickly locate Friston’s Stasis Chamber and find a way to get what he wanted from him.
According to the timeline, the Director should be close to locating the Stasis Chamber by now, but Xing Chen wasn’t sure.
Since Friston had been sending signals, perhaps he could use a physical search method to find him first.