After hours of heated arguments and opinions expressed on the stage, the signs of the debate coming to an end began to appear. The moderator thanked the candidates and the audience for their exceptional participation. The camera spotlight swept across the faces of the candidates, who appeared tired but still managed to muster a smile.
As the camera turned towards the audience, they seemed excited and mixed in their reactions. Some held coffee cups or notes, signifying their seriousness in listening and digesting the presented arguments on stage.
The atmosphere in the hall gradually calmed down after the moderator concluded the event. The candidates stood and waved to the audience, receiving enthusiastic applause. As the stage lights dimmed, guests and journalists started to move, engaging in conversations about the debate. The once echoing microphones were now replaced with the sounds of laughter and whispers from the audience that filled the air.
In his seat, Klaus prepared for his next move. As his eyes scanned the surroundings, Alexa discreetly observed him.
"Are you looking for someone? Need any help?" Alexa inquired, seemingly able to read his thoughts.
"No, thank you. Just find Richard. He's waiting in guest room number 38 behind the stage. I'll join him shortly."
Alexa sighed. "Okay, then."
The bespectacled woman glanced at Laplace, wondering why Klaus had brought her along. The Klaus she knew wasn't someone who typically brought women on dates. As Laplace looked at her, Alexa smiled and then left.
"Are you looking for someone, my liege—I mean, Klaus?" Laplace asked.
"Help me find Jose Ancelotti. He shouldn't have left the hall yet."
Some candidates were seen talking to their supporters, exchanging handshakes and warm smiles. At the same time, journalists took pictures and posed questions to the candidates.
Amidst the sea of people filling the hall, Laplace pointed to a man surrounded by others. Klaus joined the crowd. However, he didn't immediately approach Jose. He waited until the journalists and supporters dispersed.
Ten minutes later, Jose stood alone. Klaus approached him before he could leave.
"Excuse me, Mr. Jose. Do you have a moment?"
Jose squinted. "Aren't you Klaus Lee?"
"Yeah, you're right. I'd like to talk to you for a moment."
Jose raised an eyebrow. The man in front of him was a supporter of a rival candidate. Normally, they wouldn't make contact, even just to talk behind the scenes. "Aren't you Richard Dickson's lackey? What's your agenda to meet me?"
"Well, actually, it's not me. It's my girlfriend." Klaus introduced Laplace to Jose.
"Hello, Mr. Jose, I'm your supporter. I'd like to talk to you."
Of course, Jose was skeptical. "I've never met a beautiful woman interested in politics. Sorry, lady, I'm not buying it. Excuse me."
After delivering that cutting remark, Jose adjusted his suit and walked away. Laplace took the initiative to hold his hand, stopping him from leaving.
"What's this?" Jose said a bit harshly.
At that moment, Laplace absorbed all the information in the man's mind. Jose was annoyed, snapping at her repeatedly, but she didn't flinch at all. Naturally, his patience wore thin. He instructed two of his aides to push her away. Fortunately, Klaus caught Laplace just in time.
"You don't have to be that rough with my woman, Mr. Jose," Klaus said. His eyes were narrowed.
"To hell with it. You and your weirdo girl started it. I know you're up to something."
Narrowing his eyes, Klaus gave Jose a warning look, and instantly, the Italian-blooded man felt a chill down his spine. The same fear appeared in the eyes of his two aides.
"L-let's get out of here!"
As Jose and his aides left, Klaus still held onto Laplace. Laplace was a spirit that had lived for hundreds of years. A small push would not be enough to make her hurt. Especially if it from an ordinary human. Something was wrong with her.
"Are you okay?" Klaus asked softly.
"Egh, my liege. She's trying to wake up. I can't hold her back anymore," Laplace groaned. Her face was completely pale. Sylvia's soul that resided in her body wanted to take over.
"But you've absorbed all his memories, right?"
Laplace weakly nodded her head. She looked like she was in pain.
Having obtained what he wanted, Klaus quickly carried the white-haired woman. He brought Laplace to the guest room behind the stage.
People observed him along the corridor, but he simply ignored them. As he entered the guest room, Richard and Jonathan looked surprised to see Klaus bringing an unconscious woman.
Naturally, Jonathan quickly helped Klaus lay her on the sofa.
"Is she your woman? What's wrong with her?" Jonathan asked. His eyes lingered on her white hair.
"Yeah, she has a bit of anemia," Klaus lied.
Meanwhile, Richard fetched a blanket for Laplace and covered her.
"Who is this woman?" Richard inquired.
"His woman," Jonathan added.
Richard furrowed his brow as he figured out that this woman was Klaus's girlfriend. Seeing her white hair flowing on the sofa, Richard was slightly surprised by Klaus's preference for unconventional women.
"I never thought you'd be into women with eccentric looks. Especially since you're quite low-profile, Klaus," Richard commented.
"Exactly," Jonathan chimed in. "And dating a woman into a gubernatorial debate doesn't seem like the right idea."
"Well, actually, I brought two," Klaus replied.
Naturally, Jonathan dropped his jaw. He shook his head in disbelief.
"You're truly something else, Klaus," Jonathan murmured. His words sounded wonder as he said them. "By the way, where's the other one?"
"Didn't she already come here?" Klaus asked, raising an eyebrow.
Twisting their faces, Jonathan and Richard looked puzzled by what Klaus was talking about.
"What do you mean? No one came here except you two," Jonathan said, looking at Klaus with a confused expression.
"Alexa? The sharp-tongued woman with glasses, right? I haven't seen her," Richard added.
Seeing their serious expressions, Klaus finally realized that Alexa hadn't shown up. Suddenly, his intuition told him that something was wrong.
"Guys, please watch her for a moment. I have to go!" Klaus said.
"Hey, where are you going? What about our plan!?" Jonathan exclaimed.
However, Klaus ignored them and left the room.
Under the darkening sky, Klaus exited the building with a restless heart. So far, everything had gone smoothly in the debate, but suddenly something unexpected happened. He hadn't even sensed the presence of an Awakener while inside the hall. Amid the crowd, his eyes scanned the streets that were growing quieter and the buildings illuminated by neon lights.
Alexa played a significant role in his company. If anything happened to this bespectacled woman, Klaus was certain that Mors Industries would plunge into chaos. He hadn't found the right person to replace her yet.
"I can't believe I let this happen."
Closing his eyes, Klaus used his powers to sense Alexa's whereabouts. A vague sensation began to flow into him, a unique and familiar life force. Without hesitation, he followed this feeling step by step, moving through the crowd of people who were still discussing the just-concluded debate.
Klaus felt her life force growing stronger. A moment later, he stood before a narrow, dark alley, a stark contrast to the surrounding lights. And there, in the darkness, he saw Alexa standing. Her body was tense, appearing to be in an unwanted situation. Klaus moved closer to Alexa quickly.
However, before he could draw close fully, Klaus noticed someone beside her. A woman in a gray hoodie, surrounded by an aura of mystery and menace. Her long hair flowed like dark water, and her face was obscured by shadows.
"Release my friend now if you want to stay alive," Klaus threatened.
The mysterious woman giggled. "Fufufu, usually when people are in your situation, they'd ask who I am and why I've kidnapped their friend. But you went straight to threatening me."
"I don't need to ask the identity of someone who's about to die."
The giggle turned into laughter. With a gentle voice that seemed to sweep through the night breeze, the mysterious woman said, "I've never met a human like you. An F-Class daring to talk big. I can't tell if you're truly strong or just bluffing."
Naturally, Klaus raised an eyebrow. If the woman in the gray hoodie knew about his rank, it meant she was targeting him. However, instead of confronting Klaus directly, she chose to kidnap Alexa.
"You're a despicable human. I'll count to 10. If you don't give her to me before I finish counting, you'll face the consequences. I'm not joking," Klaus said in a low but piercing tone.
The mysterious woman once again chuckled. "Really? Let's see if you can still talk like that after this."
Alexa, who seemed to be in a dazed state, spoke with this mysterious woman. Klaus tried to listen to their conversation, but his ears were ringing as if a magical force was pushing their words away. Right then, his eyes widened as he saw the mysterious woman emit a dense black aura. The woman had the same power as him—Dark Force.
