Back in her bedroom, Elisa was still shaken.
That was close. My male servant almost stole my chastity!
This [Finger Bone] may be pretty useful, but it’s risky to use too. One careless move and I could end up trapped somewhere!
Damn it, I shouldn’t have pushed [Spirit Transformation] to two-fifths. I should’ve kept it at one-fifth. That way, I’d still be able to interact with physical objects, which is the most convenient state.
This also proves just how dangerous mysticism can be. The greater the power, the easier it is for something to go wrong…and for you to get yourself killed through your own stupidity.
Once the one-hour time limit passed, [Spirit Transformation] ended, and Elisa returned to her physical form.
She picked up her black tea and took a sip, mulling over the precautions she needed to take when using the [Finger Bone]. Her gaze drifted across the coffee table, where three newspapers lay scattered about.
An indescribable discomfort welled up in her chest. She set down her tea, neatly stacked the three newspapers, and nodded in satisfaction.
She picked up her tea again, only for her gaze to fall on the desk and that uncomfortable feeling to return.
The notebook had been left open, the fountain pen was too far from the ink bottle, and the chair wasn’t tucked against the desk.
She set down her tea and walked over to the desk.
After tidying it up, her attention shifted to the curtains. The two sides were too far apart.
She drew the curtains shut, and the instant the two halves met, her mind settled into tranquility.
Hearing the movement, the maid Eve came in to check. Looking around the dim room, she asked in confusion, “Miss Elisa, are you going to rest?”
Elisa abruptly snapped back to her senses.
It’s daytime. Why am I closing the curtains?
She opened them again, and the feeling of discomfort immediately returned.
Thinking back over everything she had just done, Elisa understood the [Finger Bone]’s side effect.
My instincts made me want to bring separated things together, like stacking the newspapers neatly, placing the fountain pen beside the ink bottle, or drawing the two halves of the curtains together.
It was a little like obsessive-compulsive disorder, but not quite.
Using her willpower to resist the impulse, Elisa turned to Eve. “I just wanted to test how well the curtains block out the light.”
She stepped away from the window and said to Eve, “Get things ready. I want to take a bath.”
Her male servant was right. Tomorrow would definitely involve a lot of running around, so she might as well take a bath and relax beforehand.
The maid quickly prepared the bathroom. Elisa sank into the bathtub, warm water enveloping her body as she let out a comfortable sigh.
The [Finger Bone]’s side effect was still there, and it seemed to be getting worse. Elisa unconsciously pressed her legs together and brought her fingers together. She even felt an urge to bring the ceiling and floor together.
She lowered her head, avoiding the sight of all those separated things as a way of resisting the urge.
Something’s wrong. Side effects this severe are a little too much. I was only one step away from becoming a demigod, yet I’m actually being affected this badly!
This [Finger Bone] is far from ordinary. If I’d known, I would’ve been more cautious and started with one-fifth [Spirit Transformation]. The symptoms would’ve been much milder that way.
I wonder where this [Finger Bone] came from and why it’s so obsessed with the concept of [Convergence].
Elisa suddenly felt a strange discomfort in her chest. When she came back to her senses, she realized that, with her head lowered, she had used both hands to bring together the only two separated things within her field of vision.
“Miss Elisa, is the water temperature still all right…?” Eve walked into the bathroom carrying a pitcher of warm water, then froze as she stared blankly at what her young lady was doing.
No! It’s not what it looks like! Let me explain!
Elisa immediately let go, intending to come up with some excuse, but that damned side effect seized control of her body again. Fighting the urge had already consumed every last bit of her mental strength.
Eve lowered her head and pretended she hadn’t seen anything. She quickly checked the temperature of the bathwater, added some hot water, and left the bathroom.
Elisa covered her face.
How many times has this happened already?!
Who knows what Eve must think of her young lady by now!
Hehe, “Miss Elisa worrying about the size of her breasts” would already be the best-case scenario. If it turns into “Miss Elisa fondling herself while taking a bath”, my reputation will be ruined!
Damn it, this is all that male servant’s fault!
No longer in the mood for a bath, Elisa hurriedly finished up and returned to her bedroom.
Cursing under her breath, she opened [Simon’s Log].
[Eve asked Simon if he knew any methods for binding one’s breasts. Although she didn’t explain why, Simon knew this was the well-endowed maid showing her care and concern for her flat-chested young lady.]
Binding her breasts? Caring for her flat-chested young lady?
No, I’m really not that kind of young lady! I don’t care about that, and I’m not going to get depressed just because my maid’s are bigger than mine! You don’t need to bind them!
Elisa covered her face in embarrassment.
My reputation is already ruined!
***
[Simon enjoyed a sumptuous breakfast and cherished the joys of life.]
[Intimacy +2]
[Intimacy: 78]
[Note: Additional features will be unlocked when Intimacy reaches 100.]
Neither the increase in Intimacy nor the mention of additional features brought Elisa even the slightest bit of joy.
Because beside her, Eve’s bust was visibly a size smaller than before.
Her maid had already started binding her breasts, all to preserve her mistress’s dignity.
Am I supposed to be happy or sad about this?
Can I explain the situation to Eve now?
Elisa couldn’t make up her mind. None of Lady Helen’s etiquette lessons had ever covered a situation like this.
I’ll ask Lady Helen about it the next time she comes over.
With Eve’s help, Elisa changed into casual clothes. It was a men’s outfit consisting of a jacket and trousers.
Finally, she tied up her long golden hair and tucked it beneath a hat, transforming from a beautiful young lady into a handsome gentleman.
Elisa raised her arms and twisted her waist, feeling remarkably comfortable.
Those huge dresses simply weren’t made for humans. Clothes like these were much easier to move around in.
When she stepped out of her bedroom, her new appearance startled quite a few maids. For a young lady of high society, dressing in men’s clothing was considered downright unconventional. Fortunately, she had Mabel and Eleanor as an excuse.
After breakfast, Elisa took a short walk around the courtyard before Mabel’s carriage arrived at the estate.
Elisa climbed into the carriage and joined Mabel and Eleanor, both dressed as gentlemen. Simon took over from the coachman and picked up the reins.
He drove the three young ladies in men’s clothing toward the East District.
Inside the carriage, the three girls chatted away as they went over the plan for the day.
The plan consisted of two parts. First, they would visit the victims’ homes, speak with their families, and gather information. Second, they would visit the crime scenes and investigate any traces left behind by the perpetrator.
If they had time to spare, they would also stop by the East District police station and look through the officers’ case reports.
Once they reached the familiar streets of the East District, Simon expertly left the carriage in storage and followed the three young ladies into the district.
Elisa opened [Simon’s Log] and kept it at the edge of her vision so she could check it in real time.
[Simon glanced over the three young ladies’ outfits and marveled at their remarkable talent for looking good in men’s clothing.]
Is that supposed to be a compliment or an insult?! What exactly are you implying?!
“The streets of the East District don’t seem any different from the streets anywhere else.” It was Eleanor’s first time setting foot in the East District. Looking at the broad, level streets and the old but clean rows of houses on either side, she felt rather puzzled.
“I feel the same way.” Mabel nodded. “But you don’t see nearly as many grubby children on other streets, and there aren’t any gangs either.”
She raised her head, her amber eyes darting briefly toward Simon before shifting to Elisa.
Eleanor followed suit and looked at Elisa as well.
It’s time for the knowledgeable Miss Elisa to shine!
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