Half a month has passed, and it has been two months since Luke came to the Winter Capital. Most of the secret rituals have been completed, and his footprints are all over the underground of the Winter Capital.

At this time, the Northland has entered the coldest season in the depth of winter. The eaves are covered with ice flakes with a length of more than one meter. The ice layer on the road surface that is difficult to clean has forced many rail cars to stop running, and people who go to work can only wrap themselves up.

It is the most common sight on the streets to go out strictly, slip and roll a few times.

Luke was riding in the car assigned to him by the company and driving on the road to the editor-in-chief Molson's house. The tires of the car were tied with anti-skid chains, so it was a bit bumpy.

This time I went to the editor-in-chief Molson's house to attend a gathering of steam engineers. The purpose was to communicate on steam technology. Everyone discussed the projects they were working on and brainstorming would help speed up the progress of research and development.

Therefore, steam engineers who are qualified to participate in such gatherings have their own exclusive steam technology laboratories and are the backbone of the Steam Engineers Association.

Three days ago, Luke received an invitation letter when he visited Editor-in-Chief Molson. Molson also specifically told him to prepare well and strive to have an outstanding performance at the party.

Luke, who was sitting in the car, was reading the newspaper he had just bought on the roadside.

In the war with the Empire, the Yate County Alliance's army won another great victory, wiping out more than 10,000 Imperial soldiers.

During the siege, Snow City ran out of ammunition and food, and the morale of the army was extremely low. It was only a matter of days to capture the Queen of the Empire alive...

The content about the war in newspapers every day is the same, and Snow City is still fighting stubbornly.

Luke received the news that fighting in Snow City was indeed extremely difficult.

After receiving reinforcements, the Yate County Alliance launched a new round of offensive and pressed the Imperial Army on the third line of defense. The Empire lost contact with Snow City for ten days. Recent information from Snow City

It shows that the defenders in the city not only had to withstand the continuous attacks of the Yate County Alliance, but also had to withstand the sudden drop in the cold.

Non-combat attrition due to frostbite and death is very serious.

But the Snow City was still defended, which was a miracle for the empire, something that no one had expected before the war. Now the Empire's Northern Army is preparing to launch a local counterattack, trying to open a way into the Snow City.

Passage, try to transport some soldiers and supplies inside.

The war is still going on and I don't know when it will end.

The Yate County Alliance is not only recruiting troops for a protracted war, but the entire technology development system is also turning towards war. All technologies being developed must make way for the development of new weapons, and the Steam Engineers Association is also under great pressure.

When Luke's thoughts were wandering, Rebecca, who was sitting next to her, said: Miss Darikova whom I saw last time, I wonder how she is doing now and whether she has successfully resigned from the ice cave.

Rebecca is now the leader of the security team responsible for protecting Luke, and her attitude towards Luke has changed a lot since she was rescued from the ice cave by Luke.

Luke didn't expect Rebecca to suddenly mention Dalikova at this time.

Indeed, I have not seen her since the last time we met. As for leaving her job... She is the ace agent of Ice Cave, how could she leave her job!

She didn't ask me for help, so she probably left her job smoothly. Why did you suddenly mention her?

Rebecca said: I heard that when attending such high-class gatherings, invited guests usually bring female companions. If your husband still has contact with Miss Dalikova, she is a good candidate for a female companion.

Luke then remembered the rules of this kind of party, but he had been busy with work since he came to Dongdu, and he really didn't know a suitable female companion to bring to the party.

So Luke patted the driver's seat: Go to the Ice Cave headquarters.

Yes, Mr. Luke. As soon as the driver turned the steering wheel, the car turned and drove towards the Ice Cave headquarters.

When he arrived at the ice cave, he gave his name and Luke met the director of the ice cave, Hulkkin, very smoothly.

As a loyal reader of "Steam Weekly", this hobby gave Hulkkin a keen sense of the flow of upper-class people.

The last two issues of "Steam Weekly" have included some articles on new weapon concepts, and these new weapons

All devices require a very efficient steam engine as a drive.

The heart of these new weapons is undoubtedly the two-phase steam engine of water molecules.

Excellent steam engineers generally have extraordinary personal strength. They master the most cutting-edge technology of the Art County Alliance and are the targets of various consortiums and oligarchs vying to win over.

In the Yate County League, many powerful politicians have the identity of steam engineers.

Now Luke is simply a rising star. All steam-related people and industries in the entire Art County are eagerly looking forward to the water molecule two-phase steam engine he is responsible for developing.

The sooner you get to know such a person, the sooner you will benefit!

The second time he met Luke, Hulkkin instantly transformed into a star-chasing fan regardless of his identity.

He did not ask Luke about the purpose of his visit, but instead took out two issues of "Steam Weekly" that he had collected on the Duality of Water Molecules and the Internal Cycle of Thermal Energy and an exclusive interview written by Molson for Luke.

Mr. Luke, Master Luke... Please sign your name on these two issues of "Steam Weekly". These are definitely the two most valuable issues of "Steam Weekly" in my collection. I will definitely make them.

It is a family heirloom that will be passed down from generation to generation. Let my descendants know that their ancestors once met the legendary Master Luke and left his signature.

Ice Cave doesn't want to cause trouble, and Luke is willing to have a good relationship with them.

Luke wrote his name in two issues of "Steam Weekly" respectively, and then asked Dalikova: She was the beautiful female clerk whom she saw here last time. She was engaged to the dead Enoch, and her father

He is a factory owner.

The president should be impressed by her.

Don't call me Sir, just call me Helkkin. Helkkin drew closer to Luke and asked curiously: Do you have anything to do with Dalikova?

Luke stated his purpose: Editor-in-chief Molson invited me to attend a party of steam engineers. I have never attended a similar party before, and I heard that it is best to bring a female companion...

I haven't been here long since winter. I have been busy with work and don't know a suitable lady. After much deliberation, I can only take the liberty to find Miss Dalikova. I don't know if she has time.

Hulkkin asked: Is this a gathering of steam engineers organized by Editor-in-Chief Molson? I heard that several heavyweights will also attend, and the Ice Cave has specially strengthened its security control there.

Editor-in-Chief Molson really appreciates you being invited to this party!

Seeing that Herkkin changed the subject for him, Luke reminded him: The party is about to start, is Miss Dalikova here?

Dalikova...she, she has resigned.

has resigned?

Luke didn't know whether Dalikova really left her job or whether it was Hulkkin's excuse.

Hulkkin was very glad that he drove Darikova away in time. Whatever hornet's nest she stirred up in the future had nothing to do with him. Hurkkin said with emotion: Enoch's death was a huge blow to Darikova.

Damn, I don’t care about my work every day and I often make mistakes. Last time I dared to embarrass you.

Since she wanted to resign, I agreed, since she was an insignificant clerk anyway.

If you want to find her, sir, I will give you an address.

Hulkkin wrote down Dalikova's current address on a piece of paper.

As the ace agent of the Ice Cave, even if she leaves her job, she is still within the monitoring range of the Ice Cave, and Darikova cannot leave the Winter Capital.

Holding the paper with the address written on it, Luke couldn't figure out what role these two were in?

Luke became even more interested in Darikova.

Thank you, Mr. General... No, it’s Mr. Helkkin. Fortunately, Dalikova lives not far away and will not delay her arrival at the party.

goodbye!

Have a great party! Goodbye, Master Luke.

Darikova now lives in a low-cost apartment building. Most of the people who live here are migrant workers at the bottom of the city. The building is old, the walls are mottled, there is garbage everywhere, and there are leaking heating pipes.

There was white smoke coming out.

Rebecca followed Luke along the corridor and looked at the house numbers one by one, and asked curiously: How could Miss Darikova live in such a place? Her father is a factory owner. Since he successfully resigned from the ice cave, he should go home.

That's right.

Luke was also very puzzled.

If Darikova's resignation was a further attempt to fish for herself, Hulkkin would have arranged for her to have a factory owner father waiting for her in the mansion to take the bait.

How could you live in a place like this?

I don't know either, I can only find her first and then ask her.

Luke and Rebecca found the apartment where Darikova lived. The door was open a crack and unlocked.

Miss Dalikova, this is Luke... are you there?

Luke slowly opened the door, and was greeted by the smell of alcohol. Looking inside the room, all the empty bottles were staggering around.

How much wine have you drunk?

Rebecca saw so many empty wine bottles and was expressing emotion when Luke pulled her back.

Then a cold light swept across her neck, making Rebecca think her neck had been sliced ​​open.

Rebecca covered her neck, pulled out a long knife from her back with one hand, and swung the knife to slash the attacker.

Mr. Luke, go back! Rebecca stood in front of Luke, but after seeing the attacker, she couldn't help but exclaimed: Miss Dalikova!

It was Darikova who attacked Rebecca.

At this time, she was holding a dagger in one hand and a wine bottle in the other, standing unsteadily and swaying, and she was extremely drunk.

Fortunately, Dalikova recognized Rebecca and Luke, so she did not continue to attack and fell back on the messy sofa.

So it's you? How did you find yourself here? Are you here to see my jokes?

Rebecca checked her neck and found that it was not injured before she gave up her worries.

Thank you, Mr. Luke, you saved my life again!

Luke said to Rebecca: Even though Miss Dalikova is a civilian employee of the ice cave, she has been trained as a professional agent. Don't make this mistake again in the future.

Yes, Mr. Luke. I didn’t expect Miss Darikova to be so drunk and so skilled!

Luke nodded, then drew his magic wand and approached Darikova.

Your address was given to me by Chief Helkkin. Now I will release my magic to sober you up. Don’t get me wrong...

Luke recites an incantation.

Dalikova struggled to stand up: I finally got drunk, I don't want to wake up. Leave me alone, anyway, I am a person no one wants.

Luke's magic wand was already pointed between Dalikova's eyebrows.

A human-shaped mist steamed out from Dalikova's body, and the smell of alcohol in the room became stronger.

Luke waved his hand, and the closed window opened, and the generated air flow blew out all the air in the room. The cold air from outside was added, making Darikova, who was slightly dressed in thin clothes, shiver.

Darikova huddled into the sofa with her shoulders folded, her eyes clear.

What are you doing here?

Luke took out his pocket watch and looked at it: I don't have time to explain to you. I need you to clean yourself up as quickly as possible, change into a decent dress, and then accompany me to a steam engineer party.

I wasted a lot of time looking for you.

Dalikova asked warily: Why should I accompany you to the party?

Luke looked at the time: I will only give you five minutes, and I will leave when the time is up.

Darikova jumped up from the sofa and rushed into the bedroom in an instant. Then she saw her getting into the bathroom with a bunch of clothes and shoes.

The water flowed loudly, and the hands on the pocket watch in Luke's hand clicked.

It only took four and a half minutes for Dalikova to walk out of the bathroom.

She is completely different from the drunkard she was just now.

She wore a sky blue dress that matched her eyes,

A pendant with a steam pattern hangs from her neck that is as white as butter. Her chestnut hair has been dried, pulled into a bun and wearing a decorative dome hat. A bunch of hair is combed separately, with the tip of the hair resting on her right shoulder.

Wearing crystal high heels and carrying a lady's bag on her arm, she is simply a city lady who is at the forefront of fashion.

Dalikova walked up to Luke, her every frown and smile full of charm: Mr. Luke, it’s time to attend the party, can we go?

Luke stretched out his arms: You can go! When you get in the car, you have to explain to me carefully why you have fallen into this situation.

Of course I will explain it to you, Mr. Luke! Darikova put her arm around Luke and they walked out of the apartment together.

Rebecca exclaimed from behind: This is the Ice Cave Agent! How powerful a civilian employee is, and how powerful are those who actually go out in the field.

Seeing that Luke and Dalikova had gone away, Rebecca glanced at the messy room, closed the door and chased out.

The car resumed its journey to the editor-in-chief Molson's home.

In the car, Darikova showed her all to Luke and told him her true identity and the story of her resignation.

That's what happened... Director Hulkkin asked me to investigate you, so I forged an identity for myself. As a result, neither of us expected that you had such a deep background and great future.

Chief Helkkin was afraid that you would gain power in the future, so he got angry with him over this matter, so he drove me out of the ice cave.

Things happened so suddenly, I had never thought about saving money before, and ended up like this...

Luke was dumbfounded.
Chapter completed!