The three of them walked into an elegant restaurant, chose a table by the window and sat down.

The Carlos sisters didn't know much about Florentine cuisine, so they asked Elena to recommend some local products.

Elena was also more generous, basically ordering the most expensive items in the store, and also served a few desserts to Anna.

After a full meal, the three returned to the Medici mansion.

"Miss, you're ready." Miriam said, handing over an envelope.

Inside are documents issued by the Palace of Signorias.

With this, there is no obstacle along the way.

Getting from Florence to Venice can take days by horse-drawn carriage, but now with the new form of transport, trains, it can be reached in half a day.

Maybe I'll be back in the evening.

Before leaving, Elena also specially told the housekeeper to send someone to Lorenzo's room from time to time, pay attention to her brother's situation, and not let him do stupid things.

I just lost my lover, and this is the time when my will is most vulnerable.

After settling into the family, Elena set off with the Carlos sisters.

Originally, Bella wanted Anna to stay in Florence, but Anna heard that the cuttlefish noodles in Venice were delicious and insisted on going with her.

Bella had no choice but to take her with her.

The train traveled for about four or five hours, through the Apennines, and finally arrived in Venice.

Built on water, this city is known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic Sea" and is said to be one of the most romantic cities in the world.

Venice is also an artsy city.

But unlike the Florentine style, the mood here revolves around "water".

The winding water alleys and flowing clear waves are like a beautiful picture in a dream.

Standing on the shore gives you the illusion of being in a fairy tale.

The main mode of transport here is boats.

The houses are built on water, like islands, connected by hundreds of bridges.

According to the address written by Orange, Elena and her party arrived at a tavern by the river.

The sign on the door reads "Outlets" in white letters on a black background.

"Welcome, is there anything I can do for you?" A man in a suit and leather shoes walked out of the counter.

"Is Mr. Harriman here?" Elena asked straight to the point.

"I am." The man replied.

"It's Orange who asked us to come." With that, Alina handed over the seal.

The other party took the seal, flipped to the bottom and checked it, and then immediately widened his eyes.

"What do you want?"

The other person bowed deeply and became more respectful.

It seems that the significance of this seal in the industry is extraordinary.

Outlander's status in this industry is so evident.

"We're going to inquire about that shipment." Elena said.

"In that case, please come with me."

As he spoke, he invited Elena and the others into the back hall of the shop, and instructed his attendants to close today.

After making sure that the surroundings were completely safe, Harriman gave the three of them a general overview of what had happened.

It turned out that Stephen, who was in charge of the delivery, had arrived in Venice a week earlier and had planned to spend the night here and leave for Florence the next day. However, while he was drinking at the outlets, he suddenly saw several guards break in, saying that someone was smuggling "Barus".

Barus, a special liquid extracted from minerals that has a strong explosive power when ignited, is a key material for the production of new smoothbore guns and gunpowder, which is a military material and is strictly controlled in several city-states of the Apennine Peninsula.

By the way, the Demon Breaker is not subject to the embargo. Because natural demon-breaking stones, although relatively scarce, are rarely used in weapon crafting, even in the alchemy workshops set up by the military, they can often be replaced with synthetic demon-breaking stones.

"Does he have any other business?" Elena asked.

"I don't think so." Harriman replied, "I haven't heard of Holland."

"Could it be other buyers?"

"Impossible." Harriman said with great certainty, "You know, we do what we do, we all have our heads on the waistband of our trousers, and we may go to God one day. Oland is the leader of this area, and it is impossible not to report such important military supplies as 'Barus' to him. Otherwise, if we get into a rat trap one day, no one will save us. If Holland had known about this, he would have greeted me in advance and done a good job of answering me."

"Could it be a private job that he secretly took on himself?"

"I don't think so. He had been drinking here that day, and was in the middle of his life, when the guards suddenly broke in. Judging by Stephen's reaction, he didn't seem to know that there was such a thing as 'Barus' in the bag."

"And how did the guards know?"

"I said I received an anonymous report letter."

"Received a report letter?"

"yes, I find it strange too. It is said that we have all said hello to the black and white roads in this vicinity, and no one has not given Orange face. If military supplies are really discovered, they should turn a blind eye, or at least come to us first. Direct mobilization of guards is still rare."

Harriman seems to know this.

"It looks like someone framed it. Does he have any enemies?"

"Hmm...... As far as I know, Stephen is a kind person. Although I sometimes like to take advantage of a little bit, I don't go too far and don't make any enemies."

"I don't think it was intentional." Bella spoke.

"Oh? Why are you so sure?" Harriman looked at her in surprise.

"'Barus' is not something that can be obtained casually, and it is too expensive to frame it in this way. And, on the other hand, if the initiator is a person who can easily get "Barus", then he must have an extraordinary status. With his wealth and power, if he wants to deal with an ordinary trader, there should be a simpler and more straightforward way."

"It does make sense." Harriman nodded approvingly, casting an admiring look at Bella.

"If it wasn't planting, what would it be?" Elena asked, confused.

"Hmm...... Let me think about it." Bella touched her forehead with her fingers, thought for a moment, and then spoke, "If the prisoner has a reason to act even if the guards are used, it must have something to do with 'Barrus'. It is very likely that the bag of "Barrus" accidentally fell into Mr. Stephen's hands. As you said just now, Olander is the person in charge of this area, and it is unruly for someone to secretly trade this kind of military material behind his back. If I had negotiated directly with Stephen, I am afraid that the matter would not have been able to be concealed."

"So, it's possible." Harriman said, "But if 'Barus' falls into the hands of the guards, what will happen differently?"

"What if—" Bella paused, then continued, "did it fall into the hands of the guards?"

"What do you mean...... The prisoner is in the Doge's Palace?" Harriman's eyes widened in surprise.