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Chapter 209: Light
Translator: AtlasStudios Editor: AtlasStudios
"Waaa!"
The baby in Megose's stomach cried. It squirmed, wanting to come into this world in a bid to help its mother escape from her predicament.
The black, cold, and smooth threads appeared to suffer a shock as they seemed to be suppressed by an invisible power which led to their retreat backward.
"Waaa!"
Dunn and Klein became dizzy at the same time. They felt their throats contract involuntarily as their contracting air passages instantly stifled them.
Crimson liquid flowed from their nostrils, their eyes, and their ears. All of their capillaries seemed to have ruptured.
If it wasn't for the fact that Klein had undergone the torture of hearing the mutterings and ravings every time he headed to the world above the gray fog, as well as Dunn holding onto the ashes of Saint Selena, they definitely would've fainted on the spot, just like Leonard Mitchell.
Megose's headless body turned over and looked at Klein who saw her charred skin and flesh peeling to the ground, and the holy, yet evil white bone blade.
Having escaped its influence thanks to his rich experience, Klein immediately felt his scalp tingle and forgot about the pain in his right chest. He seemed to witness his enemy charge towards him maniacally, not giving him any time to recite the incantation, infuse spirituality, and throw out the Flaring Sun Charm.
Just as he was about to dodge the attack, Klein saw Megose suddenly pause. He saw Dunn Smith's black windbreaker fluttering, and the Captain diagonally across him had buried his head. There were multiple thick twitching objects on his back as if they were venomous snakes or tentacles—or monsters!
Dunn was using his abilities as a Nightmare to forcefully impede Megose's movements.
Bam! Bam! Bam! With a mere struggle from Megose, the thick tentacle-like objects that protruded from Dunn's back exploded at the same time!
A large amount of blood splattered out, covering every corner of the room like rain.
Dunn wasn't disappointed at the result, for the blood had been absorbed by the black threads created by Saint Selena's ashes.
They had been absorbed!
The countless cold, smooth, tentacle-like threads entered a frenzy. They swarmed forward and bound Megose tightly, wrapping themselves around her bulging, squirming stomach.
An opportunity!
Klein was as nervous as he was excited. He prepared to shout the ancient Hermes word for "Light."
"Waaa! Waaa! Waaa!"
The cries of a baby could be heard once again, more frequent, and more incessant this time around!
The countless black threads suddenly came to a pause, retreating and trembling again as if they had all been struck by lightning.
Dunn's expression changed when he realized that Megose was about to free herself. Without hesitation, he retracted his right palm, formed a claw, and stabbed it into his own chest—his left chest!
He quickly pulled out his right hand, his fingers holding a bloody heart tightly. It was a still-beating heart that brought with it the sereneness of the night and a dream.
Captain… Klein watched helplessly as Dunn Smith stuffed the heart into the urn containing Saint Selena's ashes. His vision quickly blurred.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Crying that sounded like a late-night nightmare resounded. The countless cold and serene threads once again resumed their efforts as they wrapped themselves tightly around Megose!
This time, they didn't loosen their bindings despite the cries coming from the baby in Megose's stomach. In fact, they even sealed the terrifying sounds within the body!
Klein's tears fell together with his blood. He uttered a simple Hermes term in a deep voice, "Light!"
The light that illuminates the darkness! The light that brings warmth!
He infused almost all of his remaining spirituality into the thin gold piece etched with mysterious symbols, causing his mind to immediately turn blank and dizzy.
Having mustered the last of his strength, Klein tossed out the Flaring Sun Charm at Megose, who was still bound by the countless black threads.
The black threads didn't retract this time, having not followed their instincts, as if they were being willed by someone.
Thump! Thump!
Dunn's fresh heart was still beating within the box containing Saint Selena's ashes.
The sunlight once again shone in from the hole in the ceiling, shining through all three stories, right into the Blackthorn Security Company, as if it were a corporeal pillar.
It was guided here by the Flaring Sun Charm, and it was focused on Megose.
The sunlight fused with the top of the headless monster, and then exploded like the sun!
Rumble!
In the burning white splendor, Klein closed his eyes. This last scene was etched deep into his mind.
Megose's body lost its left arm, head, and multiple pieces of flesh. Its charred body crumbled instantly. The half-illusory, terrifying creature within her body no longer had the support of a physical body and couldn't complete the last stage of its transformation. It turned into a furious ball of black gas, dissolving amidst the light and flames.
Rumble!
The entire building shook violently, but this was only due to the released energy of the Flaring Sun Charm.
The charm was different from a normal bomb. Its powers were concentrated, yet restrained!
Klein fought to stabilize his body. He opened his eyes and looked ahead a few seconds later.
He saw that the walls had crumbled. He saw a charred circle where Megose once stood. Surprisingly, the floor had only melted slightly.
He saw a burned, bloody placenta on the ground. He saw Dunn Smith standing on the spot, still wearing his black windbreaker. He saw the heart in the box of Saint Selena's ashes still beating slowly. He saw Leonard Mitchell lying on the opposite side; his outcome was unknown.
The exhausted Klein felt elated and felt that he could still use ritualistic magic to save the Captain. He felt that Megose and her baby were truly finished. No—it was more accurate to say that the latter had suffered an interruption and was exorcised.
At that moment, Dunn Smith turned to look at Klein. His pale face had a warm and relaxed expression, and his voice still as mellow as it usually was.
"We saved Tingen."
After saying this, it was as if he had returned to the time when he was twenty. He no longer appeared stern and serious as he winked at Klein with his left eye.
Klein's expression froze. He saw the heart in the box of Saint's Selena's ashes stop beating. It turned into a resplendent ball of light before scattering into the surroundings. He saw the captain fall backward, his arms losing their strength.
It felt like the scene was made up of a series of paintings, but Klein could do nothing to stop it.
Thump!
The box of Saint Selena's ashes fell onto the ground, just like Klein's heart.
Thud! Thud! Even though the box wasn't covered, the darkness within the box sealed the opening, preventing the resplendent sand-like ashes from falling out. The box rolled a distance away towards Klein.
Dunn Smith fell to the wrecked floor, his deep gray eyes having lost all their luster. He was looking at the hole in the ceiling, the sunlight pouring down on his face.
Captain! Klein's vision blurred once again. He wanted to shout, but that word and the subsequence words were stuck in his throat.
We miss you too…
At that moment, the box containing Saint Selena's ashes had rolled to his feet.
Suddenly, Klein felt a pain in his chest, his pupils violently constricted as he froze in place.
He looked down to see a slightly pale palm, drenched in blood, coming out the left side of his chest.
Megose isn't dead… No, a new enemy… The mastermind behind the scenes… Am I going to die?
Klein quickly lost his consciousness, his eyes almost losing focus. His body slumped to the side.
His breathing gradually slowed and, he finally felt the palm pull back quickly. He saw a pair of brand new leather boots, and a hand reaching downward, a slightly pale hand.
It grabbed the urn of Saint Selena's ashes.
Klein's vision went black, and he lost all consciousness.
…
Burned and shattered objects were scattered around in the now destroyed Blackthorn Security Company, but there wasn't a single sound, it was just like a cemetery.
A few minutes later, Leonard Mitchell's body moved, his eyes opening slowly.
He propped himself up with difficulty and surveyed the surroundings. He saw Dunn Smith on the ground. He also saw Klein who had his eyes staring wide as a look of shock was plastered across his face. Dunn and Klein both had visible wounds on the left sides of their chests.
No… Leonard squeezed out the word from his throat as he staggered towards Klein's corpse, that wasn't far away from Dunn.
He kept checking them, going between the two repeatedly, but all he could do was accept this irreversible truth.
Leonard's knees buckled as his knees plopped to the ground. His green eyes were filled with pain as tears streamed down his cheeks, washing away the blood and dust.
He turned his head and listened for two seconds and suddenly sprawled forward. He let out an angry roar and clenched his palms into fists, and heavily pounded the floor.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Leonard kept tearing up as he pounded the floor. Amidst his sorrow was a feeling of clear hatred and a clear sense of self-abhorrence.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Leonard looked up when he heard the sounds of hurried footsteps and saw the members of the Mandated Punishers and the Machinery Hivemind that had just arrived at the scene through his blurred vision.
Chapter 210: Story
Translator: AtlasStudios Editor: AtlasStudios
In a Tingen suburb, there was a house with a green lawn.
The house had a garden that had begun to wither at the beginning of September. Attached to the house was a crimson chimney.
There was a desk next to the window in the bedroom of that house. An ordinary notebook was spread open on the table.
A slightly pale hand flipped the notebook to the very first page, then it quickly flipped to the back.
As the paper flipped, the rows of words appeared faintly.
Regence, a member from the Secret Order, sold the Antigonus family's notebook as an ordinary ancient book by accident due to the influence both of weariness and illusions. It was a coincidence that made logical sense.
Affected by the calling of the Antigonus family's bloodline, the notebook secretly affects its owners, one after the other. After repeated changes in ownership, it came to Tingen. It fell into the hands of the members of the Aurora Order—Sirius Arapis and Hanass Vincent.
After they flipped through the content that temporarily appeared in the notebook and copied the corresponding potion formulas, Sirius and Hanass were worried that the Secret Order, who were good at divination, would track them down. After discussing it, they decided to avoid the risk by selling it to another person.
They didn't wait for Mr. Z's reply; perhaps because he stayed at Enmat Harbor.
Through Sirius's introduction, Hanass got to know Welch McGovern from the Khoy University's Department of History. Then, Hanass sold the Antigonus family's notebook to McGovern as an ordinary ancient book.
Subsequently, Sirius was attracted by the treasure that was said to exist on the main peak of the Hornacis mountain range. He started to visit the Deweyville Library and research the mountain. He didn't think that there would be any problems, so he left his real address and name. That aligned with his personality.
During this process, he acquainted himself with Lanevus, who was reading up on information about iron mines to set up a scam.
Lanevus's hidden lunacy and swindling ability were well appreciated by Sirius. He decided to nurture him into a member of the Aurora Order. Of course, before that, an investigation was inevitable.
Sirius covertly informed Lanevus about the evil ritual of praying to the True Creator to deliver "His" spawn into this world. But he knew that the possibility of Lanevus succeeding was very low, because the difficulty level of the ritual was very high, and the requirements were very harsh. However, the latter expressed his strong interest in the matter, tempted by the possibility of obtaining a deity's approval. He planned to complete the ritual simultaneously as he carried out the plans of establishing his steelworks company.
The cunning Lanevus could tell that there was something fishy about Sirius Arapis. But for his personal goal, he didn't expose him.
He visited Hood Eugen in the asylum once again. They had known each other long ago, and they knew about their respective situations.
After a dark divination, the Antigonus family's notebook was awakened fully. Welch and his classmate died. The lucky survivor, Klein Moretti, sent it to Ray Bieber's house under the influence of the notebook. It was a destined ending.
Many rows were scribbled off and new content followed.
For some baffling reason, and a lack of sufficient explanations, Klein didn't commit suicide after that and somehow managed to stay alive.
In the Nighthawks' investigation of Welch's case that followed, he met Dunn Smith and joined the Nighthawks.
Although it had already exceeded Ince Zangwill's description, it didn't affect the development of the story.
Bacchus and his brothers were down on their luck. They lost their last chip at the gambling tables and were drowning in debt. In a bid to obtain money, they decided to kidnap and blackmail the somewhat wealthy individuals.
When they were looking for their final hideout, they chanced upon the room opposite Ray Bieber's apartment.
By then, Ray Bieber was already seduced by the power offered by the Antigonus family's notebook. He hoped to digest the gift left behind by his ancestors.
However, he was in a semi-insane state, and he couldn't make the best and safest choice. He abandoned his dead mother, but he continued remaining in Tingen City. He only found a more elusive spot to carry out his digestion ritual. It was truly pathetic. If he had been slightly smarter, the story could've become even more complicated, but his decision was made based on his instincts and his poor state of mind.
Bacchus and company purchased weapons and took the youngest son, Elliott, of the tobacco merchant, Vickroy, and held him for ransom.
Finally, they successfully carried out the abduction and took Elliot back to the apartment opposite Ray Bieber's. Vickroy's butler was entrusted with looking for help from a security company.
Because of Welch's mysterious death, security companies were short on hands. Klee chanced upon a deliveryman and happened to discover the existence of the Blackthorn Security Company.
Leonard Mitchell and Klein accepted the job. Relying on their Beyonder powers, they quickly saved the merchant's son. Regrettably, Klein didn't immediately realize that clues to the Antigonus family's notebook were in the apartment opposite them.
However, his spirituality reminded him in his dream. As such, the Tingen Nighthawks discovered corresponding clues.
…
Sealed Artifact 2-049 arrived in Tingen. With the aid of the Antigonus family's puppet, Dunn Smith led the Nighthawks to find Ray Bieber before interrupting his digestion procedure.
Ray Bieber became a monster, and the situation was out of control.
In the end, the Nighthawks skillfully worked together and took care of Monster Bieber, but they immediately faced the attack of a member from the Secret Order.
More rows were scribbled away again, and the original content was impossible to read.
Leonard Mitchell, who possesses a secret, was going to end the situation. Before he could, Klein, who was supposed to be doomed, killed the Sequence 7 member from the Secret Order in an inexplicable manner.
That didn't affect the development of the story. Dunn Smith got in touch with the Antigonus family's notebook and flipped through its content. From that point onwards, he was secretly tainted!
…
Having finished with all his preparations, Lanevus beguiled Hood Eugen and used him to assist in his ritual. They tricked Lanevus's fiancée, Megose, to become the vessel that would carry the True Creator's spawn.
Lanevus had almost no possibility of success. The most serious problem was that even though Megose would be protected by the ritual's power, she wouldn't be able to withstand the sexual intercourse with the illusory projection of a deity. It would cost her her life on the altar.
At that moment, the kind Ince Zangwill helped Lanevus in secret. He split off half a piece of a descendant of Death's characteristic that he obtained and planted it into Megose's body ahead of time.
Hood Eugen made Megose enter a semi-unconscious state and convinced her that the True Creator's illusory projection was Lanevus. Nourished by the accumulated resentment, gloominess, and oppression of the factory district, the ritual succeeded. Megose was pregnant with the True Creator's spawn. The deity saw through the coincidences, but since "He" wished to break through the shackles placed on him by the seven deities, "He" didn't refuse.
Hood Eugen was contaminated.
After the ritual succeeded, the mad Lanevus regained his rationality. He clearly knew that if the deity's spawn was to descend into the world, Lanevus, himself, would become one of the sacrificial offerings. How could a mortal be the father of a deity's son? This was blasphemy of the highest order!
Lanevus decided to leave Tingen ahead of time and left clues to the Nighthawks, the Mandated Punishers, and the Machinery Hivemind so that they could resolve the repercussions of his actions. There was ultimately a price needed for lunacy.
However, Lanevus didn't write the letter directly to the Beyonder squads. He thought it would make him look stupid.
He decided to leave the letter in one of the houses that he rented. He pretended to be playing a game with the Beyonders from official bodies. As such, he didn't bring up Hood Eugen's contamination and brought with him everything that he had obtained.
Just in case, he informed Sirius Arapis in the safest way he could. The latter didn't quite believe him, but he could faintly feel the possibility of success.
…
Selena Wood accidentally chanced upon the real magic mirror divination incantation from her mysticism teacher, Hanass Vincent.
Her bold attempt was interrupted by Klein Moretti by coincidence. The latter successfully resolved this supernatural incident that might've caused serious casualties.
The Nighthawks then investigated Hanass Vincent who had recently been awarded. Therefore, Dunn Smith coincidently saw a clear image of the True Creator in his dream and suffered severe injuries.
However, he wasn't contaminated because of what happened. That would've been noticed by the upper echelons of the Nighthawks.
The injury made Dunn Smith's contamination by the Antigonus family notebook worsen. His absent-mindedness and forgetfulness worsened, and he was getting closer and closer to satisfying Ince Zangwill's requirements.
…
Many rows were scribbled away again.
Seriously unbelievable! Klein Moretti noticed Ince Zangwill's secret influence and saw the crimson chimney.
Th-this is because he was reminded by the teacher from the Khoy University's Department of History, Azik. He possesses many secrets.
But even so, it's astounding enough for Klein to discover actual clues. It's unexplainable.
Regardless of the reason, Ince Zangwill continued to act, and the story continues.
Klein coincidently ran into Sirius at the library and had no choice but to kill him. Hence, the clues leading to Lanevus were abruptly severed, and the discovery of the problem was delayed.
…
Klein met Megose, but his spirituality stopped him from observing her closely. However, he didn't notice the subtle abnormality. That is logical. Our stories aren't made up randomly.
He searched for the red chimney, but he always opted for a route that didn't include his target. Maybe in another two or three months, when he was on the last batch, he would find the real red chimney house.
…
Rows and rows of writings were scribbled away, more than all of the previous rows added together.
Dunn Smith's problem was alleviated! His condition obviously became better! He actually mastered the "acting method!"
And this was taught to him by Klein Moretti, who found inspiration from Daly Simone and Old Neil's example. No—Ince Zangwill didn't believe that, but he could only change his original plans slightly.
New elements in the story came to play.
Azik decided to go to Backlund in search of his lost memories.
It wasn't long until Klein and Dunn found clues from Hood Eugen.
…
In order to ensure that Tingen City's Conservative Party and New Party would be in complete opposition, Madam Sharon, who wanted to vent the accumulated madness after her transformation, decided to take the risk and murder Member of Parliament John Maynard.
"Her motive wasn't strong enough, but she took action anyway. There are always times when people are not clear-minded enough, and she happened to be in that stage. Besides, she was confident that she wouldn't be discovered.
Maynard's wife found the Blackthorn Security Company through the tobacco merchant, Vickroy. They didn't disappoint her, and they quickly found Madam Sharon's abnormality.
Dunn Smith, who possessed power that was close to Sequence 6, decided to take action first. He passed the Sealed Artifact 3-0271 to Kenley.
When the two of them and Klein returned to Madam Sharon's residence, Dunn attempted to pull her into a dream to control her from a distance."
It was a good plan, but, unfortunately, Madam Sharon happened to have the statue of the Primordial Demoness by her side.
Hence, the Nighthawks' plan failed. Kenley reflected himself in the mirror due to his nervousness and saw himself.
Madam Sharon was taken care of while Kenley died. Dunn blamed himself and consumed Kenley's Beyonder characteristic as he usually did. His digestion procedure was interrupted as a result and was delayed. As such, his mental state became unstable.
Under the circumstances, Leonard and Klein noticed the letter left behind by Lanevus.
Megose received a baffling summoning and arrived at Zouteland Street. She entered the Blackthorn Security Company, and the baby in her stomach was at a critical point in its development. It couldn't stop her urges.
Dunn made a detailed plan, a plan that was right, but he made one mistake. If he steeled his resolve to Megose behind Chanis Gate, he would've stood a chance with the aid of the environment and the items present. If he wanted to wait for backup, he definitely shouldn't have just taken Saint Selena's urn out.
Unfortunately, Dunn's mind wasn't in the right place due to recent events, and he didn't think of the most critical point. A diety's son would be able to feel the threat of the Saint's urn. Hence, it was triggered and started to absorb its mother's strength in a bid to be born ahead of time, even though it wasn't exactly ready.
Azik was in Backlund, but he wasn't a Traveler, so he couldn't rush back in such short notice.
A few rows were scribbled away.
Megose became a monster, and the fight began. With the aid of the Saint's urn, Blood Vessel Thief, and two high-level charms that strangely appeared, Megose died and the deity's son was exorcized. Dunn Smith died as a result, and the power of Saint Selena's ashes was severely damaged as well. That went perfectly with Ince Zangwill's intentions.
Ince Zangwill didn't get a chance to showcase himself, but it didn't hinder him from achieving his goal.
He killed Klein Moretti, the fellow who kept disrupting his plans, and he took away Saint Selena's ashes.
Ince Zangwill set up a ritual with the remaining half of the characteristic of Death's descendant. He consumed Saint Selena's ashes and successfully advanced from Sequence 5 of the Death Sequence pathway, Gatekeeper, to Sequence 4 of the Evernight Sequence pathway, Nightwatcher. As such, he received godhood characteristics and became a Demigod.
The sun continues to shine brilliantly on the land. Nearly no one in Tingen City realized how they narrowly escaped a huge disaster. Monster Ademisaul would be left very confused about it.
The notebook was flipped to the last page. A middle-aged man that was holding onto the book had dark blond hair, a dark blue eye that was nearly black, a tall nose, and tightly pursed lips. His facial features were like that of a statue and didn't have a single wrinkle. He held a classic quill with his slightly pale hand and wrote a line clearly without dipping into any ink.
He ended with a simple sentence.
Tingen's story ends here.
The papers rustled as he closed the book, leaving only a brown cover.
Chapter 211: Funeral
Translator: AtlasStudios Editor: AtlasStudios
In the basement of Saint Selena Cathedral, in the guardroom outside Chanis Gate.
Leonard Mitchell was leaning on the back of his chair, his legs were propped up on the table. His eyes were vacant without any focus.
Even though he had been healed using ritualistic magic, he still looked terrible, as if he had obtained reprieve from a severe illness without fully recovering.
At the moment, the powerful Beyonders sent by the Holy Cathedral were creating another seal behind the Chanis Gate since the ashes of Saint Selena was lost. They had conflicting opinions; some wanting to fill in the gap of power using a new holy item, while the others believed that there was no need to go through all the trouble. After all, to the Church of the Evernight Goddess, holy items were rare and incredibly precious. What they suggested was lowering the presence of the Nighthawks in Tingen and transferring the artifacts with living characteristics or difficult-to-seal artifacts to the headquarters at the Cathedral of Serenity in Backlund's diocese, only leaving behind those that could be controlled more easily.
They intended to send a telegram to propose a meeting of the higher-ups, to get a vote from the archbishops and high-ranking deacons.
Leonard was uninterested in this debate. He felt as if he had become a living corpse, with no sorrow, grief, agitation, or excitement. He was abnormally numb. He didn't want to face anyone. All he wanted was to stay alone in the corner.
Occasionally, he would feel puzzled about why the "murderer" would only take away Klein's Beyonder characteristic and leave Captain Dunn Smith's one intact.
Thud. Thud. Thud. Footsteps reverberated in the corridor. Seeka Tron, whose right arm had been bandaged, appeared at the door of the guardroom.
While Klein and the others were attacking Megose and attempting to save Tingen City, she and the Keepers within Chanis Gate were doing battle against a portion of the Sealed Artifacts. If it wasn't for the timely arrival of the members of the Mandated Punishers and the Machinery Hivemind, or the eventual arrival of the reinforcements from the Holy Cathedral, she also might've lost her life.
But even so, the elderly Keeper failed to last untill the end. He fought to his death, under the call of duty.
"Leonard, I found an unencrypted telegram in the Captain's office. It was sent over by the Holy Cathedral," Seeka Tron said.
Leonard's green eyes moved slightly, finally coming to life. He faintly recalled the sound of a new telegram coming in, but the battle was about to begin. He and Klein didn't have the time to pay attention to it.
"What does it say?" Leonard noticed that his tone was unusually raspy.
The white-haired and black-eyed Seeka Tron replied without hesitation, "Beware of Ince Zangwill. Beware of Sealed Artifact 0-08."
"Ince Zangwill, the archbishop that betrayed the Church, the Gatekeeper who failed his advancement… Sealed Artifact 0-08, an ordinary looking quill…" Leonard muttered at first as he searched his memories, then he tilted his head to the side.
He suddenly narrowed his eyes, the dispirited feelings and sadness disappeared from his body.
"So that's how it was…" Leonard pulled his feet back and stood up, his green eyes burning with a passion.
He looked at Seeka Tron and said, "I intend to apply to join the Red Gloves."
The Red Gloves was a code name for the elite team of Nighthawks. Under normal circumstances, Nighthawk teams were situated locally and had regions under their jurisdiction. They were not permitted to capture criminals outside of their area of jurisdiction without permission. As such, some evildoers would change their location after every crime, making it terribly inconvenient for the Nighthawks.
To deal with this, the Church of the Evernight Goddess set up the Red Gloves. They were carefully selected elites, some even possessing incomplete holy items. Their mission was to reinforce Nighthawk teams that had called for help, as well as track down and arrest evildoers without any restrictions.
In some circles, they were also called "Pursuers" or "Hunting Dogs."
"Red Gloves? But their lowest requirement is Sequence 7… Besides, the dangers the Red Gloves face are many times higher than an ordinary Nighthawk Squad," Seeka Tron said in concern and doubt.
Leonard smiled coldly.
"I'm close to advancing soon."
His eyes became cold. He clenched his teeth and said to himself.
I want revenge!
Ince Zangwill, you must live until the day I become powerful enough!
"Alright…" Seeka seemed to have guessed Leonard's thoughts. She sighed. "Almost half of our team will be new faces. It's rare to see a Nighthawk team become so ravaged…"
Leonard's expression darkened. He clenched his teeth and asked, "Are the bodies ready?"
"Yes." Seeka nodded indiscernibly.
Leonard suddenly stepped towards the door.
"I'll notify their families."
I'll deal with the scene I don't want to deal with the most.
I'll do it…
…
At 2 Daffodil Street, Melissa sat on the sofa, inspecting the three tickets in her hands. She was looking at the words, the printed date, and the seat numbers.
Benson was sitting beside her, observing his sister with a smile. He had a relaxed posture.
Suddenly, they heard the doorbell. Ding dong, ding dong.
Melissa glanced at their busy maid Bella, then she took the three tickets with her and stood up, looking a little confused. She briskly ran to the door.
Her black hair was shinier than it was before, her face no longer skinny. The color of her skin had a ruddy color, and her brown eyes looked brighter and energetic.
Twisting the handle and opening the door, Melissa froze for a moment. She didn't recognize their visitor.
It was a young man with black hair and green eyes. He looked handsome, but his face was unusually pale. Hidden in his eyes was deep sorrow.
"May I know who you are?" Melissa asked, feeling somewhat lost.
Leonard had specially draped a black formal coat over his white shirt. He said in a raspy voice, "I'm a colleague of your brother Klein.
Melissa's heart suddenly skipped a beat. She instinctively tiptoed to look behind Leonard but didn't notice anything.
She said with a strange quiver in her voice, "Where's Klein?"
Leonard closed his eyes, inhaling as he said, "I'm very sorry, your brother Klein died at the hands of an evil criminal while he was trying to save others. He's a hero, a true hero."
Melissa widened her eyes slowly, her body shaking indiscernibly. The three tickets in her hands dropped helplessly onto the floor.
The tickets faced upward, revealing the name of the play—"The Return of the Count."
…
Sitting in the Moretti family's living room, Leonard didn't dare to look directly at Melissa and Benson.
But he couldn't stop scenes of what they looked like from flashing through his mind.
That girl filled with youthfulness and vibrancy had her eyes wide open. She didn't speak, and her eyes were unfocused. Her silence made her appear like a puppet.
The man who looked a little like Klein maintained a normal posture, but he would slip into a daze from time to time. His words came out slowly.
"That's the gist of the matter. I'm very sorry that I was unable to prevent it in a timely manner. The Blackthorn Security Company, the police department, and those that he helped have promised a bereavement compensation of about 6000 pounds…" Leonard said, as his eyes darted around.
Suddenly, Benson interrupted him. His voice was hoarse as he asked, "Where's his body? I'm asking where's Klein's body?"
He puckered his lips and paused.
"When can we see him?"
"In the company. You can see him now," Leonard answered, unable to mask his grief.
"Alright." Benson moved his rigid lips with great difficulty. "Let me use the bathroom first."
Without waiting for Leonard's reply, he quickly entered the bathroom and slammed the door closed.
He stood in front of the sink and turned on the tap, allowing the water to flow.
He bent down and repeatedly splashed water onto his face.
As he did that, his actions came to a sudden stop. Nothing changed for a long time, leaving only the sound of running water reverberating in the bathroom.
A few minutes later, Benson lifted his head and looked into the mirror. He saw that his face was covered in water droplets, the redness in his eyes was impossible to hide now.
…
A few days later, in a corner of the Raphael Cemetery.
After finishing Dunn's funeral, the crowd gathered before a new tombstone. On it was Klein's black-and-white photograph, a very scholarly photograph.
Melissa stood before the grave, her eyes without focus. Beside her, Elizabeth kept wiping away her tears.
Leonard, Benson, Frye, and Bredt carried the coffin and walked over, lowering the coffin into the grave.
After the priest gave the eulogy and individual prayers, the grave was filled with soil, covering the black coffin bit by bit.
At this moment, Melissa knelt down and tossed in the copper whistle she found on her brother's body.
Leonard turned and looked at the scene, his heart wincing. However, he admired how strong this girl was. He knew that this girl didn't cry after receiving the bad news. Instead, she stayed pitifully quiet.
The grave was leveled and a stone slab was laid over it. Leonard took a final look at Klein's tombstone. There were three lines to his epitaph:
The best elder brother,
The best younger brother,
The best colleague.
Under the mournful atmosphere, the members of the Blackthorn Security Company gradually left. Selena and Elizabeth also bade farewell under the urging of their families. The only people left behind were Benson and Melissa.
"I'll get a rental carriage…" Benson was in a terrible condition, it was as if he hadn't slept for a long time.
"Alright." Melissa nodded.
After seeing her brother leave, she turned to look at the tombstone.
She squatted down and buried her face in her arms.
After some silence, Melissa suddenly scolded, "Stupid!"
She cried as she wept silently. Her tears just wouldn't stop.
…
Night time, at the Raphael Cemetery.
The copper-skinned Azik stood in front of Klein's grave holding a bouquet of white flowers. He didn't speak for the longest time until he finally sighed and muttered to himself, "I'm sorry, I was ten minutes late. But I think I know who it was…"
He bent over and set the bouquet of flowers down before turning to leave the cemetery. He also left Tingen, but he didn't retrieve the copper whistle.
The place was quiet and serene under the illumination of the crimson moonlight.
Suddenly, the stone slab sealing the grave was flipped open. A pale hand extended out from the soil.
A hand came out!
Whoosh!
The gravestone was shoved aside. The lid of the coffin was pushed open. Klein sat upright and looked around, lost.
His memory was still frozen at the scene with the brand new leather boots, and the palm that grabbed onto the urn of Saint Selena's ashes. Everything after that felt like a dreamless sleep.
Klein instinctively lowered his head and unbuttoned his shirt. He looked at the left side of his chest, only to see that his ravaged injury and missing heart were squirming as they healed, similar to how he recovered from the bullet wound through his temple back when he looked into the mirror. The only difference was that this time, the recovery was much slower and much more difficult.
Chapter 212: Avenger
Translator: AtlasStudios Editor: AtlasStudios
In the northern part of the Loen Kingdom, the September breeze, that had an additional coldness to it, howled through the cemetery. It was even gloomier and colder than usual.
The cold jolted Klein back to his senses as he muttered with a rueful smile, "It looks like there are still some secrets behind my transmigration…
"But it seems like I'll only be able to resurrect another two times at most, not any more… And if I were to minced up or completely crushed, who knows if this recovery ability that doesn't usually appear would even be useful…"
…
After half a minute, Klein buttoned his suit and realized that he was wearing his newest shirt and tuxedo, but they were now covered in soil and dirt.
… Benson and Melissa really have no idea how to save money… The thought popped into his head. He supported his weight on his hand and flipped up into a standing position, realizing that he still had his Clown abilities.
The best elder brother… The best younger brother… The best colleague… Klein looked at his tombstone and read the inscription. He felt his heart wince, seemingly sensing the despondent feelings Melissa and Benson had experienced.
This is probably even more depressing than watching Captain die before my eyes…He sighed and retracted his gaze. He squatted down and closed the coffin lid.
His thoughts were still scattered, but Klein knew that he had to take care of the scene as soon as possible and not let anyone notice.
Resurrection wasn't something any commoner could accept!
If the Nighthawks, Mandated Punishers, or the Machinery Hivemind learned of this, Klein believed that he wouldn't have a great ending. Of course, if it was on Earth, he could deceive the people into believing that he was the blessed one of God, the man of salvation, had he consumed the Lawyer or Swindler potions. However, in the world he was in, there was a real god, a real god that could respond to rituals!
He scraped the soil back together and covered it with the stone slab. Klein clapped his hands and stood up once again.
At that moment, the scene didn't appear strange. He was just like a gentleman who came to offer his condolences late at night. The only oddity was that the person in the photo on the tombstone looked exactly like him.
During the process of filling his grave, his spirituality noticed the existence of Azik's copper whistle. Hence, he dug it out and wiped it clean.
However, Klein didn't intend to summon the messenger immediately. He decided to figure out the situation first.
Klein lifted his left hand and saw the topaz pendant that was still wrapped around his wrist.
"I guess this is considered a burial object?" He gave a self-deprecating laugh and took off the pendulum. He looked around, and his face grew solemn. "… Captain should be buried in this cemetery as well, I guess…"
He changed directions twice and finally determined the location of Dunn's tombstone using the pendulum.
With the moonlight's aid, Klein walked around and searched for about fifteen minutes until he finally saw Captain's monochrome photo. It had a gentle expression, high hairline, gray eyes—nothing unusual compared to before.
Under Dunn's photo was his name, date of birth, date of death, and epitaph.
The true guardian,
The most trusted partner,
The Captain forever.
Klein looked in stunned silence and somehow his sight grew blurry for some baffling reason. He felt as though he had returned to that day again. He saw the Captain turn his head to him and wink. He spoke with a mellow and relaxed voice.
"We saved Tingen."
Captain… Klein shouted in silence.
He stood there like a statue for a good few minutes until he suddenly said with a smile, "Captain, your mental state was definitely not the best that day. You even said things like you could bring Old Neil into the dreamland if he hadn't lost control. He was a Mystery Pryer, and you're a Nightmare. You couldn't consume the Beyonder characteristic that he left behind. Yes… You didn't ask me what powerful offensive attacks I had. Was it trust, or did you forget about it… But, you definitely guessed something… I only took one Sealed Artifact and said it was for Leonard. Even without a brain, you could've guessed that I had the extra means for a powerful attack."
Having said that, Klein paused, then he shook his head and sighed.
"I have no idea what I am now. Maybe I'm just an evil spirit that has clawed its way back from hell to seek revenge…"
As he spoke, he suddenly stopped. His tears streamed down his cheeks and finally, he shouted softly with a choking voice, "Captain… We miss you too!"
Klein felt the cold breeze blow past him as he lifted his hands to wipe his tears and blow his nose.
He became silent again and found a hidden spot nearby. He took four steps counterclockwise and entered the world above the gray fog.
He wanted to find the person that killed him with the aid of divination. He wanted to know the murderer who triggered all of this!
As he's already appeared before me, I'm sure that I can divine some information…Klein pursed his lips tightly together and saw the lofty palace and ancient mottled table as usual.
He took the seat that belonged to The Fool. A yellowish-brown goatskin and fountain pen appeared before him.
Since his physical body in reality was under limited protection, Klein didn't delay and wrote down his divination statement after a moment's thought.
"The person who killed me."
He recited it seven times and leaned back into the chair. He entered his dream with the aid of Cogitation.
In the blurry world, there were countless points of light dancing and gathering. In the end, they formed a scene.
A pair of brand new leather boots, a pair of slightly pale hands, and the Saint Selena's urn that was held by those hands.
He looked up, and Klein saw a middle-aged man with short, dark blond hair.
He wore a black two-button suit, and one of his eyes was obviously blind while the other one was so blue that it was almost black. His facial features were like carvings, and his face had no wrinkles at all.
The image shattered and Klein woke up from his dream. His eyebrows were tightly knitted. He found his murderer very familiar.
As a Seer, he quickly understood why he found the person familiar. It was because he had seen the man's photo on a wanted notice!
The murderer was Ince Zangwill! He was the former Archbishop of the Church of the Evernight Goddess who took Sealed Artifact 0-08. He had failed to advance as a Gatekeeper!
"It's him!" Countless images flashed through Klein's head, and they finally stopped on the scene when Ince Zangwill picked up Saint Selena's urn.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Klein extended his hands and rapped the edge of the long bronze table. He felt that he suddenly understood many things.
"The Captain said that a Beyonder that dies normally would leave behind a Beyonder characteristic. When gathered together, they're equivalent to a potion that lacks the supplementary ingredients.
"In other words, as long as one knows the corresponding supplementary ingredients, they can advance using "remains". Of course, one cannot consume beyond their level, as it would easily lead to a loss of control or going insane.
"Hmm… Becoming a High-Sequence Beyonder would require the accompaniment of some special ritual. That was mentioned in the incomplete Unshadowed formula… The subsequent advancements would require a ritual as well…
"Ince Zangwill is a Gatekeeper, a Sequence 5 from the Death Sequence pathway. He wanted to become a High-Sequence Beyonder, a Demigod. Based on the situation allowed by the exchanging of Sequences, he had three choices. One was obviously Sequence 4 in the Death Sequence pathway, second was Sequence 4 in the Sleepless Sequence pathway; and third was Sequence 4 in the God of Combat Sequence pathway, Demon Hunter.
"Saint Selena was a Saint. She was either Sequence 4 or Sequence 3. Her urn corresponds to one of the two Sequence potions… Ince Zangwill, who was a former Archbishop, definitely knew exactly which one she was, and he definitely knew the required supplementary ingredients…
"Was his true motive in planning all of this to get Saint Selena's ashes and advance to Sequence 4 in the Sleepless pathway?
"Hmm, the skull of Death's descendant, that might be an ingredient needed for the special ritual. It was from the Death Sequence pathway, after all.
"From the looks of it, his target was the Captain, and not me. He really was the mastermind behind all this…"
Having figured this out, Klein wrote down a corresponding divination statement. He took his pendulum and let the topaz hang above the surface of the paper.
After he recited the statement, he opened his eyes and saw the topaz pendant spinning clockwise.
It meant that the information he provided was sufficient, and the divination was successful!
It meant that Ince Zangwill had really plotted the series of events in order to get Saint Selena's ashes, to advance to Sequence 4!
Klein rapped on the edge of the table again as he mulled over a different question.
"Ince Zangwill was merely a Sequence 5 Gatekeeper. Relying on him alone, would make it impossible for him to create so many coincidences. For instance, for Megose to follow his "arrangements" and visit the Nighthawks at the correct time.
"So, is it the power of Sealed Artifact 0-08?
"Its appearance is that of an ordinary quill… Its function is to write down events that are bound to happen?
"No, it couldn't be that easy… Otherwise, Ince Zangwill could write that Saint Selena's urn grew a pair of wings and flew into his hands. Then, he could've just waited at home…
"There must be certain restrictions…
"0-08 most likely doesn't possess direct combat ability. Otherwise, Ince Zangwill could've stormed through Chanis Gate in Tingen…
"As one of the most dangerous Sealed Artifacts, perhaps it can let people act according to its description without realizing it? That was the reason behind all the coincidences?
"If that's really true, then 0-08 is quite terrifying. Even Megose who was pregnant with the son of an evil god adhered to its arrangements… No wonder Grade 0 Sealed Artifacts are 'Extremely Dangerous.' They're of the highest importance and of the highest confidentiality. They're not to be inquired, disseminated, described, or spied…"
Klein stopped rapping the edge of the table. He divined his earlier guess, but, unfortunately, it failed due to a lack of information.
He saw that a few minutes had passed, and he planned to return to the real world as soon as possible. Hence, he didn't let his thoughts run wild but wrote down the penultimate divination statement.
"The city where Ince Zangwill currently is."
Due to the existence of Sealed Artifact 0-08 and the fact that Ince Zangwill had likely become a Demigod, Klein couldn't divine his exact location directly. He could only make a rough inquiry of the general area.
Of course, if there wasn't a mysterious space like the world above the gray fog to eliminate disturbances, he would definitely fail in divination, even if it was a rough inquiry.
He leaned against the high-back chair and recited the divination statement seven times. He dreamed again and entered the blurry world.
The blurry world suddenly cracked, and there was a wide river which was slightly murky.
There was a grand bridge above the river. Both banks had ports lined one after another. There were many goods and many workers.
To the northeast of the river, there were rows upon rows of houses. Most of them had the Loen Kingdom's present-day architectural styles, such as polygenic roofs, oriel windows, and no verandah by the street. Other than that, there was a lot of Gothic architecture.
The streets were filled with people and carriages. From time to time, strange machinery could be seen.
The farther east he went, the more chimneys there were and the smokier it got. When he headed west, the elevation rose, and there were houses in grayish-blue, beige, and light yellow that spiraled up opulent castles and Gothic clock towers.
Gong!
The chime of a clock sounded and snapped Klein back to his senses. He knew which city he had seen.
The "Land of Hope," and the "City of Cities," Backlund!
Chapter 213: Another Look
Translator: AtlasStudios Editor: AtlasStudios
So Ince Zangwill has gone to Backlund… I wonder how long he'll stay there… Yes… I should confirm this every now and then… Klein leaned forward as he thought. He erased the contents on the goatskin and wrote a new divination statement:
"Lanevus's current location."
From his point of view, the person that caused the Captain and him to nearly die was undoubtedly Ince Zangwill, but the lunatic Lanevus was definitely an accomplice who cannot shirk from the responsibility. He had to pay the price in blood!
After reciting the statement seven times, Klein once again entered the dream. But the scene that appeared after the foggy world shattered was the same as the one he had seen before!
A wide, slightly murky river, countless piers and buildings. The buildings were primarily in the present Loen architectural style, some a little more Gothic. There were crowded streets, flourishing sights, chimneys that continually spewed smoke. There were opulent castles standing tall with the trademark Gothic clock towers…
Lanevus was also in the "Land of Hope," the "City of Cities," Backlund!
Klein opened his eyes, a little confused. He had divined for Lanevus's specific location, but the results were still a very general, vague region.
This tells me that Lanevus's Sequence must be much higher than I imagined… No, it could also be that he's received a large benefit from helping the son of the True Creator descend upon this world. For example, a little godhood characteristics, or some object similar to the placenta left behind by Megose's baby? Hmm… The latter would most likely have been taken away by Ince Zangwill. Thoughts ran through Klein's mind as he muttered to himself whilst he made initial assumptions.
After confirming the rough area where both his enemies were, he thought about another problem. He still didn't have the ability to exact revenge!
Even if Lanevus is only a Sequence 7, or even 8, it wouldn't be easy to deal with him if he did indeed receive a large benefit. Lanevus is also obviously very crafty, he could outwit and defeat Beyonders more powerful than himself… Ince Zangwill is even more terrifying. He's a Sequence 4 Demigod, and he wields a powerful Grade 0 Sealed Artifact… Although there were some secrets surrounding my transmigration, it's clear that I can't convert those secrets into combat strength. It's likely that it's not possible for a very long period of time… The only means that I have are to continue raising my Sequence, or I could collect even more powerful mystical items. I have to use both the methods at the same time…
In between his thoughts, Klein decided to add another divination.
He deliberated on the statement before writing solemnly, "My opportunities of becoming powerful."
He gently placed the pen on the table and leaned back, then he closed his eyes.
He recited the statement silently and fell into a deep sleep with the help of Cogitation.
In the foggy world, he once again saw the scene that he had previously seen. The river, piers, chimneys, crowds, castles, various machinery, and Gothic clock towers. He had once again seen the capital of the Loen Kingdom, Backlund!
Immediately following that, the scene changed. He saw a magnificent peak piercing through the clouds, and, on it, he saw a majestic, ancient palace. He saw the giant throne carved from stone, adorned with dull gems and gold. He saw a strange vertical pupil formed from countless mysterious symbols.
The scene shattered silently without warning. Klein slowly sat up and tapped on the edge of the table with his fingers.
Backlund contains the opportunities for me to become powerful…
Does the second scene refer to the main peak of the Hornacis mountain range, the treasures left behind by the Antigonus family? The strange vertical pupil formed by countless mysterious symbols which the Misfortune Cloth Puppet conveyed to me through the corruption from the Antigonus family's notebook is the key to beginning all of this…
Many thoughts flashed through his mind. Klein decided that he was in no rush to visit the Hornacis mountain range. Even a Sequence 4 Demigod might not be able to deal with the dangers that resided there.
I guess I'll head to Backlund first… Klein sighed and made a decision. He enveloped himself with spirituality and stimulated a descent, exiting the mysterious space above the gray fog.
When he returned to the material world, he slowly walked out of his hiding spot towards Dunn Smith's grave.
He stared deeply at the picture and epitaph. Klein slowly drew a crimson moon on his chest and walked out of the cemetery.
As a former Nighthawk, a Nighthawk who had to regularly patrol Raphael Cemetery, he was quite familiar with the routes of the guards, as well its surroundings. He managed to leave the cemetery easily, without causing any alarm. He followed the gravel road into Tingen, using the shade of the trees as cover.
The night was peaceful and the moon was ever-so dreamy. Klein walked alone, his thoughts running wild and unbridled. He sometimes considered his plan for revenge, sometimes thinking back to the times he spent with the Captain, sometimes recalling Old Neil's hidden grief beneath his humorous facade…
Unknowingly, Klein had entered the nearest street like a wandering ghost, making his way past turn after turn.
It was two hours later when he freed himself from that state and regained complete control of his thoughts.
He realized that he was standing on Daffodil Street. Opposite him was the house he shared with his brother and sister.
Instinctively, Klein had returned here.
He took a step forward with clear joy, but suddenly paused. He let out a bitter smile and muttered with a self-deprecating tone, "If I went up and knocked on the door, Melissa might faint from shock… Benson would be so nervous his hair would start to drop. He would then try his best to calmly convince me, in the name of a curly-haired baboon…"
Shaking his head, Klein stared at the familiar door for a while before heading towards Iron Cross Street.
This is fine too, this is fine too… The things that I do in the future will not implicate them. The compensation given to them by the Nighthawks team and the police department will be enough for them to live a stable middle-class life, even if Melissa fails to find a job and Benson loses his job…
Klein walked silently for a moment before starting to feel fatigue. But, as someone who was "dead," he didn't have any other belongings on him except for the clothes he was wearing, his topaz pendulum, and Azik's copper whistle. He didn't have pounds, nor soli, nor pennies.
Should I give the whistle a blow to send a letter to Mr. Azik and get him to help me?Klein laughed optimistically. Forget it, I shouldn't contact him for the time being. Perhaps Ince Zangwill is still keeping him under surveillance. I'll look for him when the time is right… To an old monster who has lived countless lives for thousands of year, he should be able to understand resurrection… At least it's not too cold tonight. I'll make do by finding a place to sleep for the time being and head to the Tingen branch of the Backlund Bank tomorrow morning to retrieve the money in the anonymous account.
As there had been too many things to do lately. Klein hadn't had the time to start on the experiments involving the sacrificial ritual. He hadn't touched the 300 pounds in the anonymous account either.
That should be enough to support my expenses for quite a while. I'll buy a newspaper tomorrow to confirm what day it is… Miss Justice and the others didn't make any new prayers, which means that I didn't miss a gathering… Klein thought as he found a spot that had no wind. He sat down and took off his jacket. He used it as a blanket and leaned on the wall to sleep.
It wasn't long into his sleep when he was suddenly woken by someone. He saw a policeman wielding a baton.
He only had a single chevron on his epaulet, the lowest-ranking police constable… Klein glanced at him to ascertain his identity.
The policeman said fiercely, "You can't sleep here!
"The streets and parks aren't for you lazy, jobless vagrants to sleep in!
"Those are the terms in the Poor Law!"
Is that so? Klein froze. Given his sensitive identity, he didn't argue with the policeman.
He grabbed his jacket and continued walking until daybreak.
Soon after, he lowered his head and entered the Tingen branch of the Backlund Bank. He took out 200 pounds with the password he had set, leaving behind a third of the money as "savings," in case of any emergencies.
Without a doubt, Klein heard "prayers" when he wrote the password in ancient Hermes.
Klein then spent 38 pounds on two sets of formal wear, two shirts, two trousers, two pairs of leather boots, two bow ties, four pairs of socks, as well as two thick double-breasted jackets, two solid colored fur coats, and two pairs of thick trousers in preparation for the winter. He also bought a cane, a wallet, and a leather luggage bag.
After completing his purchase, Klein found a hotel to wash up and change in. He rented a private carriage directly to the train station in Tingen in order to avoid meeting anyone familiar. Along the way, he purchased a newspaper and discovered that it was Sunday.
It took about four hours to get from Tingen to Backlund by train. A luxurious first-class seat cost about three-quarters of a pound, or 15 soli. A second-class seat cost 10 soli, or half a pound.
The packed, poorly-maintained third-class seats were rather cheap at only 5 soli.
Klein thought for a moment before buying a seat for the two o'clock train, a second-class seat.
Klein found a random spot to sit in the waiting area with his ticket and luggage in hand. It was only slightly after nine in the morning.
He was happy that the Loen Kingdom didn't have a strict census. He could prove his identity just by using the water and gas bills, as well as his rent for the past three months. Purchasing a train ticket was even easier, as all he needed was money.
Klein suddenly had an empty feeling in his heart as he was sitting there, thinking about how he was about to leave for Backlund from Tingen in the afternoon.
He thought about his sister who always gave him a motherly vibe. He thought about his brother who liked to crack cold jokes. He thought about how they would fill their stomachs up so much that they wouldn't feel like moving…
Recalling these scenes, Klein suddenly laughed. He laughed bitterly, for he thought about the tortoise that Melissa called a "puppet," as well as Benson's pitiful hairline.
He suddenly had a strong urge. He wanted to see his siblings again.
At this moment, Klein suddenly realized why he hadn't picked an earlier train but instead bought a ticket for the two o'clock train.
He carried his luggage and left the waiting area quickly, taking a rented carriage back to Daffodil Street.
He then hid in a shady area on the opposite side and looked at the door to his house. There were many times when he felt like heading over, but he couldn't bring himself to cross the wide street.
Klein looked across the road in a daze, suddenly having a feeling of homelessness. He'd had a similar feeling when he had just transmigrated.
Suddenly, he saw the door to the house open as Melissa and Benson came out.
Melissa was wearing a black dress and black veiled hat. Benson was in a shirt, vest, trousers, coat, and hat, all in black. They both had numb, sullen expressions.
Melissa has become skinnier… Why is Benson so haggard… Klein's heart winced in pain. He opened his mouth but couldn't shout out their names.
Without realizing it, he followed Benson and Melissa to the nearest municipal square. He saw that tents had been erected there again. A new circus troupe was in town for a performance.
Benson took out some money and purchased the entrance tickets and led Melissa into the circus. He forced a smile.
"This circus troupe is very famous."
Melissa nodded without expression.
"Okay."
Suddenly, she slipped and almost fell.
Klein, who was also buying a ticket, opened his mouth. He wanted to help his sister, but he could only retract the hand he had instinctively extended and stood helplessly in the busy crowd.
Benson jumped in fright, but he was too late to help. However, Melissa quickly steadied herself. She puckered her lips and said nothing.
At this moment, clowns swarmed forward, some performing balancing acts on wheels or large rubber balls, others tossing countless tennis balls into the air, then ridiculously catching every one of them.
Melissa seemed to disregard the clowns as she looked at the performance. Benson tried to lift his sister's spirits by cheering, but he didn't succeed. He slowly turned sullen too.
Klein puckered his lips tightly as he watched this scene from afar. He wanted to approach them, but he didn't dare to.
Suddenly, he touched the wallet in his jacket and had an idea.
Benson and Melissa continued walking forward, silently watching the various performances.
Some time later, they saw a clown running towards them. His face was painted in colorful pastels. At first, he threw a tennis ball into the air, and, while the attention of the surrounding people was drawn to the air, he conjured a flower out of thin air. It was a Seville Chrysanthemum.
The clown brought the flower before Melissa and Benson. The flower was golden in color and symbolized happiness.
Melissa and Benson looked at the clown in a daze. All they saw was a wide smile plastered over the pastel face. It was a happy smile, an exaggerated smile, a ridiculous smile.
(End of the First Volume)
Chapter 214: Land of Hope
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Choo-choo!
A train whistle resounded in every corner of the station as a metal behemoth, in the form of a steam locomotive, came to a slow stop with more than twenty carriages in tow.
Dressed in a tuxedo and half top hat, Klein was carrying an exaggerated luggage bag that appeared incongruent with his figure. He took a firm step onto the ground of the Loen Kingdom's capital, Backlund.
This city was divided into two regions by the Tussock River which flowed to the southeast. The two lands were connected by the Backlund Bridge and ferries, with a population exceeding five million people. It was the most prosperous capital in the Southern and Northern Continents.
Klein looked far into the distance and saw faint yellow hazes everywhere. Visibility was terrible, and the gas lamps hanging above the train platform were already lit to dispel the gloominess and darkness.
It's only half past six? It looks like it's nine or ten… Klein shook his head indiscernibly. Suddenly, he recalled a joke he read on the Tussock Times.
A gentleman who just arrived in Backlund finds himself lost in the thick haze. Helpless, he asks a drenched gentleman passing him by, "How do you get to the Tussock River?" The gentleman answers him in a friendly manner, "Walk straight without stopping. I just swam from there 1 ."
Every time I read Backlund newspapers or magazines, the reporters and editors will make a mockery of the polluted air or the increasing number of foggy days in every conceivable way possible… Previously, the Backlund Daily Tribune even did the statistics, and it was found that it has gone from about 60 days a year from thirty years ago to the present 75 days a year… For this, many farsighted people established organizations like the Soot Reduction Association, Smoke Reduction Association… Apparently, there was a bill in September that motioned the need to establish the National Atmospheric Pollution Council… Klein lowered his huge luggage bag and pinched his nose to gain respite from the sudden discomfort.
Then, tracing his golden chain, he fished out a golden pocket watch from his vest pocket. He popped it open and looked at the time.
When he truly bade farewell to his siblings, he had especially visited a department store and spent 4 pounds 10 soli to buy a golden pocket watch and matched it with a golden chain worth 1 pound 5 soli.
To not constantly be aware of the exact time made him feel a sense of horror.
Klein had planned on buying a silver pocket watch as he felt it matched his temperament. But after considering the true essence of a Clown, he finally chose a more showy and exaggerated golden watch.
6:39… It's not that much later… Klein put away his pocket watch and held his cane and luggage bag as he slowly walked out the steam locomotive station with the crowd.
Suddenly, he made a sudden turn, causing a person who was secretly tailing him to have his hand fall empty when reaching for his pocket.
Klein was unfazed by this episode as he followed the cement-paved road and mixed into the crowd, arriving at an intersection in front of him.
There was a lawn and garden that circled around a column that resembled a chimney.
No, it's very likely a chimney… Klein saw the column spewing thick smoke from its top end.
A portion of the smoke floated high into the sky as a portion condensed into tiny liquid droplets that scattered everywhere.
Klein paused once again and placed his luggage down. He spread open the newspaper and map that he had held onto using his other hand.
While on the steam locomotive, he had already planned where he was going to go or what to do next.
The experiences that he had undergone, and the mental experience that he had, when disguised as a clown in the morning, made Klein finally understand the true essence of a Clown—"Although being capable of knowing a little about fate, one remains helpless towards fate; therefore, one might as well use a smiling face to hide all the pain, sorrow, confusion, and depression."
At that moment, he clearly felt the Clown potion "digest" and believed that if he continued "acting" this way, it wouldn't take long for him to make another attempt at advancing.
But herein lay the problem—he didn't know the corresponding name of the Sequence 7 potion, much less know its exact formula.
How should I obtain the formula? The Secret Order seldom appears. They only seem to be interested in the Antigonus family's items… This is also why others have little understanding of them. Yes… I should consider two aspects. One, I need to come into contact with the local Beyonder circles and see if I can find clues. Two, I should set a trap and use the Antigonus family's treasure as bait to lure the Secret Order out. After all, I do possess knowledge of the strange vertical pupil formed from the numerous mysterious symbols.
But that's too risky. I need to be careful since the bait cannot be too good or too bad. It won't garner their interest if it's too bad, and if it's too good, I might end up attracting a shark, a shark that can swallow me whole… The Secret Order's leader, Zaratul, is a figure who guided Emperor Roselle. Maybe he had obtained the biggest slice of the pie during that revolutionary feast… Of course, he might not still be alive as that was something from two hundred years ago…
Amidst his thoughts, Klein felt the coldness of Backlund and couldn't help but shiver. He decided to find a residence as soon as possible.
He flipped through the papers and, once again, browsed through the rental section and saw a circled advertisement.
15 Minsk Street, Cherwood Borough… terrace house… Weekly rent of 18 soli…
Klein had thought this through very carefully about the area in which he was to stay in. Although Backlund had a population exceeding five million people, he still needed to be wary about meeting the local Nighthawks. Be it the newly transferred Daly or Lorotta, Aiur Harson, and Borgia that he previously met, they would definitely be able to recognize him.
Therefore, Klein eliminated the North Borough where the Church of the Evernight Goddess's Backlund diocese's headquarters and Saint Samuel Cathedral, was. He also eliminated areas with the best security and the extremely strictly monitored Empress Borough and Western Borough. These two boroughs belonged to the nobles and the richest magnates, with more of the nobles living closer to Empress Borough.
After eliminating the worker areas, the harbor, and the East Borough and Backlund Bridge region where the poor gathered, Klein had few choices left. The first choice was Hillston Backlund where the Backlund Stock Exchange, Clearing House, Futures Center, the seven major banks' headquarters, various Trust Funds, rail companies, and bulk cargo commerce companies were. It was known as the financial, business, and economic center of the Loen Kingdom. The second choice was Cherwood Borough where there were many small companies and residential buildings.
The two boroughs had a lot of people in them, and the security was relatively good. It was good for hiding in. After serious consideration, Klein chose the cheaper Cherwood Borough.
The reason why he didn't seek out organizations like the Capital Housing Improvement Company or Capital Housing Improvement Association was due to the fact that they needed identification which he couldn't produce at the moment.
If I can't find a place to rent today, I'll find a motel that doesn't need any identification to stay for the night… Klein gathered the things in his hand and carried his luggage. According to the map, he walked towards what seemed like a department store's entrance.
That was the Backlund Metro's entrance.
Yes, a metro!
The first time Klein saw the word "metro" on the newspapers and magazines, he nearly jumped in fright. He never expected that such a transportation vehicle had become a reality in this era which hadn't entered the age of electricity.
It was born twenty-five years ago. It first connected both banks of the Tussock River and had now expanded to the key city boroughs. Of course, there weren't many stations.
Through the main door, Klein followed the people ahead of him as he walked to the ticketing booth.
After being in line for a few minutes, he finally saw a cashier with a head with beautiful golden hair.
The lady didn't raise her head. All she did was point at the wooden board by the side of the window with the prices.
Peak period (7am-9am, 6pm-8pm): 10-minute headway.
15-minute headway for all other times.
First-class seat: 6 pence
Second-class seat: 4 pence
Third-class seat: 3 pence.
Return trips are respectively: 9, 6, 5 pence.
Annual Pass
First-class: 8 pounds
Second-class: 5 pounds 10 soli
Third-class: No Annual Pass
It's cheaper than I imagined… There's actually no distance restriction… Melissa would definitely love this more than a horse carriage. This is the culmination of machinery… Klein thought as he suddenly felt upset.
He revealed a brilliant smile and fished out 4 pence and handed it to the cashier.
"Second-class seat."
Smack! The cashier tore a ticket and stamped it before handing it to Klein.
After finding the line that led to Cherwood Borough and passing through the not-very-strict security checks, Klein went down the flight of stairs and quickly came to the platform. He followed the labels on the ground and found the corresponding location for second-class seats.
Choo-choo!
He didn't wait long before he heard the chugging sound of the train and the thunderous steam whistle. He saw a huge steam locomotive
Its large and meandering body, together with its black metallic luster and complex machinery, mixed together to form a unique beauty.
Backlund's metro still used steam locomotives. The smoke that they spewed was specially designed to enter a pipe above and travel through a chimney, out into the world.
This was also the true usage for the lawn and garden out on the streets.
Amidst the screeching sound of metal, Klein first waited for the passengers to alight before carrying his cane and luggage over slowly. He then allowed the conductor to check his tickets.
Unlike the third-class seats, the second-class seats were one person to a seat, so there were no concerns about having one's seat snatched. Just as Klein sat down, stowed away his luggage, and leaned on his cane, he suddenly heard hurried footsteps.
He subconsciously looked towards the door and saw a thin, adolescent boy rush into the carriage.
The boy was wearing a coat that didn't suit his age. He wore a rounded top hat and carried a ragged haversack. He kept his head very low.
"I'm sorry. I got on the wrong carriage. I'm from third-class…" He showed his ticket and apologized to the passengers before briskly walking towards the third-class carriage.
Klein retracted his gaze and once again confirmed his destination as he waited for the doors to the carriage to close.
At that moment, he heard chaotic and hurried footsteps. He then saw a few men dressed in black coats and half top hats rush into the carriage.
Are they chasing after that fifteen-year-old boy? Klein instinctively had such a thought.
He shook his head gently and continued reading his newspapers and map, just like the other passengers onboard the carriage.
Chapter 215: Mrs. Sammer
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
"Did you see a teenage boy? He's wearing an old coat!" One of the men who dashed into the carriage asked the conductor fiercely.
Klein glanced at the man through the corner of his eyes. He was thin and hardy; his skin a dark shade from prolonged exposure to the sun. His eyes were much more recessed than the typical Loen Kingdom citizen.
A highlander? Or a mixed blood? He nodded thoughtfully.
In the middle of the Northern Continent, the point where the Hornacis mountain range began, there was a highland which was extremely hot and dry. Most of it belonged under the Feynapotter Kingdom, while the area west belonged to the Intis Republic. The area to the east belonged to the Loen Kingdom. Its natives were thin and barbarians, but they were brave and skillful in warfare. A long time ago, they posed as one of the biggest problems for the three nations. But with the advancement of gunpowder, and the changes in the way war was carried out, these highlanders eventually recognized reality and submitted.
A large number of them left the highlands and entered Backlund, Trier, Feynapotter City, and the various flourishing cities or ports in the Northern Continent. Some were workers, while others became grunts of the local triads. They dared to kill and showed no fear of thorny situations.
The conductor was a man in his twenties. He shrank back when he heard that as he pointed in the direction of the third-class carriage.
"I saw him… He went that way."
The leader, wearing a black coat and half top hat, nodded indiscernibly. He led his men and rushed to the third-class carriage and showed no concern towards the surrounding passengers.
If I were that boy, I would've already alighted from the third-class carriage… As Klein read his newspaper, he began letting his thoughts stray.
About a minute later, the train whistled as the carriage doors closed.
Chug! Chug! The steam metro began speeding up as it cruised along. But at that moment, Klein suddenly sensed something as he looked up to see the door leading to the other second-class carriages.
The teenage boy walked slowly into the carriage wearing his old coat and round top hat while carrying a ragged haversack.
He looked adolescent and had refined facial features. His red eyes were staid and solemn.
… Impressive. He alighted from the third-class carriage and circled around to enter from the first-class carriage again? Was he afraid that his pursuers had partners waiting inside the metro station? Klein was slightly surprised. He felt that the boy's handling of the situation was rather mature and careful. He was much better than most people in their twenties.
He clicked this left molar lightly and secretly activated his Spirit Vision. He scanned the boy and saw that he was in a state of fatigue. His emotions were tense and he was dispirited. However, he still maintained a blueness that represented calm thinking.
Impressive… at his age… Klein mumbled silently as he lowered his head and continued reading his papers.
The boy didn't notice that he had been scrutinized by a Beyonder as he headed for the third-class carriage once again.
The rest of the journey happened stably and calmly. Klein arrived twenty minutes later at one of the three train stations in Cherwood Borough.
He took a rented carriage for nearly ten minutes before finding Minsk Street. According to the descriptions in the papers, he came to Unit 17 which was next to Unit 15 and pulled the doorbell.
Cuckoo! Cuckoo!
As sounds reverberated inside the house, a mechanical bird that didn't look too fancy popped out from above the door. It was about the size of a palm and was made up of gears and other parts. It constantly nodded its head and let out the sound of a cuckoo bird.
Not a bad toy. It's just not very well-crafted… Klein made an objective assessment.
Nearly twenty seconds later, the dark door was pulled open. A young maidservant dressed in white and black looked warily at Klein and asked, "May I help you?"
Klein smiled and waved his cane which was now wrapped with the newspapers.
"I'm here to find Mrs. Sammer about renting a house. I'm guessing it hasn't been rented out?"
The full name on the newspaper was Stelyn Sammer.
"Not at all. Please wait a moment." The maidservant bent her back politely.
She rushed inside and reported to her mistress. Moments later, she came out again and ushered him in. She then helped him place his cane and luggage in the foyer and hung his coat and hat on a clothes rack in the same place.
A warm blast of air inundated him, dispersing the chill Klein had brought in. He scanned the area and first saw a uniquely designed fireplace. He saw pieces of red, smokeless charcoal burning inside.
Sammer's living room was rather big. It was nearly equivalent to the entire Moretti's first floor in area. Certain areas were decorated with carpets or oil paintings of beautiful sceneries.
The maidservant brought Klein to the sofa and said to her mistress in a pale yellow dress, "Madam, the guest is here."
The mistress was in her thirties. She had blonde hair and blue eyes. She looked rather pretty and had preserved her youthfulness well. She held a silver-inlaid feathered royal fan in her hand.
As she was at home, and the fireplace made for a warm environment, she didn't wear anything around her neck, revealing her white bosom and shiny long neck.
"Hello there, Mrs. Sammer." Klein pressed one palm to his chest and bowed.
Mrs. Sammer smiled in a reserved manner.
"Good evening. Please, have a seat. Do you wish for some coffee or tea?"
Klein sat on the sofa and answered frankly, "Tea, please."
"Julianne, Marquis Black Tea," Instructed Mrs. Sammer. She then turned her eyes to Klein and asked, "How might I address you?"
"Sherlock Moriarty. You can call me Sherlock." Klein had long thought of a fake name.
At that moment, he caught a whiff of a fragrance from the kitchen and saw complicated pipes.
"Heh, heh, those are my husband's designs. Although his actual job is a manager at the Coim Company, he's a machinery enthusiast. He's also a member of the Kingdom's Soot Reduction Association." Mrs. Sammer noticed Klein's gaze and explained with a smile.
Mrs, there's no need to go into such detail. I'm not here on a blind date with your husband… Klein lampooned as he said without his smile waning, "Mrs. Sammer, I wish to rent the Unit 15."
Mrs. Sammer straightened her back as she sat elegantly. She said with a smile, "I have to remind you of certain things. Unit 15 doesn't have such pipes, reclining chairs, card tables, mahogany kitchen cabinets, fine porcelain, silver cutlery, gold-plated tea sets, or removable carpets…"
She pointed at the things in her house as she introduced them, one after another. After she was done, she added,
"It originally belonged to my elder sister and brother-in-law, but due to a business failure, my brother-in-law had no choice but to move to the Southern Continent. They have a plantation at Balam. However, I don't agree with their choice. This is just too unfair for my niece and nephew. There are no good grammar schools there; not even a good home tutor."
Mrs, that's not something I would like to know… Klein nodded sincerely and said, "Apart from the weather, there's no place in the Southern Continent that can compare with Backlund."
His agreement satisfied Mrs. Sammer greatly as her eyes darted slightly.
"This house still has a three years lease. I wish for you to pay a year's rent at once. 18 soli a week. The use of the furniture will cost 1 soli. I can collect a deposit of 50 pounds."
Klein shook his head and smiled.
"Mrs. Sammer, you should be able to tell that I just arrived in Backlund. I don't know what will happen to me in time. To pay 50 pounds for a deposit will lower my ability to resist any risks. My limit is half a year. 25 pounds."
He still planned on renting another one-bedroom apartment in Backlund's East Borough. He would use it to change his clothes, undergo disguises, and shirk off any tailing. It was necessary for what he planned to do.
Stelyn Stelyn nodded slightly and asked, "Have you studied at grammar school?"
Klein chuckled and said, "Yes, I later self-studied history."
"Do you have any identification with you?" asked Stelyn casually.
"I'm sorry. I was in a hurry when I left home and forgot to bring it with me. Heh, heh, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm from Midseashire." Klein deliberately used the accent his classmate, Welch, often used.
When he said "forgot," it reminded him of Captain Dunn Smith. The smile on his face turned even more brilliant.
At this moment, the maidservant, Julianne, brought a cup of black tea over. The cup was porcelain-white with classic flowery patterns. Some areas were plated in gold.
Klein took a sip and found the fragrance distant. The mix of sourness and sweetness were perfect, and it was clearly much better than the Sibe black tea he often drank.
"Very authentic Marquis Black Tea." He complimented with a description which couldn't be faulted.
Mrs. Stelyn Sammer curled her lips and said, "Then, let's do half a year's rent. 25 pounds."
Klein thanked her and engaged in a few minutes of idle chatter with her until another maidservant found a service contract from the study.
After both parties signed the contract, Klein counted 25 pounds while feeling the pinch and pushed it to Mrs. Sammer.
Stelyn counted it silently before smiling.
"Mr. Moriarty, I believe you'll be finding a job in Backlund?"
"Yes," Klein answered, feeling a little lost.
The corners of Stelyn's mouth hooked up.
"I can give you some suggestions. With a weekly salary lower than 3 pounds, it would be difficult for you to live in Cherwood Borough. Your rent, food expenses, water, gas, and charcoal expenses, transport expenses, and everything else added up will cost at least 2 pounds 5 soli. Believe me, this is Backlund. One still has to consider new clothes and good cutlery and tea sets… A weekly salary of 3 pounds is the bare minimum.
"If your weekly salary reaches 5 pounds, you can hire a maidservant. At 6 pounds, you can consider hiring a chef. At 7 pounds, you can add a male servant. For 8 pounds, you can hire an additional maidservant…"
Mrs. Sammer, I think you are flaunting your wealth… I once earned more than 10 pounds a week… Klein maintained his smile as he listened attentively.
At that moment, the door suddenly opened. A stout man walked in, he was dressed in a black double-breasted suit and leather gloves of the same color. Above his lips were two elegant mustaches.
"Luke, this is Mr. Moriarty. He will be our neighbor," Stelyn Sammer went forward and introduced him.
Obviously the master of the house, Luke took off his coat and handed it to the male servant beside him. He smiled politely and said, "Mr. Moriarty, would you like to join us for dinner?"
This is the manager of some Coim Company, a member of the Loen Kingdom's Soot Reduction Association… Klein said with a smile, "I'm very sorry, Mr. Sammer. I've eaten on the steam locomotive; although, that taste does leave a deep impression on one."
After exchanging some pleasantries, Klein was led by Julianne out of the house and into the neighboring Unit 15.
The layout was very similar to the unit next door. The first floor had a huge living room, a dining room with decent lighting, two guest rooms, a bathroom, a cellar, a kitchen that extended all the way back. On the second floor, there were four bedrooms, an activity room, a solarium, a study, two bedrooms, and a huge balcony.
"Mrs. Sammer wishes to tell you that you can rent out part of it, but not to workers or make this place too packed or noisy. Oh… I'll bring you clean blankets, sheets, and pillow cases in a while." Julianne returned to the Sammers after informing Klein.
After doing a round of packing, Klein finally settled into Backlund.
He sat in an empty living room and suddenly felt lonely. Hence, he forced himself to consider his future plans.
Whether he liked it or not, revenge and advancement couldn't be done in the blink of an eye. Therefore, he had to obtain a lucrative job to prevent himself from facing any financial problems.
However, the job couldn't restrict him and affect his movements and plans. In other words, he needed sufficient freedom.
After some deliberation and eliminating unsuitable jobs, Klein was left with three choices.
He could become an author by becoming a plagiarist. However, his identity was sensitive, so the more famous he became, the more trouble it meant. All he could do was give up unwillingly.
The second choice was to be a news reporter. This was considered quite a decent job in this time and age. However, job applications required his educational certificates and other documents. Klein was helpless in that respect.
Finally, he chose the third job.
Private detective!
This was also the reason why he had taken on a fake name.
Chapter 216: The Same-old Gathering
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Klein started his first morning in Backlund under cold and humid weather conditions, with a light fog that provided very little visibility. For breakfast, he had one liter worth of cheap tea, costing one penny, and two pieces of toast with inferior butter in the center.
He was busy the entire morning, but he first went to the Cherwood Borough's Backlund Bulletin to post a tiny advertisement for a month at the cost of thirty pounds.
From Tuesday, the Backlund Bulletin's loyal readers would see a tiny advertisement along the seams of its seventh and eighth page.
Sherlock Moriarty. Good at various types of private investigations. Reasonable prices and strictly adheres to the principles of confidentiality. Resides at Cherwood Borough's 15 Minsk Street.
The reason why Klein didn't choose major newspapers like the Tussock Times or the Backlund Daily Tribune, that had a readership all across the entirety of the Loen Kingdom, was due to the fact that his business was temporarily limited to Backlund. Furthermore, he didn't wish for a sterling reputation.
Therefore, the Backlund Bulletin, which was well-received locally and had low advertisement fees, became his first choice.
After leaving the Backlund Bulletin's headquarters, Klein took out a map and followed it to purchase various herb powders and silver slices from various herbal stores, flower stores, jewelry stores, and accessory stores. He did it in preparation for holding a ritual. When items that didn't have any spirituality were involved, most of the materials in mysticism could be purchased from ordinary stores. However, they weren't all under one roof, requiring him to visit many stores to collect them.
To do so, Klein spent another 5 pounds. The humongous sum of 200 pounds that he withdrew broke below the 100 pound mark, leaving him only with 92 pounds.
"Spending money is as easy as drinking water…" Klein found a small cafeteria nearby and ordered a black pepper steak worth 8 pence.
He returned to 15 Minsk Street at one in the afternoon, and without rest, he spent his time using Slumber flower, dragon blood grass, dark red sandalwood, and mint powders to create Holy Night Powder, a key ingredient needed to create a wall of spirituality.
He could only make do with this method until he bought a real silver ritual dagger.
Klein speculated that he would have to advance to Sequence 7 before he could do away with this restriction.
Phew, Miss Justice, Mr. Hanged Man, and The Sun haven't requested for leave yet. The gathering will be held on time today… I wonder what surprises Mr. Hanged Man will bring me, and how many pages of Roselle's diary he can provide… Klein laid back on his bed in the bedroom and thought about all sorts of things.
To him, a private detective was a career that took into account both money and action. It allowed him to get in touch with people from all walks of life and slowly discover the Beyonder circle in Backlund. From there, he could slowly find clues regarding the Secret Order.
Of course, if he was lucky, he would even be able to figure out the Sequence 7 which corresponded to the Clown through a particular circle of Beyonders and buy the corresponding potion formula and main ingredients.
As for Ince Zangwill's whereabouts, Klein temporarily chose not to take the initiative to seek him out. He might even avoid him a little. However, if he were to accidentally discover this enemy of his, without exposing himself, he wouldn't mind doing a good deed and sending an anonymous letter to the Church of the Evernight Goddess.
A private detective's income can, at most, support a middle-class standard of living. If I want enough money to buy the potion formula and Beyonder materials, It will either depend on Miss Justice, or it will be through investments with the remaining 100 pounds that I have left in my anonymous account… Yes, I can't touch the 92 pounds that I have for the time being. Perhaps, I wouldn't be having any income for some time… With this in mind, Klein suddenly sat up. He came to the first floor and began reading the various newspapers he bought in passing.
These newspapers often carried news about what had been invented and required investments, or how someone wished to form a joint venture with others to do a particular business.
Klein relied on his knowledge from Earth and his understanding of this era to carefully sift through the projects. Unfortunately, none of the ones on the papers today were reliable.
At fifteen minutes to three, he returned to his bedroom, locked the door, drew the curtains, and used Holy Night Powder to create a wall of spirituality.
Klein took four steps counterclockwise and arrived above the gray fog. He sat in the high-back chair belonging to The Fool before extending his spirituality and touching the crimson star that symbolized The Sun as if he was responding to a prayer.
This is one of the few things in my new life that hasn't changed… he suddenly sighed.
…
In an area outside of the City of Silver, in a grayish-black tower that was half-collapsed.
Nine members of a patrol squad were gathered around a blazing bonfire, chatting about their experiences in the past few days.
There were also a few other team members guarding the perimeter, prepared for any possible attacks that might break out from the darkness.
Many of the City of Silver's Beyonders had used their blood to teach them a lesson:
"At all times, never let your guard down. The monsters in the darkness could very well be right behind you!"
On a night when the frequency of lightning was very low, it was necessary to keep the flames burning and the light shining. Once they were completely enveloped in darkness, it wasn't impossible for them to all disappear—no one could say for sure just what terrible things would happen in total darkness, because reality had broken the limits of their imagination time and time again.
Derrick Berg remained reserved and silent as he quietly listened to his companions reminiscing about the monster they had encountered before. It was a humanoid monster with eyes covering its entire body.
In order to finish off the monster, their patrolling team suffered a heavy price with five injured, and two of them severely injured.
Suddenly, Derrick's vision blurred, and he felt himself being enveloped in a thick gray mist.
In an inexplicably faraway place, in the depths of the gray fog, a blurry figure sat on an ancient high-back chair, looking down at him.
"Prepare for the gathering."
The Fool's voice echoed in Derrick's ears, but none of his teammates were aware of it.
After withdrawing his gaze and observing the area for more than ten seconds, Derrick moved to the very edge of the fire, leaned against the broken wall, and pretended to be asleep.
Ever since he found out that the members of the six-member council and Elder Lovia were unable to discover the existence of Mr. Fool, he gradually believed that as long as he didn't carelessly reveal any clues, he would be able to quietly attend the Tarot Club's gathering above the gray fog even under the gaze of others.
…
Backlund, Empress Borough.
Using the excuse that she was tired, Audrey returned to her bedroom.
She curbed her excitement and didn't pace back and forth; instead, she sat quietly on the bed, waiting for Mr. Fool's summoning.
Father was busy communicating with the other Members of Parliament about the proposed bill, and the Beyonder guard isn't tailing me constantly. Thank you Goddess; my life has finally returned to normal! Two weeks have passed, Mr. Hanged Man must've prepared the pituitary gland of a mature Rainbow Salamander… I'm about to advance to Sequence 8! Audrey thought with sparkling eyes.
To her, this was even more exciting and worth looking forward to than the thirty thousand pound bounty and the large plantation worth at least 8,000 pounds!
Finally, she saw the familiar illusory crimson surge towards her like a tidal wave, drowning her.
…
On an ancient-looking sailboat.
Alger Wilson locked the door to the captain's cabin and sat behind a sextant and the ship logs. He kept memorizing the contents of the thick stack of sheets in front of him.
After the investigations, he left the bustle of Backlund without any qualms after being rewarded by the upper echelons and returned to the sea, carrying a batch of secretly copied Roselle diary pages.
After digesting the Seafarer potion, I'll be able to advance normally. My contributions are enough for me to trade for the formula and ingredients… However, this will expose the fact that I know the "acting method." There are advantages and disadvantages… Alger shook his head, suddenly distracted.
At that moment, he felt the summoning of The Fool. His mind suddenly recalled the face of Rear Admiral Hurricane Qilangos whose flesh and blood quickly rotted as pieces of his face peeled off.
Alger instinctively lowered his head, allowing the crimson tide to engulf him.
…
Above the gray fog, inside the palace that looked like a giant's residence.
Having activated his Spirit Vision, Klein examined Justice, The Hanged Man, and The Sun to confirm their current states.
Audrey was about to happily greet everyone when she suddenly saw The Hanged Man gesturing to her before rushing to speak before her.
"Mr. Fool, I've obtained nineteen pages of Roselle's diary this time.
"Here, I must thank you for sending your adorer to help me get rid of Qilangos. These diary pages will be the compensation I should pay!"
19 pages? Not bad… Klein didn't talk much about the adorer as he smiled faintly.
"That is the principle of equivalent exchange."
As expected of Mr. Fool… A Pirate Admiral with a mystical item was nothing to "Him"… From the looks of it, I don't have to mention my claiming of the bounty… I wonder how many High-Sequence Beyonders Mr. Fool has as "His" adorers…Audrey had begun to use the word "He," "Him," or "His" to refer to The Fool without realizing it.
Upon hearing The Fool's answer, Alger said humbly, "The limit of my current memory is six pages. Please allow me to give them to you over separate occasions."
"No problem." Klein, who was surrounded by thick gray fog, nodded gently.
The Sun Derrick looked at the pages that appeared before The Hanged Man and was very curious about the contents of the diary.
With his previous experiences, he believed that the items that Mr. Fool was interested in definitely contained many mysteries.
He looked at Miss Justice and when he saw that she didn't have the impulse to ask, he cautiously maintained his silence.
Soon, the six pages of the diary were complete and came into Klein's hands.
Audrey and the others began to wait quietly. They were already used to such things.
Klein looked down and read the first page:
"16th December. I managed to contact the pathetic fellow who's trapped in the storm and was lost in the darkness."
Finally, there's a follow-up to one of the previous pages of the diary… Klein was delighted, and he became more focused:
"He called himself Mr. Door and tried to teach me a complicated and difficult ritual. He wanted me to help him return to the real world and promised to fulfill three of my requests.
"Does he think I'm stupid? I've lived for more than sixty years over my two lives. Does he think I can't tell that this is the usual manipulation done by evil gods and devils?
"But the history of the Fourth Epoch that he described was truly interesting."