Daly’s Composure and Melissa’s Shock

Just thinking about how Daly had made contact with a great being in order to find him left Dunn feeling both fearful and remorseful. He couldn't help but blame himself:

If… if I had gone to find Daly the moment I returned to Backlund, she wouldn't have recited that holy name.

In contrast to Dunn's panic, Miss Daly remained calm. She rolled over in bed, resting her head on her man's chest, and thoughtfully analyzed, "But I was only able to find you thanks to the guidance of Mr. Fool… and I remember you saying earlier that you were resurrected by 'Doctor Strange' using the 'Life Stone,' right?"

"Yes…" Dunn looked at Daly's face, so close to his own, and wrapped his arms tightly around her, afraid that she would face a terrible fate because of him.

"I confirmed through a secret technique from a deacon of the Church of Steam that the superhero from Roselle's writings is a follower of Mr. Fool.

"Perhaps when he resurrected you, it really was as part of a mission from the Earth Mother—but that doesn't mean Mr. Fool didn't have a hand in it.

"It's possible that they are secretly allied… or maybe even different aspects of the same being…"

To say Daly wasn't at all worried about the Fool would be a lie, but in her eyes, her Dunn had already become "connected" to that being—there was no way to break free. Since that was the case, she was willing to accompany him and face whatever unknown fate lay ahead, be it good or bad.

Daly's composure helped Dunn calm down as well. As a former Nighthawks team captain, his memory might be poor, but his analytical ability was never lacking. After thinking seriously for a moment, he formed a rough hypothesis and said carefully:

"That highness who gave me a 'blessing' at the cemetery did say it was to return a favor to a friend…

"And judging from what Closfia casually lets slip, that highness is likely the earthly avatar of the Earth Mother…

"Maybe the 'friend' she mentioned was the Fool?

"But why would saving me be worth a favor from the Fool? I'm not anyone special…"

Daly gave him a strange look, her hand quietly moving downward as she teased, "Maybe you're actually an important hidden character? If this were a drama, your role might be that of the protagonist's close friend or mentor… like the old priest in prison from Roselle's The Count Returns…

"Think about it—if someone had saved that old priest, the count, being the protagonist, would definitely remember the favor."

Hearing his lover's jest, Dunn felt some of his worries melt away. He sighed, "Too bad I'm not the friend or student of any bigshot… Leonard keeps calling himself the 'protagonist,' but I don't think he's worthy yet of being called a true god's friend.

"Oh well. 'Doctor Strange' already said he'd meet with me in a few days to trade formulas—I'll just ask him then…"

"That's why you don't need to worry about me… Maybe you're the one who's more valued by that being. After all, He found you so easily," Daly said. Then, with a sudden movement of her hand below, she looked at Dunn's abruptly changing expression and said with a mischievous smile:

"Now then, let's talk about something else… Like—who is Closfia?

"And while living with her, what sort of 'desires' did you experience?"

…

At the garden villa at 28 Kingsford Street, Ebner had just returned from seeing Dunn when he dove straight into designing the schematics for the "projector."

Though its principles were simple, and he'd seen some structural diagrams online in his previous life, designing a refined, practical, and cost-effective version that integrated the unique "steam" technology of this world was quite a challenge.

Just as he discarded yet another plan, Mr. Skarde knocked on the parlor door and said that the new neighbors—the Moretti family from next door—had come to visit.

Mr. and Miss Moretti… Benson and Melissa? They rented the long-vacant house next door?

And while it's normal etiquette to visit neighbors after moving in, usually you'd make an appointment first, not just drop by unannounced…

Could it be that Melissa hasn't given up on trying to gather Beyonder information from me?

As a mind-reading detective, Ebner had already understood Melissa's intent the moment he first saw her at the steam train station.

After thinking for a moment, Ebner said to Mr. Skarde, "Bring them to the parlor… and prepare some refreshments and drinks as well…"

Then he asked, "Have Helene and Fanny returned yet?"

Helene had gone to prepare for the company's first photography job, and Fanny had gone to investigate her grandfather's whereabouts through her own channels… Neither had been home when Ebner returned earlier.

If they were here, they could help receive Miss Moretti.

"Both young ladies have not returned yet," Mr. Skarde replied simply before heading downstairs to escort Benson and Melissa to the parlor.

At their reunion, Benson remained as enthusiastic as ever. He was quite well-informed and could join in any topic Ebner brought up. Even when he didn't fully understand something, he could respond appropriately, never appearing ignorant or rude.

His performance left a very positive impression on Ebner. If Benson wasn't aiming to become a civil servant, Ebner would've considered recruiting him as a "manager" for his film company.

Meanwhile, as her brother and Detective Bryan talked nonstop, Melissa, unable to join the conversation, turned her attention to the discarded blueprints on the table. She leaned over slightly, curious.

Ebner noticed her movement immediately but didn't say anything. He was curious whether the protagonist's sister—someone described in the original story as having outstanding mechanical talent but no sense for art—would have any good suggestions.

On the other side, the more Benson chatted, the more he realized how vast Bryan's knowledge was. Eventually, he began asking questions from the civil service exam and was enlightened by each of Bryan's answers.

While he was still absorbing the insights, he happened to notice out of the corner of his eye that Melissa had leaned over to look at the documents on the table. He couldn't help but "rebuke" her:

"Melissa, don't be rude!"

Realizing her behavior was indeed inappropriate, Melissa quickly sat up straight and began apologizing.

Ebner, seeing Benson's scolding that was actually protective in nature, didn't mind. He smiled and asked, "Miss Moretti, you were looking quite attentively—can you understand what it's for?"

Melissa glanced at her brother. Seeing him nod slightly, she composed herself and replied, "It's a very clever design. I believe it's meant to display a series of images in succession… However, some parts of the structure seem inefficient… If it were me, I could replace them with more suitable and cheaper materials."

Ebner was a little surprised as he looked at the parts Melissa had pointed out. He hadn't expected her to really understand it—and even suggest immediate improvements.

As expected of the protagonist's sister… She's a natural candidate for a 'Savant' pathway!

After a moment's thought, Ebner suddenly smiled and said, "Miss Moretti, how about we make a deal?

"If you can build a prototype of this 'projector' to my standards, I'll consider giving you a chance… the kind of opportunity you've been dreaming of."

Of course, it would only be a chance. Whether or not she would truly step into the extraordinary would depend on Mr. Fool's permission.

Melissa's expression changed subtly. She instinctively looked to her brother—only to be shocked to find that Benson seemed completely unaware, still trying hard to shift the conversation so that Detective Bryan wouldn't take offense at her rudeness…

Yet Bryan was clearly looking right at her, waiting for her answer—while Benson remained oblivious!

This… this is what it means to be extraordinary? How terrifying! Even scarier than the battle between Beyonders in the underground market! Now I believe Detective Bryan really could infiltrate the mafia and rescue someone without a hitch…

Melissa was deeply shaken and gained a new understanding of extraordinary powers… So, they're not just for fighting.

(End of Chapter)