Chapter 25 : The Great Fog of Backlund
3rd point of view :
Seeing that it was still early, Klein took a horse carriage to the Quelaag Club, intending to spend the afternoon there.
As soon as he entered the hall, he saw the equestrian teacher, Talim Dumont.
This descendant of blue-blood was seated in a corner, holding a glass of scarlet grape wine. His face was rosy, and he was sipping it in high spirits.
« You seem to be in a good mood, Talim. »
Klein smiled and greeted him.
Talim chuckled and said :
« Because the new year is coming. »
Then, rather excitedly, he asked :
« Sherlock, do you know what it's like to really like someone ? »
« … » Klein showed a fake smile.
« I'm sorry, I'm still single. »
Talim finished the rest of his wine, stood up, waved his hand, and said :
« That's a pity. Well, I have to get busy. »
« By the way, thank you for introducing Mr. Framis Cage. » Klein recalled the investment of the bike project and sincerely expressed his gratitude.
« When are you free these days? I'd like to get you to bring me around to sample some of Backlund's delicacies. »
« After the new year. » Talim put on his hat and walked with a smile to the reception hall.
Has this fellow entered the season of love? Klein couldn't help but mutter.
Just as he turned around and took a few steps, he suddenly heard a heavy thud.
Klein jerked his head back and saw Talim Dumont on the ground, his left hand clamped tightly at his chest where his heart was. His body was convulsing nonstop.
This… Klein hurried over.
But at this moment, Talim had already spat out all of the white foam on his mouth, losing his last breath of life.
In just a few seconds, he had turned into a dead corpse.
This wasn't the first time Klein had seen someone familiar die in front of him, but it was the most abrupt and unforeseen death. The expression on Talim Dumont's face when he had asked about what it felt to really like someone was a vivid expression of hidden excitement and flaunting, but one which couldn't be directly shared due to the need of being careful as a result of certain factors.
That was too fast… Normal diseases do not cause death so quickly ! Klein's expression was solemn as he lightly tapped his molars to activate his Spirit Vision.
He dropped to one knee and crouched down. He saw Talim Dumont's aura and the colors of his emotions fading rapidly.
Furthermore, there were strands of black gas wrapped around his heart like a snake which were gradually dimming.
A Beyonder ability similar to a curse? Klein instantly made a preliminary conclusion.
At this moment, a nearby red-vested attendant and a servant girl in a black-and-white dress ran over. They looked at the dead body on the ground in horror—his eyes were wide and round, and the corners of his mouth still had remnant white foam.
Klein closed his eyes and instructed in a deep voice :
« Go to the nearby police station and tell them someone died here. »
« Yes, Mr. Moriarty. »
The red-vested attendant immediately turned around and ran out the door, so flustered that he even forgot to put on his coat.
Under the watchful gaze of the crowd, Klein didn't check Talim's belongings, nor did he try to pull out a few strands of hair for a divination attempt when he wasn't around anyone.
His identity was already considered semi-official, so he could use the power of the Machinery Hivemind to conduct a follow-up investigation. There was no need for him to act as a lone hero.
Thinking of the many times he had played cards with Talim Dumont, and how he had introduced clients and investors, and the love story that had been hanging in his mind for so long, Klein couldn't help but take a long, slow, deep breath.
Who's Talim's murderer?
Which Beyonder, who's adept at curses, did Talim offend?
Judging from his attitude today, he should be in a very happy and calm state, completely unaware of the fact that he has provoked a terrifying character…
Questions flashed through Klein's mind, but his lack of understanding about Talim Dumont resulted in a lack of soil to nurture any inspiration.
When the police arrived, he was questioned as a witness and that wasted quite a bit of his time.
Above the gray fog, Klein divined the cause of Talim Dumont's death. As a high Sequence Beyonder, he didn't need an object belonging to Talim Dumont to obtain a satisfying result, and soon found out the culprit responsible for Talim's death.
While Trissy was kidnapped, the royal family had indeed sent someone else to kill him so Xin Jian's attempt didn't prevent Talim Dumont's death.
At least, the Demoness who cursed him this time didn't have a grade 0 sealed artifact on her so he was able to identify her successfully…
—————— I am the dividing line~
Xin Jian's point of view :
Secret Puppet-chan, no, fake Trissy had to live in the palace with Prince Edessack.
Seriously, George III, can't you even see that fake Trissy isn't alive ? Tsk, tsk. (My acting skills are so good.)
Well, I have the true Trissy next to me as an example anyway.
Since apparently Talim also died this time, Prince Edessack harassed Klein once again. So I decided to make fake Trissy try to contact Klein once again too.
I really want to see Klein's face while fake Trissy says "They renamed me Trissy Cheek~."
Ahem.
The only problem would be that Sequence 5 Klein would be able to see her controlled spiritual lines, but it's not like he can guess that I'm the one controlling them…
(Author : Xin Jian is very good at setting up flags.
Xin Jian : Maybe you should stop foreshadowing things first !)
So, where was I ?
Ah, yes.
That day, Klein was visiting the palace… (against his will, of course)
From above the gray fog, I observed the scene through Secret Puppet-chan's eyes.
Mr. Fool asked :
« Klein is doing a divination right now, are you sure you don't need an anti-divination item ? »
At the top of the long bronze mottled table, Klein hadn't noticed us (and couldn't -> Mr. Fool : *blind fool* *blind fool* *blind fool*) and was divining whether it was suitable to head to the Red Rose Manor this afternoon.
I retorted :
« I am the anti-divination item. »
Mr. Fool shut up because He knew I was right. After all, who could divine things related to the Error Uniqueness ? And Secret Puppet-chan is controlled by me.
I made fake Trissy wait near a carriage and, soon enough, Klein's crimson star showed him arrive at Prince Edessak's Red Rose Manor (to report about his investigation on Talim Dumont's death).
—————— I am the dividing line~
3rd point of view :
After having fooled Prince Edessak (that he was in grief because of his friend's death and didn't find anything in his investigation) and gotten in a carriage, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He calmly considered his subsequent plans.
Suddenly, his spirituality stirred as he saw the door to the carriage quickly open and then silently close !
Before he could respond, he saw a figure quickly outline itself. It was wearing a heavy black dress and had a sapphire ring on its hand.
Xin Jian had taken Trissy's ring and given it to fake Trissy to make her prank more realistic.
Klein's spirituality was warning him that the person in front of him was very dangerous (because of the ring).
He narrowed his eyes and sat back down, not daring to act rashly.
Klein's spirit and body instantly tensed up as he could only watch helplessly as the figure appeared in front of him.
The lady's age was completely different from her dressing style. She looked about eighteen or nineteen, had a round face, slender eyes, and a gentle and refined temperament. Deep down, she was sweet and was an outstandingly gorgeous beauty.
Klein was surprised for a moment, before immediately recognizing her as he blurted out :
« Trissy ! »
Xin Jian (fake Trissy) : Sorry, you have the wrong person.
Hearing his surprise, fake Trissy became happy instead of being alarmed. She revealed a sweet smile and said :
« You know me…
I knew you know me !
A detective with Beyonder powers definitely pays special attention to the wanted posters ! »
"He, eh—she looks very happy…" Full of doubts, Klein cautiously asked :
« What do you want ? »
Fake Trissy pursed her lips into a smile and said :
« Very simple. Quickly report me to the Nighthawks, the Mandated Punishers, or the Machinery Hivemind ! Get them to come here and capture me ! »
Above the gray fog, Xin Jian : Nice, Mr. Fool wrote me a script with the lines I have to say.
Klein soon figured out the meaning behind her message : Trissy would rather be locked up behind Chanis Gate than stay at Red Rose Manor. She's trying her hardest to get out of here !
"Simply put, she believes that this place is more dangerous and more despair-inducing than being caught by the Nighthawks and Mandated Punishers…" Klein tried his best to control his expression and asked in a deep voice :
« What are you afraid of ? »
Fake Trissy stood dazed for a second before she widened her eyes and said with her unfocused eyes :
« There's someone manipulating my life. There are always coincidences that horrify me after they happen.
And I'm becoming less and less like myself. »
Saying this, the corners of her mouth curled up as she said :
« Can you imagine ? Being someone who loves those shy and cute maids, can you imagine the pain when I wake up in the morning in the arms of a naked man ? »
"I can ; that's why it's best to stay away from being an Assassin or Witch…" Klein couldn't help but imagine such a scene, and his heart palpitated for a moment.
Trissy continued with a self-deprecating smile :
« I thought that by working hard to advance, to become "Pleasure", that I would be able to free myself from that weird state. Hence, I sought people to help me search for the corresponding Beyonder ingredients, but the outcome only turned worse.
Sometimes, I forget a lot of things, but they end up really happening. I endured the disgust, seduced Talim, and tried to get him to help me escape. Who knew that I ended up killing him with a curse without me even realizing it… Do you believe that ? »
(Xin Jian : No, I don't believe. He also died while you were kidnapped this time so there must be a mastermind !
Mr. Fool : Why are you reacting to what you are saying ?!
Xin Jian : Technically, you're the one who wrote the script with the lines I'm saying. Wait, stop, I must focus.)
« Heh heh, they even changed my name. They wanted me to completely abandon my past self. No ! Absolutely not !
They thought I could only overcome the coincidences for a short period of time and that I would soon get back on track. Humph, it was just an impression I deliberately created for them, so I have managed to meet you, Mr. Detective ! »
Klein took a breath, his thoughts in a jumble.
As he was organizing his thoughts, he asked casually :
« What did they change your name to ? »
Fake Trissy furrowed her beautiful brows as she answered with a somewhat blank look in her eyes :
« Trissy Cheek. »
"Trissy Cheek… Cheek… Cheek !"
Klein suddenly raised his head, his whole body turning numb once again, as stiff as a marble statue.
(Xin Jian : Well, that really happened. But your reaction is hilarious…
Mr. Fool : *pats on the shoulder* Stop laughing, it isn't the end yet.)
The goosebumps on Klein's skin surfaced uncontrollably as he looked at the beautiful young lady with her misty eyes and furrowed eyebrows. The goosebumps were distinct and were accompanied with cold sweat.
Fake Trissy's brows eased as her eyes regained their focus. As she looked at Klein, who didn't dare to move at all, she gently lifted her right hand, allowing her slender white finger to slowly slide down from the side of her body. With a bit of grievance, seduction, and malice, she laughed and said :
« If you can inform the Nighthawks, the Mandated Punishers, and the Machinery Hivemind about this matter, and I happen to meet you before they arrest me, I don't mind letting you know what true pleasure is. »
Klein's gaze subconsciously followed the movement of her fingers, and all sorts of mind-blowing details surfaced in his mind.
(Xin Jian : Klein, it was just a joke. Stop thinking.)
« Do you think that I, an ordinary Low- or Mid-Sequence Beyonder, would have the ability to escape the pursuit of the royal family ? I think they've already discovered that something is wrong, and they're about to take action… »
She chuckled softly and said :
« I'll try to escape and divert the main pursuing force. Although the remaining ones are still very powerful, it's not impossible to deal with them.
I believe that you will fight with all your might for the sake of your own life. You have great hope ! »
However, Klein's spiritual intuition told him that something was wrong. Since he was scared that he would look at the Primordial Demoness if he opened his spirit vision, he activated his vision to look at the spiritual lines of others.
When he saw fake Trissy's, he stopped himself from showing any abnormal reactions as her figure quickly disappeared, as if someone had wiped it away with a rag.
Bam !
The carriage door opened and then closed.
The sweet fragrance that remained drilled into his nose, and Klein retracted his gaze, his face sinking.
He wasn't trembling anymore. On the contrary, he frowned.
Before Trissy left, he saw that her spiritual lines were controlled !
He wasn't facing a real person, but a secret puppet !
Who was controlling her ?
Was it the royal family ? The Secret Order ? The Demoness Sect ?
However, Klein quickly regained his senses.
His spiritual intuition and corresponding experience told him that doing anything in such a situation was better than nothing.
—————— I am the dividing line~
Xin Jian's point of view :
After I made fake Trissy leave the carriage, my face was serious once again.
Now, the Great Fog of Backlund will probably begin.
I tapped on the table, like Mr. Fool usually does, and observed what happened next.
Klein began to continuously use "flame jump" to go as far away as he could.
Then, he paused and examined the Beyonder items he had on him.
After that, he chanted the honorific name of the Fool.
I saw his crimson star lit up and knew that he would come up right away so I disappeared.
As for the content of his prayer ? Of course, it was his usual show :
« … Honorable Mr. Fool, my investigations have borne fruit. The woman Prince Edessak fell in love with is Witch Trissy from the Demoness Sect. She has already advanced to Demoness of Pleasure and the upper echelons have changed her name to Trissy Cheek… »
He came into Sefirah Castle, retrieved the scene of him praying, sent it to Miss Justice and added as The Fool in a mocking tone :
« Cheek, hehe, that's the true name of the Primordial Demoness… »
Then, Klein went back to the real world, ready to run for his life.
(Mr. Fool : *speechless*)
As Klein disappeared, I turned to Mr. Fool and interviewed Him :
« Mr. Fool, how do you feel seeing yourself praying to yourself then pretending to be yourself to comment yourself and send it to Miss Justice ? »
Mr. Fool didn't answer.
I shook my head.
« Well then, the meteorite's arriving, it is time for angel Xin Jian to enter the stage ! »
Mr. Fool, who had seen through my plan, stopped me.
« How can the Evernight Church dispatch you when they haven't been notified of an incident yet ? »
Ah ! I forgot !
« How do we save Klein then ? »
Azik is not available to take him away right now !
Mr. Fool : That's fine, he can resurrect.
I began to think hard about what to do…
Right, that's fine, he can resurrect.
(Mr. Fool : You gave up so easily…)
I'm joking.
Secret Puppet Mr. A is also in the underground ruins so I know its location.
At worst, if Klein doesn't come, I can stop the descent of the True Creator in time.
« We just need to make sure that the meteorite doesn't arrive. »
I looked at the crimson star where Klein was evading the meteorite's debris.
I deadpanned.
To late. Let's just do enough so that it doesn't fall on him.
Actually, that's perfect. I now have an excuse to make him fall unconscious.
I reached out my hand.
« 008. » I ordered.
Mr. Fool pulled out 008 from the historical pores.
I took it and began to write on the table.
(Mr. Fool : That's degradation of private property.
Xin Jian : Then give me paper.)
"Unfortunately, the meteorite had already mostly disintegrated while penetrating the atmosphere and Sherlock was only knocked unconscious in the end."
(Xin Jian : Ah, that's truly unfortunate.)
"However, an angel who was watching everything picked up Sherlock and brought him to the underground ruins where Ince Zangwill was. It is reasonable."
Meanwhile, 008 wrote same thing in front of Ince Zangwill.
Ince Zangwill : Reasonable, my ass !
Mr. Fool didn't say anything but His lips twitched.
So just for fun, I continued :
« Then a secret existence stronger than the god-level gave that angel the power to… »
Mr. Fool reacted :
« Hey, stop ! What are you trying to make me do ? »
(Xin Jian : I'm trying to make Ince Zangwill have a heart attack.
Mr. Fool : That was a rhetorical question.)
Ince Zangwill, who saw 008 write the beginning of a sentence : *scared for his life*
I looked at my now empty hand and retorted :
« What makes you think I was talking about you ? »
Amanises will soon be a dual-pathway true god !
There are also the outer gods out there.
(Xin Jian : No, I was definitely talking about you.)
Without waiting for Mr. Fool to answer, I shook my head and went down to the real world through Klein's crimson star where our dear Sherlock was lying unconscious.
I kicked him and joked :
« Hey, Sherlock, you're supposed to die by falling off a cliff, not because you were hit by a meteorite. »
Then have a nice love story with Moriarty-
(Mr. Fool : Where does that come from ?!
Xin Jian : What ? Since you believe in yourself, can't you love yourself ?
Mr. Fool : …I won't answer this question.)
…So should I throw you off a cliff ?
While I pondered over this question (for 0,1 second), Klein moved.
Freaked out, I stepped back.
Wha- He moved !
Maybe I should hurry…
I picked him up and wondered how to bring him to the underground ruins.
« Ah ! Mr. Fool, projection of the staff of stars, teleporting power, please. »
(Mr. Fool : I'm not a dog.
Xin Jian : That's why I said "please".)
I added :
« Location : the underground ruins~. »
(Mr. Fool : But if I bring you somewhere else, you can't stop me.
Xin Jian : I dare you to try.)
—————— I am the dividing line~
3rd point of view :
When "Sherlock" believed that he was killed by a meteorite, he woke up and discovered that he was in a different place than before he lost consciousness.
Also, his side hurt.
(Xin Jian : Hey, I didn't kick you that hard.)
He stood up and looked around him, wondering where he was and how he arrived there.
Then, he heard voices and moved closer to the sound, being careful so as to not be noticed.
Soon after, Klein heard a soft but gentle female voice.
« Mr. A, are you ready ? »
(Xin Jian : …Wow, they replaced Panatiya.
Mr. A, controlled by Xin Jian : Yes, I'm ready~!
Unknown Demoness : ?! *steps back* Okay, he's mad.)
Klein leaned his back against the wall and slowed his breathing, thinking and listening to the conversation in the middle of the hall.
After a short period of silence, a hoarse voice sounded :
« It's done. »
The answer was so concise that Klein couldn't make out what they were planning.
The melodious and pleasant voice from before laughed in a low voice :
« You don't seem to trust us very much ? »
« That's right. » Mr. A answered bluntly.
« Heh heh, then I'll be frank and describe our goal and why I'm seeking your cooperation. »
The gentle female voice didn't sound angry at all.
« We've done certain things and left behind clear traces. Before we're discovered by the Churches of Evernight, Storm, and Steam, as well as the military, we must do the corresponding cleanup, and this requires your help. Yes, it seems like you don't really understand what I mean, so let me give you an example. Imagine—Imagine you performed a heinous crime like murder in a house, so what's the best way of eliminating any evidence and clues ? »
« There's no need for that. It's our goal to have others witness such an act » Mr. A said indifferently.
« … Suppose it were me, not you. »
The clear, soft female voice had a faint wheezing sound.
After a second, Mr. A. replied :
« Burn that house and bury all the clues there. »
The clear and gentle female voice had a smiling tone.
« That's exactly what we planned. I'm in charge of 'committing arson,' while you can use this opportunity to go with this development to create a passageway or vessel, so as to allow your Lord to descend upon this world.
And the only price you guys have to pay is to bear all the infamy and gain the most enmity from the military and the three Churches. But I don't think you would mind that. »
« As long as we can welcome the return of the Lord, even if we're abhorred by every single force, we won't show any sign of cowardice. »
Mr. A's tone no longer appeared indifferent and distant.
(Xin Jian : I have the support of the Church.
Amanises : No, not for this matter.
Xin Jian : Now that I think of it, since the True Creator is already dead, nothing would happen even if they do their ritual…)
« It appears like you have no other questions. » said the gentle female voice.
« This place is sufficiently well-hidden and can be used for the required set-up. You can do your ritual here at ease and won't need to worry that it'll be interrupted before you succeed. As for the things outside, we've already finished our preparations a long time ago. It's just waiting for the ignition of a 'spark.' If you still have doubts, then you can make another round of checks. »
After that, Klein decided to stop their ritual and ended up fighting with controlled Mr. A.
——————I am the dividing line~
Xin Jian's point of view :
Controlling Mr. A, fake Trissy and doing another thing at the same time is so hard.
Oh, and fake Trissy has already left Prince Edessak's side.
Fortunately, Mr. Fool gave me all the scripts of what they were supposed to do and say so I don't have to think.
In the real world, I entered the nearest Evernight church and prayed :
« Dear beautiful and cool Amanises, could you let me steal the power to erase people and dispatch me instead of the mother of heaven ? »
(Amanises : Sigh… We can't even accommodate Uniquenesses in peace these days… *still sending oracles*)
Soon, I met the mother of heaven (the goddess's divine container) and stole the power to "erase" people from Her.
Then, I headed to Klein's position to "save" him from Mr. A.
Even if I arrived late, I can still make the fight last anyway…
Putting Klein in dangerous situations now will only be beneficial to his growth. If he has to advance a lot faster than before, then he will need to be far more cautious !
Klein, I'm helping you raising your fighting proficiency right now !