Chapter 80: Banquet Invitation

After having dinner, a satiated Klein casually lounged on the living room sofa and opened the letter he received from his mentor.

Klein found three pages in the letter that he read.

"...very happy to receive your letter. It reminds me of the good old days over the past few years. Unfortunately, Welch and Naya have left us forever...

I attended their burials separately. The two of them were young adults who were supposed to have beautiful, bright futures ahead of them...

Fate is always so unpredictable. No one can know what will happen to you next. I've experienced more as I've grown older, and the weakness and helplessness of humanity."

"...Regarding the historical information regarding the Hornacis main peak, I recall that the archaeologist, Mr. John Joseph, once published a monograph detailing it. It includes his accounts of his time at the Hornacis main peak. He discovered a few ancient buildings that are more than a thousand years old.

What shames every historian and archaeologist is our inability to precisely date the era. We can only make a crude estimate based on the architecture style, the characteristics of the murals, and a few of the texts that we can decipher."

"It's quite unbelievable that such a tall mountain peak would have humans living there. Mr. Joseph has ample evidence to prove that those humans developed a civilization that they can call their own. As for the details, it is hard to fully describe them in this letter. I suggest you try borrowing this monograph from the Deweyville Library.

The monograph's title is Research of the Hornacis Main Peak's Relics. It is published by the Loen Publishing Firm.

In addition, there are some papers that discuss something of relevance. They are published in the journals—New Archeology, Archeology Summary. The exact issue and journal volume is..."

...

Klein read every word and repeated the names of the monograph and paper names silently.

Immediately afterwards, he found some paper and an envelope, as well as a fountain pen, before penning his gratitude.

"Melissa, help me send this letter out." Klein placed the sealed envelope and money for the stamps on his sister's desk.

The next day, Klein wore his cheap formal suit and held his black cane as he climbed up the stairs and arrived at the Blackthorn Security Company's entrance.

Klein was about to greet Rozanne when he saw Captain Dunn walk out of the partition.

"Klein, did you have a good night's sleep?" Dunn asked.

Klein answered, "Better than I expected. I didn't even have nightmares. But I still feel heavy and a little disgusted when I recall it."

"Very good. I feel assured hearing that," Dunn said with a nodding smile.

After chatting about the weather, Dunn raised a matter. "The Holy Cathedral has replied to my telegram. Lorotta and others are to immediately escort Sealed Artifact 2-049 and the Antigonus family's notebook back to Backlund. They've also sent an additional Nighthawk yesterday afternoon via steam locomotive to help."

"I believe that they've already set off by now."

"May the Goddess bless them and that they will have a smooth journey." Klein made a gesture on his chest in the sign of the crimson moon.

Dunn pointed out the door. "I have to patrol the Raphael Cemetery Garden. Heh, I forgot one thing. The investigations of Leonard and the police department have borne fruit. They found the carriage driver who drove them. We have confirmed their temporary residence in Tingen City, but they are rather cautious and didn't leave behind any valuable clues."

"As expected of an ancient secret organization," Klein echoed.

Dunn nodded and turned to head to the door, stopping three seconds later. "Also, the Holy Cathedral needs another two to three days before they notify us of your application to become an official member. Heh heh, this is dealt with by a different department, separate from the one that deals with the Antigonus family's notebook. They have different levels of efficiency."

"I understand," Klein replied sincerely.

Meanwhile, he thought inwardly. Remember to submit the compensation application today!

Watching Dunn leave, Klein heard the brown-haired Rozanne exclaim. "Goddess! Klein, are you becoming a formal member? You haven't even joined us for a month!"

Klein smiled. "After I consumed the Seer potion, it was only a matter of time."

"That's reasonable..." Rozanne fell into a daze for a few seconds. "I was praying that you finished your mysticism lessons so that you could be added to the roster for watching the armory, but... I have to be on duty every two days. I'm not a Sleepless! My skin, my state of mind. Goddess, save me!"

"Shouldn't you be very familiar with such a lifestyle? Before I joined, it was always you, Bredt, and Old Neil who took turns, right?" Klein asked.

Rozanne shook her head with a depressed look. "No, there were four previously, five even earlier. Unfortunately, Kenley chose to become a Sleepless. Viola did not choose to extend her contract last month and joined the Khoy Noel Machinery Company. She's a gifted girl when it comes to creation. She only lacked the opportunity and money. Five years as a civilian staff allowed her to have enough savings."

Having said this, Rozanne suddenly glanced at Klein and laughed. "I've thought of a good solution. Klein, get married as soon as possible. Then accidentally expose the secret of Beyonders to her. This is considered a very minor leak, so there won't be any particularly heavy penalties. After all, who can lie to a person who shares the same bed with you over prolonged periods of time? You can introduce her to us when she happens to become a civilian staff member! What a perfect plan!"

The corners of Klein's mouth twitched. "Miss Rozanne, you can also quickly find a husband. It should be even easier. I believe you have the adequate means to divulge the secret to him."

Rozanne's eyes widened. "How can I? Marriage is a very serious matter. I have to carefully pick and observe him over a period of time of at least ten years to ensure that he's alright."

Klein didn't bother engaging in sophistry with Rozanne. He smiled as he engaged in a little small talk before bidding farewell and heading underground.

At the armory, he saw Old Neil wrestling with the handground coffee. He sat down and waited patiently.

"Soon you'll be an official member, right?" Old Neil asked casually as he filtered the coffee.

"The captain said that another two to three days are needed. It's still a question of whether the Holy Cathedral will approve of it," Klein said frankly.

"Hehe." Old Neil chortled. "The Holy Cathedral won't deny cases like these, especially when you're already a Beyonder."

With that said, he looked at Klein and said, "You must be mentally prepared. There's a ritual every official Nighthawk member has to undergo. They have to complete a mission independently. Of course, Dunn would definitely choose the easiest and simplest ones for a rookie. Besides, you're a support-type Seer."