7
---
Klein knew he was still somewhat affected by the 'Apostle of Desire.' Otherwise, given his progress in digesting the potion, he never would have developed a split personality.
"Purify!"
Forcing his mind into steadiness, guided by the thoughts of 'Klein Moretti,' 'Creeping Hunger' emitted the final burst of intense light.
The frenzied 'Apostle of Desire' collapsed, his breath entirely extinguished.
Sharron floated over, briefly scanning Klein, who appeared noticeably abnormal.
She then swiftly penetrated the 'Apostle of Desire's' body.
An experienced Beyonder, Sharron knew exactly what to do.
She made no attempt to prolong his suffering. True death was essential here.
If the enemy had been feigning death, in this weakened state, there would have been no resistance to the possession of the resentful spirit. However, the process was seamless, confirming the enemy's actual death.
Sharron emerged from the body and eyed Klein with a wary glance. "Mission complete. Don't forget the balance."
The moment her words left her lips, her body turned translucent, and she vanished from the factory in the blink of an eye.
Klein couldn't help but smile wryly.
After all, 'Sherlock Moriarty' was an Aurora fanatic who revered the "True Creator," so her reaction was to be expected.
"Sure enough, never underestimate any Beyonder…" Klein murmured, his gaze settling on the bodies of the 'Apostle of Desire' and the demon dog.
Having participated in the siege of 'Hurricane Lieutenant General' Qilangos, and defeated Father Utravsky's second personality in the mental world, Klein hadn't spoken of it, but there was an unease in his heart.
After battling the demon dog and the 'Apostle of Desire,' he had refocused himself.
In the end, Sequence 7 was still too weak.
Leaping beyond one's limits to defeat powerful enemies only relied on 'Creeping Hunger' and the 'Black Iron Cross.'
——Yes, he had recently become too immersed in the convenience of the 'Sherlock Moriarty' identity.
When he calmed down, Klein realized he'd exposed a weakness in front of Miss Temperance—the ownership of 'Creeping Hunger.'
"At the next gathering, I'll have to find a way to explain this lie. Perhaps I'll claim that 'Sherlock Moriarty' rented the Beyonder item from 'Klein Moretti,'" he decided quickly.
As his thoughts shifted, Klein didn't notice that his self-perception had sWitched from 'Klein' to 'I.'
Just as 'Sherlock Moriarty' had become a useful identity, 'Klein Moriarty' had also transformed into a secondary persona.
"No, no, now's not the time for distractions."
Snapping back to focus, Klein activated 'Creeping Hunger' and grazed the soul of the still-dissipating 'Apostle of Desire.'
Depending on how well the 'Magician' digests the potion, he would soon be promoted to 'Faceless Man.'
When that happened, the ability to alter height and appearance at will would seem rather redundant.
The abilities of the 'Apostle of Desire' would fill the gaps in 'Creeping Hunger's' skill set.
However, Klein decided to return to the gray fog to release the soul of the 'Faceless Man,' which would also allow him to divine the potion formula.
Even though he already possessed the Beyonder traits, knowing the specific formula was crucial. Besides aiding in preparations for auxiliary medicines, it would also help him recover his health by selling them.
——He still owed a great deal of foreign debt.
As time passed, two Beyonder traits, emanating a scarlet evil light, were extracted from the corpses of the 'Apostle of Desire' and the demon dog, respectively.
Klein, however, would never discard his spoils. He placed the two traits in the box where the 'spiritual remnants of the True Creator' had been stored. After a moment of thought, he used 'Creeping Hunger' to consume the bodies of the 'Apostle of Desire' and the demon dog, ensuring everything was put to good use.
(Little Hungry: I ate two people and a dog in one go—celebrating the Chinese New Year!)
…
…
"Main materials: Mutated pituitary gland of the Thousand-faced Hunter, and the characteristics of the human-skinned shadow. This part can be saved."
"Auxiliary materials: 80 ml of the Thousand-faced Hunter's blood, 5 drops of black mandala juice, 10 grams of dragon tooth grass powder, 3 hairs of the deep-sea naga… what a mess."
Klein frowned as he divined the potion formula using the 'Creeping Hunger.' The auxiliary materials were costly.
Fortunately, the operation had yielded two sets of Beyonder Traits, one of Sequence 6 and the other of Sequence 5. He sold both, receiving at least 7,000 pounds.
However, the 'Criminal' pathway was too dangerous, and Klein wasn't about to let these Beyonder traits end up in the hands of murderous lunatics.
It would be better to sell them to Julius Astorio.
The soul gauge of 'Creeping Hunger' dropped by one, and the 'Apostle of Desire' soul filled it back up.
Klein was fortunate. He had gained three abilities from the 'Apostle of Desire.'
These were 'Magma Sword,' 'Filthy Words,' and 'Desire Incarnation.'
The 'Magma Sword' allowed the creation of a flaming sword with immense attack power, enhanced further against undead creatures.
'Filthy Words' and 'Desire Incarnation' were abilities used by the previous 'Apostle of Desire.' They involved speaking spirits and transforming into black liquid to either harm enemies or avoid harm.
"I have physical attacks, magic attacks, and a second transformation. I'm truly the luckiest," Klein muttered, a slight smile forming on his lips.
With the battle over, Klein set aside 'Creeping Hunger,' now serious as he turned inward to confront his own issues.
The same person, different identities.
He had been living as the 'Faceless Man' for quite some time, but things had never gone wrong before.
Just as a magician "does not fear challenges and does not perform unprepared," Klein had also developed rules for performing as the Faceless Man—"always adhere to the personality of each character." Yet now, he realized those rules might not be entirely accurate.
Excessive maintenance of personalities had led to the formation of independent identities. Under the influence of the 'Apostle of Desire,' 'Klein Moretti' and 'Sherlock Moriarty' were beginning to split.
He worried that if this continued, even the Fool's identity would be compromised.
"I need to see a psychiatrist… At least before I get promoted to 'Faceless Man.'" Klein rubbed his brow with a wry smile.
Who would have thought that just days ago, he was treating Father Utravsky's second personality, and now this problem had come to him?
But from another perspective, addressing the issue early would lower the risk of losing control when transitioning to 'Faceless Man.'
——It's always best to deal with hidden dangers in advance.
With resolve, Klein left behind a box of Beyonder traits and withdrew his consciousness from the mysterious space.
The 'Black Iron Cross' had depleted too much spirituality. With the curtain about to rise, he needed to replenish it quickly.
---
---
The Aurora branch in Backlund was as quiet as usual today, with the passage of time moving undisturbed.
In the secret room, Mr. A took out the Beyonder characteristics and auxiliary materials he had prepared long ago, smiling gently. "I had a feeling you'd be here within the next few days."
"This is the Lord's will." Klein made the sign of the inverted cross on his chest.
With the subtle emergence of a second personality, his acting had become more realistic.
Mr. A mirrored the gesture, and then, before Klein, he transformed the Beyonder characteristics with his own hands, adding several auxiliary materials. He mixed them into a strange potion, black bubbles rising constantly.
"So, Sherlock, I'm waiting for your good news outside." Mr. A stood up of his own accord, leaving Klein some private space.
Klein breathed a sigh of relief.
Strictly speaking, it was not *him* who was drinking the potion, but the 'Black Iron Cross.'
If Mr. A was present, he couldn't drink the concoction himself.
If he truly did, death would be the least of his worries. He would likely turn into an out-of-control monster.
Taking a deep breath, he removed the 'Black Iron Cross' from around his neck and soaked it in the potion, just as he had done before.
Gulpppp!
The 'Dark Angel,' hanging upside down on the cross, opened its mouth and swallowed the 'Hermit Monk' potion in large gulps. Due to its sufficient rank, the advancement of the 'Black Iron Cross' went smoothly.
Klein observed closely and saw that the 'Dark Angel' became clearer in appearance. At the same time, he felt a surge of new power.
Diving into the power of shadow.
"Another trump card, and much more fault tolerance," Klein thought to himself.
The 'Black Iron Cross' could not only serve as a final resort in critical moments, but it also provided Klein with a source of spirituality to use at will.
It was truly a must-have item for both home and travel.
When Klein walked out of the secret room, he saw Mr. A, who was impeccably dressed, waiting in the corridor.
Mr. A glanced at Sherlock Moriarty, who now exuded a sinister aura, and nodded with satisfaction. "Well done."
Klein smiled and said nothing.
Mr. A then studied the young man opposite him, clearly one he valued highly. After a moment of thought, as if making a decision, he spoke: "You've now reached Sequence 7, and you're qualified to take on a role representing the Aurora Order."
He paused before continuing, "The Witch Sect has been contacting me relentlessly. They've been reaching out more frequently. I need you to represent the Aurora Order and act as the intermediary between us and the Witch Sect."
"Of course, they'll send their own representatives, so you'll only need to hand things over to them at that time."
Klein secretly stiffened. He understood the principle of soldiers fighting against generals.
But was it really wise to entrust such an important task to him?
He couldn't help but tWitch his lips slightly, though his face remained composed as he nodded silently.
Mr. A, seeing Klein's reaction, grew even more satisfied.
He thought to himself: If all members of the Aurora Order were as astute and capable as Sherlock Moriarty, the Lord's glory would have spread to every corner of Backlund.
…
On the other side.
Kingdom Museum, 2 Königsallee, West End.
Bernadette wore an olive-green dress paired with an old-fashioned black hat, a fine gauze curtain hanging down to cover her face.
As always, Huang Beibei was sticking to her mix-and-match style.
Julius, standing beside her, was dressed more elegantly, in a suit, vest, leather boots, top hat, cane, and pocket watch.
Despite their presence, the people attending the Roselle Memorial Exhibition seemed unaware of them, passing by without a glance.
"These are all his things... the quilt, the wine glass... so nostalgic," someone commented.
"He always sat at this desk, deep in thought. Yet, before long, a new invention would appear on the market, improving people's lives."
"Back then, everyone adored him. Before he became the 'Great Emperor,' he was truly the 'Son of Steam.'"
"And then everything changed."
Bernadette's tone grew softer as a wave of sadness overcame her.
Despite now being the ruler of the seas, a formidable figure in the mysterious world, she couldn't help but sound like a little girl when talking about her father.
Julius smiled and reassured her, "The merits and flaws of right and wrong will be judged by future generations. Yes, he did some questionable things in his later years to rid himself of pollution, but his contribution to civilization and humanity cannot be overstated. History books will surely reflect his legacy."
Changing the subject, he added, "But we're not here just for the exhibition, are we?"
Julius pointed to a set of important document manuscripts sealed in a glass cabinet. "Our true goal is the Blasphemy Card, isn't it?"
Knowledge is power.
The 22 Blasphemy Cards were a set of Beyonder items created by Roselle just one year before the Black Emperor Ceremony. They contained potion formulas and Beyonder rituals for all 22 paths.
Because they involved divine secrets and were made from rare materials, each card was highly valuable, granting the holder god-level protection against spiritual intrusion.
A true treasure.
However, Julius and Bernadette weren't interested in the magic potion formulas or the ceremonies for becoming a god. Their objective was to 'travel back to the origin.'
They moved through the stacks of manuscripts left by Roselle unnoticed.
There, a bookmark lay sandwiched between the pages, depicting Roselle in his imperial attire.
"That's it!" Bernadette's heart raced.
After activating her spiritual vision, she noticed nothing unusual, which was exactly what she expected.
Because she carried a similar item herself.
Julius flicked his fingers, pulling the 'Black Emperor' card in front of him.
Bernadette felt a rare surge of nervousness.
Would it succeed?
Julius, showing no intention of casting a spell just yet, whispered to her, "Don't worry. We'll discuss it when we get back."
Bernadette, realizing her lapse, nodded slightly in understanding.
With a portal summoned, the two of them instantly returned to the study in Astorio Manor.
Bernadette's eyes asked the unspoken question: 'Can we begin now?'
Julius was noncommittal.
He held the Blasphemy card between his index and middle fingers and skillfully flicked it upward.
The 'Black Emperor' card began to rotate midair as a transparent filament threaded its way into the card.
Julius whispered, "The guidance of fate, the connection of blood, Roselle Gustave, answer my call!"
Buzz—
The card trembled slightly.
A few seconds later, the figure of the 'Black Emperor' on the card suddenly sprang to life.
"Who are you..."
---
Klein knew that he was still somewhat affected by the 'Apostle of Desire'; otherwise, given his current progress in digesting the potion, he would not have developed a split personality.
"Purify!"
He steadied his mind and, guided by the thoughts of 'Klein Moretti,' the 'Creeping Hunger' emitted its final ray of blinding light.
The crazed 'Apostle of Desire' collapsed to the ground, completely lifeless.
Sharron floated over and glanced at Klein, who was clearly not in his usual state.
She quickly merged with the body of the 'Apostle of Desire.'
As an experienced and Beyonder, Sharron knew exactly what to do.
Of course, there was no need to elaborate on true death.
If the enemy were feigning death, in this weakened state, there would be no resistance to the possession by the vengeful spirit.
However, the process went smoothly, confirming the enemy's true death.
Sharron emerged and eyed Klein warily. "My mission is complete; remember to settle the balance."
She spoke and, in the blink of an eye, her body turned translucent as she flew out of the factory.
Klein could only smile bitterly.
After all, 'Sherlock Moriarty' was an Aurora fanatic, a believer in the "True Creator" in Sharron's eyes. Given that, this reaction was quite normal.
"Indeed, you can't underestimate any Beyonder..." Klein muttered to himself as he glanced at the corpses of the 'Desire Apostle' and the devil dog.
Having participated in the siege against 'Hurricane Lieutenant General' Qilangos and defeated Father Utravsky's second personality in the mental world, Klein hadn't vocalized it, but he still felt a twinge of unease.
After fighting the devil dog and the 'Apostle of Desire,' his mindset was finally corrected.
Ultimately, Sequence 7 was still too weak.
He had only managed to leapfrog and defeat powerful enemies thanks to 'Creeping Hunger' and the 'Black Iron Cross.'
—Yes, he had become a little too reliant on the conveniences of the 'Sherlock Moriarty' identity recently.
When he reflected on it, it seemed he'd revealed a flaw to Miss Temperance, specifically regarding the ownership of 'Creeping Hunger.'
"At the next party, I'll need to fabricate a story. I'll just claim that 'Sherlock Moriarty' rented this Beyonder item from 'Klein Moretti.'" Klein quickly decided.
As his thoughts swirled, he didn't realize that his self-perception had shifted from 'Klein' to 'I.'
Like 'Sherlock Moriarty,' 'Klein Moriarty' had become a useful persona, distinct from himself.
"No, no, now's not the time to think wildly."
Snapping back to focus, Klein activated 'Creeping Hunger' and grazed the soul of the 'Apostle of Desire,' which had yet to fully dissipate.
Depending on how well the 'Magician' digests the potion, he would soon be promoted to 'Faceless Man.'
At that point, the ability to change height and appearance at will would seem less useful.
The various skills of the 'Apostle of Desire' would neatly fill in the gaps in 'Creeping Hunger's' skill set.
However, Klein decided to return to the gray fog to release the soul of the 'Faceless Man' and divine the potion formula.
Even with Beyonder characteristics, the specific formula was crucial. Alongside preparing auxiliary medicines, selling them could also restore his health.
—He still had quite a bit of debt to pay!
Time passed, and two Beyonder characteristics imbued with a scarlet, evil light separated from the bodies of the 'Apostle of Desire' and the Devil Dog.
Klein would never discard his spoils. He placed the two Beyonder characteristics in the box where the 'spiritual remnants of the True Creator' had been stored. After a moment's contemplation, he used 'Creeping Hunger' to consume the bodies of both the 'Desire Apostle' and the devil dog, truly making the best use of everything.
(Little Hungry: I ate two people and one dog in a row. Celebrating the Chinese New Year!)
…
…
"Main materials: Thousand-faced Hunter's mutated pituitary gland and the human-skinned shadow characteristics. Well, I can save on this part.
Auxiliary materials: 80 ml of Thousand-faced Hunter's blood, 5 drops of black mandala juice, 10 grams of dragon tooth grass powder, 3 hairs of deep-sea naga... what a mess."
Klein frowned as he used divination to obtain the potion formula from the souls of the Faceless Men grazed by 'Creeping Hunger.'
These miscellaneous auxiliary materials would be a significant expense.
Luckily, in this operation, he had acquired two sets of Beyonder Characteristics, one Sequence 6 and one Sequence 5. He sold both and made at least 7,000 pounds.
However, the 'criminal' path was too dangerous. Klein didn't want these Beyonder characteristics circulating in the market, fueling the ambitions of ruthless lunatics.
It would be safer to sell them to Julius Astorio.
The soul gauge of 'Creeping Hunger' had decreased by one, and the 'Apostle of Desire' absorbed afterward had naturally filled it up.
Klein was fortunate. He had gained three abilities from the 'Apostle of Desire.'
These abilities were 'Magma Sword,' 'Filthy Words,' and 'Desire Incarnation.'
The 'Magma Sword' could create a flaming giant sword with massive attack power, and it had a bonus against undead creatures.
'Filthy Words' and 'Desire Incarnation' were abilities once wielded by the previous 'Desire Apostle.' They involved using spoken spirits and transforming into black liquid to either harm the enemy or evade damage.
"I have physical attacks, magic attacks, and a second transformation. I'm truly the European Emperor." Klein's lips curled into a slight smile.
With the matter now concluded, Klein set aside his 'Creeping Hunger,' adopting a serious demeanor as he reflected on his own issues.
Same person, different identities.
He had been playing the role of the 'Faceless Man' for quite some time, but it had never gone wrong before.
Just like a magician who "is not afraid of challenges and does not perform unprepared actings," Klein had developed a set of acting rules for the 'Faceless Man' — "always stay true to the personality of each character." But now, it seemed those rules weren't quite right.
Due to excessive maintenance of multiple personalities, each identity had developed into a separate entity. Under the influence of the 'Apostle of Desire,' Klein Moretti and Sherlock Moriarty were beginning to split.
He worried that if this continued, even the Fool's persona would start to falter.
"I need to see a psychiatrist... At least this issue must be resolved before I'm promoted to 'Faceless Man.'" Klein rubbed his temples and sighed with a wry smile.
Who would have thought that just a few days ago, he was helping Father Utravsky with his second personality, and now, this problem had become his own?
But on the other hand, the sooner the issue arose, the lower the chance of losing control during the 'Faceless Man' stage.
—It's always better to address potential dangers early.
Resolute, Klein left behind a box containing Beyonder characteristics, and his consciousness withdrew from the mysterious space.
This battle had left the 'Black Iron Cross' depleted of too much spirituality. The curtain was about to rise, and he needed to replenish it quickly.
---
---
Roselle was neither weak nor did he feel insane. On the contrary, his voice remained dignified, though intermittent, as if the signal was poor.
Beside him, Bernadette's eyes suddenly reddened, and she instinctively took a step forward.
Julius raised his hand, signaling her to stay calm.
In the blink of an eye, he inserted a few more transparent filaments into the Blasphemy Card.
This time, the signal finally cleared.
"Hey, hey, hey, can you hear me?" Julius raised the 'Black Emperor' card, shouting repeatedly.
Roselle, on the other side, grew even more confused. His deep voice resonated, "Who are you? How can you contact me?"
Julius didn't respond. Instead, he pulled Bernadette closer. "Come, talk to him."
Bernadette hesitated, seemingly at a loss. It was hard to imagine that the 'Mysterious Queen'—the powerful figure who once dominated the seas—would show such an awkward posture.
She took a deep breath, attempting to speak several times, but the words caught in her throat.
Julius turned to her with a glance. "Speak… ahem, just speak, what are you waiting for?"
Suppressing her turbulent emotions, Bernadette's voice trembled as she spoke, "Father."
The words hung in the air.
Roselle, upon hearing them, looked at her with disbelief at first, then his expression shifted to one of excitement and ecstasy.
But then doubt crept in, and he wondered if it was merely a trick of his imagination.
As the saying goes, "Only one's own family understands one's situation."
Because of the corruption from the Starry Sky Evil God, Roselle's condition had never been good, so much so that he had never dared to step outside the tomb.
"Father, you are my daughter?" Bernadette stared at Roselle's image on the 'Black Emperor' card, as though trying to peer into his very soul. "Are you really still alive?"
It was a question, one that reflected Bernadette's deep anxiety.
She was terrified that everything she was experiencing now was just a fleeting illusion, that it would vanish in an instant.
"I..." The majesty in Roselle's voice faltered, leaving him speechless.
He was overwhelmed with joy, yet also fearful that this might be a trick—an illusion crafted by external gods to corrupt his mind.
Father and daughter both struggled with their own doubts.
For a moment, neither could speak plainly to the other.
Julius blinked in frustration. No, this wasn't how things were supposed to go.
You two should be crying, teary-eyed, and embracing!
After thinking for a moment, Julius spoke up, "Your Majesty Roselle Gustave, I extend my sincere greetings to you on behalf of the Fool, who belongs to neither this era nor this world."
At the mention of 'The Fool,' Roselle's pupils constricted.
The Fool?
He had seen the Tablet of Blasphemy in its entirety and understood the significance of "The Fool." It represented the true god of the 'Seer' path.
But who had become 'The Fool'?
Zaratul?
Still…
Julius rolled his eyes and added casually, "By the way, he also asked me to relay something to you."
Clearing his throat, Julius spoke a phrase in a language Bernadette had never heard before: "There is bright moonlight before the bed."
Huh?
Bright moonlight before the bed!
Roselle—no, Huang Tao—grew incredibly excited.
He nearly replied with the most enthusiastic tone of his life: "I suspect it's frost on the ground!"
It took him some time to realize that Sequence 0 of the 'Soothsayer' path was from the same homeland as him!
The kindness of encountering a fellow countryman far from home made Roselle temporarily forget the isolation and pain of being trapped in the mausoleum.
No one but his compatriots from Sefirah Castle could have understood the true meaning of those two lines of poetry.
Bernadette quietly absorbed the lines, her emotions steady.
Roselle, now a bit relieved, took the initiative to ask, "How have you been these past few years?"
Bernadette forced a smile and replied, "It's been alright."
"Is that so?" Roselle's tone turned complicated. "It's alright…"
Huh?
That's it?
Is that all?
Father and daughter truly had nothing else to say to one another?
Julius couldn't help but grimace in disappointment.
Bernadette, still full of questions, asked, "Father, have you really become the 'Black Emperor'?"
A heavy silence hung for dozens of seconds before Roselle replied quietly, "If you can use the 'Black Emperor' card to find me, Bernadette, you must already know something. Yes, I have become the 'Black Emperor.'"
"Then why did you..." Bernadette began, her voice anxious.
But this time, Roselle remained silent.
It wasn't that he didn't want to answer; he couldn't.
Knowledge was poison.
He couldn't let his precious daughter fall into the same trap.
"Your strength is too weak. You aren't yet ready to know the truth."
Julius smoothly took over the conversation, trying to ease the tension. "Your Majesty Roselle, there is bad news. A new 'Black Emperor' is about to be born."
Roselle froze, his tone darkening. "I'm sure you understand what that means."
Roselle: !!!
The Black Emperor, the twisted ruler of order, the immortal king.
But for all that to be true, there could only be one "Black Emperor."
If another "Black Emperor" was born, Roselle himself would be erased completely and forever.
"Who is it?" he muttered, then paused. "No, it doesn't matter who. I already know."
His tone grew low, resigned.
For him, knowing the truth was worse than being ignorant.
Sometimes, sudden death was a kind of mercy…
In the secret ninth mausoleum, Roselle sat on the throne, silently clenching his fists.
Bad luck.
The corruption from the moon was harder to cleanse than he had thought.
Even if he ascended to godhood, this corruption would remain like an ever-present parasite.
Looking back, his life had been a cruel twist of fate.
In his youth, everything had gone smoothly, like a protagonist in a fantastical tale—fame, strength, wealth, and beauty all within reach.
But in the second half of his life, everything changed.
The Church of Steam had forcibly turned his children into emotionless angels.
Now, his path forward was blocked, and there was no chance for improvement.
After being pushed to an adjacent path, he ascended to the 'Emperor of Knowledge,' only to discover the path of the 'Hermit' was alive.
At that point, he had already been to the moon, tainted by the evil god's influence. If he didn't find a way to rid himself of it, his true self would soon be erased.
He had no other choice. Roselle, feeling unable to defeat the 'Hidden Sage,' had become a tyrant in his later years, waving the banner of restoration and pretending to rule as the emperor.
The good news was, he succeeded.
The bad news was, he only succeeded a little.
The 'return' of the "Black Emperor" hadn't freed him from the corruption.
Now, stuck in a never-ending cycle of resurrection, he sealed himself in the tomb, waiting for a possible turnaround.
But now? Now, there was no hope of a comeback. The omen of death had come.
Those gods…
Ah, those gods who had lost their humanity.
They should be rejoicing in witnessing the birth of a new "Black Emperor."
---
---
Thinking of this, Roselle said, "Bernadette, don't worry about me. Just pursue the life you want."
His tone was tinged with guilt. "I'm sorry… I'm not a good father."
That one sentence pierced through Mrs. Nai's heart.
Bernadette immediately burst into tears.
How could she not know that her father feared she'd make rash decisions, so he tried to keep her from stepping into these troubled waters?
But…
She knew that she couldn't do nothing. She had to act. After all, she was Roselle Gustave's daughter.
Her expression slowly hardened as if she'd made up her mind. "I know what to do."
Roselle grew anxious. "Bernadette, you mustn't get involved in the game between gods!"
Before he could finish, Julius chimed in, "It's fine; Mr. Fool will intervene."
Father and daughter exchanged a glance, both realizing their oversight.
Yes…
How could they forget? The current "Fool" was their little brother, Brother Tao.
Roselle's eyes widened in shock.
To pave the way for future generations, he had often recorded the world's secrets in Chinese in his diaries.
Now, it seemed all that effort was worth it.
Look, his little brother was returning the favor.
As for whether "The Fool" had plans for him, Roselle wasn't concerned.
Firstly, "Soothsayer" and "Lawyer" weren't adjacent paths.
Secondly, people from China don't deceive one another. How could the foreigners—those blond, blue-eyed ones—understand the bond between those who cultivated flowers?
"So, what does 'Fool' mean?" Roselle asked, pretending to be calm.
Julius answered, "He said he doesn't want to see the birth of new gods."
Sure enough!
Roselle's heart warmed.
He had witnessed so much deception and betrayal, and he understood exactly what that meant.
His little brother was doing everything possible to antagonize other gods in order to save his life.
Roselle digested the news in silence, slowly regaining his imperial composure. "So, what's your plan?"
Stopping a Sequence 1 from becoming a god wasn't something his foolish daughter could handle alone.
The burden still rested on the Fool and his forces.
Julius sighed. "I can't say much, but what I can tell you is that Mr. Fool isn't alone in this. Other gods are on the same side."
Hearing that, Roselle thought carefully. Did he have any connections with other gods? Most likely, they'd be his enemies.
So, the answer was clear—his little brother was just so charming that he managed to win the support of other gods.
Tsk tsk. Truly incredible.
Roselle sighed inwardly.
The younger generation was always more capable. The protagonists in those cool novels kept changing, passing on their legacy to someone else.
"Time flies. Have I really become a relic of the past?" Roselle sighed, his tone tinged with a sense of life's transience.
Julius couldn't help but tWitch his lips.
Good grief. Was Roselle channeling Whitebeard now?
You really make it hard for outsiders to understand you.
But don't worry.
I, Qiao, will compile "The Three Thousand Unknown Secrets of Emperor Roselle" to help you preserve your humanity and avoid losing control with a shred of dignity!
(Meanwhile, senior victim Kemou shuddered inexplicably.)
Back to business.
After regaining his composure, Roselle said, "The help I can provide is almost nonexistent. For specific actions, you'll have to rely on The Fool."
Old Huang, I'm just a failure trapped in this tomb with no way out~
Hearing this, Bernadette declared, "Father, I'll do my best."
The guilt of misunderstanding quickly transformed into a resolve to take action.
George III, right?
Don't let me see you.
When I do, I'll rip your crown off and slap you in the face!
Roselle remained silent.
On one hand, there truly was nothing more he could do.
On the other hand, he believed in his little brother, who was both human and divine.
When he thought about it, his daughter was under the protection of a real god. She shouldn't be in too much danger… right?
…
Klein walked into a villa on the outskirts of Backlund, his expression calm.
He was here as a representative of the Aurora Order.
His contact was the representative of the Witch Sect—the 'Assassin Path' Sequence 6, known as the 'Witch of Joy,' Mathilda.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Moriarty," Mathilda greeted, covering her mouth with a smile. Her mood was clearly elevated.
Like the other Witches Klein had met, Mathilda was a natural beauty.
Her short, flowing hair contrasted with Loen's style, and she wore a tight-fitting hunting suit with butterfly sleeves. Her skin was fair and radiant, and her facial features were exquisite.
Klein bit the tip of his tongue, forcing himself to stay composed, and replied calmly, "Hello."
Aurora knew how to balance calm and madness.
He maintained an icy expression, but deep in his eyes burned a passionate fire.
Mathilda seemed proud.
Unlike most Witches, she had started her career as an assassin—an accomplishment all the more impressive as a woman.
After being promoted to Sequence 7, her appearance and temperament had undergone an earth-shattering transformation.
Although senior members had told her she had deviated from her 'original' path and that her future was grim, it didn't matter to her.
As long as she lived, the vegetation would grow.
Sequence 6 was still a good position.
"I think Mr. A should tell you what we're going to do," Mathilda said, gesturing for Klein to take a seat.
Klein sat down on the sofa, his voice calm. "We'll secretly contact the Loen royal family, collude with the prince, create chaos to sow pain and disaster, and then withdraw."
Mathilda nodded. "Not bad."
The Witch Sect needed pain and suffering for their rituals.
The Aurora Order needed to take advantage of the chaos to recruit followers.
The Loen royal family needed someone to take the blame and create a favorable public opinion environment for their godhood ceremony.
The three parties quickly found common ground.
As the representative of the Aurora Order, Klein was primarily responsible for handling the abandoned children of Mathilda and the Loen royal family.
It was a sign that Mr. A had high expectations of him.
Otherwise, how could he—a mere 'hermit monk'—be entrusted with such a big responsibility?
"How do I cooperate with you?" Klein asked.
His gaze occasionally wandered to Mathilda's alluring figure.
In response, the Witch shifted into a more seductive posture, making sure Klein saw more clearly. She smiled and said, "Detective Sherlock Moriarty's fiancée was assaulted by Prince Edsac of the Kingdom of Loen at a banquet. He used this as an excuse to invite them to his mansion repeatedly, and eventually, the innocent Mathilda was forced to become his lover. What do you think?"
Klein: ? ? ?
NTR, really?
I'm just a lover of warriors. I'm going to destroy the Tauren today!
But…
Never mind.
"Sherlock Moriarty" being bullied has nothing to do with me, "Klein Moriarty."
Klein nodded, "Okay."
Mathilda beamed with delight.
Then, she licked her lips gently and whispered, "Since I'm your fiancée, from now on, you can do whatever you want to me."
Subtext: A moment of spring breeze is worth a thousand pieces of gold, and so is a dewy couple.
The Demoness of Pleasure is the best in bed.
Klein couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Who would have thought that, one day, he'd be attracted to a Witch...
Then the question arose.
What does it feel like to be with a Witch?
---
"You can; you should at least give it a try!" Klein thought to himself.
However, in the end, he suppressed his curiosity and random desires.
He was keenly aware of his own strangeness—the real 'Klein Moriarty' would never have evil thoughts towards the Witch. In other words, the personality of 'Sherlock Moriarty' was trying to dominate again!
"No need," Klein said calmly, though secretly upset. He kept his face impassive as usual. "Miss Mathilda, do your part."
"It's a pity..." The disappointment on Matilda's face was almost palpable.
Speaking of which, she had been with many men, but she had never experienced the pleasure of having Aurora critique handsome men...
As someone with obsessive-compulsive tendencies and a penchant for collecting, she decided that if she had the chance, she would capture Klein.
Klein, naturally unaware that he had already been added to the Witch's "collection," ignored her various hints, stood up, and left indifferently.
After leaving the temporary residence of the Witch Sect, Klein made his way straight to the detective agency. Once inside, he walked backward four steps and entered the gray fog.
"It seems that desires and emotions can shake my primary and secondary personalities... Why do I feel somewhat used to this now?" Klein pinched his eyebrows, letting out a wry smile.
He had initially planned to resolve this issue before advancing to 'Faceless Man,' but now it seemed the matter needed to be prioritized.
—He didn't want to just crawl into the Witch's bed for no reason while wearing his vest and following in Lao Huang's old footsteps.
He couldn't afford to lose himself like that!
"For this kind of issue, Miss Justice, being only Sequence 8, can't help much. I'll have to consult Julius Astorio," Klein mused. But then, he felt a twinge of sadness.
There's a saying that he didn't want to be in debt again unless absolutely necessary.
---
"What? A second personality?" Julius's face flickered with surprise upon hearing Klein's story.
The power of butterfly wings was evidently so great that even before reaching Sequence 6, the second personality had already emerged.
Interesting.
He straightened up and asked with a feigned seriousness, "How do you feel now?"
Klein answered honestly, "Normally, the second personality doesn't emerge to cause trouble, but if I face a choice or temptation, my judgment will be affected."
Julius paused, then said, "I'm not an Beyonder in the Spectator path, so I don't know much about the mental world and spiritual personalities."
Changing the topic, he asked, "But I have a question. Since you released the soul of the 'Faceless Man,' how were you able to disguise yourself as 'Sherlock Moriarty' before reaching Sequence 6?"
Klein touched his nose and answered, "I noticed long ago that when I use the 'Black Iron Cross,' I can transform into Sherlock Moriarty even without the 'Faceless Man's' disguise ability. So, it doesn't matter if I have the ability of the 'Faceless Man' or not."
"Besides, the curtain is about to open, and I need a certain ability to protect myself. The 'Apostle of Desire' is more suitable than the 'Faceless Man.'"
Ah, this...
Julius's mind was working, and he asked, "Then, have you thought about this: when you use the 'Black Iron Cross' to change your identity, are you becoming 'Sherlock Moriarty,' or is 'Sherlock Moriarty' becoming you?"
No wonder Klein developed a second personality before reaching the 'Faceless Man' stage.
After some thought, Klein realized that he had unknowingly been taken over by his own vest.
There was no doubt that the 'Black Iron Cross' was the goodwill of the 'True Creator.'
But the problem was that the spirit, will, and aura of the previous 'Dark Angel,' Saslier, still lingered on it. This was the source of the high status and strong abilities of the 'Black Iron Cross.'
These spirits, wills, and auras were like a blank canvas; the potions of the 'Secrets Suppliant' path were the colorful paints, and Klein, the cross-holder, was the pen.
He could have retrained a soulless 'Dark Angel' as his marionette or clone.
But to save trouble, he gave up the ability of the 'Faceless Man' and allowed the 'Iron Cross' to deepen his understanding of the identity of 'Sherlock Moriarty.'
Now, 'Sherlock Moriarty' had become the Dark Angel, and the persona Klein created for this vest had become his initial personality.
As Julius said, when Klein gave up his 'Faceless Man' ability to become 'Sherlock Moriarty,' 'Sherlock Moriarty' was officially born.
This wasn't just about a 'second personality'...
Klein was immediately dumbfounded.
He nervously asked, "Then... what should I do?"
Julius thought for a moment, then comforted him: "The matter is already settled; there's no use in dwelling on it.
That said, you should be grateful to the 'Apostle of Desire.' If it weren't for them, had you become a high-Sequence powerhouse, you would have been completely consumed by 'Sherlock Moriarty.'
Now, there's still a chance to save yourself.
First of all, when you use the identity of 'Sherlock Moriarty,' you must not rely on the 'Iron Cross.'
Secondly, I regret to inform you that the secret puppet training plan has failed. Whether you like it or not, the personality of the secret puppet has been finalized and will be hard to change in the future.
Third, digest the potion and advance to Sequence 6. Once you understand the true meaning of the 'Faceless Man' and strengthen your self-awareness, the current issues will resolve on their own."
After a pause, Julius smiled and added, "At this stage, as long as you don't let 'Sherlock Moriarty' interfere, there shouldn't be anything to affect your judgment. From that standpoint, you have absolute initiative."
Klein thought about these words and sighed.
He realized that his understanding of the Beyonder world was still too shallow, and he shouldn't take things for granted.
It was strange—despite his cautious nature, he hadn't noticed the issue with using the 'Black Iron Cross' before. His mind had been clouded...
It must have been the influence of the 'Dark Angel,' who wanted to take control and resurrect itself.
"It's given me a psychological shadow," Klein mused bitterly.
The Hanged Man represents both "sacrifice" and the authority of "mutation" and "degeneration," so Klein should always maintain a sense of respect.
"I understand," Klein said seriously.
---
And now the problem arises again.
In order to clear the soul tank of the 'Creeping Hunger,' Klein had released the soul of the 'Faceless Man' and replaced it with the soul of the 'Apostle of Desire.'
Now, he still had to wear the handsome face of 'Sherlock Moriarty' and interact with the Witch Matilda and Prince Edsac of the Loen royal family. Where could he find another Beyonder item that could change his height and appearance?
"Don't look at me." Julius met Klein's pleading look. "I shattered the 'Nameless Mask' and removed all the Beyonder characteristics. I'll prepare the medicine for you when you're promoted."
After hearing this, Klein slumped onto the sofa. "Then I have no choice. I won't be able to find anything with the characteristics of the 'Faceless Man' in the short term."
He sighed.
Ah, it's just a show.
Julius really wanted to help.
But he wasn't naive.
How could one wade through this muddy water without a vest?
Julius rolled his eyes and said with a smile, "If you can't find it, I can."
He began calculating, "The price for Sequence 6-level Beyonder items ranges from 4,500 pounds to 7,000 pounds..."
Before he could finish, Klein interrupted, "Can I not buy it?"
He said in a tone that seemed more like a negotiation, "Would it be possible to rent it?"
Hmm~
"It's not impossible."
Julius raised two fingers, "200 pounds a day is a very reasonable price."
"What?"
"200 pounds!?"
Hiring a Sequence 5 bodyguard only costs 500 pounds.
Tsk, damn Black businessman!
"Fifty pounds a day; that's the most I can offer," Klein gritted his teeth.
Julius responded calmly, "70 pounds. The friendly price. Can't go lower."
Fine.
"70 it is," Klein relented, thankful it was less than 200.
Somehow, when Klein agreed to the price, he felt like he had made a good deal.
He thought he could rent it for at least ten days, which would amount to 700 pounds, but the benefits he would reap would definitely outweigh the cost.
It was a worthwhile deal!
"Okay, I'm going out for a trip. Wait here for me." After sealing the deal, Julius stood up and grabbed his coat.
Klein nodded obediently.
---
---
After waiting for almost half an hour, Julius returned with a crystal-clear disk in his hand.
"A disc?" Klein wondered to himself.
Julius said nothing more and handed the disk directly to Klein. "This is the 'Krum Disc.' It allows the user to change height, weight, and scent. The method of use is simple: just insert it directly into your body."
Insert it into my body...
Klein swallowed.
How on earth is such a large object inserted into the body?
Seeing that Klein was still hesitating, Julius grabbed the disk containing the substitute for the 'Krum God' and swiftly pushed Klein's body with lightning speed.
Klein tried to stop it, but Julius's speed was beyond his ability to resist. He could only watch as the disk strangely merged with him.
"Just imagine what you want to become," Julius reminded with a smile.
Klein took a deep breath, and the muscles in his face began to twist uncontrollably.
A moment later, Dunn Smith from the Nighthawks team in Tingen City appeared before Julius.
Julius curled his lips in disappointment.
Given the opportunity to show off, the first thing you think of is this guy with a high hairline and forgetfulness?
Little brother, you're still not open enough.
Thinking this, Julius said sternly, "Don't be restricted by gender. When you're promoted to 'Faceless Man,' you'll need to adapt to every face—male, female, old, young. Go on, change again!"
Klein thought for a moment and decided to follow his advice.
Indeed, 'Faceless Men' should not be constrained by gender.
The next second, the Witch Mathilda appeared.
Julius whistled, stepped forward, lifted her chin, and pretended to be frivolous. "Baby, I think I've fallen in love with you."
Klein: ...
Are you sick?
Quickly releasing the transformation, Klein said darkly, "I'm starting to suspect that teasing me is your real purpose."
"Hehe, guess," Julius replied, putting his hand down with a smile that never wavered.
If I can't beat you, I'll definitely find a way to shut you up! Klein thought, his face darkening.
However, this was just a joke.
Julius Astorio, this sometimes reliable but always unpredictable guy, had become his friend and a leader in the Beyonder world.
In Klein's heart, the status of the Evil God's Favored One was even higher than that of Mr. Anzik, with whom he often exchanged letters.
"Let's go," Klein said after a moment, leaving Astorio Manor with a scowl.
Julius turned to the side and asked, "Did you record it?"
The next second, Bernadette, holding a camera, appeared with a look of disbelief. "You asked me to help with something important, and I brought my father's private invention for this?"
She returned to the mansion with Julius and witnessed firsthand how Klein, favored by "The Fool," fell into the trap of this mischievous man step by step.
"If you tease him like this, won't 'The Fool' have objections?" Bernadette worried, concerned that divine punishment might be sent down to erase Julius.
What?
You mean Julius Astorio?
He is an archangel under "The Fool" himself. How could anything happen?
The only one who got into trouble was Bernadette, who had been deceived.
"He's kind and easygoing," Julius smiled. "Besides, he'll thank you for everything you've done today."
This kind of 'black history' makes great material for stabilizing human nature.
Bernadette: ???
I don't understand, but I'm shocked...
---
The next day.
To be honest, Klein felt that renting the 'Krum Disc' for 70 pounds a day was definitely a profitable deal.
But that didn't change his dilemma.
He had to admit, Julius Astorio had tricked him out of money, but when it came to actual benefits, the results were quite clear.
Sighing, Klein decided not to think about it further. Using the 'Krum Disc' ability, he wore the handsome face of 'Sherlock Moriarty' and made his way to the suburban villa where Mathilda was staying.
From this day on, that Witch officially became the fiancée of Sherlock Moriarty.
"Dear—" Mathilda immediately became annoyed when she saw Klein.
Klein's expression remained unchanged, but he gently draped his coat over her shoulders. "The wind is strong; you should take better care of your health."
As he spoke, he took off his coat and put it around Mathilda.
Mathilda was momentarily stunned, and a strange look flickered in her beautiful eyes.
The Aurora Order's critique of handsome men is quite fascinating.
"My dear, the carriage is ready; let's go." Mathilda took Klein's arm and led him toward the carriage that had been prepared.
Klein's expression remained neutral.
The entire journey was silent.
The two of them rode in a carriage to the mansion where Prince Edsac was hosting a banquet.
As soon as they arrived and got out of the carriage, Klein encountered an acquaintance.
——Miss Justice, Audrey Hall.
---
---
Rich people have plenty of fun.
But that doesn't mean they aren't prone to boredom.
It's common to have a small feast every three days and a grand one every five.
The most irritating part is the endless sensuality of dogs and horses.
Fortunately, most of the social season has passed. In a few months, the noble gentlemen will take their children to manor villas outside the city or to warmer provinces to spend the winter. When the weather warms up again, they'll return to Baekeland.
Back to business.
Audrey didn't want to attend the banquet hosted by Prince Edsac today.
The reason was simple—she didn't care much for the royal family.
As the only daughter of Earl Hall, Audrey had always known what these glamorous royals were like behind closed doors. And she gained an even deeper understanding after she became an Beyonder on the 'Spectator' path.
But, in order to digest the potion as quickly as possible, she decided to come anyway.
A Telepathist can't do her job without reading minds, after all.
"Miss Xie Feili seems to be distracted. Who is she looking at? Ah, it's Viscount Colin. She probably doesn't know the gossip about him. Or maybe that's exactly what piqued her interest. She does have quite unique tastes."
"Mr. Lane is still wearing a wig today. He's so confident, thinking that no one knows his secret. But in reality, almost everyone does… wait a minute, he's courting Baron Vers. Yes, they seem to be together lately. He must have made a lot of money from some recent business dealings."
"Although there's nothing unusual about the ever-generous Duke of Leers, his eyes look very impatient. He probably doesn't like this event. No, he probably has more important matters to attend to."
From the outside in, this is the so-called 'mind reading.'
Audrey quietly observed everyone present.
Suddenly, a man and a woman entered through the door, catching her attention.
For a moment, not just Audrey but almost everyone focused on the pair.
Klein and Mathilda's expressions remained normal.
Their presence wasn't shaken by this level of scrutiny.
"Welcome, Sherlock." A middle-aged man with a smile greeted him.
He was a 'bridge,' responsible for introducing the detective and his fiancée to the host of the event, Prince Edsac.
"Mr. Burns, it's a pleasure to see you." Klein gave a faint smile. "Where is His Royal Highness? I must greet him if I've arrived unannounced."
The middle-aged man smiled and led Klein and Mathilda to the second floor.
Audrey frowned slightly as she purposely avoided the crowd.
She didn't know why, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something about this pair of 'handsome man and beautiful woman' seemed off.
The conversation split into two parts.
Because there was someone to connect them, Klein and the others met their target, Prince Edsac Augustus, quite smoothly.
The prince was engaged in conversation with someone else but paused when he caught sight of the middle-aged man.
Then, his eyes were drawn to Mathilda.
In the name of Augustus, he had never seen such a beautiful woman!
"Your Highness, allow me to introduce you," the middle-aged man said with a flattering smile. "This is Detective Sherlock Moriarty, and his fiancée, Miss Mathilda."
The detective's... fiancée?
Prince Edsac was momentarily stunned, then said with a neutral expression, "Welcome, Detective Moriarty."
As he spoke, he tilted his head slightly and extended his hand. "And, of course, you're welcome too, Miss Mathilda."
Mathilda handed over her hand with reserved elegance, allowing the prince to kiss the back of it.
—Everything was proceeding according to plan.
Next, the great detective was blatantly ignored.
Under the subtle influence of the secret technique of seduction, Prince Edsac began to lavish attention on Mathilda.
Of course, Sherlock Moriarty expressed great displeasure at being so blatantly disregarded in front of others, but how could a commoner like him compete with a noble prince?
In the soft gaze of the beautiful and kind-hearted Miss Mathilda, Sherlock Moriarty clenched his fists, his teeth gritted, looking every bit the angry victim.
And just like that, the unsuspecting Prince Edsac found himself aboard the pirate ship.
That night, he experienced what it meant to be ensnared by a Witch.
And it turned out… it was quite enjoyable.
---