Chapter 129: No Response

Chapter 129: No Response

“I come from underground…”

Seeing those pallid words appear on the surface of the full-length mirror, a chill abruptly crawled up Klein’s back. His pupils widened, and by instinct he nearly switched places with the marionette in the neighboring room.

In the room where his personal valet was staying, Enyuni, who had been lying there quietly, opened his eyes without a sound.

The area corresponding to his stomach swelled once, then contracted again, as though a second heart had grown there—a heart that beat with extreme slowness.

At the same time, Klein’s mind flashed back to the scene the “magic mirror” Arrodes had shown when answering the question of its own origins.

From holes in the ground, large amounts of thick black liquid had surged forth. They twisted, expanded, sprouted varying numbers of hands and feet, and turned into monster after monster. During that process, a point of light had been ejected together with those black fluids, landing upon a stone and merging with it. It had then evolved into a silver mirror with ancient patterns and black gemstones set on both sides—the true body of Arrodes.

So it really did come from underground… And this underground is the same underground sealed behind the bronze door in the abandoned castle… I actually never made the connection before… Well, that can’t really be helped. Too many things are related to the underground, and most of them don’t carry any special meaning. Coal, for example… Mm. Before today, I never thought that merely involving the underground could imply anything too extraordinary… Klein restrained the impulses within him, ignored the horror contained in Arrodes’s answer, and asked without any visible change in expression, “What exactly is the situation?”

The pale words wriggled and changed, somehow giving off the impression that they were about to burst into tears.

“Great Master, I do not know the details either. It was only after I came to the surface and became a mirror that I truly gained consciousness. I have no memories at all of what came before.

“Ah, there is one thing that might be related. Would you like to hear it?”

“Go on,” Klein said, slightly relieved to see that the magic mirror Arrodes’s attitude remained fairly normal.

The words on the mirror’s surface regained a little color, becoming almost pure white.

“Did I not once say that I saw pillars and dominion in you? Toward the underground, aside from hearing strange calls, I also have a similar feeling. It makes me feel warmth, a desire to return, and a wish to submit. This… this might be the reason I became your servant.”

What? The thing underground gives off a feeling similar to the gray fog? Both involve pillars and dominion? Klein was startled again by Arrodes’s answer. If not for the powers of a Clown, he might already have lost control of his expression.

At that instant, for some inexplicable reason, he recalled a joke he had once seen in his previous life and transplanted it onto himself:

“What? The thing feared by the ancient gods comes from underground?

“What? The magic mirror Arrodes also comes from underground?

“What? I also come from underground?”

This is both hilarious and terrifying… No, this might not be a joke. The original owner of the mysterious space above the gray fog, the creator of that strange door of light, the existence that dragged one “transmigrator” after another here—perhaps it came from underground too, or has countless ties to something underground… Thoughts whirled through Klein’s mind as he made one association after another.

As that indescribable shadow descended upon him, he revealed a faint smile and mocked himself inwardly:

No matter what, the investigation into the gray fog and transmigration has gained a new clue and a new direction…

Klein then steadied himself and carefully asked, “What do the major Churches and secret organizations know about the underground things that must be sealed and isolated?”

On the full-length mirror, the white words returned to silver.

“They basically have no knowledge of them. It seems to have been concealed by some power.”

Isn’t that “Concealment”… Klein’s brow moved almost imperceptibly, but in the end he did not speak.

On the mirror, silver words continued appearing line after line.

“However, some legends and stories still exist within certain secret organizations.

“In those legends, the underground is described as a nest of demons and evil spirits, the source of the corruption of the human heart, and the origin of primordial sin and evil.”

The first part is wrong. The underground thing that needs to be sealed is most likely unrelated to demons and evil spirits… Legends are actually similar to mysticism symbols. One shouldn’t look only at what the story says, but should strip away the surface and understand what it symbolizes… This symbolizes fear of the underground—fear from body to spirit, from consciousness to emotion? Klein’s thoughts turned. He gave a slight nod and said, “It’s your turn to ask.”

“Great Master, your loyal servant Arrodes has a small suggestion. Would you like to hear it?” On the surface of the full-length mirror, silver words appeared one after another.

“Go on.” Klein could vaguely guess what kind of advice the magic mirror Arrodes wanted to give.

“Before you return to your divine throne, please avoid investigating matters related to the underground seals as much as possible.” The silver words wriggled rapidly and reorganized into a new sentence.

As expected… Klein sighed inwardly and said calmly, “Next question. Where did you confirm that Groselle’s Travels appeared after the disappearance of the City of Miracles, Liveseyd?”

The sentence on the mirror’s surface twisted at once, kneading itself into a clump before quickly scattering again.

“It was through revelations and information obtained from the spirit world. Because the source was the then-subordinate god of the dragon race, the Dragon of Wisdom, your loyal servant believes it can be confirmed.

“Great Master, is there a problem with this?”

How direct… After that sigh of emotion, Klein instantly thought of how the Dragon of Wisdom, Herabergen, should have entered the book world, approached the bronze door behind the ancient god’s throne, and might, through “omniscience,” possess a deep understanding of the underground seal. He also felt that the ancient dragon seemed to have hidden an even deeper intent within Groselle’s Travels.

He could faintly grasp something, yet he could not describe it, much less truly seize it.

“No,” Klein answered Arrodes’s question.

Then, probing, he asked, “Why don’t you mention the Dragon of Wisdom’s true name?”

“Because I do not dare directly present the true name of a deity,” Arrodes replied tactfully, giving Klein a definite answer.

Klein nodded and asked no further questions.

“It’s your turn.”

“Great Master, do you have any more questions?” The silver words rapidly reorganized on the dim mirror.

“None. We’ll stop here for today.” Klein shook his head.

After saying that, he remembered what had happened last time and added, “When I have new questions, I will summon you again.”

The full-length mirror instantly became bright, its silver words shining brilliantly.

“Yes, Master!

“Your loyal and steadfast servant Arrodes awaits your summons at any time~”

This time, the thing waving farewell was no longer a simple stick-figure drawing, but a white cat paw with a red heart in the center.

…There’s a new trick every time… The corner of Klein’s mouth twitched slightly as he watched the bedroom mirror return to normal.

He stood in the darkness, bathed in the faint crimson moonlight filtering through the curtains. After silently remaining there for some time, he returned to bed and used meditation to quickly fall asleep.

Early the next morning, on Monday, Klein rose a quarter of an hour earlier than usual. Bringing his personal valet Enyuni with him, he went down to the first floor and said to his butler, Walter, “I had a nightmare last night. I’d like to visit the cathedral before breakfast.”

Though Butler Walter was surprised, he didn’t find it too strange. After all, once a church opened its doors, there would always be people visiting at any hour.

He hurriedly arranged a carriage and escorted Dwayne Dantès all the way to the entrance.

When Klein arrived at Saint Samuel Cathedral, the main doors had not yet opened. He waited until eight o’clock, then entered the hall with the first group of believers. He found a seat in the front rows, faced the dark sacred emblem, closed his eyes, and, amid the serene and tranquil atmosphere, began to silently recite the Goddess’s honorific name in ancient Hermes with complete focus:

“Evernight Goddess, nobler than the stars and more eternal than eternity, You are the Lady of Crimson, the Mother of Concealment, the Empress of Misfortune and Horror, the Mistress of Repose and Silence…”

After finishing the honorific name, he switched to normal Loenese and said almost soundlessly, “At the center of Delaire Forest, there is an ancient castle. Deep within it exists an ancient bronze door. It is sealing a powerful force of corruption… How should I eliminate the hidden problem there?”

Klein was not testing a deity so much as openly making a report. As for how the Church would react afterward, what could be glimpsed through their actions was another matter entirely.

After repeating it seven times, he began to pray seriously.

Seconds and minutes slipped by. In the dim, quiet, peaceful cathedral, Klein stood up and led his personal valet Enyuni out of Saint Samuel Cathedral.

Throughout the entire process, he received no revelation, nor did he see Arianna, the head of the Evernight Cloister.

This response itself also expressed a certain attitude.

Namely, that he had not yet reached the level at which he was allowed to understand the underground seals.

…

East Borough, inside a two-bedroom apartment.

Forsi pulled the blanket up over her head.

She hated the curtains here. They were far too thin and translucent, unable to block out the morning light at all, which seriously affected the quality of her sleep.

I absolutely have to replace them. No, I might have to move again soon… Just as Forsi’s thoughts were drifting aimlessly, she heard the bedroom door open, followed by Xio’s familiar footsteps.

With a swish, her blanket vanished, and a letter landed on top of her.

“Your letter. It’s from Pritz Harbor,” Xio reminded her aloud.

“…A reply from my teacher.” Forsi abruptly sat up, tore open the envelope, and quickly skimmed the letter.

After a period of silence, she said, “I need to go out. My teacher has already arrived in Backlund… This letter should have arrived two days ago!”

The letter had both date and address marked on it.

“The postmen around here aren’t exactly responsible,” Xio said, glancing at her friend. “Is there still time?”

“Thankfully, yes. Teacher said he would wait for me for three days.” Forsi hurriedly got out of bed and began changing clothes.

She had a premonition that this time she would be able to gain a deeper understanding of the Abraham family and obtain the Traveler potion formula as well as certain extraordinary ingredients.