Chapter 142: Hiding in the Dark

Chapter 142: Hiding in the Dark

On the way from Böklund Street to Saint Samuel Cathedral, Klein passed by the Loen Charity Bursary Foundation at 22 Phelps Street and was rather surprised to find that its doors were still open.

As the founder and current director, he cared about it to a considerable degree. He slowed his pace, changed direction, and walked over.

No sooner had he entered than Klein saw Miss Audrey coming down from the second floor, accompanied by her personal maid, a golden retriever, and several staff members.

“Good afternoon. There doesn’t seem to be anything here that needs to be continued under circumstances like these,” Klein said as he went forward, voicing his puzzlement.

Holding a newspaper, Audrey looked at Dwayne Dantès and replied, “Several of the recipients were injured in the air raid. I just visited them and made arrangements for their follow-up treatment.”

This noble lady’s eyes were faintly red, as though she had seen many things in the hospital that left sorrow impossible to hide.

“May the Goddess bless them.” Klein understood and drew a crimson moon upon his chest.

He then took the opportunity to state the idea he had already prepared.

“I plan to donate another sum to the foundation, to be used for purchasing food, medicine, and medical equipment. In this man-made disaster, we can do more.”

“That is a wonderful idea. Those who are suffering will be sincerely grateful to you, Mr. Dantès.” Audrey also tapped her chest four times clockwise. Her eyes revealed obvious joy and pity. “I will do everything within my ability as well.”

She did not want merely to donate money. She also wished to properly organize the corresponding efforts.

Klein nodded.

“There is no need to praise me. At a time like this, I am only doing what I should.

“In addition to money, I will also donate food. You may discuss these matters directly with my butler, Walter. Mm, Miss Audrey, I can write you a letter of authorization right now, allowing you to mobilize Rose Song Manor’s resources in my name.”

“And you, Mr. Dantès?” Audrey asked with faint speculation.

In this context, that was the most natural reaction.

“I received a notice from the Church. I am to help them with certain matters. As for what specifically, I haven’t yet gone to Saint Samuel Cathedral, so I still don’t know. The only thing I can be sure of is that I must travel around for the foreseeable future, and will be unable to return to Rose Song Manor for quite a long time.” Klein gave the excuse he had prepared. “Miss Audrey, our time together at the foundation has allowed me to understand your character and ability. Your birth and status have also determined your vision and breadth of perspective. Entrusting this matter to you is the best method I can think of.”

Klein did not expect his lie to fool an experienced Spectator. The people he wanted to deceive were only those around Justice Audrey—well, excluding that dog.

Mr. World is temporarily abandoning the identity of Dwayne Dantès so that he can hide and do certain things? Audrey came to an understanding and put on a thoughtful expression. After pondering for a few seconds, she said, “Under the current circumstances, I cannot refuse such a request.”

Klein secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He immediately had his personal valet Enyuni go upstairs and fetch paper and a fountain pen. Then, with the staff members serving as witnesses, he personally drafted a letter of authorization, signed his name, pressed down his fingerprint, and stamped it with his seal.

Once this was done, Klein’s gaze fell upon the newspaper in Audrey’s hand.

“Has anything else happened? I’ve only just returned from outside the city and only heard the newsboys shouting that the kingdom has declared war on Feysac.”

Audrey pressed her lips together. Her expression darkened slightly.

“Not long after the Feysac airship formation bombed Backlund, their Sonia Sea Fleet took advantage of thick fog to attack the Royal Navy base on Oak Island in Pritz Harbor, as well as the surrounding shipyards. Fortunately, the Church of Storms had received a warning in advance and sent a telegram over. Pritz Harbor was not lost, but many ships and factories were destroyed. It’s said that… it’s said many people died or were seriously injured…”

“This is war…” Klein sighed. “May I see how the King declared war?”

Audrey knew there was a problem with King George III, and she could hear the hidden mockery in Mr. World’s words. She did not refuse and handed him the newspaper in her hand.

It was a copy of the Tasok Times.

Klein did not need to unfold it. On the front-page headline, he directly saw the King’s war declaration:

“…Seven hundred and eight years ago, the Feysacians seized Sonia Island from us.

“One year ago, the Feysacians stole half our interests in East Balam.

“Today, they bombed Backlund and attacked Pritz Harbor. Because of this, countless Loen citizens have died or been wounded, their blood soaking the land.

“We cannot retreat any further. Retreat will only bring us the Feysacians’ bullying again and again. If we continue retreating, we will lose all our overseas interests. Great quantities of products will be unsold. Countless workers will lose their jobs. Even more farmers will go bankrupt!

“…

“All past and present events prove that justice is in our hands. And we already possess sufficient strength to seize complete victory.

“My people, I, your Emperor, George III, hereby represent the upper and lower houses of Parliament and the kingdom’s government in declaring war upon Feysac. Unless they raise the white flag and surrender with hands held high, we will never stop advancing!

“Advance! Retake Sonia Island! Advance! Capture Saint-Miron!

“Victory shall belong to us! The gods are with us!”

Klein quickly skimmed it, controlling the corners of his mouth with the abilities of a Clown to keep them from curling upward.

He then returned the Tasok Times to Audrey, removed his hat, and bowed.

“I’ll have to trouble you with the matters that follow.”

“Please rest assured.” Audrey held the letter of authorization and the newspaper, returning the bow.

Klein did not delay any further. Taking his personal valet Enyuni with him, he left the Loen Charity Bursary Foundation and arrived at Saint Samuel Cathedral.

At that time, the cathedral had very few believers left. Most had already returned home, busy preparing for life after the opening of the war.

In the dim and tranquil environment, Klein found a seat, sat down, removed his hat, and clasped his hands before his mouth and nose. In a low voice, he recited the Evernight Goddess’s honorific name, then said, “…I received information from the Red Angel evil spirit that Zaratul has very likely already arrived in Backlund, and that hidden within the Blood Emperor’s secret ruins is most likely a mausoleum required for the Black Emperor ritual…”

After ending his prayer, Klein patiently waited for a while and saw Archbishop Anthony Stevenson enter from a side door and walk toward him.

This saint’s face was clean-shaven. He wore a robe of black as the base, marked with the symbol of a red moon. As he walked, he made not the slightest sound, like night itself slowly descending.

After approaching Dwayne Dantès, Anthony did not speak. He merely signaled with his eyes and then turned toward the library.

Klein rose as well, put on his hat, and silently followed behind.

As for his personal valet Enyuni, he took the cane and walked toward the cathedral entrance, waiting there.

Outside the library, Archbishop Anthony turned around, revealed a slight smile, and said to Dwayne Dantès, “War has broken out. There are too many things that must be done. As a devout believer of the Goddess, are you willing to provide certain assistance?”

As expected… It seems Madam Arianna has already left Backlund… As Klein sighed inwardly, he drew a crimson moon upon his chest.

“It is my honor. Praise the Goddess.”

After responding, he immediately asked, “What do you need me to do?”

“When something suitable comes up, I will notify you. During this period, try not to go home.” Saint Anthony spoke in words that were somewhat unreasonable on the surface.

Klein instantly understood what the other party meant: he was to hide first. For the time being, they had no spare energy to deal with Zaratul. At most, they could offer protection within a certain range.

Just as I thought. The Goddess is digesting the Death pathway’s Uniqueness and will be unable to descend for quite some time. The Church’s upper ranks must also deal with the war, and the negative effects of Grade 0 sealed artifacts are each more terrifying than the last… Klein gently nodded.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“May the Goddess bless you.” Saint Anthony drew a crimson moon.

“Praise the Goddess. The only destination is peace.” Klein responded with practiced gestures.

Then he left Saint Samuel Cathedral and, with his personal valet, turned onto another street.

After walking like this for a while, at some unknown point, both Dwayne Dantès and Enyuni vanished.

…

East Borough, inside a two-bedroom rented apartment.

Wearing an utterly ordinary face, Klein took out the adventurer’s harmonica, brought it to his lips, and blew.

Very soon, Reinette Tinekerr, carrying four blond-haired, red-eyed heads, walked out from the void. She showed no surprise at her contractor’s new appearance.

Klein did not hand her any letter paper. Instead, he said directly, “Tell Miss Sharron and Maric that Zaratul has come to Backlund and has very likely made contact with the Rose School of Thought. They must be careful. For the foreseeable future, it would be best if they do not even go to the Bravehearts Bar.”

“Zaratul…” This time, all four of Reinette Tinekerr’s heads spoke at once, as though it took her some effort to recall who that was.

“The leader of the Secret Order. A Sequence 1 angel who was once insane and is now sane again.” Klein took out a gold coin and handed it to Miss Messenger.

He did not say that Zaratul was very interested in Gehrman Sparrow. He believed that, as a high-ranking spirit world creature, Miss Messenger could sense something special about him to a certain degree. Otherwise, there would have been no need for this angel to lower herself to act as his messenger. If it had only been for the Yesterday Once More charms, she could have offered assistance in a far more dignified way.

As for why Zaratul had not detected the aura of the gray fog in the foggy town, yet was interested in Gehrman Sparrow, Klein believed there were three reasons. First, the gray fog’s inherent Beyonder convergence had drawn this powerful Seer to Backlund, where He had prophesied something. Second, Gehrman Sparrow had actually managed to leave the foggy town and return to the real world despite obtaining the wrong symbol. Third, Gehrman Sparrow might be connected to an organization that believed in The Fool.

Once Zaratul came into contact with the Rose School of Thought because of this and discovered that the Mother Tree of Desire also held some interest in Gehrman Sparrow, then even if He had no concrete direction for His guesses, the importance He attached to the matter would rise sharply.

Reinette Tinekerr said nothing more. One of her heads leaned forward and bit the gold coin.

After watching Miss Messenger leave, Klein pulled over a chair and sat down. Across a wooden desk, he looked out at the sky beyond the window.

The layout of this rented apartment was the same as the one where he had once lived in Tingen. The bedroom was inside; outside served as living room, dining room, and study, with a bunk bed placed there.

At this moment, aside from him, the room also contained his marionettes Qonas and Enyuni.