Chapter 142: Said Nothing at All

Chapter 142: Said Nothing at All

Leonard Mitchell clasped both hands together and leaned forward slightly.

“We restored the image that Caron saw before he died.

“It did not directly present the murderer’s appearance, but the glass of the bay window happened to reflect Baron Syndras’s figure.”

After pausing for one second, Leonard added, “This is far too simple and unconvincing. A noble and great banker on Baron Syndras’s level, even if he wanted to kill, could not personally act or appear at the scene to observe—unless he had some special hobby.

“And as you know, there are too many ways to create a similar scene. Illusions or disguises could both accomplish it.”

When he spoke of disguise, he raised his head slightly and looked at Dawn Dantes, as if saying that the person’s current appearance was most likely not his true face, just like Gehrman Sparrow and Sherlock Moriarty.

What a simple and crude frame-up. It makes one wonder whether the person behind the scenes truly wants to incriminate Baron Syndras… Mm, let me go over it again. First, assume that my, Dawn Dantes’s, response was the same as an ordinary person’s… In any case, I will not state conclusions. I will only guide his thoughts through questions. If the final answer is wrong, then the poet classmate must have misunderstood and failed to properly grasp my hints…

Klein smiled, picked up the bone-china cup, took a sip of red tea, and said, “Let us set this problem aside for now. If the person drawn in were not me, how would matters develop?”

Leonard’s clasped hands lifted slightly. His index fingers tapped lightly as he said, “Dawn Dantes, as a suspect, would be locked inside the police station. But his butler, servants, neighbors, and friends could all prove that he had not contacted Caron’s family. As a result, the statements from both sides would reveal a huge contradiction. The police would be unable to handle it and have no choice but to request intervention from the Nighthawks.

“Through spirit channeling, we obtained the image Caron saw before committing suicide and extracted Baron Syndras’s figure from it…”

As Leonard spoke, he suddenly fell silent. After several seconds, under Dawn Dantes’s smiling gaze, he continued, “Regardless of whether the appearance of this clue involving Baron Syndras is too strange, too simple, and too unconvincing, we will still follow procedure, make some contact with him, and carry out the corresponding investigation… And that will cause us to notice certain problems of his?

“Baron Syndras originally had problems involving the Beyonder domain and cannot withstand the Nighthawks’ in-depth investigation?”

The more Leonard spoke, the more certain he became, as though he had already grasped the planner’s train of thought.

He—or they—does not care whether the trap is seen through. As long as it can make the Nighthawks conduct a routine investigation into Syndras, the goal is achieved. That is because Baron Syndras himself hides rather serious and easily discovered problems!

Yes, that is also my thought. This is actually closer to a report; it is only gentler, making it look like a trap and forcing the Nighthawks to investigate while hiding the reporter’s own existence… Of course, I will not directly confirm your guess. If it turns out to be wrong, wouldn’t that be embarrassing?

Klein crossed his right foot over his left leg, smiled, and said, “A vigilant Baron Syndras will certainly have no problems now.”

Leonard slowly nodded and explained to himself, “This baron’s experiences are quite legendary. Several times, he came close to bankruptcy and then managed to save himself, climbing to a new level.

“Perhaps during one of those times, he had already fallen into despair and had no other method, so he sold his soul to an evil god, a devil, or some other hidden existence?”

This story is quite reasonable…

Klein neither confirmed nor denied Leonard’s speculation. Instead, he changed the subject and asked, “From the other angle, how would you view the true murderer who caused Caron to commit suicide?”

Leonard temporarily discarded the judgment from before and, based on the premise of “normal development,” thought for a while before saying, “The trap set was too crude. The suggestions, guidance, and memory implants were not concealed or gentle enough, making it easy for people to discover the problem. Therefore, it should not have been done by a middle- or high-Sequence Beyonder of the Spectator pathway. It is more like Beyonders from other pathways using corresponding mystical items to disguise themselves as them while acting…”

Before he could finish, Leonard sank into silence once more, as if he had thought of something.

Klein maintained his faint smile, calmly watching the other party. He seemed as though everything was under his control, but he simply refused to explain and intended to see how far the other man could comprehend things on his own.

This matches some of what the old man said earlier… Was it truly done by a middle- or high-Sequence Spectator? What looked like a reckless, crude arrangement full of loopholes had actually precisely accounted for every person’s reaction and the human nature of following procedures. It simply misjudged Dawn Dantes’s experience and wisdom?

Leonard felt he had already understood the whole matter. He straightened his body, coughed lightly, and said, “Thank you for your guidance.”

Klein immediately chuckled.

“I said nothing.”

Without waiting for Leonard to respond, he proactively said, “Your former colleague asked me to ask you: if he discovers traces of Ince Zangwill, how should he inform you?”

Leonard, who had already lifted himself halfway out of his seat and was about to take his leave, sat back down. His expression turned somewhat complicated. After more than ten seconds of silence, he said, “Deliver the information in letter form to 7 Pinster Street.”

Does that mean you will not leave Backlund for quite some time? Or does it mean that even if you go elsewhere on a mission, you have ways to monitor movements at 7 Pinster Street and remotely check the contents of letters? The latter is more likely. An angel of the Marauder pathway surely has many strange secret arts, and there should be no lack of ones Leonard can use… I cannot ask. Asking would lower Dawn Dantes’s level and destroy the persona…

Klein maintained an expression without the slightest ripple. With a smile on his lips, he said, “I will tell him.”

Leonard did not leave immediately. He opened his mouth, paused, and said, “If I want to contact him, what should I do?”

When he asked this question, his green eyes were deep and restrained.

Klein had already prepared an answer. Smiling, he said, “A spirit wandering amid unreality, a friendly creature that can be driven, a messenger belonging solely to Gehrman Sparrow.

“If you are unclear about the specific ritual, you may consult Pallez.”

Leonard knew that Gehrman Sparrow was Sherlock Moriarty and also Klein Moretti. He gave an almost imperceptible nod and stood.

“Thank you for informing me. Please forgive my presumptuous visit.”

After speaking, he retreated to the door, opened it, and walked out, leaving the dream.

Hey, you are leaving just like that? As a Nightmare—or rather, former Nightmare—are you not going to consider the flaws in your memory? You think you can remember it after hearing it only once? You are taking this far too lightly!

Klein watched Leonard’s figure disappear and could not help lampooning him.

He helplessly shook his head, ended his afternoon nap, and busied himself with the West Balam matter.

…

On the Golden Dream, Danitz, who had finally completed his task, was drinking chilled light beer because the recent weather was hot.

If ice did not require Beyonder abilities and therefore exist only in limited quantities, he felt he could drink half a barrel in one go.

“This is enjoyment!” Danitz gulped down the remaining liquid in his cup.

At that very moment, gray-white fog spread before his eyes. By his ear, Gehrman Sparrow’s voice began echoing.

“…Please inform Danitz that he is to set off immediately for West Balam and investigate the situation within the respective territories of the two native generals Mesanyes and Katami. Pay particular attention to whether there are traces of Rose School of Thought activity…”

Go—go to West Balam?

Danitz held his beer mug, mentally repeating Gehrman Sparrow’s request with a slight stammer.

He had once gone there with the Golden Dream’s crew in search of treasure, and had also obtained fairly detailed intelligence from Vice Admiral Iceberg, Edwina. Therefore, he knew very well how chaotic and dangerous West Balam was.

And this time, I have to go alone!

Danitz bared his teeth, feeling that his future had turned completely bleak.

Images already surfaced in his mind: primitive jungles hiding all kinds of terrifying creatures; native tribes that all worshiped Death but had strange customs of their own; roads filled with bandits and resistance armies; villages where wraiths and shadows often appeared; and large cities where gunfights and even Beyonder battles broke out from time to time.

No. I must refuse Gehrman Sparrow. Refuse… At least send me an assistant! Mm… Ordinary people can survive in West Balam, make fortunes, and own manors. That means the place is not as terrifying as I imagine. I am just scaring myself… Besides, Gehrman Sparrow only asked me to investigate the situation. He did not ask me to contact anyone or deal with anyone…

Danitz soon squeezed out a smile and asked Mr. Fool to relay to Gehrman Sparrow that he would set off immediately.

Then, following Gehrman Sparrow’s instructions, he set up a ritual in his room requesting Mr. Fool’s bestowment.

At the end of the ritual, he saw the illusory door open. A dark-gold brooch shaped like a sunbird flew out and landed on the altar.

It was the Sun Brooch!

In the Southern Continent, in the land once ruled by Death, the Sun was one of the most useful Beyonder pathways!

“He directly gave me such a valuable item… Working for Gehrman Sparrow is actually not bad… Though, did he say it was only borrowed?”

Danitz picked up the brooch and felt that the damp heat around him had worsened a little.

…

After assigning the task to Danitz, Klein was about to open the door and instruct his personal valet Richardson to prepare him a cup of ice water when his inspiration was suddenly triggered.

Immediately afterward, he quietly activated Spirit Vision and saw Miss Messenger Reinette Tinekerr walk out from the void. One of the blond-haired, red-eyed heads she carried was biting a thin letter.

Who sent it? Leonard?

Slightly puzzled, Klein extended his right hand.