Chapter 61: An Unexpected Visitor

Chapter 61: An Unexpected Visitor

Hearing Mr. Moon’s question, the Magician Fors nearly blurted out, “I know! I know it very well! I’m only not too clear on the details of the process.”

Fortunately, she controlled her mouth in time. With a faint trace of fear, she glanced toward Mr. World at the very bottom of the long bronze table.

Almost at the same time, the Hanged Man Alger, Justice Audrey, and the Hermit Cattleya combined this with their earlier guesses and vaguely deduced that the serious incident in Backlund’s East Borough had been the assassination of that divine envoy of the Aurora Order—an assassination carried out by the World!

Because she was not a Spectator and could not read the answer from their eyes, Fors could only force a smile at the Moon Emlyn.

“I cannot answer what exactly happened.

“I only know that at the time, a demigod-level Beyonder ability from the Storm domain appeared, and that made the Church of Storms treat the matter with great importance.”

She did not dare speak on Mr. World’s behalf and reveal the details of the incident. She merely gave a simple description of what she herself had seen.

In her view, if Mr. World were willing to let the matter be known, he would certainly add to her explanation.

A demigod-level Beyonder ability from the Storm domain? Justice Audrey and the others were briefly stunned, instinctively beginning to doubt the guess they had just made.

They had previously assumed that Leymano’s Travels was an item formed after the Aurora Order divine envoy’s death. Therefore, before assassinating the target, the World should have had no way to borrow Mr. Fool’s help and record demigod-level abilities.

Was the serious supernatural incident in the East Borough unrelated to Mr. World? No. Fors’s glance just now is enough to show that it was caused by Mr. World! But why would a demigod-level Beyonder ability from the Storm domain appear? One possibility is that Leymano’s Travels was not a spoil of the assassination, but originally belonged to Fors. Another possibility is that a cardinal of the Church of Storms, or a Beyonder carrying the corresponding sealed artifact, launched an attack…

If it is the former, the fact that Mr. World had to use a demigod-level Beyonder ability means the divine envoy was quite powerful, and that a saint existed behind him. If it is the latter, the fact that Mr. World could safely escape under such an attack already proves how terrifying he is…

Of course, it is also possible that he deliberately guided the Church of Storms and the Aurora Order’s divine envoy to encounter each other, then used the confusion of a demigod-level battle to efficiently complete the assassination…

Starting from the many details she had observed, Justice Audrey roughly formed several guesses. And every single one pointed toward the same conclusion:

The World possessed strength, intelligence, support, and the ability to act decisively. He was one of the very top Sequence 5s beneath demigod level!

How terrifying. As expected of Mr. Fool’s Blessed… Once I reach a place with a church, I should be able to understand the details of this matter…

The Hanged Man Alger also reached his preliminary judgment and felt a wave of emotion. He could only comfort himself by thinking that, with such a helper, exploring that primitive island would be much easier.

As for the Hermit Cattleya, her thoughts were similar to Justice Audrey’s. She planned to ask the Queen of Mysteries about it—after all, the mistress of the Dawn had previously revealed in a letter that she was currently staying in Backlund.

“A demigod-level Beyonder ability from the Storm domain…” The Moon Emlyn repeated Miss Magician’s words with a slight headache.

Although he liked staying at home and disliked going out, he lived in a metropolis and occasionally needed to go to the hospital for blood. He still possessed a degree of common sense. Together with the reminders and teachings of his elders, he actually understood official organizations such as the Mandated Punishers, Nighthawks, and Machinery Hivemind quite well. He knew what kind of impact such a serious incident would have on the surrounding area.

If I sneak into the East Borough like this without a proper disguise, I might be pinned down and arrested by the Mandated Punishers before even getting close to the target… Although I have the status of the Mother Earth Church and won’t be locked underground or become research material for sealed artifacts, that still means the operation would fail. Leymano’s Travels might even be taken away… At this stage, taking the sewers would be even more dangerous. Who knows how many official Beyonders are hiding there…

Emlyn suddenly realized that what had seemed like an easy mission had abruptly become difficult.

Very soon, he made a decision: he would act after dusk and before deep night. During that time, the lower-class citizens of the East Borough would be returning from their workplaces one after another. Although the sky would already be dark, the streets would be lively. Even if there were ten times as many Mandated Punishers, there would be no way to maintain strict surveillance under such circumstances, much less identify every suspicious person.

The focus now is to plan the operation properly and eliminate those two artificial vampires as quietly as possible… Mm, I also need to consider what to do if the battle becomes intense and can’t be concealed… Wait. Miss Magician mentioned earlier that Leymano’s Travels contains the Beyonder ability Teleportation… Problem solved!

The Moon Emlyn abruptly relaxed and gave a soft laugh.

“I will take care.”

He said this very calmly, appearing confident, as though everything was under control.

Heh. Emlyn first became troubled, then relaxed. Ninety percent chance he thought of that Traveler’s Door in Leymano’s Travels… If I hadn’t drawn Travel, I would definitely have added a condition: before the World Gehrman Sparrow uses it, no one may touch that page of the magic book…

Klein sneered inwardly but did not speak.

To him, because Leymano’s Travels contained only one Traveler’s Door, using Creeping Hunger on the journey to and from the primitive island was inevitable. Since that was the case, he might as well squeeze the glove for all it was worth. After all, no matter what, he would have to feed it a “death-row convict.” He could not waste the opportunity.

“In any case, I have warned you.” The Magician Fors said no more and only hoped Mr. Moon would succeed smoothly.

At that moment, the Hanged Man Alger turned his head toward the little Sun beside him.

“You are still in the City of Silver?”

“Yes. My recent mission is to familiarize myself with my abilities and patrol the surrounding areas,” the Sun Derrick answered without concealing anything.

Alger pondered briefly.

“Has that Shepherd elder come to see you recently?”

“No.” Derrick paused and said, “The six-member council seems to be busy with matters related to the former Chief’s mausoleum. I am not authorized to know the details.”

Klein had once heard the little Sun mention the City of Silver’s former Chief. That person had built a mausoleum deep underground and moved inside. After that, he had never emerged again. He was suspected to have failed in an attempt to switch to Sequence 3 of the Death pathway.

I wonder what happened inside the mausoleum. My spiritual intuition tells me there is danger hidden there…

Before Klein could speak, the Hanged Man Alger said, “Pay attention to this matter. Studying the former Chief’s mausoleum at this critical stage will not be simple. It may bring you danger.”

“Mm!” The Sun Derrick nodded firmly. “I will do my best to find out the specific situation.”

The exchange continued. Because the members had not encountered many incidents during the week, this segment soon approached its end. The Tarot Club members then began teaching the Sun the mysticism languages of the outside world, while learning some ancient myths from him.

During this process, Justice Audrey felt a little disappointed and frustrated, because at this gathering, she had neither bought anything nor shared anything. Her participation seemed insufficient.

Sigh… My life is too peaceful and stable. There is nothing I can share… But that is normal. As the daughter of the Earl of East Chester and one of the kingdom’s top three bankers, if I constantly encountered Beyonder incidents and had thrilling, dangerous weeks every week, that could only mean the existing social hierarchy and political structure are not enough to support the order of a supernatural world. A fundamental and disruptive change would be inevitable… Mm. After I return to Backlund and have more contact with the Psychology Alchemists, this should improve…

Audrey quickly became optimistic again. She rose, curtsied to Mr. Fool, and took her leave.

Over the past half year, stimulated by Susie’s example, she had truly read many useful books. Compared with before, both the depth and maturity of her thinking had improved considerably.

…

Backlund, North Borough, 160 Böklund Street.

After the Tarot Gathering ended, Klein walked to the balcony attached to the bedroom and looked out at the well-greened surroundings.

“With Miss Magician’s attempt to rent out Leymano’s Travels, a new category of frequently traded goods will likely appear at the Tarot Club. Heh, they may not yet be conscious of this, but they have not considered that their own Beyonder abilities can also be sold! Once rentals increase, someone will eventually ask in the transaction segment whether anyone can help record a certain kind of ability…

“At that point, with quite a few mystical items, I can stably provide Beyonder abilities from multiple domains.

“It won’t sell for too high a price, but its value lies in durability. There will always be people who need it.

“Heh. I wonder who will be the first to muster the courage to request Mr. Fool’s help and hope to record a demigod-level ability… That will require equivalent exchange and a sufficient price… If no one dares take that step, fearing blasphemy against a deity, I can have the World demonstrate it. After all, from the beginning, Mr. Fool has presented Himself as amiable and casual. As long as no mistakes are made, similar transactions may be accepted.

“With the example of Madam Hermit being punished earlier, I trust no one will look down on the Fool because of this. They will only feel honored, delighted, and terrified…”

As Klein’s thoughts roamed over matters of the Tarot Club, he filled with anticipation for future Beyonder ability transactions.

Just then, he heard a series of knocks at the door.

“Come in,” Dawn Dantes, with graying temples, said as he turned.

The handle turned. The door opened, and Butler Walter, wearing white gloves, entered. Respectfully, he said, “Sir, Madam Mary from the Air Pollution Investigation Committee has come to visit you.

“Would you like to see her?”

Mary Schott? The major shareholder of Coim Company, the madam who once hired me to investigate her ex-husband’s affair? Why is she looking for me? She can’t have taken a liking to Dawn Dantes, can she…

A little puzzled, Klein nodded with a smile.

“It is nearly afternoon tea. Let us move it up a little.”

“Very well. I will invite Madam Mary to the second-floor sitting room.” Walter had no difficulty understanding his employer’s meaning.

Klein nodded lightly and said no more. With his personal valet Richardson’s help, he put on his coat and went down to the second floor.

Before long, he met Madam Mary in the sitting room. Her cheekbones were somewhat high. She wore a dark-blue dress and elegant accessories that concealed their luxury. Compared with last year, she appeared more tasteful and more refined.

“Good afternoon, madam. I have often thought of when I might visit you and hear you speak of what happened during the Backlund Air Pollution Investigation,” Klein said politely, taking the initiative.

Mary smiled in reply.

“A pity that I have not yet waited long enough.”

After a few pleasantries about the recent weather, Klein, seated in a single-person sofa, picked up his bone china teacup and said, “Madam, you seem to be facing a difficult matter.”

He had seen that Mary was hesitating, weighing her words.

Mary gave a half-smile, half-sigh.

“I have heard of your experience and wisdom, and I believe you are a gentleman with excellent judgment.

“Here is the matter. Would you be interested in acquiring some shares of Coim Company?”

“Why? Madam, have you encountered difficulty?” Klein calmly asked in return.

Mary shook her head.

“Someone else intends to sell.”