Chapter 115: Klein’s Plan

Chapter 115: Klein’s Plan

Lanvus had most likely been a Sequence 8 Swindler. That happened to belong to the Thief pathway. Having an “admission ticket” to the corresponding gathering was not at all difficult to understand or accept. On the contrary, it fit logic perfectly… At a gathering of the Hermits of Fate, purchasing a mystical item capable of stealing another person’s Beyonder powers would definitely be much easier than in other circles… So this is the clue that Will Auceptin, the Snake of Fate, mentioned… Sitting on the edge of the bed, Klein suddenly felt everything become clear.

He hurriedly set up the ritual for summoning himself, went above the gray fog, and brought the badge, which was only the size of an eyeball, back into the real world.

The front of the badge was engraved with the symbols corresponding to fate and concealment, while on the back were tiny ancient Hermes words:

“By holding this item, one may join.”

Klein was just about to inject spirituality into the badge, activate it, send out his “message,” and obtain the latest time and location of the gathering, when he suddenly hesitated.

“…I was careless for a moment and actually forgot to divine whether doing this would be dangerous! If there is some demigod-level elder of Lanvus’s at that gathering, and they use this to lock onto my location, then things will become troublesome. This is just like how Vice Admiral Ailment Tracy very quickly brought in the Unaging Demoness as a helper. I cannot afford not to guard against it… In life, one must be reckless when it is time to be reckless, and cowardly when it is time to be cowardly!”

Klein slapped his forehead, cautiously reentered the mysterious space above the gray fog, and performed a divination using the pendulum method.

After receiving a revelation that there was no real danger, he let out a breath of relief, left the gray fog, and sat down in the armchair inside the inn room.

As he infused spirituality into it, the badge’s surface bloomed with a layer of hazy radiance. The light swiftly condensed into an inconspicuous beam and shot toward empty air.

Before long, an identical beam returned, spreading into an illusory piece of parchment about the size of a palm. Written upon it in ancient Feysac was a single line:

“June 6, 1350, 9 p.m., at the mouth of the Tasok River.”

There are still more than four months… With that much time, I could regather the main ingredients for Marionettist without a problem. The only obstacle would be insufficient money, but that does not count as difficult. I currently have 6,945 pounds in assets. If I sell one or two Beyonder characteristics, I will have more than enough. Besides, at sea, there are plenty of mobile bounties—no, I cannot be so arrogant. I must exclude the Four Kings and Seven Admirals… What kind of clue is this? Klein leaned forward, his waist and back slightly bent, once again sinking into hard thought.

Following the idea of the Hermits of Fate gathering, he suddenly thought of one person:

Leonard Mitchell!

Poet had participated in the Hermits of Fate gathering in Babur Valley. Whether it had been for official work or private business, it was possible he had obtained a mystical item capable of stealing another person’s Beyonder abilities… Could I borrow it from him, or buy it from him? Is this the true clue? Klein’s spirits lifted, and he quickly formed a rough plan.

“Step one: place the wireless telegraph receiver above the gray fog and accumulate aura.

“Step two: a few days later, use that wireless telegraph receiver to contact the magic mirror Arrodes.

“Step three: ask where I can relatively easily obtain a mystical item capable of stealing another person’s Beyonder powers.

“If the answer is clear, then step four is simply to follow the hint and achieve the goal. If the answer is vague or full of danger, then step four becomes asking for Poet’s current location.

“Step five: have that fellow Emlyn White take this badge and look for Poet, see whether he has a corresponding item and whether a trade can be made. I will not personally appear. If I am careless, I will be recognized, and that would be extremely troublesome as well. As for Emlyn, he can now be considered someone of the Church of the Earth Mother—no, a ghost of the Church of the Earth Mother. Having him make contact means that even if Poet reports him or captures him on the spot, he should not be tied to a stake and burned.”

Having figured out what to do next and how to do it, Klein immediately felt clear-headed and comfortable. He decided to go out and eat a Bayam specialty grilled fish.

…

On the dark-blue sea, the Golden Dream, painted in golden radiance by the setting sun, quietly sailed onward.

With the captain’s permission, Danitz entered her room under gazes filled with envy. At times he was timid and cautious, and at times he held his head high and chest out.

The room contained mostly bookshelves, upon which volumes were arranged one after another.

Vice Admiral Iceberg Edwina stood in front of the desk, holding a black fountain pen and rapidly writing words:

“…I do not have a similar item, and neither does Jodson. He says he will help you keep an eye out, but that will require enough luck.”

Edwina lifted her head. Her springwater-like light-blue eyes looked toward Danitz.

“You will set up the ritual—the ritual for summoning Gehrman Sparrow’s messenger.”

“Me?” Danitz, who had been wondering whether he would receive special treatment from the captain next, pointed at himself in surprise.

“Yes.” Edwina folded the letter, straightened, and nodded. “This will help you become familiar with similar rituals. In the future, I will test you on this.”

“Alright…” Danitz put away his disappointment and did his best to recall the procedure. Slowly, he set up the ritual with only a single candle.

Finally, under Edwina’s gaze, he took out a gleaming Loen gold coin and placed it upon the altar.

Receiving the letter, Danitz rehearsed the procedure twice in his mind before daring to continue with the ritual.

He took one step back and said in ancient Hermes, “I!

“I summon in my name:

“The spirit that wanders about the unfounded, the friendly creature that can be commanded, the messenger that belongs exclusively to Gehrman Sparrow.”

Whoosh!

Inside the wall of spirituality, the wind surged, blowing Danitz’s scorched-yellow hair upward in a mess.

The candle flame swelled rapidly until it was almost the size of a human head. Its color turned as pale as the letter in Danitz’s hand.

Soon, Danitz saw a head with long, pale-golden hair, blood-red eyes, and beautiful features emerge.

Hiss, Gehrman Sparrow’s messenger really is special. How could a spirit-world creature look exactly like a human, and even be such a beautiful lady—only slightly inferior to the captain, uh… Danitz’s sigh abruptly jammed in his throat, because he discovered that the head was not attached to a neck. Instead, it was being held by one hand gripping its hair.

He stared blankly as one head after another emerged. Then he saw a headless figure wearing a dark and complicated long dress appear before him.

So it really is still a spirit-world creature… He felt ashamed of the thought he had just had.

Taking a breath, Danitz hurriedly handed over the letter and watched one of those beautiful heads open its mouth and lightly bite the paper with white teeth.

At the same time, another of Reinette Tinekerr’s heads bit the gold coin on the altar.

However, she did not immediately leave. The remaining two heads turned their four crimson eyes at the same time, looking beyond the wall of spirituality toward Edwina Edwards. From top to bottom, they examined her several times.

Edwina felt as though she were being scrutinized. And under that scrutiny, uncontrollable fear welled up within her.

Reinette Tinekerr withdrew her gaze. Her figure abruptly turned illusory and merged into the pale candle flame.

The flame brightened again, spreading dim yellow light outward. Everything returned to normal.

Danitz had only just removed the wall of spirituality when he heard the captain say in a low voice, “That is not an ordinary spirit-world creature…”

Not an ordinary spirit-world creature? Danitz was stunned.

He knew that the captain was a professional researcher of spirit-world creatures. If she said it was not ordinary, then it truly was not ordinary—beyond the ordinary meaning of not ordinary!

Gehrman Sparrow really is a man hiding many secrets… Danitz sighed inwardly.

…

Backlund, Cherwood Borough.

Fors exhausted all her strength and finally defeated the laziness brought by the fireplace. She changed into a dark-blue thick cotton dress, wrapped a light-gray scarf around herself, put on a warm soft ladies’ hat, and left her rented home in weather that was not particularly cold but was filled with fog and a chill that seeped into one’s bones. Taking a carriage, she arrived at Williams Street.

She inhaled a mouthful of cold air and told herself this was normal field research for an author. There was no need to be nervous or behave abnormally.

After walking a few steps, Fors entered a café and sat by the window. While drinking the rich, warm liquid, she observed the pedestrians and the houses across the street.

“There is nothing abnormal. There is not even a fight or theft… This truly is an area where wealthy people live. Public security is hundreds of times better than the East Borough… Heh, I can even see a Feysacian. He is really tall and strong, just like a bear. He has a few companions too… Haha, those people must be Intisians, right? Their clothing is so flamboyant, as if they are performing on a stage… Backlund truly is the Capital of Capitals. One can meet many, many foreigners…” Fors gradually forgot her purpose, opened her notebook, and began recording material.

After finishing her coffee, she went outside and walked around the street once more. Having found nothing, she left the area, planning to return on Thursday.

…

After taking Edwina’s reply from Reinette Tinekerr, Klein watched his messenger vanish and confirmed that she had not asked for another gold coin.

Looks like using the gold coin as a ritual material is quite effective… He smiled to himself, opened the letter, and browsed through it.

Seeing that there was no gain, he prepared to continue wandering the streets, looking for real opportunities to act and practice the principles he had previously summarized.

Just then, he heard a series of knocking sounds. The visitor was Captain Elland.

“I was just planning to look for you,” Klein said calmly as he opened the door.

Elland chuckled.

“There is no need. As long as you register under your own identity, I can find out where you are staying.”

The Governor-General’s Office and the military have fairly good control over inn registration… Klein nodded but said nothing.

Elland half turned, pointing down the corridor.

“I will take you to meet someone.

“The White Agate is about to return to Pritz Harbor. If you need help or have any intelligence, you can look for him. In terms of payment, we have always been generous.”

This was exactly what Klein had previously requested from him.

“Alright.” Klein reached toward the coat rack.

After dressing properly, Elland led him all the way to the Fragrant Tree Leaf Bar, walking toward a corner table.

…

Inside the underground area of the Fragrant Tree Leaf Bar.

The Silver-Tongued Misor King looked at Strongman Ozil across from him and asked, “Have you finished collecting the recent intelligence on Blazing Danitz?”

“Yes.” Ozil revealed a smile. “Last week, Blue Eyes Meath saw Blazing Danitz mixed together with an unfamiliar adventurer.”