Chapter 48: Archival Materials

Chapter 48: Archival Materials

Beside the long bronze table, the Nightmare appeared.

He was a man who looked to be in his thirties, with black hair, blue eyes, a long, thin face, pronounced lines beside his nose, and a not particularly dense beard covering the area around his mouth and chin.

As the pain and distortion that could be directly sensed from him eased, he pressed a hand to his chest and solemnly bowed.

Compared to the Faceless from before, this Nightmare was clearly less muddled and fragile after being released. Klein did not know whether that was because the Evernight pathway’s enhancement of the spirit was stronger than the Seer pathway’s, or because the Nightmare had been grazed for a shorter period.

Klein sighed inwardly and directly asked through spirit channeling, “Why did you die at Qilangos’s hands?”

The Nightmare’s lips curled slightly, revealing a bitter smile.

“I was one of the Nighthawks’ Red Gloves. We were tracking a batch of ancient documents that came from the royal mausoleum of Balam. They were suspected to be related to the fallen Death.

“I discovered that some of them may have fallen into the hands of a certain wealthy man, so I led two companions aboard the ship he was taking. Unfortunately, just as we were about to begin our investigation, we encountered an attack from Qilangos’s fleet.”

“What happened to your companions?” Klein subconsciously asked.

The Nightmare spoke with visible pain.

“We originally had a chance to leave, and even, with our practiced coordination, to kill Qilangos. But—but our ship sank. We could only transfer to a lifeboat. Everyone—everyone died. No, they were martyred!”

May the Goddess bless you… Klein silently drew a crimson moon in his heart.

This gave him an even deeper understanding that combat at sea differed greatly from combat on land. Environmental factors were absolutely crucial.

Beyonders who were not of the Sailor pathway would be at a very great disadvantage!

If not for the flying carpet’s large area, inconvenient portability, and slow speed that made it easy to turn into a target, Klein would certainly have chosen to keep it and give Danitz the cash.

Fortunately, I have the murloc’s swim bladder. I can find an Artisan to make a mystical item related to underwater movement… Unfortunately, Artisans are very difficult to find. The overwhelming majority are with the Church of Steam, and wild ones are few. Otherwise, the circulation of mystical items would not be so scarce even now. If there is truly no other way, I will still have to ask Mr. Hanged Man for help… Klein looked at the Nightmare before him, who had died in the line of duty, and lightly leaned back.

“What is your name? Do you have any unfinished wishes?”

The Nightmare’s figure was already slowly dispersing. Hearing the question, he smiled.

“My name is David Raymond. I lost my parents, wife, brothers, and sisters in a black magic incident. I had only one daughter left. Her name is Nilu. She was born in 1330, and she is a very lovely girl. I regret it. To investigate the truth behind that black magic incident, I joined the Nighthawks and later became a Red Glove. I never properly or for long enough accompanied her, leaving her almost without a father at the same time that she had lost her mother.

“Heh. I trust the Church. They certainly would have given her the full pension without withholding any of it, and would have provided some help in secret. I am not worried about her life. I only hope to see her enter the hall of marriage under the Goddess’s witness, and possess a family of her own, so that she will no longer be lonely.”

“This year is 1350. Perhaps she already has someone she intends to marry.” Klein spoke half with emotion and half with a sigh.

“Time passes so quickly…” David Raymond responded like a man speaking in his sleep. “Tell her that all the murderers have already been punished, that I died because of an accident, and that she no longer needs to hate anyone. Tell…