Chapter 248: Waiting From Both Sides
*With both sides being aware of the whereabouts of Helmosuin's
manuscript, this matter would come to an end tonight... Therefore, the
ambassador would have the freedom to take revenge... Is this the reason
for the impending danger?* Klein gained a rough understanding of
the divination results and the inexplicable omen.
If he didn't have the Language of Foulness charm or the powerful
bodyguard that cost him 1000 pounds for three days, he would've
shamelessly gone to the police station or the Church of the God of Steam
and Machinery's headquarters in Backlund, Saint Hierländ Cathedral for a
temporary stay. He could avoid any possible attacks and await the
assassination of the ambassador. As for how successful the assassination
would be, Klein wasn't confident either. He had already considered the
worst outcome and had a plan for it.
But now, with the double the preparations, he no longer wanted to avoid
it. He would stay at home and pretend that he knew nothing.
Deep down, he was even looking forward to having his attackers come
knocking at his door.
*Sequence 9 Hunter Meursault was killed by me. If they send someone else
again, They would at least be a Sequence 7, or even a Sequence 6 or 5.
They might even come in numbers, but regardless, as long as I finish
them, I'll obtain formulas and Beyonder characteristics. I can then make
up for some of my losses... Yes, I'll tell Miss Bodyguard that I had
good luck and managed to benefit from the black ear that I bought and
became a Beyonder. After all, when the battle becomes intense, there's
no way to hide it at that point. Besides, what I'm saying is nearly the
truth. I did benefit quite significantly from the black ear...*
As Klein considered what would soon follow, he almost instinctively drew
the sign of the crimson moon on his chest.
*May the Goddess bless me that the Beyonder who comes is the one from
the Seer pathway!* He prayed silently.
As he thought of this, he looked around the room for his bodyguard. He
was worried that she would run away without a sound after hearing the
whole story.
The lights in the dining room were warm, illuminating the coffee table,
sofa, and chairs. There was no one else in the room except him.
As Klein gradually grew nervous, he suddenly saw a face appear on the
glass cover of the gas lamp in the living room. The face was pale, with
pale gold hair and delicate looks.
This lady is quite confident in her own strength... Klein's
mind calmed down, and he whispered to himself, "I'm also a Beyonder.
"I made a gamble on an item I bought from Kaspars's gathering and
benefited from it, but it was only beneficial for me."
What he said was true. No matter what method he had to face, these
sentences would endure a truth test.
But when these two sentences were put together, one would think that the
benefits made him a Beyonder.
The face on the glass cover nodded slightly and quickly disappeared
without any other reaction.
Klein's expression didn't seem to change, but he secretly exhaled in his
heart.
Without taking off his coat, he went back to the sofa and picked up a
newspaper and started reading.
After a while, the tinkling sound echoed again. Someone had rung his
doorbell again.
Who is it? Klein immediately tensed up. He stuffed his hands
into his pockets, touching his tarot cards and Language of Foulness
charm.
He slowly walked towards the door, and with the help of his abilities as
a Clown, he predicted what he would see after opening the door.
The crimson moon was still faintly visible, the elegant gas lamps were
unchanged, and a sergeant in a black-and-white checkered uniform with
three chevrons on his epaulets was impatiently waiting by the door.
He had a short, brown beard and he was none other than the sergeant who
had dealt with Sherlock Moriarty's case of self-defense.
*I think Jurgen mentioned his name. Sergeant Faxine? Well, I can receive
the ten-pound bail tomorrow or the next day... What is he doing here?
Did MI9 send him to find Ian Wright? Or to inform me that I should
temporarily hide away from danger?* Confused, Klein grabbed the
handle.
Inside the Intis embassy of Backlund's West Borough, the lights were on.
The scent of various perfumes and alcohol, accompanied by melodious
melodies stretched out to every corner.
A ball was being held.
During his years as an ambassador, Bakerland had often held balls at the
embassy, inviting the kingdom's bankers, big factory owners,
philanthropists, and other well-known, rich and powerful people, as well
as lawyers. Random opportunities were also given to some of the
lower-ranked merchants.
In this atmosphere, he would tell the guests about the prosperity and
openness of Trier, and how the Intis Republic was no longer dominated by
the likes of the nobles, bankers, factory owners, and lawyers. They,
directly and indirectly, took over a large portion of the parliamentary
seats, determining the direction of the government policies, enjoying
true freedom and high statuses.
Today, Bakerland was doing the same thing. With a wine glass in hand, he
flitted around the guests, as if to prove that he was present at the
ball without leaving.
*They should've gotten the manuscript by now... After learning that Ian
Wright appeared at the telegraph office from that trembling detective,
I've been putting plans into action. Now is the time to reap the
rewards...* Bakerland, with his thin but classy face, took a sip
of the blood-like Aurmir wine and headed for the balcony, intending to
take a breath of the cool night air.
After learning that Ian had sent the telegram, as a veteran conspiracist
and professional intelligence officer, Bakerland was acutely aware that
Ian was contacting his superior's superior. Therefore, he quickly made
the double-spy, that had infiltrated the Feysac Empire's Backlund
intelligence team, investigate and obtain the meeting time, location,
and manner agreed upon by Ian and the "team leader."
After that, he pretended that nothing had happened and continued to send
people to look for Ian near Bacardi Street. He successfully found Ian
and also attracted the attention of MI9.
According to his plan, his intelligence officer had deliberately let Ian
go, so that MI9 would think that they were on the same starting line.
After paralyzing his main opponent, he called in other unexposed
intelligence agents to ambush Ian and the Feysac Empire's "team leader."
He wanted to find the manuscript and smuggle it out of the Loen Kingdom
without being detected by the MI9.
The situation had progressed as smoothly as he had expected, but the
news that came back in the evening left his heart heavy.
People from MI9 had actually appeared!
They had appeared despite being supposedly fooled!
*With Rosago around, it's definitely not because of divination. Besides
MI9 isn't good at divination at all... That means we have a spy among
our ranks... Let's hope that Rosago can be one step ahead of them and
grab the manuscript to hand over to Shadow for extraction...*
Bakerland had deliberately organized the ball in order to avoid
suspicion, but as such, he was unable to involve himself with the
developments. All he could do was pray that his subordinates would
amount to something.
According to his plans, once Rosago succeeded, he would immediately
transfer the items to another intelligence officer, one that had never
been activated before. Then Rosago would lure MI9 away and, by creating
some trouble, keep them out of "sight" and distract them from his
partner. During this process, Bakerland requested Rosago to kill the
detective while he was at it.
*If it wasn't for him, no one from MI9 would've known about it.
Everything would've gone smoothly... My involvement with the Zmanger
gang wouldn't have been revealed, and I wouldn't be transferred back to
the country... He actually didn't run away, thinking that MI9 would keep
protecting him, and that staying at home is safer than running
away?* Bakerland rubbed his face.
He had already received orders that after the operation regarding the
manuscript had been completed, and he would hand all intelligence
matters to the highest ranking military officer at the embassy and await
the arrival of the new ambassador.
Bakerland was rather reluctant to part with Backlund. Despite the bad
weather and heavy pollution, Backlund was one of the most prosperous
cities in the world.
*Besides, the ladies here are more conservative unlike those sluts back
home. Slowly seducing them into bed and removing their restraint, bit by
bit, is a very satisfying and fascinating achievement. Unfortunately, I
have to bid farewell to these beautiful ladies...* Bakerland
thought gloomily, and he felt more and more resentful of the detective
who dared to put up resistance.
As for Rosago's own safety, Bakerland wasn't worried at all. He believed
that as long as Rosago wanted to, as long as he wasn't targeted by a
High-Sequence Beyonder, he would be able to escape immediately. This was
because Rosago had special Beyonder powers.
As he lost himself in thought, Bakerland's eyes suddenly lit up. He saw
a young lady in a crimson dress standing at the edge of the balcony with
a glass of wine in her hand.
She had a pretty face and a gentle temperament. Her hair was ink black
and luxuriant, and her light brown eyes seemed to speak volumes.
Bakerland went over at once and began to chat with her. He learned that
the lady was the daughter of a timber merchant named Eileen, and that
her father wasn't very rich and was trying to make his way up the ranks.
With his status as Intis ambassador, Bakerland quickly received Eileen's
affection.
After sharing two dances, their bodies became more intimate.
"Beautiful lady, I'd like to invite you to my room to sample some Aurmir
wine of 1286."
Eileen replied, almost without any hesitation, "Alright."
The two of them left the ballroom and secretly went to the second floor.
They entered Bakerland's room, and he ordered the guards to stay away
from them and not to disturb him.
Before the so-called Aurmir wine 1286 appeared, Bakerland had
passionately brought Eileen to the bed.
While romping around in bed, Eileen's simple skirt came undone as her
pure, fair arms hugged him.
While her hands gripped Bakerland's shoulders, her nails and veins
suddenly sprouted black, thin, fluffy "spider feet!"
Bang!
Eileen's eyes suddenly bulged as white foam poured out of her mouth.
Bakerland retracted the fist that he had used to hit her abdomen and
stood up from the bed. He no longer had the hasty actions from before
and instead, wore a cold expression.
"Who sent you?" Bakerland asked in a deep voice.
Eileen attempted to stand up, but the pain was too much to bear. Her
eyes were filled with shock and fear.
Seeing the expression on the pretty girl's face, Bakerland smiled and
said, "It's true that I'm into beautiful ladies, but I know this problem
of mine. So, every time I meet a beautiful lady, I'm especially careful.
"Speak, who sent you?
"Don't bother resisting. I'm very good at using fire."