Chapter 253: Night Thoughts
She really has... quite the character! Klein smiled in
response to Miss Bodyguard's reply---a very obvious smile.
*Yes, to be able to fend off Rosago, a Marionettist, for a short period
of time to the extent of having a seesaw battle; she's most likely a
Sequence 5 Beyonder. I wonder what Sequence pathway she belongs to and
what her potion name is. Her state is rather unique... If it weren't for
her, I wouldn't have even had the chance to use the Language of
Foulness...* Klein picked up the newspaper beside him and
pretended to read, but he was actually thinking.
However, he quickly turned his attention back to the issue of whether
there were still loopholes on the matter. For example, the contaminated
Beyonder characteristic left behind by Rosago had an intense luster of
spirituality. It was very likely that it couldn't be concealed by the
iron cigar case alone, so it would be exposed under the prying eyes of
others using Spirit Vision.
Klein secretly activated his Spirit Vision and looked down at his
pocket. He could see faint colorful lusters emanating from within the
iron cigar case, but it wasn't obvious and was rather thin.
This was mixed with the color of his own aura, making it difficult to
distinguish or detect it.
*That's right. Only a High-Sequence Beyonder can identify it through two
levels of interference... No wonder all kinds of materials like herbal
powders and the corresponding essential oil extracts are kept in metal
bottles and not wooden vessels. It's because they contain spirituality,
and those with better Spirit Vision can see through wood and see the
color of the auras...* Klein suddenly understood some of the
important details in mysticism.
In the past, he did things according to the rules without considering
the reasons behind them, but now, he understood the underlying reason
behind the rules.
After repeatedly checking and ensuring that everything was in order,
Klein put down the newspapers and walked to the second floor.
He had originally planned to take off his clothes and take a bath to
completely relax himself, but when he thought of how Miss Bodyguard
could appear out of nowhere in his house, he felt a little uneasy.
Therefore, he only washed his face, brushed his teeth, and soaked his
feet in hot water.
Returning to his bedroom and taking off his coat, Klein hid his
belongings before he collapsed onto the bed. As he was exhausted and had
held on for quite a while, he ended up with tense nerves that prevented
him from quickly falling asleep.
Opening his eyes to look at the crimson moonlight on the ceiling, Klein
didn't attempt to sleep with the help of Cogitation. Instead, he
aimlessly unfurled his thoughts, as if he were riding a horse without
pulling at the reins.
As his thoughts wandered, he quickly noticed a problem having
encountered too many coincidences in Tingen City and later learning how
it was related to Sealed Artifact 0-08.
*My second case after arriving at Backlund allowed me to get the next
three potions formulas. Is that too much of a coincidence?*
*Although this is in line with the revelation from my
divination---"Backlund contains the opportunities for me to become
powerful." Isn't it too fast and simple?*
*Simple doesn't refer to the difficulty, but rather to the degree of
twists and turns in the matter. This matter was very difficult and
dangerous, but it wasn't complex and appeared simple.*
*According to my expectations, I would've gathered information regarding
the Secret Order through Miss Justice, Mr. Hanged Man, and Miss Xio and
her companion, and then I would catch the tail of this ancient
organization. After numerous twists and turns, I would eventually obtain
the formulas and that would have taken at least three months. Who knew
that I would've succeeded in less than three weeks...*
It can't be that it was arranged by someone again, right?
*Yes... Let me think through the circumstances again. It's no
coincidence that the Intis Republic is related to the Secret Order.
Emperor Roselle's diary has confirmed this circumstantially.*
*The abilities of the Seer and Faceless are very suited for an
intelligence organization. For a Mid-Sequence Beyonder of a similar
pathway to become the assistant of an intelligence tsar like Bakerland
is reasonable and normal. That's not a coincidence.*
*The reason that the ambassador sent someone to take revenge on me
likely has to do with him wanting to divert attention. Then, sending
Rosago, who can most easily succeed and escape, is a choice with reduced
risk. That's not surprising at all.*
*It was quite normal for Ian to look for new detectives in the papers
after none of the detectives he knew were willing to accept his mission
of tracking down Zreal. There weren't many new detectives advertising on
the papers at the time, and I was probably the only one. Well, I was the
only one on the Backlund Bulletin...*
*Just like what I've concluded previously, the problem with Meursault
was that he was too rash, and I was worried that it's not easy to
disguise myself usually as it can end up attracting more attention.
Therefore, I didn't try to disguise myself. Although these two
possibilities, especially the former, has the probability of being
influenced, it does match the corresponding person's personality,
mentality, and origins.*
*And this isn't the main point. This doesn't explain the problem of how
my second case ended up involving a Mid-Sequence Beyonder of the Seer
pathway.*
It was destined by fate? That doesn't feel right.
*Thinking ahead, after I transmigrated, the first and second case I
found myself embroiled in was related to the Seer pathway. Of course, it
could be explained as an arrangement by 0-08.*
*Right, the Antigonus family's notebook even corrupted the Misfortune
Cloth Puppet and showed me the complicated vertical eye symbol that
involves the Antigonus family's treasure. The reason I came up with back
then was that with the termination of the Antigonus family's bloodline,
it viewed me, a Seer who had survived despite having interacted with it,
as its inheritor.*
*Now that I think about it, this reason is extremely trifling. What if
I'm a devout believer of the Evernight Goddess? However, I only made a
guess at that time and didn't confirm it.*
*The Antigonus family's treasure is obviously related to the Seer
pathway.*
*Thinking deeper, why did I transmigrate? Why did I happen to possess
Klein's body, and not anyone else... Back then, Klein had just proceeded
with dark divination and was made to commit suicide by the Antigonus
family's notebook. And that notebook is clearly related to the Seer
pathway.*
*In addition, the first time I saw Roselle's diary, it had content that
involved his regret of not choosing Apprentice, Marauder, or Seer. That
was very coincidental.*
*From beginning to end, except for those parts involving 0-08,
everything appeared to be in a mess. It doesn't seem like a conscious
arrangement, but more like a kind of passive attraction, a mutual
attraction, an attraction that has breaks between them.*
*I attract things and items regarding the Seer pathway, and at the same
time, I'm attracted to them?*
*It does seem odd thinking about it. This kind of attraction even
directly influences fate, preventing even Mr. Azik from seeing through
it?*
Is there some strange characteristic to me?
*And this characteristic allows me to resurrect a limited number of
times?*
With this in mind, Klein suddenly had the impulse to go above the gray
fog to perform a divination and confirm his ideas.
But he quickly rejected this idea, not only because Miss Bodyguard might
be watching in the mirror, but also because he believed that his
greatest characteristic was the mysterious space above the gray fog!
Therefore, it was obviously impossible for him to have an answer if he
were to use it to divine about it.
*At least for now, there aren't any obvious signs of manipulation. It
would be acceptable if it's just pure attraction... And I've already
chosen a Beyonder pathway, that cannot be changed until Sequence 4, so I
can only take things one step at a time... Right, I should be firm about
not heading to the Hornacis mountain range to seek out the Antigonus
family's treasure... Heh heh, I have a feeling that I would say how nice
it is in the future when I actually do it...* Klein silently
made a self-deprecating remark as he felt his exhaustion gradually wash
over him. His eyelids couldn't help but close.
The last thought before he fell asleep was:
*I should participate in more Beyonder gatherings and gather the
corresponding Beyonder ingredients for Magician through Miss Justice,
Mr. Hanged Man, and The Sun. I wouldn't reject anything for Faceless if
they were available. In addition, I should obtain mystical items that
have less severe negative effects. Before my digestion and increase in
strength, it's best to have more life-preservation abilities... Apart
from this, investing, taking on jobs, saving up money, and attempts to
look for Lanevus to use him as the starting point for my revenge, can
also be considered a form of practice...*
Those were Klein's future plans.
At seven in the morning, he woke up as usual. It was still gloomy and
hazy outside.
Klein got up and walked to the door. As he passed by the full-length
mirror, he saw that Miss Bodyguard had suddenly appeared.
She wore the same black bonnet, her face was as pale as ever. Her voice
pierced through the glass and slipped into Klein's ear in an ethereal
fashion.
"Someone from MI9 came last night."
*Eh... I should say as expected, the "police" came late, but I still
have to thank them for being late...* Klein smiled and asked,
"They didn't find anything, right?"
In regards to the answer, he was very certain that if MI9 had discovered
something, he wouldn't have been able to sleep undisturbed.
"No." Miss Bodyguard's figure faded and disappeared into the mirror.
*This ability of hers is very powerful... Even Spirit Vision can't
detect her... Perhaps, she can be seen with Rosago's Beyonder
characteristic? Find Miss Bodyguard through those hidden
threads?* Klein's mind stirred as he returned to the bed and
took out the iron cigar case from under his pillow.
Just as he touched it, before he could even open it, a bone-piercing
cold rushed at his neck. He felt his hairs stand on end, and his entire
body trembled.
Pow!
His hand loosened and the iron cigar case fell to the ground.
This is a warning from Miss Bodyguard... Klein laughed dryly,
pretending as though nothing had happened as he stuffed the iron cigar
case into his pocket.
After washing up and putting on his clothes, he arrived at the first
floor and took out the newspapers that he had subscribed to from his
letterbox.
Flipping open the Tussock Times, Klein saw the headline:
"Intis Ambassador to Backlund murdered! Terrorist organization, the
Aurora Order, claims responsibility!"
*The result is out so quickly? Besides, the Aurora Order had only
accepted a job, so why would they claim responsibility? Yes... A
terrorist organization needs to show off their stature and build up
their image. Only then would they be able to attract enough fresh blood.
This complements their secret preachings... Mr. A is very good. He
should be a Shepherd.* Klein stood in the hallway, reading the
news.
According to the news, there was evidence of the Aurora Order's assault
on Ambassador Bakerland. In the follow-up investigation, they found a
letter deliberately left behind by the Aurora Order which claimed
responsibility for it.
At the end of the news, the reporter briefly introduced the Aurora Order
and listed some of the illegal crimes that they had committed. Their
fame instantly surpassed most of the secret organizations.
Regardless, this matter had come to an end... Klein exhaled,
turned his head to look out the window, and he saw a thin mist filling
the air as a drizzle began pattering down.
*Shouldn't there be bright sunshine and sunny weather during such
moments?* Klein gave a self-deprecating laugh.
And now, he had to go out to catch some adulterers.