Chapter 408: A Bold Assumption

Dorian drew the curtains, cloaking the office with darkness before he

sat down.

He held the crystal ball in his left hand while touching its top with

his right palm. As he stroked the crystal ball back and forth, he kept

chanting softly.

Gradually, the radiant points of light within the crystal ball began to

shine brighter and brighter, becoming more and more obvious, as if the

stars in the night sky were casting their reflections.

Often used to determine the direction of fate, the stars in the

trajectory of one's life surfaced one after another, forming a

three-dimensional astrolabe with many revelations from the spirit world

that resembled symbols.

Dorian Gray finally stopped and studied it.

*She wasn't lying... That really was the trajectory of the situation...

She seems to be able to bring about changes to the Abraham

family---optimistic changes...* As the light from the crystal

ball dimmed, Dorian stood up, having already made up his mind.

At lunchtime, in the Four-Winged Bird restaurant.

In front of Fors lay a filleted fried fish which had rosemary scattered

over it. Its skin was crispy, its meat fresh, and it didn't have any

fine bones. It was rather tasty, but the only problem was that the cook

had an extremely warped sense of aesthetics. He had deliberately kept

the eyes of the fish bulging out of its head, and by plating the food,

he made the fish look up, as though to express its indignation over its

death.

Fors pushed the head down, cut off the tail, and covered the upturned

eye.

At that moment, Dorian Gray began moving his fork and knife as he

casually said, "Aulisa really liked mysticism and had done some research

in this area. When you were packing her things, did you see any books,

notes, or other items?"

"There were some notebooks and books," Fors answered frankly. "As a

result, I became a mysticism enthusiast, but unfortunately, I couldn't

understand some of the content at all."

*For example, the Sights in the Spirit World. Not only was it absurd,

illogical, and messy, incapable of expressing ideas, even if I forced

myself to read it and systematically calm my impatience, it was still

difficult to remember its contents. I would forget it once I finished

reading it, let alone understand it...* Fors added inwardly.

Dorian nodded slightly and laughed.

"Then you can consult me. I'm also a mysticism enthusiast, quite a

proficient one if I may add."

"Really? That's great!" Fors answered appropriately.

Seeing that she was really interested, Dorian immediately diverted the

topic to mysticism. Sometimes he would bring up the spirit world, and

sometimes he would talk about his Cogitation experience. Having been

prepared before he even stepped into the restaurant, he had deliberately

chosen a secluded and quiet spot. Hence, he didn't need to fear that the

customers around them would overhear their conversation.

At the end of the lunch, Dorian offered, "I didn't know how to express

my gratitude, but now I don't have to worry about it anymore. Heh heh,

although Lawrence had paid you, I don't think that's enough to match

your kindness, goodheartedness, and honor.

"Ms. Wall, you can write to me and ask about any questions you have

about mysticism. That's the least I can do to express my gratitude."

"That's what I wish for." Fors didn't refuse.

From the exchange just now, she could clearly tell that Dorian Gray

possessed rich, systematic mysticism knowledge. He was indeed worthy of

being a member of the ancient Abraham family.

And this was also considered something she was lacking in. Although she

had mastered quite a lot of knowledge about the Beyonder world, it all

came from a few books and notebooks that didn't go in-depth, as well as

random information she had heard and experienced from the various

gatherings she attended. It wasn't comprehensive or systematic enough,

and it just had too many shortcomings.

Upon hearing her reply, Dorian raised his cup and smiled.

"I hope that one day, we will also possess mysterious and extraordinary

powers."

North Borough in Backlund. Saint Samuel Cathedral.

A group of men wearing black trench coats and red gloves entered an

underground area. The leader was a man in his forties with soft facial

features and long hair.

Wearing a pompous top hat, he carried a black cane which was inlaid with

gold. He quietly followed the Nighthawk leading the way and entered a

rather spacious room.

There were many bookshelves in the room, with various dossiers placed on

them. A mesmerizing, beautiful woman wearing a black robe with blue

eyeshadow and blush was leisurely sitting in a high back chair. She

didn't get up to greet him. It was the former Spirit Medium, Daly.

"Soest, all the information you need is over there." Daly gestured with

her chin at the table by the door.

The middle-aged man named Soest smiled and said, "Daly, why were you

sent to guard this place? You should be tasked with more important

matters."

"No, this is what I wanted. I need to settle down and read more

information." Daly chuckled. "This is to ease my future progress. Humans

are fragile creatures, and they need a certain amount of time to calm

down. No one can always be in peak condition, enjoying the thrill and

pleasure without any rest."

"...Your style really has never changed. Unfortunately, you've never

given me the chance." Soest burst out laughing.

Daly shook her head seriously and said, "Obviously, you don't understand

me. My current hobby has turned even more novel. If you can turn

yourself into a rotten corpse or expose your white bones, then I'll

definitely be filled with interest in you."

She turned to look at the "Red Glove" behind Soest. "Leonard, why did

you choose to join his team? This fellow is conceited, arrogant, and

gutless. He keeps fantasizing that women would take the initiative to

crawl into bed, waiting for him. To be honest, perhaps this is the

unique trait of a Nightmare?"

When she mentioned "Nightmare," Daly visibly paused.

Leonard helplessly said, "Ma'am Daly, this was the arrangement of His

Excellency Cesimir."

"Is that so... I can see that you agree with my views on Soest," Daly

concluded in a slightly husky voice.

Leonard was momentarily at a loss for an explanation.

Fortunately, Soul Assurer Soest didn't pay much attention to Daly's

words. Walking over to the table filled with information, he picked up a

dossier and flipped through it. Leonard and the others immediately

surrounded him, imitating their leader.

After the sound of paper flipping went on for some time, Soest casually

asked, "What's new in Backlund recently? Something you think is worth

paying attention to."

Daly's eyes moved slightly. After thinking for a while, she said, "A few

Beyonders who work with us have passed on news that many people are

searching for an organization that believes in The Fool, and they have

given the corresponding honorific name..."

After describing The Fool's honorific name in the Loen language, she

chuckled.

"I seem to be witnessing the birth of an entirely new cult. Of course,

it might be the incarnation of an old friend.

"What do you think, Soest?"

Soest considered the matter seriously before saying, "No, I've never

heard of such an organization."

At that moment, Leonard looked up from the dossier he was reading and

mused, "Could this have something to do with the two tarot rituals we're

investigating?

"The Fool is the first card in a deck of tarot cards, the most important

Major Arcana card!"

Daly froze for a second, then she nodded thoughtfully.

"That's an interesting idea.

"But there's no evidence. It's pure speculation, and it cannot even be

considered a deduction," Soest said, disapproval within his tone.

Leonard revealed a faint smile and said, "Emperor Roselle once said to

make a bold hypothesis and then carefully back it up."

Hillston Borough, Quelaag Club.

As soon as Klein entered the hall after leaving the Harvest Church, he

saw the equestrian teacher, Talim Dumont, sitting in a secluded corner,

seemingly pondering over something.

Noticing that lunch was still some time away, Klein went over and

greeted him with a smile.

"Good afternoon, Talim. You seem to have encountered another problem?"

Talim snapped to his senses with a start and hurriedly shook his head.

"No, nothing."

*You seem to have done something that you have a guilty conscience

about?* Klein mumbled, sat down, and laughed.

"It's a pity Aaron and Mike aren't here, otherwise we'd be having

another pleasant afternoon."

Talim smiled in response.

"They're all busy and have very little free time."

Without waiting for Klein to speak, he looked around and said,

"Sherlock, there's an important figure who is very interested in you

after hearing about your deeds. He would like to meet you. Would you be

willing?

"Frankly speaking, this leaves me envious. It's a very rare

opportunity."

*Wait, what deeds did I do? Help Mrs. Mary catch her adulterous husband?

Accompany Reporter Mike to a brothel? Even in my past few trips to East

Borough, I didn't do anything impressive... At the very most, they'd

know that I made a contribution to the serial murders and that I helped

Dr. Aaron resolve his nightmare by providing him with

counsel...* Klein was confused.

After two seconds, he suddenly understood the reason.

*The important figure must've asked Talim if he knew of an excellent

detective, and he could only think of me, so he offered to embellish

descriptions about me that sounded pretty impressive, such as the true

person who cracked the case behind the serial murders, the person who

noticed that Mrs. Mary's former husband and his mistress had attempted

to siphon funds from the Coim Company. I was probably described as being

effective and sharp, a great detective who struck swiftly and

precisely... This is how you tout each other in business...*

Klein sighed.

He hesitated for a moment and said, "I'm sorry, Talim. But as a

detective, I have my own principles, and that is to not get involved in

matters involving important figures. On the stage of the higher-ups,

what might be a sneeze-like friction among them might very well be an

unbearable disaster for me.

"I won't paint a target on my back, so I won't see this important

figure."

This was actually something Klein had decided upon before he became a

detective.

He was prone to an investigation once he was involved with high society;

therefore, before he became a Faceless, he didn't want to bear such

risks.

"...You're very rational." Talim sighed and said, "The important figure

has anticipated this reaction and believes that such a detective is even

more trustworthy, so he wishes for you to take on a commission that

wouldn't involve high society."

"What kind of commission?" Klein asked.

Talim chuckled and said, "The Capim case which you and Mike were talking

about last time. The important figure is very interested in the

organization that uses tarot cards. He said that there has been more

than one such case and wishes for you to find any relevant clues."