Chapter 827: Plenty of People Coming and Going
Despite getting in bed, Klein didn't manage to sleep until daybreak.
This was because he believed that, with most people stirred awake from
the commotion underground, him sleeping too soundly without noticing
anything would make him suspicious.
Indeed, just as he got out of bed, walked to the balcony, and drew the
curtains to pretend to search for the source of the commotion, Walter
came knocking at his door. Two servants with double-barreled hunting
rifles were assigned to protect their employer to prevent any accidents
from happening.
Before long, the police arrived. Based on the descriptions of the
residents in the area, they identified the sewers as the target.
As for what they discovered or whether they sought backup from the
Nighthawks, the ordinary citizen, Mr. Dwayne Dantès, had no idea.
After confirming that there wouldn't be any more accidents, he sent his
butler and servants away and quickly got some sleep.
By the time he woke up again, Böklund Street had been restored to
normal. Pedestrians were on the streets, and the carriages were coming
and going. The Intis parasol trees that lined the side of the street
continued making the area seem tranquil.
"Are the results of the investigation out?" Klein looked at himself in
the mirror as he asked Richardson who was helping him smooth his
clothes.
Richardson had already inquired about the matter and was waiting for his
employer to ask. He immediately replied, "Apparently some gang members
were trading firearms in the nearby sewers and accidentally triggered an
explosion."
What a reasonable explanation... Klein didn't probe deeper,
nor did he consider where the demigod of the Marauder pathway who stole
away his thoughts went to or if the Nighthawks found him.
Firstly, this was because he believed that the demigod's action of
igniting the explosives would definitely implicate him in a serious
manner. If the demigod had the ability or suitable environment to do so,
he would have long parasitized Hazel without going through the
convoluted and troublesome hassle. This also meant that in the next two
to three weeks, or even two to three months, Klein didn't need to worry
about the demigod.
Secondly, if he continued pursuing the matter and pushed the demigod
into a corner, Klein had no doubts that he would be harmed as a result.
Once the demigod lost all inhibitions and began affecting the
surroundings on a large scale. Then, even if he didn't expose himself,
he would suffer the demigod's attack, as well as implicate the innocent
residents along the street.
Apart from the first two reasons, Klein was apprehensive over the
matter. If anomalies kept happening in the originally "normal" Böklund
Street, it was bound to attract a deeper level of suspicion from the
official Beyonders. And all of this happened after Dwayne Dantès moved
in. Even if Klein's body was covered in mouths, there was no way he
could explain himself. When the time came, he would have to give up on
his plans and reconsider new ones.
*I shouldn't head into the sewers for the time being. There's probably a
trap laid by the official Beyonders... There's one thing to do... Hmm,
take note of Hazel without leaving any clues. I'll observe to see if
there are any abnormalities about her, and once I discover any dangerous
signs, I'll immediately turn into Hero Bandit and put up
"advertisements" at Saint Samuel Cathedral...* Klein went
downstairs to have breakfast with a composed look. After doing so, he
returned to his master bedroom and got Richardson to wait by the door.
As for himself, he took out the almost torn paper crane from his wallet.
He planned on using it one last time and inform Snake of Fate Will
Auceptin of the choices that Admiral of Stars was offering "Him" and if
"He" was agreeable or not.
Typically, he could complete such matters by visiting his parents.
However, without Dr. Aaron's invitation, and him lacking a sufficient
reason to pay a visit, that wasn't the best choice, as it easily made
others question his motives. He obviously couldn't tell Dr. Aaron that
he wasn't there for him, but for the fetus in his wife's womb.
After carefully unfolding the paper crane, Klein glanced at the pencil
marks left on it. His intuition told him that, as long as he used an
eraser, the paper would definitely tear.
However, this didn't stump him. He got a black fountain pen and directly
wrote on it:
"The other party has made their offer."
The black ink was a lot more obvious than the pencil marks; therefore,
although the text overlapped, it didn't affect anyone from recognizing
the words written on it.
There are always more solutions than problems... Klein nodded
in satisfaction as he folded the unfolded piece of paper according to
its crease marks.
This time, he suspected that unfolding it again would result in it
tearing.
In the Berg household in the City of Silver.
Ever since the Tarot Gathering ended, Derrick was like a petrified
statue who sat by his bed, motionless.
After an unknown period of time, he was "awakened" by the noise on the
streets outside. However, the feeling that he was still in a nightmare
continued enveloping him. It made his footsteps towards the window
appear especially heavy.
God might already be dead... God might not return again...
Such thoughts kept resounding inside Derrick's mind as he felt an
irresistible sense of despair and pain.
Back when he had to kill his parents with his own hands, he had already
suspected if God would return or show "His" blessings to his forsaken
People of the Dark. He later thought of relying on Mr. Fool, allowing
himself to become the true Sun and help the people of the City of Silver
to escape their cursed fates. However, having been educated from a young
age and the environment constantly affecting him, he still looked
forward to the return of the Creator. He held expectations that
sacrifices and the repentance of the City of Silver would earn them a
response.
And now, all his hopes had been dashed. The tiny sliver of hope that was
left had now been engulfed by the darkness.
*The City of Silver will continue in this state until it disappears into
the darkness. There will be no one remembering that we once existed and
struggled...* Derrick cast his gaze out the window and saw many
of his neighbors gathered together. They were praying and seeking
forgiveness from the Lord that created everything.
This wasn't a ritual organized by the six-member council, but a
tradition that took form in the City of Silver after two to three
thousand years. They would pray for almost anything---good developments,
unstable emotions, an injury in the family, and the birth of new life.
Lightning streaked across the sky and illuminated the streets. Derrick
stood motionless in the darkness of his room, staring outside in a daze.
Unknowingly, he clenched his fists.
By the time his neighbors dispersed, he finally retracted his gaze, his
expressions somewhat warped.
He reached out to touch Thunder God's Roar as his gaze gradually
focused. He planned on following Mr. Hanged Man's advice to befriend
others to help him.
Soon, he felt a little stumped because he had no idea how to make
friends. Nor did he know how to warmly greet others or find a topic of
conversation.
This was in violation of his own character.
After some thought, Derrick decided to head to the training field and
use combat to reestablish ties with people he was familiar with in the
past. That was a gathering ground for the residents of the City of
Silver where he often met people he found familiar.
It was late at night once again. Klein once again saw the pitch-black
steeple and desolate plains in his dream as he had desired.
Passing through one obstacle after another, he arrived at the region
with the scattered tarot cards. A black pram was already waiting there.
Will Auceptin, who was wrapped in silver silk, asked with a bright
voice, "What are the choices?"
*You are being very proactive this time... What happened to your
reservation as a Sequence 1? However, kids are like that. It's good that
you maintain such a state of mind...* Klein silently chuckled as
he said, "Two choices. Choose either one.
"One, it's to take one look at the Wheel of Fortune card. Two, it's the
method to regain a certain amount of strength during your weak stages."
Will Auceptin fell silent for a second and chuckled.
"So it's Bernadette on the other side.
"My intuition was right after all. I'll be able to obtain something good
this time."
Following that, he asked, "Which choice do you think I'll choose?"
Klein's subconscious idea was: *I have a chance of posing a question
once.* Then, he said with a self-deprecating laugh, "Two."
Will Auceptin tsked and said, "Do I look like a Mythical Creature that
doesn't have such methods?
"I've already restarted so many times. I definitely have the right state
of mind to make preparations!"
Reasonable... Klein nodded and said, "You wish to take a look
at the Wheel of Fortune card? Or do you want them to switch the
choices?"
Will Auceptin sucked at his thumb and said, "I choose two."
"..."
Klein's expression froze.
Will Auceptin smiled and said, "Knowing one more method means one more
trump card. Isn't that the right thing to do?"
Yes, whatever you say is right... Klein replied in
exasperation, "Alright. When can you complete the transaction?"
Will Auceptin waved his short arms and said, "Of course it's when I'm
born and have the placenta blood!
"This will probably be in early July, but it might be brought forward."
Having said that, he relaxed his limbs as he chuckled.
"I wouldn't mind it either if they wish to hand me the method ahead of
time."
"They?" Klein subconsciously asked, unsure how the Snake of Mercury knew
that it was "they" and not "her"---Queen Mystic, Bernadette.
Will Auceptin sucked at his thumb and said indiscernibly, "Bernadette
has already passed that stage. The stage... that needs a drop of
Mythical Creature blood... is likely being prepared... for her
subordinate."
Is that the case... Ma'am Hermit needs it? Klein asked
thoughtfully, "What is that drop of Mythical Creature blood for? The
main ingredient of some potion?"
He connected it to the fact that a drop of divine blood from the Eternal
Blazing Sun could be used for the Unshadowed potion's main ingredient.
"No, isn't it suicidal for other pathways to consume the blood of a Fate
pathway Mythical Creature?" Will Auceptin said with a scoff. "I heard
that to advance from Sequence 5 to Sequence 4 for the Mystery Pryer
pathway, there's a need to completely analyze a drop of a Mythical
Creature's blood and, from there, obtain complicated and massive amounts
of knowledge. This is part of the ritual. As the Mythical Creature blood
used is different, what they will be proficient at during the
Mysticologist stage will also differ."
*To think that's possible... The rituals of the different pathways and
different Sequences all have their unique traits...* Klein bowed
in enlightenment and said, "Thank you for your answer."
Will Auceptin waved his hand and said, "Stop disturbing me. Letting me
be born in peace is the greatest form of gratitude!"
Without waiting for Klein to answer, "He" added, "Giving me that method
doesn't count!"
With that said, the black pram retreated and entered the shadows before
vanishing.
Klein watched the surrounding walls collapse as he silently heaved a
sigh of relief. He planned on escaping to sleep again.
At this moment, he froze because he discovered a new power infiltrating
his dream.
*Another one is coming just after one left. This is more lively than in
the day!* As Klein changed the dream according to his wishes, he
pretended to look around in a daze.