The scene he had witnessed shattered as his legs buckled, almost causing him to kneel to the ground.
Klein felt pain in his head as though he had been struck ruthlessly in the head with a bat. His vision turned blood-red as his hands involuntarily reached out to protect his knees.
He recovered several seconds later and stood back up. He felt that his spirituality was unusually weak, as if he had heard the murmurings that penetrated his mind once again.
But due to his experience, the adverse reaction calmed down quickly.
Giant Tree, a female figure carved to a wilting tree... This man's name is Galopin, Halzter Retrieval Company have ties with the Rose School of Thought? Klein took two deep breaths and waited for his spirituality to slowly recover.
During his first formal discussions with Dunn and the rest. He was informed of the following pieces surrounding the Milo incident. One of which details of a secret passage leading the manor's another large basement. The figure frozen in a wilting giant tree is a testimony for the Chained God's involvement.
The Rose School of Thought believe in that deity and was an orthodox organization in the highlands of South Continent, hinting that it's origin. Their belief was about the perseverance of the mind and in volition to the cages of the body and the world. This was their former doctrine but after years later, a record containing a result of the faction's condition suggested a fracture between two separate groups.
According to the internal documents of the Nighthawks, the Sequence 9 hold by the Rose School of Thought is named Prisoner, quietly connecting with their doctrine. However, over the past years, they have also begun to collect those of the Harvest Church, mainly the Sequence 9 Apothecary and Sequence 9 Planter.
Apothecary is the one Ms. Roy had intake. This could likely explain her past of being intertwined with Miss Lover's case in Milo.
The details of the report regarding the Rose School of Thought flashed through Klein's mind. His initial theory was that Marik, Ruther Huddsman's accomplice, the vampire that joined the chase for Ms. Roy was of the prisoner.
However, his ability of being able to allow a gold coin to magnify a person's scrooge didn't reflect what a normal prisoner beyonder can do. Suggesting they have acquired another Sequence in their ranks.
After his spirituality recovered slightly and before Galopin can wake up, he briskly concluded the ritual with the appropriate procedure and dismantled the wall of spirituality.
Several seconds later. Galopin woke up with his clothes smudged with feces and dirt.
He was alone in the alley and thoughts about that silver-haired lady resurfaced right after recalling the dreams he had. Resulting in his desires petition to be met as soon as possible.
Without giving regards to his attire, he sprang up and immediately left.
...
36 Zouteland Street, Indus Region.
It was lunch by the time Selina was finished with her daily mysticism lectures and experiments.
Currently sitting on the couch by the second floor, waiting for the meal boxes to arrive. She was engaged in a trivial conversation with Seeka Tron about fashions, articles and her novel.
A feeling of intrigue and interest made her time well spent.
Suddenly, a voice coming from the opened door resounded. Overlapping with the chuckle from Selina, enjoying the exchange of trivial matters from Seeka Tron.
"The lunches are here!"
It came from Rozanne, dressed in her formal attire of dark-emerald dress. After placing the boxes on the table for the members to eat, she briskly fetched hers and occupied the space beside Selina.
"Ms. Roy. Did you know that over the past days many commissioners came for you?" she fawned over while opening her box.
Selina unhurriedly picked hers. The contents were a smoked steak cut glazed with balsamic, the side dish is a bamboo shoot soup.
"What did they come here for? Why me specifically?" she asked first before lifting a fork.
While in between her mouthfuls. Rozanne mumbled, "I... suspect that... it's because of your medicine."
Miss Rozanne, please chew and gulp first before speaking... Selina smiled wryly. "Is that so?"
"But you're gone most of the time." Rozanne spoke cleanly after downing her food and while forking another piece of her tenderloin.
Delicious! Selina exclaimed inwardly after tasting the steak.
The velvety texture of it adds succulent quality after a bite, allowing it to sit moistly on the tongue and the beef to roll smoothly in the throat... After critiquing the meal, she responded politely, but in a dryly tone.
"Uhm... do try to give them my apologies if ever they visit again. I'm preoccupied most of the time. If you could, I would greatly appreciate the effort."
Rozanne gulped another piece of meat. "That won't be an issue as they settled to have another appointment."
Selina halted from taking a bite. "Appointment? You assigned one?"
"Mhm." Rozanne refrained from speaking. Then afterwards said, "They kept on pressing so I recommended them to try by Thursday or Fridays."
Because tomorrow is my day-off... How thoughtful. Selina smiled softly. "Thank you."
Rozanne smiled. "I'm really looking forward to tonight's dinner. Though I'd argue on the fact that just like Klein, you're already becoming a Nighthawk!"
Selina laughed dryly. I'm sorry... but on another note, why are you already looking forward to dinner when you're still eating?
"I thought we finally have you secured in our roster. Seeing that Mr. Moretti had joined just recently!"
"I guess you don't know what fate has in store for us..." Selina dipped the steak and use it to scoop more of its sauce while subtly consoling her.
...
In the meeting room of the Divination Club on Howes Street.
Klein who had arrived hours ago and have requested for a divination from Christina and Glacis pertaining to the whereabouts of Lanevus. He took a piece of paper and a fountain pen.
"Then let us do an astrolabe divination. I'll ask, and you'll answer."
Between the questions, Klein marked out the Thunderous constellation and the corresponding symbols of various situations before completing the astrolabe.
He used more elements in his astrolabe than an ordinary person would have. The method he was going to use to interpret the astrolabe was going to bring him closer to the truth.
"Madam, Sir, you are now at a crossroad. If you don't restrain yourselves and succumb to your greed and anxiety, you will fall further into the abyss, never being able to free yourselves. But if you can be patient and wait persistently without being greedy, then there will be an opportunity of you seeing the sunlight..." Klein said, his tone unhurried.
"I understand." Christina nodded. She thought for a moment before saying, "Mr. Moretti, can you divine Lanevus's whereabouts?"
"No, I don't think so. The information Lanevus left behind is most likely fake; even his name might not be real. How can I divine anything? Unless you can give me very specific details, or an item he carries with him all the time," Klein replied truthfully.
Christina fell silent for a moment before pushing a one-soli note toward Klein.
"I have heard from Glacis that you are a true seer, who is respectful and fearful of fate and not greedy for money. You can think of the rest as tips that I am giving to the club."
"Thank you for your confidence in me."
She stood up and bade farewell before leaving quickly.
Not greedy for money... No, I am a materialistic man! Klein was regretting his actions of acting as a charlatan.
Seeing Christina leave, Glacis closed the door and asked, "Is there really no way?"
"I told you the way just now." Klein smiled as he leaned back.
Glacis sighed. "Lanevus took off with over 10,000 pounds and his victims totaled over a hundred people. Luckily for me, I only lost 50 pounds. Those were my savings, and I have no debt. But Miss Christina invested 150 pounds. To her, this is not a sum that she can bear easily."
"Have you called the police?" Klein suddenly felt anger towards the cheat after hearing the sum of 10,000 pounds.
One could be considered rich even in Backlund with money like that.
I don't know if the police would enlist the help of the Nighthawks, Mandated Punishers, or Machinery Hivemind for a simple case like this... Klein thought, a little distracted.
Glacis nodded and said, "We've already made a police report. The police are paying a lot of attention to this case. After much discussion, we're willing to take out a portion of the money we would get back as a reward. One can get 10 pounds as a reward if they manage to provide clues about Lanevus's whereabouts. If you can give a precise location and help the police catch Lanevus, you can get a reward of 100 pounds!"
10 pounds for a clue? 100 pounds for catching Lanevus? Klein's eyes nearly sparkled after he heard that. His breathing became heavy.
He happened to be worrying about how he was going to pay the detective in the future.
He could barely afford the second phase of the payment with the extra salary of three pounds he received this week, but if the private investigator managed to complete his mission within the next week, then he wouldn't have enough to pay off whatever he promised to pay. He would be lacking a few soli, provided that he wouldn't need to spend his savings elsewhere this week.
Perhaps the police will have some items belonging to Lanevus. But they won't be very useful if he's already left Tingen... Klein felt a mixture of excitement and disappointment.
In the next hour and a half, Klein got another two customers due to Angelica's recommendation. One was a divination for a one-year-old toddler. Klein immediately drew the corresponding birth astrolabe and explained it, much to the satisfaction of his customer.
The other was searching for an item. Klein used tarot reading, coupled with dream divination, to give him a general area. This made his customer very shocked, for he had never seen a fortune-teller that could give him such accurate information.
Perhaps I could obtain enough funds just by doing divinations for others . Klein, who had received some tips, put on his hat, held his cane, and walked toward the exit of the club.
At this moment, he saw Christina enter the club once again with a young girl wearing a sunhat beside her.
Christina saw Klein and immediately approached him. She asked softly, "Mr. Moretti, you said that you could try divining Lanevus's whereabouts if there was something belonging to him?"
"That is correct." Klein nodded.
Christina heaved a sigh of relief and asked in a serious tone, "Then is his child something that belongs to him?"
Huh? Klein fell into a slight momentary lost.
...
Around five and a half in the evening, at a corner table of Red Sterling Restaurant.
With the exception of Royale, guarding Chanis Gate, all the members of the Blackthorn Security Company are present. Six Nighthawks and five civilian staffs occupies the seat.
Served over the long table draped with white tablecloth. Selina saw roasted beef fillet, barbecue steak, honey-glazed rotisserie chicken and topping them off with side dishes.
Without wasting time, Dunn glanced at the expectant Selina and raised a toast.
"It hasn't been a month after the recent join of Moretti within our ranks. However, it seems fate had pivoted, allowing us to celebrate yet another newest official member, Selina Roy!"
The pale Corpse Collector Frye, the laxed and impervious Leonard, the Seer Klein, as well as the white-haired, black-eyed Midnight Poet Novelist Seeka Tron all raised their cups and looked at the new addition of their team.
Selina adjusted a crease of her coat and raised her glass of amber champagne. She stood up, curtsied before saying with a smile, "Thank you."
She exchanged pleasantries and clinked glasses with every Nighthawk. She tilted her head and finished her small amount of champagne.
Usually, she doesn't drink. But on certain occasions or if necessary, she can allow herself to indulge in winery or class champagnes, with limit of beers.
After the celebration ritual. Rozanne took the lead of announcing, "Following this celebration is Miss Seeka Tron's novel! That's right, it's gaining traction in the industry!"
The "Northern Voyage" had received praises from different articles. Passing off as an interesting take over the romance literacy. Due to this, Seeka was given an opportunity to work under a publishing company to cover the expense and the marketing of the series.
This is the funds she had been expecting from Dunn. Now she can rightfully smug turning to their captain.
"What a great news!" Dunn feigned oblivious to Seeka's expression.
I hope you can produce more works Miss Seeka... Selina quietly commented while clapping.
Klein bit down on a piece of meat and while eating he began to mind the meal's overall fee.
Red Sterling Restaurant is across the district. The food here isn't costly compared to Old Will's Restaurant. Perhaps I can bring Benson and Melissa here some times... Suddenly, he turned to Selina, savoring the taste of the rotisserie chicken.
Did she deliberately picked this location knowing that captain had just held a celebration recently?
Suddenly, Leonard abruptly burst into Klein's personal thought by snickering.
He winked and while both corners of his mouth lifted, he advised while asking, "Were you going to eat that? I know for certain foods do not deserve to be wasted."
Klein glanced at Leonard's servings and subsequently, his mouth twitched. "Your plate says otherwise."
Nearing the end. Selina took a piece of the table napkin and while clearing her mouth of the stains, she suddenly saw a scene that made her heart warm.
Dunn bickering with Old Neil about work. Seeka Tron scribbling a few more notes before the day ends. Klein fending off Leonard from tasting the ice cream he specifically ordered and the others mingling with cups in their hands.
For an inexplicable reason. It felt like the weight of being alone had lessened. Her smile softened.
What a lovely scene...