Church of Steam.
Klein, dressed in a black shirt, black vest, and black wool overcoat, walked out of the Church. He had just used the Church of Steam to Teleport his thoughts, avoiding being drawn into deeper conflicts.
But there were some pieces of information he hadn't told the Church of Steam.
"The Aurora Order is secretly plotting a disaster to prepare for the arrival of the Lord they believe in."
"A terrifying demoness has arrived in Backlund, preparing to spread the Plague."
"It's not good to mention these things to the Church of Steam. These are not things Sherlock Detective should know."
"The Chariot said that the Aurora Order is cooperating with an ancient secret organization. Could there be a connection between the demoness arriving in Backlund at this time and these two matters?"
Raising his head, Klein looked at the misty street, at the vaguely outlined buildings: "I always have a premonition that a disaster is about to strike."
He sighed silently: "I need to improve quickly."
Increasing his strength was the only guarantee for survival!
Lex and Levto returned home after having lunch at a restaurant outside.
He walked into the hall, which was covered with brightly colored, thick, and soft carpets. The marble floor tiles all around were bright and clearly veined. His mother was playing the piano, and the Miss housekeeper, Kuna, was about to speak when she saw Lex, but he stopped her.
Lex sat down quietly, casually looking around. He hadn't carefully admired this house since he returned home.
Now, calming down, he saw stone sculptures in the hall, oil paintings hanging on the walls, and stone pillars inlaid with ornaments supporting the second floor.
To the left of the hall was a row of floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing one to directly see the lawn and garden outside from the hall; this hall featured a two-story design, with crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. When night fell, it would be illuminated in a magnificent golden glow.
Only after the piano music stopped and its lingering resonance faded did Lex clap his hands, joining Levto in applause.
Amelia turned around, and seeing it was Lex, she smiled: "When did you get back?"
"Just now."
Lex stood up and moved to his mother's side at her beckoning. Amelia rose and said: "Liana visited this morning and spoke highly of you. From what she said, it seems she intends to arrange a blind date between you and her daughter."
Lex's mouth twitched slightly. Were blind dates popular in this world too?
Amelia continued: "What do you think? I've met Miss Hai Rou'er a few times, and she left a good impression on me. She's about your age, and she's indeed a good candidate for a blind date."
"If you don't object, I'll mention it to your father tonight..."
"Wait."
Lex quickly interrupted, and deliberately said: "Respected Madam Amelia, your son does not intend to be tied down by family yet. Besides, after the New Year, I will have to return to Sea and don't know when I'll be back."
"So, for blind dates, let's discuss them after my work has settled down."
Without giving his mother a chance to persuade him, Lex quickly made his escape to the third floor.
Here were the master bedroom, a semi-open room for sunbathing, a study, a cloakroom, and the rooms for family members.
As Lex was walking towards his room, he heard a noisy sound behind him, followed by his sister calling him: "Lex, you're back! Don't go, here are your things back."
Lex looked back and saw Harribel carrying a birdcage. The birdcage was covered with opaque cloth, and bird calls came from inside.
Lex was stunned for a moment, casting an inquiring look at Harribel.
"This is your parrot!"
"It's been too noisy lately. Since you're back, you should take care of it." The blonde girl, with an undeniable Aura, shoved the birdcage into Lex's hands.
Parrot? Grego?
Lex slapped his head. He had almost forgotten that he had left Grego with his sister to care for before he went to Sea. Although he had returned recently, he had been busy preventing the Great Smog and other matters, and had completely forgotten about this.
When he handed the birdcage to Levto, Harribel shoved a page of notes or a manuscript into his hand.
"Elana just brought this this morning. She said that Viscount Yelise initiated a commission in his circle. If anyone can help him decipher Emperor Roselle's notes, they can get a book on mysticism called 'The Book of Fate', which is said to have been written by the Emperor's eldest daughter."
"Elana repeatedly stressed that I must tell you about this, Lex. I think she might be interested in you."
Lex chuckled dryly: "That's normal, after all, I am a handsome man."
Harribel made a very unladylike expression of disgust, then ran off.
Lex picked up the notes, initially thinking it was more garbled text, but to his surprise, it was a proper diary!
Back in his room, Lex first placed the diary on the table, then uncovered the birdcage. Inside the cage, a brightly colored parrot first squinted its eyes. Once it adjusted to the light and saw Lex, it immediately squawked.
"It's you! You're back? You curly-haired baboon, you didn't die at Sea?" Grego raised both its wings, cupping them around its beak, seemingly very surprised.
Lex chuckled dryly: "You seem to be doing well. Look, you've gotten fat."
"That's because I lack exercise! Quickly, let me out, and never make me go back to that terrible girl again."
Grego seemed to recall some terrible experience, its body trembling slightly: "You can't imagine the pain of being a noble Dragon, forced to wear strange clothes every day."
Lex looked at it and laughed: "That terrible girl, wouldn't happen to be Harribel, would it? So she has a hobby of dressing up pets, I didn't know that."
Grego shouted in the cage: "I'll say it again, I am not a pet, I am a Dragon, no, an evil Dragon! You foolish humans, one day you will tremble in my wrath, I swear!"
Lex shook his head, released the delusional parrot, then picked up the notes Elana had sent.
"February 9th, today is Bornova's birthday. He is already a healthy, robust, honest, and kind young man. He is so devout that he has gained the Church's attention."
"Everyone congratulates me, saying that Bornova will surely become a Blessed, a Saint, praising his faith as pure and flawless."
"I should be very happy, but in my heart, there is an uncontrollable sadness. I hope my child can be more human, more emotional, and more himself, rather than a devotee of a god."
Reading this, Lex paused: "Bornova is the Emperor's son? The style of this diary entry is a bit different from what I've read before, imbued with a sense of sadness and helplessness. It's like two different people compared to the previous eccentric, chuunibyou style. Is this a diary entry written by the Emperor in his later years?"