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Origin

Everyone in the room focused their gauze on Klein, some curious, others shocked, and only one gave a cold look.

 He was a dark-looking man, tall, even making Klein and Daly look much smaller next to him. His skin was so pale that it looked like he had crawled out of a grave. He had black hair and cold blue eyes with a cadaverous look, however, he still had that half-gloomy, half-calm look on his face.

 Leonard stared at him with the same poetic look as always.

 Sekka Tron seemed as calm as before, but still gave a nod before continuing to silently assess Klein. 

— Explain the ground rules to him. Unfortunately, I have to leave with Mr. Crestet Cesimir. — Daly Simone explained, bidding farewell as she left the room. 

Keeping all his doubts in mind, Klein listened to several questions.

— How did you survive? I mean, even when you were a half-Beyonder, it's almost impossible for you to have survived a Sealed Artifact like that. — Kenley asked in an almost disbelieving tone — And there was still that stranger... Well, I think after that it's possible they won't mess with you, but it's uncertain. 

Just as he was about to continue speaking, Royale looked at him with shock and disbelief hidden deep in her eyes.

— We should give him some space before we start explaining things. — She quickly intervened.

Klein was relieved, because he really didn't want to have to explain everything the same way, even if he had to, he would do everything as before and lie again and as many times as necessary.

Leonard raised his hand confidently.

— Indeed, since I know him, I can explain everything to him with the captain. — he stated, seeming almost certain that Klein wouldn't refuse.

In fact, there wasn't much of a choice.

— Okay. — Klein answered simply.

He knew Leonard couldn't blackmail him into telling anything and there was still that strange shadow that probably no Nighthawk knew about.

Not that he could underestimate a Nighthawk, but the others wouldn't want the only surviving witness to the Antigonus notebook dead, nor could they enter his mind or mess with his thoughts for now.

Leonard stood up and Klein just followed him without apparent caution.

 When they reached the stairs that led towards it, the poet began to speak:

— There are almost no Seers or information about them, after all, most of them are in secret organizations so we don't have much knowledge about the path they belong to, it can be said that many are in the Secret Order and the Order of Mysteries... That's not the real name of any of them, however no one knows their names so that's what they're called.

— Those two Orders are completely hidden, and that's why their movement level is low or perhaps just very well hidden. Since that man was a Beyonder of a path that only the captain or a superior could determine and his soul and body were completely contaminated, we can't be sure of anything. Perhaps you could tell. The Artifact that man was carrying is also missing. Very strange, isn't it?

Are you accusing me? If I had the artifact, don't you think Mr. Crestet Cesimir would have discovered it with the bone sword? It would be a huge negligence of the Midnight Church. And if I hadn't, I would have to be at least above the level of everyone here. — Klein mentally retorted, turning his gaze to the shadow overlapping Leonard with a smile. 

He nodded slightly. 

— Indeed, from what I remember, shadows don't show the light of day... Besides, a Nighthawk like you shouldn't know as much as you hide, but these are just details that no one will notice. 

 Leonard's face froze instantly.

 His pupils contracted, and he seemed to force himself to form a relaxed expression like he always did.

 So you really are hiding some secret about this shadow…— Klein concluded, realizing that the poet had fallen for his bluff. 

He knew he would have to reveal that he could see the shadow, but the shadow probably should have noticed and it would be worth it if he was to truly judge whether Leonard could be too dangerous for him. 

Since he looked so shocked, the shadow must not have told him about Klein or maybe they both didn't notice.

 Leonard seemed to be less cautious than he had thought and it was for the best. However, he should be careful around this shadow. You never know what this strange ghost might know… Well, that was just a warning to stop trying to accuse me. I wouldn't be able to prove anything. Leonard has been a Beyonder for a long time, so it's hard for anyone to believe me, but he also couldn't try to blame me for something when his superior, a bishop, proved my innocence with a sacred artifact; it would be a direct blasphemy to the Goddess. — after concluding his thoughts, Klein just turned to examine some paintings that were hanging on the wall as if nothing had happened.

Internally, he sighed in relief.

Klein was apprehensive about dealing with a Beyonder. Who knows if there could be some deviation from his plan.

Leonard's relaxed expression was back, but there were a few drops of sweat running down his forehead.

— The seven orthodox churches and official organizations are the pillars of the Beyonder world, including the Midnight Church and some others that you will learn about after reading some of the documents here. There are also clandestine Beyonders all over the world, there might be some praying in the cathedral, walking around the Empress's Burgh of Backlund, basically anyone anywhere. 

— That man you saw before was one and he went crazy. He was exposed to something high-level just like the captain, but what he saw was entirely terrifying and inexplicable. 

Suddenly, Leonard stopped in front of a door and knocked three times. 

Toc.

Toc.

Toc.

— Come in. — Dunn Smith's calm voice came from inside the room. He certainly seemed to be better than before. 

Leonard simply indicated for Klein to come in and walked to the end of the corridor. 

 When he opened the door, he saw that there was a chair in front of the table where Dunn was sitting, which was full of papers and documents, as well as the two teas that were still warm. 

He sat in complete silence.

 Dunn just gave him a serene look. 

He told him much of the Beyonder history from the church records, from the creation myth in which the Creator divided himself into everything that exists to the story of how humans achieved the Beyonder powers. 

Since they were born without powers, they had to be protected by the deities and the potion system was created.

He stopped at a specific part, the Blasphemy Slate

 That was what the Tarot Club members were discussing! 

Klein noticed those words: 

— Blasphemy Slate?

 Hearing the question, Dunn simply answered: 

— It was something created by evil gods in an unknown Age. It is not possible to say what it was or what it was for. If you get any information about this, please let me know immediately. 

Klein immediately remembered Mr. Chariot's words in response to a question from the Hanged Man during the end of the meeting. 

— Churches always tend to hide some facts, but this is no secret to anyone. 

It's no wonder that Mr. Hanged Man started sharing some information about the Blasphemy Slate when he realized that Mr. Chariot and Miss. Strength knew about it… I'm more inclined to believe Mr. Chariot's explanation. — he mused without taking his eyes off Dunn or his continued explanation.

— You are aware of three ways in which someone can go mad. The fourth is more imperceptible, normal and terrifying. — Dunn said almost sighing.

— Worse than corruption? — Klein was curious, especially since the corruption part seemed terrifying. One moment the person was completely normal and the next they could be a lunatic.

The captain nodded.

— Mental decline.

Klein finally understood what he meant.

There weren't many cases of corruption or loss of control due to external influences, but anyone could have declines due to very strong emotions!

Who wouldn't feel the death of someone close to them?

If there was even a chance to see them again, wouldn't anyone risk their own sanity for it?

 In a deep voice, Dunn said heavily:

— That's why the founder of the Nighthawks, Archbishop Chanis, once said, 'We are guardians, but we are also a bunch of miserable wretches who constantly fight against dangers and their own madness."

The room fell silent, as if no one felt like speaking for a while. Klein felt as if he had been knocked out, rendered speechless.

 Those words pierced his heart. 

— Nothing can be achieved without consequences. — Klein found his voice in the back of his mind.

 Dunn Smith's mouth curved into a serene smile.

 — Not bad… Very rational and in a good state of mind. Mr. Neil will be responsible for what you learn from the Beyonder world, and besides, there's no need to worry so much about the notebook.

 Klein nodded. That was one of the things he wanted to ask Dunn, but everything happened so quickly that he didn't even have a chance to think about it. 

While drinking tea, Dunn Smith continued:

— The man in the dreams may be from a specific organization he was looking for, the Secret Order. I suspect that an organization called the Order of Mysteries also interfered in this matter. These organizations are neither known nor seen. True unexplained mysteries and it is better not to try to know too much about them, they are lunatics with a clear and functional mind.

— The only reason for suspicion is the origin of the notebook and the path it is connected to, but there is no trace that connects anything to them. It is impossible to know if it is true or not, and no one should risk enough to go deep into this matter.

— A few Beyonders of the Seer Pathway, perhaps two or three, have already been connected to the Order of Mysteries, however the high command says that the organization is certainly connected to this path as well as others, so this is the only confirmation about something about them. Its origin is unknown as well as its purpose, but it has existed for a long time or since some time in the Fourth Epoch.

— A few Beyonders of the Seer Pathway, perhaps two or three, have already been linked to the Order of Mysteries, however the higher-ups say that the organization is certainly linked to this path as well as others, so this is the only confirmation about anything about them. Their origin is unknown, as is their purpose, but they have existed for a long time or since sometime in the Fourth Epoch. 

— The Secret Order is like this organization, they do not act much or appear, they have existed since unknown times, however, one organization deliberately showed interest in the Antigonus notebook and the other apparently did nothing. 

They do not even have known names... — Klein felt that this was bizarre. He could not help but feel apprehensive and curious. 

— Why hide even the organization's real name? — he asked, but did not expect an answer. 

— Who knows. Maybe it was luck that that man lost control, I would not have been able to kill him in the conditions he was in and without any artifact. — Dunn continued thoughtfully, looking completely unperturbed — Well, Mr. Neil is waiting for you in two corridors ahead. It's a door full of mysterious symbols. 

It's quite possible that I'll get lost in this mess of tunnels... At least I won't be courting death. — Klein scoffed, getting up and heading towards the door. 

When he had already opened the door and was about to leave, he heard Dunn say: 

— Wait, I forgot to tell you that you should talk to Rozanne when you leave. She's behind the Blackthorn Security Company counter writing some documents. 

Blackthorn Security Company? No one explained anything about that... — Klein thought silently, leaving the room confused. 

At that moment, he heard Dunn shout: 

— Wait, one more thing, come back tomorrow, at 10 o'clock. 

Captain, you're at least thirty years old, but you have symptoms of dementia... — Klein had a strong urge to go back and ask if Dunn hadn't forgotten to say anything else, but he kept walking silently. 

 When Klein turned into a corridor, he shivered.

His heart sank in his chest.

A pair of cold, eyelashless eyes were watching him!