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Chapter 37 - A Necessary Conversation

Royalle sat back on the couch, looking utterly defeated.

— You and Your Excellency are true war machines! How can a brain process so much information from the game? — She seemed in disbelief after seeing them spend more than four hours straight playing Uno without a break.

Worse, how the hell did Klein and Medici draw? How was it possible to draw a game of Uno?

— It's better not to even try to understand what happened. — Leonard muttered in a pitiful state.

After being dealt so many cards, he ended up having to pay 2 pounds to Klein and Medici, the "winners"

Kenley had already left a long time ago, having gone to the Blackthorn security company to get some water, and Frye had gone home on time, but they had all had dinner underground a few minutes ago.

Even after having been standing still for so long, Royalle was not tired at all. She was a Sleepless after all.

— I'll call the Captain, he must want to play a game of Uno before most of us go home. — Royalle stood up to leave the room, increasing the internal despair Leonard felt.

Not only did he have to be mocked by Medici, but he also had to deal with him, a Demigod who also knew about his secret!

His expression was almost horrified, very rigid. It was as if he was saying: Please! Don't abandon me in this hell!

The old voice in Leonard's mind even laughed a little, but soon stopped talking.

— It's a shame we couldn't finish. — Klein complained as he picked up his pendulum that was above the table, next to one of the piles of cards.

— I think the Captain would have felt sorry for us. — Leonard said as he sat down on one of the sofas, seeming to surrender to defeat.

He was next to Klein, as if it were a safe place in consideration of the other sofa, where the demigod was.

— Wouldn't the thing inside you feel sorry too? — Medici suddenly asked.

Leonard looked straight at Klein, who was not even worried.

Even if the demigod was openly talking about it, there was no reason to be afraid. If he wanted to report the poet to the Nighthawks, he would have done so long ago.

Obviously, Leonard did not follow the same line of logical thinking.

— I don't know anything. — he stated without hesitation, however, a few drops of sweat began to fall from his forehead.

— Of course, tell that to the shadow inside you and I will believe it. — Medici replied in a mocking tone.

He turned around, his face showing an enthusiastic feeling, even though he was very controlled.

— What? Did you really believe that there was only one way to see this shadow?I see you were not educated properly by your little friend inside you.— Medici calmly spoke, seeming very patient.

Leonard's face burned with a strange despair as he turned as red as a tomato. He looked like he was about to have a heart attack from the tension and horror that had accumulated in his mind.

Klein immediately remembered the name of Sequence 8 of the Hunter Pathway that Sr. Chariot had mentioned at a Tarot Club meeting:

Provoker!

That really is a true Hunter…

To provoke is not only to offend, but also to play with one's psyche in a skillful and even polite way… It looks like Leonard is about to die of despair...

He understood the meaning of the name of that Sequence at that moment.

Suddenly, Medici sighed. The corners of his mouth rose.

— Klein, if you weren't part of the Nighthawks, I would take you to the Order Hunters. They accept Beyonders from paths unrelated to the organization, like I was accepted. I doubt The Advisor and the great commander would deny someone as disturbed as them.

Klein couldn't tell if that was a complaint about him, a confused compliment, or a disguised and, at the same time, blatant insult to all those mentioned.

It seems that you don't have the best superiors... Wait, Him? — Klein noticed the specific term at the same time.

It could only be used for a Him, a Being at the level of a Sequence 2!

It's obvious that an organization as old as the Order Hunters would have Angels... — he concluded calmly, his face never revealing his thoughts at that moment.

Leonard looked at the red-haired boy with a strange look, as if he were some kind of thief or criminal.

— Haha, it's not like I'm going to kidnap someone in broad daylight. I'm not like the other Order Hunters. — Medici laughed with a mocking smile widening on his face.

So you're going to kidnap in the dead of night? — Klein narrowed his eyes in suspicion, falling into that absurd thought.

When he saw the Seer's indiscernible gaze, Medici couldn't even imagine what Klein could be thinking.

In a way, this strange way of looking was like Melissa's, the only difference was that Klein seemed very calm in an inexplicable way while his sister always had a sharp touch on her face, making her naturally serious.

— You're having one of those crazy thoughts again... — Medici muttered upon seeing Klein's indisputably patient expression.

Uh... What are you talking about? ... Wait, do the other Mentors of Abolition drag people to headquarters? — Klein frowned in confusion.

Leonard turned to look at Medici, seeming to be about to question the detail about the Order Hunters, but Klein was quicker to ask:

— Did the other Mentors of Abolition kidnap your daylights?

— It's simple, I had no choice. Either I went in willingly or I would either go in willingly or be forced to go. In fact, my sister dragged me to the headquarters before I had a chance to think and think properly. — Medici laughed loudly and deprecatingly — This is what everyone calls kidnapping.

It didn't happen in such an exaggerated way. Medici just had nowhere to go and didn't even remember his own identity.

Some members of the Order Hunters mistook him for a descendant of Sauron because of his appearance, but Yvaine quickly solved the problem and dragged him to the Iron Cross headquarters for a visit to the Counselor.

What a kind sister you have, dragging you into an organization by force... — Klein understood where part of Medici's personality came from.

— Isn't that a crime? — Leonard narrowed his eyes strangely.

— Then half of the official Beyonders are doomed. — Medici replied as he picked up a pack of cigarettes from a small table next to the sofa.

They were inside a church, but apparently he didn't care about that fact at all.

The red-orange flames appeared out of nowhere, lighting the cigarette.

After taking a drag, Medici didn't hesitate to speak at the same time:

— Klein, are you sure you're going to continue living in Tingen? I don't think the church is the best place for someone like you. One day, you'll have to walk the world alone.

— Besides, there's also a... strange thing happening in this place, you know that. Azik probably won't stay for long and you should leave soon.

Strange thing? Medici really noticed everything... — Klein identified it just by the words spoken.

— I've been aware of it for a long time. — he said. His dark brown eyes had a deep touch.

— As expected. But it's not something that should be mentioned, not in the Church. — Medici laughed at the answer he received, leaving Leonard even more lost in that conversation.

It was best not to talk about it for now, just wait for a clue as to what exactly was instigating the chaos throughout the destination.

When Klein looked at the pocket watch left behind by one of the Nighthawks, he realized that it was time to leave for home.

— I have to go home now. — Klein said to the extremely faint sound of the silver hand moving.

Before he left, Medici discreetly handed him a letter.

— This is an explanation of how to summon my messenger. — He didn't say anything else, just walking away to leave the room.

Messenger summon? What are you talking about…? — Klein was extremely confused, however, he didn't ask anything.

Perhaps there was a reason why the other party hadn't said or explained anything.

He didn't open the letter, putting it in the inner pocket of his suit along with the other letter found near Olive Bieber's grave.

...

As soon as he got home, he discovered that there was no sign of Benson.

Melissa was studying at the dinner table as usual, she looked at him with a somewhat serious look.

— Klein, I have something to tell you. — She spoke very calmly, which made Klein narrow his eyes indiscernibly.

He thought about what it could be, but there really hadn't been anything happening in the last few days.

Did she get into trouble? — Klein guess seemed good, but Melissa rarely ended up getting into trouble or getting into trouble on the street.

His sister was too shrewd and calm a person to end up having any disagreements with strangers out there, so what could it have been?

Klein left the coat on the chair and sat in front of Melissa to listen to her.

His sister seemed to organize her words carefully, and then said:

— You know Selena? I was with her today. When we were at Miss Smiryn's bakery, Selena started talking strange things about the mirror rituals you warned me about...

— I tried to get her to change the subject, but it seems like she really is getting involved with dangerous things...

— I can't tell… It was like a prayer. She talked about the "The degenerate nature of all living things"… Like an honorific name… Do you know what that is?

The degenerate nature of all living things? That sounds familiar… Where did I hear about that? — Klein felt a strange flash of nostalgia.

He had probably heard about something like that from the Nighthawks or the Tarot Club.

— Right… She must be getting involved with someone who knew about it. — Klein tapped his finger on his own leg calmly — Maybe a lunatic or some occultist from a secret organization. Whatever it is, tell her not to think about it and not to try any rituals.

Melissa nodded with complete firmness. Her ingenious thoughts seemed to reflect a little in her dark gaze.

— But what if she does something? Even when I tried to convince Selena, she wouldn't listen to me.

— Maybe she really was convinced by an occultist to perform a ritual to this hidden entity! It seems pretty bad and terrifying that something that has "degenerate" in prayer.

Luckily, Melissa had a good judgment of things, otherwise she might have even tried to do such a ritual!

Klein felt relieved that he had taught his sister about the mysterious world.

— You're right. There are types of occult entities, some respond to prayers and some don't, but it's too dangerous to try and risk it. — Klein replied with a solemn smile on his face.

— Wait, so that's also a form of going crazy... _ Suddenly, the two brothers stopped talking at the same moment. They turned their heads to the door.

At the same moment, Melissa grabbed the quill she was using to do homework and Klein grabbed the first book he saw lying on the table.

Benson opened the door, looking at the gas lamp in the terrifying darkness as he searched for some evil being in the darkness.

Soon, he saw his two siblings too quiet.

Luckily, Klein and Melissa had their spiritual intuition, otherwise Benson might have heard the whole thing!

That would have certainly scared him to death... — Klein and Melissa thought the same thing.

Looking at his siblings, Benson frowned suspiciously. They weren't even arguing about some random thing like usual.

— What happened? — he asked when he saw Melissa looking at her notebook again with great attention and Klein, who was reading "Pride and Prejudice"

— You're here really early. Is everything okay? — Klein greeted with a slight smile on his face.

— ... — Benson looked at him before sighing.

— It's okay. Even my boss was in a good mood today. — He laughed, looking much calmer than he had this morning.

Since Klein had eaten dinner, he simply returned to his room and locked the door.

He took four steps counterclockwise and rose into a boundless gray mist.

The palace was as silent as ever, immaculate with the thousands of crimson stars pulsing at every moment.

— Which one of you two comes first...? — Klein wondered as he looked at the letters.

The one on the right was the same letter Dunn had delivered that morning, and the other was one from Medici.

He didn't hesitate to choose the one on the right first. There might be something to divine in it.

When he opened the letter, a yellowed paper fell onto the long, tarnished bronze table.

Written in grotesque black were a few words:

"Peek into the past, only to find that you cannot escape it."

Notes:Chapter 38 - Hidden Invitatio

Klein frowned slightly in horror. His narrowed eyes showed a hint of confusion, but at the same time, a great deal of suspicion.

Dunn hadn't mentioned anything like this, even if this paper really could have some importance in the case, then it could be that the Nighthawks hadn't even noticed!

Something like this was very strange. The Midnight Church would never neglect something like this, especially when it came to such a thorough investigation.

Come to think of it, could it have something to do with the notebook? Maybe this paper was sealed or something…

Why would someone go to the trouble of doing something so complicated? What was the point of this?

Well, whoever did this must have had a great deal of knowledge of the Beyonder world…

With those thoughts in mind, he knew that he needed more information to be able to know what that strange phrase meant.

Right, then I should divine about this paper… I won't be courting death again, will I? — he self-deprecated with a slight smile on his face.

After that, a simple topaz pendulum appeared on the bronze table.

Klein didn't take long to begin speaking the divination words he had chosen:

— The origin of this card.

— The origin of this...

— The origin...

After repeating seven times, his confused mind entered a torrent of glimpses of dreams that could never be imagined.

A gray mist formed, creating a strange vision of a very dark place.

Only the light of the crimson moon served as an illumination for that boundless darkness that remained even with a lit candle.

A tall figure stood in front of a table, his face covered in shadows.

The only thing visible was a silver earring in the shape of a four-pointed star.

In his hands was a dark hawk feather, almost black inside, if not for a pure white tone.

— Oh, of course a Seer will always be a Seer. — the person laughed in a very patient-sounding female voice.

She moved her hands, writing a very specific sentence on a piece of yellowed paper, the black letters seemed to be written with force:

"Peek into the past, only to discover that you cannot escape it."

Suddenly, the woman's mouth curved into a smile full of serene calm.

— A Seer will always divine, and that is why this intriguing invitation would come to you, isn't it? in the third house on the street where Ray Antigonus lived.

— This paper is your entrance.

Dark blue eyes shone in the darkness, a face became apparent in the crimson light that came from above the heavens.

Adhara looked at the paper, but soon turned away, disappearing as soon as she got close to a wall.

Suddenly, the scene distorted, creating another vision.

It was a large room, with an open window that overlooked a wide street.

Woshh!

The wind rushed into the room as a person in a blue dress entered with a gun in his hands. His fingers, which seemed to be missing one, were without nails.

But this person was covered in a thick red liquid and had his arm grabbed.

The gun was thrown across the room violently.

— Olive, are you crazy? Did you want to die? Why did you try to kill yourself? — Ray Bieber shouted with apparent anger in his tone.

Olive began to rave like a lunatic, talking nonsense, the words often coming out in a different language.

— I... I thought it would be fun.

— You know, that Klein Moretti was really strange. He even noticed me today, and that's not even the worst part… He suddenly found a child with white hair and red eyes, but then I lost sight of him and ended up running into some church officials…

— They didn't recognize me… Lily! She said he really had a good offer! However…

With a comical smile covering her face, Olive began to laugh uncontrollably.

Her eyes showed zero sanity.

The scene shattered into several pieces all at once.

Klein had a rather horrified expression as he tapped his finger on the table repeatedly, his thoughts looking like they were about to explode into different pieces.

A cold chill ran down his spine.

When Adhara was in the carriage area at the time Dunn Smith was taking him to the Midnight Church for the first time, it certainly hadn't been a mere coincidence. As Medici had said, she had been scouting everyone from the very beginning.

She had actually been observing the unfolding of all the events and had also paid attention to Klein, and so she had set up an ingenious trap to invite him to the Secret Order.

Adhara had purposely left the invitation paper on the day Olive almost killed herself and might even have instigated it. She was just doing something like this to leave an imprint of what was written on the paper in Klein's memory.

Later, on the day Leonard and Klein saved young Elliot, the Nighthawks went to the Bieber brothers' house. That day, Klein ended up divining about the time Olive almost killed herself, but he thought she was really dead.

After some time, the paper reappeared with a seal placed by Adhara, to ensure that the invitation reached Klein through Dunn, who was influenced not to think too much about the matter and just deliver the letter to Klein.

He really felt curious and divined about the paper, just as Adhara wanted.

Those actions had been previously instigated and guided by Adhara so that not only would the invitation reach him, but so that shewould continue watching the story!

Adhara knew that I was a Seer, and therefore that I would divine about the paper, and that's exactly why she put the letter in the first place!

By the way, from what that puppeteer and Medici said before, I suspect she has some kind of concealment ability, but she deliberately only placed it on the other Nighthawks and not on me, otherwise she might not have been able to connect the dots...

Adhara thought of everything from the beginning...

Going to so much trouble just to invite me to the Order of Mysteries proves that she really does consider me as a potential member... The thing is, it could also be a trap...

She only intervened to invite me to the Secret Order and in the battle against Ray Bieber, but it also makes sense... A Demigod has no reason to deal with the rest of the Antigonus case and she still seems to only want to observe the plot in Tingen...

Anyway, I won't even accept this. I'll just leave the paper in my room drawer so I never have to see it again!

Klein let out a complicated sigh. At least that problem was solved now too, however, he still had to watch everything with even more suspicion than before.

— Fortunately, it seems that Miss. Adhara is completely neutral on the matter, not caring about any of the organizations other than her own. — he concluded with a thoughtful look.

Klein stood up from the seat of honor. His situation right now was not the best and having others able to silently watch was the worst thing.

It wasn't just him and the secret of the gray mist, but also about Melissa's identity. Of course, he didn't think the demigoddess would force him or his sister to join the Order of Mysteries, but it wasn't just her who was after Tingen, there was also the person behind all the incidents with the Antigonus notebook and the Secret Order.

Klein knew it was bad to be in the sights of these last two and hoped they would forget about him at some point, however he knew that wouldn't happen.

There was certainly an objective behind everything. The one who instigated Ray Bieber's death must be planning something else. It could get to him at some point, even kill him or lead to Melissa's death.

It was like dancing with madness. He never knew what might happen in the near or even distant future.

Klein's eyes passed over the majestic golden book behind the Fool's chair, as well as the clock whose hands had never moved again.

The fist-sized ball shone incessantly, this was the "characteristic" that had come from the Priest of Light.

Finally, he cast his gaze towards the horizon of the infinite castle, filled with pure gray mist. Everything was silent as it had always been, a silence that seemed to have ruled for thousands of years, since time immemorial.

Klein's thoughts traced a very clear line of events as he walked through the mist, able to reflect alone in a somewhat relaxing peace.

With his high suspicion, he was startled when he saw a giant wolf with flaming crimson eyes, its fur so dark that it seemed to have absorbed all the shadows.

The giant wolf was like a curious little kitten, approaching the veiled man, its head lowered towards him.

— Are you friends with that other wolf? — Klein immediately recognized that it was not the same animal.

The wolf he had encountered before was a bit more agitated compared to this one, which seemed very calm.

The animal wagged its tail, lowering its huge head and quickly turning it towards some far away place, covered by the thick fog.

— Is there something there? — Klein asked in confusion.

The giant wolf walked beside him, seeming to want to take him to some mysterious place.

— Unfortunately, I cannot accompany you. I fear losing my life the moment I try to cross the fog. Maybe next time? — he admitted with a slight smile forming on his face.

The Being that ruled the gray fog, the same one that had been mentioned by the young Sun in his prayers, could kill him or even drive him mad.

In worse cases, perhaps it could be replaced by Him. Who knows if this Being could completely control him?

Caressing the head of the giant wolf that was now lying on the ground, Klein couldn't help but think that he could probably be something like a puppet in a big show.

He almost felt a strong urge to laugh at this.

— I just have to wait a little longer to actually pretend to be asleep in case Miss Adhara or anyone else is watching me… — Klein muttered to himself in a very patient tone.

He was more thoughtful than ever, but he still felt that something could be more wrong than anything.

— Uh… You and your friends must live in the gray mist… I wonder what you eat? — Klein suddenly wondered curiously.

Thinking logically, it should be meat.

But they are Beyonder creatures or like the beings from the spirit world I saw in my dreams, so it certainly isn't meat…

What a pity, I'll never be able to give them anything to eat… — Klein lamented with a sigh.

The wolf looked at him with eyes as big as a cat's, seeming to understand what he was talking about.

— Have you been to the world? Have you ever left the gray mist to explore any other place? — he asked for no apparent reason.

The big wolf nodded as if he was saying "yes" excitedly.

— That's a good thing…

Klein rested his head above the wolf larger than him, letting his consciousness fall back into his body.

...

City of Silver.

Lit by the glow of the candles, Derrick Berg held the potion in his hands tightly.

His eyes had a hesitant glow, but he brought the bubbling vial to his mouth and swallowed the entire potion without vomiting anything, even though he wanted to.

He felt as if his senses were distorted and strange.

Derrick could feel a warm sensation expanding through his chest as if it were his own heartbeat, his eyes blurring as they tried to adjust to his situation.

He finally managed to blink once more as his mind filled with some illusory murmurs that rang in his ear persistently.

— I... Did I really manage to become a Beyonder? — Derrick's tone was hesitant, almost stuttering.

His voice seemed a little changed.

He was now a Bard!

All thanks to the Tarot Club!

Praise be to Mr. Fool!

In his own excitement, he suddenly stopped when he heard a noise outside his house.

Toc, toc.

Toc.

The knocking continued, this time slightly louder.

Toc! Toc!

Toc!

— Derrick, His Excellency calls you to the Twin Towers. — Joshua's voice seemed to have a touch of anguish, almost as if he was expecting the worst.

What? — Derrick was incredibly confused by that.

He immediately became anxious.

Could His Excellency, Colin Iliad, have found out something about when he prayed to Mr. Fool?

— I'm going... — Derrick said as he hid the already completely empty bottle in a drawer.

When he opened the door, he saw Joshua looking very pale as he stared at him, almost looking guilty about something.

— Are you okay? What happened? — Derrick immediately asked very nervously. His emotions were apparent on his face and eyes.

— I... I'm fine. — Joshua spoke in a low tone. His bandaged arm seemed to have a large wound hidden under the cloth.

The illusory silver "light" shone serenely in the cloud-filled sky, very faint as if it didn't even exist, but it was still there.

Some said that this faint glow that remained only over the City of Silver was the blessing of God or some ancient Angel.

Joshua tried to say something, but no voice came out of his throat. He lowered his head as he leaned against the wall again.

Derrick didn't know the situation, but from Joshua's state, nothing good had certainly happened.

— Joshua, are you sure you're okay? — he stammered a little.

— I'm fine... Just go to the twin towers... — Joshua mumbled without looking at the young Derrick.

Looking at the other who clearly didn't feel like saying anything, Derrick had no choice but to run towards the towers that were in the northern part of the city.

He didn't feel tired like before, now he could run relatively well compared to when he ended up panting from going too fast.

When he arrived, the guard let him pass urgently and he finally arrived at the huge library with thousands of books.

He could see the face of a tall figure in front of him.

His blue eyes were dark, perhaps tired or imposing, but they seemed to contain a lot of history behind them.

His hair, a little long, was gray with a few small, somewhat disheveled braids. He had old and deep scars only on his cheeks, as well as wrinkles in the same place.

That was Colin Iliad, the Demon Hunter and the Head of the Council of Six Members!

Derrick felt very tense, his nerves almost exploding with anxiety when he saw the imposing man.

— Your Excellency... — he lowered his head.

— Derrick Berg. I see you have become a Beyonder. — Colin Iliad recognized this fact immediately.

Derrick didn't know what to say, so he just gave a weak answer:

— Yes...

Colin Iliad gave him a very calm look, his expression a little worn.

— Unfortunately, your parents are not in the best condition. Weak and wounded, they are giving in to an unknown corruption after the last expedition. We thought maybe you might have some idea what your parents contacted to make things so bad.

Unknown corruption? — Derrick widened his eyes.

His heart began to beat faster with despair.

— God has been merciful and has not let them feel pain for now, but they will probably not persist for more than twenty days. — Colin Iliad's voice was tired.

Derrick couldn't say anything else, his eyes filled with tears that rolled down his face.

His face became a little empty, his heart sinking in his chest, he no longer had much faith in what the Demon Hunter had said.

The light shone in the sky of other places he had heard about in the Tarot Club, the moon hovered over the cosmos of these cities and kingdoms.

Hearing those stories felt like reading mythical tales to Derrick, who had always believed that they of the City of Silver were favored by God.

There were no blessings or mercy.

He knew that God had abandoned them.

Notes: