Alexandria's Keeper - Lord of the Mysteries

Irina recited, "The Evernight Goddess is nobler than the stars and more eternal than eternity. She is also the Lady of Crimson, the Mother of Secrets, the Empress of Disaster and Horror, Mistress of Calm and Silence. Is that correct?"

Old Neil nodded. "Correct. And what about the rest?"

Irina continued, "The creation myth, the reasons why Beyonders lose control, and how to avoid it. The pathways currently held by the Evernight Church, the differences between the various churches, and the Blasphemy Slate... Also, we must never change our pathway. Once we drink the potion from one of them, our fate is sealed. Switching pathways would mean losing control. You emphasized that quite a bit."

Old Neil replied, "Of course. Normally, you'd start as a member of the civilian staff and later become a Nighthawk through significant contributions, if you so choose. However, your situation is quite unique; you're already a Beyonder. Now, returning to everything we discussed?"

Irina nodded. "I understand the purpose of Chanis Gate and that I will start monitoring it next week. The Cathedral of Serenity, the headquarters of the Church of the Evernight Goddess, is located in Winter County, to the north of the kingdom. The underground is connected to the main church in Tingen through tunnels. If anyone comes asking for a mission from the 'Security Company,' we gladly accept the extra income, provided members are available and it doesn't hinder our current missions. Is that everything?"

Old Neil said, "Yes, just one last thing for today, the most important for you right now. For Beyonders, one's spiritual perception is enhanced to varying degrees. The lower the number in the Sequence, the more acute their perception. They hear what others cannot, see what others cannot, and encounter things others would not. They are constantly faced with mysterious enticement and illusionary bewitchment. If they become overstimulated or develop greedy desires, they slowly begin to lose control. This is something that has already happened to you; by some strange miracle, you managed to survive, retaining perfect consciousness. But remember—"

Old Neil fixed his gaze on Irina, his tone growing somber. "The founder of the Nighthawks, Archbishop Chanis, once said, 'We are guardians, but also miserable wretches constantly battling against dangers and madness.'"

At those words, a chill swept through the armory. Yet Irina's thoughts shattered the serious atmosphere. How could I possibly take this whole explanation seriously? I've read this story; I know its end, the characters' actions, and their fates. This world-building is terrifying, maddening, and bloody. I know I'm living through this hell, but if I don't laugh it off, how can I maintain my sanity? This is just a tale for me—I'm merely acting in this play to see how it unfolds. Who knows, maybe tomorrow I'll wake up in a hospital bed and discover this has all been a vivid dream. I might as well have some fun while it lasts, right?

Irina then quipped, "With great power comes great responsibility, doesn't it always?"

Old Neil nodded slowly before continuing, "About that sealed artifact—the pocket mirror with brush—it should normally be contained within Chanis Gate. But after what it did to that poor Leonard and what it hasn't done to you over the years, it was decided you would keep it."

"Oh yes, Dunn informed me about it," Irina replied.

"Oh, I see. That's unexpected. Anyway, you can also read the official documents related to it; perhaps you might be able to contribute some information. The research team for sealed artifacts is quite busy at the moment, and since you didn't show any adverse reactions—in fact, it seems to have prevented you from losing control—their interest has been piqued."

Irina quickly deduced, "Lab rat?"

Old Neil chuckled. "You could say that. Nevertheless, as per your contract—"

Irina interrupted, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Contract?"

An intense silence hung between them before Old Neil resumed, equally puzzled. "The contract you signed when you officially started working? With all the necessary information? You mentioned you wouldn't be working the day after tomorrow because it's Monday, so you should have signed it by now."

Irina replied crisply, "Nope, I haven't seen any of that."

A long, exhausted sigh escaped Old Neil's lips. "I shouldn't be surprised he forgot something again."

Irina asked gently, "I guess that's a normal occurrence around here?"

Old Neil replied tiredly, "You'll get used to it. Considering you'll meet him soon, ask if it's possible to get an advance payment from our accountant, Mrs. Orianna."

Suddenly, Irina placed a hand over her heart, striking a fainting pose as she exclaimed in a mock sorrowful tone, "Oh! How is it that none of the gentlemen and gentleladies I've met lately can help but express how much I resemble a homeless individual? When I worked at the orphanage, not a single one of the kids mentioned anything of the sort, not to me or the guests. Whatever will I do?! How am I supposed to find marriage candidates with such looks?"

Old Neil smiled at her theatrics. "Youth these days certainly take advice well."

Irina returned to her usual composed self and confessed, "I just prefer it this way. This world hides plenty of danger, and everyone is always so serious. If no one makes fun of it, how are we all supposed to survive?"

Old Neil pondered her words for a moment before replying, "I see your point, Ms. Irina. Now, go to the captain and sign the contract. Once you're done, you can come back so we can go over a few other things and enter the practical field of a Beyonder."

Irina's eyes lit up. "That sounds interesting! I'll try to be as fast as possible."

Old Neil quickly cautioned, "It's pretty dangerous to run down the stairs, so don't do it. Otherwise, you'll end up just like Leonard when he became a Beyonder."

I smell blackmail material~

Irina failed miserably at faking disinterest. "Oh? What happened?"

Old Neil chuckled at the memory and her reaction. "On his first day as a 'Sleepless,' he thought rushing down the stairs would be a great idea. Apparently, it was not, as he ended up tumbling down like a cartwheel. Young ones never cease to amaze me these days."

He's right! How could I forget this supreme piece of black—knowledge?! Oh, I can't wait to meet him again!

Meanwhile, Dunn Smith was peacefully smoking a cigar in his office while reviewing Leonard's report when the door suddenly burst open, revealing the new hire, Irina, grinning from ear to ear.

Having witnessed the whole scene unfold, Leonard raised an eyebrow and asked, "Have you ever heard of knocking?"

"Perfect timing, dear poet!" Irina replied, her smile widening.

Her grin transformed into a playful smirk as she raised a hand to her chin and placed the other on her waist. "Not sure, ever heard of not running down the stairs when in a hurry?"

Leonard, now crimson with embarrassment, turned toward the wall to hide his face, shouting, "Who told you that?! That was just one time!"

Irina laughed. "It still happened once, didn't it? Perhaps you can enlighten me on how exactly that event transpired."

Dunn sighed softly, interrupting their playful banter. "Is there a reason for you bursting into my office without knocking?"

Irina's grin faded, though she still wore a gentle smile. "You two weren't discussing anything too important, right?"

I mean… I had fun and I have to sign the contract, but I don't want to interrupt.

"It's nothing that requires my immediate response, if that's what you mean," Dunn replied.

Irina beamed. "Great! In that case, I'm officially a Nighthawk working for the Evernight Church, right?"

Dunn replied, slightly confused, "That's correct. You officially started yesterday, even if you didn't spend the day here. Where are you going with this?"

Leonard, having calmed down, turned to the two with curiosity. "What are you getting at, Irina?"

She leaned forward and declared, "Well~ I should have signed a contract then, correct?"

Leonard's eyes widened in surprise as he asked, "You haven't?"

Irina easily replied, "Nope!"

Dunn, now realizing the gravity of the situation, responded passively, "Oh…"

The two standing Nighthawks turned toward the now silent captain, waiting for an explanation. Acknowledging that the attention lay solely on him, he meekly admitted, "I forgot."

No shit, Sherlock.