Lord of the Mysteries - Chapter 39

Chapter 39: Interesting Trick

In fact, I do not know if the notebook is destroyed or hidden . . . but by using backward reasoning, if it is to be destroyed, it could have been done on the spot . There was no need for me to take it away to carry out the destruction . . .

Upon hearing Leonard's question, Klein instantly went into keyboard detective mode and said with a sigh, "Perhaps when Welch, Naya, and I made contact with the unknown existence, it enjoyed the sacrifice of life or wished for similar situations to continue . With the suicide definitely easily discoverable, I was made to take away the notebook to hide it so as to prepare for the existence's second round of entertainment . However, some mishap happened during the process and I failed to succeed in my suicide . "

This was a reasoned guess Klein made from his consumption of novels, movies, and TV dramas which involved cult sacrifices .

As for the mishap that happened midway, he knew very well that it was due to the unexpected variable of him being a transmigrator .

"Quite a good explanation, but I believe there might be other possibilities . Welch's and Naya's suicide sacrifice might have made it possible for the unknown existence to descend on this world . Then, that notebook is a vessel or a breeding ground for evil . It made you take it away to hide it, worried that we would destroy it if we discovered its birth—before it became strong . " Leonard Mitchell suggested another possibility .

Having said that, he stared into Klein's eyes and smiled slightly .

"Of course, perhaps the notebook has been destroyed . The goal is to hide its content, to conceal the vessel or the brooding of evil . That way, there is a sufficient reason for your failed suicide . "

What does he mean? Is he suspecting me? Is he suspecting that the original Klein's body is a vessel or used for the brooding of evil? No, what he's being a vessel for is a transmigrator . . . Actually, "Brooding" isn't a correct term . Klein was taken aback . While he secretly criticized the idea, he weighed his words .

"I will not try to defend myself since I've lost memories from that period . Be it Captain or Madam Daly, they have already confirmed that I'm fine . Your joke isn't funny . "

"I'm only considering a possibility . It does not eliminate the blow the unknown existence encountered when it descended which caused your suicide to fail . We believe that the Goddess will ultimately bless us . " Leonard laughed as he changed the subject . "Did you discover anything in the afternoon?"

After the conversation and the previous encounters, Klein was very wary of Leonard . He answered in a composed manner, "No . I plan on trying a different route tomorrow afternoon . "

He pointed to the partition and said, "I'll need to head to the armory to draw the bullets . "

The Shooting Club opened to nine at night . After all, its availability increased only after many of its members got off work .

"May Goddess bless you . " Leonard smiled as he gestured the sign of the crimson moon on his chest .

He watched Klein pass through the partition and listened to his footsteps down the stairs . Leonard's smile gradually vanished as a look of doubt appeared in his green eyes .

He whispered something with a displeased tone .

. . .

Down the stairs, Klein followed the gas lamp-illuminated corridor to the armory and archives .

The iron door was open and the brown-haired Rozanne was standing in front of the table . She was chatting with a top hat-wearing middle-aged man with a thick black beard .

"Good afternoon, no . Good evening . It's always night here . Klein, I heard from Old Neil that you have become a Beyonder? It's called Seer?" Rozanne turned her head and deluged him with her questions .

She did not hide her curiosity and concern .

Klein nodded with a smile .

"Good afternoon, Miss Rozanne . It's indeed always night here, but it makes one feel a sense of serenity . The description you gave wasn't accurate enough . It should be said that the Sequence potion I consumed has the name Seer . "

"You still chose to become a Beyonder after all . . . " Rozanne said with a sigh as she fell into a deep thought .

Klein looked at the middle-aged man beside her and asked politely, "You are?"

Another Nighthawk member or one of the other two civilian staff I have not met?

Rozanne puckered her lips and said, "Bredt . Our colleague . He wishes to change slots with me to free up the night after tomorrow . He plans on going to the theater in the North District with his wife to watch The Prideful One . It's to celebrate their fifteenth-year wedding anniversary . He's truly a romantic gentleman . "

Bredt smiled as he extended his hand and said, "With Miss Rozanne around, there's nothing that requires repeating . Hello, Klein . I never expected you to become a Beyonder so quickly . As for me, heh, I might never have the courage . "

"Perhaps it's as the saying goes, the ignorant knows no fear," Klein said in a self-deprecating manner as he extended his hand to shake Bredt's .

"Me not having courage is not something bad," said Bredt with a shake of his head . "A Beyonder once told me before his death to never probe the strange and dangerous matters . The less you know, the longer you live . "

At that moment, Rozanne interjected, "Klein, there's no need to mind it . I heard from Old Neil that as a Seer, you are used as support . It's relatively safe as long as you do not attempt to communicate with unknown existences . Why are you dressed in such clothes? It's so unbecoming of a gentleman! What are you here for?"

"I'm here to draw my thirty bullets . " Klein did not reply to Rozanne's first question .

He believed that the lady would quickly forget the matter .

"Alright . " Rozanne pointed at the table and said, "Bredt, it's all yours . You should know where the keys and bullets are . Oh, Old Neil really is petty . He did not even leave his hand ground coffee behind . He promised me that I could drink my fill today . . . "

She prattled on as Klein received the bullets .

The duo left together and went their separate ways at Zouteland Street . One took a public carriage home while the other walked into the Shooting Club .

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Klein repeated the process—gripping the gun, raising his arms, shooting, releasing the cylinder, ejecting the empty shells, and stuffing in rounds—again and again . He became familiar with the process and built it into his muscle memory .

Of course, he had a few breaks in between to review and correct the process .

After finishing his practice, Klein used the grounds to do various exercises like push-ups . He worked hard to train his body to improve his physique .

Once everything was over, he sat in an untracked carriage home . Only then he realized it was nearing seven and the sky was already dark .

Just as Klein was planning to head to the market or streets to buy the ingredients for dinner, the door opened . Melissa had returned with her stationery-filled bag .

Apart from that, she carried quite a lot of groceries .

" . . . I thought you and Benson would be home rather late . This morning, I took out 1 soli from the place you hide the money . " Upon seeing her brother's questioning look, Melissa explained in her usual serious manner .

"Since you took the money, why didn't you take the public carriage to school?" Klein had been reminded of the matter from the morning .

Melissa said with a frown, "Why should I take a public carriage . It costs four pence to get to school . A return trip means eight pence . Counting Benson and you, we will be spending twenty-four pence on transportation daily . That's a whole soli! In a week, yes, without counting Sunday, that's still twelve pence . It's almost equal to our rent . "

Stop, stop, stop! Don't flaunt your mathematical prowess . . . Klein lowered his palm in an amused manner .

Melissa first stopped before adding, "It's pretty good walking to school . Our teacher said that everyone should exercise frequently . Besides, I can pick some damaged components on the way . "

Klein chuckled and said, "Then let's do the math again . The public carriage costs twelve soli . The rent is twelve soli and three pence . It's a total of one pound, four soli and three pence . Using Benson's salary is enough to pay for it and there will be quite a bit of change left . Yes, he has received last week's salary . . . As for me, I can still earn one pound ten soli every week . Even if we eat meat every day while counting expenses like gas, charcoal, wood, and condiments, we would still have some left if we are frugal with lunch . We can even subscribe to the morning papers for just one penny . "

"In two months, when I make up for the advanced payment, I can save money for both you and Benson . We can have new clothes . "

"But! But we have to think of the possible accidents . " Melissa stayed firm on her point .

Klein smiled at her and said, "Then, we can eat less meat . Don't you find spending fifty, no, a hundred minutes on the road a waste of time? You could use that time to read more and think over problems and improve your results .

"That way, Melissa, you will be graduate with excellent grades . You will be able to find a job with a pretty good salary . When that happens, what is there to worry about?"

" . . . "

He fully displayed his experience gained from debating with people on message boards and finally convinced Melissa . She agreed to take the public carriage to school .

"Phew, I've finally suckered her into doing it . No, how can I call it suckering . This is called convincing . . . " Klein lampooned before taking over the groceries that Melissa had bought . He said with a sigh, "Remember to buy beef or meat like mutton and chicken . . . Eat until you're full and enjoy yourself . Only then will you be equipped with a healthy body and a clever brain to match the demanding requirements needed for your studies . "

Just mentioning it makes me salivate . . .

Melissa puckered her lips and after a few seconds of silence, said, "Alright . "

. . .

The next morning, after ensuring that Melissa took a public carriage, Klein and Benson separated and went to their respective companies .

The moment Klein stepped into the door, he saw Old Neil and Rozanne chatting by the reception desk . The former was still in his classic black robe, without any concern for the gazes of others . The latter had changed into a casual cream-colored dress .

"Good morning, Mr . Neil, Miss Rozanne," greeted Klein as he took off his hat .

Old Neil gave him a mischievous look .

"Good morning, you did not hear anything you shouldn't have heard last night, right?"

"No, I slept very well . " Klein was also quite puzzled over that .

He could only put it down to his inadequate perception . . .

"Haha, don't mind that . Actually, it's not that easily heard . " Old Neil pointed to the partition and said, "Go to the armory . We will continue out mysticism lessons this morning . "

Klein nodded and followed Old Neil down the stairs and arrived at the armory to replace Bredt who had been on duty the entire night .

"What will we be learning today?" asked Klein curiously .

Old Neil dragged out his response and said, "The complicated and basic knowledge . But before that, let me teach you an interesting trick . "

He pointed at the silver chain on his wrist . There was a pure moonstone hanging from the chain .