Chapter 29: Fooling the Fool, Again.

After leaving Ademisaul with Opera and having a short talk about what to expect and what to do if the boy started acting strange, Adryan didn't stay much longer in the flower shop and returned to his apartment in Astope Quarter. 

After locking the door and confirming that no one had entered while he was away, he entered his office and formed a wall of spirituality, sealing the room.

That done, he took his place in his chair. Reaching under the desk, the shadows on it bubbled briefly before spitting a thin, dark metal watch into his hand.

Opening Hangover Time and confirming that he still had about 40 minutes before the time he had told Klein, he wasted no time making an altar to remove the origami from his Calamity Wardrobe.

With the figurine now on his desk and having cleaned the altar, Adryan unfolded the origami and wrote with a pencil of paper with extreme delicacy: <It's me. I want to speak>

'If he has not yet reincarnated,, then he must still be a child. If his parents are decent, then he should be sleeping at this hour...' the black-haired man thought calmly as he carefully folded the paper and the origami bird returned to its form.

'At least this is fun. It reminds me of my crafts...'

With that in mind, Adryan leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. Using cogitation, it only took him a few moments to fall into the dream world.

...

Opening his eyes, his lucidity returned immediately, and the scenery changed to the metric world of upside down and twisted, with the black steeple with a huge silver snake who, this time, was awake and looking down at him from her place on the ceiling.

Ignoring the stare, Adryan looked down at his body, noting that he was still in the Harvey Wayne costume. He just shook his head and walked to the spot.

No sooner had he taken the third step than he was in front of it but did not enter. He looked up and gave the menacing snake a small smile. Extending his left palm into the air, he wiggled his fingers like a spider.

"What do you say? A little petting? It's been a while since we've seen each other. You owe me that, don't you think?"

The snake, easily bigger than the house, looked at him for a few seconds before descending on him. Closing its red eyes, the snake brought its nose closer, and the red-haired man wasted no time nuzzling it.

"There, there. You're a good boy." Laughing softly, Adryan petted the snake, which, after a few seconds, separated from the man but not before licking his palm with his tongue.

Laughing some more and without further interruptions, he entered the building. Walking in no apparent direction and darting through doors, walls, and staircases, he returned to the curious blue-walled room.

A blond-haired, black-eyed boy with a slightly confused look was waiting for him.

"Normally, people who visit this place are a little afraid of it. Do you like snakes, Mr. Kenway?"

"Why would I be afraid of you?" Adryan asked, amused with a raised eyebrow, walking up to the mercury snake and ruffling his hair. "Did you think I'd really believe that snake was just your pet? Conceited child."

Will Auceptin, the Archangel of Sequence 1, the Serpent of Destiny, looked somewhat stunned at the man before him.

"...You have grown bolder, Mr. Kenway..."

Grinning sharply, Adryan stopped ruffling and held the boy's head, his eyes glinting dangerously. "Be thankful that this is the only thing I'll do to you for leaving me without saying anything..."

Before the boy could say anything, he lowered his hand from the boy's head to his cheek, which he squeezed somewhat tightly with two fingers.

"Ow!" Squeezing his cheek, not expecting such boldness, Will stared dumbfounded at the man who gave him a tetric smile.

"Don't do that again, and your cheeks won't be the only thing I'm going to twist." That was a move he had learned from his grandmother, who always used it when he misbehaved or didn't want to eat his vegetables. Using the move passed down from generation to generation, he punished this naughty boy.

An uncomfortable silence filled the room.

Sigh.

Rubbing his cheek a little, Will just gave a nod. "That's on me. I deserved it.

"You've seriously gotten bolder, Mr. Kenway."

"Not bolder but sterner. Do you want me to treat you like a child? I'll treat you like one," Adryan said flatly, crossing his arms and giving the boy a look worthy of a disappointed father.

One of the blond eyebrows twitched.

"I'm glad you're so considerate..."

"You know, Mr. Kenway. I always thought of you as bold. But that move you made... I must say, I never expected you to be capable of something like that. Everybody's looking for you now. Are you sure you can handle that load?"

"If they want me, let them come for me. I'll kill them like the last bastards who tried it." Adryan said in a cold voice, drawing a childish chuckle from the boy.

"How bloodthirsty."

Rolling his eyes, the black-haired man sighed and lowered his arms. "I need the Monster and Robot potion formulas. I have a kid who is Half-Monster, and I want him on my team; I need the formula to fix his mental problems."

"You don't know when to stop, do you? It's too late for a kid to be awake..." Will grumbled a little, pouting.

But Adryan didn't care, already knowing how to deal with it. "I'll buy you six pounds of ice cream if you give it to me."

The boy's eyes lit up as if two stars were suddenly born deep inside them. Without holding back his happiness, the boy pointed a finger and a huge smile at the man: "Make them vanilla, and you've got a deal!"

"Done." Sighing with satisfaction that the problem with Ademisaul was solved, Adryan wasn't done yet.

"In a few days, I'll have a mission-

The cheerful expression on Will's face immediately soured, and the boy puffed out his cheeks. And his eyes became watery. "Why do adults always have to ruin the good things? This is child exploitation!

"I'll include chocolate in the ice cream."

"What did you say you needed?" As if pressing a button, his bright smile and starry eyes returned.

Knowing that this was for the snake's mental health and that he had annoyed him enough, the Cosnpirator could only sigh.

"On the 30th of August, I have a mission with some investors; I thought you might be interested to know."

A thoughtful expression replaced the smile. With a finger under his chin, Will looked curiously at the ceiling.

"What time would that be?"

"I would meet them at 7:30 p.m."

Tilting his head, the Mercury Serpent asked a question every ten-year-old would ask.

"Why?"

Knowing he only wanted to tease him thanks to his very coarse experience taking care of his younger cousins, Adryan specified further.

"I thought you could give me a better look at this."

Will smiled mysteriously. "Have you forgotten that your destiny is hidden? No matter how much I want to, I can't get a 'peek' like you say."

Returning the smile as he noticed the problem, Adryan laughed softly and said, "You never said you didn't know anything."

The boy's smile faltered, and he could only sigh in exasperation. "You got me."

Raising his hands in surrender, the Snake looked at him in boredom. "That day is when the gates of the Tower will be opened. The time you said is half an hour before it begins.

"Surely those who invited you want you to participate."

His heart began to pound, and a feral smile formed.

Finally, he could see one of the biggest changes to the original story!

Controlling himself, Adryan didn't forget about his canceled mission with the snake and inquired about it.

"By the way, what happened to that mission on the 14th? Was there a problem, or was it moved?"

"Something like that." Will clasped his hands behind his back and started looking at his feet.

"The mission was just to get you into the Tower. But now that someone else will do that for me, I don't have to worry about it.

"Don't get your hopes up. That doesn't change that you have a mission."

Straightening his back, Adryan looked thoughtfully at the boy.

Will, with a serious voice and an expression that shouldn't be in such a young boy's, said. "Your primary mission is to climb the tower and reach the top."

...

Returning to his body and opening his eyes, Adryan growled something hoarse. Bringing a hand to his face, the black-haired man sighed.

Taking a few seconds, he turned to look at the pocket watch still open on his desk. Seeing that only 20 minutes remained, the Conspirator did not hurry but calmly made another altar and sacrificed the origami bird to himself.

That done, he went into his room, threw himself on his bed, and covered himself with his blanket. The clock now showed 4 minutes to 10 p.m. Adryan closed his eyes, the sphere of light already forming in his mind.

Opening his eyes to the familiar yellowish landscape with the familiar City in the distance, he just stood up and stretched a little.

He had to prepare the welcome for a certain clown.

'First impressions are the most important thing, after all~' Adryan laughed darkly, beautiful dark armor covering his body and a hood obscuring his face.

...

Pitedo Street, Unit 1-5

While Klein knew this moment would come sooner rather than later, he found it difficult to keep his hands from shaking.

Clenching his fists, the clown let out a shaky sigh and closed his eyes.

He didn't need to ask about the honorific name. Adryan Kenway had taken it upon himself to spread it worldwide and told him so in their private chat at the Gray Fog.

Clasping his hands together, Klein prayed in Hermes.

"The Scarlet Monarch who burns Depravity;

The Calamity forgotten by Time;

The Stranger that comes from the Unknown."

As soon as he finished saying that, Klein felt something deep inside him being pulled. Before he could react, orange flames blinded his vision.

...

Somewhat dazed, the clown blinked. His vision had changed from his room to a yellowish-smoky wasteland. All he could see was that.

'This place is like the space above the Gray Fog!' Klein was speechless, finding the place enormously familiar.

But no matter where he looked, he couldn't find it.

"Good afternoon or should I say Good Night?" A sudden voice beside him made him freeze.

Controlling his body not to startle, he turned and looked to his side.

There, where there was nothing before, stood someone. Wearing a papal red tunic with the hood raised, Klein could see an armor of black and bloody rusty metal beneath it.

An intangible pressure emerged from his body that seemed to bend and burn the space. Pressure that made Klein want to kneel and surrender to such a Behemoth.

Klein immediately realized who 'He' was.

The Scarlet Monarch!

The clown's pupils shrank, and he prostrated in front of the figure, his forehead touching the ground and sweating bullets.

Klein bit his lips hard but before he could sink deeper into his fear and nervousness a soft chuckle reached his ears.

Klein did not dare look up lest he offend the God, so he stayed still. A statue moved further.

"Please rise; such formalities are unnecessary, " a softer, deep voice said, and biting his lips a little, the clown slowly looked up.

From what little he could see of 'His' uncovered face, an amused smile was clear.

The figure smiled calmly, "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Moretti."

'Of course, you know who I am...' Not at all comfortable with his true identity being discovered by such an existence with ulterior motives, Klein could only hide his discomfort as best he could and slowly stand up.

"It is an honor and a blessing to meet you, Scarlet Monarch..." He said with reverence and enormous respect.

While he didn't entirely trust the existence before him, the truth was that 'His' Blessed had helped save Tingen, which earned an opportunity in his books.

'Though in this case, I seem to have earned the opportunity...' Holding back his lips from trembling, Klein deepened his bow a little more.

Even if Existence had said it was alright, not showing at least some respect was to court death!

A soft, soul-caressing chuckle calmed the clown's nerves, and he still didn't calm down.

"You can look at me. I give you my word that nothing will happen to you."

"I mean no offense, Monarch..." Klein tried to refuse the offer as cordially as possible, but the God seemed to want none of it.

"Don't worry. It's fine."

Cursing inwardly, the clown finally relented and slowly looked up with extreme care and movements not unlike those of a wary cat.

The shadow-covered face and hood returned to him, and the clown flustered again.

"For what reasons do you wish to speak with me, Lord."

The hooded figure smiled mysteriously. "Isn't it obvious? Obviously to reward the hero who sacrificed himself to save Tingen. Of course."

Reward?

Klein found himself dazed and confused, this must have shown on his face for the Scarlet Monarch was quick to add.

"You almost single-handedly prevented the True Creator from descending. Sacrificing your life in the process. If those efforts were not rewarded, it would be a failure on my part."

"Single-handedly..." Klein murmured faintly, his mind flashing past the faces of the people who fought alongside him.

Daly Simone, Leonard Mitchell, and... Dunn Smith.

Remembering the lonely grave in the flower-covered cemetery, the clown could only lower his head.

"No... I didn't do it alone... I had a lot of help. And despite Mr. Kenway's help, I failed to protect everyone and the Captain..."

A soft sigh sounded at his side, and Klein only lowered his head further.

'Of course, why would a Higher Existence care about the death of human beings...'

Pat Pat

'Ah!' Unable to stop himself from tensing, Klein let the armour-covered hand gently stroke his head.

While he could not see his face, he could feel the deep sadness and empathy from the Monarch's gaze.

"Of course. It was my mistake; Dunn Smith died as a hero. And his sacrifice must never be forgotten or belittled...

"While that is so. Please, Klein Moretti, don't forget that you too gave your life for the ones you loved, though you got back up, you lost everything. I'm sure it hurts. It stabs your heart. You wonder why you got back on your feet and not him... Right?"

Drop... Drop...

Klein said nothing. Clear, turbulent rivers streamed down his face, the pain he'd been keeping all this time behind a mask finally coming out—the dam breaking.

"We don't choose our destiny. No matter how much we want it, we are all given a responsibility that often crushes and suffocates us... That's what you have now, Klein.

"There is no gentle way to put it. You have a huge responsibility on you, one that was given to you against your will. Whether you want to carry it or not, that's entirely your choice. I will only give you the tools so that the Path you choose will be easier for you to see.

"More, please. No matter what happens, never forget why you do it. Why do you get out of bed and face a new day? That's what makes us human, the people we fight against dangers and madness for."

A tense nod was all Klein gave, his body shaking hard and light sobs leaving his tight lips.

While he wanted to stop, he thought that being like this in front of a God was a great offense and that he had to regain control. He was incapable of that. Once the doors were opened, they would not close until all that was sealed behind them came out.

Sob... Sob...

The Scarlet Monarch said nothing more. He just stroked his head calmly, letting him unburden all the pain he had hidden behind a red smile and white face.

Between the tears and sobs, Klein could barely hear something break, and something inside him melted completely.

It took him 20 minutes to regain his composure, and when he did, he could only stand there with a red face. Even more so if he felt embarrassed enough to die, Klein couldn't deny that he hadn't felt this good in days. Even weeks.

"Better?" The Scarlet Monarch asked with a gentle smile that reminded him very much of a father to his son.

"Y-yes... Thank you very much, Lord." The detective stuttered a little. Still red.

"Hehe. It's nothing; remember that having that inside you for so long is unhealthy. It can lead to losing control if you're not careful." The Monarch joked a little.

"I'll keep that in mind."

The Monarch nodded in satisfaction. He then looked around and could only sigh.

"Our time is getting short, so I must make this quick. I will now give you the formulas for Sequence 7 through 5 of your pathway. Try to write them down once you get back to your body."

Stunned, Klein could only nod with his heart pounding.

"Sequence 7 Magician. Main Ingredients: 1 true root of a Mist Treant, All the spinal fluid of a Dark Patterned Black Panther....

"Sequence 6 Faceless. Main Ingredients: A Mutated pituitary gland of a Thousand-faced Hunter, A Characteristic of a Human-skinned Shadow...

"Sequence 5 Marionettist. Main Ingredients: Dust of Ancient Wraiths, Core crystal of a Six-Winged Gargoyle..." Finishing dictating the formulas, the Monarch chuckled softly under 'His' breath.

"If you have trouble remembering them, you can always pray to me. Considering you are a Seer, it shouldn't be a problem."

"...Thank you very much, Lord." Klein gave a deep bow in respect. His fear about this existence had been almost completely extinguished, leaving only that which accompanied his now great respect for this one.

He had never expected the Scarlet Monarch to be one so gracious and gentle.

The Scarlet Monarch gave a slight nod. "In closing, this is the last thing I will tell you. You are not alone, Klein Moretti."

The detective pursed his lips slightly, suddenly finding himself a little uncomfortable. While he appreciated what the Monarch had done for him, this was already encroaching too much on his personal space.

'Maybe it's a lonely existence? And want some friends?'

"I appreciate your words, Lord. But I think I'm misunderstanding..."

A mysterious smile formed on the Scarlet Monarch's face. "Let me rephrase myself...

"I speak to you, the person who comes from another world and inhabits the body of Klein Moretti."

Klein's heart stopped, and he turned pale as a leaf. 

He knows! 

Without giving him time to defend himself, the Monarch continued. "At this moment, there is someone like you walking the world."

The clown brain blue-screened for a second, his mouth hanging and ultimately lost for words.

"Use that information as you will. Have a good night, " the Monarch said, turning around and walking into the yellowish smoke, slowly disappearing into it.

"W-wait! What do you mean there's someone else like me out there?!" Klein reached out his hand, but an orange flame blinded his vision.

Thump!

"Urghh." Grunting in pain at the strong hit, the clown opened his eyes and saw that he was lying on the ground in his study at home.

Klein didn't get up, just stared at the ceiling with a blank stare.

"There's someone like me walking the world..." He murmured barely above a sigh.

He understood the message the Scarlet Monarch had conveyed.

"Out there... there is another transmigrator..." Klein mumbled, still not believing what he had heard.

At this moment, Klein finally found the thing that the God and 'His' blessed one shared.

Both of them always saved the most important information for last!