Chapter 65: Five Years! Do You Know What These Five Years...

Monday, August 20.

After enjoying a lavish dinner, Ashes bid farewell to Earl Hall's family in the evening. Although it was evening, there wasn't much distinction between day and night. After all, Backlund, known as the "Fog City," was perpetually shrouded in factory-produced smog, making it hard to tell the difference.

Ashes didn't return directly to Hillsdon District from the Queen's District but first headed north to the Northern District before circling back. This had almost become his daily routine—enjoying fine food and the best Queen's Tea at Earl Hall's during the day, then randomly visiting the detective agency in the morning or evening. After all, he felt a bit guilty about taking the Church's salary for doing nothing, so making a daily visit seemed fair.

As soon as he arrived at the detective agency, he saw the two familiar faces playing chess in the hall, unchanged as if they were eternal fixtures.

"Good evening, everyone," Ashes greeted casually. "Is there anything you need my help with?"

"If next time you could bring us a takeaway from the Earl's place after your dinner, I'd be very grateful," Al Harsen snapped, clearly annoyed. He spent his days fooling around at Earl Hall's, eating and drinking his fill, only to show up at the agency to flaunt it. Annoying! He too wanted to spend his days with a noble lady!

"Don't listen to him," Loretta rolled her eyes and pointed to an old man nearby. "Ashes, I think you remember Old Neil, don't you?"

Ashes looked over and saw an elderly man with gray hair, dressed in a classic black robe, reading by the gaslight. Upon hearing Loretta, the old man stood up, removed his black soft hat, and smiled.

"Good evening, Mr. Ash," Old Neil greeted.

"Good evening, Mr. Neil," Ashes responded, then looked questioningly at Loretta.

The old man before him was none other than the Beyonder Old Neil he had met in Tingen City. Back then, Neil was deeply affected by the whispers of the Hidden Sage due to his "Mystery Pryer" pathway, but now he seemed to have recovered.

"The higher-ups have decided that Old Neil will join our team," Loretta explained, meeting Ashes' gaze. "What do you think?"

Ashes looked at Old Neil without speaking, which made Neil nervous. Even Al and Borgia, who seemed relaxed while playing chess, tensed up. After a long silence, Ashes finally spoke slowly.

"I think it's good. Working alone is tiring. With Old Neil's help, you and I can take turns."

"What do you mean?" Al snapped. "Aren't we people too?"

"The point is taking turns. Besides, you guys don't need rest, do you?" Ashes shrugged, his response making Al even more upset.

"That's true," Loretta nodded thoughtfully, her eyes brightening. Old Neil also sighed in relief. Ashes had been the one to diagnose his problem at a glance. If it had been anyone else, even a high-ranking deacon might not have immediately identified what was wrong with Neil. Therefore, Neil was sent to Chanis Gate for a month of 'treatment,' and even after recovery, he was assigned to Ashes' team for final confirmation.

"Let's get to know each other," Borgia said, trying to lighten the mood. "After all, we are teammates now, and knowing each other well helps in future operations."

"Ashes," he introduced himself, extending a hand to Neil. "Sequence 8, Trickmaster."

"Sequence 8?" Neil was surprised but shook his hand. "You can call me Old Neil, Sequence 8 'Combat Scholar.'"

With a self-deprecating smile, Neil added, "I guess you could say I gained from misfortune. Otherwise, I might have stayed a Sequence 9 'Mystery Pryer' all my life."

"Don't say that," Al shook his head. "You've served the NightHawks all your life. If the Church hadn't lacked follow-up potion formulas for the Mystery Pryer pathway, you would've been promoted long ago."

"Not necessarily," Loretta teased lightly. "You've spent your whole life in Tingen. Isn't it a blessing in disguise to serve in Backlund?"

Neil smiled along but sighed inwardly. Backlund was great—much bigger and more developed than Tingen. But he still preferred Tingen, where he had spent his life and where all the people he cared about were. However, he knew he might never return. Despite his recovery, there was still a risk of relapse, and the Church wouldn't risk assigning him to a small place like Tingen. If he lost control again, the local NightHawks might not handle it effectively, causing significant harm.

Additionally, Neil wouldn't be in this team for long. The month spent behind Chanis Gate temporarily suppressed the whispers of the Hidden Sage, but no one could guarantee he wouldn't relapse. If it happened, he would need Chanis Gate again. Over time, staying behind the Gate would increasingly 'erode' him, making him a permanent guardian there his best destiny.

"One more thing," Al suddenly said. "We don't need to handle the serial murder case for now."

"Hmm?" Ashes looked at him in surprise.

"A new Beyonder joined Simon's team," Loretta explained softly, her eyes showing some envy. "Daly Simone, a Sequence 6 'Spirit Guide.' She will lead the team to continue the investigation. By the way," she glanced at Old Neil, "I heard she's from Tingen too. You must know her, right?"

"Yes," Neil sighed. "I didn't expect her to advance so quickly. She became an Beyonder just five years ago."

"Five years?" Al and the others exchanged glances, their eyes showing a mix of emotions. Advancing from Sequence 9 to Sequence 6 in just five years was undoubtedly thanks to the acting method.

(End of Chapter)

50 Power stones = Extra Chapter