Chapter 4 : Meeting Klein (2)

Conversation with the goddess, before Crestet Cesimir's arrival :

« So, what is Klein's address ? Where is he now ? »

The goddess, who knew that Klein was behind Chanis gate because of the Antigonus family notebook, asked back :

« Who are you ? »

Good question ! The cheerful expression on Xin Jian's face disappeared.

Only a mysterious face was left on her face as she bowed, one hand on her chest and the other lifting an imaginary skirt.

« Nice to meet you, I am Xin Jian. The first angel under the seat of the Fool. »

She wasn't an angel but Mr. Fool authorized her to use this title before losing his memories of her.

« The Fool put me in charge of affairs related to him while He is recovering. »

And this was a complete lie.

« We hope you can cooperate. » ended Xin Jian

Xin Jian thought that the goddess could see through her lies and would notice that she isn't an angel and that the fool's uniqueness is still with Antigonus but instead she repeated the name.

« Xin Jian... »

Ah, the goddess was from before the first era, right ? Xin Jian explained.

« This was the name given to me by the honorable Mr. Fool. »

I pretty much exposed his identity as a transmigrator now... Xin Jian thought hard about whether this would be a problem then put it aside.

« Then, what does the Fool want me to do ? »

An "happy" expression returned to Xin Jian's face.

« He wants you to take Klein as his blessed. »

The goddess, who intended to do that from the beginning, continued :

« And you, what do you want to do ? »

When we were taking tea together, you weren't so talkative... While thinking about blasphemous things, Xin Jian beamed.

« I want to mess up this timeline ! »

Of course, we should still keep the part where Klein harasses Danitz, Klein harasses Medici, etc...

« Ah ! If I could be your blessed too, that would be nice. »

Amanises blinked.

« Weren't you an angel under the Fool ? »

Xin Jian waved her hand.

« That's not a big deal... » (He doesn't even know me now anyway.)

Thinking of this Xin Jian began to tear up.

« Klein is currently detained behind Chanis gate. He was contaminated by the Antigonus family notebook, (died) and inexplicably became a sequence 1 angel. » said Amanises

« Ah, then I also need a few things and that will be all. » She said.

When the goddess left, a stoic expression returned on her face.

—————— I am the dividing line~

Crestet Cesimir arrived, spoke to Dunn then Leonard went underground to free Klein.

Unexpectedly, the goddess' servant Arianna appeared before Crestet and Dunn.

These two bowed and greeted her.

« The goddess issued a new oracle. » said Arianna

She then turned to Xin Jian that was seating in a row, looking at them.

Only then did the two realize her existence.

Arianna explained :

« This is Xin Jian, one of the goddess' blessed. The goddess put her in charge of Klein Moretti's education on Beyonders. They will be sent to Backlund with Dunn Smith, Leonard Mitchell and Daly Simone tomorrow. »

At that moment, the backdoor opened and revealed Klein and Leonard that just arrived.

Dunn Smith opened his mouth and said :

« Leonard, go pack your things. We're going to Backlund. »

While Leonard was confused, Crestet Cesimir made Klein put his hand on the sword.

All happened well and Xin Jian turned to Klein.

« Nice to meet you ! My name is Xin Jian and I will be your caretaker from now on. I hope we can be friends ! Now, I need a guide. Can you show me the way to Hoy University ? Next, you will have to say farewell to your family since we're leaving for Backlund tomorrow. Also, you don't have the right to contact them since we're kidnapping you so you can't send them letters. When you're done, come pick me up at Hoy University. Pretty please ! »

Klein's brain took a while to process everything but Xin Jian didn't care and turned to Dunn and Leonard :

« See you tomorrow~. At what hour should we gather ? »

—————— I am the dividing line~

After Klein wondered why Xin Jian couldn't go to Hoy University alone, he let her at the entrance and returned home to pack up his belongings.

Xin Jian's point of view :

Shit, how do I find Mr. Azik ?

I feel that leaving me at the entrance isn't enough for me not to be lost.

(That's how a certain girl wandered in the corridors in the middle of the day...)

« Excuse me, can I help you ? »

I turned around then was relieved.

Since I spoke too much in the church, I didn't have any more energy to change my indifferent expression. (I am just lazy.) So my voice sounded cold when I said :

« Hello, are you Mr. Azik Eggers ? »

His expression changed.

« Yes, what can I do for you ? »

« You have lost your memories, right ? Come with us to Backlund, I know a bit about your past. We're leaving tomorrow. »

« We ? »

« There's one of your students too. Klein Moretti ? »

« Who are you ? »

He continued to interrogate me then I had to mention some things about his past to the doubtful Azik Eggers.

I'm sure an hopeful gaze with tearful puppy eyes could have ended everything faster...

At least, I am glad that I didn't have to assist to the Morettis' tearful separation.

Well, Klein didn't spend much time with them so I hope he will miss them less...

Klein only picked me up the next day so I asked Azik Eggers to sleep over at his house (to make sure that this sequence 2 angel doesn't run away... because I know that I scare people).

Speaking of angels, I'll have to make Klein visit Medici (who should be in the underground ruins) with a monocle on his right eye one of these days. It will speed up the digestion of his sequence 4 potion and it's better to do that while he still doesn't know who Amon is... Shall I do the same ? *demoniac laugh* I somewhat pity Medici now...

Now, now. What other fun things are there to do in Blacklund~ ? (Please post a comment if you have an idea.)

That is how Klein, me, Dunn, Azik, Daly, (Pallez), and Leonard went to the Evernight church in Backlund.

I approached Leonard, smelling something good.

Why does he smell so good ? Does he put on perfume ? Or is it Pallez' smell ? It is so appetizing...

« I'm hungry now, should I eat Leonard ? » I murmured. »

Leonard shivered and Daly made a joke.

It gave me an idea... (Daly is getting a bad feeling.)

« Ma'am, such a thing isn't appropriate for children. What's more, I know that you like Dunn, why don't you confess now ? »

Dunn turned his head to us.

Daly froze.

I ignored them.

Putting Dunn and Daly together, check !

What's more, I was speaking of eating him literally, ma'am.

Now that I think about it, hasn't it been centuries since the last time I ate ?

In Backlund, we rented a house at 7 Pinster street for me, Klein and Leonard.

I nearly had to live alone because they said that it wasn't appropriate so I practiced a new technique. I called it : roll on the floor while abusing your authority as the goddess' blessed.

Next came the first day of work.

When we came to the church, I made Leonard deal the room spiritually and told Klein to seat on his knees on the floor (hey, at least there was a cushion !). Dunn can be dealt with later (after Daly asks for him in marriage). Then, I began my teachings.

So, Mr. Fool is-

No, that's a joke.

Should we begin with the acting method ?

So, Friday, as I said, I began to teach Klein about Beyonders :

« So, in this world, as you should have understood since the last few days, there are Beyonders. They are people who drink potions to obtain superpowers but in exchange they can become monsters if they are not careful. There are 22 pathways of Beyonders potions and they lead to become a god. In short, you drink a potion from sequence 9 to 0 of one pathway to become a god, you can only change to interchangeable pathways at high sequences, and if you don't understand please ask Leonard. BUT, you already have the caracteristics from sequence 9 to 1 so in short you're a king of angels. However ! It means that you are in grave danger and you will turn into a monster if you don't digest it soon ! »

Here is my second secret technique ! I called it : give a lot of information all at once so that they can't process it !

No, my naming skills are fine !

*demoniac laugh*

I continued :

« For the 22 pathways, there are : Seer, Hunter, Spectator, Assassin..., Arbiter, Apprentice, Thief, Sleepless, Sailor... »

I paused.

« That's not 22. » said Klein

« Shut up ! Ask Pal- Leonard ! Ask Leonard. »

Leonard the victim : Why me ?

« So, you are from the Seer pathway. You need to act like the name of the potions to digest them, I'll let you find the rules yourself. Listen attentively, you have to digest : sequence 9 Seer, sequence 8 Clown, sequence 7 magician, sequence 6 faceless, sequence 5 secret puppet master or something like that, sequence 4 bizarro sorcerer, sequence 3 scholar of yore, sequence 2 miracle invoker and sequence 1 attendant of mysteries. »

Klein : why do remember the Seer pathway so well when you don't even know what are the different pathways ?

Klein asked :

« What is the corresponding sequence 0 ? »

I answered proudly :

« It's The Fool. »

Then I recalled something :

« Also, you can't access the abilities from sequence 5 because you need a ritual so someone temporarily blocked them so that you don't lose control. »

I then went on the different abilities until sequence 6.

« Please ask P- Leonard for the different rituals and meditation... and spiritual vision. »

I'm sorry. I didn't do my homework well so I don't remember the corresponding knowledge.

(Pales is now sure that Xin Jian knows that he is there.)

I ended the lesson.

« Now, let's take a break for you to harass-, no, ask a lot of questions to Leonard. He should also be well versed in history... (at least Pales is). »

That's how my first lesson of only five minutes ended.

How is Mr. Azik now ?

I remember I talked to him about his different lives, lost memories, sequence 2 death consul, that bastard Ince Zangwill killed his daughter but it's better to wait for him in Backlund... That should be all.

That's also how I convinced him to live in Backlund from now on.

Still, I mustn't forget what I wanted to do !

Let's kidnap, no (il)legally take Arrodes !

Where the hell is the Storm church...

« See you tomorrow. » (Maybe...) I said.

I waved my hand before leaving the church of the goddess.

"Is she really allowed to leave her post like that after only five minutes ? Do I also have to ask Leonard for the following instructions ?" Klein lampooned.

« Excuse me mister that I don't know. Could you please tell me the address of the nearest storm church~ ? Unfortunately, I can't pay you tips for the information since I'm poor~. » I asked in the streets.

Maybe I'm always lost because I provoke people so they tell the wrong address...

That's highly possible.

But I won't stop.

Fortunately, I arrived at the storm church before Saturday.

It's night... (my legs hurt... Such realistic legs ! Wasn't I made of fog ?) That's a wonderful atmosphere to (steal) take away a grade 2 sealed artifact~.

No, that's a joke.

That was one of the conditions that I asked the goddess.

« Mr. Bishop~. Excuse me~. Where are the Machinery Hivemind ? »

A few minutes later, a high ranking person arrived to welcome me.

« Hello~. I am the most beloved blessed of the goddess (who only met me a few days ago...), Xin Jian. I come to exchange two grade 2 sealed artifacts against 2-111, the magic mirror Arrodes~. »

« Which goddess ? » asked the high ranking person

Shit. That's becoming hard.

I'm pretty that goddess of sleepy flowers isn't her real title so let's just look at him like the answer is very obvious.

The person coughed then asked someone to brink Ikanser.

Phew, that worked.

I then got to meet Ikanser and exchanged the sealed artifacts against Arrodes. Ikanser seemed very relieved then looked at me with a look of pity.

I paid it no mind then left and looked at the lines that appeared on the mirror.

« Your loyal and humble servant Arrodes is at your service. »

I'm sorry, wrong person.

It's true that made body was made from the gray fog and the goddess' power... And maybe Lilith' too. Things like that seem to be her authority... »

I corrected him.

« No, I'm not your master. I'm only your master's most beloved ange- blessed. So be kind to me~. »

I smiled at the mirror.

Arrodes was silent.

« What can I do for you ? » He finally said.

Nice~. He gave me a free question.

« Hmm. We will be going back to your master. So, please, show me the way to 7 Pinster street. »

After a bit of struggle, I finally lied down on my bed.

Seriously, why am I too poor to call a carriage ?

Can't you give me a salary too ?

—————— I am the dividing line~

3rd point of view, Saturday :

Leonard knocked on the door to Xin Jian's room.

Pales had told him that he was called Pales and that Xin Jian seemed to know of his existence.

Xin Jian opened the door and rubbed her eyes. She then waited for him to explain why he was there.

« Can you tell me more about the old man ? »

Leonard still kept his guard up against Pales.

Xin Jian mumbled a few words then closed the door.

« Parasite, Zoroast family, sequence 1, thief pathway, angel of time... »

Leonard was stunned.

A few seconds later, Xin Jian reopened the door and said.

« I forgot. Pales, one of your abilities is to decrypt, right ? Then decrypt me the honorific name of the Fool. Thank you... »

Then she returned to her bed and went back to sleep.

Leonard didn't know what to say then murmured :

« But you still have to wake up to go the church... »

All day, there wasn't any mission.

Then came Sunday...

« So, Pales. Have you decrypted that honorific name ? » said Xin Jian after forcing open Leonard's door

Leonard heard the old man sigh in his mind then wrote down the answer.

Xin Jian closed the and left.

She entered her bedroom and read it :

« The Fool that doesn't belong to this era

The mysterious ruler above the gray fog

The king of yellow and black who wields good luck »

Then, she wondered : in this life, will Klein act as Mr. Fool or will Mr. Fool be the one she spent the last few hundred years with ?

A few seconds later, she was transported to the palace above the gray fog.

Xin Jian's POV :

I looked at the gray fog appearing around and looked up.

I was standing, with the same stoic expression that I usually wore, even if that should more be considered gloomy, and saw the figure that sat at the top of the table, his head resting on his hand.

Then, he chuckled and said :

« Nice to meet you, my most beloved angel. »

So, first question. Since he shouldn't remember me and he could have seen me through my connection with the gray fog (since my body is partially made of its power), he is mocking me, me ?

Why is he saying this ?

Aren't you supposed to be a depressed great old one that is scared of social death ?

...Can you even make jokes with so much divinity ?

Ah, right. In this type of situation, I should give him that means : what the hell are you saying. So...

*look that means what the hell are you saying.jpg*

(No my naming skills are perfect.)

The Fool seems to not have seen the look I was giving him through the fog (thinking back, that's true that it is a bit useless, I should move that fog from my face... Shit, it is really moving ! He really gave me a bit of his authority that bastard... and then he abandoned me... sniff sniff. Well, swearing is bad...), and continued :

« Let's sit and talk. »

I looked around and finally settled down on The World's seat.

« So, as my angel, your will is my will and whatever you want to do, I will support you. What do you want to do ? »

The Fool is really acting strange...

He doesn't even know me. It's like the first time met, he let me alone as if it was normal that I appeared here. Am I missing something ?

Regardless of what I thought, I introduced myself.

« Hello. My name is Xin Jian and my codename is Miss Devil. I can be The World's replacement as a trumpet and I want to mess up this timeline, is that okay ? »

The Fool nodded so I continued :

« I want the VIP treatment and I want to reveal you honorific name and arrange the members of the Tarot club to come sooner than expected... and let the gods enter the Tarot club too. »

After all, if he lets me do what I want, then I will !

The Fool, which was recently in depression and gave up trying to find a way to stop the loop, doesn't care, so he simply chuckled and said :

« Can. »

I added in the same monotone voice (it's the default mode anyway) :

« And, I want to be invisible at the next Tarot club as if I didn't come yet. As for the gods... I would like you to clear Huang Tao... no, Roselle's corruption to let him join and pull up the goddess too. And I will try to visit Lilith to make join too ! It will be fun, don't think ? »

At this moment, through my connection with him, I felt that he was amused and smiled slightly.

Then I recalled something and frowned.

« Also, don't let them take the Empress card, I have plans for it, and I need a map of Backlund... »

—————— I am the dividing line~

Xin Jian may seem cheerful but in fact she is just very active inwardly so I'll explain how she seems outwardly.

Default mode : stoic expression or blank or gloomy

When talking to strangers : you know, usually you put a facade when you meet someone (or not). She is shy so she activates her acting skills and put on a cheerful facade that smiles and laughs every time she speaks (except that it's from nervous).

So, she is introverted and when she met the others and said bullshit she was actually very nervous.

As for when she saw the goddess in the church... she was just happy.

It's just that we can't see her emotional variation from her thoughts since she usually ignores her feelings.

For example, if she thinks "it is unfair", it is highly possible that she doesn't care at all and is just stating fact. If she says "I am angry" then she's lying since she is never angry. Even when she saw The Fool for the last time she wasn't angry against him but sad. She usually thinks that she feels something when she is stating her emotions to herself so she will most likely think or say that she is happy since it isn't obvious for others to know if she keeps a straight face. End of explanation.