Chapter 362: Kleint Returns to Backlund

Chapter 362: Kleint Returns to Backlund

The steam train whistle blew as another train from South Wales County pulled into Backlund's station. As the doors opened, passengers who had been cooped up for hours rushed out eagerly. Among them was Kleint.

Stepping onto Backlund soil again, Kleint's face showed the same dazed excitement as other returning passengers. To avoid being recognized by acquaintances, he had used his Faceless abilities to assume a new identity and appearance. He now looked like a tall, thin young man with a sickly pale complexion, as if a strong gust of wind could blow him away. His new persona was that of an ill youth returning to Backlund from the seaside to recuperate, deliberately different from his seafaring Gehrman identity.

Leaving the station, Kleint hailed a carriage and paid 1 soli and 2 pence to go to the South Bridge district. Though slightly pricey, he didn't haggle since he wasn't short on money and the driver hadn't overcharged him too badly as an out-of-towner.

As the carriage rolled through the streets, Kleint gazed out the window, absentmindedly fingering a golden pocket watch. His mood grew inexplicably heavy. If he hadn't faked his death and changed identities, he could have openly reunited with Benson and Melissa, or met Leonard for drinks and conversation. But there were no "what ifs" - when he decided to fake his death, he knew his future would be a solitary one.

"I still need to check on them. I won't feel at ease until I see them with my own eyes," Kleint thought with a sigh. He decided to rent a place near his old apartment, opting for a short-term monthly lease.

After cleaning his new lodgings, night had fallen. Unable to cook for himself, Kleint went to a restaurant on the street below his old apartment. From his seat by the window, he could see the lights in his former home. As darkness deepened, lights came on in other houses. The lights in Benson and Melissa's place only flickered briefly before going dark again.

As Kleint ate his tasteless meal, he wondered who would be washing the dishes at home tonight. Probably Benson, he mused. Melissa usually got home later due to classes. With Kleint gone, Benson would surely dote even more on Melissa as his only remaining family. He could imagine Benson saying: "You should spend your time studying. The more knowledge you gain, the less you'll resemble a baboon." If Melissa tried to argue, Benson would send her to tinker with her beloved mechanical gadgets in her room.

A faint smile crossed Kleint's lips at the thought. He decided against meeting Benson and Melissa directly. Instead, he planned to take a morning stroll in the area tomorrow. Benson now had a civil service job with fixed hours, and Melissa had a regular schedule too, except on weekends.

Later that night, around 9 PM, Kleint visited the Brave Bar that Leonard used to frequent. He ordered a South Wales beer and sat in a corner, sipping slowly. Sure enough, Leonard walked in around 10 PM. Clearly a regular, he was warmly greeted by the staff. Leonard ordered three cocktails and sat alone at the bar, drinking silently.

Leonard looked thinner than before, with unkempt stubble and a perpetual frown - quite unlike his usual image as a poet who cared greatly about his appearance. He truly resembled a disillusioned, struggling artist now.

Perhaps sensing Kleint's gaze, Leonard glanced in his direction but quickly looked away, taking a large gulp of his drink. Kleint averted his eyes, planning to leave after finishing his beer. However, before he could depart, another familiar face entered - Count Hastur Campbell.

Kleint patiently remained seated, occasionally glancing at Leonard and Hastur's animated conversation. At least Leonard wasn't completely alone, he thought with a smile as he prepared to leave. But then Hastur and Leonard approached his table, each carrying a drink.

"Excuse me, sir, would you mind if we joined you?" Hastur asked, already signaling for more drinks before Kleint could respond.

Kleint smiled, "Of course not, though I was just about to leave."

Leonard looked him over and joked, "Are you married? If not, why rush home alone when you could stay and chat?"

"Bring this gentleman a real man's drink, on my tab," Leonard added thoughtfully.

As Kleint tried to decline, Hastur said with a light laugh, "Meeting here is a kind of fate. Let's have a drink together - tomorrow we'll be strangers again."

Kleint sensed deeper meaning in those words but doubted his disguise had been seen through so easily. "Thank you both for the drinks," he replied calmly, showing no signs of unease.

The conversation flowed, touching on various topics from Backlund's recent events to the Loen Kingdom's war declaration against the Feynapotter Empire, and even Leonard's love life. Throughout, Hastur subtly probed Kleint with questions, arousing his suspicion. Realizing he couldn't stay much longer without risking exposure, Kleint prepared to make his exit.

However, as he was about to leave, he noticed Hastur's thoughtful gaze fixed upon him once more.