revelation

Exiting Chanis Gate, the caretaker and Dunn were met by Old Neil, who awaited them anxiously. "Everything went smoothly?"

"Yes, Esther is quite cooperative," Dunn affirmed, offering a brief explanation to the guard. Once the guard nodded in understanding, Dunn and Old Neil departed Chanis Gate.

Navigating the lengthy corridor bathed in sunlight, Old Neil cast a backward glance at the closed black iron door. "How is she?"

"She remained unresponsive inside Chanis Gate."

"Even for a Nighthawk—"

Dunn picked up where Old Neil left off. "Even Daley and I experience discomfort each time we enter Chanis Gate. Yet she seems to be adapting remarkably well."

Old Neil fell silent, finding it difficult to reconcile the image of the girl who would beam over hot cocoa with such an eerie enigma. Dunn made a point to underscore his and Daly's standing within the Tingen Nighthawks, as they were among the highest-ranking members.

A sudden realization struck Dunn. "By the way, there's one more thing. In the telegram from the church headquarters, they referred to her as 'it'."

Old Neil stared at Dunn in disbelief, his mouth agape as he struggled to form words. After several seconds of stunned silence, he finally managed, his voice trembling, "But why...?"

"I

 had activated my spiritual vision to observe her then. But upon reflection, I only perceived her astral body—there was no etheric body! I dismissed it as a peculiar astral body due to its intense luminosity obscuring the etheric body..."

Dunn recalled his occult studies. "Such a scenario is impossible. 'Beings' must possess an etheric body, intrinsically linked to our physical state."

Old Neil sighed heavily. "No wonder she was referred to as 'it'..."

"As long as there's contact, our guard against Esther will continue to wane. It's an inextricable situation."

Dunn reassured Old Neil, patting his shoulder. "Don't worry, the Holy Church is closely monitoring the situation. Lord Sesima has been tasked to take over and will arrive in Tingen tomorrow."

Entering his office, Dunn needed to report the initial findings to the church. Just as Old Neil was about to depart, Dunn halted him once more. "Oh, and one more thing. Have Roxanne arrange an additional meal for lunch and dinner today; I'll deliver it to Esther. If I'm unavailable due to a mission, I'll ask the gatekeeper to assist."

Old Neil nodded. "Understood."

"That should be all."

But Old Neil didn't move.

Anticipating his next request, Dunn turned back from the telegraph machine. "Ah, yes. Also, ask Leonard to accompany you to reassure the residents at the bakery today, as planned. Arrange for him to retrieve Esther's belongings with Leonard later in the afternoon. Given her status as a lady, Leonard's assistance would be more fitting than Leonard's solo visit. Esther specifically requested a set of quilts and blankets, which we'll prepare and deliver together."

Only then did Old Neil acquiesce, inwardly shaking his head at the captain's habitual forgetfulness.

As they departed the reception hall, sunlight streaming in through the windows lifted the weight off Old Neil's shoulders. The brown-haired girl behind the counter idly flipped through a magazine, her attention caught by the knitted patterns within. 

"Hey, Roxanne, has Leonard returned?"

The girl's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Not yet. He probably went to the police station to disseminate information about the incident. Didn't the girl Daly mentioned come out with you? I was hoping to invite her for tea and a chat."

Roxanne was the most "enthusiastic" clerk among the Tingen Nighthawks, fueled by her penchant for gossip. Anything shared with her would swiftly become common knowledge.

Old Neil offered a wry smile, waving his hand. "You're better off not inquiring about that matter; it's quite complex. When you're ordering meals for lunch and dinner, remember to request an additional serving. Retrieve the funds from Mrs. Oriana and we'll settle the expenses together."

"Got it. For the girl, right? Are there any dietary restrictions?"

Old Neil hesitated momentarily. "I'm unsure. Just order regular fare."

Roxanne jotted down the instructions on a memo pad. "So, when Leonard returns, should I have him seek you out?"

"Yes, that'll do."

"And if Daly asks? Isn't she acquainted with the child?"

The smile faded from Old Neil's lips. "If she inquires... direct her to the captain."

With that, Old Neil left, mentally chiding the captain's penchant for forgetfulness.

As he traversed the corridor, sunlight filtering through the windows, Old Neil pondered the enigma of Esther. Her outwardly unremarkable appearance belied a mystery that seemed to deepen with every revelation.

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