Setting Off

Reflecting on the Tarot Meeting's gains, Klein manipulated "The World" to rise and bow to him before dissolving into the magnificent hall, leaving only the "Midnight Eye" resting atop the bronze table.

He waited quietly atop the gray fog, soon receiving the offerings of Mr. Tower and Miss Justice: the "Confession" revolver, Book of Astromancy, and 1,000 pounds in cash.

With great interest, Klein picked up the black revolver, running his fingers over its surface, his delight evident. This was his first Extraordinary weapon, and he was particularly pleased with its abilities. If it weren't for the lack of bullets, he would have already tested the powers of frost and black flame.

It took a while before Klein reluctantly set down the "Confession," shifting his gaze to the crisp stack of 1,000 pounds.

Just then, a sense of unease pricked his spirit.

He puzzled over it, tapping his fingers against the edge of the bronze table thoughtfully, then summoned pen and paper to write down a divination statement:

"The reason my spirituality was disturbed."

Setting the pen down, Klein leaned back, muttering the words as he meditated.

He soon drifted into the hazy dream world, observing himself stroking the revolver and his expression as he set it aside.

As the scene faded and the dream shattered, Klein opened his eyes, suddenly understanding:

Ah… how strange. I should have counted the cash first. It's my usual habit—verify the amount, put it in my wallet, and only then look at other items…

And compared to "Confession," the Book of Astromancy is far more important, something I should verify in the real world...

Could this be the revolver's negative effect? Drawing me in subconsciously? And this effect even penetrates the fog's protection?

No, the gray fog must have resisted most of the influence. Otherwise, my spirit wouldn't have even noticed the manipulation and would have sunk deeper into its influence, slowly succumbing to contamination.

With this realization, Klein observed the revolver with calm detachment, analyzing the subtle shifts in his emotions.

It only affects me when I look at or touch it… It likely intensifies while being used.

It amplifies one's "liking" for it, embedding admiration in the subconscious... Much like the "bewitchment" effects carried by the "Witch" pathway.

It seems its creator designed its appearance to be unimpressive and chose black paint that wasn't pure, likely to reduce its "charm" ability.

Good. Since I can perceive its influence here on the gray fog and keep calm, it should be safe to use…

As long as I regularly assess my mental state here, and if I sense this "affection" deepening, I'll borrow Mr. Tower's "Light Ritual" item to perform a "Purification" ritual to clear the effects.

Klein exhaled softly, setting the "Confession" down with less reluctance this time before counting the stack of fresh bills.

Afterward, feeling spiritually depleted from controlling the avatar, he chose not to divine the Book of Astromancy right away. Instead, he stowed the book in the pile of miscellaneous items and took up "Confession" again, simulating the sensation of falling back into the real world.

Outside his drawn curtains, a rare sight of late autumn sunlight brightened Becklund's streets.

Not pausing to enjoy it, Klein took a half-hour nap to restore some energy.

Once refreshed, Klein, assured by Miss Justice's promise and the non-urgent nature of his research, decided against further investigation at the library. He wanted to visit the North District's Alka Street, where Koppesti's former residence lay. If time allowed, he also hoped to visit nearby cemeteries.

Klein still felt a duty to investigate, though no longer a Nighthawk. And as for the cemetery, it was an ideal place to test the "Copper Whistle's" function, especially to see if it influenced corpses that had already undergone a repose ceremony.

But before leaving, Klein suddenly remembered that he'd forgotten to pay Mr. Tower the 600 pounds for the "Confession" revolver…

It's that "Confession's" fault—it had me entirely focused on it!

Making a mental excuse, Klein backtracked four steps and returned to the gray fog.

…

At the Garden Villa on Kinster Street No. 28, after nearly an hour of waiting, Ebner finally received a cash offering on the altar, silently wondering if Mr. Fool had simply forgotten to pay him.

After pocketing the money, Ebner, with plans to leave Becklund the next day, busied himself packing his belongings.

Of course, Xio, who was conveniently staying for dinner, helped without hesitation.

After packing clothes, a few stacks of bills, and some of his Extraordinary items into a suitcase, Ebner thought for a moment and handed Xio both the "Solomon Coin" and a silenced revolver for safekeeping.

Will Auceptin's "Mercury Snake" had once advised Ebner not to use the "Solomon Coin" outside Becklund due to potential backlash. Leaving it with Xio, who could access blood more easily, seemed the safer choice.

Nevertheless, Ebner reminded her, "Try not to use it too much. 'Luck' never comes without a price…"

Xio, already wary of the coin, agreed. She decided to reserve it for critical moments.

As for the silenced revolver, which Xio had named "Silence," it felt so right to her that she'd eventually purchased it outright.

Ebner initially hadn't planned on accepting payment, but understanding her stubborn nature, he took a symbolic 20 pounds, about the cost of a firearm with basic suppression attachments.

…

At that moment, in a small garden on Alka Street in the North District.

Klein "skillfully" dug away the soil, gradually exposing the stone slab beneath…

Alright, perhaps he wasn't that skilled. After all, the last time he dug, it was from below.

With a muffled sound, the slab was pried up, resting on the freshly dug dirt. The faint, crimson moonlight filtered through the clouds, illuminating the shallow grave below.

Klein peered closely, only to find it empty of decaying remains or bones. Instead, scattered across the base were white feathers streaked with pale yellow grease.

White feathers?

Staring into the vacant grave, Klein's mind filled with a single word:

"Angel!"

No, it can't be an angel! A being of that level would leave a profound, lingering influence—this grave is far too ordinary…

Of course, it's possible he didn't really die… like Mr. Azik. Klein bent over, using his gloved right hand to pick up three of the feathers.

—he planned to divine their origin atop the gray fog upon returning home.

…

That evening, after dinner, Ebner continued his packing. Suddenly, a mist filled his vision, followed by Mr. Fool's calm and authoritative voice:

"The Book of Astromancy poses certain dangers for you. You may study it in my domain for up to two hours per week, but you must apply in advance and receive my permission."

So, he finished divining? Seems like it's safe overall… Understanding Mr. Fool's true intent, Ebner respectfully responded, "As you will."

…

Above the gray fog, Klein rubbed his temples and set aside the Book of Astromancy after ending his connection with Mr. Tower's crimson star.

The knowledge within the book was indeed overwhelming. After only about ten minutes of reading, he already felt a strain at his temples.

This was supposedly just an ordinary transcription of a non-original text, written on plain paper with much of the dangerous content removed. If it were the original, how terrifying would it be?

No wonder Mr. Tower dared not read it outside of the fog… Given its effect, he likely couldn't read more than a few pages at a time without needing rest. If danger did arise, he might not be able to save himself.

With that thought, Klein massaged his forehead, picked up the three white feathers, and summoned pen and paper to write down the divination statement he'd planned earlier:

"The origin of these."

He held the white feathers in his hand, leaning back in his chair.

…

On Tuesday morning, Ebner finished packing his luggage, holding his suitcase in one hand, a walking stick in the other, with a violin case slung over his shoulder.

Accompanied by the Skad couple, Ebner took a carriage to the steam train station.

Waiting at the platform, he saw his friends gathered to bid him farewell: Xio, Fors, Heloise, Fanny, and Miss Emma.