Chapter 53

[AI ERROR / SAFETY BLOCK - RAW ENGLISH RETAINED]

An ancient, three-masted ship rocked among the waves in a tumultuous storm. It was neither large nor fast. Beneath the cataclysmic scene, where the sky and sea merged as one, the ship resembled a withered leaf torn from its tree. Yet regardless of how fiercely the storm raged or how violently the waves roiled, it continued sailing peacefully, without any sign of tilting.

Alger Wilson stood on the spacious deck, gazing at the towering waves and brooding over something.

“It’ll be Monday again soon...,” he muttered.

It was the day belonging to the Earth Mother—the beginning of a new cycle of waxing and waning. Yet to Alger, it meant something different: It belonged to a mysterious entity forever encased in grayish-white fog.

“At least I haven’t devolved into a madman...” He chuckled self-deprecatingly.

At that moment, one of the few remaining crew members drew closer and asked reverently, “Lord Bishop, what is our destination this time?”

Alger surveyed his surroundings and replied calmly, “We are hunting down the Listener from the Aurora Order.”

The storm subsided, but a lingering mist enveloped everything. Aboard a strange, anachronistic sailboat armed with cannons, a boy of about eight or nine with soft blond hair watched the disorderly pirates around him in fear. Some drank from large kegs of beer, others swung from ropes, some mocked each other, and a few even fought with their fists.

The boy turned to a black-robed man standing in the shadows and whispered, “Father, where are we going?”

Five days ago marked the first time he remembered seeing his father—a man who had proclaimed himself an adventurer. If it weren’t for the oil painting his late mother left him, which confirmed his father’s identity, and the open doors of the orphanage awaiting him, he would have been unwilling to leave his hometown to follow his only kin—a man who was nearly a stranger.

The man in the shadows lowered his head and looked at his son with an amiable expression. “Jack, I’m taking you to a holy place— the holy residence where the Creator once lived.”

“Is that the Kingdom of God? We mortals can only enter by winning His grace...” Jack, well-educated by his mother, knew this much. He was both surprised and fearful at the prospect.

The man’s chiseled profile was unforgettable, like a sculpture crafted by a master. He placed his hand to his ear as if listening to something, then replied in a voice that sounded almost like sleep-talking, “Jack, ‘mortals’ is a misnomer. The Creator created this world and is everywhere. He exists in every living being. Therefore, all beings are divine. Once their divinity reaches a certain level, they can become angels. The seven false gods we now worship are nothing more than powerful angels.

“See, I can hear the teachings of the Creator now. Ah, how extraordinary is this revelation! Life is but a tour of the mind. When the mind is sufficiently powerful and resilient, we can discover our own divinity and become one with even greater divinity...”

Jack, not fully understanding, shook his head and asked another question he previously did not have the chance to. “Father, I heard Mother say that after the Creator made this world, He split into all beings and no longer exists in it. Then how can a holy residence exist?

He already possessed sufficient logic even as a young child.

The man with the chiseled face was taken aback. He turned his head away, as though he’d heard even more murmurings.

Suddenly, the man dropped to his knees, prostrating himself on the deck. Green-black protrusions emerged from his exposed skin, as if ready to break out. Covering his head with both hands, his expression warped in agony as he shouted, “They’re lying!”

...

After lunch, with a promise from Old Neil that he would bring his wallet the next time he visited the black market, Klein slowly returned to Blackthorn Security Company. He weighed two options: reading ancient documents in the staff office and practicing his new abilities or seizing the opportunity to work as a Seer in the Divination Club before Captain Dunn revoked his afternoon stroll privilege.

Before he could decide, he saw Dunn Smith walk in, clad in his usual black trench coat and short top hat.

“Captain, any updates?” Klein asked with concern, thinking about the whereabouts of the Antigonus family’s notebook.

With no sign of fatigue in his gray eyes, Dunn replied, “Multiple sources have confirmed that the Antigonus family’s notebook is in Ryer Bieber’s hands. However, he has vanished without a trace. I’ve already informed the other Nighthawks teams via telegram and asked them to monitor the ports and train stations. The first batch of printed portraits was posted yesterday afternoon and will soon appear in several major newspapers.”

How nice it would be if there were phones, fax machines, surveillance cameras, and big data... Unfortunately, I only know how to use them and, even then, only understand a little about how they work on a fundamental level...Klein sighed to himself.

“But regardless, we can consider ourselves as having found the notebook. And this is all thanks to you. Of course, it still needs another round of confirmation. I’ve sent a telegram to the Backlund diocese, requesting that they escort Sealed Artifact 2-049 here. It was once a dangerous item of the Antigonus family and can help us determine if Ryer Bieber is a descendant.”

A Grade Two Sealed Artifact... Dangerous... These must he used with care and restraint.Klein had originally wanted to ask about the Sealed Artifact, its special abilities, and the danger it posed, but he recalled that he lacked the necessary clearance. He had no choice but to let it go.

“May the Goddess bless us.” Klein tapped four spots on his chest, drawing the sign of the full moon.

Dunn opened the door to his office and said with a slight nod, “The Goddess has always been watching over us. Klein, if you had not chosen Seer, you would have been able to take the Sleepless potion once this matter is confirmed and you become a formal member. What a pity... Frankly, I’m still puzzled by your choice of Seer. Although Corpse Collector might be a bit off-putting, you’ve seen Daly as well. You should know the incredible power of Spirit Mediums. As for Mystery Pryers, that’s a good choice, too. At the very least, you have Old Neil as a role model, so your risk of losing control will be very low.”

Klein had long prepared an answer for this question but had never had the chance to use it—until now. He organized his thoughts and said, “My considerations stem from the fact that Seers and Mystery Pryers are both Beyonders in supporting roles. They don’t need to face enemies directly—that’s too dangerous for me. Both you and Old Neil have said that in the domain of mystery and mysticism, curiosity and exploration often lead to terrifying outcomes. Therefore, the description of Mystery Pryers as seekers of secrets gave me pause. Heh, as you know, I was only an ordinary university student not long ago. A lack of courage is the only reason I made that choice.”

“I must say, that is an unexpected but very reasonable answer,” Dunn remarked, massaging his temples and chuckling. He turned halfway and sized up Klein with his gray eyes. “Continue to go out in the afternoons for a while. Do not limit yourself to the route from Welch’s residence to Ironcross Street. Who knows, maybe you’ll happen to sense the notebook and help us narrow down Ryer Bieber’s location.”

“All right.” Klein realized that he no longer needed to choose between his options. He bade Dunn farewell and began silently counting to himself.

Three, two...

“Hold on,” Dunn called after him.

Klein turned his head and smiled. “Captain, is there anything else?”

Dunn cleared his throat and said, “Mm-hmm. Beyonders in support roles also have to fight their enemies from time to time. Although Seers can avoid such battles, we cannot let our guard down. You have to keep up your shooting practice and train your body.”

“This is exactly what I’m working hard toward,” Klein pointed outside. “Then... I’ll be leaving.”

“All right. Uh, wait a moment,” Dunn called again. After a pause, he added, “Perhaps I have to consider hiring a combat trainer for you. Of course, that is only after you become a formal member.”

Klein responded tersely, then asked cautiously, “Captain, is there anything else?”

“No.” Seeing the disbelief in Klein’s eyes, Dunn shook his head and smiled, emphasizing, “Really, I’m done.”

Only then did Klein walk through the partition. He bade farewell to Rosanne and Mrs. Orianna and headed to the Jutland Shooting Club for target practice. After an hour of ambling about the streets and diligently completing the assignment the captain had given him, he went to the Divination Club, where the beautiful Angelica was leisurely reading a magazine.

Family...Klein silently read the title to himself. With his cane in hand, he walked over and greeted her with a smile, “Good afternoon, Ms. Angelica.”

“Good afternoon, Mr. Moretti.” Without haste, Angelica set her magazine aside, then stood up and said, “Not long after you left yesterday, Mr. Glacis came by. He had just recovered from a major illness.”

Klein heaved a sigh of relief and smiled. “That sure is something worth celebrating.”

Angelica, who had been secretly observing him, lowered her voice and asked with curiosity, “Mr. Glacis said that you are a very, very, very incredible physician. Is that true?”

Huh?Klein looked at her, wondering if he was hearing things.

What made him think I'm a doctor?

I haven't the faintest clue...