Chapter 56

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In a rather spacious living room, Anna and Joyce—once they left each others embrace—sat on separate sofas, with Anna’s parents between them.

Joyce sighed with a satisfied expression and said, “By the Lord of Steam above, I am so lucky to be alive and to be able to see Anna again.”

“My poor Joyce, what in the world happened to you?” Anna asked, unable to hide her concern.

Joyce glanced at his fiancée, and his expression turned grave. “I still feel terrified to this very day. I keep waking from my dreams again and again. Five days afterthe Alfalfaleft Caesar Pier, we encountered pirates—terrifying pirates. The only consolation was that their leader’s name was Nast ”

“The one who calls himself the King of the Five Seas?” Anna’s father, Mr. Wayne, asked in shock.

Although Joyce had arrived half an hour ago, he had not divulged details about his ordeal until now. He appeared fearful, perturbed, and uneasy. It was only after Anna returned and embraced him that he finally seemed to snap out of it.

“Yes—Nast, the King of the Five Seas, a self-proclaimed descendant of the Solomon Empire, adhered to a code forbidding the killing of captives. Hence, we were robbed only of our money and belongings, not our lives. His subordinates even provided us with sufficient food,” Joyce recalled.

His body began to quiver, but he continued to recount his deepest and darkest nightmare:

“What I lost wasn’t much. I believed that my misfortunes were over, but as we continued toward our destination, a heated conflict erupted among theAlfalfa'spassengers and its crew. What began as a disagreement devolved into fisticuffs, brandished revolvers, and even drawn swords—they turned against each other... I saw nothing but blood in those few days. One after another, people around me fell with their eyes open, never to close again. Their limbs, hearts, and guts were scattered across the deck.

“Those of us who refused to descend into savagery—the rational ones—had nowhere to hide and no escape. We were surrounded by deep blue waves and the boundless ocean... Some wailed, some begged for mercy, and some even sold their bodies, yet their heads still hung from the masts.

“Anna, I was overwhelmed by despair back then. I thought I would never see you again. Fortunately, even within such a nightmare, a hero emerged. The captain led us to hide in the sturdy keel of the ship, and we relied on the stored water and food there until the maniacs reached their limits. Mr. Tris encouraged us, courageously leading us in an assault against those murderers...

“After a bloody battle I will never forget, we made it out alive. But theAlfalfahad strayed off course, and only a third of the original sailors remained.”

...

As he spoke of the darkest, most horrifying aspect of the human heart, Joyce couldn’t help but recall the “hero,” the man who called himself Tris. He had a round, amiable face. He was a little timid, almost effeminate, and always preferred to stay in a corner by himself. Only those who were very familiar with him knew how talkative he truly was.

Yet it was this unremarkable boy who determinedly stood before everyone during the worst and most hopeless days.

“Oh, by Steam, my poor Joyce, you endured such a heartrending ordeal. Thank God, praise be to God, that He prevented our eternal separation.” Tears welled up in Anna’s eyes as she continued drawing a triangle on her chest, the Sacred Emblem for Steam and Machinery.

Joyce revealed a faint, pale smile. “This is the reward for our faith. After that, theAlfalfaweathered storms, lost its course, and surmounted one challenge after another before we finally arrived at Enmat Harbor.

“Because of the bloody slaughter that took place on board, those of us who survived were held captive by the police and questioned separately. We didn’t have a chance to send telegrams home to update our loved ones. When everything concluded—which was this morning—I immediately borrowed some money from a friend and took the train back. Thank the Lord for allowing me to set foot on the soil of Tingen again and to see all of you once more.”

At this, he looked toward his fiancée in confusion. “Anna, when you saw me, I could feel your happiness and surprise, but I couldn’t understand why you rushed to the door so excitedly right after you got off the carriage. Ha, I was planning to give you a big surprise.”

Thinking about what had happened earlier, Anna said in disbelief, “It’s nothing I can’t tell you, Joyce. As I was worried about you, I went to the only divination club in Tingen today. That fortune teller—no, the seer—told me, ‘Your fiancé has returned. He’s in the house with a windmill.’”

“What?” the Wayne couple and Joyce exclaimed simultaneously.

Anna covered her face and shook her head.

“I can barely believe it myself, but it really happened. By Steam, perhaps there really are miracles in this world.

“Joyce, that seer asked me for your name, appearance, address, and birth date. He said he was going to do a star chart divination. Then he asked me if the house with a toy windmill was yours or mine. When I confirmed it was mine, he said, ‘Congratulations, Miss Anna, your fiancé has already returned and is visiting your home. What he needs now are not questions but consolation and a warm embrace.’”

“Dear God...” Joyce found it unbelievable and incomprehensible. “Does he know me? Did someone send him a telegram? Could it be that he is familiar with the police in Enmat Harbor? No, that doesn’t explain it. How did he know that I came to your home? How could he possibly know that you would seek a divination? Did you make an appointment?”

“No, I made a selection at the last minute,” Anna replied, a little lost herself.

“Perhaps a good seer needs to control vast amounts of information—even if it cannot be used immediately. Perhaps there really is something incredible about divination,” Anna’s father sighed and concluded. “In over a thousand years of known history and throughout the uncertainty of the Fourth Epoch, divination has always existed and has yet to disappear. I think there must be a reason for that.”

Joyce shook his head lightly, then asked, “What’s that seer’s name?” After a moment of thought, Anna answered, “Klein Moretti.”

...

In the reception lobby of the Divination Club, Angelica had not stepped closer to them just then, as Klein had taken care to speak to Anna quietly. All she saw was Anna leaving in a daze, her face marked by shock and confusion.

Now Angelica briskly walked to the sofa where Klein sat and asked out of curiosity, “Was it a good result?”

She did not dare ask for specifics, afraid of violating the unspoken rules of fortune tellers.

“Yes.” Klein nodded and produced three copper coins from his pocket. “One-eighth of one soli is one and a half pennies, right?”

“Yes.” Angelica examined the coins and realized that one was a penny and the other two were half pennies. She quickly handed one back and said, “There’s an extra half penny.”

Klein smiled faintly and said, “Thank you for taking care of my client. She gave me a tip, so it’s only right I give you one.”

It’s also to thank you for recommending me..., he added silently.

“All right.” Angelica felt an inexplicable fear of Klein, but since his reasoning was sound, she didn’t refuse the offer.

Klein returned to the meeting room, believing that more people would soon request his divinations.

However, he did not receive another customer until forty minutes past five.

It wasn’t that the Divination Club’s business was poor, but rather that most people who came here with a fortune teller in mind had already made their choice.They were likely recommended by others and had long determined whose services to hire... In short, it’s because I don’t have enough XP yet...

Klein laughed at himself for using game terminology.

He finished his third cup of Cibo black tea, donned his top hat, and walked leisurely out of the meeting room, holding his walking stick.

Angelica suddenly recalled Glacis’s instructions and quickly moved to intercept him. “Mr. Moretti, when will you next visit the club? Mr. Glacis would like to thank you in person.”

“I will come whenever I’m free. If fate permits, he will run into me for sure,” Klein replied in the tone of a psychic charlatan, clearly in character.

Then he left the club before Angelica could respond and took the coach home.

When he stepped through the door, Klein found Benson reading the newspaper while Melissa was assembling bits of gears, bearings, and springs in the remaining rays of the setting sun.

“Afternoon. Did Mrs. Shaud visit?” Klein asked cheerfully.

Benson didn’t put down his newspaper, merely lifting his head as he replied, “Mrs. Shaud’s visit lasted a quarter of an hour. She brought some gifts and was very pleased with the biscuits and lemon cake we prepared. She also invited us to call on her at our convenience. She is a friendly, well-mannered lady and an excellent conversationalist.”

“The only problem is that their whole family follows the Lord of Storms. They believe that girls shouldn’t go to school but should be homeschooled instead,” Melissa grumbled quietly.

Clearly, she was quite displeased.

“Don’t mind that. As long as she doesn’t interfere with us, she’s still a good neighbor,” Klein said with a smile as he comforted his sister.

The Loen Kingdom was a multi-religious country, unlike the Feysac Empire in the north, which believed only in the God of Combat, or the Feynapotter Kingdom in the south, which worshiped only the Earth Mother. Inevitably, the congregations of the three major churches—the Lord of Storms, the Evernight Goddess, and the God of Steam and Machinery—held different beliefs and customs. After a thousand years, however, they had become relatively restrained, and coexistence was possible.

“Okay.” Melissa pursed her lips and redirected her focus to her pile of parts.

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After dinner, Klein resumed reviewing historical literature. Only after Melissa and Benson had showered and returned to their rooms did he wash up, enter his bedroom, and lock his door.

He needed to organize and summarize what he had learned, as well as the problems he had encountered in recent days, to prevent himself from forgetting any critical points. Only then could he respond to subsequent developments with a clear mind.

Klein flipped open his notebook, took out his pen, and started writing in Chinese:

Why is acting the key to digesting potions?