Lord of the Mysteries Chapter Summary 196-210

Chapter 196 – Spirit Medium Mirror

Klein hastily retreats from Madam Sharon’s safe, sensing an ominous premonition. He realizes the white bone statue represents the Primordial Demoness, an evil god, and that Madam Sharon is likely a Sequence 7 Beyonder. As he escapes the bedroom, he decides not to confront Madam Sharon alone, opting to report back to Dunn instead.

Klein shares his findings with Dunn, including the discovery of the photo and the white bone statue. Dunn confirms the statue’s significance, and they agree to take action against Madam Sharon immediately. The two discuss the differences between orthodox gods and evil gods, with Dunn explaining that the latter often have anthropomorphic appearances.

As they prepare to confront Madam Sharon, Dunn suggests enlisting Kenley’s help to apply for a Sealed Artifact. With the three of them working together, they can ensure a successful operation. The stage is set for a thrilling confrontation, with Klein and his team racing against time to capture Madam Sharon before she escapes.

Chapter 197 – Operation

Klein, Dunn, and Kenley prepare to confront Madam Sharon, a Sequence 7 Beyonder and suspected member of the Demoness Sect. Klein realizes that Madam Sharon hasn’t fled her apartment, likely assuming a break-in or private investigator had rummaged through her safe. Dunn suggests they don’t rush in, recalling their previous encounter with Instigator Trissy, who had escaped by detecting their presence.

Dunn plans to drag Madam Sharon into a dream from a distance, allowing Klein and Kenley to capture her once she’s in a vulnerable state. Klein is impressed by Dunn’s clear thinking and recalls the Captain’s ability to enter people’s dreams, albeit with limited range and time required to complete the process.

As Dunn begins the process, Klein and Kenley wait anxiously. Meanwhile, Madam Sharon is shown to be in her bedroom, admiring herself in a mirror, seemingly entranced by the skeletal statue of the Primordial Demoness. As Dunn’s plan unfolds, Klein finds himself dragged into a dream, where he receives the signal to take action alongside Kenley, with Dunn warning them to be cautious and avoid reckless decisions.

Chapter 198 – Appropriating Uniqueness

Klein’s plan to capture Madam Sharon unfolds as Dunn drags her into a dream from a distance. Meanwhile, Klein and Kenley wait anxiously, ready to take action. However, things take an unexpected turn when Klein is suddenly pulled into the dream, and Madam Sharon appears to be entranced by the skeletal statue of the Primordial Demoness.

As the Slumber Charm takes effect, Klein’s body becomes entangled by countless invisible threads, preventing him from throwing the charm. He uses his unique body’s ability to maintain consciousness in dream invasions, tearing out of the dream and waking up. He finds Madam Sharon in a vacant state, and Kenley is on the ground, disoriented.

Seizing the opportunity, Klein snaps his fingers, burning the fine threads, and fires his revolver at Madam Sharon. However, before he can confirm the outcome, he senses that something is amiss and breaks the strings binding him. As Kenley appears to be under some sort of mind control, Klein uses a Requiem Charm to calm him down and enters a serene state. Just as he does, he has a gut feeling that Madam Sharon is about to attack him, and he narrowly dodges a dagger aimed at his waist.

Chapter 199 – Successful Toss of the Die

Klein’s thoughts are in disarray as he witnesses a partner being killed in action, a fatal mistake that can never be rectified. He snaps out of it, firing his revolver at Madam Sharon, but she dodges and disappears. Klein quickly regains his composure, using tarot cards to pin her hair to the wall and momentarily halting her escape.

As Madam Sharon frees herself and turns invisible, Klein realizes she’s desperately trying to flee, fearing additional reinforcements from the Nighthawks, Mandated Punishers, or Machinery Hivemind. He uses his Clown’s intuition to track her, tossing tarot cards to seal the window and door, and eventually cornering her.

In the final moments, Klein exploits Madam Sharon’s vanity, using the Spirit Medium Mirror to reflect her beauty, and then shattering her illusion, causing her to experience a terrifying transformation, as if witnessing her own decay. Black flames erupt from within her, and she’s eventually encased in a giant, frozen cocoon, trapped by the threads that bound her.

Chapter 200 – The Demoness of Pleasure

As Klein reflects on the previous battle with Madam Sharon, he ponders the Sequence pathways that might be related to war, considering options like the Arbiter, Dark Emperor, Hunter, Criminal, and Prisoner pathways. He narrows down the possibilities, but his thoughts are interrupted by a new vision of Madam Sharon, showered and seductive, as she meets with influential figures from Tingen City’s upper circles, brokering deals and promising protection.

The scene shifts, revealing Madam Sharon’s interactions with various Members of Parliament, businessmen, and civil servants, all seemingly entranced by her charm. Klein muses about her possible Sequence abilities, wondering why she would take the risk of killing Maynard without a clear motive.

Klein performs another dream divination, seeking answers about Madam Sharon’s true motives. He sees her pacing in her room, deciding on something, but the vision raises more questions than answers. With Madam Sharon’s spirit fading, Klein makes a final attempt to uncover the sequence potion formula of the Demoness pathway, using Cogitation to aid his divination.

Chapter 201 – Inquiry

Klein holds his breath as he faces the darkness of the corridor, witnessing Captain Dunn Smith’s unsettling behavior, seemingly entranced and drinking blood. The Clown’s mind is a mess, but he forces himself to move, intentionally making heavy footsteps to approach Madam Sharon’s bedroom door. There, he finds the Captain wrapping Sealed Artifact 3-0271, his expression serious and clean, as if the previous scene was an illusion.

Klein questions the Captain about confirming the servants’ sleep, and Dunn Smith apologizes for his mistakes, using a formless ripple to detect anyone awake on the first floor. Klein is left with more questions, wondering if the Captain was intentionally distracting him and what his true motives are. As they clean up the scene, Klein examines the corpses, noting their pale skin and blue-black marks, feeling an unsettling chill.

With the Captain’s guidance, Klein seeks help from the nearest police station and Frye, while trying to process the events of the night. His thoughts are a jumble of concerns about the Captain’s behavior, Kenley’s death, and the mysterious Sealed Artifact 3-0271. As he navigates the dark streets, Klein’s uncertainty and unease only deepen, leaving him – and the reader – with a lingering sense of foreboding.

Chapter 202 – Confirming the Situation

Klein uses his copper whistle to dispel the messenger, then enters the world above the gray fog to perform a divination to uncover the truth about Captain Dunn Smith’s abnormal behavior. His first divination statement, “Dunn Smith’s abnormality would lead me into danger,” yields a positive result, indicating significant danger. However, his second divination statement, “The reason for Dunn Smith’s abnormality,” fails due to insufficient information.

As Klein returns to reality, he’s plagued by nightmares and exhaustion from the intense battle and rituals. The next morning, he arrives early at the Blackthorn Security Company to find Captain Dunn Smith sitting in his office, looking worn out and grief-stricken over the loss of two teammates. Klein composes himself and approaches the Captain, who reveals that the Church has offered compensation to Kenley’s family.

As they discuss the aftermath of the tragedy, Klein is tasked with taking over Royale’s shift in the basement. The Captain’s somber tone and Klein’s lingering unease hint at deeper mysteries and dangers lurking in the shadows, leaving the reader wondering what’s to come next.

Chapter 203 – Mutant

Klein’s eyes widen as he reads Azik’s reply, filled with unexpected revelations about Vampires and Mutants. The letter hints at the possibility that Captain Dunn Smith might have consumed a Vampire potion, leading to his abnormal behavior, or perhaps he’s a Mutant with a suppressed, twisted desire for blood and massacre. Azik’s words paint a dark picture, suggesting that the Captain’s true nature might have been triggered by the death of a teammate.

As Klein processes this information, he’s torn between the Mutant theory and the possibility that the Captain’s behavior is a warning sign for him losing control. He waits anxiously for Madam Daly’s reply, but his exhaustion gets the better of him, and he forces himself to sleep. In his dream, he’s jolted awake by Captain Dunn Smith, who informs him about a new development in the Lanevus case and asks for his help.

With a sense of foreboding, Klein rises from his slumber, his mind racing with the implications of Azik’s words and the mysterious events unfolding around him. He prepares to head to 62 Howes Street, where he’ll meet Leonard and delve deeper into the Lanevus case, unaware of the danger that lurks in the shadows.

Chapter 204 – Visitor

Klein and Leonard’s eyes scan the letter from Lanevus, filled with cryptic warnings and lunatic ramblings. The mysterious villain hints at a bomb hidden in Tingen, growing stronger over time, and taunts the duo with the promise of a catastrophic explosion. As they decipher the message, Klein’s mind races with the possibility of an evil ritual fueled by the resentment of factory workers, child laborers, and exploited female workers.

As they rush to share their findings with Captain Dunn Smith, they’re confronted with two familiar faces – Maynard’s wife and sister, who’ve arrived with a reward for their services. Klein hands over the money to Rozanne, his attention fixed on the Tingen City Honest Paper, which reveals the official account of Madam Sharon’s case and the mayor’s resignation. The stakes are higher than ever, with Lanevus’s true intentions shrouded in mystery.

Captain Dunn Smith dispatches a telegram to the Holy Cathedral, requesting the expertise of a mysticism expert to uncover the secrets of Lanevus’s bomb. As Klein and Leonard nod in unison, they’re aware that time is running out, and they must tread carefully to prevent the impending disaster. With the game of cat and mouse intensifying, Klein’s grip on reality tightens, fueled by the darkness that lurks in every corner of Tingen.

Chapter 205 – Urgent Arrangement

As Klein holds the Flaring Sun Charm and Azik’s copper whistle, he notices the latter’s cold feedback has vanished, suppressed by an invisible power. He enters a half Cogitation state, focusing on the comforting feeling of the charm, and turns to face Leonard and Megose. Megose, seemingly driven by her unborn child, expresses her desire to discuss Lanevus, hinting that she knows more than she’s letting on. Klein and Leonard exchange worried glances, and Klein signals to keep Megose calm.

Klein rushes to share his discoveries with Captain Dunn Smith, revealing his theory that Lanevus obtained ritualistic magic linked to the True Creator from an Aurora Order member. He believes Lanevus turned Megose into a vessel to gestate a powerful entity, using the resentment and oppression surrounding the factories to accelerate its growth. Dunn takes Klein’s words seriously, nodding solemnly, and decides to request assistance from the Holy Cathedral and other organizations.

As the stakes escalate, Klein’s mind races with connections and coincidences. He suspects that the baby in Megose’s stomach may have corrupted the Mandated Punishers’ member, leading to his loss of control. He also wonders about the timing of Megose’s visit, sensing that the person behind the coincidences will soon emerge. With the game of cat and mouse intensifying, Klein’s grip on reality tightens, fueled by the darkness that lurks in every corner of Tingen.

Chapter 206 – Grade 2 Sealed Artifacts

Klein stands in the corridor, surrounded by classic gas lamps, after dispatching the bone messenger with his letter. He’s decided on which Sealed Artifact to choose to help with the Megose situation, eliminating the Grade 3 options due to potential dangers and limitations. Dunn Smith has informed him of the three available Grade 2 Sealed Artifacts behind Chanis Gate, including “Inexhaustible Poison,” “Door of Death,” and “Blood Vessel Thief.”

Klein decides on “Blood Vessel Thief” (2-105), which can steal life and abilities from targets within a specific range, though the probability of success is uncertain. His plan is to give it to Leonard, who already possesses the Flaring Sun Charm and Azik’s copper whistle, hoping to raise the probability of success in dealing with the worst-case scenario. Klein’s grip on reality tightens as he envisions the challenging road ahead.

Seeka Tron, the part-time author, approaches Klein outside the duty room, suggesting she should guard Chanis Gate instead. Klein replies that it wouldn’t be safe here either, citing the unpredictable nature of Sealed Artifacts, and that their goal is to buy time and wait for reinforcements. Seeka Tron responds by drawing a crimson moon on her chest, invoking the Goddess’s blessing for all.

Chapter 207 – Guardian

Dunn sighs, revealing to Klein that he had wanted to send him away, but Kenley’s death left him in chaos, and he only came up with a clumsy excuse. Klein presses him, and Dunn shares a crucial secret: the “Law of Beyonder Characteristics Indestructibility,” which means a Beyonder’s characteristics are never destroyed or reduced, only passed from one carrier to the next. This law applies to Sealed Artifacts, mysterious objects, and potion ingredients left behind by Beyonders who have lost control or died normally.

Klein’s eyes widen as he realizes the implications, recalling the blue blood sphere beside the suited clown’s corpse. Dunn explains that Beyonders who die normally won’t leave behind ingredients or objects, but those who lose control do. Klein’s mind races as he connects the dots, understanding why Beyonder pathways won’t be broken, even if creatures used as main ingredients go extinct, and why higher Sequence potions are only given in full.

Dunn reveals that he chose to consume the remains of his deceased partners, allowing him to temporarily augment his Beyonder characteristics, making him more powerful. However, it’s not for personal gain, but because he can’t bear to part with his fallen comrades, remembering their bravery, camaraderie, and shared experiences. His reliable persona cracks, and he opens up about his pain and longing, making Klein’s eyes blur with emotion.

Chapter 208 – Cry

Klein and Leonard’s countdown is interrupted by a sudden telegram, but they’re too engrossed in their emotional moment to care. The solemn Dunn Smith enters with a silver box, triggering Megose’s violent outburst, accusing him of wanting to kill her child. The atmosphere turns chaotic as Megose’s screams reverberate, and Klein’s vision blurs with a headache, noticing Leonard’s similarly affected state.

As the countdown reaches its climax, Megose’s transformation accelerates, and she’s bound by mysterious black threads. Dunn Smith, battered and bleeding, holds onto Saint Selena’s urn for dear life. Klein and Leonard burst into action, with Leonard targeting Megose and Klein using a warm gold slice to unleash a blinding light, momentarily freeing them from the darkness.

In the aftermath, Megose’s Blaspheme Curse is halted, and Klein seizes the opportunity to inject his spirituality into the Flaring Sun Charm, casting a radiant light that forces the black threads to retreat, liberating Megose from her restraints. The reception hall is bathed in transparency, and the darkness is vanquished – but for how long?

Chapter 209 – Light

Klein and Megose’s fates hang in the balance as the baby inside Megose’s womb cries out, causing the black threads to stumble and allowing Klein to seize an opportunity. Dunn Smith, battered and bleeding, uses his Nightmare abilities to impede Megose’s movements, buying Klein time to prepare an ancient Hermes incantation. The threads, however, quickly adapt and bind Megose once more, prompting Dunn to make a desperate sacrifice – stabbing himself to retrieve his own heart and placing it in the urn with Saint Selena’s ashes.

As Megose’s transformation accelerates, Klein’s vision blurs, and his physical state deteriorates. The baby’s cries become more frantic, but the black threads refuse to relent, sealing the terrifying sounds within Megose’s body. With his last ounce of strength, Klein utters the Hermes term “Light!” and infuses his remaining spirituality into the Flaring Sun Charm, casting a radiant light upon Megose.

The sunlight, guided by the Flaring Sun Charm, explodes like the sun upon Megose’s headless form, bathing the room in a burning white radiance. Amidst the chaos, Klein closes his eyes, the last scene etched deeply into his mind.

Chapter 210 – Story

In a Tingen suburb, a mysterious notebook owned by the Antigonus family changes hands, passing from Regence to Sirius Arapis and Hanass Vincent, who sell it to Welch McGovern. As the notebook’s contents appear and disappear, its dark influence spreads, ultimately leading to Welch’s death and the notebook’s awakening. Klein Moretti, a survivor of the notebook’s power, sends it to Ray Bieber’s house, where it continues to exert its malevolent force.

Meanwhile, Lanevus, a cunning individual, becomes entangled with Sirius and conspires to complete an evil ritual to deliver the True Creator’s spawn into the world. He manipulates Hood Eugen and uses his fiancée, Megose, as a vessel for the ritual. Ince Zangwill secretly helps Lanevus, and the ritual succeeds, leaving Megose pregnant with the deity’s spawn.

As the story unfolds, the Nighthawks, including Klein and Dunn Smith, become embroiled in the mystery of the Antigonus family’s notebook. They face numerous challenges, including battling a monster created by the notebook’s power and confronting a Sequence 7 member from the Secret Order. Amidst the chaos, Lanevus flees Tingen, leaving behind clues for the Beyonder squads to deal with the repercussions of his actions.