Chapter 241 – Language of Foulness
As the room remains silent, Klein engages in a precarious dance with the suspected Apothecary, feigning ignorance about the crimson Beyonder characteristic in his iron cigarette case. The Apothecary, attempting to persuade Klein, reveals his cunning nature, but Klein stands firm, proclaiming his determination to gamble for survival. Meanwhile, Black Snake intervenes, admiring Klein’s character, and orchestrated a transaction, handing Klein a mysterious wooden box containing a “ear” that might grant him an advantage.
The gathering soon disperses, with Eye of Wisdom declaring an end to the meeting, citing the convention of leaving one by one, separated by three minutes, to prevent potential danger. As Klein departs, he returns to the Bravehearts Bar, where he’s warned by Kaspars about the risks of attending future gatherings. Klein, however, is resolute in his pursuit, inquiring about Maric’s whereabouts, all while keeping a safe distance from the volatile Nighthunter.
As the chapter concludes, Maric’s fate takes a dark turn in the card room, where his fortunes are reversed by a cunning zombie, leaving him stunned and surrounded by an unsettling atmosphere.
Chapter 242 – Bakerland
Klein wakes up feeling more at ease, thanks to the Language of Foulness charm, and begins his day by reading the newspaper. He stumbles upon an article about a violent clash between two gangs, including the notorious Zmanger gang, in Red Brick Alley, which is suspiciously close to Bacardi Street, where Ian Wright was last seen. Klein wonders if Ian Wright is hiding in the area and if the conflict is related to the military’s special department and the Intis Republic’s intelligence staff.
As he ponders, the doorbell rings, and he meets two ladies, Mrs. Sammer and Mary Gale, a shareholder of Coim Company. Mary requests Klein’s help in tailing her husband and gathering evidence of his suspected infidelity, offering a substantial reward of ten pounds. Klein, intrigued by the job, agrees to take on the task, knowing that it won’t be easy to obtain material evidence.
As Klein delves into his new commission, he can’t help but think about the risks and potential consequences of getting involved in marital disputes. Meanwhile, the atmosphere at Count Wolf’s house is lively, with men and women dancing to violin tunes in the lobby, oblivious to the darkness brewing elsewhere in the city.
Chapter 243 – Catching the Adulterous Act
Klein sits on a bench outside the Gardeley department store, enjoying a Cyndi Desi pie and iced tea, as he begins his surveillance job for Mary Gale. His target, Doragu Gale, exits the Coim Company, and Klein uses his agility as a Clown to secretly slip a spare button into Doragu’s pocket. After the brief encounter, Klein tails Doragu, using his dowsing method to track the spare button and lead him to a street house in the Hillston Borough.
As Klein follows Doragu, he takes note of the surroundings, including the gardens and lawns behind the house, which sets it apart from the other houses in the area. His dowsing method confirms that Doragu is inside the house, and Klein approaches the door, where he’s met with resistance from two men in black and white plaid uniforms, who demand proof of membership to the Quelaag Club.
With his camera hidden behind him, Klein is forced to acknowledge the men’s warning, leaving the reader wondering what secrets the Quelaag Club holds and what Klein’s next move will be. Will he be able to uncover evidence of Doragu’s infidelity and complete his job, or will he stumble upon something more sinister?
Chapter 244 – Appointee
Fors and Xio are approached by the enigmatic Audrey, who assigns them an assassination mission targeting the ambassador of Intis, a powerful country in the Northern Continent. The reward is a staggering 4000 gold pounds, with an additional 500 pounds if the mission succeeds. Audrey’s motives remain unclear, leaving Fors and Xio puzzled about the potential internal strife among nobles and the possibility of inciting war.
The duo quickly contacts Klein, aka Mr. A, and presents him with the mission details. Mr. A remains noncommittal, demanding a higher reward in exchange for his involvement. He proposes two options: either the potion formulas for Unshadowed, Cataclysmic Interrer, Prophet, or Manipulator, or a whopping 10,000 gold pounds. Fors and Xio are taken aback by Mr. A’s demands, but they agree to discuss the terms and provide an answer the following day.
As the negotiations unfold, Xio shares her insight into Mr. A’s operation, revealing that he has numerous subordinates to support and maintain. The duo delivers Mr. A’s response to Audrey, who surprisingly appears relieved upon learning of his demands. The stakes are high, and the true intentions of the characters remain shrouded in mystery, leaving readers wondering what’s to come next.
Chapter 245 – Confirmation
Klein, aka Mr. Fool, settles into his usual routine, seemingly unaffected by the recent negotiations with Audrey and Fors. However, his thoughts are consumed by the complexities of the assassination mission targeting Ambassador Bakerland of Intis. He learns that Bakerland is a Sequence 6 Conspiracist, with a suspected Sequence 5 assistant, and that Audrey has agreed to Mr. A’s demands of 10,000 gold pounds or specific potion formulas.
Klein’s mind races as he considers the implications of Mr. A’s conditions, suspecting that he might be one of the 22 Oracles of the Aurora Order, stationed in Backlund, and potentially a Beyonder of the Secrets Suppliant Sequence. He warns himself that the Beyonders of this Sequence are often lunatics, and that it’s crucial to maintain a safe distance from Mr. A.
As Klein begins to ponder the motives behind Mr. A’s demands, he starts to make connections between the various potion formulas and their corresponding Sequence pathways. Meanwhile, he performs a divination to assess the reliability of Maric’s friend as a potential bodyguard, finding that the risk is low but present.
Chapter 246 – Strange Omen
Klein receives his Quelaag Club membership and badge, courtesy of Mary Gale, who’s impressed with his swift delivery of information on Doragu Gale’s mistress. As he explores the high-end club, he learns about its luxurious amenities and commits to finding evidence of Doragu’s affair, aware that his one shot at taking a picture might get him kicked out.
Klein’s thoughts are interrupted by a sudden, unexplained sense of danger, but a divination reveals no impending attack. Despite this, he remains apprehensive, sensing that danger might be lurking. He retreats to the gray fog, pondering the uncertainty and ultimately concluding that he’ll be in grave danger in the coming days.
As Klein navigates the Quelaag Club, he’s reminded of Mary’s substantial wealth, courtesy of her father’s co-founding of the Coim Company, and her potential to attract many suitors once divorced. With his mind still racing about Mr. A’s demands and the complexities of the assassination mission targeting Ambassador Bakerland, Klein’s next move will be crucial in this intricate web of intrigue.
Chapter 247 – The Whole Story
Klein’s mysterious bodyguard, the woman in the black regal dress, reappears, leaving him bewildered and unsure if she’s a ghost or not. As he tries to make sense of her presence, the doorbell rings, and Ian Wright, the boy with bright red eyes, arrives, apologizing for involving Klein in a dangerous matter. Ian reveals he came from MI9, a special department of the military, and has information about the situation that put Klein in danger.
Ian explains he’s a spy, trained by Detective Zreal, who adopted vagrant children to gather intelligence. Two weeks ago, Ian stumbled upon clues about Helmosuin’s manuscript, leading to a chain of events that put them all in danger. He recounts how he reported his findings to Detective Zreal, who went silent, and Ian was forced to flee from the Zmanger gang.
As Ian finishes his story, the mysterious woman appears from the panes of the oriel window, sitting in an illusory high-back chair, listening attentively but expressionless. Klein is left stunned, trying to process the scope of the spy conspiracy and his unwitting involvement in it, with the fate of Helmosuin’s manuscript and its connection to third-generation difference machines hanging precariously in the balance.
Chapter 248 – Waiting From Both Sides
Klein prepares for an imminent attack, considering his options with the Language of Foulness charm and his powerful bodyguard. He’s eager to confront his would-be assassins, hoping to gain Beyonder characteristics and formulas. As he thinks about the potential battle, he instinctively draws the sign of the crimson moon on his chest, praying for his opponents to be from the Seer pathway.
Meanwhile, Klein’s mysterious bodyguard reappears, her face manifesting on the gas lamp in the living room. She nods in response to Klein’s words, seemingly confident in her own strength. The doorbell rings again, and Klein answers it to find Sergeant Faxine, who had dealt with Sherlock Moriarty’s case, waiting impatiently outside.
As the night unfolds, Ambassador Bakerland hosts a ball at the Intis embassy, where he mingles with guests, discussing the prosperity and openness of Trier. Unbeknownst to the revelers, Bakerland has been secretly orchestrating a plan to obtain Helmosuin’s manuscript, using his double agent to infiltrate the Feysac Empire’s Backlund intelligence team and uncover Ian Wright’s meeting with his superior. The stage is set for a dangerous game of cat and mouse, where Klein and his mysterious bodyguard stand ready to face whatever dangers lie ahead.
Chapter 249 – The Assassination
As the Intis embassy’s ball reaches its climax, Ambassador Bakerland’s true intentions are revealed in a dark and sinister manner. He interrogates Eileen, a seemingly innocent guest, with a flaming whip, only to be met with a shocking twist: Eileen’s body suddenly splits open, revealing a humanoid figure wrapped in viscous liquid – Rose Bishop, a Sequence 6 Beyonders of the Secrets Suppliant pathway. With her emergence, Eileen’s life is extinguished, leaving Bakerland to face the terrifying Rose Bishop, an expert in flesh and blood magic.
As Bakerland retreats in fear, he realizes he’s trapped in an isolated world, courtesy of the Rose Bishop’s manipulation of his own rules. With his cries for help falling on deaf ears, the ambassador is forced to confront the reality of his own undoing. The Rose Bishop toys with Bakerland, implying that he must defeat himself to escape the isolation.
In the midst of this chaos, Bakerland’s expression changes as he recognizes the Rose Bishop’s tactics, reminiscent of another Sequence: Baron of Corruption of the Dark Emperor pathway. However, before he can fully grasp the situation, Bakerland’s face darkens, and he blurts out a name – Shepherd – hinting at a deeper, more sinister connection between the Rose Bishop and the mysterious Shepherd.
Chapter 250 – Rich Experience in Courting Death
Klein’s fate hangs in the balance as Sergeant Faxine, revealed to be Rosago, a Mid-Sequence Beyonder of the Seer pathway, manipulates his thoughts and movements. Rosago’s sinister intentions are clear, but his motives remain shrouded in mystery. As Klein struggles to break free from Rosago’s control, he notices the woman in the black regal dress, seemingly trapped in a state of resistance against Rosago’s influence.
Klein’s only hope lies in the Language of Foulness charm, which he clings to as a last resort. With great difficulty, he manages to utter the incantation, unleashing a dark, corrosive energy that threatens to consume both him and Rosago. As the True Creator’s voice begins to descend upon the physical world, Klein’s desperation grows, and the stakes reach a fever pitch.
With his thoughts slowing and his body numb, Klein’s resolve is tested as he confronts the reality of his own predicament. Will he find a way to outsmart Rosago and escape the clutches of the mysterious Shepherd, or will he succumb to the forces of darkness closing in around him?
Chapter 251 – Gains
Klein’s desperation reaches a boiling point as he struggles to outsmart Rosago, the Mid-Sequence Beyonder of the Seer pathway. Through dream divination, Klein learns about the potion formulas for the Seer and Clown pathways, gaining valuable insight into Rosago’s powers. The sinister Beyonder, meanwhile, warns Klein about the limitations of divination, cautioning him against relying too heavily on fate and neglecting his own agency.
As Klein delves deeper into the mysteries of the Seer pathway, he discovers the existence of a Magician, a Sequence 7 Beyonder capable of firing air bullets and drawing slips of paper as weapons. The revelation sends Klein’s mind racing with possibilities, and he begins to see the potential for a circus-like alliance with Seers, Clowns, and Magicians.
However, Klein soon learns about the Faceless power, Sequence 6 of the Seer pathway, which allows Rosago to transform into anyone, including Officer Faxine and Detective Zreal. The power holds immense significance for Klein, who recognizes its potential in covert operations. As he continues to explore the mysteries of the Seer pathway, Klein faces a daunting task: uncovering the secrets of the Nimblewright Master, a Sequence 5 Beyonder whose ritual requires a singing mermaid and ancient wraiths. With his spirituality dwindling, Klein must hold on and unearth the remaining secrets before it’s too late.
Chapter 252 – Epilogue
As Klein touches the black eye, he’s immediately overwhelmed by strange visions and a throbbing pain in his head. The illusory black threads emanating from his and Miss Bodyguard’s bodies reveal the essence of a Nimblewright Master’s Beyonder powers, allowing control over threads connecting people’s bodies and spirits. However, the corruptive feeling forces Klein to put the eye away, realizing it can’t be used as a mystical item due to its tainted nature.
Miss Bodyguard springs into action, fusing with Rosago’s corpse to clean up the crime scene, leaving no traces behind. Klein is shocked by her terrifying yet professional display, cautioning her to avoid brightly-lit areas to prevent frightening others. He also instructs her to find Rosago’s original clothes, worried that the discovery of the police uniform could arouse suspicion.
As Klein reflects on the battle, he realizes the immense power and oddity of a Nimblewright Master’s abilities, which could grant rapid advancement to a Sequence 5 Beyonder. He contemplates his next move, aware that getting rid of the True Creator’s corruption could allow him to utilize the Beyonder characteristic left behind by Rosago, making him stronger in the process. With his mind racing, Klein is left pinching his forehead, lost in thought.
Chapter 253 – Night Thoughts
Klein’s thoughts linger on Miss Bodyguard’s impressive display of power, prompting him to wonder about her Sequence pathway and potion name. As he contemplates his next move, he realizes the immense power and oddity of a Nimblewright Master’s abilities, which could grant rapid advancement to a Sequence 5 Beyonder. Klein’s mind races with the possibilities, but he’s aware that getting rid of the True Creator’s corruption is crucial to utilizing the Beyonder characteristic left behind by Rosago.
Klein’s attention shifts to the issue of concealing the contaminated Beyonder characteristic, which he discovers can be masked by the iron cigarette case and his own aura. This sparks an epiphany about the importance of using metal vessels to store materials with spirituality, making it difficult for others with better Spirit Vision to detect. As he tidies up and prepares for bed, Klein’s thoughts drift to the series of coincidences in Tingen City and his rapid progress in obtaining potion formulas.
Klein’s introspection reveals a web of connections between the Secret Order, the Intis Republic, and the Seer pathway, raising questions about the nature of his transmigration and the Antigonus family’s treasure. He begins to suspect that he has an unconscious attraction to items and events related to the Seer pathway, and that this connection is drawing him closer to his goals. As Klein’s thoughts wander, he edges closer to unraveling the mysteries surrounding his existence and the mysteries of the Seer pathway.
Chapter 254 – Various Parties
Audrey, daughter of Count Hall, enjoys a lavish breakfast as she listens to her father and brother discuss the shocking news of the Intis Ambassador’s assassination, attributed to the Aurora Order. Her thoughts drift back to her dealings with Mr. A, whom she believes is the one who carried out the task, and she’s both amazed by his efficiency and intimidated by the power he wields. She makes mental preparations to settle the remaining payment through Xio and Fors, taking care to maintain her distance from Mr. A.
Meanwhile, Xio and Fors are stunned by the news, wondering if Mr. A is indeed a member of the Aurora Order. They agree that, regardless, they need to fulfill their end of the deal and pay the remaining 8,000 pounds. Fors volunteers to make the payment alone, citing concerns about meeting Mr. A again. As they deliberate, they receive a message from Mr. A, instructing them to deposit the funds into separate anonymous accounts.
In a dimly lit, temple-like basement, Mr. A kneels before a massive, three-meter statue of a hanging man, muttering prayers in reverence. The atmosphere is thick with mystery, and the true extent of his powers and connections remains shrouded.
Chapter 255 – Photography Expert
Klein, still lurking in the shadows, observes Doragu Gale and Erica Taylor’s romantic encounter in the dimly lit room. As he secretly activates his Spirit Vision, he witnesses the couple’s auras intensify, signifying their passion. Klein captures their intimate moments using his Spectral Camera, trying to get the perfect shot to deliver to his employer.
Meanwhile, Doragu flaunts his wealth by gifting Erica expensive silk stockings, leaving Klein stunned by the extravagant gesture. As the couple’s passion escalates, Klein silently exits the cupboard, snapping a few more photos to ensure he has options for his client. He makes a swift escape, feeling relieved and content with his successful mission.
Back in the lounge, Klein reflects on his profitable adventure, grateful for the Quelaag Club membership and the 50 pounds it’s worth. However, his moment of triumph is disrupted by Miss Bodyguard’s sudden emergence from the camera lens, her pale face a stark contrast to the passionate atmosphere he just witnessed. Awkwardly, Klein invites her to join him for a meal, attempting to shift the conversation away from the uncomfortable encounter.