Lord of the Mysteries Chapter Summary 31-45

Chapter 31 – Potion

Klein stands firm under Dunn’s intense gaze, expressing his decision to proceed with consuming the Seer potion. Despite the risks, Klein believes he can mitigate the negative effects by understanding the true essence of digestion and acting. Dunn acquiesces, leading Klein to an underground alchemy room where Old Neil will concoct the potion. Klein learns that his luck enhancement ritual might lead to similar effects as the murmurs that drive people mad, and that he will remain a civilian staff member, learning mysticism with Old Neil.

Dunn reveals that the Nighthawk team has obtained materials for two Seer potions, and Klein feels a mix of relief and anxiety as he waits for the potion to be prepared. He is warned not to touch the dangerous and expensive materials in the room and is reminded to stay vigilant, as the Secret Order might still pose a threat.

As Klein waits, he takes in the ancient and mysterious atmosphere of the alchemy room, resembling a chemistry laboratory from his previous life. Old Neil arrives, bearing the Seer potion formula and materials, and begins preparing the concoction. With the door closed and the gas lamps lit, Klein finds himself on the threshold of a new journey, one that will test his resolve and wit.

Chapter 32 – Spirit Vision

Klein hesitantly drinks the dark-blue Seer potion, despite Old Neil’s humorous attempt to ease his nerves. As the liquid takes effect, Klein’s vision blurs, and his surroundings transform into a kaleidoscope of rich colors. He convulses, feeling the potion’s energy coursing through his body. His vision slowly clears, revealing transparent objects and clusters of light that seem to possess life or contain immense knowledge.

As Klein struggles to comprehend what he’s experiencing, Old Neil guides him through the initial effects of the potion. Klein learns to focus his mind on a simple object, calming the chaotic energies and reducing the afterimages. With each passing moment, he grows more adept at controlling the seepage of the potion’s energy.

Old Neil declares Klein a successful Seer, pointing out the physical manifestation of the potion’s powers in his deepened, darkness-like brown eyes. With his new title comes the opportunity to learn Cogitation, which Klein begins to grasp by producing an imaginary object in his mind and diverting his attention. As he masters the initial steps, Old Neil sets him on the path to exceeding the concept of “I” and gaining Mystic Experiences that will reveal hidden truths.

Chapter 33 – Switch

As Klein masters his Spirit Vision, he’s eager to explore the alchemy room with his newfound ability. However, he soon learns that objects without life don’t emit any lights or colors, whereas materials from extraordinary beings still possess remnant spiritualities. Old Neil explains that this is crucial for potion concoction and a reason why Beyonders can lose control.

Klein also discovers that spirits and souls are not allowed to roam freely in the Nighthawk headquarters, unlike the spiritual world. As he practices controlling his Spirit Vision, he experiences physical effects like glabella spasms and minor hallucinations. Old Neil reassures him that these can be eliminated with practice and teaches him how to exit the Spirit Vision state.

With repeated practice, Klein sets up his own “switch” to activate and end his Spirit Vision by tapping his glabella twice. Exhausted from the mental exertion, he’s advised to rest and then search for clues about the Antigonus family’s notebook on Iron Cross Street. The next day, Old Neil will continue teaching him about mysticism, and Klein must remember to read historical documents.

Chapter 34 – Advance Payment

Alger Wilson sits in his underground basement, surrounded by mysterious apparatuses and goatskin parchments, as he focuses on a bottle containing a tempestuous black liquid. The candle’s flickering flame creates an eerie atmosphere, and Alger’s thumbs face each other as he concentrates. Suddenly, a deep-red light bursts forth, overwhelming him.

Meanwhile, Audrey Hall prepares for a secluded meeting, locking her door and sitting at her dressing table. As she tests her fountain pen, a dark red beam erupts from her body, and she’s transported to a divine hall where she greets Mr. Fool and Mr. Hanged Man. Klein, as Mr. Fool, smiles and maintains his enigmatic image, while Audrey addresses him with a carefree tone.

As Klein masters his Spirit Vision, he taps his glabella twice, and the scene transforms. He sees Justice and The Hanged Man’s auras, with colors matching their personalities. Klein analyzes their emotions, noting Justice’s vibrant youthfulness and The Hanged Man’s calm, thoughtful demeanor. But what catches his attention is the deep blue, tidal storm-like color beneath The Hanged Man’s Ether Body, hinting at his true nature as a powerful Beyonder.

Chapter 35 – Exchange of Information

Audrey Hall, Mr. Fool, and Alger Wilson convene in the divine hall, discussing the mysterious diary of Emperor Roselle, rumored to contain cryptic texts hiding the twenty-two paths of the divine. The Hanged Man’s enigmatic reputation piques Audrey’s curiosity, while Alger is intrigued by Mr. Fool’s seemingly omniscient nature. As they deliberate, Klein, as Mr. Fool, shares his insight, neither confirming nor denying the diary’s contents, leaving the group to ponder the enigma.

The conversation turns to deciphering the cryptic language, with Alger explaining its mysterious nature and the lack of a confirmed method to decode it. Klein, however, appears unfazed, and Audrey wonders how they will convey the information to him. In response, Klein proposes a unique solution, guiding Audrey to imagine a poem and write it on a goatskin parchment using a dark red fountain pen. To their amazement, the text appears, and Audrey realizes that Mr. Fool is not reading her thoughts, but rather guiding her to imprint her imagination onto the parchment.

As the group continues to unravel the mystery, Alger is struck by Mr. Fool’s prowess, and Audrey is reassured about her memory, which, as a Spectator, will receive significant improvements. With their understanding of the cryptic text taking shape, they press on, seeking guidance from Mr. Hanged Man, leaving the reader wondering what secrets will be unveiled next.

Chapter 36 – A Simple Question

Audrey recounts her family’s dissatisfaction with the Loen Kingdom’s chaotic government structure, where every election brings a change in personnel, causing inefficiency and inconvenience. Klein, as Mr. Fool, listens intently, aware that the kingdom lacks a system to examine public servants. When the Hanged Man, Alger, injects a witty remark, Klein proposes a simple solution: holding public exams to select elite candidates for government positions, with different requirements for different roles.

Alger listens intently, while Audrey is puzzled but intrigued by Klein’s idea. Klein elaborates, suggesting gradual replacements and ensuring the civil service remains effective regardless of the ruling party. Alger can’t help but poke fun at the current ministers, prompting Klein to shake his head in amusement. Audrey is impressed by Klein’s solution, marveling at his intelligence and experience.

As the meeting concludes, Klein ends the gathering, and the illusory figures of Audrey and Alger dissipate. Alone in the divine hall, Klein ponders his next move, deciding to search for the Antigonus notebook seriously. He sits, observing the gray fog, aware of his newfound ability as a Beyonder to touch another dark red star.

Chapter 37 – The Club

Klein leaves his house, dressing down for a casual stroll to Welch’s place, and can’t help but think about the Antigonus family’s missing notebook and its significance to the Nighthawks. As he walks along Iron Cross Street, he reminisces about the past, including his previous encounters with the circus troupe and the animal trainer who had helped him tell his fortune. Upon arriving at Smyrin Bakery, he’s greeted by Mrs. Wendy, who offers him a comforting cup of sweet iced tea, which instantly lifts his mood.

As they chat, Klein learns more about Mrs. Wendy’s Southern roots and her longing for her hometown’s cuisine. After finishing the tea, Klein continues his walk, but is suddenly overcome with a sense of darkness and heaviness. He stops, observing his surroundings, but sees nothing out of the ordinary. Tapping his glabella, he gains a new perspective, allowing him to see the auras of the people around him, including the gloomy, despondent colors that seem to permeate the entire area.

Klein’s attention is drawn to the dark, apathetic atmosphere that seems to weigh heavily on the people, and he realizes that even the warm sunlight can’t dispel the gloom. This newfound awareness leaves him with more questions, and he’s compelled to continue his search for the Antigonus notebook, determined to uncover its secrets and the mysteries surrounding it.

Chapter 38 – Novice Hobbyist

Klein visits a mysterious club where members offer divination services, and he’s introduced to various fortune-tellers, each with their own unique style and pricing. He chooses Glacis, a novice tarot card reader who’s honest about his lack of experience. Despite this, Klein is drawn to Glacis’s humble nature and decides to proceed with the divination.

In the dimly lit Topaz Room, Glacis explains his approach to divination as a hobby, and Klein asks about locating a lost item, using the Antigonus family’s notebook as a mental reference. Glacis guides Klein through a simple tarot card reading, asking him to shuffle and cut the deck while focusing on the question. The topmost card is drawn, and Klein flips it over to reveal an inverted card, indicating that the item cannot be found.

As Klein’s attention remains fixed on the tarot card, Glacis expresses disappointment, but the atmosphere is tense with unspoken possibilities. The darkness and heaviness Klein sensed earlier seem to linger, adding an air of intrigue to the divination process.

Chapter 39 – Interesting Trick

Klein shares his theory about the Antigonus family’s notebook with Leonard, suggesting that the unknown existence might have enjoyed the sacrifice of life and wanted to continue the entertainment, leading him to take the notebook away to hide it. Leonard proposes an alternative explanation: the notebook could be a vessel or breeding ground for evil, and the unknown existence made Klein take it to hide its content. The conversation leaves Klein wary of Leonard’s intentions.

As Klein visits the armory to draw his bullets, he encounters Rozanne and a new character, Bredt, a colleague who wants to switch shifts to attend a theater performance with his wife. Rozanne is curious about Klein’s new status as a Seer, and Klein deflects her questions about his clothing, choosing not to reveal more. Meanwhile, Bredt shares a cryptic warning from a deceased Beyonder: “the less you know, the longer you live.”

With his bullets in hand, Klein heads to the Shooting Club, leaving Rozanne and Bredt behind. The encounter with Leonard and the conversations with Rozanne and Bredt have only added to the intrigue and mystery, leaving Klein – and the reader – wondering what’s to come next.

Chapter 40 – Mysticism Curriculum

Klein engages in a peculiar task with Old Neil, preparing two cups of coffee with a hidden twist. As he adds an unpleasant surprise to one of the cups, Old Neil demonstrates a divination technique called pendulum dowsing, using a moonstone to detect the tainted coffee. The moonstone spins counterclockwise, indicating the unpleasant cup, and Old Neil explains the intricacies of this technique, which can be used to determine good or bad outcomes.

Intrigued, Klein learns more about pendulum dowsing, discovering its limitations but also its potential usefulness in uncertain situations. Old Neil reveals that this divination method is a standard issue tool for Beyonders, and Klein becomes excited at the prospect of acquiring his own spirit pendulum. Despite some hesitation, Klein decides to request one from Captain, and Old Neil agrees to begin their mysticism curriculum, starting with the basics of symbolism.

As Klein delves deeper into the mysteries of the mysticism world, he finds himself entwined in a web of intrigue, wonder, and uncertainty, with Old Neil’s guidance illuminating the path ahead.

Chapter 41 – Audrey and Her Susie

Klein delves deeper into the mysticism world, following his morning routine of Cogitating, mysticism lessons with Old Neil, and studying historical documents. He spends his afternoon practicing at the Shooting Club and visiting Welch’s place, all while keeping up with his Spirit Vision and Spirit Dowsing exercises. With his newfound enthusiasm, Klein submits an expenditure application to Captain Dunn Smith, who approves it and agrees to add a spirit pendulum to the request.

As Klein settles into his daily routine, he begins to grasp the intricacies of mysticism, thanks to Old Neil’s guidance. Meanwhile, Audrey Hall, a talented mystic, successfully brews a Spectator potion in her private laboratory, but her celebration is short-lived as she’s interrupted by her maidservant, Annie, who brings an invitation from Duchess Della, the wife of Duke Negan.

The chapter weaves together Klein’s increasing immersion in the mysticism world and Audrey’s mysterious endeavors, hinting at potential interactions between the two characters and the larger world of Beyonders. With Captain Dunn’s approval of the spirit pendulum, Klein takes a significant step forward in his mysticism journey, while Audrey’s potion-brewing skills and connections to the aristocracy raise questions about her true intentions.

Chapter 42 – Butler Klee

Klein’s daily routine at Blackthorn Security Company is disrupted when a lanky visitor, seeking a mission, arrives only to find all the formal Nighthawk members out on assignments. Rozanne politely declines, citing the team’s unavailability, and the visitor departs, leaving Klein and Rozanne to discuss the team’s current workload. Meanwhile, Klein reads the local newspaper, discovering that the suspect responsible for killing Welch and Naya has been caught, and Welch’s father has taken his son’s corpse back to Constant City for burial.

As Klein sits in a sullen mood, contemplating the news, the lanky visitor returns, seeking to wait for the security team’s return. Upon inquiry, the visitor reveals that he had visited all nearby mercenaries and security companies, only to find them overbooked, and Blackthorn Security Company is his last hope. Rozanne offers him a seat, and the visitor shares his desperation, mentioning an armed burglary murder on Howes Street, which catches Klein’s attention, given his involvement in the case.

The visitor’s anxiety and desperation are palpable, and Klein’s curiosity is piqued. As the stormy afternoon wears on, Klein and the visitor sit in an awkward silence, awaiting the return of the security team, leaving readers wondering what will unfold next in this intricate web of mysticism and mystery.

Chapter 43 – Search

As Klein sits with Leonard Mitchell and Klee, he requests Elliott’s unwashed clothes and accessories to aid in the divination process, carefully avoiding revealing the true purpose of the request. Klee, though puzzled, accepts the explanation that Klein’s “unique pet” requires the items to track down the missing boy. With the necessary materials in hand, the trio sets out to Vickroy’s residence, where Klee collects the required items, including a black-and-white photograph of Elliott and the boy’s worn clothes.

During the carriage ride, Klein and Leonard remain silent, aware of the need to keep sensitive information private with the driver present. Upon arriving, Klee recounts the events leading up to Elliott’s kidnapping, providing crucial details about the number of kidnappers and their weapons. With the necessary information gathered, Klein and Leonard bid Klee farewell and hire a private two-wheeled carriage to continue their investigation.

As they begin their journey, Klein prepares for divination, spreading out Elliott’s clothes and winding the Storm Amulet around his cane. He enters a half-Cogitation state, his eyes darkening as he focuses his mind, signaling the start of a potentially critical phase in the search for the missing boy.

Chapter 44 – Fate

Klein’s attempt to focus on divination is disrupted by Leonard’s soothing singing, which puts him in a tranquile state. However, Leonard soon stops singing and takes action, breaking the door lock to confront the kidnappers. Klein readies his revolver, and together they overpower the kidnappers, with Leonard taking down two men and Klein handling a third.

As they deal with the kidnappers, a new figure appears on the scene – a hatless man in a brown coat, carrying a bag of bread, who seems out of place. Klein points his revolver at the man, who tries to feign innocence, but Leonard suspects him of being an accomplice. The situation escalates, and Klein shoots the man in the shoulder, leading to a brief chase and eventual capture.

With the kidnappers subdued, Klein and Leonard turn their attention to the hostage, Elliott Vickroy, who is shaken but relieved to be rescued. As they prepare to reunite Elliott with his family, Klein and Leonard share a moment of dark humor, and the chapter ends with Klein seeking out the authorities to report their success.

Chapter 45 – Returning

Klein springs into action, driven by his intuition that the Antigonus notebook is in the apartment across from the kidnappers. He rapidly dresses, though not without a minor mishap with his shirt buttons, and readies himself for the task ahead. With his revolver holstered and a hat and cane in hand, he sneaks out of his home, leaving a note for his siblings, and hails an early morning public carriage to Zouteland Street.

As he rides through the dark and silent streets, Klein engages in small talk with the carriage driver, learning about the grueling schedules of public carriage operators. He pays little attention to the conversation, his mind focused on the mission at hand. The carriage picks up several passengers along the way, and by the time the sun rises, Klein arrives at 36 Zouteland Street, home to Blackthorn Security Company.

Klein enters the company, where he finds Leonard Mitchell, the poet-like Nighthawk, sniffing a cigarette. Leonard informs him that Captain Dunn Smith is in his office, having only needed two hours of sleep due to his advanced Sleepless abilities. Klein heads straight to the office, ready to discuss their next move and uncover the secrets of the Antigonus notebook.