章 400: Gwyn Under Attack
South Bridge District, 32 Wilde Street.
This was a two-story standalone house facing the street, with a conventional layout. A hallway connecting the balconies on either side stretched across the second floor, with rooms like bedrooms, bathrooms, sunrooms, and living areas situated along it.
Having quietly infiltrated the house via the balcony, Klein used the "Azik Copper Whistle" to lure his target and fired "Black Flame" bullets from his revolver, Confession, successfully eliminating the evil spirit that haunted the building.
Descending the stairs, he entered the basement and encountered the scene he had glimpsed during his divination through the "Master Key's" dream: a long table with a brown notebook placed atop it.
"According to my occult knowledge, the night of a full moon is when the spirit world and reality overlap the most, resulting in the highest spiritual intensity. It's the most favorable time to consume a potion and achieve advancement.
"I will become an 'Apprentice' on the next full moon!
"I will grow stronger step by step and restore the glory of the Abraham family..."
Klein read the notebook's contents, which detailed the formulas for "Apprentice," "Trickmaster," and "Astrologer." The bold declaration at the end of the notebook amused him. Feeling satisfied, he couldn't resist drawing a crimson moon on his chest in a clockwise motion.
"May the Goddess forgive your ignorance."
Through this, he deduced that the "Master Key" was likely the remnant characteristic of a member of the Abraham family. Since this individual had lost control and died during advancement under a full moon, the characteristic carried a "curse" originating from Mr. "Door."
Exhaling, Klein erased all traces of his presence, took the brown notebook, and left the basement.
After a series of mental skirmishes with the "air" while evading pursuit, Klein returned to his home on Minsk Street. Locking himself in his bedroom, he reversed four steps and arrived above the gray fog.
Inside the majestic palace, Klein used the "All-Black Eye" to manifest a dummy of "The World," creating an ordinary room-like setting around it.
He then made "The World" adopt a posture of pious supplication and rasped:
"Oh, Fool who does not belong to this era...
"Please inform Miss 'Magician' that I have obtained the formula for 'Trickmaster.'
"If she pays 450 pounds promptly, the formula will be hers."
After completing the manipulation, Klein transformed the earlier scene into a stream of light and transmitted it to the crimson star representing the "Magician."
Klein was preparing to attend the Extraordinary gathering hosted by the old "Eye of Wisdom" that evening to purchase the man's "Sun Brooch." Hence, he needed to gather some funds—Miss "Justice" wouldn't be able to sacrifice the next 3,000-pound installment for some time, and Sharon couldn't wait that long.
---
In Viscount Glaint's Study
After hearing Xio's words, Fors was tempted but soon felt disheartened. "Unfortunately, Ebner isn't in Backlund and won't be back anytime soon..."
Even if he were here, he wouldn't help you retrieve them... Helping when those 'manuscripts' were handed over by Miss 'Justice' would be disrespectful to Mr. Fool, Xio thought, but she teasingly said aloud, "Why are you so eager? Do you need Roselle's manuscripts urgently?"
Fors immediately realized her slip and hurriedly covered it up. "Not that urgent..."
However, before she could finish, her vision blurred. She saw boundless gray fog, a towering figure seated in a grand, ancient palace, and a man praying devoutly.
As the voice reached her ears, she nearly jumped in shock, joy, and disbelief:
I've been searching for the 'Trickmaster' formula for years, and I've found it just like that?
Despite attending numerous Extraordinary gatherings, I've never found any clue about it, yet now it's here?
And it hasn't even been a week since I brought it up!
This... this is the Tarot Club... It's incomparable to ordinary Extraordinary gatherings!
Fors was overwhelmed but restrained her excitement and cautiously responded:
"Mr. Fool, is that formula authentic?"
"It is." The "Fool," seated on the high-backed chair, replied indifferently.
Fors clenched her fist, made a small celebratory motion at her waist, and immediately said:
"That must be Mr. 'World,' correct?
"Please tell him I'll send the money shortly."
When the gray fog dissipated, and everything ended, Fors stood stunned for two seconds before leaping up with excitement. She then noticed Audrey and Xio's surprised gazes, as well as Viscount Glaint's curious look.
Flushing, Fors coughed lightly and stammered, "I need to use the washroom."
"Oh..." Audrey and Xio immediately understood what had just happened and refrained from asking further. As a gentleman, Viscount Glaint naturally didn't inquire about such matters.
After Fors left, Audrey resumed the conversation, asking Xio, "Why did you want me to come over today? Is there something specific?"
"The gathering where the 'Spectator' formula and clues related to the Psychology Alchemists might appear is happening this afternoon," Xio explained, carefully keeping her thoughts in check to avoid her "commentary" tendency by Ebner from being noticed by the "Telepathist" Audrey.
The acting skills honed in the Tarot Club were paying off.
"Why the rush?" Audrey asked with slight confusion.
Xio smiled and explained, "That serial killer incident delayed everyone's plans. Plus, the gathering will take place in the northern suburbs during the afternoon when the Nighthawks are most lax."
"Understood," Audrey nodded lightly, asking no further questions.
At this moment, Viscount Glaint chuckled and added,
"Audrey, I'll be accompanying you.
"Just before you arrived, Fors sold me the 'Pharmacist' formula for 300 pounds. I need to trade for some materials since my family's treasury lacks the specific ones needed."
300 pounds... I remember Fors bought it from Mr. 'World' for only 230 pounds... Audrey couldn't help but mutter internally.
Meanwhile, Xio glanced at Viscount Glaint, who seemed obliviously pleased despite overpaying and held her tongue.
---
Meanwhile, Fors had rushed to the washroom, and after taking spiritual materials from her bag to seal the space, she slapped her cheeks lightly and muttered to her reflection:
"Fors, you were too careless just now. Audrey and Xio almost noticed something was off... Fortunately, they trust me and didn't press further.
"Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to explain it on the spot."
After a moment of self-reflection, she began pulling out spiritual materials from various pockets to prepare for the ritual. Ever since learning that Mr. Fool could accept sacrifices, she had made a habit of carrying the necessary items with her.
"Luckily, I withdrew money from the bank earlier when I came to see Miss Audrey because of the upcoming gathering. And the 300 pounds Viscount Glaint just gave me is ready to use."
Placing the cash on the altar, Fors recited in Ancient Hermes:
"The Fool who does not belong to this era..."
---
After the ritual, the 450 pounds vanished into the "Illusory Door," and a formula appeared in her mind:
Sequence 8: Trickmaster
Main Ingredients: The stomach of a Spirit Eater, 20 milliliters of Deep Sea Spined Fish blood.
Auxiliary Ingredients: 5 milliliters of hornbeam essential oil, 10 grams of Ball Grass powder, one blooming Crimson Chestnut flower, 80 milliliters of pure water.
Finally, after so many years! Fors was overjoyed, pacing back and forth in excitement.
---
On Damir Island, Ebner, who had slept until the afternoon, felt refreshed after washing up. As he was about to enjoy a meal at a local restaurant, the tall and striking Miss Gwyn, also known as "Dragon Might Lady," paid him a visit.
After some pleasantries, the taller Gwyn got straight to the point:
"Have you sold that 'Sailor' characteristic yet?"
This characteristic came from another Extraordinary in the "Madman" Reem's fleet, which had previously attacked the Aarunheim. Gwyn had wanted to buy it then to train her crew, but she had just spent her savings at the Pirate Conference to acquire a "Weapon Master" characteristic.
Ebner was happy to oblige since he had no use for the "Sailor" characteristic.
However, Gwyn hesitated before asking, "Would you consider selling your 'Azure Brooch' as well?"
This "Azure Brooch" was a payment from Mr. Gaston for Ebner's bodyguard services. Gwyn's knowledge of it wasn't surprising, as Gaston had proudly shown off his work aboard the Aarunheim.
While fetching the brooch, Ebner casually asked, "You've been quite lucky in your ventures recently, haven't you?"
Gwyn, slightly surprised but calm, answered, "You might have missed the news while busy researching...
"I was ambushed recently. For some reason, the attacker was equipped with numerous spiritual defense items. However, after he was killed with one strike, all those items became mine. I sold them at the 'Sword and Flame' bar's Extraordinary gathering yesterday for a good price."
So, the attacker came prepared to counter debuffs but was annihilated instead? They underestimated her reputation as 'Dragon Might Lady' and overestimated their defenses, Ebner thought, but outwardly, he asked with concern, "Who was behind the attack?"
Gwyn's face darkened as she replied angrily, "The Church of the God of Combat issued a bounty on me!
"My maternal grandfather's family still lives in Feysac. I'm worried they might be implicated...
"It's so unreasonable. Their pirate supporters attacked me first!"
Ebner reassured Gwyn, "If it's only a bounty from the Church of the God of Combat, it shouldn't affect ordinary citizens too much."
After calming her, he sold the "Azure Brooch" to Gwyn at a discounted price of 400 pounds. Then, shifting the topic, he asked, "Miss Gwyn, how familiar are you with Indo Harbor in Feysac?"
"The family of my maternal grandfather resides in Indo Harbor..."
(End of chapter)
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