After dropping Islant at Enmat Port and sponsoring her with 10 gold pounds for her steam train fare, Ebner "teleported" away.
He didn't choose to stay behind to witness the "spectacle" of this little girl from the Psychological Alchemists opening a can of wolf-fish for the first time…
After all, wasn't there a high chance he himself might be "collaterally injured"?
Of course, Ebner didn't return to the Hall family's castle in East Chester County either—dawn was already breaking, and Audrey had no time to receive him now. Better to wait until nightfall.
Yes, the same applied for Vera's side…
Looks like tonight will be busy again!
Lately, I've been severely sleep-deprived. Fortunately, I've already mastered the abilities of the Faceless, so I don't have to worry about losing hair.
Just as Ebner returned to his villa in Backlund, preparing to catch up on sleep, endless gray fog suddenly appeared before his eyes…
This really isn't Klein taking revenge for me waking him up at midnight last time, is it? After listening to "Gehrman's" prayer, Ebner yawned, but still cast "Astral Projection" and entered the Spirit World.
…..
Farthest east of the Sonia Sea, Toscat Island.
In his dreams, Klein skillfully reached the depths of the spire and quickly found Will Auceptin's reply circled by tarot cards:
"Friendly reminder: that paper crane is about to break!
"As for the misfortune curse from the mural, you can ask Ebner Bryan to resolve it. I believe you know that fellow.
"Also, if even Ebner can't tell you the formula for the 'Bizarro Sorcerer,' then you'd better obediently accept that one's arrangement."
Ebner… the "Snake of Destiny" knows Liu Bo too? Makes sense. After so many lifetimes, having some connections is only natural.
When Klein awoke from his dream, he pondered briefly, ascended to the gray fog, and prayed to Mr. Fool, leaving a message for Mr. Tower.
It was, in truth, a coincidence. Though he remained quite displeased about Ebner's "taking a girl out for a midnight eating broadcast," he certainly had no thought of petty revenge.
In short, after waking Ebner, Mr. Fool cheerfully returned to reality, then lazily got out of bed, washed up slowly, and felt this was the proper way to live.
But when he pulled that paper crane from his wallet, unfolded it, and carefully wiped the pencil markings, his mood grew heavy again.
Because the paper crane truly was about to break—at most, it could last one more use…
I wonder if Mr. Tower has some mystic art to restore this paper…
He muttered this, folded the crane carefully, packed his things, and was just about to leave the room when a knock came at the door.
No need for dangerous premonitions; his spiritual intuition told Klein the visitor was Anderson Hood.
As expected of the strongest hunter—he managed to "cling on" for another day… Klein clicked his tongue, controlled his expression, and opened the door.
Anderson bore several new wounds, and he asked urgently:
"Do you have an answer to my problem? How can it be solved?"
No hope, just wait for death. Goodbye! Of course, that's a joke… Klein grumbled internally, then swept a cold glance over him and said:
"I know a demigod. His knowledge is extremely vast, and he is quite skilled in rituals for turning fate. For my sake, he should be willing to help."
"Excellent!" Anderson didn't hide his joy. But just as he was about to say more, he suddenly paused. After a moment of hesitation, his expression grew troubled and he asked, "Vast knowledge…? That demigod isn't from the Church of Knowledge, is he?"
Why do you sound like you're afraid? Klein murmured silently, then deliberately waited two seconds before answering:
"Though he has some ties to the Church of Knowledge, he's not a formal member."
"Whew… That's good." Anderson let out a breath of relief, then asked, "So, what price must I pay?"
Knows how this works, huh? Klein nodded secretly, then looked him in the eye and said, "I heard you have a lead on a mystical item with formidable offensive power?"
The so-called "heard" naturally referred to the prophecy Mr. Tower had given during the Tarot Club's after-meeting.
Anderson's brows furrowed slightly, then slowly relaxed into a smile:
"So your demigod friend is a 'Prophet'!
"Well, there really is such a mystical item. It's a rather special revolver…"
He briefly introduced the revolver named "Death Knell," describing its abilities and negative side effects, then summarized:
"How about this? A total payment of 1,500 pounds plus the lead on that revolver."
"Deal." Klein agreed without much hesitation. After all, the price he was paying for Ebner's help was simply the other Tarot members' diaries concerning Liu Bo in the future. It wasn't a high cost.
Still, in this way, the relationship between Mr. Fool and "The World" was becoming rather intriguing… Fortunately, when intimidating "The Hermit" at the last Tarot meeting, he had already revealed a bit of "power."
Sighing inwardly, Klein was about to ask more details about the revolver when another knock came at the door.
This time it was the tavern owner who delivered bounty rewards. As soon as he saw Klein, he removed his dented soft hat, bowed, and obsequiously handed over 6,000 gold pounds to this mad adventurer.
In truth, the bounty couldn't have been processed so quickly. This money was borrowed from friends—an advance out of his own pocket.
Klein counted the thick wad of notes, divided them into several bundles, slipped them into different pockets, and nodded.
"Not bad."
The tavern owner let out a breath, glanced around warily, and lowered his voice:
"You must be careful. The 'King of Immortality' holds grudges. He may try to intercept your ship on the high seas."
Klein was about to nod, but then seemed to hear something. His expression shifted to one of feigned indifference as he replied, "I know."
The tavern owner didn't say more. He bowed again and left the inn room.
After breakfast, Klein and the pensive Anderson carried their suitcases and openly boarded the passenger ship, letting the spies, adventurers, and pirates once again experience Gehrman Sparrow's "confidence" and "madness"!
Yet, hours later, even after the passenger ship had left Toscat Island's waters, the "Death Announcer" never reappeared, as if the "King of Immortality King" had completely forgotten that his second mate, "Gilsheas," had been hunted by Gehrman.
Rubbing the side of his head, Anderson spoke with a complicated expression:
"The 'Undying King' didn't retaliate… You're even more unusual than I imagined!"
Klein nodded slightly, also with some regret, then said to the empty space beside him, "Looks like your plan failed."
"Who are you talking to?" Anderson followed Gehrman's gaze in shock—and then saw a handsome man in formal wear and a top hat appear out of thin air.
The man sighed the moment he appeared and said in puzzlement, "I was certain I used the mystic art 'Shield of Glory' to block my malice… It shouldn't have been able to sense me!"
Klein considered this, then looked at Anderson, who was wearing an expression of sudden realization, and asked evenly:
"What do you think?"
Anderson had already guessed the situation from the handsome man's sudden appearance. When asked, he immediately put on a strange smile and said:
"The 'Death Announcer' was very likely just outside Toscat Island's waters earlier. For Gehrman to leave like this, under the King of Immortality's wrath, was a very unwise move!
"Even if his nature is 'crazy,' he's not crazy enough to knowingly walk to his death…
"So, anyone would have guessed it was a trap!
"Not to mention, Agalito is always cautious."
This guy is sharp. He has frightening insight into details… So this is a true 'Conspirer'? Laughs and jokes on the surface, but secretly takes in everything?
But damn, his mouth is annoying!
'Anyone would have guessed'… Do you realize you're mocking a future Pillar?
The handsome man, Ebner in his "Professor" disguise, brushed the matter aside lightly and no longer dwelled on it. Instead, he pointed at Anderson and asked Klein, "He's the one who needs a fate-turning ritual?"
Without waiting for an answer, he opened the "Pure White Eye" and looked at Anderson. Immediately, Ebner let out a soft "hm?"
This is… some kind of hidden, extremely advanced ritual…
A remnant method of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom?
(End of Chapter)