Audrey couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Klein looked both exasperated and amused.
"Melissa, that's not how deals work in the Beyonder world. Yes, buying both the formula and the ingredients from Edward at the same time might give you the illusion that you're wasting money on the formula. But if you separate the two, you'll realise—without the formula, we wouldn't even know what materials to buy, or in what proportions to mix them."
"This kind of thinking is actually dangerous in the Beyonder world!"
Melissa quickly realised her mistake and blushed in embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, I understand now."
Next came the potion brewing and consumption.
With Audrey nearby to help placate and stabilise their emotions, the entire process went quite smoothly. Within just a few minutes, the siblings had successfully become a Warrior and a Savant, respectively.
And the effects were immediate.
Benson, previously a mild-mannered office worker with no time for physical training, suddenly felt a surge of power coursing through his body—his strength had transformed.
Melissa, on the other hand, discovered that her memory had become extraordinary. Knowledge she'd studied long ago came vividly and effortlessly back to her mind.
At that moment, they both understood why becoming a Beyonder was so expensive—because it was worth it. The changes it brought were simply unimaginable.
Klein then taught them the foundational knowledge related to rituals, leaving behind a book for learning the Hermes language. He instructed them to master it as soon as possible.
This wouldn't be difficult for either of them.
With her new abilities as a Savant, Melissa found memorisation easier than ever. And Benson—who, in the original timeline, had managed to pass the civil service exam while working full-time—also had impressive learning abilities.
However, Melissa sensed something from Klein's tone.
"Klein, are you leaving again soon?"
Benson immediately turned toward him.
Klein nodded. He couldn't exactly mention all of his plans, so he simply said, "I have something very important to do. I'll be heading out to sea for a while."
"You two stay in Tingen. Live your lives well. Stick to your roles and act properly."
"If you run into any problems…you can summon Edward through a ritual."
As he said that, Klein couldn't help but think of that headless lady in the spirit world.
Maybe it really is time I had my own personal messenger…
Though the siblings were reluctant to part with him, they didn't protest.
"Ah, Lilith's hungry—let's eat," Edward suddenly said.
Lilith, who had been dozing off nearby, perked up immediately and huffed, "Miss Lilith is not! You're the one who's hungry!"
"Alright, alright, I'm hungry," Edward conceded.
With the little one bringing a touch of cheer to the group, the siblings' heavy mood lifted a little.
"Ah! My stew!"
Melissa suddenly remembered and dashed to the kitchen. Lilith hopped off the chair and ran after her.
From the kitchen came their voices:
"What's in the pot?"
"Lamb, carrots, and potatoes."
"Smells so good."
"Yeah, Klein taught me how to make it."
"Can you teach me too?"
"I can…but aren't you a bit too young?"
"No I'm not! Miss Lilith wants to learn!"
"Well…alright."
"But I want to switch the lamb for something else."
"What?"
"Rat meat!"
"???"
———
By the time dinner ended, it was almost 9 o'clock.
Though Klein was reluctant to leave, things to do weighed on his mind. In the end, he decided to leave with Edward.
And of course, farewells brought their own melancholy.
Still, compared to the last time—when they'd suddenly received news that Klein had died—the siblings were far less devastated.
"I'm planning to head to Pritz Harbour tomorrow," Klein said softly as they walked together along the quiet streets.
"If I can get a ticket for the same day, I'll board immediately."
Audrey was surprised.
"Edward's heading out to sea too. Why don't you go together?"
"But isn't Edward already a Traveler? Does he even need a boat?"
Edward shrugged.
"I'm going out to sea to fulfil my roleplaying. It's not about reaching a specific destination."
Klein nodded in realisation.
"In that case, we can travel together."
"By the way, Klein," Audrey said, "At the Tarot meeting yesterday, you mentioned that Ince Zangwill attacked you again?"
At the mention of Ince Zangwill, Klein's face immediately turned grave.
What he'd experienced wasn't just a simple attack—Ince had killed him. If not for the miracle granted by the being above the grey fog, he would've stayed dead.
"It was Amon who found me first…"
Klein recounted the entire incident.
Audrey listened wide-eyed, stunned.
"Mr. World, you encountered the King of Angels?!"
"I suspect "He" was targeting The Fool," Klein said quietly. "The first time, it was The Sun. The second time, it was me. And both times, it happened right after we prayed to The Fool."
She frowned.
"But when we discussed "Him", The Fool didn't say anything."
Klein: That's because…I didn't know anything either.
Edward fell silent, deep in thought.
Amon's early appearance was clearly detrimental to Klein's development. That's why the Goddess had decisively intervened at the time.
She might want to cultivate a worthy Lord of Mysteries, but she wasn't about to pit a Sequence 7 against Amon. That wasn't mentorship—that was suicide.
But if she stepped in once to scare off Amon…what about next time?
Klein was about to leave Backlund and head out to sea, and that wasn't the Goddess's domain.
If Amon struck again…the Tarot Club might soon become the "Monocle Club."
Sigh…I wonder if she'll place a veil of secrecy over Klein to keep Amon from tracking him again?
The mind of a god is unfathomable—who knows what she's thinking?
Klein, on the other hand, was rather easygoing about it. "When it comes to Amon, the only thing we can really do is pray that "He" loses interest in us. Overthinking it won't help."
"As for Ince Zangwill…"
"This time, I think he's come back to take revenge on a few of us—me, Leonard, the Captain, and Edward."
"I've already confirmed with the Captain that he hasn't encountered Ince yet. Same with Leonard. So I was the first one he went after."
Klein continued, "Even though we're aware of him now, he's still hiding in the shadows. No one knows when he'll suddenly pounce."
There was something he didn't say aloud: As far as Ince Zangwill was concerned, he, Klein, was already dead. That meant the remaining targets for revenge were just the Captain, Leonard, and Edward.
Edward gave a cold snort. "Let's just hope he shows up soon."
In the original timeline, Ince Zangwill annihilated the Tingen Nighthawk squad and stole Saint Selena's ashes, transitioning to the Sleepless Pathway.
But this time, he hadn't gotten anywhere near those ashes.
If he had advanced to Sequence 4 anyway…where did he get the materials?
———
Back in Backlund, Klein parted ways with Edward and the others. Before leaving the city, he wanted to say goodbye to Fors. Their time together in the book world had made her one of Klein's few genuine friends.
Unfortunately, when he arrived at the address Fors had given him, he found it empty. Peering through the window, he saw the room in complete disarray—it was clear she'd left in a hurry.
Klein immediately understood: she must've taken his advice and moved out as soon as she returned.
Now, if he wanted to contact her again, he had two options: go through The Fool. But…they hadn't exchanged identities during the Tarot Club, so that'd be a bit awkward.
Alternatively, he could ask Edward to use his messenger.
Another messenger!
Klein sighed—maybe it really was time he got one of his own.
Hmm, perfect timing. He needed to say goodbye to Mr. Azik anyway before leaving Backlund. He could ask about messengers while he was at it.
Returning to the inn, Klein pulled out the bronze whistle and gave it a gentle blow.
Moments later, a terrifying, gigantic skeletal messenger appeared, extending a fan-sized bony hand. The instant it received the letter, its entire form crumbled into countless bones and vanished.
"Phew…finally, I can get a good night's sleep."
But just as Klein lay in bed, a faint but persistent whisper echoed in his ear—a prayer.
"…"
He grabbed a pillow and slammed it over his head…which did absolutely nothing to block the sound.
"ARGHHH!"
Klein bolted upright, utterly exasperated. "A god who works as hard as me? Probably never existed before, and never will again!!"
Despite his complaints, he still got out of bed, stepped counterclockwise four steps, and arrived above the grey fog.
The crimson star symbolising the "Sun" flickered softly—Little Sun was kneeling reverently, hands pressed together at his forehead:
"Great Fool, may I request to meet with The Hanged Man? There are some matters I wish to consult him on."
Tsk…the most honest member of the Tarot Club…chooses to trust the most scheming one. Truly…
…perfectly reasonable.
———
Meanwhile, Edward returned with Audrey and Lilith to the small villa in Empress Borough.
The moment they entered, Lilith bolted ahead, leaping onto the couch using both hands and feet. She positioned herself in the same curled-up pose she used as a cat, rear in the air.
"Mmmm…still the comfiest like this~"
She yawned and began licking her tiny hands.
The two glanced at each other, but said nothing. It was her first day "as a human," and she'd already done exceptionally well.
They sat together on the sofa, shoulder to shoulder, saying nothing for a while.
Eventually, Audrey turned slightly, looking at Edward from just a few inches away.
"Are you going to sleep?"
Sensing her gaze, Edward looked back. "What's up?"
"I want to see the ocean."
"…Huh?"
Edward blinked, confused. You want to see the ocean? At this hour?
What's there to see in the dark?
But since the girl had spoken, Edward smiled and took her hand. "Where would you like to go?"
"Anywhere."
"Then…"
After a moment of thought, Edward opened a Traveler's Door. "Let's go."
Lilith immediately sat up. "Miss Lilith wants to go too!"
"Then let's all go."
He scooped up the little one, took Audrey's hand, and stepped into the vibrant spirit world.
Even though she'd experienced traversing the spirit world before, Audrey still looked around in awe. The surreal sights dazzled her.
Lilith snuggled into Edward's arms, her eyes reflecting the multicoloured brilliance all around them. Her little hands reached out instinctively, trying to touch the near and distant wonders.
But only a dozen seconds later, Edward led them out of the spirit world—onto a dark, quiet beach.
A salty breeze rushed toward them. In the distance, waves lapped the shore. Above, stars sparkled in the night sky, mirrored by glimmers on the sea's black surface.
"We're here," Edward said, setting Lilith down. "This is Bayam's most famous beach. Last time we came, it was during the day."
"Wahhh!"
Lilith ran ahead, laughing and shouting with excitement.
Audrey simply stood there, gazing at the sea. The wind played with her golden hair, casting a faintly seductive aura about her under the scattered starlight—so different from her usual demeanour.
Moments later, she grasped Edward's hand and walked forward. When a wave splashed against her legs, she suddenly realised—Oh, I didn't take off my shoes…
But then again…it didn't matter.
The cold seawater washed over her calves, making her shiver slightly. She bent down and dipped her hand into the water, feeling the soft sand swirl between her fingers—ticklish, soothing.
"Ahhh!!!"
Lilith ran around gleefully, chased by the waves.
As a cat, she normally hated water. But now, in human form, she was beginning to see the fun in it.
Edward watched Lilith for a moment, then turned his gaze to Audrey, then up to the sky.
Tonight was a waning moon. That made the stars shine brighter, more beautiful.
Unfortunately, whether it was the moon or the stars…in the world of the Beyonders, they were nothing short of deadly.
———
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