Everyone in the room focused their gauze on Klein, some curious, others shocked, and only one gave a cold look.
He was a dark-looking man, tall, even making Klein and Daly look much smaller next to him. His skin was so pale that it looked like he had crawled out of a grave. He had black hair and cold blue eyes with a cadaverous look, however, he still had that half-gloomy, half-calm look on his face.
Leonard stared at him with the same poetic look as always.
Sekka Tron seemed as calm as before, but still gave a nod before continuing to silently assess Klein.
— Explain the ground rules to him. Unfortunately, I have to leave with Mr. Crestet Cesimir. — Daly Simone explained, bidding farewell as she left the room.
Keeping all his doubts in mind, Klein listened to several questions.
— How did you survive? I mean, even when you were a half-Beyonder, it's almost impossible for you to have survived a Sealed Artifact like that. — Kenley asked in an almost disbelieving tone — And there was still that stranger... Well, I think after that it's possible they won't mess with you, but it's uncertain.
Just as he was about to continue speaking, Royale looked at him with shock and disbelief hidden deep in her eyes.
— We should give him some space before we start explaining things. — She quickly intervened.
Klein was relieved, because he really didn't want to have to explain everything the same way, even if he had to, he would do everything as before and lie again and as many times as necessary.
Leonard raised his hand confidently.
— Indeed, since I know him, I can explain everything to him with the captain. — he stated, seeming almost certain that Klein wouldn't refuse.
In fact, there wasn't much of a choice.
— Okay. — Klein answered simply.
He knew Leonard couldn't blackmail him into telling anything and there was still that strange shadow that probably no Nighthawk knew about.
Not that he could underestimate a Nighthawk, but the others wouldn't want the only surviving witness to the Antigonus notebook dead, nor could they enter his mind or mess with his thoughts for now.
Leonard stood up and Klein just followed him without apparent caution.
When they reached the stairs that led towards it, the poet began to speak:
— There are almost no Seers or information about them, after all, most of them are in secret organizations so we don't have much knowledge about the path they belong to, it can be said that many are in the Secret Order and the Order of Mysteries... That's not the real name of any of them, however no one knows their names so that's what they're called.
— Those two Orders are completely hidden, and that's why their movement level is low or perhaps just very well hidden. Since that man was a Beyonder of a path that only the captain or a superior could determine and his soul and body were completely contaminated, we can't be sure of anything. Perhaps you could tell. The Artifact that man was carrying is also missing. Very strange, isn't it?
Are you accusing me? If I had the artifact, don't you think Mr. Crestet Cesimir would have discovered it with the bone sword? It would be a huge negligence of the Midnight Church. And if I hadn't, I would have to be at least above the level of everyone here. — Klein mentally retorted, turning his gaze to the shadow overlapping Leonard with a smile.
He nodded slightly.
— Indeed, from what I remember, shadows don't show the light of day... Besides, a Nighthawk like you shouldn't know as much as you hide, but these are just details that no one will notice.
Leonard's face froze instantly.
His pupils contracted, and he seemed to force himself to form a relaxed expression like he always did.
So you really are hiding some secret about this shadow…— Klein concluded, realizing that the poet had fallen for his bluff.
He knew he would have to reveal that he could see the shadow, but the shadow probably should have noticed and it would be worth it if he was to truly judge whether Leonard could be too dangerous for him.
Since he looked so shocked, the shadow must not have told him about Klein or maybe they both didn't notice.
Leonard seemed to be less cautious than he had thought and it was for the best. However, he should be careful around this shadow. You never know what this strange ghost might know… Well, that was just a warning to stop trying to accuse me. I wouldn't be able to prove anything. Leonard has been a Beyonder for a long time, so it's hard for anyone to believe me, but he also couldn't try to blame me for something when his superior, a bishop, proved my innocence with a sacred artifact; it would be a direct blasphemy to the Goddess. — after concluding his thoughts, Klein just turned to examine some paintings that were hanging on the wall as if nothing had happened.
Internally, he sighed in relief.
Klein was apprehensive about dealing with a Beyonder. Who knows if there could be some deviation from his plan.
Leonard's relaxed expression was back, but there were a few drops of sweat running down his forehead.
— The seven orthodox churches and official organizations are the pillars of the Beyonder world, including the Midnight Church and some others that you will learn about after reading some of the documents here. There are also clandestine Beyonders all over the world, there might be some praying in the cathedral, walking around the Empress's Burgh of Backlund, basically anyone anywhere.
— That man you saw before was one and he went crazy. He was exposed to something high-level just like the captain, but what he saw was entirely terrifying and inexplicable.
Suddenly, Leonard stopped in front of a door and knocked three times.
Toc.
Toc.
Toc.
— Come in. — Dunn Smith's calm voice came from inside the room. He certainly seemed to be better than before.
Leonard simply indicated for Klein to come in and walked to the end of the corridor.
When he opened the door, he saw that there was a chair in front of the table where Dunn was sitting, which was full of papers and documents, as well as the two teas that were still warm.
He sat in complete silence.
Dunn just gave him a serene look.
He told him much of the Beyonder history from the church records, from the creation myth in which the Creator divided himself into everything that exists to the story of how humans achieved the Beyonder powers.
Since they were born without powers, they had to be protected by the deities and the potion system was created.
He stopped at a specific part, the Blasphemy Slate
That was what the Tarot Club members were discussing!
Klein noticed those words:
— Blasphemy Slate?
Hearing the question, Dunn simply answered:
— It was something created by evil gods in an unknown Age. It is not possible to say what it was or what it was for. If you get any information about this, please let me know immediately.
Klein immediately remembered Mr. Chariot's words in response to a question from the Hanged Man during the end of the meeting.
— Churches always tend to hide some facts, but this is no secret to anyone.
It's no wonder that Mr. Hanged Man started sharing some information about the Blasphemy Slate when he realized that Mr. Chariot and Miss. Strength knew about it… I'm more inclined to believe Mr. Chariot's explanation. — he mused without taking his eyes off Dunn or his continued explanation.
— You are aware of three ways in which someone can go mad. The fourth is more imperceptible, normal and terrifying. — Dunn said almost sighing.
— Worse than corruption? — Klein was curious, especially since the corruption part seemed terrifying. One moment the person was completely normal and the next they could be a lunatic.
The captain nodded.
— Mental decline.
Klein finally understood what he meant.
There weren't many cases of corruption or loss of control due to external influences, but anyone could have declines due to very strong emotions!
Who wouldn't feel the death of someone close to them?
If there was even a chance to see them again, wouldn't anyone risk their own sanity for it?
In a deep voice, Dunn said heavily:
— That's why the founder of the Nighthawks, Archbishop Chanis, once said, 'We are guardians, but we are also a bunch of miserable wretches who constantly fight against dangers and their own madness."
The room fell silent, as if no one felt like speaking for a while. Klein felt as if he had been knocked out, rendered speechless.
Those words pierced his heart.
— Nothing can be achieved without consequences. — Klein found his voice in the back of his mind.
Dunn Smith's mouth curved into a serene smile.
— Not bad… Very rational and in a good state of mind. Mr. Neil will be responsible for what you learn from the Beyonder world, and besides, there's no need to worry so much about the notebook.
Klein nodded. That was one of the things he wanted to ask Dunn, but everything happened so quickly that he didn't even have a chance to think about it.
While drinking tea, Dunn Smith continued:
— The man in the dreams may be from a specific organization he was looking for, the Secret Order. I suspect that an organization called the Order of Mysteries also interfered in this matter. These organizations are neither known nor seen. True unexplained mysteries and it is better not to try to know too much about them, they are lunatics with a clear and functional mind.
— The only reason for suspicion is the origin of the notebook and the path it is connected to, but there is no trace that connects anything to them. It is impossible to know if it is true or not, and no one should risk enough to go deep into this matter.
— A few Beyonders of the Seer Pathway, perhaps two or three, have already been linked to the Order of Mysteries, however the higher-ups say that the organization is certainly linked to this path as well as others, so this is the only confirmation about anything about them. Their origin is unknown, as is their purpose, but they have existed for a long time or since sometime in the Fourth Epoch.
— The Secret Order is like this organization, they do not act much or appear, they have existed since unknown times, however, one organization deliberately showed interest in the Antigonus notebook and the other apparently did nothing.
They do not even have known names... — Klein felt that this was bizarre. He could not help but feel apprehensive and curious.
— Why hide even the organization's real name? — he asked, but did not expect an answer.
— Who knows. Maybe it was luck that that man lost control, I would not have been able to kill him in the conditions he was in and without any artifact. — Dunn continued thoughtfully, looking completely unperturbed — Well, Mr. Neil is waiting for you in two corridors ahead. It's a door full of mysterious symbols.
It's quite possible that I'll get lost in this mess of tunnels... At least I won't be courting death. — Klein scoffed, getting up and heading towards the door.
When he had already opened the door and was about to leave, he heard Dunn say:
— Wait, I forgot to tell you that you should talk to Rozanne when you leave. She's behind the Blackthorn Security Company counter writing some documents.
Blackthorn Security Company? No one explained anything about that... — Klein thought silently, leaving the room confused.
At that moment, he heard Dunn shout:
— Wait, one more thing, come back tomorrow, at 10 o'clock.
Captain, you're at least thirty years old, but you have symptoms of dementia... — Klein had a strong urge to go back and ask if Dunn hadn't forgotten to say anything else, but he kept walking silently.
When Klein turned into a corridor, he shivered.
His heart sank in his chest.
A pair of cold, eyelashless eyes were watching him!The eyes shone darkly on the back of the elderly man who was at the end of the corridor, moving at the same moment as if he was sinking into distorted space and disappeared entirely from Klein's vision.
Klein was stunned and couldn't help but ask in a daze:
— What were those eyes on your back?
Neil seemed to stop for a moment, as if he had frozen, and then gave an awkward smile.
— It's just the result of ritualistic magic, it's nothing big. Well, as expected of a Seer, you could tell right away. — he said. His reddish-white eyes were cloudy, but they had a solemn air.
Stirring the tea he was holding with a spoon, he laughed.
— Since they gave you a little insight into the Beyonder world, I just have to explain a few things. Just be careful not to get lost in the corridors.
I'd rather not court death and keep walking around this place. — Klein replied mentally.
Neil entered a door full of mysterious symbols carved on it, leaving Klein confused, but he just followed him. From what Dunn Smith had said, it was two hallways away, not just one.
— Mr. Dunn got confused? — he muttered as he looked around.
There were a few bookshelves with various yellowed papers and thick hardback books. A small table sat in the corner with documents full of words in other languages.
The candlelight illuminated everything with a yellowish glow.
— Hehe. Dunn tends to forget a lot and that means he's our usual captain. If he started remembering everything, it would be a problem. — Neil spoke in a relaxed tone, placing the cup on the table.
A problem? — Klein thought internally. It was probably related to madness, however he could be wrong.
— Why? — he decided to ask.
Old Neil explained skillfully:
— Dunn's path is that of the Sleepless. In Nightmare Sequence 7, they enter dreams, but they confuse dreams with reality and forgetfulness is normal, this is because they still remember that dreams are not real. But when this line between thoughts breaks, they are no longer the same people.
It's a form of loss of control. Fortunately, the captain is still forgetful... — Klein thought silently in his heart.
He even thought that Dunn Smith had some kind of illness or something, but there was really nothing to worry about.
After that, Neil ended up explaining about the Sealed Artifacts and their different degrees of danger. It was from three to zero, with the last one being the most dangerous, and they should not be investigated, disseminated, described or spied on.
A Sealed Artifact of degree one must be kept sealed, being a latent danger to anyone who approaches it.
Degree two was a more reasonable danger, as was degree three.
Klein remembered the strange watch that the man from the Secret Order was carrying with him.
What degree was that Artifact?
— They are kept behind the Gates of Chanis. — old Neil finished his explanation.
— Chanis Gate? — Klein narrowed his eyes.
Neil laughed.
After that, he picked up one of the papers that was on the table. It was a document that seemed to have some names of organizations.
— Chanis Gate was named by the Archbishop who set up the current church system. — The gate has the necessary seals so that no Sealed Artifact can escape or exert its influence on us. — he handed the papers to Klein and continued simply — You are involved in a lot of trouble so you need to learn about the different organizations for now. Just read this and you can go home. I'm sure you're dying of sleep after all that mess, after all, we are not Sleepless.
It was a multi-page document specifically about underground and secret organizations in the Beyonder world. It was actually quite impressive that there were so many.
Could I find more information about those nameless organizations? — Klein thought as he glanced at the first page.
There was a lot of information about organizations that had their origins in the Fourth Epoch.
"The Order of the Silver Court. Its origins were in an unknown era, speculated to be the Fourth Epoch. Its members believe in an eternal and absolute Lord among all things that exist."
"There are some connections to ancient aristocracy."
"Pathway of the Bard, the Spectator, and the Warrior."
The Demon Sect that was vaguely mentioned and possessed the pathway of the Assassin.
The Blood Sanctify Sect that were followers of the Devil.
Moses Ascetic Order who follow a deity they call the Hidden Sage, but there wasn't much about it.
"Order Blood of Redemption. An organization that appeared during the Fourth Epoch, however the approximate date of its foundation is unknown. Its members believe in an Evil Deity. For them, He is indecipherable. What is known is that for the members, madness is just an event, but not the definitive end. They don't usually act very often."
"I suspect they are connected to some fallen families from past times."
What a strange organization, as bizarre as the others... — Klein was confused and just read the rest of the information about the organization.
In Order Of Blood Redemption, there are Beyonders of the Pathway of the Hunter, the Apprentice and the Assassin. Others may be of other paths such as some who were Marauders and Prisoners.
— Mr. Neil. Why isn't there much information about the Order Blood of Redemption? — Klein asked, looking up from the documents.
Old Neil sighed.
— I don't know much about them, they're weird. Sometimes scholars of this organization show up, and other times a lunatic. I've had to deal with one of them before, she was a Beyonder in Sequence 7 or 6, she disappeared under everyone's noses after setting a trap for us on our own plane for some reason we never discovered. I'd rather not have to deal with them, they're very bizarre like many members of secret organizations.
— She ended up saying something about the deity she believes in. But Sekka, who heard everything, doesn't remember anything, not even about the case itself. None of us saw or could see her face.
Don't you remember? — Klein frowned slightly.
—They're lunatic devotees of the deity they believe in. From what I've heard, 'He was born from a part of the Creator of all that exists, in the chaos of endless darkness, He rose above the heavens.' Even though they're crazy, they don't go around saying anything like the Aurora Order, so there's not much information. — Old Neil spoke in a deep tone.
That doesn't make much sense... — Klein thought before focusing his attention on the paper in his hands.
"Knowledge Pursuers. They appeared in the Fourth Epoch. They believe that knowledge and history are completely indecipherable, and therefore, madness is just one result among many. They also use different means to conduct studies, such as astrology, archaeology, machinery, and other means mainly from the mysterious world."
"They once had ties with the Moses Ascetic Order and the Church of Knowledge and Wisdom, however the connection was severed when the Hidden Sage began to be worshipped among the researchers of the Moses Ascetic Order. The organization's current main connection is with the Life School of Thougth."
Below, the paths of the Reader, the Savant, and the Mystery Pryer appeared.
The next few pages talked about the Secret Order, mainly about its origins, which could be linked to the Zaratul family. The order had several connections to ancient families.
There was also the name of Sequence 8 of the Seer Pathway, Clown!
Clown? Uh... Cunning and agile... What would a Clown be? Is the Seer Pathway a circus performance? — Klein satirized as he moved on to the next words.
It talked about Sequence 7.
In Sequence 7 are natural-born deceivers... Cunning and strange with mysterious powers... That's what this pathway must look like! — He finally felt that something made sense and continued reading.
"Order of Mysteries. The true name of the organization is not known, so another one was given by the official organizations. Their purposes are unknown, as are their principles or what they believe in."
"Some sources point to a connection with an ancient Dynasty and its origin is connected to an important aristocratic family of the Fourth Epoch, among several others."
— Mr. Neil, which dynasty is the Order of Mysteries linked to? — Klein asked, even though he thought he might not receive an actual answer, it could be confidential.
— From what Dunn said, the Tudor Dynasty. — Neil replied, equally curious.
In the lines below appeared Sequence 9 Apprentice, Sequence 8 Trickmaster. Sequence 9 Seer and Sequence 8 Clown.
There is not much information here... Which important family could it be? From what you say, it is probably one of the Tudor Empire... But they did not even mention the name...
Maybe I could ask at the Tarot Club.
No, like the imposing Fool, that would ruin my performance!
Well, maybe there is a different way to ask about different subjects. I can ask in a way that doesn't ruin my mysterious image, but in the future it wouldn't be possible… Maybe I can create some kind of puppet? I'll have to climb above the mist to test that… — Klein turned back to Neil who was silently drinking tea and remembered that he hadn't asked him one of his biggest questions.
— What is the pay that an official Nighthawk gets?
Old Neil choked.
Coughing a little, his surprised gaze fell on Klein and explained:
— It depends, Nighthawks who start now get six pounds and sometimes, you can get more for certain cases you're involved in. As time goes by, your salary will increase, don't worry.
Old Neil turned to the table excitedly and showed Klein some more papers and handed them to him.
— We really needed a history student, do you know what these papers are? Direct copies of Emperor Roselle's diary, codes he created long ago, but no one has ever been able to translate a single word.
Klein finally turned his attention to the other papers with familiarity in his eyes, his eyes widening at the same time.
Those calligraphy written in a way that no one in that world could tell, even though they were written in an almost indistinguishable and grotesque way.
That was simplified Chinese!
Damn!
"December 18th. I looked up at the sky, remembering that pathetic guy who was trapped in the darkness and yet magically disappeared from the eyes of the world. I suspect he is a little crazy, is he really? Or maybe not... Could that lunatic be lying? It wouldn't be a surprise."
"December 19th. Why are my diplomats so dumb?"
"December 21st. Miss Florence is truly mesmerizing, but today I saw an even more stunning lady, Miss Ithac."
"September 2nd. I lost communication with my ship that was searching for the Forsaken Land of the Gods. Maybe I should send a search ship or invent wireless telegraphs."
"September 9th, An alliance opposing me has been established. Feysac from the North, Loen from the East, Feynapotter from the South. The long-awaited day has finally arrived, my enemies are joining forces. Hehe, maybe they've forgotten who I am. As if steam weapons will make up for the outnumbered low-sequence ones! And the high-sequence ones… Haha, it's not like I can't handle them, I'm Roselle!"
"January 4th. Why are people so stupid? I've tried to explain a million times! The most important thing about potions is not controlling them, but digesting them! It's not about using powers, but about acting! And the name of a potion is not only symbolic in its essence, but a concrete image and the 'key' to digestion!"
"February 1st. Even with Zaratul's warnings about these Pathways, I regret that when I was inexperienced, it was a mistake not to have chosen the Marauder, the Apprentice, or the Seer."
"December 10th."
"That despicable madman! He must be right..."
"Haha, all my thoughts were wrong this whole time, I was a fool to have considered that ridiculous possibility!"
"I should have realized it before! It was before my eyes!"
"Hahaha, the Abrahams lied!"