join the Church of MissRaven and become a Sequence 9: Reader p atreon.com/KeyofStars for more chapters
"Goodbye, my dear friend."
"Goodbye, Roselle."
After a "goodbye," Roselle walked towards the palace gate, smiling triumphantly, not like he was going to meet death, but like an emperor going for his coronation ceremony.
The past Lin Ruo silently watched the empty throne before him, just like that, for a long time.
Finally, Roselle pushed open the tightly shut palace gate.
"Creak—"
Light shone in, and the person in the palace disappeared immediately.
…
Above the Gray Fog, Lin Ruo opened his eyes. His gaze fell on the black emperor card in Klein's hand, and he still felt a sense of loss.
He knew when that memory was.
That was Roselle's end.
"The current you should be watching this world from inside the mausoleum…" Lin Ruo whispered. He suddenly laughed, his smile incredibly bright.
"Lin Ruo, what… what's wrong?"
Klein, who had noticed something amiss the moment Lin Ruo fell into his memories, asked cautiously. The speed of the subsequent emotional changes in the other party truly made him feel uneasy.
"I thought of something happy," Lin Ruo said with a smile.
Klein's expression became a little strange. He tentatively replied, "Is your wife pregnant?"
This was a reference to the Merfolk joke.
"Stop messing around, I'm not making a joke," Lin Ruo waved his hand, smiling, "I really thought of something happy…."
"Such as?" Klein was a little curious.
"Such as the fact that so many years have passed, Roselle should have updated at least a hundred books," Lin Ruo rested his chin on one hand, his smile both gentle and bright, "If he hasn't even written a hundred books, I'll read the diary he wrote to Bernadette."
Klein: …
Oh, this!
Although I don't know what happened, but… Your Excellency, I mourn for you!
Klein believed that with Lin Ruo's personality, if the Great Emperor really hadn't written enough hundred books, the other party would most likely really read Roselle's diary to Bernadette Gustav.
Especially with Lin Ruo's mischievousness, Klein had no doubt that the other party would pick some special chapters, such as "The taste of a Demoness is not bad," and so on.
"Alright, that's not important either. Now that the black emperor card is here, you should prepare the potion for Benson as soon as possible. It might not be long before a major event happens in Backlund. Although I've made full preparations for that matter, it's still better for Benson and Melissa to leave before it happens," Lin Ruo waved his hand and continued.
Although multiple layers of protection had been put in place, with even the Aurora Order members stationed in Backlund becoming his own people, and Bernadette Gustav being brought into the team, along with Medici, a Sequence 2, arranged as the biggest insurance, Lin Ruo still planned for Benson and Melissa to return to Tingen to prevent any accidents.
After all, Lin Ruo absolutely did not want anything to happen to these two.
As for the other people in Backlund… Lin Ruo could only say that he had done his best.
"Okay." Klein's expression also tightened, and he nodded solemnly.
Lin Ruo then thought of the dead straw men from the Great Smog and couldn't help but look at Klein and ask:
"Klein, do you have an informant in the East Borough?"
"Ah…" Klein was stunned for a moment, but having grown accustomed to Lin Ruo's leaps in thought, he immediately nodded and said, "I do have an informant in the East Borough. His name is Kohler. He's someone I met when I was doing a detective commission before… Is something wrong?"
Old Kohler… Lin Ruo lowered his eyes, his smile carrying a touch of warmth.
"Nothing, just confirming."
Although he didn't know what was going on with this seemingly similar yet different fate, Lin Ruo had to admit that it wasn't entirely a bad thing.
At least, some regrets he had while reading the books could finally be compensated now.
Lin Ruo smiled, then said, "Oh, right, Klein, if you go to the Spirit World in the future, it's best not to bring the black emperor card with you, otherwise it might attract some special individuals to you."
"Special individuals?" Klein was stunned for a moment, then after two seconds of thought, he said uncertainly, "King of the Five Seas?"
"Mm." Lin Ruo nodded, confirming, "He is a Sequence 3 of the Black Emperor and is easily attracted by the black emperor card. However, with your current Sequence, if you encounter him then, it won't be you attracting him, but him attracting you. If the King of the Five Seas actively distorts this attraction, it will be more troublesome."
Klein immediately looked thoughtful, and a moment later, his gaze towards the black emperor card became more serious.
Lin Ruo looked at the black emperor card, which was still open, and rested his chin on one hand, saying, "Don't just stand there, look at the formula."
"Mm." Klein snapped out of it and began to examine all the formulas of the Black Emperor pathway one by one.
…
October 21st, Sunday, Backlund Station.
Even in the early morning, Backlund Station was still bustling with people. Klein and the others stood on the platform with their luggage, waiting for the next steam train to arrive.
Today was the day Benson and Melissa returned to Tingen. After obtaining the black emperor card a few days ago, Klein quickly gathered the Beyonder ingredients for preparing the Lawyer potion. Then, Benson, under the supervision of Klein, Melissa, and Lin Ruo, drank the prepared Lawyer potion and successfully advanced to Sequence 9 Lawyer.
Afterward, the siblings discussed returning to Tingen, and the date they set was today.
"Klein, when we return to Tingen, you must take good care of yourself in Backlund alone. I know you are very capable now, and there are many things we can't help you with, but no matter what, we are your family. No matter what you encounter, we will support you…"
Melissa, who was clearly the younger sister but had the heart of an old mother, whispered instructions to Klein. It was clear that there was some worry in her eyes, obviously concerned about Klein's safety.
"…Anyway, no matter what, you must pay attention to safety. And don't send us any more money. Benson and I have enough for ourselves. You… will spend more money in the future, won't you? Benson and I will figure out our own problems; you don't have to keep worrying about us."
"Mm, I understand." Klein clearly showed no impatience with these nagging words. He nodded, responded softly, his gaze gentle, "I will take good care of myself."
"Alright, Melissa, Klein isn't a child anymore, he'll take good care of himself," Benson also said at this moment. After speaking, he, who was always the reliable older brother, looked at Klein and said seriously, "Melissa has already said everything that needs to be said. I only have one thing to say to you."
"Klein, never forget to come home."
Klein suddenly felt a little choked up. He rubbed his nose and nodded heavily:
"I remember."
Lin Ruo watched this scene, and a slight smile curved his lips.
Benson also looked at him at this moment, and said with great solemnity:
"Mr. Lin Ruo, I'll trouble you to look after Klein from now on."
"I will." Lin Ruo smiled and nodded.
"Wahhh Wahhh Wahhh—"
The steam train pulled into the station. After Benson and Melissa bid farewell to Klein and Lin Ruo, they boarded the train.
Seeing their backs disappear from view, Klein couldn't help but feel somewhat affected by the sadness of parting.
And just then, he suddenly heard a familiar voice:
"Hey, Klein? Your Excellency Lin Ruo? Why are you here?"
Klein was stunned for a moment. He looked in the direction of the voice and, sure enough, saw Leonard carrying a suitcase. It was worth noting that he was already wearing Red Gloves.
"Are you here specifically to pick me up?"
Leonard seemed incredulous, and a little embarrassed.
join the Church of MissRaven and become a Sequence 9: Reader p atreon.com/KeyofStars for more chapters