Klein nodded thoughtfully.
So, Mr. Door is indeed the other candidate for the Lord of Mysteries that Lucifer mentioned?
"And Tudor and Cheek… Their union was meddled with by the Celestial Worthy's reviving will, ultimately leading to a partial resurrection of the Original Creator. It's like the Celestial Worthy shot himself in the foot. Compared to us, He's far less keen on seeing the Original Creator return." Alaric summarized, his words directed at Bethel for clarification.
Bethel, who had been too embarrassed to notice some of Alaric's earlier remarks, now wore a contemplative expression. He said gravely, "I wasn't aware of this… This is dangerous."
The Original Creator must never be revived. Such an event could very well trigger the world's destruction.
"That's why Tudor was taken out! Otherwise, the War of the Four Emperors was at a stalemate. How else did it suddenly escalate if not for Adam realizing someone was up to something big?" Alaric shrugged.
"Tch, serves him right. Shame Trunsoest didn't bite the dust too!" Medici, already in the know, sneered with a curl of his lip.
Klein was at a loss for words. He suddenly grabbed Alaric's arm, and as the latter looked over in confusion, Klein said earnestly, "Look, I'm just saying, are there any normal people among the high-sequences in this world?"
If, just a few days ago, high-sequences in Klein's mind were synonymous with mystery, power, and danger... symbols of prestige and strength... now, after hearing an earful of explosive gossip, he genuinely began to question their existence.
Are high-sequences… actually serious?
Why does everything he's heard these past few days sound more absurd than the last?
"That's just how high-sequences are. Normal ones? Good luck finding any!" Alaric said, patting Klein's shoulder in return with a solemn tone. "You'll get used to it. High-sequences are all like this. There's not a single decent one in this world."
To drive the point home, Alaric even offered an example. "Take Bethel, for instance. He might seem all proper and dignified, but the guy loves writing diaries. Diaries! Can you imagine anyone serious doing that?"
Klein was momentarily speechless.
Bethel, slightly surprised, turned to Alaric. "You… how did you know I like writing diaries?"
Alaric didn't hold back. "I read it in the ancient records of the Zoroast family. It's noted there that you're quite fond of it."
"Cough…" Bethel instinctively cleared his throat, then realized he had no reason to feel guilty. "Writing diaries is perfectly normal, isn't it? How does that make me less serious?"
He was clearly very serious!
In that moment, Bethel even felt a touch of grievance. Compared to the monsters and freaks of the Fourth Epoch, he was practically a saint.
"Writing diaries is fine, sure." Alaric conceded, but his tone shifted. "But compiling everyone's dirty secrets into a book and publishing it? That's not normal."
With that, Alaric pulled an ancient-looking tome from under the tea table. The cover bore a line in Hermes script: Secrets of the Blood Emperor.
"How do you have that book?!" Bethel's shock was palpable.
"I don't. I made this one up." Alaric said, shaking his head. He flipped open the tome, revealing blank pages.
"..."
"So, you did write it!" Alaric flashed a triumphant grin. How did he know the book's title? Thanks to Pallez, of course.
When he'd chatted with the old man before, they'd touched on some Fourth Epoch gossip, and Pallez had mentioned this book, filled with juicy tidbits about the Blood Emperor.
Bethel was genuinely embarrassed now. After a long silence, he tried to play it off. "You know, as a Scribe, it's only natural for me to document these things, right?"
"Well said! That's the spirit... own it!" Alaric clapped enthusiastically, like a seal.
"That's unexpected, Bethel. You're not as dull as I thought." Medici chuckled, his tone a mix of praise and mockery.
Klein didn't react much. Compared to the other outrageous gossip, publishing someone's dirty laundry wasn't even that bad.
"Fine, do whatever you want. It's just a hobby, and it's at least more normal than others!" Bethel sighed, seemingly giving up.
"Fair point." Alaric nodded. Compared to the wild antics of others, Mr. Door's hobby was tame... though it did make him a prime target for retaliation.
"But you're quick on your feet, so no worries about getting caught. Come to think of it, Bethel, you're practically built for gossip!"
Bethel's mouth twitched, but he didn't argue.
Back in the day, he'd recorded countless secrets and survived largely because of his unmatched mobility... even a Sequence 0 would struggle to catch him.
"So…" Alaric finally revealed his true intent. "Bethel, since we're such good pals, how about sharing some of your private stash with us?" His eyes gleamed with the thrill of gossip.
Medici didn't say anything, but his interest was clear.
Who doesn't love a bit of drama?
Klein perked up too. Sure, high-sequence gossip was wild, but who could resist a good story?
"You guys… ugh!" Bethel sighed again, then straightened up. "If you're looking for the books I wrote back then, good luck. Most were destroyed, and the few that remain are probably in someone else's collection. I don't know where they are. But if you have questions, ask away. If I know, I'll tell you."
Alaric's face fell, disappointed. He'd hoped for a treasure trove of gossip, but it was the same old story.
Klein, however, looked thoughtful. After a moment, he spoke up. "Mr. Bethel, do you know anything about the Death Consul of the Balam Empire?"
He'd been helping Mr. Azik uncover his past, and with a living Fourth Epoch encyclopedia like Bethel here, Klein naturally wanted to dig deeper.
"The Death Consul…" Bethel paused, recalling. "If you mean Salinger's descendant, Azik, I don't know him well. I've met him a few times, though. That kid…"
Bethel hesitated before continuing. "That kid was deeply influenced by Salinger. I don't know his current state, but back then, if Salinger fell, Azik would likely be the next Salinger."
This didn't mean the Death Consul would inherit the God of the Death's will. It was literal... Salinger might be reborn through Azik.
***
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