"Quite confident, aren't you? Can the Guild really handle the trouble I'm in?" Klein nodded slightly upon hearing Charles's promise.
An organization that can grow large in Backlund and gather so many wild Beyonders must have some influence, and its relationship with the Church is also unusual. Perhaps they really do have a way.
Klein's fingertips tapped lightly twice on his knee, and he deliberated before saying, "Actually… it's because I took a private job."
"A private job?" Charles suddenly laughed, and the tense atmosphere immediately eased considerably. "Actually, every detective takes private jobs."
"I understand, you just want to increase your income."
He waved his hand. "As long as it's not too excessive, we always turn a blind eye."
"The Guild is very lenient on these matters."
Watching Charles's effortless manner, Klein couldn't help but have an idea.
Should he tell him the truth and ask for his opinion?
At worst, he could abandon his Sherlock Moriarty identity and change his name again.
Uh… Just as he was hesitating whether to speak, Charles suddenly changed the subject: "Sherlock, you are a Beyonder, aren't you?"
!
He found out!
Klein's face instinctively wanted to twitch, but fortunately, with the Clown's ability, he managed to pull his expression back, not showing too much reaction.
'Stay calm,' he cautioned himself. With so many Beyonders gathered in the Guild, it wasn't strange for Charles, as the manager, to notice something.
No, it was more likely that he himself was a Beyonder.
An ordinary person couldn't possibly hold his ground in a Guild filled with various Beyonders.
Klein recalled the scene when Charles recruited him not long after he first arrived in Backlund.
Could it be that he had already sensed something back then, which was why he specifically recruited him?
He thought this guess was very reasonable; otherwise, there was no reason for a Guild big shot to personally recruit an unknown nobody.
"Don't be nervous." Even though Klein's face was normal under the Clown's ability, Charles still sensed his wariness.
"We are not the Church or the Official. We have always maintained a welcoming attitude towards Beyonders, people with special talents."
"A welcoming attitude…" Klein nodded.
"Then, Director, why exactly did you call me here today…?"
"Hmm… Since that's the case, I'll be frank." Charles's tone was sincere:
"Sherlock, I admire you greatly and want you to become our Senior Member."
Senior Member? Klein silently chewed on this title.
"A so-called Senior Member is a higher existence compared to an ordinary member."
"Hmm…" Seeing Klein's slightly doubtful gaze, Charles sighed softly.
"Sigh… Actually, I'm inviting you to officially join us. Join the organization behind the Guild."
So that's it, it's a recruitment from a hidden organization…
Klein understood everything in an instant. The other party had most likely seen through his Beyonder identity from the start, which was why he had extended an invitation to him. Now that the time was ripe, he wanted to directly pull him into the fold.
Because he knew I was in trouble and wanted to take advantage of it…
"Can I refuse?" As a former Nighthawks, Klein wasn't particularly keen on joining a hidden organization.
"Of course, you can." Hearing Klein's words, Charles wasn't annoyed.
"However, you'll also need to sign some confidentiality agreements."
"But…" He paused meaningfully, "Aren't you in trouble? If you join, we'll help you solve it for free."
Charles stated his price.
…
A moment later, Klein's lips moved, and he slowly spoke: "The problem is… this trouble involves some…"
"Uh, don't be scared when I tell you."
Hearing this, Charles chuckled and confidently stated that he had been in Backlund for many years and had seen everything, and there was nothing that could scare him, telling Klein to speak freely and boldly.
Subsequently, Klein told him the entire Sequence of events, including how he killed Mersault and got involved with the Intis Ambassador, who was possibly on a special mission.
In fact, Klein knew that even if he didn't say anything, the other party would eventually investigate and find out. So, it was better to be proactive and tell him.
This way, he might even hear the other party's opinion.
Of course, out of professional ethics as a detective, he concealed Ian's identity during the narration.
After listening to Klein's account, Charles, who had been full of confidence, immediately looked peculiar.
"You mean, for a mere 5 pounds, you provoked an ambassador of a country and got involved in an international dispute?"
"Hmm…" Klein was a bit embarrassed but still nodded in acknowledgment.
This…
After all that, this guy has a problem with his brain.
Although it was clear from his daily habit of packing food from the Guild cafeteria that he was someone who loved money.
But to get into such trouble for a mere 5 pounds…
Charles swallowed. He prided himself on his good judgment, and this was the first time he had encountered such a situation.
Although he greatly admired the other party—uh… at least he did before—to offend a clearly problematic foreign ambassador for a Seer.
This deal was not worth it at all.
But he had already made a confident promise earlier. If he were to back out now… then what would he become?
Charles fell silent, and they just stared at each other, neither speaking.
The atmosphere became awkward for a moment.
A moment later, Charles hesitated, choosing his words: "Um… Sherlock, I've thought about it carefully, and we actually aren't short on manpower. If you don't really want to…"
"I understand, Director. My trouble is quite big, and I don't expect the Guild to help me solve it." Klein saw through Charles's thoughts, but he wasn't disappointed.
In fact, he himself knew that a mere Sequence Eight like him was simply not worth the other party taking such a big risk to help him.
"If needed, I will sign a confidentiality agreement, but I also hope you keep what I've told you confidential."
"Of course." Charles readily accepted Klein's condition.
"Don't worry, no one else will know about this, and your current benefits and treatment in the Guild will not change at all."
Charles's meaning was clear: today, they would pretend they hadn't met. Although the Guild wouldn't help him, it wouldn't ostracize him either.
Klein nodded slightly in acknowledgment. Just as they were giving each other an out and about to end the conversation…
"No, we can help you solve this, as long as you join us."
A young-looking man in a black trench coat pushed open the Door and entered, interrupting them. He had clearly been eavesdropping outside for a while.
He looked at Klein, a smile appearing on his face as if he had discovered a new toy.
"Hello, Sherlock Moriarty."