Mystery: When the Fool Meets the Masked Fool

Chapter 584 Three parts indifference, three parts mockery, and four parts nonchalance
Klein gave his analysis, and Serres nodded repeatedly.

Serres rested his chin on one hand, his fingertips unconsciously stroking his smooth skin as he listened intently.

His face now displayed an almost "inquisitive" seriousness. As Klein narrated, his expression made him look more like a viewer who had been spoiled.

When Klein's analysis came to an end, only the faint sounds of vows from the distant altar and the suppressed conversations of the guests remained in the church.

Serres suddenly raised his head, his eyes widened abruptly, and a vivid, even exaggerated, "sudden realization" expression appeared on his face.

"Oh! So I actually arranged so many things." Serres exclaimed in a short but clear voice, breaking the brief silence between the two, with an expression of "I see."

"Huh?" Klein asked, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

“It means exactly what it says.” Serres nodded seriously, his tone as casual as if he were talking about the weather. “I didn’t realize I had done so much.”

“Oh, so I’ve unknowingly woven such a vast web, orchestrating so many things. It’s like… well, like watching a seed I casually sow suddenly grow into an unexpected forest.” He tilted his head, his eyes holding a hint of detachment, mockery, and nonchalance. “A very interesting perspective, isn’t it?”

Padmon's cat face showed three parts shock, three parts despair, and four parts regret. She covered her face with her paws and said, "Oh, it's been a long time since the young master has been this proud."

Klein glanced at the two who were completely engrossed in the "domineering CEO" storyline and curled his lip.

For some reason, he suddenly felt an urge to break Serres's legs.

He interrupted their performance, saying, "Don't force me to throw you two out on my brother's wedding day, okay?"

Serres then chuckled softly, the sound somewhat abrupt in the solemn corner of the church, yet strangely blending into the background noise.

"Haha, just kidding." He instantly returned to normal, a smile spreading across his face, but his eyes remained fixed on the red, yellow, and blue pie chart. "Don't look at me like that. I'm not as... well, 'awful' as you think?"

He carefully considered his words, as if searching for a more fitting adjective.

He turned slightly to the side, his gaze passing over Klein's shoulder and landing in the direction of the altar. There, Benson was holding his bride's hand, both nervous and happy, the pastor's voice solemn and clear.

Serres smiled, elegantly spread his hands, and gestured towards Benson's wedding scene, making a "demonstration" gesture.

"While I do not deny that Earth is indeed a testing ground right now."

He gestured to the joyful atmosphere of the wedding, the sincere smiles of relatives and friends, and the happiness that filled the air.

"But, as you can see now, everything is moving in a positive direction, isn't it?"

Klein glanced towards the altar and saw sunlight streaming through the stained-glass windows, casting dappled patterns of light that enveloped Benson and Ruth. He saw Melissa's genuine smile and heard the soft, warm whispers of blessings from the surrounding guests.

This is indeed the scene he longed to see: his family safe and happy.

He paused for a few seconds, then slowly nodded, his voice low and certain, "Indeed, things are indeed developing in a positive direction."

He couldn't deny the genuine warmth before him, but the thought that it was all just a "dream" made Klein feel a little sad.

Serres seemed satisfied with the answer and continued to explain: "Indeed, the world now is a 'dream,' but it is not the same as a dream in the literal sense."

“Ordinary dreams are illusions. No matter how happy, wealthy, or powerful you are in a dream, everything vanishes like bubbles upon waking, leaving no trace. The beauty of dreams is ultimately an unrealistic illusion. Everything that happens in a dream, no matter how wonderful, is unrealistic.” He leaned back, comfortably sinking into the hard back of the church pew, and tilted his head back, his gaze seemingly piercing through the church’s high dome, looking towards the starry sky.

“But it’s different now. The dream you’re in now is a dream, but it completely overlaps with reality.” His gaze refocused and fell back on Klein.

Klein recalled some things Sunday had told him after he was first summoned and pulled into a dream.

At that time, after Sunday had exhausted the power of "order" contained in the Bronzes of Trenshorst in his dream, the barrier in reality was indeed filled, and the Bronzes was indeed like an "incompetent husband," having all its accumulations drained, and now it was given to Russell.

"So you mean everything that happens in a dream is inseparable from reality?" Klein countered. "Then what is the meaning of this dream?"

"Guess?" Serres asked instead of answering.

Klein shook his head: "I can't guess."

After a pause of a second or two, Klein added, "I guess you haven't even thought it through yourself, you just want to do it." "Not bad." Serres snapped his fingers. "You have a real talent for becoming the Masked Fool, congratulations."

Seeing Klein's disgusted expression, Serres felt a great sense of accomplishment.

Sure enough, no amount of praise could compare to a simple "Are you crazy?"

"If you can't guess, then keep guessing. Thinking itself is a pleasure." Serres chuckled, his laughter as light as a feather. "Your brother is getting married today, so I won't bother you. Come find me again when you've guessed it."

He winked at Klein, with his usual mischievous grin. He stood up, gracefully smoothing non-existent wrinkles in his robes, his gaze sweeping once more over the bustling altar.

As he spoke, Serres's body gradually became blurry and transparent, and finally disappeared in front of Klein.

Klein looked at the spot where Serres had been sitting; it was empty, with only the wood grain of the bench clearly visible in the light and shadow. After a few seconds, he looked away and returned his gaze to the altar where his brother's wedding was taking place.

Benson's speech had just ended, and he was awkwardly but sincerely bowing to the guests to express his gratitude.

Everything was so perfect, and the harmonious atmosphere made Klein realize that it was inappropriate to say anything today.

Klein's lips involuntarily turned upwards, forming a genuine, gentle smile.

He was the first to stand up and clapped enthusiastically. The applause echoed through the church, quickly spreading to others and creating a sea of ​​blessings.

Sunlight streamed through the tall stained-glass windows, casting colorful dappled patterns onto the newlyweds before the altar and illuminating the smiling faces of the guests. The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers, the subtle scent of burning candles, and pure joy.

Everything seemed so orderly and flawless.

…………

That evening, Benson didn't go home, and Melissa went out to dinner with her friends.

Only a few male and female servants on duty were quietly moving around and tidying up the house. Only the old, lonely Klein returned home alone. He did not turn on the lights, but went straight to the balcony and lay down on the deck chair to think about the events of the day.

Serres's honesty made him understand some things.

Earth has indeed entered a "simulated universe," a dream world, something he had long anticipated.

But what Klein didn't understand was why.
If what Serres said is true, then although Earth is currently in a dream, it will not be detached from reality, but will be completely consistent with reality.

So what is the significance of this?
A dream that is exactly the same as reality?
This left Klein completely baffled as to what Serres was thinking, and his fingers unconsciously tapped the armrests of the wicker chair.

He still felt that Serres was just playing around, but that didn't explain the collaboration between Sunday and the Goddess of Night.

He didn't think either of them would go along with Serres's nonsense.

There's also the ancient sun god, who would likely not tolerate something like "Infinite Tsukuyomi" happening.

Russell might be involved, perhaps even creating a cosplay version of "Project Eye of the Moon".

A night breeze swept across the balcony, carrying the coolness of early autumn. Klein leaned back in his recliner, gazing at the dim lights of Backlund's now highly modernized cityscape, and fell into deeper thought.

After a while, several translucent worms emerged from Klein's skin, opening one layer after another of doors in the air.

These doors opened and closed simultaneously; some worms leaped through the doors, while others disappeared into the mists of history.

…………

PS:

No prize for guessing: Anyone want to guess what Serres is up to?

(End of this chapter)