Lord of Mysteries

Chapter 410 December

What? You want me to investigate myself again? Klein almost suspected that the other party was deliberately testing him.

Organizations that use tarot cards as symbols are indeed interesting, I think so too, but I don't want to betray myself... By the way, Capin's matter is clearly not simple. He has four extraordinary individuals protecting him, so there must be a considerable force behind him. What's the difference between investigating this case and getting involved in the power struggles of high society? Um, this isn't something Sherlock Moriarty should know... Klein looked thoughtful and carefully said:

"Finding a secret organization is not easy, and it's extremely dangerous."

Talim seemed to have anticipated his answer, and chuckled:

"Sherlock, you don't need to take any risks. The important man means to pay attention and gather relevant intelligence or rumors. Here is 5 pounds in cash, which is his operating fund for you. Even if you don't get any valuable information, he won't make you return it. But once you get a useful clue, he will pay you for each clue and reimburse your expenses throughout the process."

Such good terms? That big shot really values ​​this matter… Is he connected to the forces behind Capin, or does he hope to find a mysterious organization codenamed after tarot cards to work for him? Reimbursement… It’s been so long since I’ve heard anyone promise me something like this… The other party has gone to such lengths; if a private investigator still refuses, it would seem too suspicious… Besides, investigating me is something I should clearly be in my own hands… Klein hesitated for a few seconds before saying:

"Okay, I'll try my best."

He accepted the five one-pound notes that Talim handed him without ceremony, intending to provide a dubious clue every week or two.

The Aurora Society is looking for "The Fool," isn't it? "The Fool" is clearly a Tarot card! Hopefully, that important figure will track down and eliminate Mr. A... Klein gradually had some ideas in mind.

…………

The underground section of St. Samuel's Church.

"Requiem Master" Soster gathered his team members to discuss what to do next.

He glanced at Leonard Mitchell, with his dark hair and green eyes, and asked, half-questioning and half-testing, "

"If I were to put you in charge, how would you plan to investigate those two cases related to tarot rituals?"

Leonard raised his hand to comb his hair and smiled:

"First, following the previous line of thought, trace back to the people or organizations that search for 'Fools' followers. They might know something. Second, re-examine the previous two cases and put everyone involved on the list, regardless of whether they are suspects or not! Then, rely on the ability of 'Nightmare' to question them one by one and eliminate them one by one. The devil may be hiding in the details, in people who seem impossible."

Soster chuckled:

"I've reviewed the files. These two cases involve a large number of people who live in different places. It would be quite difficult to investigate them all again. Moreover, some of them are extraordinary individuals who are active in the underworld and know how to hide themselves. We simply have no way of tracking their whereabouts. If we investigate according to your idea, it would require more than just our small team. The Church would need to deploy at least five more Sequence 7 Night Watchers and corresponding support personnel."

"Our focus is on the case involving the summoning of demons," another red-gloved man reminded Leonard.

Leonard didn't seem annoyed; he just chuckled softly.

"I know, I'm just offering my opinion. Whether to adopt it, and to what extent, is up to Captain Soster."

He paused, a puzzled look on his face:

"I don't understand why those two cases related to tarot rituals are not given high priority. The former involves an attempt by an evil god to descend, which is many times more serious than simply summoning a demon."

Soster picked up his coffee, took a sip, and slowly replied:

"The number of night watchmen is limited, so cases must be prioritized. The secret organization represented by the Tarot cards has not shown any obvious malice towards us so far. In a sense, their actions have actually helped us. For example, they disrupted the arrival of the 'True Creator' and let us know that Capin, the human trafficker, is not simple and has a big secret behind him."

At this point, he curled the corners of his mouth and said:

"Maybe they can help us find out even more bad things."

"Of course, necessary investigations are definitely necessary. No one can guarantee that that secret organization won't become our enemy in the future."

"I understand, Captain Soster. Let's focus on the case of summoning demons," Leonard said earnestly.

…………

Winter in Backlund is always inseparable from fireplaces and fog, and time flies by in this cold and gloomy atmosphere.

It seems like only yesterday that the New Year was approaching, and now there are only two weeks left until the New Year.

Klein extinguished the charcoal in the fireplace and put on a double-breasted wool coat over his crimson wool vest.

Nearly three weeks ago, Repard finally obtained the patent for the bicycle and began looking for suitable second-round investors. Steam-powered vehicle tycoon Flammy Cage expressed some interest in the project.

After several meetings, the three parties agreed to hold final negotiations today.

For the past month or so, Klein has lived a peaceful life, using the investigation as a means to systematically and meticulously process the potion. Now, all that's left is a major, proactive performance to complete the task.

If there's nothing too urgent, there's no need to take risks. Another month should be enough... Klein, lost in thought, took the half-high silk hat from the coat rack and smoothed out the wrinkles and removed the dust with a brush and handkerchief.

The badge left by Lanius pointed to the gathering on January 4th, which he did not necessarily intend to attend.

During this time, the "Tarot Club" continued to be held once a week. Klein obtained a few pages of Russell's early diary and witnessed the transformation of Russell from a weak bird who only dreamed but dared not take action into a playboy who actively hunted.

Aside from that, he gained almost nothing else. Although the "Werewolf's" extraordinary characteristics were sold through "The World" to "The Hanged Man," a deal involving more than a thousand pounds was clearly not easy to complete, and the cursed nature of the "Werewolf" also deterred many interested parties.

However, at a tarot gathering a few days ago, "The Hanged Man" told "The World" that he had contacted a "craftsman" from a steam church, and the other party was clearly somewhat interested.

"Hopefully we can get it sorted out this week... There's still no clue about the 'Windbringer' recipe that Mr. 'Hanged Man' needs..." Klein packed his belongings, grabbed his cane, put on his hat, and walked out of the room—the "Windbringer" potion recipe is a Sequence 6, and it's not easy to come across. Alger the Hanged Man has been waiting for more than a month, but he hasn't heard any good news.

After enduring long observation and testing, "Justice" Audrey finally gained the approval of the "Psychological Alchemy Society." She reported to Mr. Fool that she should be able to officially join the secret organization this week and hoped to receive protection in advance to avoid any accidents. To this end, she planned to collect at least ten pages of Russell's diary from the "Psychological Alchemy Society" and offer them to Mr. Fool without any compensation.

As for the dragon specimen in Duke Negan's vault, she has confirmed that it is the "Thousand-Faced Hunter," but the problem is that it is just a specimen, without any corresponding extraordinary characteristics or flowing blood.

She owes Mr. Fool's family £2000, which she will not be able to repay until February or March of next year. After she officially comes of age at the New Year's ball, although she will have some control over her property, she will still be subject to her parents' supervision and cannot sell it at will. Moreover, she still owes Viscount Grelint the final payment, so she must have enough time to raise the money discreetly.

With the help of the Hanged Man, Fors, the "Magician," finally obtained the "blood of the deep-sea marlin," paying him £320 for it, which reduced her savings to £120.

To make up for the losses and to satisfy "the stomach of the Soul Eater", she began to frantically write, and the new book quickly took shape, telling a story that combines many elements such as adventure, love, travelogue, storms, and pirates.

Her correspondence with Dorian Gray has continued uninterrupted, and he recently indicated that he will come to Backlund to pay respects to Anlisa, Lauborough, and Lawrence.

Following the advice of the "Hanged Man," "The Sun" Derrick behaved as if nothing was amiss, continuing his daily patrols and accumulating merits without attempting any rituals.

During each tarot gathering, he would skillfully pretend to be asleep, temporarily concealing any problems. He would also take intermittent naps to avoid any patterns that might arouse suspicion.

According to him, Elder "Shepherd" Lovia did not leave the bottom of the tower seven days later and is still imprisoned there for unknown reasons.

Mr. A of the Aurora Society, despite Klein's deliberate attempt to keep a low profile, failed to obtain any valuable clues in his search for followers and followers of "The Fool." Those extraordinary individuals who knew the name "The Fool" understood that they should not recite such things casually, and they certainly did not have the courage to pray to a being that resembled an evil god unless they were in dire straits.

"Emlin said last time that he had a lead on the relevant materials, and we might be able to confirm it soon, but the problem is that I don't have enough money right now..." Klein muttered silently, picked up his cane, and walked to the door of Jürgen's lawyer.

After ringing the doorbell, he took two steps back instinctively.

Not long after, the door opened, and the sprightly old lady Doris opened her arms to give Klein a warm hug.

"Oh, that doctor you introduced me to last time was amazing! I haven't been this healthy in almost ten years!" Seeing that the detective was standing quite far away, Doris could only lower her arms and express her joy and feelings in words instead.

Klein sighed, feeling both amused and helpless:

"Mrs. Doris, this is the ninth time you've said that."

He saw the black cat Brody perched on top of the coat rack behind him, seemingly about to fall, yet maintaining its balance.

"I can do it too..." Klein assessed himself.

"Really?" Old Mrs. Doris asked in confusion.

She immediately put the question out of her mind and said with a smile:

"Are you here to see Jürgen?"

Klein immediately smiled:

"Yes."

Negotiations definitely require the help of a professional lawyer.

(End of this chapter)