Mystery: The Traveler Who Holds the Star Key

The museum's secondary exhibition hall, in the shade.

The moment that chilling surname rang out.

Klein didn't draw his gun and charge in like the protagonist of a shonen manga.

Instead, his body reacted faster than his brain.

withdraw!

As the culmination of the "Gou Sanjia" survival philosophy.

In that single second, he completed the fastest tactical retreat of his life.

Using the shadows as cover, he vanished like a ghost from the museum's side door in an instant.

It wasn't until he stood on the bustling street that Klein finally took a deep breath.

calm.

Klein, calm down.

He pressed his still-pounding heart, and his reason quickly returned:

It's just that we share the same surname.

If that figure really is Ince Zangwell, holding 0-08 in his hand.

My brains would be smeared on the wall by now, instead of me standing here sunbathing.

Besides, Miss Justice was there too.

Even if that one-eyed man was insane, he wouldn't dare to lay a hand on Earl Hall's daughter in full view of everyone.

That was just...annoying coincidence.

Although reason prevailed, Klein's deeply ingrained principle of "following one's heart" still took precedence.

I can't go back now.

Regardless of whether Zangwell's appearance was a coincidence or not, it's not advisable to take immediate action today.

Two hours later... no, I'll come back to scout the location tomorrow.

Having made up his mind, Klein lowered the brim of his hat, blended into the crowd, and disappeared completely.

……

The main exhibition hall of the museum.

Orion had no idea how much psychological trauma his fabricated pseudonym had inflicted on the God of Poverty.

At this moment, all his attention was focused on the huge glass display case in front of him.

There are early manuscripts of Emperor Roselle on display there.

It records ideas about inventions from Earth such as "airplanes" and "submarines".

Inside an open hardcover notebook was a beautifully illustrated bookmark depicting Russell in black armor.

The Black Emperor.

It lies quietly in the cracks of that distorted history, like an insignificant footnote.

"Mr. Zangwell?"

Audrey noticed that the actuary beside her had suddenly stopped.

"Miss Hall, look over there."

Orion didn't reach out to touch the display case. Instead, in an academic tone, he pointed to the notebook from a distance:

"The Emperor's concept of 'airships' seems to be a bit ahead of its time."

If I'm not mistaken, this page contains mechanical structure diagrams...

It seems a crucial support point is missing.

"Really?"

Orion's words instantly piqued Audrey's curiosity.

She instinctively reached out, wanting to flip through the notebook and check the next page of drawings.

In that split second...

opportunity.

Orion's fingers, hidden in his sleeve, curled slightly.

[Trick - Tripping]

"Woof!"

Susie, the golden retriever who had been sitting obediently to the side.

Suddenly, it felt like something invisible had stepped on my tail.

It let out a short, panicked cry.

He suddenly darted to the side, colliding right into Viscount Grelint's calf.

"Ouch!"

The viscount staggered, and his cane slammed to the ground with a thud.

This sudden commotion drew the attention of everyone present—

Including the security of the distant Mechanical Heart—

They all instinctively looked toward Viscount Grelint and Susie.

Visual blind spots are formed.

Right now.

Orion's hand shot out like lightning.

His movements were so fast that they even left afterimages on his retina.

A tarot card, prepared in advance and wrapped in both "illusion" and "reality," slips into the book like a nimble butterfly.

The "Black Emperor" card that was originally tucked inside disappeared from his palm as if by magic.

The prince was replaced by a raccoon dog.

next second.

Orion smoothly took the notebook from Audrey's hand, which almost slipped from her grasp, and snapped it shut. He then looked at the person beside him with concern in his voice:

"Your Excellency, are you alright?"

The entire process was smooth and natural, without any spiritual fluctuations.

After all, the Blasphemy card itself possesses the "anti-divination" property, designed by Emperor Roselle himself, which is sufficient to deceive the gods.

No one noticed.

……

The riots were quickly quelled.

Viscount Grelint rubbed his calf; though somewhat disheveled, he was not injured.

Orion stood in the crowd, his outward appearance still bearing that polite, elite smile.

They were even discussing with Audrey whether Susie had tripped over the carpet.

But only he knew that his heart was pounding wildly at a rate of 180 beats per minute.

Adrenaline surged.

Success!

The Black Emperor card is currently lying in my pocket.

go.

We must leave immediately.

"Everyone."

Orion glanced at the expensive pocket watch, a perfectly measured hint of regret in his voice:

"Although I really want to continue exploring the Emperor's wisdom, the crowds outside seem to be getting bigger and bigger."

To avoid adding to the burden on security personnel, perhaps we should…

"Wait a little longer, Mr. Zangwell!"

Viscount Grelint was clearly still looking at the exhibits, and he pointed enthusiastically to the area in front of him, saying:

"There are also the Emperor's love letter manuscripts up ahead! Since we're already here, how can we not look at them?"

Orion's smile froze for a moment.

Damn it... this aristocratic thirst for knowledge.

Looking at Grelint's eyes, which suddenly shone brighter than a gas lamp because of the word "love letter."

Orion mentally ground his back teeth in exasperation:

You little rascal who cares more about the Emperor's romantic escapades than about potion recipes!

He couldn't force himself to leave, otherwise it would seem too unusual.

Just then.

Audrey Hall's expression suddenly shifted slightly.

She seemed to hear some illusory, layered prayers—

That was a summons from Mr. Fool.

"I'm sorry, everyone."

Audrey gave a graceful curtsy, a blush of apology on her face:

"I need to go to the restroom."

Susie, you stay here quietly.

After saying that, she lifted her skirt and walked quickly to the end of the corridor.

Audrey's departure deprived Orion of one of his most astute observers, but it also gave him a moment to breathe.

He stood beside the display case, watching Viscount Grelint and several other nobles continue to point and comment on the exhibits.

however.

Gradually.

Orion sensed something was wrong.

The sounds around me... have changed.

The originally clear conversation sounded as if it were blocked by a thick layer of glass, becoming dull and distant.

Viscount Grelint was less than two meters away from him, laughing with his mouth agape.

But Orian couldn't hear what he was laughing about.

Even when Orion tried to interject.

The Viscount and the others...did not react at all.

They seemed to ignore a wisp of air, their gazes piercing through Orian's body and landing on the display case behind him.

A sense of dread, even more terrifying than having a gun pointed at his head, instantly engulfed Orion's entire body.

He turned his head abruptly.

He was less than three steps away.

Sometime later, another person appeared.

It was a lady.

She has long chestnut hair.

She was wearing a bright yellow cake dress that seemed a bit out of place for the occasion, with layers upon layers.

However, he was wearing an old-fashioned black veiled hat on his head.

This is an extremely contradictory style of dressing.

However, it is the most classic symbol in the daughter of Emperor Roselle, the famous "Mysterious Queen" of the five seas.

Bernadette Gustave.

She stood there quietly, her eyes, as calm as the deep sea, thoughtfully observing Orion.

He was simply being watched by that gaze.

ka ka ka-

Orion felt as if the surrounding air had suddenly solidified into a solid wall.

That was spiritual pressure from a demigod, instantly triggering the latent hidden dangers within him.

That was the "spatial repulsion curse" belonging to the Abraham family, which had long since mutated and was originally dormant.

At that moment, it was like a virus that had been severely stimulated, and it instantly took effect.

The whole world is squeezing him out.

The space of the exhibition hall was distorted and folded in his perception.

It was as if countless invisible hands were trying to squeeze him out of this dimension, like squeezing toothpaste.

Cold sweat instantly soaked through his shirt.

Orion was unable to move.

This is the high-sequence strongman.

No action is needed; their mere existence is enough to break those of lower order.

Bernadette looked at the pale-faced young man who was struggling against the spatial repulsion.

A hint of confusion flashed in those otherwise emotionless eyes.

She neither made any arrests nor called for security.

She simply looked at him and, in a soft, calm tone, yet powerful enough to stop a heart, asked that fatal question:

"Why did you...?"

"Only the bookmark was switched?"