Mystery: The Undead Don't Die from Linking the Fire

Chapter 275 Like a lunatic!

The tarot session is over.

As the blurry figures disappeared before his eyes, Klein didn't rush to leave. He conjured parchment and a round-bellied fountain pen, and wrote down a divination statement:

"My hope of advancing to Sequence 4."

After putting down the pen, Klein took the parchment, leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, entered a meditative state, and silently recited divination phrases.

After seven repetitions, he quickly fell asleep and entered the dream world.

The gray sky and earth parted, and he saw a towering, majestic mountain peak reaching into the clouds.

At the summit of the mountain, there was a dilapidated palace, its walls overgrown with weeds and moss, and riddled with obvious holes.

Inside the palace hall, at the head of the table stands a huge chair carved from stone, inlaid with dull gold and jewels, much of it mottled and damaged.

This doesn't look like a seat prepared for humans. Countless transparent maggots are huddled together, densely intertwined, slowly wriggling, and constantly growing.

Around the seats, whispers seemed to pierce through the long passage of time and history, ethereal, fleeting, and endless:

"Honakis...Fregora...Honakis...Fregora...Honakis...Fregora..."

Hearing the mutterings, Klein was jolted awake, his face slightly furrowed:

"The main peak of the Hornachis Mountains, and it's clearer and more audible than ever before..."

This reminded him of the prophetic words of the "mysterious queen" Bernadette:

"Your destiny lies on the summit of the Hornach Mountains."

Is this my destiny? No, my fate is determined by fire, not by heaven.

Klein made a rather childish remark: "With Embers helping us, who cares about fate?"

My gathering, time to draw cards!

Special Summon: Emerald, emerge!

The Future cruised smoothly through the undulating waves. Admiral Cattleya stood by the window, gazing at the vast, boundless landscape, her thoughts a jumble of emotions.

The Future had already docked at Toscart Island, and she didn't know if the Mysterious Queen was still on board.

Logically speaking, if the strange changes in her eyes were indeed her doing, she should have stayed on the ship to observe the subsequent changes.

But what can he do if she doesn't want to come out and see him?

Would she rather see the 'world' that briefly stays on her ship than come to see her?

Cattleya's eyes grew increasingly dim, but suddenly a soft yet emotionless voice rang in her ears:

"Are you looking for me?"

Caldelia turned around with delight and looked to her right at the tall woman who had appeared out of nowhere.

At this moment, she was wearing an Intis-style women's blouse with large lace flowers at the neckline, an indigo captain's coat with floral patterns, off-white trousers, and knee-high boots. She was dressed like the captain of a pirate ship.

She had long, naturally flowing chestnut hair, straight eyebrows that extended perfectly, and deep, azure eyes that seemed to encapsulate a condensed ocean.

She possesses outstanding beauty, but what is most striking is not that. What is more impressive is the natural nobility she exudes in her demeanor and the air of a person who has long held a high position.

Caldelia subconsciously even wanted to bury her head and avoid eye contact.

"I……"

Cattleya opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but quickly fell silent again.

Bernadette said in a gentle tone:

"What are you trying to say?"

After a long silence, Cattleya whispered:

"I had some eye problems and offended one of the people at that party..."

Bernadette remained calm and said:

"I didn't do it."

"Cadelia pursed her lips, she also believed it wasn't Bernadette who had done it."

But who else could it be?

Bernadette suddenly pointed:

"He did it."

"Him?"

Cattleya's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively turned in the direction Bernadette was pointing—

Above the bookshelf is a small blue doll.

The doll, which had been looking out the window, suddenly turned to look at them and asked:

"What did you see?"

Cattleya suddenly felt nervous.

Because she still remembered that Bernadette referred to this doll as "He"!

"He" is at least an angel, and may even be a true god!

Bernadette said calmly:

"You go out first, I'll talk to Him."

"But……"

"leave."

Bernadette's voice remained calm, but it carried an air of unquestionable authority.

Caldelia remained silent and backed away from the captain's cabin.

Bernadette gazed at the doll at the top of the bookshelf and asked softly:

"Isn't having me enough?"

The petite doll said calmly:

"Every tool has its limits."

Bernadette's heart sank, and she said in a low voice:

"But she doesn't know anything. You'll only kill her by doing this."

"She's not dead."

The petite doll looked down at her and said calmly:

"Or rather, it's precisely because she knew nothing that she didn't die."

Bernadette fell silent, whether in agreement or in contemplation of how to refute her words, it was unclear.

Bernadette whispered:

"Even if she didn't die, that person would warn her that she can't give you the information you want."

"That's enough."

The petite doll's tone remained unchanged:

"I've gotten what I wanted; she's no longer of any use to me."

Upon hearing this, Bernadette's expression relaxed, and she changed the subject:

"When are we leaving?"

The petite doll said calmly:

"Anytime is fine."

"Let's do it today then," Bernadette said without hesitation.

The petite doll clasped her hands together and whispered:

"You shouldn't be blaming me; you should be thanking me."

"grateful?"

Bernadette suddenly felt something was absurd.

What are you thanking?

"Thank you for putting you and your daughter on the same side."

Bernadette vehemently denied it:

"She's not my daughter, and I'm not her mother!"

The petite doll nodded slightly:

"Yes, I believe you."

-

Backlund, North Quarter, St. Samuel Church.

The worshippers who came to pray walked through the quiet corridors and, under the sunlight shining through the stained glass windows high above, arrived at the main prayer hall.

The dim lighting here naturally brings a sense of peace to one's mood.

Most believers would find a seat on the benches on either side and begin to pray intently with their eyes closed.

But a young man in a double-breasted suit walked straight across the bench and stood in front of the bishop who was standing in front of the altar.

The bishop was wearing a double-breasted black clergy robe. He looked to be only about forty years old, with deep blue eyes, a thin face, and features that, while not particularly handsome, somehow gave him a pleasing appearance.

He seemed to recognize Yu Jin, and smiled slightly:

"Mr. Ash, I am Bishop Elektra. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Ember slowly spoke:

"I want to find Archbishop St. Anthony."

Elektra said helplessly:

"Unfortunately, Archbishop St. Anthony is not in Backlund at the moment."

"Not here?"

Yu Jin frowned slightly.

"Yes."

Elektra nodded slightly:

"An underground ruin has been discovered on the outskirts of Backlund, and the three major churches have each sent extraordinary individuals to investigate. Just today, something important seems to have been discovered there, and Archbishop St. Anthony received the news and went there personally."

"coincide?"

A word suddenly popped into Yu Jin's mind.

He had just returned when Archbishop St. Anthony happened to be away from Backlund.

Isn't this a bit too much of a coincidence?

Ember keenly sensed that something was wrong, but he didn't make a sound. Instead, he spoke up:

"I need to enter the Chanis Gate to retrieve a sealed artifact."

"This... I don't have the authority to do that..."

Bishop Elektra hesitated. He knew that Ember held a special position among the Night Watchers and was highly regarded by Archbishop St. Anthony, but he did not have the authority to decide whether Ember could enter the Gate of Charnis…

Elektra asked cautiously:

Do you have any keepsakes left by Archbishop St. Anthony?

Ember flipped his hand, and a badge appeared in his palm:

"Is this okay?"

Elektra's expression changed slightly as she immediately recognized the emblem as the true identity of the badge—the Holy Emblem of the Night!

At first glance, this badge seems no different from the holy emblems that can be seen all over the church.

However, the meanings they symbolize are completely different!

Elektra's expression immediately turned serious, and he quickly said:

"Lord Ash, please come with me."

Elektra summoned another bishop and asked him to lead the prayer in his place.

He himself, carrying the embers, quickly passed through the hall, arrived at the back of the church, and headed towards the underground area.

At the secret door to the underground area, a priest stood guard outside.

He saw that Bishop Elektra was visibly taken aback, and asked in a respectful yet wary manner:

"Your Excellency Bishop Elektra, is there anything I can help you with?"

Within the Church of the Seven, priests and night watchmen are two distinct systems.

The former is responsible for proselytizing and leading believers.

The latter are responsible for things that are more confidential and more dangerous.

Of course, priests and night watchmen belong to different systems. However, they are usually quite close, and priests occasionally help out when there is a shortage of night watchmen. But this situation changed a bit three years ago!

Three years ago, former Archbishop Ince Zangwell failed to advance to 'Sequence 4'.

Although he escaped mortal danger despite failing his ascension under the goddess's protection, Ince Zangwill showed no gratitude. Instead, he used his special status to deceive the guards, bypassing numerous security measures to enter Chanis Gate and steal a '0' level sealed artifact!

Since then, the extraordinary within the clergy have been treated with even stricter discipline. Typically, clergy members other than the archbishop are not permitted to enter the underground territories, much less approach Charnis Gate.

The clergy system, in turn, readily accepted this situation.

They did not resent the differential treatment by the Night Watchers, at least there were no traitors like Ince Zangwell among them.

The prohibition of underground areas is a punishment they deserve.

Elektra was neither surprised nor bothered by the priest's attitude, but explained:

"Lord Ash has urgent business at Charnis Gate and needs to borrow a sealed artifact..."

The pastor frowned, not believing Elektra's story, and became even more wary.

Until he saw the Night Emblem in Ember's hand...

The pastor's expression changed instantly. He raised his right hand and tapped his chest four times clockwise, saying respectfully:

"Lord Ash, may the goddess protect you."

"Praise be to the goddess." Yu Jin, following local custom, responded with a crimson moon in return.

He didn't stop, but walked past the priest and, illuminated by the lights on either side, descended the steps. Elektra did not follow; even under special circumstances, he remained steadfast in his duty and would not set foot in the underground area.

Ember had been to the underground area several times before and was familiar with the environment.

After walking to the crossroads and briefly identifying the location, Yu Jin turned and walked to the left.

Just then, he saw a man wearing red gloves walking towards him.

The man had dark hair and green eyes, was strikingly handsome, and dressed quite casually; he was none other than Leonard Mitchell.

Leonard Mitchell was visibly taken aback when he saw the embers.

"have not seen you for a long time."

Leonard Mitchell greeted him.

Yu Jin stopped and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Leonard Mitchell suddenly asked:

"How is Klein?"

Ember asked in return:

"Isn't he dead?"

Leonard Mitchell paused, then gave a self-deprecating laugh:

"Yes, he's dead. Look at my memory, I've forgotten again."

Muttering to himself, Leonard Mitchell walked straight ahead across the embers.

Yu Jin withdrew his gaze and continued walking until the end.

The heavy, cold, iron-black double doors, engraved with seven holy symbols, seemed unshakable by anything.

The night watchman on duty noticed the arrival of the embers and was about to ask when he saw the holy emblem the other party presented.

The night watchman's attitude immediately became respectful.

-

Leaving the underground area and returning to the surface, Leonard Mitchell lowered his voice, seemingly muttering to himself:

"Old man, don't you think that guy's weird?"

After this period of investigation, he became increasingly certain that Sherlock Moriarty was Klein Moretti!

It's not because both of their names contain the character "克" (ke), nor because both of their names contain the character "蒂" (di).

It was not because of their striking resemblance, but because of the coincidental timing of their appearances. Almost immediately after Klein's death, this Sherlock detective abruptly appeared in Backlund!

He seemed to appear out of thin air; no one knew his origins or his past.

When Leonard tried to investigate the great detective, the detective suddenly disappeared without a trace, bringing the investigation to a halt and ending without a trace.

But Leonard did make some discoveries, such as knowing that the Sherlock detective was acquainted with Ember!

Perhaps Ember already knew the truth about Klein's death, which is why he suddenly asked that question.

Unfortunately, the other party didn't fall for it.

A slightly aged voice echoed in his mind:

"What's so strange? Don't talk to me!"

"Forehead……"

Leonard paused for a moment, his expression somewhat strange, and asked in confusion:

"Old man, what's wrong with you?"

That somewhat aged voice sounded a little exasperated:

"Don't talk to me, you idiot!"

(End of this chapter)