Lord of the Mysteries

“Blackthorn Security Company.”

Upon seeing the signboard, Klein felt surprised yet found it reasonable.

Man… what do I say about this… He shook his head and laughed before walking up the steps and knocking gently on the half-closed door with his right hand.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

The sound echoed slowly but rhythmically, but there was no response; only a faint sputtering sound could be heard.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Klein repeated, only to be met with the same outcome.

He switched to pushing the door, making the gap larger as he stared inside—a classic sofa which might have been for serving guests, a soft fabric armchair, and a burly wood coffee table. There was a girl with brown hair behind a table right across with her head drooped.

Even though “Security Company” is just a guise, isn’t this just… just too “unprofessional?” How long has this place been out of business? Right, you guys don’t need any business… Klein drew closer as he complained silently and knocked on the table just beside the girl’s ear.

Knock! Knock!

The brown-haired girl sat up immediately and swiftly took the newspaper in front of her, covering her face.

Tingen City Honest Paper… Nice name… Klein silently read the title of the page facing him.

“The steam train service ‘Soaring Express’ that directly reaches Constant City is starting operations today… Oh come on, when will there be one that goes straight to Brindisi Bay. I really don’t want to take the ship there again, it’s too awful, really awful… Hey, who are you?” The girl with brown hair read pretentiously and gave her opinion. As she spoke, she lowered the newspaper and revealed her bright forehead and light-brown eyes, looking at Klein with a fawning and startled look.

“Hello, I am Klein Moretti, and I am here at the invitation of Dunn Smith,” Klein said as he took down his hat to his chest and bowed slightly.

The brown-haired girl looked to be in her early twenties. She wore a light green, Loen-styled dress. She was set off with beautiful laces on her sleeves, collar, and chest.

“The Captain… alright, wait here for a moment. I’ll go get him.” The girl scurried up and went into the room beside her.

She didn’t even serve a cup of water or anything… The level of service awareness is worrying… Klein smiled faintly as he waited at his spot.

After two to three minutes, the brown-haired girl opened the door and came out. She said with a sweet smile, “Mr. Moretti, please follow me. The Captain is on watch at the ‘Chanis Gate’ and is unable to leave at the moment.”

“Okay.” Klein quickly followed behind. In his mind, he pondered to himself.

what

was a small corridor, with

tight, while some were opened, revealing someone on the inside who typed non-stop on a heavy mechanical

investigated his apartment, the one with the black hair

not in official wear; his white collared shirt was not tucked in, making for quite an unruly

is a poet… Klein nodded in greeting and was greeted with a

office door at the end of the

office had no furniture in place, only

stairs were lit up by gas lamps. The stable glow dispelled the darkness and gave

in front, staring at her feet while walking

Leonard did such a folly. On the first day of becoming a ‘Sleepless’—the first day where he had not mastered his new powers—he tried to rush down the flight of stairs. And-and he became a cartwheel. Haha, it was hilarious if you think about it. Oh yes, it was the guy that greeted you just now. This was about three years ago. Speaking of which, I have been with the Nighthawks for five years; I

watched her steps as she spoke. Suddenly, she smacked her forehead and said, “I forgot to introduce myself! I’m Rozanne. My father was a member of the Nighthawks, who sacrificed himself in an accident five years ago. I suppose we are colleagues from now on— Err, yeah ‘colleague’ is the

the honor, but still it depends on what Mr. Smith has to say,” Klein said as he sized up the enclosed

him, even though he is amiable, a fatherly figure. I don’t know why but I’m still afraid.” Rozanne spoke as though

humorously, “Isn’t being

Rozanne said as she held the

they spoke, the two finished walking down the stairs and reached

long aisle; both sides of the walls were mounted with gas lamps surrounded by metal

every few meters—the symbol of the Evernight Goddess. A deep black background dotted with sparkling embellishments, as

emblems did not seem special, but walking between them gave Klein a sense

long, an intersection appeared up front.

to the left will lead to the Saint Selena Cathedral; to the right are the armory, storeroom, and

Street is just behind Red Moonlight Street?Klein was a

Goddess in Tingen, a sacred ground where local followers yearned to visit. Along with “Holy Numerics Cathedral” of the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery in the suburbs, and the “River and Sea Cathedral” of the Church of the Lord of

his status made it unsuitable for him to ask more, Klein only listened

passed the intersection and moved straight ahead. In less than a minute, a black iron split gate carved with

stood there, heavy, cold and domineering, like a

reminded him and pointed at the room beside them, saying, “Captain is inside. Go on in

thank you.”

of “Chanis Gate.” The windows were opened, revealing the lit room inside. Klein took a deep breath

Knock! Knock! Knock!

in.” He heard Dunn Smith’s deep and amiable

chairs inside. Dunn Smith with his high hairline, who was wearing the black coat from the previous

Are you certain you want to join us?” Dunn smiled and asked as he

he sat beside the table and said, “Yes, I am