Lord of the Mysteries

While Azik muttered to himself, he subconsciously shot a glance at Quentin Cohen, seemingly hoping for hints to jolt his memories.

Cohen, with his deep set blue eyes, shook his head without any hesitation. “I do not have any impression of it.”

“…Alright then. Perhaps, it just shares a root word.” Azik lowered his left hand and gave a self-deprecating laugh.

Klein was rather disappointed with the outcome, and he could not help but add on. “Mentor, Mr. Azik, as the both of you know, I’m very interested in exploring and restoring the history of the Fourth Epoch. If you ever recall anything or obtain relevant information, could you please write to me?”

“No problem.” As a result of Klein’s actions today, the silver-haired Senior Associate Professor was rather pleased with him.

Azik also nodded and said, “Is your address still the same as before?”

“For now, but I’ll be moving soon. I’ll write a letter to inform you when the time comes,” replied Klein in a respectful manner.

Cohen shook his black cane and said, “It’s indeed about time you moved to a place with a better environment.”

At that moment, Klein caught a glance at the newspaper in Azik’s hand. He deliberated on his words before saying, “Mentor, Mr. Azik, what did the newspapers say regarding Welch and Naya? I only learned a little from the police who were in charge of the investigations.”

Azik was just about to answer when Cohen suddenly pulled out the pocket watch that was linked to his black tuxedo by a golden chain.

Click! He opened the pocket watch and tapped his cane.

“The meeting is about to begin. Azik, we can’t be delayed any further. Give the newspaper to Moretti.”

“Alright.” Azik handed over the newspaper he had read to Klein. “We will be going upstairs. Remember to write a letter. Our address has yet to change; it’s still the Khoy University History Department Office. Haha.”

He laughed as he turned around and left the room with Cohen.

Klein took off his hat and bowed. After watching the two gentlemen leave, he bade farewell to owner of the office, Harvin Stone. He proceeded across the corridor and slowly exited the gray three-story building.

With his back against the sun, he lifted up his cane and unfolded the newspaper and saw the title: “Tingen Morning Post.”

Tingen sure has all sorts of newspapers and magazines… There is the Morning Post, Evening Post, the Honest Paper, Backlund Daily Tribune, Tussock Times, family magazines and book reviews… Klein casually recalled the several names that surfaced in his mind. Of course, a number of them were not local. They were distributed via steam locomotives.

Now that the papermaking and printing industries were getting more advanced, the cost of a newspaper has already decreased to the price of a penny. The audience it reached also grew wider and wider.

Klein did not scrutinize the details of the newspaper, quickly flipping to the News section with the report “Armed Burglary Murder.”

“…According to the police department, the scene at Mr. Welch’s home was a horrible sight. There was missing gold, jewelry, and money, as well as anything valuable that could be easily taken away. Not even a penny was left behind. There is reason to believe that this was done by a merciless group of criminals that would not hesitate to kill the innocent, such as Mister Welch and Madam Naya, if sight of their faces are caught.”

“This is outright contempt for our kingdom’s laws! This is a challenge to public security! No one wishes to have such an encounter! Of course, one piece of good news is that the police have located the murderer and captured the main culprit. We will do our best to provide news on any follow-ups.”

“Reporter: John Browning.”

The matter has been handled and covered up… As Klein walked through the boulevard, he nodded in a hardly noticeable manner.

He flipped through the newspaper as he strolled down the path, reading the other news articles and serials in the process.

felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand,

me? Observing me? Monitoring me? Various thoughts welled

of the gaze. However, it had never felt as crystal clear as

was the same in the original Klein’s memory

to seek out the observer. Using his knowledge from reading novels and watching movies, he

in different directions. He acted natural as he

passing by

was certain that

his blood surged through

afraid that anyone

and readied himself to

Three

being spied upon remained, but there was no sudden

boulevard in a somewhat stiff manner and arrived at the waiting point for public carriages when a carriage pulled up

Champagne Street.” Klein

unknown motives to his apartment. Following that, he thought of heading to Zouteland Street to seek help from the Nighthawks or his colleagues. However, he thought otherwise, afraid

ticketing officer

money in the usual spot and had only taken two soli notes with him. And before he came, he had spent the same amount of money, leaving him with one soli six pence. Therefore, he took out all his coins and

boarding the carriage, and finally with the closing

exhaled slowly as he felt

What do I do?

out the carriage as he racked his brains for a

he was clear about the intentions of the person watching him, Klein had to assume that there was malicious

them. He had never experienced such an event,

notify the Nighthawks; only they could truly get rid

directly or I might expose them. Perhaps, that might be their

this train of thought, Klein crudely surmised various

He exhaled as he regained some semblance of composure. He looked seriously at

were no accidents along the way to Champagne Street, but when Klein opened the door and stepped out of the car, he immediately had

sensed anything. He took the newspaper and his cane, slowly making his way in the

behind. There was a beautiful white plaza there, as well as a large cathedral with a pointy

Saint Selena Cathedral!

headquarters of the

believer, there was nothing odd about him participating

It also had a tall, black, and imposing clock tower, situated between blue

the way, the stained windows were comprised of red and blue glass patterns that allowed colored light to shine

being watched vanished. Klein acted unfazed as he walked

high windows here. The deep darkness was emphasized, but behind the arc-shaped holy altar, on the wall directly opposite the door, were about twenty

starry sky when suddenly looking up into the dark night to see the shimmering stars in all their nobility,

though Klein had always believed that gods could be analyzed and understood,

tone as Klein silently made his way down the aisle that split the pews into two

him, Klein took off his hat and placed it onto

was done slowly and routinely as though he was really there