The crimson moon high in the sky hung silently in the darkness. It illuminated Tingen City, the city of universities, as it gradually fell silent.
Klein stood in front of his desk and looked through his oriel windows to see the empty Daffodil Street. He heard the sound of carriages quickly galloping far away without causing a din.
He lifted his vine-leaf–patterned silver pocket watch and snapped it open. After a quick glance, he drew the curtains, letting the yellow glow of the gas lamp reflect softly across the bedroom.
Klein turned briskly, locked the door, and shut off the gas valve.
Darkness enveloped the room immediately. Only a thin sliver of red moonlight seeped through the curtains, casting an atmosphere perfectly suited for late-night folk tales.
Klein took out the silver knife he had applied for. He imagined the spherical light and entered a half-Cogitation state.
