"If you want to deal with Suah, I can help."
At Vera's promise, Tolzna fell silent for a few seconds before saying seriously, "I'll keep an eye out for the whereabouts of the 'Wishing Lamp.'"
Although Ebner clearly knew that "0-05" was in Bernadette's hands, she was Roselle's most beloved daughter after all… Regardless of Vera's true purpose for obtaining the "Wishing Lamp," it wasn't appropriate for this piece of information to leak from his mouth. So, he could only shift the topic and asked about the mission Xio had received regarding the "Seal Theft Case."
Hearing Ebner's question, Vera thought for a moment, then replied:
"Although I have an agreement with Ankewelt and Hermes, I don't know much about what they're plotting… After all, the original agreement stated clearly that we were only a loose alliance and wouldn't interfere in each other's private actions… As long as it doesn't harm my own interests, I usually don't ask questions.
"But regarding Ince Zangwill, since it involves the Loen royal family, I do know a bit…
"You guessed correctly. Ankewelt had long established contact with Ince Zangwill through the 'Fallen Morning Star' and Sealed Artifact '0-08,' arranging for him to form a connection with the angelic evil spirit sealed inside that 'Stamp' Roselle crafted.
"That was an angelic evil spirit of the 'Hunter' pathway, also the last angel of the Sauron family before they lost Intis!
"As for the purpose of such an arrangement, I don't know…"
—Ankewelt was the true name of the Dragon King of the Second Epoch, once known as the "Dragon of Fantasy." Strictly speaking, both "Nightmare Dragon" Alzuhod, who later became Sealed Artifact "0-08," and Ariehogg, one of the three surviving ancient dragons, were all his "vests," props for his resurrection.
Ebner frowned and thought for a moment before pressing further, "Since Ankewelt always had control over Ince Zangwill and '0-08,' why didn't he retrieve the 'Author' trait and advance to Sequence 1?"
To this, Vera chuckled, and said with pointed meaning:
"If he stayed at Sequence 2, no matter how he schemed or laid out his plans, as long as it didn't interfere with that one's designs, the other party wouldn't bother to look at him, let alone make a move against him.
"But if he became Sequence 1, then he would immediately face countless hostilities!
"And Ankewelt was extremely wary of that one. Without finding a safe opportunity, he'd rather not advance."
Hearing this, Ebner nodded thoughtfully, thinking to himself:
Hmm, Ankewelt knew that Adam was the False Creator. In the original, he even warned the Fool through Miss Justice… So, he was scared stiff by the False Creator!
Thinking of it this way, maybe Ankewelt's goal was just to delay Adam from obtaining '0-08' as much as possible?
In the original, Adam used Anderson as bait to lure over Ince, who was possessed by the 'Red Angel'…
This time, if Adam didn't change his methods, Ince, possessed by the Hunter pathway angel, would still be lured… But the already "freed" Red Angel might also intervene. The situation would probably become extremely chaotic…
Adam might not be able to succeed so smoothly.
If Adam exposed his true identity as the Ancient Sun God while fighting for '0-08,' it might draw the intervention of the three deities… Perhaps that was the opportunity Ankewelt was waiting for?
But isn't this just his wishful thinking… And behind this matter, the God of Knowledge and Wisdom as well as "me" are also manipulating things!
As for the God of Knowledge and Wisdom, even though He never directly contacted my current self, His shadow was present in many matters… He was familiar with Dannet, the "Calamity Seal," and other former versions of "me." To say He knew the full plot of Mysteries would be too much, but the fact that Adam was the False Creator was surely already known to Him, along with His own plans.
And "me"? No need to even mention…
For instance, the bridge between Ankewelt and '0-08,' that extraordinary item "Fallen Morning Star," made by Roselle at Hermes's request from the Dragon King's treasured scale—it was named and designed entirely by "me." To think I had no hand in this, even if I can't recall everything now, is impossible.
But it seemed that the "Calamity Seal" had also interacted with Adam. I really don't know which side "I" stood on…
Heh, not only me—even the God of Knowledge's stance wasn't necessarily clear… Thinking from His perspective, Adam ascending wouldn't benefit Him… but if Adam failed to ascend, it might be even more dangerous!
If Adam couldn't become a god, then the fusion of the False Creator and the True Creator would inevitably lean toward the True Creator. That result might be even worse than one dominated by Adam.
After all, when divinity was in control, the Creator could treat these betrayers with calm indifference… But if humanity was in control, would the True Creator care about such things? No—He would probably trigger a divine war immediately after the fusion!
So perhaps the God of Knowledge's stance was also to delay—delay until the Fool's birth, or… narcissistically speaking, until I rose. This way, regardless of which side dominated, the God of Knowledge could feel at ease for now.
As these thoughts turned, Ebner, for the first time, felt he might be following the train of thought of the gods. Yet he still wasn't certain. After all, the God of Knowledge had invested so much in him. If the only result was temporary stability, then compared to the original story, nothing much had changed—He would actually be at a loss.
...
After that, once the three of them finished off the remaining food and wine, the banquet officially came to an end.
Ebner declined Vera's invitation to "visit her place." But before she left, she told him that Lady Yaloran of the "Mos Ascetic Order" wasn't in good condition and needed his help. If he was away from major cities or at sea, he could summon her messenger to arrange a meeting.
Ebner thought for a moment before agreeing.
After all, during the "Deep Sea Festival" battle, Lady Yaloran had helped block an angel for him. Both sentiment and reason demanded he thank her in person.
...
April 20th, Wednesday morning, Nas Port.
In a dimly lit hotel room, Klein rubbed a crystal ball with both hands, muttering difficult and twisted ancient Hermes words.
The room gradually grew darker, the unlit corners deepening, exuding a strange attraction.
The crystal ball quickly brightened, revealing the image of a woman in a black classical robe.
She had an oval face, pale skin, and eyes that were a deep black tinged faintly with violet, brimming with mystery.
"Long time no see, Admiral of Stars," Klein greeted first.
Since the Fool had sent the "Crystal Ball" to him, this was already their second communication.
Across the crystal ball, the "Hermit," Cattleya, glanced at the "World" again and asked the question that had long puzzled her:
"I've always wondered, how did you recognize me? I was very cautious during the gatherings."
At that time, when the "World" requested private communication, the first thing he said was "Admiral of Stars." That had given her quite a shock.
It was partly because of this that she had chosen to accept the "World's" commission.
Klein smiled politely, though inwardly he dismissed the notion. The "Hermit's" so-called perfect disguise wasn't a secret to the "Tower," or even to the "Hanged Man." And if the "Tower" knew, then "Judgment" knew too. Perhaps even the "Magician" had received a hint—she just didn't realize it.
But facing her probing gaze, he calmly added, "Your eyes are very distinctive."
"May I take that as a compliment?" Cattleya smiled faintly, suddenly understanding.
She believed that previously, the "World" had only suspected her identity as Admiral of Stars based on her eyes and other details, but wasn't sure. By speaking it aloud, he was probing her, and her reaction had confirmed his guess.
Klein didn't respond further, instead asking, "When do we set off?"
Admiral of Stars Cattleya thought briefly before replying, "Tonight at 8 p.m., Pier 6."
Klein nodded slightly. "Good."
As soon as his words fell, the light within the crystal ball suddenly dimmed. The figure in the black robe grew darker and more indistinct, quickly fading away.
Klein put away the crystal ball, turned, and left the hotel, heading to the "Rodale" bar. He intended to check for the latest intelligence and short-term acting opportunities before departure.
Not long after he left, a woman wearing an old-fashioned black soft hat appeared silently in the room. After sensing for a moment, she repeated softly, "Tonight at 8 p.m., Pier 6."
...
Backlund, Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock. Following the advertisement he had passively prophesied and purchased last weekend from the Tassock Miscellany, Ebner arrived at No. 16, Pinster Street, North Borough—a private museum holding its grand opening ceremony.
"Detective Ebner Bryan? No, I should call you Sir Bryan now."
As Ebner stepped off his carriage, a somewhat playful voice came from behind. Turning around, he saw a man dressed casually in a white shirt, brown trench coat, and matching trousers…
Though his outfit was simple, his outstanding looks gave him an easy, dashing air.
It was none other than Leonard Mitchell, once a member of Tingen's Nighthawks team, now a "Red Glove," and in the future, "Mr. Star."
Seeing him, Ebner's face lit up with a smile, and he exaggeratedly said:
"Mr. Leonard… As a congratulatory gift for my knighthood, shouldn't you compose a poem for me?"
(End of Chapter)