Filina Audis, 24 years old, born in Enmat Port, a believer of the Lord of Storms.
She had been married twice… her first husband remained unknown and still required investigation; her second husband was named Charlie Audis. He had originally been a professional manager, later serving as a shareholder of a small bank, handling its finances.
Filina followed her second husband to Backlund in May 1349, where they rented a three-story house on Rheinst Street in the South Bridge District.
Because Charlie Audis's employer's business was involved in laundering money for gangs, Charlie, as the financial manager, unfortunately encountered a gang crossfire during a business negotiation in the East District. He was struck by a stray bullet and killed.
Mrs. Filina's life did not become difficult after her husband's death. For reasons unknown, ever since their marriage she had continuously purchased life insurance for her husband, and thus she received a large payout.
The insurance company once secretly hired detectives to investigate. They confirmed Charlie Audis's death was accidental, with no signs of human interference.
It was worth noting that rumors said Charlie Audis had been nothing more than a handsome but idle swindler in Enmat Port. Yet, after meeting Filina, he turned over a new leaf, studied desperately, obtained a manager's certificate, and then gained the appreciation of the small bank's shareholder.
Reading up to this point, Ebner thoughtfully pinched his chin and mused:
Knowledge changes fate… If Filina is really the one among the five survivors primarily tainted by the "Knowledge Moor"… then is this the side effect of the "pollution"?
To transform from a swindler to a professional manager in such a short time, it wasn't so much "studying" as it was Filina directly stuffing knowledge into him.
Just like Bianca could bring misfortune to others, and Abby could curse people with pain, Filina's special ability might actually be granting her knowledge to others, thus diverting or altering their fate.
And judging from her act of buying insurance, the diverted or altered fate probably wouldn't lead to a good end.
As these thoughts spun, Ebner continued reading, and soon a familiar name appeared before his eyes: Stuart.
"This Mysticism Magister of the Church of Storms seems to be pursuing Filina? Not only funding her museum and exhibitions but also letting his newspaper advertise for her for free?
"Hmm… Filina's luck is very problematic. No matter where she goes, someone helps her. Even those attackers secretly hired by the insurance company ended up either inexplicably exposed to the police or died in sudden car accidents on the way…
"With such abnormal circumstances, how could Stuart not notice? Could it be that he's blinded by lust?"
Ebner felt puzzled. He had never met Stuart in person but had heard about him from many sources… His reputation was terrible—worse than Ebner's own!
If Ebner's reputation was still more positive than negative, making people envious, then Stuart's was mostly negative. There were even rumors that he was promiscuous, having an affair with a senior deacon of the Steam Church…
Even if all those rumors were true, Ebner did not believe a Mysticism Magister could really ignore the problems surrounding Filina. There must be some hidden reason.
Sighing, Ebner turned his eyes to the last few lines of the report. They briefly stated that Filina was caught in traffic on Wednesday, missed arriving at the museum as planned, and in the evening spontaneously went traveling with Stuart.
"Again with the 'luck'?
"Is she avoiding me, or avoiding the 'Red Gloves'… or even Ouroboros, the Angel of Fate, who in the original story was investigating people with abnormal luck around this time?
"Is this 'luck' her peculiarity… or is she actually a Beyonder with abilities in this aspect?
"Lucky One? Winner?
"The Wheel of Fortune pathway is in the hands of the School of Life… Looks like I now have another reason to visit that little snake!"
Thinking this far, Ebner put away the report, looked at Detective Kaslana, who had finished her breakfast, and said with a smile, "I'm very satisfied with the information you gathered… Here's the promised payment."
As he spoke, he handed over an envelope containing ten £10 notes.
Investigating such a matter wouldn't normally cost so much, but since he had specified a deadline, Ebner had raised the price when posting the request.
Detective Kaslana counted the notes and, very satisfied, put the envelope away. She had indeed gone all out for this job, using every connection she had to finish on time. With such generous payment, it was all worth it.
After this, Ebner bade farewell to the already somewhat weary detective and left the restaurant alone.
…..
God War Ruins Sea Region.
As "Night" descended, Klein had no choice but to follow Admiral of Stars's advice. He returned to his room and entered meditation to dream, lest he vanish completely into the "Darkness."
In the gray, misty world, he woke up instantly and clearly knew he was dreaming.
He looked around and soon spotted Admiral of Stars, Cattleya, sitting alone on a huge boulder not far away, hugging her knees, leaning forward, staring at the mountain across from her.
She was still wearing that classical black robe full of mystery, her expression carrying an indescribable confusion.
Why is she in my dream? Klein took a few steps forward and leapt onto the boulder.
Before he could ask, the scene before his eyes suddenly widened, shocking him with a feeling that shook both body and soul.
In front of the boulder was a bottomless cliff, and across from it was a mountain covered with countless palaces, towers, and majestic walls.
Those buildings were magnificent and resplendent, layered and encircling one another. Each was enormous, not meant for human habitation. Together they gave off a sense of epic grandeur, miracle, and myth.
And in the sky between the cliff and the palaces floated a massive inverted mountain. On it stood many uniquely styled buildings, with a central tower piercing the heavens, as if it touched the sun at its peak!
"Floating City!"
Except for lacking iron tracks and support frames, this "Floating City" was almost identical to the one built by Master Klaus.
So this is the prototype of Floating City? Did Master Klaus also see this city here back then, which inspired him to recreate it?
According to Mr. Tower's information, this place should be the shared dream of all creatures in this sea… Then whose dream is this Floating City?
At that moment, Cattleya, still hugging her knees, muttered like in a sleep-talk, "Strange… When I came here with her, I didn't see this Floating City…
"Only Klaus had seen it before…
"She said it might be because Klaus had some connection with the Floating City's builder.
"She must have had her own guess, but she never told me."
Her? That "Mystery Queen"? The builder of Floating City is nine out of ten Leonard… Could it be because I joined this expedition that I now see it?
Also, could Master Klaus be one of Leonard's descendants from some generation? That's why he received the inheritance here in this dream?
With this thought, Klein considered suggesting they explore.
"No." Cattleya refused without hesitation, though she didn't shake her head. "I want to stay here, to wait!"
Seeing this, Klein guessed she was half-dreaming, half-awake. He didn't press further, instead leaping off the boulder and entering the gates of a black monastery alone.
Though he very much wanted to explore the Floating City, it was hovering high above. It looked near but was actually far away. And who knew what terrifying things might lurk in the air? Klein dared not fly recklessly.
Soon, after passing Frank, Heath Doyle, Nina, and First Mate Ottolov, he came upon a young man splitting a massive log.
The man wore a white shirt with a black vest, his short blond hair parted neatly, his green eyes focused and serious. He was not one of the pirates on the ship.
And not far from him was a mural.
The mural showed a sea of flames splitting apart, forming a road.
On that road marched a long procession, with its members either bowing their heads or kneeling in extreme piety.
At the end of the road, above faintly visible palaces, floated an inverted mountain!
At the head of the procession stood a tall, thin man with silver long hair, gentle features, eyes closed, and layered wings sprouting from his back. His hand was raised, pointing directly at that floating mountain.
Klein recognized him at once—that was the "Angel of Fate," the Ouroboros, Tail Devourer, the very image Little Sun had once displayed!
What does this mean? That Ulyss's procession encountered Leonard's Floating City? Could the fall of Floating City have been the work of this Angel of Fate?!
The King of Angels of the Fate pathway… is it all misfortune?
As these thoughts raced, Klein asked the young man with the axe, "Who are you?"
"Who am I? I'm the unlucky Anderson. Ever since I saw that mural, I've been shrouded in misfortune." The young man stopped his chopping and answered gloomily.
…..
Backlund.
Ebner, who had come to visit the Serpent of Mercury Will, wandered several times around the home of Dr. Allen Cress without finding a suitable excuse to go in.
In the end, with no other choice, he had to use one of his trump cards—sneaking in invisibly.
But just as he had that thought, he suddenly felt the power of "dreams" rushing at him.
Ebner's heart stirred. He didn't resist, allowing the scenery before his eyes to change…
Soon, he saw a barren black plain, and at its center stood a pitch-black spire.
Then, from the spire, a black baby carriage slid out. Inside lay a baby wrapped in silver silk, its face obscured.
The baby spoke in a clear yet helpless voice:
"You came to see me now because you're worried that stupid snake can't find us, right?"
(End of this chapter)