The Nightmare Badge had been delivered to Melissa's doorstep by Ebner's "Demon Wolf" messenger. It had been a spur-of-the-moment decision, yet it yielded considerable acting feedback — something that naturally surprised him.
"Could Melissa discovering that Klein isn't dead be an important node of Fate?" Ebner rubbed his chin thoughtfully but didn't probe any deeper.
After all, that was Klein's private affair. Since Klein clearly didn't wish to reunite with his family yet, Ebner had no reason to meddle.
Casting aside those stray thoughts, Ebner had Owen board the carriage and continue toward the Delien family estate. Meanwhile, his true body — having changed its appearance — joined Fors, who had only just woken up at noon and emerged from Alvin's Question Labyrinth. Together they continued practicing their "acting," combining Fate Options with Astrology in tandem.
He didn't plan to appear in Trier openly as Viscount Ebner Bryan to meet with Fanny or Helene.
For one thing, Ebner Bryan was a hereditary noble of the Loen Kingdom. If he appeared in politically unstable Intis to privately meet with Fanny, a rising political star, it could damage her future prospects — and the same was true for Helene.
For another, if Owen and Ebner were to appear in the same city simultaneously, it would inevitably draw suspicion.
Thus, Ebner decided to carry out his acting during the day and, after sending Fors back to Backlund at night, visit Fanny or Helene for "work discussions."
.....
Putting aside Ebner and Fors's acting journey, Owen, upon returning to the Delien family's castle, was warmly welcomed by most of the family's major members.
Whether it was the Church faction, the family faction, or even the strange "Evil God faction," they all subtly expressed their support, hoping that he — together with the other two family demigods — could restrain Prime Minister Charlie's reckless behavior.
After all, anyone with discernment could see how precarious the Delien family's situation had become. However fierce their internal power struggles had once been, now that the family's survival was at stake, they temporarily set aside their disputes and united.
But their hopes were destined to fail.
Not only were Owen and Serlo impostors who wanted the Prime Minister to keep "digging his own grave," even the other Iron-Blooded Knight maintained an ambiguous attitude.
That was only natural, since his backer was the Iron-Blood Cross Society — a group that thrived on chaos — and he might even have received an oracle from the True Creator.
"So aside from the two archbishops of the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun who were deliberately reassigned away from Trier, and that old ancestor hiding in the ancestral vault, every other demigod has either been replaced or harbors ulterior motives...
"Heh, this family looks formidable, but it's just a castle in the air."
With that thought, Ebner exchanged a subtle, knowing glance with several family elites who had hurried over to meet him, then continued toward the Prime Minister's office.
.....
He had previously gone to that desolate island to preside over the Deep Sea Ritual precisely because of the Prime Minister's commission, so now it was only proper to return and "report his results" — even though the Prime Minister had long since written him off before sending him away.
Charlie Delien didn't look much different from a month ago — only a bit paler. His expression showed no trace of visible madness.
Ebner knew that was merely an illusion. Some people's insanity ran in their bones.
After a few polite exchanges, the Prime Minister smiled with apparent relief and said,
"Ever since I heard the Deep Sea Ritual went wrong, I've been worried for your safety. It's good to see you unharmed, Owen.
"Moreover, I've received a message from Lord Nois. Although the ritual seemed to fail on the surface, its true purpose was achieved. Congratulations — Lord Nois will surely reward you."
The Mother Tree did indeed think its goal was achieved… but would it really tell Ayr von Nois, its pawn, the truth?
Even if Nois knew, he had no reason to share it with Charlie Delien.
And back when Ebner had fought Nois near Bayam, it hadn't seemed as though the so-called Blood Grand Duke knew much at all...
So who was the one issuing orders in Nois's name? Could it be the same mastermind who had manipulated Charlie, Russell, Rena, and Daphne alike?
Heh. If that's the case, Ebner thought, then yes, I've received your "gift." Besides a Sealed Artifact tied to the Night Emperor, I also gained an Ancient Scholar who can endlessly produce Spirit Worms.
Keeping those thoughts to himself, Ebner maintained a polite facade, exchanged a few empty courtesies, then rose to leave without the "persuasive admonition" the family elites had hoped for.
After he was gone, the Prime Minister tapped his pipe against the desk and said to a shadowed corner,
"So Owen escaped the Secret Order's assassination? Did the Psychological Alchemists intervene?"
"Don't ask me," the shadow replied coldly. "I only know that the Secret Order's demigod dragged him into a secret space. What happened after that, I couldn't see."
"Even you couldn't see? Then the Sealed Artifact they used must have been quite high-grade... But even so, they still failed to take him down." Charlie frowned deeply, then asked,
"Do you think his choice not to attack me means he's plotting something else?"
"How would I know? Charlie, I've said it before — I'm better at direct combat than intelligence work." The shadow's voice carried a trace of impatience, but after a brief pause, it added, "Still, it's possible he didn't act because he noticed me."
Feysac barbarian! Charlie cursed inwardly. Then his expression stiffened. "He noticed you? Didn't you say your 'Light-Borrowing Concealment' has been restored to the angel level?"
"Yes, but even angels can't deceive everyone. Maybe your kinsman has an artifact designed to detect such things."
Charlie tapped his pipe again and muttered, "It seems I've underestimated him. My Sacrifice plan must be kept secret at all costs... It's a pity my son Serlo can't be trusted anymore. He'd have been perfect to keep an eye on Owen.
"Still, Owen's weakness is clear enough. Wearing the 'Lust' mask, he can't resist temptation. I've already arranged a banquet for him this Saturday — he won't refuse. That should keep him too distracted to cause trouble."
The shadow gave a derisive snort. "Honestly, if you'd just abandon that sacrifice and repeal the policies you made for it, you wouldn't need to worry about anyone interfering — or distrust your own son."
"This is a grand offering to Lord Nois! How could I give it up so easily?!" For the first time, Charlie's face twisted with madness. Then, glancing toward the shadow, he sneered, "Besides, don't you need souls too?"
The shadow went silent for a long moment before sighing. "I truly have fallen… To think I've sunk so low as to cooperate with a devil like you… Lord, please forgive my sins."
.....
"So that Prime Minister actually has an angelic evil spirit hidden beside him? Good thing I never intended to strike."
Leaving the Prime Minister's office, Ebner didn't linger in the family castle. He immediately boarded a carriage bound for one of Owen's mistresses' mansions — after all, that fit the man's character perfectly.
The family elites hoping to form an alliance could only shake their heads helplessly as they watched him go, realizing none of their so-called "lords" were reliable.
Inside the carriage, the former Pope of the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun — now the Black Knight — Serlo Delien, sat respectfully across from Ebner. Upon hearing Ebner's remark, he merely nodded and said,
"I sensed that angelic evil spirit as well, but I don't recognize its aura. It's not from my era."
There were few angels to begin with, and even fewer who had fallen; each one was known by name. If this one had only emerged after the second Pope of the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun perished, it must have been around the Pale Disaster…
After pondering a moment, Ebner formed a few guesses but, lacking proof, set them aside and asked,
"Have you discovered our Prime Minister's true plan?"
Serlo nodded calmly. "His methods aren't very secretive. He needs too many people to carry them out, making it hard to keep fully hidden. Of course, outsiders still can't see clearly."
"So what exactly is he trying to do?" Ebner asked.
"To sacrifice hundreds of thousands of people — to drag western Intis into the First Layer of the Abyss," Serlo replied bluntly.
Ebner froze, then shook his head. "He's utterly insane. Such a plan could never succeed — the gods themselves would intervene."
"That's why he intends to provoke a coup or even a military rebellion, to disguise the slaughter as war. By the time the gods notice, it may already be too late," Serlo explained. "His next policies target the western military districts, and he has people embedded there. The potential for chaos is high."
"A rational madman," Ebner muttered. After a pause, he added, "I'd planned to let him destroy himself, but now it seems I can't just stand by. I'll have to find a way to discreetly expose his plans to the Church."
He tapped the small carriage table and continued, "Those investigators from Machinery Hivemind who uncovered the blood sacrifice linked to Russell and the Prime Minister — are they still pursuing that case?"
"Yes," Serlo confirmed. "They're beginning to suspect Russell's identity, but they still don't know the Prime Minister's role."
"Good. Arrange for them to discover a few of Charlie's inconsistencies. I'll ensure 'Russell' cooperates." Ebner smiled faintly, tapping the tabletop.
.....
Back in Backlund, inside the house at No. 26 Kings Street—
After receiving Melissa's letter, Miss Hazel immediately rode over with the young maid, Sarah.
Worried about her lack of experience with Beyonder matters, Bishop Utravsky even sent Emlyn White — who had been polishing the pulpit — to accompany her.
Emlyn had been reluctant at first, but the moment he heard the sender's name — "Sherlock" — he changed his mind.
As a friend, he couldn't help but worry about the detective who had been missing for months.
Half an hour later, after examining the Nightmare Badge, both Emlyn and Hazel concluded that as long as it wasn't used frequently, it had no major side effects.
Hearing this, Melissa finally sighed in relief.
But soon, she asked another question: "Who is Sherlock Moriarty? Why would he send me a Beyonder item?"
"Sherlock's a fairly famous detective," Emlyn replied casually. "But he went to the Disy Bay for vacation after New Year's and hasn't returned. You really don't know him? Funny — you smell a bit like him."
"Sherlock might not be as brilliant as Ebner, but he's a very sharp detective," Hazel agreed. "And that badge was indeed one of his personal items. I've seen him use it."
That had been back when Sherlock taught her "Fraud." How time flew — she was now a Cryptologist.
Melissa only grew more puzzled. She tried to recall anything about "Sherlock Moriarty," but even with her Savant abilities, she couldn't find a single related memory.
"Guessing won't get us anywhere… maybe we should consult another detective?" Hazel's eyes lit up with the suggestion.
Melissa glanced at her teacher — clearly realizing she just wanted an excuse to visit Detective Bryan — and readily agreed.
Emlyn, though not close to Ebner, respected his investigative ability, so he had no objections.
Soon, the two women and one vampire appeared in the living room of the villa at No. 28 Kingsstreet.
And since Ebner had just returned from sending Fors back from Trier, he happened to be at home.
Seeing the trio at his door, and knowing exactly why they had come, Ebner first prayed silently to The Fool and conferred briefly with The World. Then, while hosting them for dinner, he said to Hazel,
"You can try investigating this yourself. Once you uncover the secret behind 'Sherlock,' your Cryptologist potion might fully digest."
Then he turned to Melissa with a meaningful smile. "As for Sherlock — I don't know much either. But I do know someone who once investigated him. You know him too — you can ask for his help."
He wasn't being evasive — Klein had specifically instructed him to say this.
"Who?" Melissa asked in surprise.
"Leonard Mitchell," Ebner replied with a faint smile. "A mediocre poet."
Four thousand words at last! Finally made up some of the backlog… please, heap praise upon me — I swear it's not short this time!
(End of Chapter)