At this moment, Dunn also removed the "Iron Man" armor, revealing his original appearance.
However, because he had once again used attacks imbued with the power of "decay," his hairline had receded even further, and just like when he had once played the role of Dawn, quite a bit of silver had appeared at his temples.
Seeing Dunn like this, Madam Daly walked up with heartache in her eyes and held her husband's hand.
Leonard's attention also shifted back once more, no longer dwelling on the fact that he still retained feminine traits…
He opened his mouth, and only after quite a while did he ask, "Captain… were you, like Klein, resurrected by Mr. Fool?"
Dunn patted his wife's hand, signaling that he was fine, then looked at Leonard and shook his head. "I was 'revived' by this Detective Ebner Bryan."
He didn't mention the Earth Mother Goddess. Matters involving deities could not be disclosed too much without permission.
Leonard nodded slightly. In his eyes, Ebner was an old monster revived from the Fourth Epoch, a former friend of the old man. For someone like that to accomplish something so inconceivable was astonishing, but also perfectly reasonable.
After that, the resplendent hall fell silent once again, with only the intermittent sounds of Klein handling bottles and vials.
About several dozen seconds later, Leonard's lips moved slightly, and he suddenly spoke:
"Captain… you, you and Madam Daly aren't returning to the church?"
"Not for now… We're currently carrying out a special mission arranged by the church," Dunn explained briefly.
So that's how it is… then Klein really didn't lie to me before… Leonard muttered to himself. He originally wanted to ask something more, but at this moment, Klein had already finished preparing the "Miracle Invoker" potion, brought it to his lips, and drank it down without hesitation.
Everyone's attention immediately focused on Klein, witnessing a miracle—someone who had stepped onto a beyonder pathway less than a year ago pushing open the gate between mortal and demigod and obtaining divinity.
Yet at this very moment, the figure of the gold-adorned "Goddess of Wealth," Helena, abruptly appeared beside Ebner.
This instantly put the others—especially Sharron—on guard.
"Don't be nervous. She's Helena, the administrator of this space," Ebner said with a smile after seeing their reaction. Only then did he deliberately ask the "Goddess of Wealth," "Has things ended on Kallen's side? How did it go?"
He had actually already "seen through" the result. Asking now was merely to ease the tension… after all, Helena's timing really wasn't ideal.
Faced with Ebner's "knowingly asking," Helena didn't expose him. After nodding to the others, she replied softly, " 'Gluttony' has been captured, and Silica's soul has been redeemed…
"However, I spent five hundred thousand in wealth from the 'Mobile Palace' for this… I've already instructed Kallen to hand over 'Gluttony' and the sealed artifact 'Heavenly Banquet' in his possession to you as compensation."
Seeing the suddenly appearing woman discuss "serious matters" with Ebner, Sharron finally relaxed a little and once again cast a worried gaze toward Klein, whose body was now growing numerous transparent worms after drinking the potion.
Leonard glanced at Sharron, who was tense with concern for Klein, then at the captain and Madam Daly, their hands tightly clasped, and finally let his gaze rest on Ebner, who was speaking quietly with the "Goddess of Wealth."
"Why does it feel like I'm a bit unnecessary…" Leonard mocked himself softly, his heart filled with sorrow. *"We all came from the Tingen Nighthawks… the captain and Klein both found love, yet I'm still single…
"Is this the suffering that a 'protagonist' must endure? But in all the plays and movies I've seen, every protagonist has a lover…"*
Sensing his inner thoughts, the corner of Ebner's mouth lifted slightly as he "added insult to injury" in his own mind: Who says you're alone? Don't you clearly have an old grandfather who's inseparable from you?
For Leonard's dignity, Ebner didn't say this aloud, but he still made a small adjustment to ensure Leonard would dream about it later.
Of course, while Ebner enjoyed the spectacle, most of his attention remained on Klein. He continuously observed Klein's condition, lest his own involvement cause Mr. Fool's advancement to fail… that would be a truly spectacular disaster.
Klein had already reached the most critical moment. Within each of his split cognitive fragments, identical scenes appeared—vivid, distinct scenes:
That was Angel King Adam closing his eyes in prayer, with the awe-inspiring appearance of the "Angel of Fate," Ouroboros;
That was the moment he shouted "Leodero," drowned himself in lightning, and killed Ince Zangwill;
That was the moment the twilight and thunderclouds in the sky briefly stagnated, gazing down at him;
That was the moment Ebner and the two Saints cast their eyes upon him, commenting on his choice;
That was the moment the "Spectator" Adam observed the ending of the drama before Ebner with clear, pure eyes;
That was the moment Sharron guarded his body, her originally expressionless, delicate face gradually stained with worry.
Because the quality of the "Spectator" was astonishingly high, and the ritual's effect unbelievably good, Klein very smoothly reclaimed his self-identity:
I am a person from Earth, reshaped by fragments of Klein's memories;
I am a person deeply influenced by my experiences as a Nighthawk;
I am someone who seeks self-preservation, fears danger, yet can give everything for what he insists upon;
I am a guardian, a miserable wretch.
I am also Liu Bo's friend, Miss Sharron's…
Strange perceptions not originating from the spirit body or mind body gradually withdrew from the fragmented pieces, condensing into Klein's new thoughts—cold, calm, observational, overlooking thoughts, thoughts that could perceive the true world from more angles and dimensions.
Seeing this, Ebner finally relaxed, because Klein had crossed the most difficult step and successfully obtained divinity!
Sure enough, only a few seconds later, the transparent worms on Klein's face, hands, neck, and beneath his clothes all retracted back into his body. He returned to being Klein Moretti, with black hair and brown eyes.
He first imitated the captain's earlier action, proactively taking Sharron's hand and giving it a pat, reassuring her while also checking the degree to which she had been corroded by the "Mother Tree of Desire."
—After becoming a demigod, his connection to "Sefirah Castle" had deepened further, and Klein planned to deal with the hidden danger on Sharron as soon as possible.
Moreover, he also wanted to confirm something else… whether Sharron's goodwill and desire toward him were truly her own, or whether they had arisen due to the influence of the "Mother Tree of Desire."
(End of the chapter)