A young man with brown curled hair.
Average build and unremarkable appearance walked over to a wide arched path.
There was a mahogany, nail ladened coffin, basking in the glow of the crimson moonlight.
Behind the man, vicious dark liquid shot from the corners. Chaining the man from ever setting a foot to the sacred ground.
At that moment, groups of dark-red wisps showed their presence all around him.
The man's face contorts to reveal a frightening smile.
Each of the corners of his lips twisted to a grin, reaching from ear to ear. His visage was that of a congested vile human.
All of the wisps that when together formed eyes suddenly disappeared.
Thud!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Each of them dropped like flies and illusory strings appeared from their bodies that all bends to outline a path around the man's fingers, finally ending on his face.
With his casual clothes and long jeans, he set foot forward.
The coffin had a crimson moon for an emblem, engraved with many words written in Ancient Jotun.
Not long after his hand felt the rigid coldness of the casket. The surroundings of the small temple was engulfed in a deep darkness.
Outside of the building. Appearing as though as any other company establishment.
A man with dark-grayish hair and thin build. Who had piercing eye looked toward the entrance.
Yesir was about to inform his grandfather of the revelation.
Their linage came as far as the Third Epoch. With an origin of worshipping the true Earth Mother before they proselytized to Her son, The God of Combat.
As a priest from the Church of the God of Combat. He held masses in Saint Theodore Cathedral in Berlin, Feysac Empire as one of the pastors in the city.
His background wasn't prominent, but his grandfather was the faction's main force.
The one who managed to establish connection to other believers across the two continents.
Certain groups that was torn from the Harvest Church, and a few proselytizing to the true Earth Mother gathered to form a part in an ancient secret organization.
It was a rather small faction, consisting of only thirty members, with no powerhouses excluding his grandfather.
However, once the Child of God reborn, he believed that their situation will change.
She will reclaim Her thrown as the Deity of the Harvest Church. Banishing the false believers of their pedestals!
Just as he enters the building with a grin on his mouth. Suddenly, intense darkness surged forth, both consuming him and the surroundings.
...
In a dilapidated apartment. 14 Court Street, East Borough.
Dylan phased out from the chaotic blend of colors.
A blue stone engraved on the bracelet from his hand suddenly shattered into bits.
His back was drenched in a cold sweat.
An intense fear and alarm bloomed from his heart.
He hurriedly dashed for his belongings upstairs, quickly wrote a monograph for the officials and tried to phased once again from the remaining gems on the bracelet.
But at this moment. Chains erupted from the shadows.
Dylan collapsed from the force and was rooted powerfully by the chains.
Thud!
"You're quite slippery..." A condescending voice of a man echoed from the door frame.
In his hand, clutched a poker card. The patterns exactly had five diamonds, but it faded to only four.
Dylan's eyes turned bloodshot, "I'm not with them!"
"Ho?" The man was amused by his confession.
"Then... What are you? You're merely their subordinate."
Dylan held his head down. Gritting.
"What is your reason for joining this small faction? To attain the resurrection of your god?"
His grin grew sinister.
"You're a traitor yourself... Aren't you?"
He paused. Dylan knew himself, he knew that at some point the dangers would soon appear before him.
"Since we're fellow traitors, why not join our side officially?
"You're an outstanding asset even to them, being able to contact the officials freely."
Dylan's eyes widened. At the mention of outside identity, his facade crumbled.
"..."
The man with crimson eyes retracted his illusory bat wings.
"You're not going to talk? Perhaps a certain someone with short golden hair would do..."
Dylan forced his teeth together in aggression. Red droplets began to drip from his jaw.
He could not lift his head. Forced to bow, he muttered gravely, "How... Did you know of her?"
"Xio Dere... Haha, it wasn't hard to obtain intel for someone who had quite a significant origin..."
The man relaxed while he maintained the chains formed from the shadows.
"Before that, I have to express my gratitude for confirming our suspicions. The rest of the forsaken group who dared call themselves the true Rose School of Thought, really went here in Loen Kingdom to hide.
"As for that little missy, Xio or... Haha, right. She call herself now as Xio Derecha. She had a father who was accused and ended up gruesomely, it was a very hot topic a few decades ago."
The man walked and welcomed himself to the room casually taking a seat by the chair.
"We knew you are a cynical person, it led a few of our members to take interest in you and your activity...
"So seeing you here now as a rat wasn't surprising. Hey, maybe you can be of use."
Dylan's body was slowly being tightened by the growing chains, beginning from his arms.
His veins could not take the pressure. Each one bulged from the paleness of his skin.
"Argh!"
The man calmly leaned in, and faced him directly.
"Just join us, and you'll live."
...
"Good morning. Did you two have a good night's sleep?" Dunn asked with concern.
Selina smiled, "Yes, I hope you did as well."
"Old Neil is skilled, and his magic work wonders." Satisfied, Dunn nodded and shifted to Klein, "As for you?"
Klein answered honestly, "Better than I expected. I didn't even have nightmares. But I still feel heavy and a little disgusted when I recall it."
"Heavy and a little digusted?" Selina can't help but cut in.
Dunn held up his smokeless pipe and gently said, "Klein, do you want me to tell her?"
Klein hesitated but agreed after an internal consideration.
"Moretti was the one who dealt the finishing blow to the suited clown. As much for his first time, it had to be done."
That was his first time killing someone?
Selina turned to see Klein facing forward.
As much as she wanted to quickly inform Dunn of her findings surrounding her neighbor's situation. The atmosphere was unsuited for that discussion.
After chatting about the weather, Dunn raised a matter.
"The Holy Cathedral has replied to my telegram. Borgia, Lorotta, and company are to immediately escort Sealed Artifact 2-049 and the Antigonus family's notebook back to Backlund. They've also sent an additional Nighthawk yesterday afternoon via steam locomotive to help."
"I believe that they've already set off by now."
Klein was taken aback. Relief was etched across his form.
"May the Goddess bless them and that they will have a smooth journey." After a few seconds of silence, he made a gesture on his chest in the sign of the crimson moon.
Dunn wore his hat and pointed out the door.
"I have to patrol the Raphael Cemetery Garden. Heh, I forgot one thing. The investigations of Leonard and the police department has borne fruit. They found the carriage driver that drove them. We have confirmed their temporary residence in Tingen City, but they are rather cautious. They didn't leave behind any valuable clues."
"As expected of an ancient secret organization," Klein echoed wistfully.
Dunn nodded and bade farewell to Selina before turning for the door.
He stopped three seconds later and turned his head to Klein.
"Also, the Holy Cathedral needs another two to three days before they notify us of your application to become an official member. Heh heh, this is dealt with by a different department, separate from the one that deals with the Antigonus family's notebook. They have different levels of efficiency."
"I understand," Klein replied sincerely.
"You're going to be a formal member now. I heard you were new before?" Selina's pleasant voice echoed from his side.
Klein turned to her and nodded, "It was only for a month. Thank the Goddess."
Selina chuckled behind her finger.
"But... Since implications would surely happen whenever a mission took place. Won't the captain issue a compensation?" She acutely noticed after hearing their exchange in the end.
This only meant one thing now for both her and Klein as the latter went silent.
Captain forgot...
Watching Dunn leave, Selina heard the brown-haired Rozanne suddenly exclaim.
"Goddess! Klein, are you becoming a formal member? You haven't even joined us for a month!"
Klein smiled.
"After I consumed the Seer potion, it was only a matter of time."
So Mr. Moretti is a Seer Beyonder?
Selina assumed a sideline position as she smiled while waiting.
"That's reasonable..." Rozanne fell into a daze for a few seconds before suddenly sighing. "I was praying that you finished your mysticism lessons so that you could be added to the roster for watching the armory, but... Goddess, I have to be on duty every two days. I'm not a Sleepless! My skin, my state of mind. Goddess, save me!"
"Shouldn't you be very familiar to such a lifestyle? Before I joined, it has always been you, Bredt, and Old Neil who took turns, right?" Klein asked, puzzled.
"On one hand, Ms. Roy had joined just a few days ago. You should look forward for her mysticim lesson to finish."
When she heard this, Selina's expression weakened.
"I'll try my best to finish it as soon as possible Ms. Rozanne", she said kindly.
"No no, Old Nail talks about keeping at your pace! Wishing you to finish early would only mean petty of me! Yes, Klein should be the one not you."
Rozanne shook her head with a depressed look.
"As for your first reply Mr. Moretti. No, there were four previously, five even earlier. Unfortunately, Kenley chose to become a Sleepless. Viola did not choose to extend her contract last month and joined the Khoy Noel Machinery Company. She's a gifted girl when it comes to creation. She only lacked the opportunity and money. Five years as a civilian staff allowed her to have enough savings."
Having said this, Rozanne suddenly glanced at Klein and laughed with her mouth covered.
"I've thought of a good solution. Klein, get married as soon as possible. Then, accidentally expose the secret of Beyonders to her. This is considered a very minor leak so there won't be any particularly heavy penalties. After all, who can lie to a person who shares the same bed with you over prolonged periods of time. You can introduce her to us when that happens make her a civilian staff member! What a perfect plan!"
The corners of Klein's mouth twitched.
Selina could not help but chuckle from the side.
Rozanne was dashingly certain of her plan when she remembered Selina beside him.
"Ah right..." She suddenly began pulling herself away.
What is that expression now...?
Selina raised an eye while watching.
"Perhaps this lady has already been found but unfortunately, she was yet to complete certain things before accompanying us..." She said with disappointment.
Her eyes that was looking lustrous before suddenly went melancholic.
What? What does she mean by that?
Selina's turn to express bewilderment came at the sight of this.
Klein sighed.
"Miss Rozanne, you can also quickly find a husband. It should be even easier. I believe you have the adequate means to divulge the secret to him."
Rozanne's eyes widened and her mouth turned agape when she heard him.
"How can I? Marriage is a very serious matter. I have to carefully pick and observe him over a period of time to ensure that he's alright."
That is not what you said moment ago... Selina commented, feigning understanding for the receptionist's nature.
After they engaged in a small talk. Klein turned to her and offered, "Shall we go?"
Selina nodded.
Faint steps echoed in the confinement of the tunnel.
At the interception. Selina instinctively took the path to the alchemy room when Klein stopped her.
"Ms. Roy, at this time, Old Neil should be at the armory room."
"Oh, I'll just continue the documents I left off yesterday", she said while maintaining respect.
Klein nodded briefly and did not insist as he began treading his own path.