"Oh, quite a unique pendant," Klein remarked.
"Thank you, it's a new friend of mine," Old Neil replied with a gentle laugh.
"Ah? Uh… Old Neil, the friend you've made seems a bit… hmm, unusual." Klein's tone shifted, unease creeping in. Could Old Neil be suffering from senility?
Old Neil's voice was warm: "Little Klein, never let the prejudices of the world cloud your eyes."
"Do you know, Klein? I have a dream—a dream that on the soil of the Loen Kingdom, the sons of trash bins and the sons of humans can sit together at the same table, close as brothers."
With that said, Old Neil began teaching Klein about the "pendulum method," a form of divination.
...
Inside a private chemistry lab stocked with instruments and materials, Sairuis crouched in the corner with a camera in hand.
He was here once again to record a legendary moment. Though he now looked very much like a creepy voyeur, he simply could not bear to miss the birth of the great Dog of Imagination.
In the room, the tall, golden-haired Audrey gazed at the cup in her hand. Countless bubbles rose from within, filling the atmosphere with serenity.
Finally, the liquid in the cup condensed into a silvery-white potion.
"Haha! I knew I had a talent for mysticism! I succeeded on the first try! I was worried I'd fail, so I prepared enough for two attempts!" The young lady exclaimed joyfully to herself.
I did it! I really did it! I've refined an elixir of immortality!
She carefully put away the spare ingredients, some taken from the family treasury and some traded from others, then drew a deep breath. Closing her eyes, she prepared to drink the "Spectator" potion.
Just then, a loud "woof, woof, woof" came from outside the lab. Audrey's brows furrowed. She set the cup of silvery liquid into a shadowed corner, turned, and went to the door.
"Susie, who is it?" Audrey asked as she twisted the handle, addressing the golden retriever sitting upright at the door.
Insolence! How dare this mere potion-testing maid question the great Dog of Imagination!
The Dog of Imagination was still weak at this time. Faced with such "arrogance" from the test-maid, she could only choose patience. Susie, the golden retriever, wagged her tail ingratiatingly, while the close maid Anne appeared in the nearby corridor.
Audrey stepped out of the lab, shut the door behind her, and said to Anne: "Haven't I told you? Do not disturb me when I'm doing chemical experiments."
Anne answered apologetically: "But this is an invitation from the Duchess, Lady Della."
So that's it—our great Dog of Imagination had already laid a subtle trap, drawing her away. No wonder Suzie began playing the role of 'writer' so early. Terrifying foresight!
"Duke Negan's wife?" Audrey asked, stepping closer to Anne.
"Yes. She invited your lady mother and you to afternoon tea, with the royal baker Madam Vivi in attendance," Anne explained, holding up the card.
Audrey puffed her cheeks slightly, then said: "Tell my mother I feel dizzy—perhaps from the sun, maybe dehydrated. Ask her to apologize to Lady Della on my behalf."
She even put on a delicate, weakened expression. During etiquette lessons, her teacher had taught her how to faint gracefully.
She can dehydrate at will? Could it be the Trisolarans have infiltrated Earth this deeply?
"Miss, this is not just afternoon tea—it's also a literary salon," Anne pressed.
"That won't cure my dizziness. I need to rest." Audrey refused firmly.
Meanwhile, she muttered inwardly: If she insists, I'll faint right here. My etiquette teacher said my act was flawless… Wait, did I just hear something?
So that's Susie's path of advancement! Who could have foreseen this?!
"…Very well," Anne sighed. "Shall I escort you back to your room?"
"No need, I'll tidy up the lab first." Audrey longed to return and drink the potion, but she restrained herself, waiting until Anne had gone before hurrying back.
Suddenly, she realized Susie was missing from outside, and the lab door was ajar.
I've been reborn, back to the day before Audrey drinks the potion. This time, I will take back everything that was once mine!
"Oh no—I forgot Susie can open doors with handles… What's that sound?!" Hearing a faint noise inside, Audrey suddenly connected the dots and rushed in.
Her eyes fell upon the shattered cup on the floor, the last drop of silvery liquid being licked up by Susie, and the crooked grin on the golden retriever's face.
The three years are up. All hail the return of the Dog King.
Audrey froze at the doorway like a statue. Susie sat down properly, wagged her tail, and looked up innocently at her master.
From his hiding spot, Sairuis captured the scene on camera.
Here we praise the birth of the Dog of Imagination.
...
Some time later, Audrey, still shaken, managed to complete a second brew. Staring at the potion, identical to the first, she was moved almost to tears.
To avoid further accidents, she quickly downed the potion in one gulp, refining it at once.
...
Days later, at a grand banquet.
The enormous hall glittered with chandeliers, each adorned with candles that gave off both a pleasant fragrance and a radiance rivaling gas lamps.
Meanwhile, Klein was feeding coins into the gas meter.
On long tables were laid roasted goose liver, grilled steaks, roast chickens, fried sole, Dixy oysters, stewed lamb, creamy soups, and bottles of Mist Champagne, Ormir wine, and Nanwell red. Under the lights they shone with an inviting brilliance.
Klein, who had just mastered a new ritual spell, was delighted. His supper today would be meat soup and white bread.
Servants in red waistcoats carried trays with crystal glasses, weaving between elegantly or lavishly dressed guests.
Klein stretched and rose from the sofa, heading to the kitchen to check the iron basin for ingredients.
Audrey Hall wore a pale white gown with a high collar, raised waistline, and puffed leg-of-mutton sleeves. The bodice was tightly cinched, her waist impossibly slender, the layered cake-like skirt propped perfectly by whalebone hoops.
Her golden hair was elegantly pinned up. Earrings, necklace, and rings gleamed brilliantly. On her feet were white dancing shoes adorned with roses and diamonds.
Klein brushed the dust from his coat and hung it on the rack.
Unlike usual, Audrey did not place herself at the center of the banquet, the focus of all eyes. Instead, she avoided the noise, standing quietly in the shadow of the floor-to-ceiling curtains.
She had become the (false) master behind the curtain of shadows.
Taking a sip of champagne, she looked at the crowd with an air of detachment, as though she didn't belong here at all.
Suddenly her spirituality stirred. She turned sharply to gaze out the window—at the wide balcony and its darkened corner.
There, in the shadow, sat a golden retriever, watching quietly. Half of its body was swallowed by darkness, its gaze fixed firmly on Audrey.
Audrey could not help but think of Emperor Roselle's poem: You stand on the bridge to view the scenery, while the one watching the scenery looks at you from the tower.
Susie… Audrey's mouth twitched. Her expression collapsed, her "Spectator" composure shattered.
She withdrew her gaze and walked toward several young ladies chatting nearby.
It was time to fulfill Mr. Devil's request.
After all, it was just another task from Mr. Devil. (Sad.)
(End of Chapter)