Chapter 7: Preparation for the Event
Tap. Tap. Tap.
My fingers tapped the desk in my room with an irregular rhythm as I meticulously examined the red revolver and the featureless mask.
"Huh... I should have asked Mr. Hobert about the negative effects of these items first!" I complained inwardly with annoyance, having realized this crucial point only hours later.
After all, while I was at Mr. Hobert's shop, I was too focused on the Blasphemy Card and too afraid that acting strangely would get me killed by him. But it was still frustrating not knowing the negative side effects of these items, making it impossible for me to use them.
If I were to force the use of these items, my soul might be unknowingly shattered, I could lose my original identity, or I might go insane. So, I wouldn't entertain the foolish idea of using them!
It was truly aggravating, especially considering these items weren't cheap at all. Hah... I felt like I'd been tricked by that old man! How stupid.
"Hmm... I suppose I could try to recall information about similar weapons from the novel to at least guess the effects of these items," I thought unconsciously, stroking my chin as I pondered information about Beyonder artifacts from the novel.
I thought about the Axe of Hurricane that Klein had bought for Derrick Berg and tried to remember if any negative effects or the weapon's powers were mentioned in the novel.
I recalled that the weapon had the effect of summoning a lightning strike and could paralyze opponents with a certain percentage chance, though I wasn't sure of the exact probability.
Honestly, thinking about that made me very curious about what this revolver could actually do, since according to Mr. Hobert's statement, it could be used to ward off evil spirits and make its wielder more accurate in aiming, right? But perhaps there were other, stronger effects beyond those two; after all, the items were so expensive, so their effects were likely more substantial.
However, putting that aside, I genuinely couldn't remember the Axe of Hurricane having any negative side effects. I unconsciously let out a sigh, feeling utterly confused about these objects.
"Could it be that these items actually have no negative side effects?" Such a random thought suddenly popped into my head because I truly didn't know how these items could be useful. But upon further reflection, it was clear that it was impossible for this revolver to have no negative effects, especially since... I'm not Klein, who could remain safe from such things!
Hah... Whatever. But I was also curious about this shapeless mask. Wasn't it incredibly advanced? I mean, I could change my face to that of another person.
Following this logic, could the effect be what I imagined? Perhaps this mask would make me unconsciously mimic another person's behavior or act like them, or gradually transform me into that person the more I used it.
Hey! Could this be used to create a completely new identity? I mean, I could recreate my original face from Earth but with Loen characteristics using this. Was something like this possible, and could I counter the negative effects I was thinking of?
The thought that I could counter an artifact's negative effects made me smirk slightly, but I remembered that the way negative effects worked probably wasn't like this; it was just my speculation. I couldn't truly know the negative effects without asking Mr. Hobert.
But I supposed... even though I didn't know the negative effects of these two items, I should still keep the revolver as an emergency defense tool. After all, anyone would be afraid of being shot with a revolver, right?
"Right, that's probably the best decision I can make for now," I muttered and promptly picked up the strange red revolver.
As my fingers brushed the surface of the red revolver, it felt like touching ice that never melted, accompanied by faint whispers that seemed to want to seep into the crevices of my mind.
I ignored it and quickly placed the revolver in my right pocket.
Then, I immediately shifted my gaze to the tarot card deck and picked up the 'The Star' card.
"Is it possible for me to crack its code?" I stared at the 'The Star' card depicting Roselle, thinking of the most likely code Roselle would have set for this card.
Since this card was associated with the sky, could the code for this Blasphemy Card be the name of a sky deity from Chinese mythology? After all, Roselle was Chinese, right? Maybe he really did base the codes on the names of Chinese deities.
I furrowed my brow, trying to recall the names of deities related to the sky in Chinese mythology.
Actually... I remembered one name: the Goddess "Chang'e". I remembered it because I had studied some deity names from Chinese mythology while reading a few web novels, and this Goddess's name happened to be among them.
But honestly, besides the Goddess "Chang'e", I couldn't remember any other gods or goddesses related to outer space. Of course, I'm not Chinese.
But I figured I should try at least once, even though I wasn't sure if it would actually work. After all, Chang'e is the Moon Goddess, not a Star Goddess.
"Chang'e," I uttered the goddess's name towards the Blasphemy Card in Loenese, but nothing happened. Then I tried in ancient Feysac and Hermes, but the result was still nil.
"Of course, it didn't work... If he really used Chinese mythology for the codes, no one in this world would be able to decipher his Blasphemy Cards, while Roselle clearly wanted someone to decipher them," I mumbled to myself and then placed the 'The Star' card back on my large wooden desk.
I stood up and looked again at my desk, cluttered with various books on economics, the history of the Loen Kingdom, the Northern Continent, and several books about Emperor Roselle and the Fourth Epoch. I then picked up the Tarot card deck and the white, featureless mask.
After that, I immediately walked towards the large wardrobe with its uniquely patterned inlays and carefully placed the two mystical items inside, arranging them in a way that wouldn't be easily discovered by the working servants.
Having done that, I walked back to my wooden desk. As soon as I sat down, I picked up one of John's blank notebooks because I wanted to write down my knowledge about the world of Lord of The Mysteries.
Of course, I wouldn't write down everything about it... after all, I don't know everything about Lord of the Mysteries, and worse, many of my memories about this world have been erased. But I could write down some things that weren't too dangerous.
I picked up a pen and started twirling it in my hand. I planned to write in English, but I would try to disguise it as some random personal notes, so I would also add unrelated Loinese passages alongside the main text in the book.
I stopped twirling the pen and began writing in the book using Loinese first.
"June 26, 1349. I am very curious about Emperor Roselle's secret code, but I still cannot decipher it. Honestly, I'm starting to think it might just be his random scribblings." I wrote that down, unconsciously smiling.
Then, I wrote in English below that random note.
"Pathway: Visionary. Sequence 9: Spectator.
Main Ingredient:A Matured Manhal Fish's Eyeball.
Supplementary Ingredients:
35 milliliters of Goat-Horned Blackfish Blood.
Or a Spectator Beyonder Characteristic.
Other Supplementary Ingredients:
80 milliliters of Purified Water.
5 drops of Autumn Crocus Essence.
13 grams of Cow Teeth Paeonol Powder.
7 petals of elf flowers."
"Acting Method: Whether it is at an extravagant banquet or in a lively street, a Spectator is always just a spectator - they can never take the stage themselves."
I continued writing, this time again in Loinese.
"I am truly sick of Father's plans for today. Marrying me off to someone I don't love? That's garbage." I looked at my writing and then continued in English below it.
"Sequence 8: Telepathist
Main Ingredients:
Rainbow Salamander(Phantom Netherdrake)'s complete pituitary gland.
10 milliliters of a Farsman Rabbit(Half Specter Rabbit)'s spinal fluid.
Or a Telepathist Beyonder Characteristic.
Supplementary Ingredients:
5 grams of Chestnut Spore.
8 grams of Dragon Tooth Grass Powder.
3 petals of Pure White Elf Flowers.
100 milliliters Purified Water.
"Acting Method: Do not be abrupt or act against logic and reason."
"Sequence 7: Psyche Analyst
Main Ingredients:
The fruit of the Tree of Elders.
A pair of eyes from a Mirror Dragon."Hah... I don't remember the supplementary ingredients.
"Acting Method: Unknown."
"Sequence 6: Hypnotist.
Ingredients:
Unknown.
Acting Method:
Unknown."
I then continued writing about various random thoughts in Loinese and listed the sequence names for the Visionary pathway, although I forgot the names for Sequences 2 and 3, so I ended up writing other names I knew, even though I had no idea about the potion ingredients beyond Sequence 7.
At least... the memories about this weren't erased. That was a positive aspect I could appreciate.
Finally, I closed the book and decided to write more another day, as it was almost unreasonable for me to write so much at once, which would seem suspicious to outsiders, and I wanted to avoid drawing suspicion towards myself.
I then stretched my arms in the chair and promptly stood up.
My eyes immediately went to the wall clock in the room, and I saw that it was already 1 o'clock, so I hurriedly headed out. After all, I needed to go to the event, right?
I immediately left the room and gazed at this house filled with many paintings, animal heads, and various incredibly expensive items.
As I walked, I thought about finding Fritzh to ask for more detailed information about the event. In the corridor adorned with expensive paintings, I encountered Viola, who seemed to have just finished her etiquette class. A faint scent of rose and lily clinging to her assailed my senses before she greeted me.
She immediately adjusted her posture, her hands moving with trained grace to smooth the folds of her dress before giving me a slight, respectful nod. Her smile was perfectly formed, warm enough for a sibling yet still containing the propriety dictated by our family's social stratum.
"Finished with university, Brother?" Her voice was soft yet clear, punctuating the silence of the corridor.
"No. I didn't attend classes today. There were some... matters that needed to be dealt with first," I replied, trying to mimic John's usual flat tone. A slight, almost imperceptible smile touched my lips without my realizing it, triggered by John's inherent memories of this younger sister.
"Matters?" Viola raised one eyebrow, a subtle question mark shining in her clear green eyes. "Is it something serious?"
She was too perceptive!
"Not really. Just buying some accessories for the event later. I want everything to be perfect," I said, offering the prepared lie. I hoped my sufficiently convincing flat tone would work.
"Ah, I see," she said, and for a moment, her eyes seemed to observe something on my face, a pause that made me slightly tense. However, her expression soon returned to a controlled smile. "I hope the preparations go smoothly, Brother."
She then held the hem of her skirt again, giving me an elegant, slightly bowed farewell. "Thank you for your time."
With calm and confident steps, she continued on her way, leaving me alone in the spacious corridor. Elizabeth, her personal maid, who had been standing silently a few steps behind, obediently followed her.
….
I found Fritzh near the greenhouse, where he was tending to some of the plants within the Manor.
I quickly approached him.
His tall and rather large frame soon noticed my presence behind him, and he immediately turned to face me.
"What is it, Young Master?" His old face with white hair and black eyes looked at me, his expression trying to be polite but clearly showing confusion at my sudden appearance.
"Fritzh, do you have the information for the event later?" I asked Fritzh with a confused expression, slightly raising one eyebrow.
"Yes, Young Master. I was just about to find you a moment ago to convey the information about this event," he said, looking at me with his black eyes. "It's quite a coincidence that you sought me out to ask about this." He smiled after saying that.
"Alright, please give me the information about it," I immediately urged him to provide the event details.
"The event will be attended by many nobles and several major businessmen besides this family," he revealed.
I didn't need that information! Everyone knows that an event attended by the royal family would naturally include other nobles or major businessmen.
"I already know that, Fritzh," I promptly interrupted him.
"However, I need specific information. Which important figures will be at this event?" I said this while pressing him to answer my question, as it was part of my strategy to avoid messing up the plot. Ultimately, me interacting with Prince Edessak alone might have already indirectly altered the plot, so I would make myself as uninteresting and as ordinary as possible, in line with John's memories.
"Of course, Young Master. The important figures attending the party are Prince Edessak, Prime Minister Aguesid Negan, and several domestic ministers of Loen," he said in his usual soft voice. "This event is meant for the various noble families and businessmen in Backlund who have assisted Loen up to now, so naturally, almost all important figures are coming," he continued.
Prime Minister Aguesid Negan? Isn't this event too big, and how can this family possibly interact with the prime minister?
Hah.. it's somewhat normal, as it's ultimately impossible for Klein to interact with everyone in the world, and it makes perfect sense that this family wouldn't interact with him. After all, Klein had no reason to interact with this family, and clearly, most truly wealthy people or nobles in the Loen Kingdom were very reclusive; it's rather impossible for Klein to suddenly meet them, But with the information that the ministers would come Audrey's father would definitely come to this event.
But at least I knew about this now, and I would be very careful at the event! Since Audrey's father would be there, there was a small chance Audrey might suddenly appear, although I was less sure because she wasn't an adult yet, but better safe than sorry, right?
Suddenly, Fritzh's gently smiling face turned serious. He narrowed his eyes and looked directly into my green eyes.
"Actually, Young Master. Your father asked me to convey this to you as the heir of the Lynch family," Fritzh suddenly looked at me with a serious expression.
"Why?" I replied hastily, confused by this development.
"So... this world is not as simple as we imagine," he said to me, still serious.
"This world holds many mysterious and illogical things that don't align with everything we understand," he continued.
"There are people with abilities that make them far stronger than normal humans and grant them supernatural powers, and the majority of them are state assets," he said.
Wait? Did he mean Beyonders? How should I respond to this? Shouldn't this be shocking news for John, as he should be learning about this only now?
Unconsciously, my heart beat faster because I was suddenly involved with information I never expected to receive from this family.
Was this family a Beyonder family? Hah, this development was truly strange, as all my memories of this family were completely normal, and it seemed almost impossible that any member was a Beyonder.
"What do you mean, Fritzh? Are you drunk?" I said this while pretending to be confused by Fritzh's statement and furrowing my brow, putting on a surprised expression as I tried to act like the original John.
"No, Young Master, this is reality," he looked at me with black eyes showing seriousness. "Those who possess abilities beyond normal humans and supernatural powers are called 'Beyonders,' and as the heir of the Lynch family, your father asked me to inform you of this because this family is a significant donor to the Church of Steam and Machinery and this nation, so it's not impossible that you will interact with them."
"This is absurd, Fritzh," I expressed to him with my fake surprised expression.
My hands were sweating, but I still wanted to test my luck. I thought I should probe whether this family was some kind of Beyonder family or not.
"If this is true, does our family count among those 'Beyonders'?" I asked this in a hesitant tone, as if shaken by this information.
"No, the Lynch family are not 'Beyonders,' but the family has been involved with 'Beyonders' on several occasions, so you need to know this to protect your safety," he revealed in a neutral tone.
"Alright..." I sighed after he revealed that and continued pretending to know nothing about this.
…
I was now inside the horse-drawn carriage heading to the event venue, wearing the black tailcoat I had on, paired with a white waistcoat, a high-collared shirt and white cravat, blac
k trousers, and my white gloves, waiting to arrive at the event. "I hope this event goes successfully!" I prayed to the God of Steam and Machinery and the Evernight Goddess that nothing bad would happen at this event.