"Doctor Strange?" Dunn looked at Ebner in puzzlement before nodding. "A classic character in Emperor Roselle's hero series… I have to say, your appearance is very similar to what the Emperor described…"
"Perhaps I'm someone who walked out of Roselle's novel?" Ebner smiled and teased.
Ever since he transmigrated, he had studied Roselle's various quotations and novels, so he naturally knew of the so-called hero series novels. Otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to give his alternate identity the name.
One had to know that be it the Goddess or Father Son, none of them were unfamiliar with the name of a superhero. If not for Roselle's endorsement, he would've immediately been targeted by the two if he revealed his "alternate identity."
Speaking of which, although Roselle's "hero" was a series of novels, it only wrote three stories, "Doctor Strange," "Iron Man," and "The Hulk." Perhaps it was because his imagination was too ahead of time, but these three novels weren't very popular more than a hundred years ago. Their influence was far inferior to "The Return of the Count of Monte Cristo."
Instead, it was only in the last ten years or so that these three novels regained their vibrancy and were deemed classic by many… but they were still niche.
The low sales might be the reason why Roselle didn't continue writing the "hero" series… Of course, it's more likely that the Church had interfered. After all, in order to fit in with the real world, Roselle had changed many stories and added some vague Beyonder knowledge.
And the reason why Ebner used this name as an "alt" was also because he considered that the acting of a "Polymath" might have a requirement of "fame"…With the gimmick of a classic character, "fame" was relatively simpler.
If not for the fact that the reputation of a Hero Detective had nothing to do with "erudite"—more like "love-making"—and how strict the Church's management of Sequence 6 Beyonders was, he wouldn't have wanted to expose himself… Why would he need to use another alt?
Dunn ignored Ebner's joke. He carefully observed the ritual structure in the hall and confirmed that there were no "evil" elements. He heaved a sigh of relief and asked again, "Doctor Strange, are you also a blood-sucking… Sanguine?"
"I'm not a Sanguine… You don't have to go through the trouble to probe me. I can tell you that I'm under orders to 'revive' you and provide you with some guidance." Ebner shook his head and went straight to the point.
"On orders… On whose orders?" Although Dunn was wary, he didn't show it. He asked cautiously, "Is it the high-level Sanguine powerhouse who gave me 'protection'?"
In a sense, you guessed right… Although this was on his mind, he wore a smile without saying a word. Although Lilith didn't ask him to hide it, he felt that it wasn't appropriate for such information to come out of his mouth.
When Dunn saw this, he knew that it was difficult to get something out of him. He could only change the topic and asked in a deep voice, "What was the guidance you mentioned previously?"
"My mission is to bring you to the Harvest Church at Enmat Harbor… As for the rest, you'll know when you get there," Ebner replied.
Through his analysis of Dunn's body, he had a general idea of Dunn's current situation. He knew that Dunn's mind was probably still in a mess and needed "treatment" from professionals… And if he wasn't surprised, there would be a professional waiting for him in the so-called "Harvest Church."
"Harvest Church? Church of Earth Mother…" Dunn lowered his guard when he heard that. The Church of Earth Mother was an organization of orthodox gods, so they wouldn't do anything evil.
The moment he woke up, the experienced Dunn knew that it would be difficult for him to return to the Church of Evernight and become a Nighthawk again…
Even if he were to force his way back, the best outcome would be to become a Keeper of Chanis Gate. He might even be imprisoned underground for extended periods of time…
It wouldn't have mattered if he had no strings attached. He could tolerate such treatment… However, he clearly remembered that a palm had penetrated Klein's chest just before he died!
There was obviously someone behind Tingen's series of events for the past three months, and that person eventually succeeded… He didn't know how many people in the company survived… But even if it was just Klein, he wanted to take revenge himself!
This made him temporarily unable to accept the fate of being imprisoned…
Besides, once I'm imprisoned, it would probably be difficult for me to meet Daly… And that would make me even less worthy of her…
Therefore, after pondering for a moment, Dunn asked again, "I accept your arrangements… Can I get the method to advance?" Typically, mysterious organizations would use such conditions to entice Beyonders to join, right?
Ebner shook his head and said with a smile, "How you advance is up to you… However, after coming to the Harvest Church, it should be helpful to your mental problems."
"You don't need me to join?" Dunn asked in surprise. Could it be that reviving me is just a daily act of kindness?
Just by looking at Bishop Utravsky's drawing style, one can tell that the faith of Earth Mother's pull people is voluntary… Besides, even if Lilith has a good relationship with the Goddess, "She" wouldn't directly poach him, right?
After lampooning a few times, Ebner shook his head and said in a suggestive manner, "Didn't that person tell you that 'He' was only doing a friend's favor?"
Regardless of who this "friend" was referring to, Klein definitely owed her a favor… Lilith didn't suffer any losses.
"'Him'?!" Dunn couldn't hide the shock in his voice. Although he had guessed that the Sanguine was at least an earl… he never expected him to be a duke at the angel level!
An angel definitely wouldn't lie to a trivial figure like me… But who among the people I know can make an angel think so highly of them? Who exactly is worthy of an angel scheming to "owe" me a favor?
As his thoughts raced, Dunn made up his mind. He stared at Ebner with his deep gray eyes and said in a deep voice, "I will follow you to Enmat Harbor so that you can complete your mission…" Then, he added in a mellow voice, "But before we set off, I have to confirm something…"
After a moment's thought, he guessed what Dunn was thinking. He asked with certainty, "You want to know the outcome of the battle at Blackthorn Security Company last Sunday… and who the mastermind is, right?"
"You know about it?" Dunn looked at him, his gray eyes filled with solemnity. It was obvious that he was afraid of hearing unacceptable news.
"First, don't worry. You successfully saved Tingen, and the spawn of an evil god didn't descend.
"In that battle, you, Klein Moretti, and the Keeper were the ones who died in battle… In addition, Ma'am Seeka and Leonard were only slightly injured.
"As for the mastermind… It's Ince Zangwill."
Using the original plot and the information provided by Bishop Utravsky, Ebner briefly told Dunn the results.
Dunn frowned slightly when he heard that. He retracted his gaze and muttered to himself as though he was in thought, "Ince Zangwill… 0-08… Those coincidences… So that's how it is. I understand. He's here for Saint Selena's ashes. All the previous incidents were to affect my psyche, making me make the wrong decision at the critical moment…"
After more than ten seconds, he looked back at Ebner and said, "Can we go to the cemetery to see Klein before we leave… It was my mistake that killed him…"
Upon hearing this request, Ebner's expression turned odd. After all, what was there to see in an empty grave? However, seeing how cooperative Dunn was, he didn't reject the request. When he saw that the sky was beginning to brighten, he took out a random-looking mask from his pocket and handed it over.
"This is a Clown mask. Wearing it will allow you to disguise yourself as another face… I don't think you want to be recognized by your former colleagues," Ebner hid his smile and said very seriously.
Dunn took the mask without hesitation and wore it. Soon after, his face began to squirm, and his flesh and skin began to undergo strange changes like half-melted wax. Finally, they combined to form the face of "Tony Stark," which Ebner had previously conjured.
Dunn stood up when he felt the twitching on his face stop. He walked to the full-body mirror in the corner of the hall and looked at it carefully. Finally, he nodded and said, "Not bad. People who aren't very familiar with it wouldn't be able to recognize it."
Then, Dunn changed into the clothes that Ebner had prepared for him. Then, he left the house one after another.
However, when Dunn came to the garden and saw the entire house, he could not help but sigh. "So I was resurrected in this house…"
"Is there anything special about this house?" Ebner was a few steps behind Dunn as he had to clear the ritual items. He was confused by Dunn's question.
"Klein, Leonard, and I had once fought Demoness Trissy here… Heh heh, if I had followed Klein's plan and used a cannon to bombard the house, I'm afraid this house wouldn't have existed…" At this point, Dunn suddenly fell silent. Then, he muttered with a hoarse voice, "Klein…"
…
In a corner of the Raphael Cemetery, in front of Klein's grave.
Dunn looked at the black-and-white photograph that was filled with a scholarly air. After a while, he stood up and said to Ebner, "Let's go."
Klein, as Captain, I will avenge you.
…
Meanwhile, Klein, who had just spent thirty pounds advertising his detective work in some newspapers, sneezed unnaturally.
He sniffed and looked up at the misty sky. He grumbled, "The air in Backlund sure is bad."
Following that, he picked up the Backlund Secrets News which had just spent the advertisements for him, and silently lampooned, "It costs so much to advertise… And Mr. Tower clearly didn't spend a single cent, but he has so much 'news'…"
Sigh, thinking of Mr. Tower reminds me of the "Fallen Morning Star" which Ince Zangwill had taken away… What reason should I use to muddle through this matter during the afternoon gathering?
…
At noon, Ebner and Dunn walked out of Enmat Harbor's steam locomotive together. Under the strange gaze of the carriage driver, they rushed to the Harvest Church in the outskirts of the city.
At least half of Enmat Harbor believed in the Lord of Storms, and the Church of Earth Mother had almost no believers here.
Therefore, the Harvest Church was much quieter than Backlund's Harvest Church, with only two priests presiding over it.
One of the priests was a man in his fifties. He had a lot of silver in his beard and hair. He had a kind face and a temperament similar to Bishop Utravsky.
As for the other person, she was a pretty lady. She looked to be in her thirties and had beautiful brown hair. When she smiled, there was a dimples at the corners of her mouth.
When they saw the two enter, they stood up and walked over.
The woman with long brown hair sized up Dunn before looking at Ebner. She smiled and said,
"I've already brought the milk cow you got my daughter to look for here. It's in the clearing behind the cathedral."