Outside the small Dock Union Hall building, Closfia, seemingly invisible to passersby, frowned and muttered to herself, "It's as if everyone has completely forgotten about the 'Giant'…
"Is Lanevus using the True Creator's power?
"Or perhaps… is this the handiwork of 'Pride'…"
Pondering for a moment, Closfia figured that if "Pride" had truly been involved, he would undoubtedly boast about it at the next High Council meeting, giving her the chance to confirm her suspicions.
But for now, the priority was to assist Dunn in cleansing whatever trace of the True Creator lingered on Lanevus—a task best left to the official Beyonders.
Sigh, to become a competent "Manipulator" without relying on supernatural powers to alter minds, truly pulling the strings of people's "fates" and orchestrating a "play" is no easy feat… There are always too many unexpected turns… though, I must say, the results have been rather satisfying.
Sighing at the thought, Closfia began going through her list of acquaintances in Backlund, searching for a secure "reporting" channel—one that wouldn't raise Pride's suspicions.
It didn't take long for her to settle on a target.
…
Not long after Closfia left, Klein, equipped with his fake reporter credentials, finally managed to confirm that Lanevus was indeed hiding within the Dock Union Hall.
Only once he reached the washroom did he allow himself to tremble, bending over as his mouth spread into a silent smile. He laughed so hard he couldn't stand upright, a glistening tear finally dropping onto the ground.
His body's shaking stemmed from instinctual fear! His emotions were on the brink, reeling with horror and sorrow from the depths of his memory!
For he had once again sensed the aura of the True Creator!
After washing his face and steadying his nerves, Klein left the union hall.
Arriving at his new "safe house," he retraced his steps four times, ascending to the realm above the gray fog, where he shared the information he had obtained with Miss Justice and Miss Judgment, instructing them to report it to the Church.
…
Audrey, who was accompanying Suzy while her mother, Countess Caitlyn, chose dresses, froze in place as she received the "message" from Mr. Fool.
The Fallen Creator… isn't that the True Creator? That con artist is somehow linked to the True Creator's divinity? This… this simple task actually involves the True Creator's divine power! I knew it; Mr. Fool must have a deeper motive here… Clearly, he's targeting the True Creator… Mr. Fool is as formidable as ever! A rush of thoughts flooded Audrey's mind.
Just as she was about to excuse herself to contact Xio and Fors, the Countess suddenly appeared dazed before apologizing to her daughter, "Audrey, I have to go out for a bit, so I won't be able to continue helping you today…"
Though this worked out perfectly for her, Audrey, as a "Telepathist," keenly sensed that her mother was concealing something. Smiling, she assured her mother it was fine while signaling to Suzy with a glance.
Suzy immediately understood, subtly following the Countess as she left in a hurry.
After conveying the information to Fors and returning home, Audrey saw Suzy sneaking back in.
"What did my mother do?" Audrey asked curiously.
"She seemed to just sit in the garden for a while…" Suzy replied, her expression puzzled.
…
West Borough, Military Intelligence 9 Headquarters, 9 Bellotto Street.
Upon receiving Mr. Fool's instructions, Xio didn't act immediately but waited for Fors, who arrived out of breath, to pass along Miss Audrey's "request." Only then did she share Lanevus's information with the Nighthawks under the guise of information-sharing.
After some hesitation, she also brought the data to MI9 headquarters and submitted it to Lady Vera.
While Ebner had warned her about possible MI9 members colluding with the Aurora Order, Xio still trusted Lady Vera, who had promoted her. From what she had observed over the past few days, Vera seemed disinterested in some tasks but was certainly not the type to fraternize with cultists.
Moreover, since the intelligence was being shared with the Nighthawks, it wouldn't be appropriate not to inform her own agency. Failing to do so could raise suspicions if the truth surfaced later.
Lady Vera took a cursory look at the file, a peculiar smile flickering across her face. Shaking her head, she said, "I'll just file this away. No need to escalate it further… or you'll find yourself in quite a predicament."
Wait… could Lady Vera know that there are Aurora Order collaborators within MI9? Her tone seems to suggest that it's someone of high rank… but who among the higher-ups could make even Lady Vera hesitate? A demigod?
Xio maintained a calm exterior, but her mind was racing.
Sensing Xio's inner turmoil, Lady Vera said thoughtfully, "There are some things you're better off not knowing…"
Could that be why my father was falsely accused… because he knew too much?!
Xio pressed her lips together, not saying another word.
…
In a room beneath the Saint Samuel Cathedral in Backlund's North Borough.
Lady Lorretta, the "Gravedigger," held a document as she reported to Crestet Cesimir, who sat at the head of the table, his chin and mouth hidden behind his high collar.
"This is intelligence passed along from the Kingdom's nobility. They received word that the Aurora Order is attempting to bring the True Creator into Backlund, using Lanevus—one of the masterminds behind the Tingen massacre—as a vessel… He's currently hiding at the Dock Union Hall in East Borough."
Lorretta, a woman in her early thirties with striking black hair and a sharp appearance, wore a suit-like ensemble of black coat, white shirt, black fitted pants, and matching boots. Her lips curled slightly as she pronounced Lanevus's name, her tone heavy with disdain.
On the other side of the long table, Borgias, who had recently inspected the East Borough ruins with Daly, took out another file and said, "This information was shared by MI9. Its contents align with Lorretta's report… It appears to have come from spirit communication, so it should be reliable."
Cesimir took the two files, comparing them for a moment before frowning and asking, "A 'Rose Bishop' was killed… but Lanevus hasn't fled or relocated?"
"By all accounts, he should've escaped by now… but he hasn't… 'madmen' like him think differently from us," Lorretta said with a sneer.
Cesimir merely nodded. After a few more moments of thought, he stood and said, "Regardless of whether he has other plans, we need to take action.
"All members present will participate in tonight's operation… Additionally, I'll apply for Sealed Artifacts '1-063,' '1-088,' '2-042,' and '2-096' to ensure the True Creator's descent is stopped!"
"Yes, sir!" came the solemn replies.
Lorretta hesitated before finally asking, "Shall we inform Daly?"
Cesimir shook his head and replied firmly, "Her mental state remains unstable."
Once the team dispersed to prepare for the mission, Cesimir returned to his seat, a thought crossing his mind: Lord Saint Anthony accepted Lord Snek's request to handle a difficult case and won't return until tomorrow… The timing of this mission is all too convenient…
…
Dream Labyrinth Tower, Glaint Inn's luxury suite on Delahay Street.
Roselle was enthusiastically introducing his two companions, Grimm and Edwards, to Ebner. At the end, he joked, "Strange, with you, I now have three followers. If another joins in the future, I'll have the 'Four Horsemen'… Hmm, I need to come up with a nice title for us. How about 'The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?' How does that sound?"
But Caron is right here, isn't he? Though he's hiding well, he couldn't fool my eyes… that's already four people, right? Oh, right, Caron isn't exactly a "person"… well, never mind.
Suppressing a chuckle, Ebner asked, "Why specifically four horsemen?"
"Don't you think the 'Four Horsemen' sounds cool? Plus, it has a certain air of mystery…" Roselle waved his arm passionately, but upon seeing the curious glances from the other three, he sheepishly added, "Alright, I admit I just think 'Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse' has a nice ring to it."
You're just making a pop-culture reference, but without the memories of those references, it comes across as forced…
Still, this suggests Caron isn't meant to be part of the future "Four Horsemen"… so what does he count as? A "Four Horsemen" group of five, perhaps? Common sense at its finest.
After exchanging greetings with Grimm and Edwards, Ebner found them to be very welcoming. The two young men were energetic and enthusiastic, expressing genuine goodwill toward their new companion.
Once the pleasantries were over, Roselle took out the relic clues he'd found in the library and announced his plan for the adventure, which Edwards and Grimm eagerly endorsed.
If I recall correctly, Roselle's diary said a vote was required due to Caron's objections… but now, they're ready to go directly? Is this a "butterfly effect" I've caused?
It could be. In the original timeline, Grimm returned a day later… but here he arrived early.
Next, Ebner watched as Roselle efficiently arranged riverboat tickets, and by that afternoon, he and his three "horsemen," along with Caron in the shadows, embarked on their journey northward toward the Hornacis Mountains.
Then, in the blink of an eye, Ebner found himself back in the morning, surrounded by majestic mountain ranges.
Roselle, visibly fatigued, grumbled, "The mountain roads in the Loen Kingdom are atrocious. My backside feels shattered… As soon as we return, I'm improving the steam engine's power. I swear I'll bring steam trains and railways to the entire Northern Continent!"
Though he'd been expecting it, the abrupt scene shift left Ebner dumbfounded, prompting him to mutter internally:
What a dreadful map transition… not even a cutscene!
One-star review.
(End of Chapter)