In that fleeting moment, Klein almost thought he had traveled back in time, but the elegant gas lamp surrounded by brass grids and the silver tin can in which old Neil ground coffee clarified the reality for him.
Could this predecessor of the transmigrators, Rosell Emperor, be a compatriot?
Did he record secrets using simplified Chinese characters that didn't exist in this world?
With an indescribable sense of familiarity in a foreign land, Klein quickly skimmed through the three pages of manuscript in his hand:
"On November 18th, something miraculous happened. An outlandish experiment and a chance occurrence led me to discover a pitiable fellow trapped in the midst of a storm, lost in the depths of darkness. He could only come close to the real world during every full moon, yet still couldn't convey his cries. He was fortunate to meet me, the protagonist of this era."
"After writing the above paragraph, I read it over and felt a twinge of emotion. Even when using Chinese characters, I unknowingly infused it with a strong translation flavor. Forty years have passed in the blink of an eye, and past memories truly feel like a dream."
"On January 1, 1184, a grand New Year's Eve party. Lady Flornel is truly an exquisite beauty."
"On January 2nd, the gentlemen of my Diplomatic Committee are all fools!"
"On January 3rd, my initial choices were too hasty. Now, it seems that both the 'apprentice' and the 'diviner' or even the 'thief' would have been better. Unfortunately, there's no turning back now."
"On January 4th, why are my children so foolish? I've said it ten thousand times, don't be fooled by those charlatans. No, perhaps those charlatans have also been fooled themselves. The key to alchemy is not mastery, but digestion! It's not excavation, but enactment! And the name of alchemy is not just a core symbol, but also a concrete image, and even the 'key' to digestion!"
"On September 22nd, opposition against me is mounting. From the north in Frasok, to the east in Rune, to the south in Fenibot, my enemies have finally united, but I am not afraid. I will show them with facts that the gap in weapons and insight cannot be filled by numbers and low-ranking members. Furthermore, I still have capable subordinates, and as for the high-end... heh, have they forgotten who I am?"
"On September 23rd, I lost contact with the ship searching for the 'Abandoned Land of the Gods.' Perhaps it's time to consider inventing the wireless telegraph. Hopefully, it won't be affected by the storm."
"On September 24th, Miss Isaca is even more charming than Lady Flornel. Perhaps I am just reminiscing about my youth."
As these were copies transcribed from the original, based on the complexity of Chinese characters, the volume of each character was enlarged, resulting in sparse content on each page. Even so, Klein was still deeply engrossed, especially by Rosell Emperor's description of the key to alchemy, which made him feel a surge of joy as if he had found a "path to solving the problem" and gained access to priceless secrets.
"Perhaps this is the guiding light to my future as an extraordinary person!"
"Hmm, these three pages are respectively diaries from different periods. It can be seen that Rosell Emperor only wrote at the beginning of each year. The ones from November and September can't be determined which year they belong to for now..."
"Who is the pitiable fellow he discovered?"
"What exactly do 'digestion' and 'enactment' refer to?"
"Where is the 'Abandoned Land of the Gods'?"
...
Each question bubbled up in Klein's mind, fueling his excitement, making him eager to collect all of Rosell Emperor's diaries and read them from start to finish!
"Klein?" At this moment, old Neil on the opposite side spoke in confusion.
Klein snapped out of his thoughts, quickly covering up with a smile.
"I thought I might be the most special one, wanting to try deciphering and interpreting."
"You're truly a young man," old Neil chuckled and nodded. "I also once thought I was the most special one."
Klein glanced over the three pages of manuscript on his desk, made sure he hadn't missed anything, then returned them and casually asked:
"Do we only have these few?"
I want to see more of Rosell Emperor's diaries!
"Do you think there would be many?" old Neil chuckled, deeply amused by the thought. "Each year, there aren't many events involving the extraordinary and the mysterious. Oh, it's mainly because the extraordinary species are gradually disappearing from our northern continent. Without them, there wouldn't be much more alchemy. As a result, there are fewer and fewer extraordinary people. Over the past few centuries, dragons, giants, and elves have become mere records in books, and even the sea races no longer appear near the coast."
Hearing this, Klein suddenly remembered a joke and immediately laughed:
"I think it's time to establish the 'Dragon and Giant Protection Association'."
Old Neil listened with a puzzled expression, taking a while to grasp the meaning. Once he did, he tapped the table lightly, laughing heartily, not quite gentlemanly:
"Haha, Klein, you're such a humorous person. It's a tradition in our Rune Kingdom for young people to have a sense of humor. I think we shouldn't be too narrow-minded. How can we only focus on dragons and giants? It should be called the 'Magical Creatures Protection Association'."
"No, no, no, how could we forget about those poor plants?" Klein shook his head.
At this point, he and old Neil locked eyes and simultaneously exclaimed:
"The Magical Beings Protection Association!"
As their voices fell, they shared a knowing smile, and the awkward atmosphere from before dissipated somewhat.
"Interesting young people like you are becoming rarer and rarer... Where did I leave off just now?" Old Neil's wrinkled face broke into a smile. "I remembered, each year there aren't many events involving the extraordinary and the mysterious. The idiots who worship Rosell Emperor are a minority within a minority. We're lucky to have three pages of manuscripts... Hmm, other cathedrals or parishes might have more..."
He whispered a few words, then took the "chit" that Klein had placed on the table earlier and glanced at it:
"Is it pistol bullets, rifle bullets, or steam high-pressure gun bullets?"
"A revolver," Klein replied truthfully based on the actual situation.
"Alright, I'll go fetch them. Oh, do you have an armpit gun holster? As a gentleman, one shouldn't let one's waist and below bulge out conspicuously in public," Old Neil joked with a joke that every man would understand.
"Heh, no, should I ask the captain to write it down?" Klein smiled in response, playing along.
Old Neil stood up and said:
"No need, just record it properly. It's considered 'accessory items'. Repeat after me, 'accessory items'."
"Have you been a teacher before?" Klein asked with a chuckle.
"I spent some time in Sunday schools and free schools at the church." Old Neil raised the chit and took out
the key from the drawer, unlocking the iron door leading to the inner room.
There doesn't seem to be much difference between extraordinary people and ordinary ones... Klein muttered silently, then turned his gaze back to the three-page diary on the table.
Rosell Emperor did indeed delve into mysterious realms...
His diary is priceless...
To others, it's just scraps of paper, waiting to be deciphered who knows when. But to me, it's a treasure!
I wonder where the remaining diaries are...
I need to find a way to uncover more...
Klein's thoughts surged, unable to calm down, until Old Neil emerged from the inner room and closed the iron door.
"Ten hunter bullets, thirty pistol bullets, a cowhide armpit gun holster, and a badge from the Special Operations Department Seventh Unit. Check them, try them on, and sign in the logbook," Old Neil placed the items on the table.
The pistol bullets were packed in a paper box, divided into three layers, neatly arranged, golden yellow like those in Klein's home, slightly elongated.
The "hunter bullets" were packed in a small iron box, with the same shape as normal pistol bullets, but with a silver-white exterior, intricate dazzling patterns when observed closely, and even engraved with the insignia of "Blackbottom Stars Red Crescent" on the bottom.
The cowhide gun holster felt sturdy, with a buckle on the strap. Beside it was a badge half the size of a palm, with an iron background and silver lettering of "Ahova County Police Department" and "Special Operations Department Seventh Unit." They formed two almost closed circles around the symbol of "crossed swords crowning a crown."
"It's a pity it's not a badge from the Night Watch." Klein said half in regret, half in inquiry.
Old Neil smiled, only urging Klein to try on the armpit gun holster.
Taking off his coat, Klein struggled to fasten the holster tightly under his left arm.
"Not bad," he didn't take it off, but instead put on his formal attire directly.
Old Neil glanced at him, nodded in satisfaction:
"Very fitting, my judgment is still as accurate as ever."
After putting away the other items in his pocket and signing his name in the logbook, Klein chatted with Old Neil for a few more moments before bidding farewell and leaving.
Halfway through, he suddenly felt regretful and slapped his forehead:
"I forgot to inquire about more sequences and alchemy-related matters. Blame it on Rosell Emperor's diary..."
He still didn't know what the complete 'pathway' sequence initiation, Sequence 9, held by the Church of the Night Goddess was.
Roshan seemed to have mentioned something... Insomniac? As Klein leisurely walked towards the stairs, a figure descended quickly.
He was wearing tight-fitting trousers for ease of movement, a white shirt untucked, exuding a distinct poet's romantic aura. It was the black-haired, green-eyed officer who had searched Klein's house earlier, and they had briefly met upstairs, but hadn't spoken.
"Good afternoon," the young Night Watcher greeted with a smile as poetic as his appearance.
"Good afternoon, I suppose there's no need for introductions?" Klein responded humorously.
"No need, I remember you quite well," the young Night Watcher extended his right hand, "Leonard Mitchell, Sequence 8, the 'Midnight Poet.'"
Sequence 8... truly a poet... Klein lightly shook his hand and asked with a smile:
"I left a deep impression?"
Leonard Mitchell's green eyes were deep as he replied with a faint smile:
"You have a certain special aura."
...Quite flamboyant... Klein's lips twitched slightly as he forced a smile, "I don't feel that way myself."
"Having encountered such an event and not immediately seeking our protection, yet still alive, is special in itself," Leonard pointed ahead. "I'll be taking over from the captain. See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow." Klein stepped aside to make way.
As he gradually disappeared at the end of the stairs, Leonard Mitchell suddenly turned around, gazing at the dim light and the stone floor, murmuring to the air in a low voice:
"Do you see anything..."
...Indeed, he's not particularly special...