"I think we can trust him," Fors said after some thought. "Even though we only met him once, he didn't seem like a dangerous Beyonder."
"My instincts also tell me he's not malicious," Xio added. As a Arbiter, she trusted her judgment.
Audrey Hall, the Earl's daughter and a skilled Spectator, nodded thoughtfully. "I see. I think I should meet this person myself, at Mr. A's gathering. That way, even if he has bad intentions, we won't be in danger."
As a Spectator, Audrey had confidence that once she met the man, she could determine his true nature.
"Wise choice," Xio agreed, nodding.
After discussing the potion formulas, they chatted about some gossip. Guided by Audrey, the conversation naturally shifted to reading books. Fors and Xio, without realizing it, borrowed books with a note containing the name of The Fool.
Normally, an ordinary person would not read such a note immediately; it would take some time. But Xio, reliable in handling tasks, was unusually reckless when relaxed. Seeing the unfamiliar name, she instinctively read it aloud in her mind.
Later that evening at 15 Minsk Street, Klein was reading a newspaper, contemplating potential investments once his protection mission ended. Suddenly, he heard layered, ethereal prayers.
Someone had spoken The Fool's name.
'Who could it be? Miss Justice? Or a bank clerk copying codes?' Klein was puzzled. Glancing at Lynn and Leonard, who were also reading, he excused himself to the washroom. There, he quickly ascended above the gray fog and traced the prayer's ripples to its source.
It was a petite girl in an apprentice knight's uniform, curled up on a sofa, either frightened or resting.
Although she looked different from her appearance at Mr. A's gathering, Klein recognized her as one of the two women he had seen there. Clearly, she was one of Miss Justice's recommended members.
'Miss Justice works quickly...' Klein muttered, planning to observe her further before responding, and perhaps bring her above the gray fog through the prayer connection.
Whether to allow her into the group would be decided after more assessment.
Leaving the gray fog, Klein took out his pendulum to perform his usual divination to see if there would be danger tonight. While things seemed settled, caution was always wise.
Finishing the divination, Klein was stunned.
It indicated he would face danger tonight—not fatal, but significant.
'How could this be? Hadn't the Church finished their operation, only waiting to send Bakarland back to Intis? Was the ambassador so paranoid he'd send an assassin after Lynn?' Klein couldn't fathom it, but he swiftly returned below the gray fog to warn the others. However, he found Lynn at the door, talking to a stranger.
Alarm bells rang in Klein's mind. He raised his left hand slightly and walked to Leonard's side, asking calmly, "Is that Lynn's friend at the door?"
"Seems like it. I'm not sure," Leonard scratched his head, not particularly concerned. But then, as if hearing something, his expression changed. He looked at the door and shouted, "Lynn, get away! He's not who he seems!"
"Huh?" Lynn, who was well-prepared with various scrolls and states, feigned confusion. The next moment, he felt his vision blur, as if the world were separated by thick glass.
'So this is what becoming a marionette feels like? I thought it would slow my thoughts,' Lynn mused. He remained calm, even having time to reflect. A scroll in his sleeve suddenly exploded, and his opponent, Rosago, froze with a pained expression, letting out a scream.
"Ah—"
The enhanced version of Psychiatrist's Frenzy!
Rosago's mind, attacked, couldn't maintain control over Lynn's spirit threads. Ready for this, Lynn quickly broke free and dove to the side.
Simultaneously, the others reacted. Leonard rushed to Lynn, pulling him back while warning Klein, "Stay away from him. His power is like the Antigonus family's marionettes."
Clearly, Leonard had received limited assistance from his external brain.
After his warning, Leonard paused, seeing Klein's aura become intensely menacing. If not for recognizing Klein's face, he might have thought Klein had lost control.
Confirming the stranger was an enemy, Klein activated "Creeping Hunger" and, following Leonard's advice, used his Interrogator's mental piercing on Rosago while firing several shots at his head.
"Bang, bang, bang—"
The gunshots missed their mark as flames erupted where Rosago had been, and his figure vanished. A spark ignited behind Klein.
The next moment, Klein sensed an attack from behind, and Leonard's song lulled the attacker into a slight drowsiness, causing the assailant to hesitate.
(End of Chapter)