428 The Scapegoa (2/2)
He suspected that Twilight Hermit Order was the ancient organization with the second Blasphemy Slate which Emperor Roselle had joined.
To choose to have someone assassinate Duke Negan for the sake of a so-called ”historical process” sounds a little absurd, but it also seems to make sense… Their goal is to revive or awaken the original Creator? This is similar to the City of Silver's belief. Little Sun and company have never believed that the Creator is dead. They can only accept that ”He” has abandoned that piece of land and has been trying to get a response from ”Him”… Klein paced back and forth, letting his thoughts wander.
After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly heard knocking on the door.
It wasn't an attendant or maid from the Quelaag Club, but the bespectacled Carlson, one of the Machinery Hivemind members whom Klein had seen before.
”How did you get in?” Klein asked deliberately.
When Carlson saw that he was indeed in the room, he relaxed a little. Seeing that no one was around, he smiled.
”As a Beyonder, we often have all sorts of methods.”
He received news from Deacon Ikanser, learning of the Desire Apostle's death, and came to confirm my situation. As for my performance, it's rather successful. My ”illusion of a living person” wasn't exposed, and I successfully pulled the wool over everyone's eyes… Klein's hearted stirred and said, ”Your expression tells me that there's good news?”
”Yes, Patrick Jason Beria has been killed. You're safe and no longer need to be protected by us,” Carlson said honestly.
Such feedback made Klein feel the potion inside his body to seemingly accelerate its digestion.
Surprised and delighted, he asked, ”Are you sure?”
”Yes.” Carlson gave an affirmative answer.
”That's great!” Klein said happily.
Carlson looked at him and complimented him wholeheartedly, ”Your detective instincts and logical thinking have given us a great deal of help. The deacon wrote that after this matter is over, a reward will be given to you in secret. Probably about 1,000 pounds.”
1,000 pounds… Not bad, very generous! However, even if the bills in Jason's suitcase were of five- or one-pound denominations, and even if his jewelry isn't too expensive, it should still add up to about 50,000 pounds, right… Ma'am Mary of the National Atmospheric Pollution Council is probably worth that much if one counts her shares in the Coim Company.
Yes, Jason's accomplice in luring Spellsinger of God away had probably taken some of the money. The remaining amount is probably around twenty to thirty thousand pounds, but that's still nothing 1,000 pounds can compare with. What a pity… I can't think of it that way. Maybe Jason's accomplice took all the wealth ahead of time… Klein felt a wave of disappointment and joy.
And the reward from the Machinery Hivemind was even more proof of the success of his performance during this period of time. It made him feel like he was only one step away from completely digesting the potion.
”This is something I should do. After all, the person being threatened is me.” Klein smiled.
He wasn't worried about retaliation from Jason's accomplice, because revenge was only a ruse. More importantly, he would be a Sequence 6 by then.
Carlson nudged his glasses and said thoughtfully, ”Sherlock, you're also a believer of God. We hope to establish a good relationship with you. In the future, you can inform us of whatever you encounter and gather.”
This is them developing me into an informant of the Machinery Hivemind… I have another channel for reimbursement… Klein drew a triangular-shaped Sacred Emblem on his chest.
”No problem.”
…
No longer being protected by the Machinery Hivemind, Klein stayed at the Quelaag Club until dinner, then he slowly took a carriage back to 15 Minsk Street.
He opened the letterbox out of habit and saw a new letter with no postage stamp.
The letter was from Detective Isengard Stanton, who left it after an afternoon visit, had written: ”… I heard from the Machinery Hivemind of the suggestion you offered. Your sharpness and caution is truly astounding. If you weren't already a Beyonder, then I would even believe that being a Reader is the pathway that suits you best.
”You truly are the best young man at deduction that I've ever met!”
…
Klein stood in the living room, reading Isengard's letter by the light of the gas lamp.
This time, there was nothing new to the performance. It was done step by step and conformed to the past performances. It didn't even have much of an effect… But there were enough people in the audience, and all of them were by my side, which allowed me to get feedback directly… Klein held onto the letter as he reflected over the matter.
He half closed his eyes and felt something inside his body rapidly disintegrating and dissipating. Numerous illusory stars around him seemed to appear, and he could only feel a very weak attraction from the resplendent stars.
On the last month of 1349, his Magician potion was finally digested.