433 Intelligence Peddler (2/2)
”Yeah.” Ian wiped away his shocked expression and mumbled, ”I went to Pritz Harbor for two months and found those guys to be so savage and cruel. They didn't even have the slightest bit of modesty or love for children, so I had no choice but to return to Backlund and do what I was good at. When Kaspars died, I decided to switch careers.”
Before Klein could say anything, he added, ”Mr. Detective, I've always kept in mind that I still owe you two requests.”
There's no need to explain so much, nor do I care what you've done in the past. Although I've always thought that your escape from MI9 was suspicious, I didn't care too much about it… Klein picked up a cue stick, gestured, and said, ”Other than dealing in black-market weapons, you seem to be selling information?”
”Yes,” Ian answered very calmly. ”What do you want to know? It's free.”
Very straightforward… Feeling guilty about what happened to me previously? Klein pushed the cue stick forward and hit the ball, sending a red ball right into the middle pocket.
Without a trace of politeness, he straightened his body and said, ”Recently, everyone has been looking for the believers of The Fool. There are many bounties available. What news do you have?”
Ian thought for a moment and said, ”Nothing.
”I even suspect whether The Fool has any believers since no one can find any clues.”
… This is what you call blasting air with a cannon… Klein gave a silent, self-deprecating laugh before turning to ask, ”In addition, there's another bounty. People are looking for a lecturer named Azik Eggers. I wish to know who was the one behind the bounty, so as to determine if I should involve myself in it. Heh, searching for people is very time-consuming.”
Ian didn't directly answer; he surveyed his surroundings and lowered his voice.
”MI9.”
MI9? It's not the Numinous Episcopate… It seems like it really was arranged by Ince Zangwill. He's trying to create conflict between Mr. Azik and MI9? Perhaps he knows some secret that he shouldn't be aware of? A series of thoughts flashed through Klein's mind. Finally, he smiled and said, ”Looks like I don't have to worry about the bounty being false, but I'm afraid that the circumstances as to why Azik Eggers is being pursued by MI9 is because he knows some secret. That being the case, the day I obtain the bounty might be the last day of my life.”
Ian spread his hands.
”I'm not sure about that.
”But you can provide only clues.”
”Good suggestion.” Without asking any more questions, Klein spent five soli, replenished some of his ordinary ammunition, and left the Bravehearts Bar.
He got on the rental carriage and looked out the window at the gloomy weather. Suddenly, he felt a little wistful.
Kaspars Kalinin is dead which also means that Miss Sharron and Maric will give up this ”base.” With me only being able to contact them unilaterally, it'll be hard to find them…
Unless they encounter some difficulties that require my help, or they have reached the stage of dealing with the evil spirit buried in the ruins. Otherwise, I'll likely not be meeting them again.
Although they can't be considered friends, we've cooperated with each other twice. I could interact with them as a Beyonder without hiding my face. Now, there are two fewer people of such people.
If it wasn't for the Desire Apostle, I would only have an oddity like the vampire, Emlyn White, who I can talk about mysticism with without any disguises.
Thankfully. Thankfully…
As he was sighing silently, an ethereal voice suddenly sounded in his ears.
”Is there something?”
Klein instantly shuddered, and only when he saw who was sitting in front of him did he heave a sigh of relief. He laughed in exasperation and said, ”Miss Sharron, do you always appear all of a sudden like this?”
Dressed in a Gothic regal dress and a matching soft black hat, Sharron was sitting quietly on the other side of the carriage, her face as pale as ever.
”I'll knock on the window next time.” Sharron nodded without emotion.
She didn't repeat the question, but she looked quietly at Klein in a reserved manner.
Knocking on the window all of a sudden? That's equally scary… Klein was in no hurry to mention the matter about the Human-skinned Shadow, and instead he asked, ”Has the High-Sequence Beyonder left?”
”Yes,” Sharron said tersely.
Klein was slightly relieved as he warned her, ”It could also be a trap.”
As he said this, he remembered something and quickly added, ”I've finished reading the Book of Secrets, and I've obtained the corresponding information from other sources that praying to the Primordial Moon is prone to problems. It's best not to try.”
”Alright.” Sharron didn't ask why.
She paused for a second and said in an ethereal voice, ”The Primordial Moon and the Chained God seem to be archenemies.”
Because they can switch Sequences? Or could there be other reasons? Klein thought as he directed the conversation to what really mattered.
”Miss Sharron, do you know of any places with the characteristic of a Human-skinned Shadow?”
Like a puppet, Sharron listened quietly before nodding her head.
”Yes.”