Chapter 53: The Listener

Chapter 53: The Listener

Upon a storm-wracked sea, an ancient three-masted sailing ship tossed and turned with the waves.

It was neither fast nor large; in this catastrophic scene where heaven and sea merged into one, it was like a withered leaf separated from its tree. However, no matter how frantic the hurricane raged or how terrifying the waves became, it sailed steadily without showing a hint of tilting.

Alger Wilson stood on the empty deck, gazing at the mountain-like giant waves surrounding him, lost in thought.

"Monday is coming again..." he whispered silently.

That was the day belonging to the Earth Mother, the beginning of a new cycle of prosperity and decay.

But to Alger, it held another meaning—one belonging to a mysterious existence forever shrouded in grey-white mist.

*At least I haven't gone mad yet...* He withdrew his gaze and gave a self-deprecating smile.

At that moment, one of his few crew members approached and asked respectfully

"Lord Bishop, what is our objective for this voyage?"

Alger looked around and replied in a flat tone

"To hunt a 'Listener' of the Aurora Order."

...

The storm had dispersed, leaving behind a thick mist. On a strange sailing ship equipped with cannons but still out of step with the era

An eight or nine-year-old boy with soft, well-groomed blond hair watched the undisciplined pirates around him with trepidation. He watched them enjoy large barrels of beer, swing from ropes, mock one another, and even trade blows.

He turned to the black-robed man standing in the shadows and lowered his voice

"Father, where are we going?"

Five days ago, he had seen his father for the first time in his memory—a man who called himself an adventurer.

If not for the oil painting left by his mother proving the man's identity, and if the orphanage hadn't been opening its doors to him, he would never have been willing to leave his hometown to follow this nearly stranger relative.

The man in the shadows lowered his head to look at his son and replied with a kind expression

"Jack, I am taking you to a sacred place, the 'Sanctuary' where the Creator once resided."

"Is that the Kingdom of God? We mortals can only enter if we receive grace..." Little Jack had been well-taught by his mother and possessed sufficient common sense; he was currently both surprised and terrified.

The man standing in the shadows had a face with lines so profound they were unforgettable, like a stone sculpture completed by a master artist.

He placed his hand to his ear in a listening posture and replied in a tone that was almost like a dream

"Jack, 'mortal' is a flawed concept. The Creator created this world, and He is omnipresent. He exists within every living being. Therefore, all things possess divinity. When divinity reaches a certain level, one can become an Angel. The seven pseudo-gods of today are merely more powerful Angels."

"Look, I can hear the Creator's teachings even now. Ah, what extraordinary revelation! Life is nothing more than a spiritual journey. When the spirit is strong and resilient enough, we can find our own divinity and become one with more divinity..."

Little Jack could not understand this complex description. He shook his head and asked another question he hadn't had the chance to ask before

"Father, I heard Mama say that after the Creator created this world, He differentiated into all things and did not actually exist. Then why is there still His 'Sanctuary'?"

As a seven or eight-year-old child, his logic was sufficiently clear.

The man with the sculpted face froze for a moment, tilting his head further as if hearing more whispers.

Suddenly, he collapsed, falling to his knees on the deck. His exposed skin revealed dark, bluish-black things protruding one after another.

He clutched his head with both hands, his face contorted unnaturally, and he screamed in extreme agony

"They are lying!"

…………

After having lunch, and after Old Neil promised to bring him along the next time they went to the underground black market, Klein leisurely returned to the Blackthorn Security Company. He considered whether to read literature and practice his abilities in the clerical office, or to continue wandering outside to play the role of a "Divinationist" at the Divination Club before Captain Dunn forbade it.

However, before he could make a decision, he saw Dunn Smith entering from the outer room, wearing a black trench coat and a half-top hat.

"Captain, what is the situation?" Klein asked with concern, thinking of the whereabouts of the Antigonus family notebook.

Dunn's grey eyes showed no sign of fatigue as he said

"It has been confirmed by multiple parties that the Antigonus family notebook is in the hands of Riel Bieber. However, he has completely disappeared."

"I have informed all the Nighthawk squads via telegram, asking them to pay close attention to all ports and steam train stations. The first batch of printed portraits was also mailed out yesterday afternoon and will be published in major newspapers."

*If only there were telephones, fax machines, surveillance cameras, and big data at this time... Unfortunately, I only know how to use them, and I only understand a tiny bit of the principles...* Klein exhaled silently.

"But regardless, we have found the whereabouts of the notebook, and this is your credit. Of course, that still requires further confirmation. I have sent a telegram to the Backlund Diocese requesting them to send someone to escort Sealed Artifact 2-049 here. It was once a dangerous item belonging to the Antigonus family, and it can help us determine if Riel Bieber is a descendant of the Antigonus family."

*A Sequence 2 Sealed Artifact... dangerous... use with caution and restraint...* Klein had wanted to ask curiously what the artifact was, what special abilities it had, and where the danger lay, but he instantly remembered he lacked the necessary security clearance and had to give up helplessly.

"May the Goddess protect us." Klein tapped his chest four times, tracing a full moon.

Dunn nodded slightly as he opened his office door

"The Goddess has always been protecting us. Klein, if you hadn't chosen 'Divinationist' before, once this matter is settled, you should be able to become a formal member and choose 'Sleepless.' It's a pity... to be honest, I have never understood why you chose 'Divinationist.' Although 'Corpse Collector' is off-putting, you've seen Daly, so you should understand how powerful a 'Spirit Medium' is. And 'Mystery Pryer' is also a good choice; at least with Old Neil as a role model, the risk of losing control would be very low."

Regarding this question, Klein had prepared an answer from the beginning, but Dunn had never asked until he mentioned it casually just now.

He organized his words and said

"I considered that 'Divinationist' and 'Mystery Pryer' are auxiliary Beyonders. I wouldn't always have to face enemies, which is too dangerous. And as you and Old Neil said, in the realms of mystery and the extraordinary, curiosity and exploration often bring terrible consequences. The description of 'Mystery Pryer' makes me feel uneasy, so... ha, you know, not long ago, I was just an ordinary college student. Cowardice is the only reason I made this choice."

"I must say, that is an unexpected but very reasonable answer." Dunn rubbed his temple and gave a light laugh.

He turned halfway, his grey eyes scanning Klein deeply from head to toe

"For the time being, continue to go out. Do not limit yourself to the route between the Welch family and Iron Cross Street. Perhaps, perhaps you can sense that notebook and help us determine Riel Bieber's whereabouts."

"Alright." Klein found that he no longer had to agonize over the decision.

He took his leave and turned around, beginning a mental countdown

"Three, two..."

"Wait a moment," Dunn called out.

Klein turned back with a slight smile

"Captain, is there something else?"

Dunn coughed and said

"Well, auxiliary Beyonders will also have times when they must face enemies. Although 'Divinationist' sounds like it can avoid these, we cannot be negligent. You must maintain your firearms practice and increase your strength in a planned manner."

"That is exactly what I am working on." Klein pointed outside. "I'm heading out."

"Alright, uh, wait a second." Dunn called him back once more, speaking while in thought, "Perhaps I should consider hiring a combat instructor for you. Of course, the prerequisite for this is that you become a formal member."

Klein gave an "Mm" and asked cautiously

"Captain, is there nothing else?"

"No." Seeing Klein's skeptical gaze, Dunn shook his head with a faint smile and emphasized, "Really, nothing else."

Only then did Klein walk out of the partition, saying goodbye to Roselle, Mrs. Orianna, and the others. He first went to the shooting club for practice, then wandered for a full hour, earnestly completing the task assigned by the Captain.

After finishing all this, he arrived at the Divination Club and saw the beautiful Ms. Angelica leisurely reading a magazine.

*"Family"...* Klein thought the name to himself, gripped his cane, walked over, and greeted her with a smile

"Good afternoon, Ms. Angelica."

"Good afternoon, Mr. Moretti." Angelica unhurriedly put down the magazine and stood up. "Not long after you left yesterday, Mr. Gracis arrived. He has just recovered from a serious illness."

Klein breathed a sigh of relief and smiled

"That is truly wonderful news."

Hearing this, Angelica, who had been quietly observing him, couldn't help but lower her voice and ask curiously

"Mr. Gracis said... said that you are a very, very, very miraculous doctor, is that right?"

*What?* Klein stared at the lady opposite him in astonishment, suspecting he was hallucinating.

*How could you tell I'm a doctor?*

*Even I don't know...*

(End of Chapter)