Leaving Backlund together with members of the Demoness Sect, Ince Zangwill was initially unwilling.
But on second thought, with that Demoness of Black present, this steam train trip out of Backlund should be relatively safe.
Even if they encountered inspections by personnel from the Church of the Evernight Goddess, he wouldn't need to worry about anything.
He understood the internal situation of the Church of the Evernight Goddess. Within the Red Gloves squad that hunted fugitives like hounds, there were three big figures, all Sequence 4 Night Watchers.
In other words, the ones pursuing him would at most be a single Night Watcher, which posed no threat at all before that Demoness of Black.
The only thing that worried him was that Baron Hastur Campbell, whom he had always been wary of, was also on this steam train.
In the fifth carriage, Molaka stared at Seraphina sitting opposite her with a resentful yet complicated gaze.
She didn't want to leave Backlund at all and go to the so-called Southern Continent. That damned place, the farther away from it the better. But in the end, she couldn't resist this woman's authority.
Seraphina spoke slowly, "Pain is the greatest gift. You must learn to enjoy this feeling."
"So this is why you deliberately left her alone in Backlund?"
"That's right. She wanted to come, so I deliberately didn't let her. You don't want to leave, so I insist on making you go."
"You're truly vicious!"
Smack! Molaka received another "loving" slap. Her face turned cold as she turned her body and looked out the window.
…
As night fell, because of the long journey and the stifling environment on the train, many passengers drifted into sleep from fatigue.
Some others, unable to stay still, began frequently moving between carriages under the pretext of going to the restroom.
In the eighth carriage, Crestet Cesimir sat in his seat with a copy of the Backlund Evening News covering his face, pretending to be fast asleep.
His ears twitched slightly as he listened to the movements and footsteps in nearby carriages.
"Three different groups have already been moving back and forth between the carriages, seemingly searching for something."
"I haven't sensed Ince Zangwill's aura, but I can smell traces of the Demoness Sect and another group. Even members of the Secret Order are appearing."
"There are also some auras I can't see through or perceive clearly, probably troublesome figures."
Crestet Cesimir pondered silently, letting them continue their search. For now, he didn't want to alert the enemy. There were quite a few mysterious figures hidden on this steam train, and it would be safer to understand the situation before acting.
Around eight or nine o'clock, he sensed many people gathering near the third carriage.
He couldn't accurately detect what was happening, only vaguely sensing that a Beyonder battle seemed to be taking place there.
He considered whether to use going to the restroom as an excuse to check the third carriage.
But in the end, he dismissed the thought. It was still early; these were just minor skirmishes. Late at night would likely be far more lively.
He reached up to pull the slipping newspaper back over his face and breathed evenly.
In the third carriage, Ince Zangwill lay on his side facing the window with his back to the aisle, his expression extremely gloomy.
All he wanted was to leave Backlund safely, but those Beyonders who appeared out of nowhere had gathered in large numbers in his carriage.
Hypnosis, dream intrusion, mental influence, interrogation, such Beyonders abilities had been used repeatedly.
The ordinary people in this carriage were basically muddled and devoid of reason, only knowing to close their eyes and snore.
At this moment, only Beyonders could truly remain clear-minded.
To avoid drawing attention, he also pretended to sleep. But members of two, or perhaps three, organizations were secretly clashing.
And the chosen location was his carriage. Their exchanges were measured, clearly not wanting to damage the carriage or cause too much disturbance.
Yet listening to a group of Sequence 8 or Sequence 7 individuals jumping around in front of him, with some even using interrogation abilities on him, he truly wanted to crush them one by one.
"Quiet!" A deep shout from an unknown person exploded like thunder in everyone's minds.
The Beyonders gathered in the third carriage stopped fighting and hurried back to their seats in fright.
Ince Zangwill also breathed a sigh of relief. As for who made the shout, he had no interest in finding out, as long as they didn't provoke him.
Now he only hoped this steam train would quickly arrive at the next stop so he could transfer to another train heading to Southville County.
This train was far too unsafe.
In the second carriage, inside a luxuriously decorated compartment, a middle-aged man with a small mustache and a stern face took a sip of red wine and said dissatisfiedly, "Why are there so many rats hiding on this steam train?"
"They should all be heading to the Southern Continent, coincidentally taking the same route as us to Southville County."
The middle-aged man nodded. "If it weren't for the Grand Duke's personal orders, I really wouldn't want to leave beautiful Backlund."
After a pause, he asked, "How did that Count Campbell behave today?"
"He stayed in the carriage all day. Very quiet."
"Keep a close watch on him. If you notice anything unusual, report to me immediately."
"Boss, do we really need to monitor him like this?"
"These are the Grand Duke's orders. Do you dare question his decision?"
"I wouldn't dare."
…
Because of that deep shout earlier, all the carriages became much quieter.
In the third carriage from the rear of the train, Hastur also heard the shout, it should have come from an Beyonders of the Arbiter pathway.
Most likely someone sent by the Loen royal family. Could they be responsible for monitoring him on this journey?
Although he hadn't left the carriage, he still knew a bit about what was happening outside.
The guard unit sent by the king was not subtle at all, they were practically reporting everything he did throughout the day.
He needed to think of a way to give this guard unit a proper and reasonable death.
Not now, he would wait until they reached Southville County.
Seeing that Ariella, who had slept most of the day, was awake, Hastur beckoned. The cat jumped onto the table and then into his arms.
Hastur took out a small silver fish from the food cabinet and fed it. In the mirror, Sharon's figure appeared faintly, seemingly very fond of little Ariella.
"Meow." Ariella waved a small paw toward the mirror as a greeting.
It had seen Sharon before and had been fed by her. Although curious how such a large person could hide inside such a small mirror, it wasn't alarmed.
"This little one is called Ariella. It's not an ordinary little black cat, but an assassin."
"Meow!" With the small silver fish in its mouth, Ariella slightly raised its head.
Hastur placed it in front of the mirror, signaling Sharon to pet it.
After a while, a pair of hands extended from the mirror and gently stroked Ariella's head.
"Meow." Ariella comfortably closed its eyes, lying before the mirror and letting Sharon pet it.
The scene was somewhat fantastical, yet quite interesting.
Late at night, around three o'clock.
Hastur, who hadn't truly fallen asleep, opened his eyes. Ariella also jumped onto a high platform behind the door, staring sharply at it.
Silently, a figure passed through the locked door.
"Meow!" Ariella let out a warning cry. Hastur signaled it to quiet down and looked toward the late-night visitor.
The man looked about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, dressed in a formal white shirt and suit, wearing a black top hat. His gaze was deep like a dark pool. On his otherwise ordinary face was a scar running from the outer corner of his right eyebrow down to the side of his nose.
Being able to pass through the door so easily meant he was an Beyonders of the Door pathway, likely between Sequence 7 and Sequence 6.
A member of the Abraham family? Or a believer of the Aurora Order?
Hastur didn't greet him first, wanting to see his purpose.
"My late-night visit is truly presumptuous. Please forgive the rudeness."
The man removed his hat with grace and bowed. From this alone, Hastur ruled out the possibility of him being a believer of the Aurora Order.
Most people in the Aurora Order were quite mad, polite ones were rare.
"Have a seat." Hastur gestured for him to sit and poured him a cup of black tea.
The man sat down and took a sip of the still-warm tea, slightly surprised. "Did you know you would have a visitor tonight?"
"When I can't sleep at midnight, I like to drink a cup of black tea to pass the time. You still haven't explained your purpose."
The man smiled. "I am an astrologer who has traveled from afar. Some time ago, during an astrological divination, fate gave me certain hints."
Hastur raised an eyebrow slightly. "Astrology is not omnipotent. The fate you speak of may also be wrong."
"I have always believed in my astrology. Even if it is wrong, that too is my fate."
Hastur did not refute this. He was simply curious, given the current state of the Abraham family, it was not easy to cultivate an astrologer.
"I came following fate, and you are the guidance that fate has given me."
"You keep speaking of fate. You don't sound like an astrologer, but rather an apostle devoted to fate."
The man stood up with a respectful expression. "Allow me to introduce myself again, Morey Abraham, following God's guidance to stand before you."