Tingen. Inside a house with a red-colored chimney.
Ince Zangwill woke up from his slumber, and the first thing he did was check on his body.
His eyes instinctively went to the mirror.
His face looked back at him, with dark blonde hair. One of his eyes was dark blue, while the other was white and clouded.
This was something he had to repeat every day. This was because he had no idea what kind of story 0-08 would compose after he slept, bringing about unknown accidents.
After confirming that he wasn't injured, Ince Zangwill wore a pair of bright leather boots and stood up.
Without any surprises, he saw 0-08 silently sitting on his desk as though it was an ordinary quill.
However, it had been locked in a metal box that was covered with symbols and magic labels.
Ince Zangwill walked over with a heavy heart and grabbed 0-08. He flipped open the notebook beside him and discovered that there was another page of text.
| When last night Ince Zangwill was sleeping, some inexplicable thing happened. The Antigonus Family's Notebook vanished from the hands of Ray Beiber. |
After seeing this narrative, Ince Zangwill instinctively frowned and called over the Spirits of the Underworld he assigned to look over the Notebook.
| Ince Zangwill tried to call for the Spirits of the Underworld he assigned to watch over the Antigonus Family's Notebook. But Ince Zangwill was unsuccessful. |
His expression turned heavy as he closed his eyes and attempted to channel spirits through his body instead to get the information directly. He opened his eyes again and looked at the last line through the corner of his eye.
| When he tried to force the issue, the screams of the Spirits made Ince Zangwill cough out blood. These screams were mysterious, bizarre, and horrifying. |
The next moment he only remembered coughing out blood, as his eyes turned bloodshot, and he went unconscious.
...
When Ince Zangwill woke up again, his face was as dark as coal. This was not within his expectations.
As a Sequence 5 Gatekeeper, his ability as a Spirit Medium had strengthened drastically. The screams of the spirits, however strong they were, shouldn't have affected him this much.
What did they see… The thought rang inside his mind.
He stood up and went to the bathroom to wash up the blood. After returning, he sat down, picked up the quill once more, and took out the notebook.
This time, the quill didn't write anything about him. Instead, He wrote about the members of the Secret Order.
***
Tingen, in a dockyard warehouse.
| The Secret Order members who had come to acquire the notebook were confused, as it could no longer be detected through divination. |
A man wearing a black tuxedo and a halved top hat was sitting atop a crate. His face was painted in three pastel colors: red, yellow, and white.
In front of him was a cane that moved erratically in the air, never pointing in any direction.
The suited clown opened his eyes and looked at the dowsing rod with the Spirit Pendulum wrapped around it. A piece of paper hung between the pendulum.
"See, I told you, it's not working." The person in dockworker clothes with clown makeup similar to the suited clown scoffed as he jumped off the chain he had been balancing on.
The suited clown closed his eyes and sighed loudly. He took out a pocket watch and checked the time.
"It's just seven in the morning and we've already spent all of our spirituality. Let's rest, regenerate, and conduct the ritual again."
The dockworker clown nodded. Both of them sat down and began cogitation.
Two hours later, their cogitation ended.
"Let's try dream divination first. If we get a vision, we can use the dowsing," the suited clown instructed.
"Okay…" the dockworker clown agreed.
The suited clown took the piece of paper from the Antigonus Family's Notebook and entered a cogitation state. He began to chant, "The location of the notebook," repeating it seven times. Nothing happened.
He returned to reality and grumbled in frustration. "I couldn't see anything."
The dockworker clown sighed, took the paper, then also entered a cogitation state and repeated the chanting.
| They rested for a while and tried again. This time the divination succeeded. It was a logical development since they were well-rested and fully focused. |
His divination worked, but his vision was covered in gray fog. Slowly it receded, and he saw a scene. It was blurry, and he couldn't make out the surroundings, but he clearly saw a man hunched over the notebook, reading it with fanatical focus. He memorized the man's facial features and ended the divination.
"I got the vision! I couldn't make out the surroundings, but I have his facial features."
The dockworker clown took out a piece of paper from his pocket and began to sketch the man's face. After finishing, he showed it to the suited clown, who looked it over carefully.
The man in the sketch had a plump forehead, black hair, and brown eyes. He wore a pair of spectacles. His expression was focused, and there was a fanatical glint in his eyes. Other than that, he looked ordinary.
"Good job. We've found our suspect. Now we just need his location," the suited clown said as they prepared to divine the man's whereabouts.
| Through divination, they discovered that the book had appeared in the hands of Lanevus. |
…
Leonard Mitchell leaned back in the carriage. With him were Captain Dunn and a middle-aged inspector.
When they reached their destination, all three of them got out.
The policeman in charge of the area came running over.
"It's nice to meet you, inspectors. What can I help you with?" the man asked in a slightly sharp voice, his thick Awwa accent noticeable.
"Likewise. We need to ask Mr. Klein Moretti some questions. Take us to his apartment," the real inspector said.
"Yes, of course," Bitsch Mountbatten replied as he gestured for them to follow. Captain Dunn and Leonard walked behind him.
They arrived at the apartment and knocked on the door.
It opened, and Leonard saw a man who looked like he had just woken up. He followed the captain and the inspector inside.
While Captain Dunn was interacting with Klein Moretti, he gave Leonard a subtle signal with his eyes. Leonard walked over to the table and picked up what looked like a notebook.
"29th May. Welch found me and told me he had acquired a notebook from the Fourth Epoch. Oh my Goddess! A notebook from the Fourth Epoch! He didn't want to ask the archaeology department's students for help, so he came to Naya and me to decode it. How could I refuse? Of course, I can only do it after my graduation defense. I can't afford to get distracted right now."
...
"Hey!" Klein Moretti cried out.
Leonard only smiled back and kept flipping through the notes while the captain explained, "This is a necessary procedure."
After reading the whole thing in a matter of moments, Leonard asked the voice in his mind, What do you think?
It's highly likely this is the sealed artifact. Both victims' deaths were probably the result of its drawbacks. Him being alive, on the other hand, is an anomaly, the voice replied.
"26th June. Are these strange things real?"
"What strange things?" Leonard asked as he reached the end. He turned the page and suddenly asked, "And what does this mean? 'Everyone will die, including me'?"
Klein Moretti put a hand over his forehead and answered painfully, "I have no idea. I really have no idea. When I woke up this morning, I felt I wasn't quite right, like I had forgotten something. Especially about whatever happened recently. I don't even know why I wrote that sentence."
Leonard studied his expression, a mix of confusion and frustration, with a hint of sadness beneath it. He was likely telling the truth about forgetting.
Maybe that's why he hasn't committed suicide yet. Forgetting the contents kept him alive against the artifact's drawbacks.
But how did he forget the contents? That's the real question.
...
| During the Nighthawks' investigation into Welch's case, Klein Moretti met Dunn Smith. There, he mentioned that Welch claimed the notebook had been sold by someone named Mr. Z through Hanass.
Dunn Smith realized the Aurora Order was involved and instructed Leonard Mitchell to contact Church Headquarters.|
...
"Oh… I remember one thing though. The person Welch bought the notebook from… he mentioned it was someone named Mr. Z."
Everyone went quiet for a moment. Leonard looked at the face of the clueless Klein, and a chuckle slipped from his mouth.
"Leonard, contact headquarters. There's a suspected Aurora Order plot," Captain Dunn commanded before turning to Klein Moretti. "And you come with me. We're going to meet a mind expert."
Leonard chuckled as he saluted, then left the apartment for the Blackthorn Security Building to contact headquarters by telegram.
***
In the evening of June 29th, Tingen was quiet. The gas lamps along Howes Street gave off a faint glow.
Sirius Arapis walked quickly, sweat running down his bald forehead. His thick eyebrows were damp, and his gray-blue eyes looked tired.
When he reached his home, he opened the front door and stepped inside. He lit the gas lamps one by one.
A figure was sitting in his chair.
The man wore the black robes of an ancient warlock, the hood pulled low to cover most of his face. Black feathery hair hung down over delicate features. His eyes were sunken but glowed faint red, and his skin was smooth and ageless.
"Sirius." The man's voice was a little soothing but with an undertone to it.
"Honorable Mr. Z! When did you arrive at Tingen... If I knew I would've prepared something for you..." Sirius said with his voice shaking. He wiped away the sweat on his forehead with his sleeves.
Mr. Z ignored the attempt at accommodations and directly got to the point. "What is the status regarding our Lord's spawn descent ritual?" he asked coldly.
"It's... Um..." Sirius stammered, his voice unsteady.
"Speak clearly," Mr. Z ordered in a sharp tone.
"Honorable Mr. Z, the person I charmed to be the sapling has vanished!" Sirius admitted nervously as he fell to his knees, crying out while shaking like a leaf.
"Hmph... What did I expect from you. You can't even keep a person charmed," Mr. Z said with disdain.
"He was very intelligent and cunn..." Sirius tried to excuse himself, but his words faltered.
"I do not want to hear excuses," Mr. Z snapped. He suddenly raised his hand and snapped his fingers, and a woman opened the door. She also hid herself under a robe, but from her curves, Sirius could tell it was a she.
"She has already proved to me that she deserves to work under the Lord, and she will hold the honor of being the mother of our Lord's Spawn," Mr. Z declared with certainty, his eyes glowing red.
|...Mr. Z became crazed and decided Sirius would serve as the sapling instead, which aligned with his personality.|
"Sirius, I will give you one last chance to make it up to me... Become the sapling for the ritual."
"Yes... Yes... Of course, honorable Mr. Z," Sirius replied quickly.
"Then find a place where we can conduct the ritual." Hearing this, Sirius bowed his head in submission, but the fear in his eyes showed his hesitation.
***
2 days later,
Merlin Hermes got off the steam locomotive that came to Tingen from Backlund. He looked around and saw the busy station, porters rushing with luggage, travelers calling out, and the smell of coal lingering in the air.
His eyes then focused on a middle-aged man in a gray windbreaker. Along with him was a black-haired woman who looked about thirty, and a cold man with brown eyes and a knife scar on his cheek.
In the middle-aged man's hand was luggage covered with a cloth bearing the Church of the Evernight Goddess' emblem.
While he was looking at the people from the Evernight Church, a man with short blond hair and a high-collared black windbreaker went by him.
A small smile appeared on Merlin's face. He adjusted the classic hat on his head and started to walk towards the harbor.
Five minutes later, Merlin was walking into a bar. He came closer and reached the heavy doors that were tightly shut. He pushed them open.
In the middle of Evil Dragon Bar was a boxing ring. Two half-naked men were in an intense brawl, and surrounding them were dozens of customers shouting and cheering for the side they supported, their voices full of vulgarities.
Merlin slipped into the billiard room at the back. Men sat around card tables, puffing smoke and muttering over their hands. None looked up and none asked questions.
A man with a round, amiable face and a shy air about him came in.
Merlin let his shroud materialize and coil around the man without a word. A low chuckle left his throat.
...
Tris blinked. For some reason, his eyes had closed, and he found himself staring around the billiard room. Why would I close my eyes here?
Before he could finish the thought, a voice called from behind.
"Hello, mister. Do you have a minute?"
"Yes…?" Tris turned and saw a man in a black robe and classic hat. He looked utterly ordinary.
His mind flashed with a thought. I can use him as a cover to get into the Underground Market.
"Oh, where are my manners... My name is Tris. It's nice to meet you," Tris said with a smile. His eyes glowed in a flash as his Instigation abilities activated, but they found no target.
A small knowing smile appeared on the face of the person in front of him, sending a chill down his spine.
"Merlin Hermes... a wandering magician." The man took off his classic top hat and gave a greeting.
Merlin put the hat back on, a sad, sympathetic smile appearing on his face. "I just wanted to warn you... your fate is in grave danger."
"What do you mean...?" Tris asked in confusion.
"How should I put it delicately..." Merlin scratched his chin. "Ahem... should you follow this pathway, the very essence that marks you as a gentleman will be undone, and you shall find yourself transformed into the fairer sex."
"What..." Tris muttered in shock.
"You're with the Theosophy Order, aren't you? And now you're looking to join the Demoness Sect?" Merlin's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Why do you think they have no male members?" Merlin pressed.
"Wait... How do you..."
"I suggest you run, my friend... I suggest you run. Or else you will become someone who does not do the deed, but rather someone for whom the deed is done."
Before Tris could say something back, the man walked past him into the underground market. Suddenly, the sound of a steam rifle's phlogiston combusting rang out.
"Put your hands up!" an old voice demanded.
Tris turned and saw that it was Swain, the owner of the bar and a former Mandated Punisher.
"Shit…" Tris cursed as he prepared to run. The Mandated Punisher had caught his trail.
...
Merlin walked inside through the billiard room.
He saw a place about the size of a lecture hall.
Some vendors had set up roadside stalls with bottles and cans scattered over them. Passersby strolled through, either scrutinizing goods, chatting, or comparing prices.
Suddenly, the sound of a steam rifle firing caused a commotion. Everyone who was purchasing goods ducked down and took cover.
But Merlin didn't give it any mind. He was here for a reason.
Through the noise, he heard a young man muttering to himself.
Merlin turned his head and spotted a pale young man. He wore an old linen shirt and blue jeans like those of the working class. His eyes looked demoralized with a hint of madness, and he was constantly mumbling.
A small smile appeared on Merlin's face as he knelt down in front of him.
"Hello, Ademisaul," Merlin greeted softly.
Ademisaul flinched as he glanced up. "Who… who are you?"
"My name is Merlin Hermes," Merlin said with a faint smile. "And I'm a wandering magician."
Ademisaul frowned. "Wh… why are you talking to me?"
"You see," Merlin explained casually, "my specialty is wish-granting magic. Do you have any wish?"
Ademisaul blinked at him. "Wish? You want to know my wish?"
"Yes," Merlin nodded.
"I… I wish my eyes were fixed," Ademisaul whispered.
"Wish granted," Merlin said simply. He pulled out a potion bottle and handed it over. "Drink this."
Ademisaul took the vial. Inside was a silver-mercury colored liquid.
He looked back at the man calling himself a wish-granting magician. In the corner of his mind, he was skeptical. This stuff would probably kill him. But what did he have to live for? The dying flame of hope in his chest had almost gone out so many times already. Without another thought, he downed the potion.
His vision suddenly sharpened. The world turned to liquid silver. He saw himself whole and hale, eating at a table, dressed like a gentleman.
The vision faded, and he felt his body again. Tears rolled down his face as he opened his mouth to thank Merlin.
"Do not look at me," Merlin's voice rang out firmly. Ademisaul instinctively shut his eyes.
"Focus on your spirituality," Merlin instructed, "and tap between your glabella twice."
"Uh… I don't know where that is," Ademisaul muttered.
"Right," Merlin said, his tone patient. "Tap between both of your eyebrows."
Ademisaul did so. All the indistinguishable shapes and lights he had always seen vanished.
For the first time in his life, he saw what normal people saw.
***
AN: Merlin is such a troll, lol. Hope you enjoyed the chapter. See you next time!