This is a story from 0-08?
Yes and no. I believe 0-08's story is a part of another.
Klein understood what Pallez meant. Can we run, mitigate, or anything similar?
Not without many dying, probably. Or some other just as bad issue. We stand a chance of surviving due to our sequence; anyone else... You could ask the Evernight Goddess; 'She' should be interested in this since 0-08 was stolen from 'Her'. However, one does need to wonder how a Sequence 5 managed to steal a grade 0 sealed artifact. The theft was likely intentional.
Maybe Adam caused the theft to succeed? I'm pretty sure Perran said that they are allied; also, does the 'more you know of him, the more he knows of you' need you to speak or . . .
I believe we are under special protection. Also, yes, they are allied, but take that with a grain of salt. Actually, we probably are already on 'His' radar; the difference is we are powerful. To be honest, the moment you knew of 'Him' and 'His' powers, 'He' was aware. The only thing you can do is get more powerful and pray you can escape 'His' story. This is because I believe only Sequence 0s are exempt from the coincidence power of Authors. I'm not sure, though.
How concerning; we need to figure out an escape... Sefirah Castle?
Yes, you're right, Sefirah Castle is leagues above 'Him'.
Also, we should avoid thinking of his name, right? Out of principle?
Yes.
The man who came back had already finished giving his reason why he came back. The reasoning only confirmed Klein and Pallez's suspicions.
Should we follow through? Klein had an idea come up that could help him act.
It might be for the best; otherwise, 'He' might try to take extreme measures. Though we could always try to ask what 'He' wants.
Would that work?
Probably not; whatever Ince Zangwill is doing, especially if it ends up hurting Nighthawks, is likely something related to Adam's overall plan or an unfortunate byproduct. While 'He' might not want to harm the Evernight Goddess followers, if 'He''s letting Ince do it . . .
I see. . .
After some twenty minutes, the rain was letting up. It was around that time Leonard came back up. He looked curiously at the sofa.
"This is?"
"A client. Is Captain back?" Rozanne asked delightfully.
"Back?" The lanky man was taken aback when he heard that.
"We don't always use the front door, for security reasons." Klein quickly made up an excuse.
Leonard was asking the man what he wanted from the Blackthorn Security Company. The man, who was a butler of Mr.Vickroy, was named Klee. He then gave his mission he was assigned to hand out to mercenaries/security personnel. Leonard then agreed to the mission and asked Rozanne to type out a contract.
Klein and Pallez began lampooning how terrible the front of Blackthorn was. First was how bad their advertising was, but that was to be expected; they needed to hide themselves. Then there was the unprofessionalism in budgeting and similar. Then there was this! Not even having a standard contract!
Screw this, I'm going to try and build a professional front for this front. Pallez was deeply offended by how bad the front of Blackthorn Security Company was. While 'He' understood it was intentional, it still hurt 'His' professionalism as a Swindler.
Klein was also inclined to help. Perhaps they would like to claim it was professionalism, but one wonders whether it was simply a manifestation of their godhood instinct to scam. In truth, it was probably the divine instinct to scam. The very basis of the reason for professionalism comes from the fact that they are professional scammers who need to be professional.
Even Leonard was not exempt from Pallez's rant about how bad the front was. He was also inclined to agree, but didn't really care as much as certain professional scammers. Which irritated Pallez to no end.
Leonard and the butler Klee finished up the contract. After receiving a copy of the signed contract, Klee left wishing for good news soon.
Leonard did not respond. He seemed to be in deep thought.
He suddenly turned his head toward Klein and revealed a smile.
"I need your help."
"Hmm? Oh, you intend to use my Seer powers." Klein knew what Leonard was going to ask, but decided to pretend to be naive since that fit the identity of Klein currently.
"Indeed." Leonard was a little scared to ask for Klein's help, but he figured that Pallez thought Klein was an angel because of his false rank.
"Alright, shall we head out now?"
After asking the butler for some materials to use for divination, Klein was preparing to divine Elliot's location. While Klein could have found Elliot's location without it, he had to pretend he was only a Sequence 9. They also had to make some excuses to explain to Klee why they needed materials. They got into a carriage and went to the home of Mr. Vickroy to get the materials. After gaining the materials, Klein, Pallez, and Leonard got into a carriage. Klein began the divination. They soon arrived at the place where Elliot was kidnapped.
They began a short reconnaissance. Klein and Pallez did a careful reconnaissance despite being powerful out of principle of being cowards. Also, mainly because it was related to the story of 0-08 and 'Him'. Leonard only made a cursory glance, to the unknown disapproval of Klein and Pallez. Overall, they saw three kidnappers and Elliot. The kidnappers were carrying guns. Though there didn't seem to be any threats, Klein and Pallez stayed prepared.
To deal with the kidnappers, Leonard recited some poetry.
"Oh, the threat of horror, the hope of crimson cries!
One thing at least is certain—that this Life flies;
One thing is certain, and the rest is Lies;
The Flower that once has bloomed forever dies..."
Klein felt the power, but it couldn't do anything to him; to the kidnappers, though, they went down like a rock. Elliot also fell asleep.
Leonard made an off-handed comment on how a Feynapotter lute would make a good accompaniment to his poetry.
Klein and Leonard began a clean-up. Additionally, a normal person was heading up, which Klein and Pallez were already aware of; they suspected he was an accomplice. Only when the person came up to the third level did Klein move to deal with the person. Klein used his gun and shot his left shoulder. When Leonard complimented his shooting, he sheepishly said he was shooting for his legs.
While on this mission, Klein was considering a major sequence he could act on. Klein had decided the identity of Klein Moretti wasn't easy to act as Faceless. This was because he realized that when he fully considered himself as Klein, he could no longer use Klein Moretti as acting material easily, since he was now Klein. The acting of Faceless required you to act as someone not yourself, while still remembering you are yourself. So acting as Klein Moretti when he considered himself Klein Moretti just didn't work. Through this reasoning, he decided to change the perception of how people perceived the identity of Klein Moretti. He even decided to do this to Pallez and Perran because he had learned from them that if the acting required feedback, the higher the sequence of the audience, the better the feedback. For the Nighthawks, he intended to show a good-natured, currently naive person to the Beyonder World. To people like Pallez and Perran, he decided to show a more isolated and independent person while still maintaining good relations. Though he was still on the fence about the latter facet. One thing he intended to show all around is friendliness and a need for money.
Currently, he considered Seer acting to be rather straightforward. Simply continue with the Divination Club. Then remember to truly revere fate. He also needed to ensure he wasn't too confident in his revelations. Klein currently believed he had the third principle of understanding divination wasn't all-powerful.
Clown, though, while he had intended to wait to act on this, he planned on using 0-08 and 'His' plan. To his current understanding, Authors, when writing or causing coincidences, affect fate. So he intended to be helpless to the Authors' machinations. He would then hide the fact that he could, yet couldn't do anything by smiling through his guilt. Though he would prevent as many deaths as possible, for he was no monster and had no intentions of becoming one. In the finale, he shall be helpless against. . .
Magician Klein decided it could be done later. Though he decided to always be prepared since 'never perform unprepared' was a principle. Always being prepared never hurts anyone. There were four other principles: take the initiative to perform, try to get applause from the audience, wield control of the target's attention, and challenge the impossible, even if the outcome is nothing but an illusion. Upon consideration, Klein felt the first three could be done with missions with the Nighthawks. Do as many missions as possible, control what they see, and do what is perceived as impossible. Klein also felt he could do the last two using the finale of 0-08 and 'His' story.
Faceless he had already considered.
While Klein was thinking he assisted Leonard with helping Elliot. They had already tied up all of the kidnappers. Klein, when told by Leonard to get the police, had a premonition. While having the premonition and considering it, Klein got the police. The premonition was about the Antigonus notebook. He felt it was here and was now moved. While he was considering investigating, his intuition told him to come back later. Klein immediately realized who caused it and decided to listen to his acting. It was also from his intuition that he realized he was affected.
The police went with Klein to get the kidnappers. The police also went to inform Mr. Vickroy.
Soon, because of Leonard, they snuck out so they didn't have to deal with the police. After Leonard gave some compliments about Klein's skill, Klein asked about the money.
"Don't mind it. To us, money isn't that important," said Leonard with a shrug.
…
Pallez, after hearing this, made the thought of slapping 'His' forehead, knowing Klein's greed or really just an obsession for money. 'He' believed that Klein wasn't really greedy, more of using money as an anchor.
Being greedy or obsessed with money is rather humanizing. very important to me!
Klein forced a polite smile and said, "Many poets died early from poverty." Klein, while not . . . rude . . . wasn't above being very petty. He decided to use his angelic rank to shake Leonard up a bit.
"Ehh, well, I believe Elliot would not lie on this matter. I can tell that he still has some of his innocence left in him. However, you will not get much of the 200-pound commission either." Leonard replied, scared from Klein's petty revenge.
"How much would I get?" asked Klein immediately.
Leonard then explained the process of how this mission's money goes through. After doing that, Leonard explained Klein would likely only get ten pounds.
Leonard and Klein went back to Blackthorn Security Company. He no longer bothered to walk to seek out memories of the Antigonus notebook since he already knew it didn't matter. He went back home to have a meal with his siblings. Through this, he changed his view on Faceless. He decided to show the most authentic version of himself to his siblings. Pallez and Perran would get the second most authentic. Everyone else would get a tailored response. Blackthorn Security Company would get a Nighthawk Klein Moretti, Tarot Club would get Mr. Fool, etc.
From his conversation with Pallez, Klein decided to utilize Sefirah Castle better.
Sefirah Castle seems like it can screen off outside influences like an Author's powers. I could utilize this to a better degree. If I recall, a power Sefirah Castle can grant from the Error pathway is avatars. Theoretically, I could move my main power to Sefirah Castle while using my extra Sequence 9 characteristic to create an avatar. This would allow me to avoid outside influences while still being able to influence the outside world. Unfortunately, if I only use that extra Sequence 9 characteristic, the avatar will be very weak. I should utilize Pallez's avatar to supplement its weakness. Meanwhile, I can use that avatar to more thoroughly or convincingly play Nighthawk Klein Moretti.
This was the general idea Klein had come up with and had decided to try out whether it may work. Klein decided to go up to Sefirah Castle alone.
Utilizing Sefirah Castle's power, Klein separated the extra Sequence 9 characteristic. He then turned it into an avatar.
Can I turn this avatar into a marionette?
After experimenting a bit, he realized he could turn this avatar into a marionette he could use to act as a Marionetist. With apparent success, Klein found out an issue with keeping himself above Sefirah Castle. He couldn't stay in Sefirah Castle forever! This was due to spirituality and a possible danger of being isolated for too long. There also seemed to be an additional issue.
Hm, I can't stay in Sefirah Castle for an extremely extended period of time. I can stay in for more than a month, but eventually there seem to be issues of isolation. Even if I use avatars or marionettes, there will still be issues of some degree. . . There is also the minor issue of spirituality, but my spirituality will typically recover faster than it is depleted. Though that is assuming ideal conditions. Then the most major issue of the old Lord of Mysteries will. At least that is what I can assume.
I can try: instead of constantly staying in Sefirah Castle, I can stay at specific times. When I'm being a Nighthawk, I can be in Sefirah Castle. When I'm with my siblings, I can come out and maintain my humanity by being with my siblings. This will solve my issue with isolation and could help me figure out whether I've been corrupted by 'His' will. The corruption does seem to take a while, though that doesn't mean I shouldn't take it seriously.
Klein had further realized that either Adam's or 0-08's story had affected his thinking. When considering his acting, his thoughts took a dark turn. This only confirmed Klein's desire to leave his main body up in Sefirah Castle as much as possible to avoid the influences of Authors.
Now that my thinking is clear, I can rethink my acting.
Seer, I have no issue with.
Clown, though, took a very dark turn. The thinking isn't wrong, but I simply can't just do nothing. Wait... I can do three sequences at once! Well, it depends, I guess; I can likely do Clown or Magician. Magician requires me to challenge the impossible. Well, challenging two Author's stories should be challenging the impossible! I can take initiative, not perform unprepared, gain feedback, possibly control the audience's attention, and challenge the impossible. I'm basically covering all of my bases! Clown, though if I fail, I'm basically done with that.
Klein lampooned cynically, "It truly doesn't matter whether I win or lose; either way, I'll still end up winning."
"Faceless, show my authentic face to Melissa and Benson, show a different face to everyone else. This can let me remind myself who I am, while gaining feedback from the latter."
"I can likely act as a Marionetist through my avatar/marionette plan."
"Bizarro Sorcerer won't be easy to act as a Nighthawk. I'll wait for now. Maybe when I have enough characteristics I can create an avatar/marionette to send to the sea to hunt pirates. Since the most powerful are the Kings, which are at most Sequence 3, I can get good feedback while not being in any danger. Plus I can get a lot of money."
"Scholar of Yore, it was almost completely digested. This is from my understanding of the truth of this world. I . . . need to move on; thankfully I have the desire to live and Melissa and Benson have anchored me. It seems to fully digest Scholar of Yore; I just need to study some more history."
"Miracle Invoker might be able to be done with Adam's and 0-08 stories. At the finale of their story, I can lead a Nighthawk or someone to wish for a miracle and then act using that. Though since it is a Sequence 2, that likely won't be enough. Additionally, in my current situation, it suffers just the same as Bizarro Sorcerer. I need to obtain more characteristics."
"Attendant of Mysteries. Using Mr. World, I can do this; it will likely be a long process."
After some other considerations, Klein finalized his plans. He left his avatar up in Sefirah Castle and descended back into the real world.
When he descended, he felt his intuition say he should tell the Nighthawks about the Antigonus notebook.
Were you at Sefirah Castle?
Indeed. Don't ask more questions.
. . . Understood.
After that, Klein decided to go to Blackthorn Security Company. Before that, Klein began his plan and switched with his avatar/marionette in Sefirah Castle.
You intend for me to supplement the weakness of this avatar or marionette?
You caught on faster than I expected, though that should have been expected.
While I'm by no means close to the skill of Amon, that doesn't mean I have no talent.
Klein's avatar turned marionette soon arrived at Blackthorn and, after encountering Leonard, quickly entered Dunn's office. After communicating a story about gaining memories of the Antigonus notebook to Dunn, Dunn decided to chase the lead. Dunn got Kenley to replace Neil and Klein, and Dunn, Leonard, Frye, and Neil soon left for where Klein had his premonition.
They soon arrived and began carefully investigating. They soon encountered a room with a corpse in it. It was sealed with spirituality before Leonard broke the door down. The corpse was of an old woman; she was rotting, and an eye even fell out. Klein pretended to vomit since Nighthawk Klein shouldn't be used to this. Seeing this, Frye gave Klein a whiff of something that smelled like tobacco, disinfectant, and mint leaves.
Dunn asked Klein whether it was familiar. Klein gave a vague response that it was familiar to him, but it was where the Antigonus notebook was. After hearing that, Dunn got Leonard to get the cops. When the cops arrived, the moment they saw the corpse, they complied with Dunn's orders.
After the cops investigated, they discovered who the corpse belonged to.
"Katy Stefania Bieber. Between 55 and 60 years old. Widow. Has rented this apartment with her son, Ray Bieber, for more than ten years."
"Her husband was formerly a gem artisan. Her son is about thirty years old and is single. He inherited his father's trade and earns about one pound and fifteen soli a week. According to their neighbors, they have not seen them in more than a week."
Klein knew that since Ray Bieber is known to be missing, the Antigonus notebook is now on him. This didn't even need his spirituality or divination to confirm.
Dunn then asked whether there was a photo or image of Ray Bieber. After confirming the best they had would be sketches, Dunn had Neil use ritualistic magic. Neil then constructed a rendition of Ray Bieber. Klein then proceeded to say he was going to use a dowsing rod seeking to track Ray Bieber. Though when he did it, it was being concealed...
Seriously? How important is this damn notebook for . . . likely 'Him' to have to personally hide it? On second thought, it's probably not the notebook that's important. More of the effect it can cause.
"It appears something is interfering with my divination."
Since none of the stories that Klein had experienced were dangerous, Klein was still fine with going with it for now.
Hearing what Klein said, Dunn replied, "Take Ray Bieber's portrait and inquire with the residents for a final confirmation. Following that, we will issue a warrant of arrest against him for the murder of his mother."
The remaining Nighthawks went to follow orders. After following orders, Klein decided to ask Neil why the original Klein sent the Antigonus notebook to the apartment. Klein believed this would help build the image of a naive Nighthawk, which is much more convincing and reasonable than a too calm and knowledgeable one. Soon, the conversation between Neil and Klein ended, and they were back at Blackthorn Security Company.
When entering, they encountered Mrs. Orianna. After some small talk and praising a woman's beauty with age, she told them about how much the mission Klein and Leonard took. The main thing Klein took from it was that he got 10 pounds, and he needs to become a formal Nighthawk so he can be paid more.
Seriously, Klein, I'm questioning whether you're just greedy or whether you're just obsessed. Pallez was shocked at how his mindset was focused on family, acting, and a very strong, slightly questionable obsession with money.
I wouldn't say I'm greedy since I don't mind spending money. Also, greed implies I want money or material wealth at all costs. I don't think I'm that far gone.
True.
Additionally, many issues can be solved by money, and it makes some of my simpler goals much easier. Like spoiling my siblings and buying delicious food.
Pallez had to admit to the wisdom there. 'He' then began thinking about whether he should go to 'His' family vault eventually since 'He' was with allies that could aid 'Him' now and 'He' was much more powerful than 'He' was. 'He' still considered Amon as an issue, though, and decided to not go until there was a greater need.
While Klein and Pallez were considering money, Orianna was recounting how the butler complimented the company's skill. The conversation soon led to Klein asking about Neil's salary, which was apparently 12 pounds weekly.
I should negotiate for better pay. I'm only getting paid 15 pounds, and I'm an archangel!
Did you forget that 1,000-pound payment you get every year? Pallez teased.
Oh yeah...
Neil then went into how his salary was particularly good because he didn't even need to pay taxes.
Taxes are a pain even in this time.
Pallez heard that and decided to file that away.
Klein decided to ask about where he could get mysticism materials since Neil was going into how a 12-pound pay wasn't enough for Beyonders who have to frequently study the hidden mysteries, practice, and attempt rituals.
Neil responded with, "It can be bought internally or at underground markets."
Klein hadn't heard about underground circles from Pallez, Arianna, or Perran, but that made sense since those underground markets couldn't have anything they needed. If they did, he would be more concerned about that.
To build Nighthawk Klein's persona, Klein asked Neil about why the church lets underground markets stay. After getting a response, Klein asked whether Neil could let him join him on his next excursion.
Old Neil appeared to be placed in a difficult position.
"In fact, those guys who are active in those places are mostly not Beyonders. Some of them might be aristocrats that like mystery or rich people who have inclinations towards mysticism... Uh, alright. I have a thirty-pound bill that needs paying soon. It wouldn't be convenient for me to head over there for the time being."
Klein offered to help him pay, but Neil waved it away. He responded that he could pay it and would pay it while teaching Klein some ritualistic magic.
Hmmm, how does he intend to use ritualistic magic to pay his debt? Does he intend to pray to Perran? Klein thought about this humorously.
Yes. Pallez delivered using an on-purpose deadpan voice. I've seen him do it before. wasn't for Clown, Klein would have stared in true shock.
I have to see that... then ask Perran about it.
After seeing that there wasn't anything Klein needed to do since Dunn wasn't back, he intended to pretend he was still searching for the notebook. In reality, he intended to go to the divination club to begin acting. He also decided that if he had time, he would use divination to determine whether it was an opportune moment to send Melissa to the Church of Steam.