Inside of the basement. Unlike the conventional, limited space reserved for storage uses.
The basement of the Halzter Van was more cavernous than anticipated. There were many rooms, and the company had to rely on a lighted gas lamp to venture.
In this dense atmosphere and reeks of foul odor drifts into the air. Due to the absence of vents, it stayed circulating in the confined space.
Selina pinched her nose on the cover of her handkerchief, just to filter out the stench. Ugh! I can hardly imagine what the basement is used for!
On the flickering light that casts their long erratic shadows. They soon reached the corner-most room. Where another gas lamp was lighted.
Klein and Leonard was there, inspecting a tree of sort in a clay pot.
Klein! Selina was about to rush there and greet them when Dunn's hand halted her.
Suddenly, their captain's face was unusually solemn and his gray eyes couldn't look away from the visage of their two members.
Selina's body tensed up. Horror gripped her heart as she slowly casted her gaze to Klein and Leonard.
They were both discussing something and failed to notice their presence. Even though they act normal, it was clear Dunn's expression indicated something.
Implicating that it's uncertain whether that's still Klein and Leonard they know.
Selina's hand clenched her coat. Right on the heels of that, she instantly settled on drawing Klein into the dreamworld.
If things gone wrong. She can at least neutralize Klein and hold his consciousness.
However, because Dunn hadn't acted yet. She refrained from doing anything yet. It's dangerous if she pass out here and without any conflict yet, perhaps the captain have something in mind.
But despite it. The apprehension, anxiety and dread made her restless.
As for Leonard. Selina will gladly wound herself to smear blood on any surface of his body to pull him.
Dunn's eyes turned dark as if it was a lake reflected the cold night. He remained fixed toward their two members.
Right on the heels of that, he opened his mouth agape and his breath reverberated into a poem.
"They are drenched by rains, and huddle around the rocks for lack of shelter.
"They are orphans snatched from the breast, hope lost on them; they are the poor that have been forced off the proper path.
"The Evernight did not forsake them, but bestowed them with love."
...
Klein inspected the bonsai tree thoroughly.
He realized. This resembles the tree lady figure from Galopin visit in Milo...
"Don't look into its eyes now Klein." the poet Leonard warned as he display a knowing smile. "That's a figurine. The Demoness Sect and the Aurora Order are notorious for dragging around such idols to pray to their evil deities. Stay cautious when around it, because even if the members have seemed to left. It doesn't mean the spirituality residing within it had dissipated."
Klein distanced himself away from the bonsai. He clenched the hilt of his cane and asked, "This was really the last room? No reliable lead or items of sort?"
"Unfortunately." Leonard closed the gap between them. "If the investigation has been in process for weeks now. It likely that they caught glimpse of it and decided it would be best to leave immediately.
"Why? Is there something you're hoping to uncover? You can tell me."
Klein refrained from talking, afraid that this unwarranted poet would just keep pressing him.
Around this moment. As they finished inspecting the bonsai figure. Leonard and Klein both heard a melodious song.
It was intense and serene, resounding across the room.
Cocking his ear. Klein stiffened and slowly turned around.
"Captain?" he said upon seeing Dunn. Illuminated by the lamp.
Dunn's lips was parted. Reciting a soothing voice, a poetic song, cleansing Klein's spirit.
Leonard eased upon seeing the man with a long receding hairline from the doorway.
"Captain!" he smiled in surprise. "This was the last room we've inspected. The rest were... let's say 'fun' equipment designed for adults."
Heart ramming her throat. Selina finally heaved a sigh of relief. Then Leonard's last words struck her. Fun equipment?
Dunn's face softened.
He raised the lamp slightly up before saying, "So it's the same here."
Seeka left Dunn's side and glanced at the bonsai. She recognized, "That's a prayer figurine."
Nodding, Leonard said, "Even though the basement is where their 'duties' happen. I'm surprised they refrained from taking souls. Perhaps too occupied in other aspects to be desired of?
"Also, there's one interesting list that was crumbled earlier on a corner that Klein discovered."
After receiving the balled paper from Leonard. Seeka unfurled the paper and laid it open.
In the dim glow of the two lamps. They saw a list of ingredients that would often be present in the underground market.
Stone of Silence - 100 pounds
One full-body colorful carp - 100 pounds
Cedar essential oil - 8 soli
Sediments of Stone of Silence - 1 pound and 13 soli
Pure monkeyflower - 5 soli
As the list continues on. Selina gradually realized what some of the ingredients likely is used for:
For the Sequence 9 Monster main ingredient. One is named a Tail of a Colorful Carp!
With this, she turned to Klein and signaled him with her eyes.
Seeing Selina's sapphire pupils and noting of the spare ingredients in the crumpled note. Klein quickly knew that she was referring to the Sequence 9 Monster formula.
To which the whole basement did not have a copy of.
I'm sorry... Klein shook his head as if responding to the note.
Oh... Despite feeling disheartened. Selina quickly looked down on the paper in Seeka's hands to prevent suspicion.
"Seems like other than pleasure and entertainment. Usually the Rose School of Thought is known for. They're also trying to control the market for these specific items." Dunn evaluated based on findings.
"Klein, can you uncover anything based on this?"
For once. Klein shook his head after a few seconds of thinking. "Divination works when there's a mystical connection to the following events. There's a clear limit to how it can perceive.
"Regarding their disappearance, their shopping list, and the figurine. I have been trying to use dowsing but it seems there's interference happening in the building."
This meant that an anti-divination is in effect.
Just like how I used it to locate the gold coin...
Earlier, as Klein conduct their forensic sweep. His hand holding the hilt of the cane had been loose during that time. The result was always negative, clearly caused by a disturbance.
Dunn sighed and after analyzing the case's progress with the group's opinion, decisively said, "It seems we can't properly neutralize them altogether. Yes, driving them off also helped lessening the risk of the Rose School of Thought.
"I'll declare this case suspended."
As the rest of them nod and jointly leaves. Selina suddenly said after reaching the surface floor. "Captain. May I borrow Klein for a bit?"
Dunn and the company halted on the hallway. He smiled and slightly joked, "Heh I think it should be us who should ask your permission regarding Klein."
Selina sighed and shot Klein a glance. Prompting him to lean in and ask in puzzlement.
"Where are we going?"
She calmly replied, "I have a hypothesis that requires your divination. Let's find you a room."
After that, she took his hand by the wrist. Dunn and the rest watched in daze, one was baffled regardless of how many times she have seen it but one grinned.
"I'll monitor them." Leonard petitioned with a smile before following them.
In the break room. Selina let go and placed a hand on her chin. She said lifting her head, "I think not all of their members went with them. For instance, the steward, he's crucial for the deputy position."
Klein thought and replied, "Maybe one or two was left behind... Is that your point?"
Seeing Selina nod. He took out a paper, wrote a line that says; "Halzter Van Retrieval Company have left few major members." With a fountain pen he kept to his pocket.
"I need to be alone for now." he asked Selina politely. "Return to Captain and the others and if someone if coming. Keep them away. Alright?"
"Okay."
Without any protests, she nodded and left. The door produced a sounding thud that reverberated in the room, bathed in golden glow.
When Selina saw the hallway. She jolted right after seeing that on the side, the long haired poet Leonard was there leaning.
"Oh, w-what a surprise." she feigned obliviousness.
Leonard, with his flare unbuttoned, turned to her and smiled. "The group is at the registrar. Hope we won't be held here for long."
Recalling what Klein had informed her before this investigation. Regarding how Leonard's fanatism acknowledged the uniqueness of the other.
So Leonard is also special... Special? Is that how we're called? Not moles of sort?
Musing, Selina quietly left the front of the door. Upon deliberation, she said, "I will share my hypothesis with the captain. For now let's leave alone and head back."
"Why?" Leonard blurted out.
Selina thought for an excuse. But ultimately give up. "Let's just head back. Klein requested it."
With a frown, she continued to walk. The curious Leonard turned sideways from Selina and the door. In the end, he followed.
"I wouldn't want to be the reason the case is dismissed." He said after catching up. "What's your hypothesis?"
"I had an epiphany that there might be members left behind." Selina said calmly. "Particularly the steward."
Leonard fixed his gaze ahead. "Well, you're not mistaken. With this kind operation that had been undercover for long, it would be a waste if this stability is compromised."
...
After returning from the gray fog.
Klein was able to capture an image of a gentleman. It was a young man in a vintage suit, walking around with a neatly combed black hair.
After citing the Evernight Goddess's honorifics. He produced a hand-drawn image that look like it can contend with the painters from his world.
He quickly tidied up the altar and any residue of his ritual. That was the last batch of materials he had with him.
In the lounge, right after the registrar hall. Klein returned to the group and presented a photo.
"How interesting. He seems to be the gentleman that caught Selina's attention." Seeka said after inspecting the photo.
In it was a picture of a man. He had a thin brows with oval face and there's notes telling what color blend does he have. Yellowish brown eyes, dark hair and slightly pale skin mixed with bronze.
Leonard, Dunn and Klein snapped from their seats on the sofa.
"Where did you saw him?" Dunn gray eyes reflects Seeka and Royale's visage across the tea table.
"Bounevelle Rest House. Right as we leave." answered Royale earnestly.
Dunn fell silent before asking Klein, "Did you find out where he lives?"
Klein recalled and said, "It was a three story house. Multifaceted roof and bricked walls. The street was a suburbs and it had no hawkers or litters lying around."
"It's likely the upper Iron Cross Street, middle street or the North Borough." said Seeka thoughtfully.
"Are there any more distinct features?" Dunn probed, knowing that without sufficient and discerning details. It will be hard to locate it in the urban era.
Klein gave up after nearly twenty seconds. "The lawn was well tended. The walls are maintained and the curtains are open."
"Seems this gentleman knows how to live a lavish life." Leonard remarked. "Say, is there anyone in the house you saw?"
"Only maid servants that would enter and leave with a key." Klein answered simply.
"Then that means he'll likely be at the club of the rest house mostly." said Leonard with quick deduction. "If I had no one to return to. I'll be spending most of my time in a club as well."
Maybe that's why you overtime... Klein turned away. Playfully grinning.
After contemplating. Dunn stood up. "Let's split. Klein, Seeka and Selina, try to find his residence while Leonard and I search the rest house where he was spotted."
Without complaints. The group nodded.