"For example, the Sealed Artifacts, mysterious objects, or a potion's main ingredients that are left behind by Beyonders who have lost control?" Klein's reply echoed next.
"Correct.
"This isn't only the case for Beyonders who lose control; it's also the same for normal Beyonders after they die."
"But what's different about Beyonders who lose control is that a Beyonder who dies normally won't leave behind ingredients or objects. Th-they're equivalent to a potion, a potion that corresponds to their Sequences, except that they're lacking a certain amount of supplementary ingredients."
Beyonder Characteristic Indestructability? ...! Beyonder Characteristic Conservation! Selina was suddenly pulled from her stupor.
But why's Captain saying this? Did something happened during their recent mission? Klein has since stopped reporting to me!
Dunn looked at the recreation room and explained in a deep voice, "A few years ago... Well... I can't exactly remember just exactly how many years it was, but I wasn't the Captain of the Nighthawks back then. I unexpectedly realized this problem, and after interacting with Daly, who had just become a Beyonder, I immediately sent a report to the Holy Cathedral. The Holy Cathedral told me to keep it a secret and gave me two choices. Heh heh, that's also the reason why it's me, and not Daly, who's explaining this to you. Whoever exposes this is responsible for it.
"The first choice was to pretend to know nothing, just like a large number of Nighthawk Captains and Deacons, and allow the Holy Cathedral to continue dealing with the remains of Beyonders who died through normal means. The second was for them to give me a unique, simple ritual and the corresponding techniques. It would allow me to temporarily consume the items produced by the unique characteristics within a limited period of time. Well, this is only suitable for Sequences of the same pathway at my level or lower.
"This would augment my Beyonder characteristics, and I would also become more powerful. In terms of abilities regarding dreams, my powers now are not too different from a Sequence 6's. That's also the reason why I dared to deal with Madam Sharon."
Madam Sharon... Selina recalled something.
"I chose the second option, but not because I wanted to become more powerful. If I wanted to become more powerful, quickly digesting a potion and receiving an advancement is the best and most direct way."
"Then why do you still continue?" Klein's voice asked in reply.
"I just said that becoming more powerful isn't the reason why I consume their remains."
"They were all my partners... We've gone through many things together. We've dealt with monsters in the darkness and insane heretics together. Some of them have saved me, and I've saved quite a number of them. We walked together in the silent night. We fought together in battles that aren't visible to the general public. We faced danger together. We had each other's backs.
"I really can't bear to part with them. I remember the lad, Hitte. He broke into tears the first time we went on a dangerous mission. I remember Adelaide, heh—he was Rozanne's father. He once blocked an evil curse for me with his arm. I remember the lady, Dwayne, and her warm temperament which was like the dawn. She would always silently record the things we encountered. I remember Kenley being someone who knew how to do many things like play the seven-string guitar, sing, tell stories, even though he wasn't tall. He was more like a poet than Leonard... I miss them very much.
"I hoped to continue fighting with them, to continue dealing with the monsters in the darkness, to deal with the crazy heretics, to protect Tingen City with them. Thus, I chose to consume their remains."
Captain... Selina weakly muttered.
There was an undeniable tint in Dunn's voice.
"They're still with me in my dreams. Adelaide loves to read, and he often reads at the solarium. He often tells me to discipline Rozanne and get her to mature faster, to the point that Rozanne complains about me becoming more and more like her father and has become scared of me. Hitte is a person who cannot sit still and has to hunt in the forest every day. Dwayne always stands by the window of her bedroom and watches us chat. Kenley, who recently joined, created his own seven-string guitar and sings while strumming it... I really miss them."
Selina pressed both her intertwined hands, it was unknown when she stood right to a corner.
"Unfortunately, Old Neil died after losing control. Otherwise, he would've brought along much joy to us." Dunn retracted his gaze. He lowered his head and massaged the bridge of his nose.
A few seconds later, he lifted his head and let out a bitter smile.
"This is a selfish decision.
"I don't know what the true wishes of Adelaide, Kenley, and the rest were, and, thus, selfishly made a decision for them.
"I truly am a selfish person."
No... No you're not... Selina was reminded of Leonard's words.
"He became responsible of you."
...
On the sofa in the receptionist area, Leonard watched Megose pull out clumps of her hair as his expression became more and more rigid.
Megose seemed increasingly restless as she constantly picked up the glass for a mouthful of water. She looked at Leonard with a contorted expression.
"I don't know why, but I suddenly feel a little unwell."
Leonard Mitchell was about to reply when he suddenly saw Megose reach for her face. She clawed out a piece of flesh—a long piece of flesh—a piece of flesh stained with blood.
"My face is a little itchy." Megose smiled, a little embarrassed. The edge of her lips spread to where her cheekbones were, revealing a row of white teeth and bright red gums.
FUCK! Leonard cursed out silently. He felt that the situation was worsening way too quickly.
His lips quivering, Leonard turned to listen as his expression immediately turned steely green.
He forced a smile and apologized to Megose, who was clawing out pieces of her flesh.
"I need to use the bathroom."
"Al... right..." Megose's tone became ethereal.
She rubbed her belly and said, "My... child... is a little restless..."
...
Selina suddenly lowered her hands. Her spiritual intuition is stirring like a tidal tempest.
As the ability of a Beast Tamer was to exert their Ether Body far so that it allows them to acutely comprehend emotions of the plants and read animals. It also allowed her to sense the seed inside Leonard's vial.
This is one the strange things she discovered when talking with him in the health room. Though this wasn't implied due to her inactive focus.
Now. The seed's spiritual intuition is acting like a remote bot. Sending it to her.
Megose's devil child is acting... Selina felt the seed's dark blemishes growing. She was gripping the hems of her dress intensely.
Then, she heard Leonard in the partition.
"Captain, I'm afraid that it's too late. We have to deal with Megose and her baby immediately. Otherwise, the whole of Tingen will suffer terrible losses. This isn't something that can be avoided just by evacuating the citizens around us. I know that you've already sent such a telegram."
"Are you sure that the situation has worsened to such an extent?"
"Yes. In no more than three minutes, Megose will undergo a mutation, and her child will descend upon us."
Leonard exchanged some words with Klein. Their silhouette was made with the latter handing what look like an intermingled linings to him.
"I'll head out with Saint Selena's ashes first. Come out after ten seconds; remember, come out only after you finish counting to ten. Then, regardless of my condition, direct your strongest attacks at Megose and her baby without wasting any time."
Selina's heart skipped for the worst. No! Captain!
"Captain..."
"Captain!"
Two voices erupted, one was silent.
"Don't worry about me. I'm not alone. Adelaide, Dwayne, Hitte, and Kenley are all fighting alongside me, no matter what kind of danger I face."
Dunn's voice spoke with gentleness. Then, it paused for a moment before adding,
"There's no need to be too nervous as well. We're guarding Tingen City."
Selina could feel the Captain is smiling. Before hearing his steps gradually disappear.
We are guardians, but also a bunch of miserable wretches that are constantly fighting against threats and madness.