In the bedroom

When Klein had left Backlund two weeks earlier, ostensibly on "business," he had actually felt rather as though he were fleeing in disgrace. After all, an avatar of Amon—the "Angel of Time," the "Blasphemer," and "that person's brother"—had already arrived in Backlund, and his target was very likely Klein, who possessed a certain special quality.

But now, upon returning to the city, Klein had become a Sequence 4 "Trick Sorcerer," gaining the beginnings of the power needed to resist this King of Angels.

Of course, this did not mean he could confront a Sequence 1 head-on. Rather, as "Orange Light" Hilarion had said, once he possessed divinity, Klein would be able to conceal his "special quality" and avoid detection by this King of Angels, who coveted his power.

Only after advancing did Klein truly discover that a "Trick Sorcerer" possessed a power representing "confusion" and "deception," or, more broadly, "concealment." It could instinctively mask his special quality, making it difficult for High Sequence Beyonders of the same pathway or adjacent pathways to recognize it, while also proving highly effective at concealing his strength.

This also pointed to the direction he should take in acting as a "Trick Sorcerer" and in combat: keep his true body hidden behind the scenes and fight using the special qualities of his marionettes... He chuckled inwardly and looked at the two marionettes beside him, both of whom could share all his "Trick Sorcerer" abilities, feeling rather wistful.

When I left Backlund, I was still a "master of losing marionettes." Now I have two whole marionettes, and my maximum capacity has risen to fifty!

Now I really am an entire circus all by myself...

He had "Winner" Enzo, who was posing as his personal valet under the new name Enyouni, hail a hired carriage. With the