Aurora Order Claims Responsibility

Luther and the red-haired Sophia agreed on a profit-sharing arrangement, but verbal promises don't count for much, so she took out another Contract, clearly wrote down all the terms, and had them both sign it.

Although he signed a pseudonym, the moment he finished writing it, Luther felt a subtle and peculiar connection forming within him. It seemed that if he didn't act according to the terms of the Contract, something very bad would happen.

"Even Sequence 4 Demigod would face severe consequences for violating the 'Notarization,' and I hope you won't," Sophia warned sternly. "The Beyonder Gathering is tomorrow night; we'll meet at the bridgehead of Backlund Bridge."

Luther nodded in agreement and parted ways with her.

He blended into the shadows, not going straight back, but circling around several times until he was sure Sophia wasn't following him, before returning to his rented Apartment.

"You're finally back!"

He was greeted at the Door Opening by his landlady Emily, who was wearing a pale yellow nightgown and had her hands clasped together, looking breathless and uneasy.

She experienced so much trauma that night. First, a group of bloodied wounded soldiers burst in, and then a fight broke out. Although she hid in her room and didn't witness it firsthand, she heard the terrifying noises. When she came out, she found her house in complete disarray, with even a burn mark on the floor.

"I'm sorry to have startled you... Where's my sister?"

Luther Zedao scanned the room but did not find Cecilia.

"I have no idea."

Emily's reply pleased him, "After your noisy commotion, the room became quiet, and I didn't see anyone when I came out."

Where did Cecilia go?

Luther was a little anxious and turned to go out to look for someone when he saw the door being pushed open and his younger sister coming in.

"Brother, you're back."

She looked very happy.

"Cecilia, where have you been?"

"I've been lurking in the nearby streets, just in case anything unexpected happens."

The younger sister replied, "So, is the matter resolved?"

"Almost."

Luther felt a little more at Tranquility as he touched the manuscript of the Third-Generation Differential Engine hidden in his bosom through his clothes.

Just then, the noise around him grew louder, his vision dimmed, and all the objects began to Distortion and deform.

My lucid time is finally over!

He thought regretfully, and called out to his sister, asking her to help him control himself.

Regardless, I've struck it rich tonight. Not only did I digest the Potion, but I also got a Lamb and even acquired an item of extremely high value. With this, I wonder what I can exchange it for with that important figure...

Money?

Beyonder Item?

Or should I simply ask the other party to help me resolve my mental state?

Before he went half-mad, Luther was still thinking about this.

The next morning, Luther, having replenished his energy with plenty of fresh meat, regained consciousness. He sat at the dining table, having breakfast with Emily and Cecilia while reading the newspaper.

Ever since the Fat Apothecary told him about the gathering, which was based on a tip posted in the Backlund Morning Post, he subscribed to that newspaper, as well as several other well-known newspapers in Backlund, as Pathway to get information on a daily basis.

Just now, he unfolded the newspaper, and a shocking headline appeared:

Ambassador Bakerland of Intis has been murdered! The terrorist organization "Aurora Order" claims responsibility!

Ah?

Upon seeing this title, Luther was momentarily stunned.

Ambassador Bakerland of Intis... isn't he the guy in the Gold Mask who's Rosago's boss? He was killed by the Aurora Order?

Thinking about how he had just impersonated a divine Oracle of the Aurora Order last night, Luther couldn't help but laugh.

He had originally intended to pin the blame on the Aurora Order, but unexpectedly, the Aurora Order actually involved in the incident. In that case, MI9 would be misled and start investigating the group of fanatics, making him much safer.

Good thing, let them torment each other.

With a cheerful mood, Luther continued to browse the other newspapers.

He noticed that there was no mention of the gathering on page five of the Backlund Morning Post, and that Sherlock Moriarty was still playing Gog's Detective.

15 Minsk Street, I remember. After I've digested the Shadow Ascetic's Potion, I'll go meet this great Detective.

Luther thought to himself.

He put down the newspaper, picked up scissors, and cut out several roughly shaped paper figures from the newspaper he had finished reading, intending to use them as his Substitute later.

North Borough, the headquarters of the Church of the Evernight Goddess in Backlund, Saint Samuel Cathedral.

"Da, da."

Handsome Leonard, wearing bright red gloves, strode down the empty, deep corridor. He seemed much more composed than he had been in Tingen. His emerald eyes held a hint of detachment from reality.

After turning a corner, Leonard suddenly stopped.

Suddenly, many familiar figures appeared before his eyes: Dunn, Klein, Luther... They looked at Leonard, each with a smile on their face, just like back at Blackthorn Security Company.

Leonard watched quietly for a while, his eyes filled with nostalgia, before a bitter smile slowly appeared on his face.

"I'm sorry, Captain, I shouldn't have laughed at you behind your back before... It turns out that becoming Nightmare really does make your memory worse."

After the Dream Illusion vanished, he continued on his way.

He has now successfully advanced to Sequence 7, "Nightmare," and has earned the qualification to join the elite Nighthawks, "Red Gloves." He will gather with the other newcomers in Backlund and then head to the Cathedral in Winter County to receive a full set of training and courses.

Just you wait, everyone, this is the first step in my revenge for you.

As he was walking, he suddenly encountered an old man. The man was wearing a classic black robe, carrying some documents in his arms, with gray hair and deep wrinkles on his face.

Old Neil.

Leonard's eyes narrowed involuntarily. Across from him, Old Neil also noticed Leonard, initially shocked, then his white beard began to tremble, a mixture of joy and sorrow spreading across his face. He seemed to want to say something, but the words caught in his throat...

But I don't know where to begin.

Leonard took a deep breath, lowered his eyes, and continued walking forward.

He didn't say a word.

"Hold back, don't speak, don't reminisce..." Leonard told himself.

Because whenever they talk, they inevitably end up talking about the captain and avenging their comrades... Old Neil has died once and saved the captain more than once. Now, he is very old, and it would be too cruel to take him out of his peaceful old age and make him participate in the battle against a powerful enemy.

Let's just pretend we don't know each other; it's better for everyone.

Old Neil seemed to sense Leonard's thoughts as well. He became conflicted, sad, and even a little angry. He almost dropped the documents in his arms.

But until the very end, he didn't speak up.

And so, the distance between the two gradually closed until they brushed past each other, and then the distance widened again.

"Take care."

As I approached the end of the corridor, an aged, trembling voice sounded from behind me.

Leonard closed his eyes, his feet never stopping.