The curtain fell

"Four paintings of unknown origin appeared in the Backlund Morning Post, vividly depicting the beginnings of a catastrophe. Mr. A and Panatiya were specifically portrayed as key figures.

"Fortunately, there were no traces of Beyonder powers on these four paintings. The official Beyonders had yet to notice any of this, while Panatiya, guided by her perception of fate, discovered the paintings early and located the newspaper office responsible."

(Smudged-out text)

"Using certain techniques, Panatiya obtained the original paintings and a portrait of their owner from the newspaper office. However, the paintings had been protected against divination, making it impossible to locate either the artist or their original owner.

"After comparing the paintings against internal wanted notices, the official Beyonders did take notice of them. They located the newspaper office, but the original paintings had already been taken away, and divination yielded no results."

(Smudged-out text)

"Ikanser Bernard, a deacon of the Machinery Hivemind, realized he had met the person who delivered the paintings and promptly pointed this out. The relevant case files were retrieved, and those involved were questioned.

"Aside from Bernadette, the investigation revealed nothing unusual. Bernadette and the person involved had already left Backlund by the time of the incident. Their whereabouts were unknown.

"Following this, the official Beyonders heightened their vigilance, and Backlund was placed under martial law."

"Deacon, are you still reading that case file?"

Beneath the Machinery Hivemind's headquarters, a Beyonder wearing thick-lensed glasses pushed the door open after receiving permission to enter. His gaze swept over the documents on the desk, looking slightly surprised.

Seated behind the desk, Deacon Ikanser Bernard murmured an acknowledgment and replied:

"Last time, with that lady vouching for her, we readily let her go. After this incident, I decided there was no harm in trying and asked Arrodes about