Family

That's really not right!

Klein's eyes widened, but Neph felt increasingly convinced of her own reasoning and encouraged him:

"Great! See? This explains why you were sent on a special mission. After all, such talent shouldn't be wasted!"

Klein opened his mouth, but finding he couldn't find a reason to refute it, he changed his mind and said:

"There's one more thing—we can't have gone so long without communicating. I need to catch up on a few letters I sent back, and remember to include that part of your memory as well."

"No problem!" Neph replied cheerfully.

In mid-March, Klein attended the second Tarot Club after Neph disappeared. Unlike before, he removed the seat that belonged to Neph —he had considered keeping the seat as a memento, but Neph was right about one thing: as she drew closer to the God, it was inappropriate for her to continue sitting at the lower seat.

Therefore, Klein ultimately removed the extra chair. At the new week's Tarot Club, no one would overlook the missing chair. Klein observed their private exchanges and casually spoke:

?

"Miss Pure White" told me that she would not be appearing at the Tarot Club for some time, and even if she did reappear, it would not be in her previous capacity, so I canceled that chair.

"However, she also said that any of you who wish to make a deal with her can ask Mr. 'World' to convey your message, or pray to her."

Neph heard about this matter twice, once before the meeting began and once after it ended. The first time was when Klein discussed the wording with her, and the second time was when Cattleya relayed the information.

When Neph saw Cattleya in the prayer scene, she couldn't describe her feelings. After thinking for a moment, she sent Cattleya a rather blunt response:

"I think you have the right to know that, in fact, Mr. Fool was sitting right across from me when I heard your prayer."

Then, Klein found Neph and told her about Cattleya's inexplicable apology.

After hearing the whole story, Klein felt a bit like laughing and crying at the same time, but this also confirmed what Neph had said earlier. Klein realized that it was indeed not a good thing for two God from different factions to attend the same meeting.

Neph wasn't quite sure how he handled things at the Tarot Club afterward; all she knew was that in late March, Klein finally finished digesting the "Faceless" Potion.

This was more than half a month earlier than in the original story. Neph guessed that this was related to her playing Tracy. She stopped teasing Klein about it and instead urged him to send his first mate away as soon as possible.

So, as Neph sat smiling on the railing, Gehrman Sparrow, disguised as Tracy, revealed his true form and, under the watchful eye of the "White Demoness" Katarina Pelle, killed the first mate of the Black Death," then dragged the " Demoness of Unaging " into the sea.

This account comes from the surviving crew members of the "Black Death." In their description, Gehrman Sparrow seduced the "White Demoness," who, with her help, killed "Vice Admiral of Ailment" Tracy, along with three of her henchmen.

By the time the rumor had spread across the the Sea, Gehrman Sparrow had already collected the bounty that belonged to Tracy and her first mate, and split it 50/50 with Neph.

Neph didn't refuse the bounty, but she left the first mate's Beyonder Characteristic to Klein. After that, she led Klein towards Backlund.

Benson and Melissa's location was found by Klein using a map. Neve actually knew they lived at 26 Kingster Street in the Backlund-Jowood district, however, she didn't know where Kingster Street was.

Considering the possibility that they might move midway, and given that Klein indicated he could take over, Neph didn't Exit her answer. She led Klein through different streets, finally stopping in front of a door.

"Are you sure this is the place?" Neph asked Klein.

Klein did not answer. His self-light fell on the door in front of him, seemingly penetrating the door and seeing the scene inside. Neph paused for a moment as she watched the curve of his lips, but did not disturb the silence.

Perhaps remembering that she was still there, Klein didn't dwell on his emotions for long. He came back to his senses and whispered to Neph:

"Excuse me, shall we go inside?"

"Tonight," Neph shook her head, "If we're going to set up the scene, there's more time in the evening."

They waited until nightfall, and after confirming that Benson and Melissa's memories had been altered and the scene was perfectly staged, Neph asked Klein:

"I'm leaving. Do you want me to give you a ride, or would you like to stay in Backlund for a while?"

Klein hesitated for two seconds, then said with a gentle look in his eyes:

I want to stay at home for a while.

"Well, I also need to give the money to ' Moon ' and entrust him to buy that Mystical Item, and then restore the Beyonder Characteristic of the ' Marionettist ' to their purity."

"Also, Sherlock Moriarty hasn't been back for a while, so I can take this opportunity to see an old friend and pick up my share of the Pedal Bicycle profits—oh, by the way, is it inconvenient for you to collect your share right now?"

"Can you carry it for me?" Neph blinked. "Although I'm not a wanted criminal yet, I'm still under investigation."

They easily decided where they were going. Neph waved to Klein and turned to leave, but Klein quickly spoke up:

"Wait, where are you going?"

"Go find Frank," Neph said casually. "And then? Hmm, maybe I'll go back to the ' Forsaken Land of the Gods '? I have some things to take care of in that Sea of Ruins —hiss, speaking of which, I'm Demigod —shouldn't the ' Aurora Order ' include me as a Saint?"

She turned to look at Klein, Klein shook his head, reminding her:

"I think it's inappropriate to ask me that, and besides, if I did, you might really become a wanted criminal."

"...

Neph glanced at Klein expressionlessly, then turned and left.

Only after watching her figure fade and disappear from his sight did Klein suddenly remember a question. He quickly stepped out of the window and left the room, his eyes filled with confusion, and said:

Did she fail to break my invisibility?

"Captain?" Frank, his eyes filled with suspicion as he approached the Captain's Quarters. "What do you want with me?"

"Your friend sent me a letter through someone," Cattleya said, looking at Frank as he walked in.

"It's a bit complicated," she said. "She found a seller of the ' Druid ' Potion recipe, who was asking for 5,000 pounds."

"Really!" Frank instantly became excited. "Great, 5,000 pounds—I'll go get the money right away! And, Captain, when do we dock?"

Seeing his excited expression, Cattleya's feelings became even more complicated. However, this was not something she could decide, so she could only speak up:

"I've looked at the Sea Chart; we should be able to reach the nearest port today."

Before she could finish speaking, Frank laughed happily, "Then I'll go ashore and take a look! Hmm, I'll sell some of my odds and ends, plus the money I saved up earlier—."

Cattleya remained silent. She watched Frank leave with excited plans in his heart before turning her gaze back to the window of the Captain's Quarters and letting out a slow sigh.

The news that Miss "Pure White" no longer needed the "Druid" Potion recipe was brought to "Sun" Derrick by "The World." At that time, Neph was sitting in her hotel room, staring blankly at a Blank sheet of paper.

How should one portray the "Eternal Winter Priest"?

Perhaps we could start with the Priest. Neph pondered for a moment, then wrote down the words "God's Spokesperson" on a piece of paper.

As a religious concept, the Priest's functions include presiding over Ritual, communicating with the God, and interpreting oracles. If administration is taken into account, the Priest is also responsible for determining crimes and coordinating resources within his jurisdiction.

Of course, for the Acting Method, the latter is probably irrelevant.

Knowing that the corresponding God has the title "Eternal Winter," the meaning of "Eternal Winter Priest" is too easy to guess. However, Neph's current dilemma is that she has never been Priest, and her understanding of Priest comes only from various cultural works.

"Perhaps I should ask a professional clergyman—" Neph muttered to herself, putting down her pen. The image of a silver-haired Angel flashed through her mind, but she shook her head in alarm, interrupting the thought. "No, forget it, that's too much of a waste of talent. Let's find another one... Hmm, don't I have a Priest in Moon City— "

Neph scratched her head, noted down the option, and then remembered a person who would be a good person to ask for advice.

Why not ask the "War Angel" who was once only one step away from becoming the "Red Priest"?

Are they still searching for the "Conqueror's" Beyonder Characteristic bestowed upon the "Demoness Sect" by the Royal Family royal family? Hmm, I remember it should be in the hands of the "Black Witch" Clarice, and only offered as a sacrifice to the "Primordial Demoness" after the Sealed Artifact on Trissy was retrieved...

Neph stroked her chin. She wasn't sure if Medici knew about this, since the source of the news was "The White Demoness" Katarina, and Neph didn't know how Medici had possessed Katarina —she only knew that it was definitely related to Amon.

Neph lowered her head, burned the White Paper with fire, and then recited a Honorific Name in the Jotun:

"The great God of War, the symbol of iron and blood, the master of turmoil and strife—"

"Did you hear the knocking?" Benson put down his knife and fork and asked his sister across the room.

"I heard you." Melissa stood up from her seat, walked quickly to the door, Door Opening, and then froze in place.

The pause had been too long, and Benson couldn't help but look towards the doorway, asking with some confusion:

"What's wrong, Melissa? Who's here?"

Klein quietly shifted his gaze from Melissa, a relaxed smile appearing on his face. He waved twice at Melissa, then shook his head and said:

"What's wrong? Were you so surprised to see me back? Talk, Melissa— "

Klein, who had intended to ease the tension with a joke, froze. Tears welled up in Melissa's eyes and soon covered her entire face. But Melissa just stared at him with tears in her eyes, as if afraid he would disappear if she closed them.

"Melissa— " Klein stammered, unsure of what to say, "Why are you crying? I finally found a chance to come back and see you all, you should be happy—"

Melissa remained silent, stubbornly biting her lip and staring intently at the figure before her. Benson had already heard the commotion; he stood up, went to the doorway, then froze, speaking hesitantly:

"-· Klein?"

Klein knew he couldn't go on like this. He slipped inside, closing the door behind him. After glancing at the two of them, he sighed.

Why are you all like this?

Benson didn't speak, just silently watched him. Melissa's head followed his rotation, turning halfway before she remembered she could turn her body. She turned around, finally blinking her first eye, and another tear welled up. Melissa's voice rang out, as if afraid of waking something:

"I don't know." I just feel like something I lost a long time ago has suddenly reappeared.

"It feels like a dream."

"Yeah," Benson said, snapping out of his daze, "It felt like you were dead, and we'd already attended your funeral, come home, and found you smiling and greeting us. Haha, how could that possibly happen? We've been keeping in touch, and if that were to happen, we'd be terrified—"

"No, no," Klein said with a smile. "I think if that were the case, you would try your best to appear calm, tell me you forgot something, and then turn around and walk into the Police Station. As for Melissa, she might just faint."

"Hahaha," Benson burst out laughing, "Now that you mention it, it does seem to be true."

Melissa didn't speak; she pursed her lips, curving them into a barely perceptible smile.

"I might stay home for a few days," Klein said mysteriously, "At least one week—I specifically applied for a mission in Backlund to spend more time with you all. But, as always, no one else can know I'm here."

"That's wonderful!" Before Melissa could even speak, Benson blurted out, "This is great news! We should go to a restaurant for a nice celebration. I also just passed my government employee interview—if confidentiality is required, we can book a private room!"

Melissa's attention was completely drawn to this sentence. Her gaze fell on Benson, her brows furrowed, and she was about to speak when Klein interjected:

Oh, I saw your letter!

"Let me treat you. I know Melissa definitely didn't agree to you going out to celebrate, so this is a good opportunity. Melissa, don't look unhappy. I'm on a mission, so this is reimbursable!"

Melissa visibly breathed a sigh of relief and stared at the two of them as she spoke:

Just this once.

Benson and Klein both nodded, neither of them objecting to their sister's words.