Neph smiled sheepishly and explained why she had said that:
"Actually, I think you've probably guessed-I know most of the contents of Roselle's Diary, and in considerable detail, too. Except for the parts about this madam or that young lady, which I don't know much about... ahem.
"But if we could get the original pages of Roselle's Diary, they should still be useful to me. They have to be originals, though. Transcribed copies won't count."
"That will probably be difficult," Klein said rationally. "Almost all the pages of Roselle's Diary in circulation are copies. I haven't found much information about the originals."
"Yes." Neph shrugged. "I remember... never mind, that would be too dangerous for you... hmm, anyway, there will definitely be opportunities to get the originals. There's no need to rush."
She smiled, looking relaxed and unhurried. Klein realized she was fully confident about this, so he stopped pressing the matter and asked instead:
"Do you know what abilities a Marionettist has?"
"You've seen them." Neph blinked. "'2-049' came from a Marionettist."
Klein froze briefly. He quickly recalled the information about that Sealed Artifact, then tentatively bent and straightened his arms, asking hesitantly:
"Does that mean I'll have to keep doing this?"
"No need, but you can find a way to warn the helper you hire." Neph gave him a sly smile. "If any questions come up, just pin it on my Lord... I trust you've had plenty of practice?"
Klein looked somewhat ashamed. Neph paid no attention to his guilty conscience and merely reminded him:
"Your bodyguard will only accept a three-day commission. I trust you can judge when the time is right."
-This was to prevent Klein from misunderstanding her words and hiring the bodyguard straight away.
Klein hurriedly nodded, then asked, "Is there anything else I should watch out for?"
Neph fell silent for several seconds before saying in a faintly plaintive voice, "I keep getting the feeling you're using me as a Soothsayer..."
She paused before reminding him, "You probably remember that Sequence 6 of this Pathway is called Faceless. Beyonders at that level can change their appearance, so during any period when danger might arise, stay wary of everyone."
This warning was extremely important. Klein nodded solemnly, then continued looking at Neph expectantly. But she had no intention of saying more and shook her head.
"Rosago currently has no marionettes. What I've told you should be enough... oh, right."
She suddenly paused, then smiled at Klein. "You'll need a Barbarian potion formula tonight."
There was a lady at the Bravehearts Bar seeking the Barbarian potion formula and those that followed it. Klein had once used the Barbarian formula to purchase fifty Beyonder bullets and a matching handgun, but tonight, he would miss out on a Rune Steel Sword worth five hundred pounds. Klein had regretted this before, believing the weapon would suit little Sun very well.
In the original story, Klein had ultimately spent five hundred and sixty pounds on the Hurricane Axe. It could increase its wielder's speed of movement and running speed, and had a chance of inflicting a degree of paralysis on enemies and producing lightning.
As far as Neph was concerned, he might as well give that money to her. As for any later issues... haha, she could at least obtain the potion formulas for the Lawyer Pathway up to the demigod level. Besides, she wouldn't really get to pull this trick many times, because Klein would soon obtain the Black Emperor Card of Blasphemy and acquire an entire Pathway.
"Barbarian?" Klein repeated. "Is that the name of a potion? Which Pathway is it from? What Sequence is it?"
"Sequence 8 of the Lawyer Pathway," Neph answered casually.
Klein's mouth opened instinctively. Clearly, the contrast between those two names had shocked him, prompting Neph to remark:
"I think the jump from Lawyer to Barbarian is nowhere near as jarring as Seer to Clown. After all, I imagine you know perfectly well that 'clown' often means something else on the internet."
"..." Klein decided to change the subject. "How can I get this potion formula?"
"Five hundred and sixty pounds." Neph smiled at Klein. "You can buy it on credit, my dear Mr. Fool."
"...?" Klein looked at Neph in astonishment, his expression that of someone facing an unscrupulous merchant. "I think that price is a little high for a Sequence 8 potion formula..."
Neph continued smiling at him. Klein realized this was no longer a free gift, unlike the potion formulas for his own Pathway she had given him earlier, so he could only try to bargain:
"Four hundred and fifty pounds. That's hardly a low price for a Sequence 8 potion formula."
"Five hundred and fifty pounds." Neph raised an eyebrow. "Trust me, if you don't buy it, you'll pay a higher price in the future."
Klein's heart tightened. He trusted Neph's words, but still wanted to try once more. "Five hundred pounds."
"Deal," Neph agreed on the spot.
That was exactly the lowest price she had in mind. Having seen few other potion formulas sold, Neph wasn't actually very familiar with their usual selling prices. She had based her expectations on the Rune Steel Sword and the Hurricane Axe.
Of course, Neph believed four hundred and fifty pounds really was a normal price, since both the Sheriff and Trickmaster formulas, also Sequence 8, had sold for that amount. Incidentally, according to Miss Justice, buying a properly trained hunting dog also cost that much.
Klein breathed a sigh of relief. As he calculated his remaining funds in his head, he told Neph:
"I probably won't be able to give you the money just yet... but I'm confident it won't take long. I invested in bicycle research. Once it produces results, I should have more money to spare."
Once it produces results, you'll sell your shares... Neph grumbled inwardly as she said:
"That's all right. I trust you."
She then asked Klein for some paper and wrote down the Barbarian potion formula.
Klein memorized the potion formula. He looked up at Neph and suddenly asked out of curiosity:
"Can I ask you a question?"
"What is it?" Neph raised her eyebrows.
"The potion formulas you gave me earlier included Magician, but not Beast Tamer," Klein said with a smile. "I'm a little curious. Is there a Beast Tamer potion?"
"Yes." Neph shrugged. "Its Sequence 9 is called Apothecary."
Backlund, Iron Gate Street, inside the Bravehearts Bar.
Kaspars Kanlin, who was playing Fight Evil, swore, covered his cards, and came to the doorway. He spoke quietly to Klein, who was standing there:
"I'll take you somewhere..."
Before you continue