"Sure, I'd be happy to."
Julian saw the probing look in Hanass Vincent's eyes, but merely chuckled, utterly unconcerned.
He studied Hanass Vincent for a moment before saying:
"Mr. Vincent, you are a man of faith."
"Oh? What makes you say that?"
Hanass Vincent was slightly startled, but feigned composure as he asked curiously.
Yet he had subconsciously overlooked one thing-people without religious faith were a tiny minority in the Loen Kingdom.
Even the profit-driven factory owners of the new capitalist class in Midseashire's coal and steel consortium generally called themselves believers in the God of Steam and Machinery to fit into the social circles of the "successful."
His ability to think on his feet is a little lacking... That might be due to his fanatical faith in the True Creator.
An experienced official Beyonder, even one who wasn't good at deduction and analysis, would have spotted his heretical faith from that abnormal reaction.
After quickly sketching a psychological profile of Hanass Vincent in his mind, Julian continued:
"You often pray to your deity, longing for a response, yet you have never been granted that honor.
"But that isn't your fault. The time simply hasn't come yet... Your deity has been watching you all along, and will soon grant you a revelation."
"R-really?"
Hanass Vincent looked quite astonished. Julian could hear that the excitement in his voice had completely overwhelmed his reason.
Although members of the Aurora Order essentially had no normal grasp of reality, they could still maintain a basic facade before outsiders.
There was therefore only one explanation for Hanass's excitement: Julian's words had struck right at his heart.
After all, though members of the Aurora Order came from all walks of life, their attitudes toward the True Creator were essentially identical.
Fanatical, heedless of everything, and desperate for divine grace and contact.
"Really."
Julian smiled.
"In fact, your extraordinary talent for divination is also a gift from your deity, who has always remained in a state of sacred presence.
"Let me mention one more thing. Have you been sleeping poorly lately, often hearing indistinct whispers before falling asleep?"
He raised his head and looked at the faint tinge of deep black staining Hanass's concentrated blue-violet aura.
Many tiny, bubble-like things emerged within that darkness. Like mouths opening and closing in the shadows, they gradually eroded Hanass's already somewhat dim spirit body.
Julian knew that this was the True Creator's corruption.
This Sequence 0 deity, nicknamed the "True Rapper," had long since begun subtly influencing Hanass Vincent from within-as one of the principal instigators of the descent of an evil god's offspring, he was certainly being affected by the True Creator's power.
In the original story, Dunn Smith had suffered severe corruption after seeing the True Creator's image while entering Hanass's dream. His condition, which had improved after he grasped the Acting Method, had consequently worsened again.
"Yes. You can see that too?"
Hanass was utterly astonished. Although the dark circles around his eyes were obvious, that alone was not enough to reveal such a detail as hearing indistinct whispers before sleep.
He therefore disregarded the other person present entirely and took Julian's hand rather nervously.
"Mr. Albrecht, what does this mean?"
Julian pretended to deliberate deeply, waiting a long while before saying:
"I can't see matters involving deities very clearly either.
"But one thing is certain: you are about to take part in something truly great, and will thereby become a pivotal figure who influences this era."
"...That's rather extraordinary."
Hanass Vincent made an effort to regain his composure before remembering to ask the most important question:
"If I may ask, how did you do it?"
"As above, so below; what resides within takes shape without."
Julian gave him an inscrutable smile.
"Although fate is elusive, its essence unfolds from a person's inner spirit.
"This unfolding is continuous. You can glimpse it in someone's features, appearance, and even clothing.
"It's a complex discipline that can't be explained in a few words. If you're interested, we can exchange ideas regularly in the future."
"It would be my honor."
Hanass Vincent extended his hand to Julian.
"Allow me to introduce myself properly. Hanass Vincent. If you ever need any help at the club, you can come to me."
"Julian Albrecht."
Julian nodded, then declined the four soli Hanass offered as a divination fee.
"Thank you for your generosity, but I won't charge you this time."
"This is what we agreed on earlier. Please don't refuse."
Hanass Vincent insisted on paying, prompting Julian to say:
"It's an honor to receive the recognition of a renowned diviner. I'll be relying on you to introduce me to more people at the club."
"No problem."
Seeing that Julian was adamant, Hanass finally relented.
Julian turned to Angelica Barehart and said:
"Miss Angelica, I can offer divination services at the club every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from two to five thirty in the afternoon.
"Since today is Tuesday, I'll take my leave. I'll be here punctually before two tomorrow afternoon."
"All right, Mr. Albrecht."
Julian nodded, shook Hanass Vincent's hand again, then picked up his Agarwood Cane and left the Divination Club.
With that, he had made the acquaintance of this Aurora Order member and gained a measure of his goodwill.
Of course, Hanass would certainly become somewhat suspicious of Julian afterward, but that was precisely the outcome Julian wanted.
Suspicion would lead to further contact, a necessary step in Julian's plan.
Julian took a carriage to the Blackthorn Security Company on Zouteland Street and found Dunn Smith.
"Why are there so few people here? What did everyone go out to do?"
Julian asked curiously.
"Klein encountered someone from the Secret Order on his way home earlier. Leonard, Royale, and Kenley have gone out to investigate.
"The current whereabouts of the Antigonus Family Notebook are confidential. With that Clown's inexplicable death as well, the Secret Order might be trying to find out what happened through Klein."
"Something this serious, and you didn't go with them?"
Julian sat down and asked curiously.
Dunn shook his head.
"I have to stand guard at the Chanis Gate shortly, so I can't leave for now.
"Fortunately, Klein is unharmed, and he's already under protection."
"That's good."
Julian nodded, then handed Dunn a document and the revolver from earlier.
"This is my firearm discharge report. You already know everything recorded in it, but we still have to follow procedure."
"Mm. Thanks for your work."
Dunn nodded slightly, then leaned forward and rubbed his temple with his thumb and middle finger for a while before lightly tapping his forehead.
"Right, I almost forgot."
He looked at Julian.
"Someone from the Holy Cathedral will come tonight to retrieve the Antigonus Family Notebook.
"Also, in recognition of your contribution to the whole affair, they seem to have prepared a special reward for you."
"A special reward?"
Julian paused in surprise.
"What kind of reward?"