"..."
Dunn looked at Julian with a blank expression, momentarily at a loss for words.
"Just kidding."
The corners of Julian's lips rose.
"But either way, this is better for you and the rest of your team.
"If you really can't bring yourself to let this go, you can send a telegram to the Holy Cathedral and have them come investigate."
"I'll consider it."
Dunn nodded without committing himself.
Once the Nighthawks had finished dealing with the aftermath, Dunn summoned another police carriage and transported the black-clad young man's body, the clock, and a pendant-shaped Sealed Artifact back to the Blackthorn Security Company.
Meanwhile, when the Nighthawks weren't looking, Julian recovered a Beyonder characteristic that had undergone delayed precipitation from the black-clad young man's body.
It was a crystalline, heart-shaped object tinged with pale blue. Dreamlike colors shimmered across it, like a diamond beneath a light.
"A Psychiatrist Beyonder characteristic... That should be right."
He discreetly put it away, then returned to Tingen City with Dunn and the others.
After giving a brief account of the incident for the records, Julian returned home without any trouble.
As soon as he arrived, he performed a ritual magic ceremony directed at the Evernight Goddess and reported the day's events through prayer.
However, Julian left out everything related to the Tarot Club, making no mention of it to the Goddess.
Although the Goddess had given him the opportunity to enter Sefirah Castle, Julian had to pretend he didn't know that, while also displaying a certain degree of self-interest.
His experience working for the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom had taught Julian that, rather than reporting everything to his superiors and demonstrating absolute loyalty, showing a little selfishness and human imperfection was more likely to put them at ease.
Honestly, if he hadn't thought quickly under pressure tonight, and had the Colour Out of Space not given him a hint, he would most likely have died at the hands of that mid-sequence Spectator.
There was no denying that the whole affair still involved a great deal of chance, so Julian had no intention of wading any deeper into these muddy waters.
Matters involving Adam, the Angel of Imagination, were best handled by a deity on the Goddess's level. Julian couldn't concern himself with them, nor did he have the ability to. All he could do was pass the information on to the Goddess.
Thus, although the Goddess gave no response to this prayer, Julian went to bed with complete peace of mind.
When Friday came, Julian once again arrived at the Divination Club on time and met Viscount Oakley there.
"Mr. Albrecht."
Upon seeing Julian, the middle-aged man immediately approached and shook his hand warmly.
"Just as you said, after staying away from my residence for two days, I feel much better. Both my appetite and the quality of my sleep have improved considerably."
His complexion was noticeably better than before.
"Following your advice, I came here today specifically to seek your guidance on restoring my health further."
"Take this packet of herbs home, boil it in water, and drink the decoction three times a day. One day will be enough."
Julian smiled.
"I obtained these herbs from a renowned doctor, so there was an additional expense. You'll need to pay me thirty pounds in cash."
Although Darkwill hadn't charged him anything for the herbs, that didn't stop Julian from reselling them for a little extra income.
Viscount Oakley wasn't short of money. If thirty pounds could buy him his health, it was an incredible bargain.
That was especially true now that he had already come to trust Julian.
"Of course. Thank you very much."
Just as Julian had expected, Oakley immediately had his attendant take out three ten-pound notes and hand them to Julian.
Julian put the money away and added:
"Also, you can return to your residence today."
"But what about the curse?"
Viscount Oakley looked rather puzzled.
His confusion was understandable. The Nighthawks had kept every detail of their investigation confidential throughout Thursday, so the viscount had no idea what had happened at his home.
"It should no longer exist."
Julian smiled.
"You can go home and see for yourself. You'll also receive some good news.
"I can't tell you exactly what it is, but I promise you, it will be good news."
Julian was referring to the fact that Jennings hadn't harmed his father. He was simply being deliberately mysterious about it to make himself seem all the more unfathomable.
"All right. I look forward to it."
As he spoke, Viscount Oakley took out one of his business cards.
"If you encounter any difficulties in the future that I can help with, please contact me at any time.
"Also, I'll help spread the word about your physiognomic divination so that more people can benefit... if that would be helpful to you."
"Certainly. Thank you."
Julian nodded, then rose and escorted Viscount Oakley outside.
"It looks like Viscount Oakley is very pleased with you."
Hanass Vincent had watched the entire exchange from the doorway. When Julian returned, the Aurora Order member spoke to him with a smile.
"It seems so."
Julian nodded, then accepted a cup of Desi coffee from Hanass.
"By the way, Julian."
Hanass suddenly spoke up.
"I'm planning to hold a small dinner party on Monday. I'll be inviting some good friends from various circles in Tingen. Would you be interested in joining us?"
A dinner party?
Julian was puzzled. He realized that this so-called dinner party was most likely connected to the Aurora Order, but he didn't understand why the Aurora Order would take such a risk.
For one thing, Hanass hadn't known Julian for very long. For another, Julian wasn't sure whether outsiders knew that he was a specially appointed expert consultant for the Nighthawks.
Under those circumstances, the Aurora Order still had the audacity to invite him. Their motives certainly warranted some thought.
"I'd be delighted."
After quickly weighing the pros and cons, Julian nodded and accepted.
"Monday evening at six thirty, in the South District,
"at the Tide Restaurant, 38 St. Godrian Street."
Hanass said:
"I look forward to seeing you there."
"All right. Have a pleasant weekend, too."
They finished their coffee, and Julian rose to take his leave.
Over the weekend, he first took some Fourth Epoch relics belonging to the Jacob Family to Khoy University and found Azik, who was on duty. After obtaining some advice from him, Julian went to Saint Selena Cathedral to report in, as Arianna had previously instructed.
On Sunday evening, Julian finally received a notification from Mr. Fool, telling him to attend the Tarot Club gathering at three the following afternoon.
With something so special to look forward to, the wait became agonizing.
At long last, three o'clock the next afternoon arrived. Julian, who was at the Divination Club, found a quiet, empty lounge and watched as crimson starlight, interwoven with traces of the Colour Out of Space, erupted around him.
A moment later, he once again arrived above the Gray Fog.
Julian immediately noticed two gazes directed at him, carrying a mixture of confusion, wariness, excitement, and anticipation.
A moment later, a young girl's pleasant voice rang out.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool!"