"Hmm?"
Julian raised an eyebrow at that, then took the sheet of paper with curiosity.
At the top was the heading "Special Firearm Permit," with Julian's photograph in the middle.
The text at the bottom read:
"Special authorization:
"Julian Albrecht is authorized to carry a firearm on official business. Valid for one year.
"Issuing authority: Awwa County Police Department"
"Date of issue: July 6, 1349"
Julian was rather surprised by the Firearm Permit:
"This... wasn't actually issued by the Awwa County Police Department, was it?"
"Correct. It was approved directly by the Holy Cathedral."
Dunn Smith nodded:
"I'm not entirely sure of the reason, but I suspect it might have something to do with your help in recovering the Antigonus Family Notebook last time.
"Even so, special authorization to carry a firearm is extremely rare. It means the Holy Cathedral trusts you a great deal... despite your not being a member of the Church."
Despite Dunn's explanation, Julian still didn't think this had anything to do with the Antigonus Family Notebook-after all, he had already received a Sequence 7 Sealed Artifact as a reward. Issuing a Firearm Permit on top of that seemed rather odd.
That left only one possibility: the Church of Evernight wanted him to have greater means of defending himself and more autonomy.
After all, he was covertly investigating the Aurora Order as a double agent, while the Four-Color Seer wasn't a Sequence suited to combat.
For safety reasons, Julian couldn't always rely on the Scholar's Legacy's Scene Recreation to create corruption and attack his opponents, so having a gun would improve his situation considerably.
"Praise the Goddess."
Julian spoke sincerely. Then he saw Dunn take a gleaming silver revolver, a holster, a packet of ordinary bullets, and a packet of Demon-Hunting Bullets out of a drawer, set them on the desk, and push them toward him.
"This gun has a much larger caliber than the one you used last time. It's a standard police-issue firearm, so you won't have to buy one yourself."
Dunn had prepared everything thoroughly:
"As for ammunition, you can submit reimbursement forms whenever you need to, and come back for more when you run out... but remember, don't misuse your firearm."
"Understood, Captain. Thank you."
Julian smiled. Without standing on ceremony, he stowed everything on his person.
He now felt thoroughly secure-the saying that fear stemmed from insufficient firepower held true even in this mysterious world dominated by supernatural powers.
"I'll be off, then."
After confirming that Dunn had nothing else for him, Julian rose, touched his top hat in a slight salute, and turned to leave the Blackthorn Security Company.
Afterward, he bought a first-class ticket on an express steam train bound for Backlund Central Station and boarded the train.
In his private compartment, Julian spent some time studying the information from the Antigonus Family Notebook stored in the Scholar's Legacy, then lay down on the berth for a good rest.
At around eight in the evening, the steam train finally pulled slowly into Backlund Central Station.
Julian got off with his bag and made his way out onto the street.
Looking at Backlund's bustling traffic and newly lit lamps, he couldn't help remarking:
"Even as a transmigrator from the old era, I still find Backlund extraordinary.
"It really deserves to be called the 'City of Cities'... aside from the nineteenth-century buildings and infrastructure, the city's character and level of commercialization are completely beyond anything Tingen can offer. Even Azshara falls well short."
After this reflection, he took a hired carriage to Caledonian Street in the Hillston District.
"Number 145, 147... 149. Here it is. Still here, just as I thought."
Julian looked up at the weathered green sign overhead bearing the words "Vincent's General Store," then walked straight toward the entrance.
Just as Julian tried to push the door open, a tall, slender, handsome young man with blond hair and blue eyes came out.
The young man looked at Julian and briefly froze. After a two-second pause, he hurriedly averted his gaze, turned, and left.
Though Julian found it a little strange, he paid it no mind. He simply put his hand on the door again and gave it a firm push.
"Jingle."
The doorbell rang, and a perfectly ordinary little general store came into view.
The shelves lining the walls held medicinal herbs, metal parts, handicrafts, and similar items. A bookcase in the corner was also stacked with old books whose publication had long ceased and which were now out of print.
Julian then looked toward the birchwood counter and the back room beyond it, where the faint glow of a gas lamp shone through.
Beside the counter stood an enormous birdcage. An exceptionally large white owl rested inside, watching him silently.
At the owl's feet, three smaller owls huddled around her, their eyes narrowed as they kept warm. It was a cozy, peaceful sight.
"Coming."
A young man's voice came from the back room.
A dozen or so seconds later, Julian saw a man in his thirties emerge with a thick stack of books in his arms. He wore glasses and a wizard's robe embroidered with yellow stars, moons, and suns, and had a slightly roguish look.
"What can I get you, sir?"
He asked the question while looking down and setting the books aside.
"Vincent, don't you recognize me?"
Julian set down his cane and bag. Suppressing the Colour Out of Space, which was stirring restlessly once again, he spoke with a hint of reproach.
"...Julian? Is that you?
"You're still fucking alive?"
At Julian's words, the man named Vincent finally raised his head and spoke in disbelief.
"Of course I'm alive."
Julian nodded:
"Members of the Jacob Family don't die that easily... do we?"
"That's true enough. As long as you don't advance to a High Sequence, there isn't much to worry about."
Vincent grinned and shrugged, conceding Julian's point.
His full name was Vincent Cheram. Like Julian, he was a descendant of the Jacob Family, and he was also a Sequence 7 Mystery Pryer.
As a member of the Hermits of Fate, Vincent usually made his living helping independent
Beyonders and historical researchers interpret documents, while fencing stolen goods for Backlund's thieves on the side.
Beyond that, he had access to plenty of intelligence, especially information concerning rare items and matters of the supernatural world.
"Enough small talk. Help me ask around for a couple of things."
Julian said:
"I need the unusual-colored iris and mimic bone powder of a Mimic Disaster Beast, as well as a Polar Light Stone that's at least two thousand years old."
"A Mimic Disaster Beast?"
Vincent paused at that:
"Didn't those things go extinct ages ago?"
"That's why I'm asking you to make inquiries first. Just let me know if you find any leads."
Julian nodded, then added:
"By comparison, a Polar Light Stone shouldn't be that difficult for you to find, should it? Especially since you know so many Feysac people."
"I'm not so sure..."
Vincent shook his head. Before he could finish, however, a girl's voice suddenly came from beside the counter:
"Vincent, we should be able to source that through our shop."
Who's speaking?
Julian froze for a moment at the voice, then turned toward its source.
The next instant, his gaze met the yellow eyes of the enormous white owl!