Klein understood the importance of this final step almost instantly. Perhaps, in the Cathedral's eyes, there had to be more to his contact with Mr. L, and they intended to plant him within the Aurora Order to provide the Church with intelligence.
From the Church of Evernight's perspective, Klein felt there was nothing wrong with this. In fact, he even felt that the Church was giving him special treatment that was somewhat too lenient.
"All right."
Following Crestet's instructions with some awkwardness, Klein placed his hand precisely on the Holy Sword and felt an unusual coldness and tranquility.
But the next moment, Klein felt his heart suddenly pound, as though the gaze of some great being, infinitely high and infinitely distant, had fallen upon him.
"Evernight Goddess, more exalted than the stars and more enduring than eternity."
Crestet motioned for Klein to recite after him:
"By my true name and my spirituality, I swear to you."
"I, Klein, shall from this moment onward bask beneath your gaze and walk amid the night."
"Should I break this oath, I submit to your punishment."
"Please bear witness to my oath."
The instant Klein finished speaking, he felt a faint trace of crimson moonlight appear over his body. Enveloped in that moonlight, he experienced an indescribable sense of peace.
He exhaled and was just about to look up and ask Crestet about what he had felt when he noticed a trace of undisguised envy in Crestet's eyes.
Envy? The question had barely flashed through Klein's mind when Crestet clapped his hands and said to him with a smile:
"All right. Go and bring in the two Nighthawks, Dunn Smith and Daly Simone. I have a few things to inform them of."
Hearing this, Klein could not help breathing a sigh of relief. He knew he had passed his review.
With that settled, he nodded slowly and lightly traced the Evernight Goddess's Holy Emblem over his chest:
"All right."
Under Crestet's calm gaze, Klein pushed open the door with Dunn and walked up to him.
Once Dunn and Daly stood before Crestet, he stopped Klein, who was about to close the door behind them:
"You should stay here as well. What comes next also concerns you to some extent."
"It concerns me too?" Klein muttered quietly. He said nothing more, merely nodded and stood to Dunn's left.
Dunn's right side was already occupied by Miss Daly. Klein keenly noticed that she was standing very close to the captain, and thoughts of the romantic rumors surrounding the two inevitably surfaced in his mind.
"Daly Simone."
Crestet's tone abruptly became solemn and authoritative. If he had seemed approachable before, that impression was now completely gone:
"By the Cathedral's decision, as the incidents currently occurring in Tingen City have exceeded a certain scale, you are hereby transferred from Enmat Harbor back to the Tingen City Nighthawks team, effective immediately."
Daly's expression did not change when she heard Crestet's words, but Klein clearly caught a measure of delight in her eyes as she slowly nodded:
"All right."
Crestet nodded in satisfaction:
"Dunn Smith. Given that the Beyonders currently involved in Tingen City include the Aurora Order and '0-08,' the Cathedral has decided not to hold you accountable for the loss of '2-049' detailed in your report on the Antigonus Notebook incident. You are hereby assigned a new mission:"
"Use the newly appointed Nighthawk Klein Moretti as an opening to establish contact with the Aurora Order and prevent the True Creator's descent."
"The Cathedral suspects that the Aurora Order's uncharacteristic decision to contact you is due to the wanted Archbishop Ince Zangwill secretly driving the events behind the True Creator's descent."
Dunn nodded to indicate that he understood Crestet's meaning.
After delivering the new mission to Dunn and Daly, Crestet said slowly:
"All right. The Cathedral takes the situation in Tingen City very seriously. However, to prevent another case like Ince Zangwill's, you must assess Klein's condition after every exchange he has with Mr. L. If there is any sign of deviation, conduct an examination immediately."
With that, Crestet traced the Evernight Goddess's Holy Emblem over his chest and said solemnly:
"Praise the Goddess."
"Praise the Goddess!"
After Crestet left, Klein followed Dunn back to his office. Along the way, he noticed Miss Daly looking him over from time to time, which left him feeling rather puzzled.
Upon entering Dunn's office, Daly Simone found a place to sit as though she were very familiar with its layout. Dunn nodded to Klein and said:
"Sit down, Klein. Don't be so nervous. The Cathedral approved your review and gave you a very high evaluation."
At this point, Dunn lightly tapped the space between his brows with a finger, adopting a thoughtful look:
"You've made rapid progress in mastering your potion, at a remarkable pace... You've even caught up with Daly back then."
Hearing Dunn say this, Daly chuckled:
"Klein is mastering his potion far faster than I did. Though he probably hasn't mastered it completely yet, he should be close-"
Klein saw Daly glance at Dunn, with what seemed to be a certain frustration at his failure to live up to her expectations.
At the sight, the corners of Klein's mouth twitched slightly. He glanced at Dunn, who seemed utterly oblivious, and felt both incredulous and very much like an unwanted third wheel.
"But if I remember correctly, ever since Mr. Neil was sent to the Cathedral to recuperate, Klein hasn't received any systematic instruction in mysticism, has he?"
Daly shifted the subject and said to Dunn:
"As it happens, during this time-no, it seems the Cathedral has transferred me straight back to Tingen. We're not short-handed for the moment, so why don't I guide Klein through the doorway into the mystical world?"
At this point, she smiled and teased Klein:
"Well, I'm sure I could give a young, inexperienced gentleman like you some experiences you've never tried before..."
Miss Daly, please don't say things that are so easily misunderstood... Hearing her suggestive remarks, Klein found himself unable to look her directly in the eye for a moment. He could only do his best to compose himself and say:
"All right."
Before you continue