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The Demon Wolf's memories faded on the winds of history. Klein stood in Sefirah Castle, surrounded by gray fog.
He gazed in the direction where Antigonus's memories and consciousness had vanished, looking for a long time, thinking for a long time.
Antigonus's death had made him feel weary once again. Klein discovered, dejectedly, that he could still fall into such emotions. Perhaps it was because the Half-Fool's thoughts and experiences were far too similar to his own; the other had affected his mood. Ever since he had refused to become Klein's attendant and expressed his wish to die, that sorrow had hovered over Sefirah Castle.
Now that Antigonus was dead, all Klein felt was the chill of losing someone whose fate was tied to his own, the grief of seeing a fellow creature perish. Even his victory and the Beyonder characteristic he had obtained failed to bring him much joy.
But Klein felt he had to cheer up rather than let himself be enveloped by the helpless sense that "once dead, one knows that all things are empty." His emotional fluctuations were proof that he was alive, but he had nothing happy to think about right now, leaving him in an awkward silence in Sefirah Castle.
Suddenly, Klein found himself missing Arrodes a little.
If it were here, it might set off fireworks on its surface, then display an emoticon, congratulating its great master on taking another step toward his rightful position. Although Arrodes's praise never really offered anything new, and Klein could already predict how it would go, he still could not help letting the corners of his mouth rise slightly.
"First, I'll remind Mr. Bethel to give me the 'painting'..."
Klein planned to do something to distract himself, lest he remain under the sway of this pessimism.