Sharron took the sedative from the glass test tube, glanced at the seemingly pure liquid inside, and nodded slightly.
"OK."
As expected of someone who doesn't waste words... Klein smiled and said again:
"Miss Sharron, could you tell me which battle locations you've planned? I'd like to familiarize myself with the surroundings in the next few days, so that I can be better prepared no matter where you ultimately choose."
Since the right to choose the final battle location is in their hands, they are not worried that I might report it to the official organization or other Beyonder who want to double-cross me... Of course, if they really can't trust me, we can have it "notarized" again... Klein thought calmly.
Sharron stared at him with her azure eyes for several seconds before speaking:
"Go back and prepare a map of Backlund."
"Unfolded on the coffee table."
"No problem. I hope this collaboration will not only go smoothly but also be pleasant." Klein habitually extended his hand to shake hands with the other person.
Sharron glanced down, her figure gradually fading into nothingness and disappearing into thin air.
Klein raised his right hand, smoothed his black hair, and gave a dry laugh.
He just asked about the planned battle location not only to prepare for the mission, but also to be wary of Sharron and Maric.
Although the other party's philosophy is to suppress and restrain desires, and they would not normally betray you after using you, Klein could not be sure that " Wraith " Steve, " Living Corpse " Jason, and " Werewolf " Tyre did not possess something they desperately craved. If such a treasure appeared that would arouse strong malice in even normal Beyonder, Klein really could not guarantee that they would be able to control themselves when facing the two " Mutant ".
Therefore, he had to thoroughly investigate the environment beforehand and prepare escape routes should the other party choose to kill him to cover their tracks.
This wasn't because Klein distrusted Sharron, with whom he had shared hardships; it was simply a matter of basic self-protection.
One should not have the heart to harm others, but one must be wary of others... Klein turned his head to look out the window and sighed in his heart in Chinese.
The gas streetlights kept passing by, and the streets became wider and cleaner. It took him more than half an hour and cost him 3 Soli to finally get back to Minsk Street.
"It's really expensive to take a carriage at this hour..." Klein looked up at the almost completely dark sky and the faint red moon piercing through the clouds.
He walked a while and suddenly realized that Jurgen 'Lawyer house was completely dark, with no lights on.
Klein took out his gold-cased pocket watch, glanced at it, chuckled softly, turned and went to Jurgen's door, using the key he had been given to open the door.
At this moment, Brody the black cat was already quietly crouching behind the door, looking at the visitor with his pair of round, bright green eyes. The room was dark, silent, lonely, and desolate.
Klein crouched down, trying to pat Brody's head, but the other quickly moved back and shook off his hand with a look of disgust.
He shook his head and chuckled, got up, turned on the gas valve, lit the gas lamp, and, following the description given by Lawyer Jurgen, went to the cupboard and found the prepared ingredients.
Then, he went into the kitchen, lit a fire to boil water, and prepared to make Brody's favorite boiled chicken breast.
The black cat followed him in, nimbly leaping onto the counter and squatting down beside him, silently watching Klein work.
Klein glanced at it, mentally rehearsing how he would tear the chicken breast apart, and then casually spoke to the black cat Brody:
"You must miss Doris very much, right?"
"Aren't you very worried about her condition...?"
" Jurgen didn't come home today. Are you all alone, feeling lonely Lawyer, sad, without a sense of belonging, and exhausted...?"
As he spoke, Klein's voice gradually lowered until it fell silent.
Brody the black cat remained crouched there, quietly watching him, without making a sound or meowing.
At Madam Norma's house, Audrey arrived for afternoon tea as invited.
"These are the occult experts I was referring to," Madam Norma introduced the distinguished guests warmly. "This is Mr. Hilbert Alucard, a psychologist and jewelry designer of exceptional talent. This is Miss Islante Osilika, Doctor specializing in psychiatry, what we commonly call Psychiatrist."
Hilbert Alucard was a man in his forties, who seemed to have some Southern Continent ancestry, with a brownish complexion.
He had brown hair Blue Eyes, and his facial features were not particularly outstanding, giving him a quiet and reserved appearance.
Islante Osilika is a baby-faced woman who, despite being Psychiatrist, looks like a teenage girl still in public school or grammar school.
She had long, black hair that reached her waist and a pair of lake-blue eyes, and was three or four centimeters shorter Audrey.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with the other party, Audrey sat down and keenly noticed that Alucard and Islante were observing her.
Instead of using her " Mind Reader " abilities, she pretended to know nothing, took the initiative to bring up topics related to the occult, and constantly paid attention to whether her emotions were in the most logical state.
They can't find out that I'm already Beyonder, that I've taken the " Spectator " and " Mind Reader " Potion... Audrey knows very well Acting today.
Unlike the silent Alucard, Islante was the talkative type. After a few words, she asked:
Do you know what "big year" and "big month" mean?
"No, I haven't heard of it." Audrey cautiously replied, using the knowledge she had acquired within the circle of occult enthusiasts.
Actually, I've already figured out what a big year and a big month are from Mr. " The Hanged Man "... She added to herself with a smile.
"A 'great year' refers to the number of years it takes for our planet's axis of rotation to shift once, totaling 25,920 years. In the realm of mysticism, this is considered a complete cycle, from beginning to end. A 'great month' refers to the number of years this shift takes through one of the twelve constellations. Each great month lasts 2,160 years. When the great months change, terrible disasters will strike. According to calculations, we don't have many years left until the end of our current great month..." Islante spoke eloquently, keeping the atmosphere harmonious throughout.
Audrey concealed the fact that she didn't actually know much, and from time to time asked the Error questions in a curious tone.
And so, the pleasant afternoon tea time flew by, and Alucard and Islante simultaneously rose to say goodbye and leave Madam Norma's house.
This disappointed Audrey, who had expected them to Psychological Suggestion at something about the Psychology Alchemists, but they said nothing at all.
Well, as a Concealment organization that cannot be exposed, the examination of prospective members is not so simple and direct... It seems that I will have to make contact at least a few more times and observe them secretly for a while before they can decide whether to reveal information to me and recruit me... That's fine, I can just report to Mr. " The Fool " first! Audrey quickly understood the reason.
She then said goodbye, and Madam Norma saw her to the door, smiling as she said:
" Audrey, I see you're quite interested in psychology. Why don't you consider trying your hand at being a Psychiatrist before you get married?"
" Earl Hall and Lady Hall are both believers in the goddess; they should support you in doing something like this."
Among nobles, unless there are special circumstances such as a financial crisis, marriage requires a long process. They must undergo strict consideration and comparison before making a decision, because it is not just a matter between two young people, but also involves the alliance and mutual assistance of their families.
Therefore, although noblewomen could formally enter social settings under the guidance of the queen after the age of 18, declaring themselves adults and ready to consider marriage, statistics show that they often started families after the age of 26.
Similarly, the average age of first marriage for aristocratic men who would enter the military or politics was 28.5 years old.
In other words, Audrey had about eight years after she became an adult to do what she liked.
The Church of the Evernight Goddess has always encouraged its female believers to go out and work, and in aristocratic circles, many young ladies and women have become art critics, musicians, pianists, painters, and so on.
Is this a test? Audrey smiled faintly in response:
"Then I need to read more books."
She had always felt that it wasn't safe for people from the Psychology Alchemists to become Psychiatrist or psychology experts, because the higher-ups in official organizations like the Nighthawks Mandated Punishers should know about Acting Method and would definitely pay more attention to this group.
Madam Norma seemed quite satisfied with her answer, nodding and smiling:
" Islante and Alucard are both good teachers."
"Hmm, perhaps I can consider asking Miss Islante to be my private psychology tutor," Audrey nodded obediently.
On Sunday morning, after Klein got up, he found that several places on the Backlund map on the coffee table in the living room were circled. They were not far apart, so he spent the morning carefully familiarizing himself with the surrounding environment, figuring out what buildings were there and where the nearest church was.
In the afternoon, now with free time again, he went to the Cragg Club to practice his marksmanship and extraordinary abilities.
As soon as he entered the lobby, he saw Doctor Allen Kreis, leaning on a cane, slowly emerge from the cafeteria.
After greeting him, he asked with concern:
" Allen, how have you been lately? Has your luck improved?"
A genuine smile appeared on Allen's naturally aloof face.
"At least I'm not so unlucky anymore!"
"I went to the church as you suggested and told the bishop what had happened. He told me to go directly to the confessional and pray to the goddess."
"While praying, I actually fell asleep, but I seemed to sense that the goddess granted me a state of peace and tranquility, and from then on, my fortunes returned to normal!"
Praise the goddess!
He drew a Crimson Moon on his chest.
Based on my experience, it must have been some Sequence 7 " Nightmare " that put you into a deep sleep, and then the Nighthawks, skilled in rituals, quickly set up an altar, prayed to the goddess, and neutralized your bad luck... Klein smirked and said:
"This is wonderful!"
At this moment, Allen glanced at him and said:
" Sherlock, I've always felt your faith in the God of Steam and Machinery isn't devout enough. Why don't you convert? Look, I'm right here as an example. Believe in the goddess!"