Chapter Summaries

Klein questioned Adol after rescuing him from a Wraith, learning that Adol had joined the Spirituality Religion and taken part in a Spirit Dance while trying to resurrect the dead. Klein later secretly watched the group perform a Resurrection Ritual outside Green Cemetery, where their leader sent a black cat leaping over a corpse.

• Klein learned that Adol and his society had stolen or bought corpses and performed a Spirit Dance before Adol lost his memory.
• Adol refused to attend another gathering after Klein reminded him of his frightening ordeal.
• Klein created a paper figurine substitute to conceal his absence and slipped away from the house.
• Klein watched seven or eight teenagers perform a Spirit Dance around a corpse outside Green Cemetery.
• The black-robed leader invoked Death and sent a black cat leaping over the corpse.

Klein stopped a death ritual, rescued the students from an awakened corpse, and returned to Lago Calman's mansion. Adol recovered by morning, while Klein kept his intervention secret from Kaslana.

• A corpse awakened during Capote Reed’s ritual, bit a boy, and fled into the woods after the black-robed man commanded it.
• Klein used air bullets, flames, and illusions to destroy the corpse, then warned the students to go home and seek medical help for their injured companion.
• Klein returned to Lago Calman’s mansion, removed his damaged paper decoy, and kept watch through the night as Adol slept.
• Adol woke in the morning, and Lago celebrated his recovery and promised to donate 300 pounds to the Church.
• Kaslana asked Klein whether anything had happened overnight, and he denied it while Stuart agreed.

Klein ended his detective commission, then attended a Beyonder gathering where he traded an Elven Spring Medullary Crystal for money, sedatives, and a clue to the Apothecary formula. After hearing about a captured Beyonder and asking about special ammunition, he headed to the lodgings of suspected Spirituality Religion member Capote Reed.

• Lago Calman paid Klein one pound and fifty percent extra for his work, and Klein returned to Minsk Street to burn and replace his paper figurines.
• At the gathering, Klein sold the Apothecary an Elven Spring Medullary Crystal for three pounds and a clue, receiving 29 pounds in total along with four sedatives.
• Klein read the clue directing him to Bishop Utravsky at Harvest Church, where helping with a task might earn him the Apothecary formula.
• Wild Dog asked the gathering to help rescue a friend held in a Storm cathedral, but Eye of Wisdom warned that the rescue was hopeless and no one volunteered.
• Klein asked about handgun ammunition with supernatural effects, and a female Beyonder promised to inquire before the next gathering.
• After the gathering, Klein changed clothes in East Borough and went toward Capote Reed's lodgings near North Borough and Hillston Borough.

Klein questioned Capote Reed about the botched resurrection ritual and learned that an old vagrant had taught him the Death Dance and left him a copper whistle. When Capote uncovered the vagrant’s grave, he found only greasy white feathers instead of a body.

• Klein confronted Capote at home and learned that Capote had agreed to resign after the families of the children he involved in grave robbing threatened him.
• Capote said a sick vagrant had taught him the Death Dance, demonstrated a miracle, and left him a copper whistle before dying half a year earlier.
• Capote blew the whistle, briefly summoning a tentacled skull messenger that he could neither see nor understand.
• Klein warned Capote to attend church regularly because he had recently sensed corpse-like presences, then asked to see the vagrant’s grave.
• Capote opened the grave and screamed when he found only white feathers stained with pale yellow grease inside.

Klein investigated an empty grave and learned through divination that a dead man with white feathers had risen and vanished, while the Apothecary struggled to understand his new Beast Tamer abilities. After a quiet morning at home, Klein received a visit from Isengard Stanton, who proposed they work together to solve the serial murders.

• Klein found three white feathers in the old gentleman’s empty grave, took Caupsty’s copper whistle, and warned him not to perform resurrection rituals.
• Klein divined that the feathers came from a corpse that had risen from its grave and walked away, then confirmed that using the whistle to send a letter posed no danger.
• The Apothecary tested his improved strength and wondered how to act as a Beast Tamer, but a golden retriever fled when it met his gaze.
• Susie told Audrey that a frightening man felt like her natural enemy, and Audrey explained that the evening gathering had been canceled because of the serial murders.
• Isengard Stanton visited Klein and proposed they work together to find the serial killer, for whom the police had offered a 2,000-pound reward.

Sherlock Moriarty joined Isengard Stanton and a group of detectives to discuss the serial murders in Backlund, agreeing to help analyze the case but not conduct inquiries himself. He proposed searching records of unsolved serial murders from the past twenty years, and the detectives recognized it as a promising lead.

• Klein accepted Isengard's invitation to join the case discussions while declining to participate in the investigation itself.
• Klein divined that attending was acceptable, then accompanied Isengard to his home, where they discussed the murders on the way.
• Klein found Stuart, Kaslana, and Lydia among the gathered detectives and joined their meeting.
• Stuart argued that the police should investigate the victims' backgrounds, and Isengard assigned him to pursue that lead.
• Klein requested records of unsolved serial murders from the past twenty years, reasoning that the killer had likely committed similar crimes before.
• Isengard praised Klein's proposal as an excellent line of thought.

Klein reviewed unsolved serial murder cases and chose two as possible leads in the current killings. He then visited Bishop Utravsky at Harvest Church to pursue the Apothecary formula and learned that the bishop’s commission was to have him killed.

• Klein read nine unsolved serial murder case files and selected two cases for further investigation.
• Klein planned to have Isengard Stanton confirm suspects’ details and ask Stuart to find help, while he investigated through mystical deductions.
• Klein traveled in disguise to Harvest Church in Bridge South Borough to meet Bishop Utravsky and obtain the Apothecary formula.
• Utravsky described his past as a pirate and his conversion to the Earth Mother’s faith.
• Utravsky told Klein that his commission was to kill him.

Klein accepted Bishop Utravsky’s commission to kill the violent past self hidden in his mind, after learning the risks and abilities of a Dawn Paladin. When Utravsky lit an ancient candle to send them into the mental world, Klein recognized the apparent battle and death as a dream within a dream.

• Bishop Utravsky explained that his former, violent self still lived within him and could be permanently killed in a tangible dream using an ancient Dragon relic.
• Utravsky warned Klein about the five-minute limit and described his past self’s Dawn Paladin powers, including great strength, dawn light, armor, weapons, and a Storm of Light.
• Klein considered his chances, went above the gray fog to divine the danger, then returned and accepted the commission in exchange for an Apothecary formula and a mystical item.
• Klein prepared the Harvest Church with matches, paper figurines, notes, the Azik Copper Whistle, and charms before lighting the strange candle.
• Klein entered the mental world and saw Utravsky turn vicious; after an apparent battle, Utravsky fell dead, but Klein recognized the scene as a dream within a dream.

Klein fought Bishop Utravsky in the cathedral, using prepared tricks, Air Bullets, and flame abilities to overcome the powerful armored opponent. He killed Utravsky and forcibly left the deepest layer of the mind as the cathedral world crumbled around him.

• Klein found that the strange candle had no effect on Utravsky, who summoned silvery-white armor and attacked with a greatsword.
• Klein evaded Utravsky’s relentless assault and identified the greatsword’s weakness at close range, but avoided a deadly trap by leaping behind the bishop.
• Klein used Air Bullets and a paper defense to survive Utravsky’s counterattack, then reappeared by a candle and attacked with a flame-coated whip.
• Utravsky charged through Klein’s flames and unleashed a Storm of Light, but Klein escaped by turning his body into scraps of paper and reappearing behind him.
• Klein tricked Utravsky with an unlit matchbox and killed him with a concealed Air Bullet, then set the bishop’s corpse ablaze.
• Klein left the deepest layer of the mind as the cathedral world crumbled around him.

Klein defeated Bishop Utravsky in a dream and received the Apothecary formula and his choice of mystical item, selecting the Master Key. The next morning, he wrote to Isengard Stanton about suspects in an old murder case and learned that Mary had joined the Atmospheric Pollution Investigation Commission.

• Klein extinguished the strange candle, freeing Utravsky from the dream and earning his gratitude.
• Utravsky offered Klein a choice between a blood-transfusion item and the Master Key; Klein chose the key after learning their risks.
• Klein tested the Master Key, verified its honesty with divination, and received the Apothecary formula from Utravsky.
• Klein left Harvest Church, got lost on the way home, and used a dowsing rod to find his route before checking the formula and key above the gray fog.
• The next morning, Klein wrote to Isengard Stanton to request information about suspects in a four-year-old serial murder case.
• Klein spoke with Luke and Starling Summer, who told him Mary had joined the Atmospheric Pollution Investigation Commission.

Klein reviewed Isengard Stanton’s findings on old murder cases and asked Detective Stuart to discreetly watch two suspects, while Earl Hall explained to Hibbert how to build political influence through public affairs. At the Tarot Gathering, Fors joined as a new member, and Audrey greeted Mr. Fool before asking who the newcomer was.

• Klein received Isengard Stanton’s findings on the old murder cases and learned that one suspect had died, while the police had lost track of another and located two others.
• Klein wrote to Detective Stuart, asking him to observe the two suspects whose addresses were known and report on their recent behavior while keeping a safe distance.
• Earl Hall advised Hibbert to gain influence through experience, political involvement, and professional support rather than relying on his inherited title.
• Susie repeated Earl Hall and Hibbert’s conversation to Audrey, who reflected on her inability to steer nobles and officials toward discussing poor districts.
• Klein prepared the Tarot Gathering and summoned its members, including the newcomer Fors Wall.
• Audrey greeted Mr. Fool and asked who the new member was.

Klein introduced Fors as the Tarot Club’s new Magician, then arranged an exchange between The World and The Sun about the True Creator and the Devil and Guardian Sequences. The Sun’s description of Devils led Klein to consider whether an animal Beyonder could be behind the serial murders, while the meeting’s revelations left Derrick questioning the City of Silver’s beliefs about its Lord.

• Klein introduced Fors to the Tarot Club members as Miss Magician, while Audrey studied Fors and suspected she recognized her.
• The World requested information about the Devil and Guardian Sequences, and Derrick offered details in exchange for information about the Fallen Creator.
• Klein privately gave Derrick information about the True Creator, and Derrick accepted it after reading that the god was described as fallen, twisted, bloody, insane, and sinister.
• Derrick explained that Devils could sense fatal threats and described their physical abilities, weaknesses, and tendency to lose control.
• Klein wondered whether an animal that had consumed Beyonder potions could be the serial killer, then listened as Derrick outlined Guardians’ defenses and protective abilities.

Fors joined the gathering by requesting the Apothecary and Trickmaster formulas, and The World sold her the Apothecary formula while promising to search for the other. Justice then offered to teach Fors the acting method for 200 pounds, leaving Fors eager to learn it.

• Fors requested the Apothecary and Trickmaster formulas while disguising her interest in the Trickmaster formula.
• The World offered Fors the Apothecary formula for 230 pounds and agreed to search for the Trickmaster formula.
• Fors paid for the Apothecary formula through a sacrifice to Mr. Fool and memorized it.
• Justice explained that the acting method could speed potion mastery and reduce the risk of losing control.
• Fors agreed to pay Justice 200 pounds for the acting method and promised not to share it without Mr. Fool's permission.

At the Tarot Gathering, Justice Audrey explained the acting method to Fors, while The Sun Derrick traded information about the Seven Gods and the City of Silver. The chapter ended with Klein learning that the ancient deity Flegrea was also called the Demonic Wolf of Evernight.

• Justice Audrey explained that Beyonders digested potions through acting, and Fors began considering how to act as an Apprentice.
• The Sun Derrick asked about the Seven Gods and traded one answer to each of Justice Audrey, The Hanged Man, and The World in exchange for information about the City of Silver.
• Derrick read descriptions of the Seven Gods, and Audrey asked him about the Devil pathway, learning that Sequence 7 Beyonders of the Abyss pathway could interfere with divination and spirit channeling.
• Alger asked Derrick for the City of Silver's creation myth, which named Flegrea as the King of Demonic Wolves among the ancient deities.
• Klein recognized the name Flegrea from the murmurs he had heard and asked The Sun about the ancient deity, learning that Flegrea was also called the Demonic Wolf of Destruction and the Demonic Wolf of Evernight.

At the Tarot Gathering, Klein learned about the Mutant pathway while investigating Miss Sharron, then used the Master Key to divine its origin and witnessed an Abraham family member die after taking a potion. Fors paid for the Apothecary formula and Acting Method, and Klein returned to his search through the serial murder case files.

• Klein asked Derrick about a Beyonder who could switch between a physical and spirit body and command Living Corpses, and Derrick identified a Mutant as one possibility, with Sequence 9 called Prisoner.
• After the Tarot Gathering ended, Klein used the Master Key to divine its origin and saw a young Abraham family member transform and die after drinking a potion.
• Klein inferred that the Master Key’s origin was connected to the Abraham family and planned to ask Father Utravsky where he had obtained it.
• Fors used a sacrificial ritual to pay 430 pounds for the Apothecary formula and Acting Method, while Klein declined Audrey’s offer to exchange money for a promise to collect Roselle’s Diary.
• Klein helped Derrick recall information about the seven gods, then returned to the real world and resumed studying the serial murder case files for clues about the animal.

Derrick went to the City of Silver library to study the seven gods, while Klein tried to steer the Devil investigation toward animals and then returned to Harvest Church to ask about the Master Key. He learned that the key’s original owner was a Vampire imprisoned in the church basement, who offered to answer Klein’s questions if he was released.

• Derrick compared the seven gods with ancient deities and went to the spired tower library, where he encountered Elder Lovia.
• Klein decided not to investigate the Devil alone and wrote Isengard Stanton a letter suggesting the murderer might have practiced on animals.
• Jurgen invited Klein inside for dinner, and Klein later traveled to Harvest Church to ask Bishop Utravsky about the Master Key.
• Klein found Bishop Utravsky coming up from the basement, where a Vampire was pounding on the sealed stone door.
• Bishop Utravsky revealed that the imprisoned Vampire had been the Master Key’s original owner, and the Vampire offered Klein information in exchange for being freed.

Klein learned the Master Key’s real history and its thief’s address, then decided to prepare before investigating the house. Meanwhile, Audrey arranged a private visit to the Roselle Memorial Exhibition, hoping to find diary pages for Mr. Fool.

• Klein threatened to use the Nightmare Candle, and the vampire agreed to explain how he had obtained the Master Key.
• The vampire revealed that a thief had taken the key from a house, then lied about the location before giving Klein the true address: 32 Williams Street.
• Klein divined that exploring the address carried some danger and resolved to follow the Magician’s rule of never performing unprepared.
• Klein read Stuart’s letter, learned that his suspects showed no unusual behavior, and sent a brief reply to keep Stuart out of danger.
• Audrey told Earl Hall she wanted to visit the Roselle Memorial Exhibition, and he arranged a private viewing after the official exhibition ended.

Klein visited the Roselle Memorial Exhibition and recognized that Roselle’s supposedly mysterious diary was written in Chinese, while the exhibits revealed familiar inventions and references from Earth. In Roselle’s reconstructed study, Klein suspected a bookmark might conceal a Card of Blasphemy and narrowed his attention to one tucked into Roselle’s invention manuscripts.

• Klein joined a guided tour of the Kingdom Museum’s Roselle exhibition and saw Roselle’s everyday belongings and historical documents.
• Klein read the open pages of Roselle’s notebook, recognizing Chinese entries about his early life, women, and choice of faith.
• Klein noticed a tall woman in a yellow dress and black bonnet lingering before the exhibits in “The Tender Roselle.”
• Klein spotted a bookmark in Roselle’s reconstructed study and recalled that Roselle had hidden a Card of Blasphemy inside a valuable book.
• Klein asked the guide whether the books were originals, then examined their bookmarks and focused on one inside Roselle’s invention manuscripts.

Klein investigated whether a bookmark in Roselle’s creative manuscript concealed a Card of Blasphemy and devised a way to verify it without exposing his interest. He sought Miss Justice’s help through a distorted prayer, while preparing to investigate the museum further.

• Klein concluded that Roselle’s creative manuscript was the likeliest place to hide a Card of Blasphemy, and learned that its bookmark was the only inserted object in the exhibition that needed checking.
• Klein assessed the museum’s security and considered possible helpers, settling on Miss Justice because her status and resources might let her approach the bookmark without raising suspicion.
• Klein decided to test the bookmark by inflicting slight damage and watching for a reaction, while considering whether an incantation involving the words for “Pirate King” might activate it.
• Klein mapped the museum’s halls and washroom, then returned to 15 Minsk Street without attempting to take the bookmark.
• Klein prayed for assistance in gaining access to the bookmark and offered compensation, then sent the prayer’s altered image and sound to Miss Justice through the gray fog.

Audrey accepted The Fool’s commission to test the bookmark in Roselle’s manuscript during a visit to the Roselle Memorial Exhibition. She made a tiny mark on it despite an abnormal resistance, then reported the result to The Fool after returning home.

• Audrey accepted The Fool’s request to make contact with Roselle’s bookmark and planned how to do so without drawing suspicion.
• Audrey visited the exhibition with Viscount Glaint and other nobles, examining artifacts and leafing through Roselle’s Diary.
• At the reconstructed study, Audrey used Susie’s bark as a distraction and pressed a needle from her earring against the bookmark.
• Audrey felt an abnormal resistance as the needle nearly pierced the bookmark, leaving a tiny mark before she returned it to the desk.
• Audrey recited The Fool’s honorific name at home and reported that the bookmark had reacted abnormally.