The next day, at Sir Deville's residence.
A carriage bearing the Church of Evernight's emblem stopped outside Sir Deville's estate.
"Inspector, I'm quite certain there's absolutely nothing wrong with my mind, and I definitely didn't have that dream because I was tired. Everything I saw after waking up was real, too."
"There really was someone there last night. No, not a person, a ghost. She floated in my room, looking at me with cold eyes, and she even..."
"Sir Deville, please calm down," Dunn said, trying to comfort him.
"We have a full understanding of your situation. What you saw in your room last night wasn't real. You had only just woken up and weren't fully alert, so you carried things from your dream into reality."
"Also, what happened to you may be connected to your having witnessed the death of that young woman from lead poisoning."
"She worked in your factory, and you felt guilty about her death. That feeling was magnified infinitely in your sleep, which ultimately led you to dream about the things you described."
"If you want to change this, you could compensate the young woman's family. You could also visit Evernight Church, where the priests can help alleviate your symptoms."
"But, Inspector..." Deville had barely begun to speak when he suddenly froze. Dunn had pulled him into a dream.
Two hours later, the Church of Evernight's carriage left Sir Deville's estate.
"Captain, what do you make of this?" Leonard asked Dunn.
"Do you think Sir Deville was telling the truth, or was he hallucinating after encountering a vengeful spirit? Or was another Beyonder involved?"
Dunn shook his head. "I don't know either."
"I originally thought it was just a simple case involving a vengeful spirit, but after entering his dream, I found signs that someone had tampered with it. Yet I used every means at my disposal and couldn't find a single clue."
"As things stand, a Beyonder was most likely involved, and they can manipulate vengeful spirits too. Fortunately, this unknown Beyonder meant Sir Deville no harm. Otherwise..."
"But even so, we can't let our guard down. And why exactly did they do this?"
"It seems I need to write to Daly and ask for her advice. She's a Sequence 6 Spirit Guide and has more experience in this area than I do."
I think they were acting to digest their Potion.
And Captain, you really don't have to go out of your way to explain so much. The whole Nighthawks team knows you like Miss Daly.
Leonard's lips twitched, but he ultimately chose to remain silent. Then he looked at the other companion beside him and frowned almost imperceptibly.
Smack! Leonard slapped Klein on the shoulder.
"Our Mr. Seer seems to have been distracted ever since he heard what Sir Deville had to say. Klein, what do you make of this?"
"Huh?" Klein snapped out of his thoughts.
"Even Captain Dunn is at a loss, so what could I have to say? I'm just curious about what Sir Deville dreamed of."
Klein pursed his lips and asked Dunn and Leonard, "The eighteen levels of hell in Sir Deville's dream, and the saying 'Good done with intent is not rewarded, though it is good; evil done without intent is not punished, though it is evil'-did Emperor Roselle ever say those things?"
Leonard shook his head. "As far as I know... no. Emperor Roselle never said anything like that."
"Why? Are you concerned about them?"
"No, I was just asking. It's the first time I've heard anything like that, after all."
Dunn spoke up from beside them. "People affected by vengeful spirits do sometimes say or dream of strange things. Klein, you don't need to take it too much to heart. You'll get used to it after you've experienced more of it."
But Sir Deville wasn't just talking nonsense. I really do know those things.
Who on earth did it? Emperor Roselle has already been ruled out. Could it be Wilt, that suspected transmigrator, or another transmigrator?
No, I have to go to the Gray Fog Space and divine it when I get back!
"All right," Dunn said to his two teammates.
"Let's put Sir Deville's case aside for now. Next, we need to patrol the places where strange incidents have occurred recently. Stay alert, both of you."
"Yes, Captain!"
Meanwhile, after breakfast, Wilt went to see Old Neil as arranged.
He stood in front of Old Neil's house and reached out to knock.
Knock, knock, knock!!!
Five seconds later, the door opened.
"Mr. Neil, you don't seem to be in very good shape."
Wilt saw that Old Neil's hair was a mess, his eyes were bloodshot, and he was in an extremely poor mental state.
Looks like he was up all night!
"I wonder if you've come to a decision, Mr. Neil?"
Old Neil said nothing. He stood in the doorway for nearly a minute before silently stepping aside.
"So you've chosen to work with me. I look forward to working with you, Mr. Neil!"
Wilt stepped inside.
Ten minutes later, in Old Neil's basement.
"Mr. Neil, I know this might be meddling, but I still suggest you visit Evernight Church and tell the Evernight Goddess about this."
"At the very least, you'll be in better shape after doing so."
"We're only partners," Old Neil said. "Just do your part. I don't need you worrying about me."
"All right." Wilt shrugged helplessly, then took a thick stack of papers from inside his coat.
"This is two-thirds of all the knowledge of Life Alchemy I obtained from the Hidden Sage. As a show of good faith, I'm giving it all to you now."
In fact, it was only half. Wilt deliberately inflated the amount to demonstrate his generosity and trust.
"Next, I need you to teach me mysticism and the details of various ritual magics."
"Once I've learned them, I'll bring out the remaining third and use a Cryptologist's abilities to help you perfect the resurrection array."
Old Neil took the papers from Wilt. "I'll only teach you six hours a day. I still have to spend the rest of my time with the Nighthawks and investigate whether what you've given me is genuine."
Wilt chuckled. "That's reasonable. No problem."
"In that case, let's start with the most basic ritual magic. First, there are rituals to please the gods..."
And so, from early morning through the rest of the morning, Wilt studied mysticism with Old Neil.
Thanks to his status as a Cryptologist, he mastered the knowledge with ease, learning it as soon as he was taught.
At noon, Wilt arrived at Rosen's folk herbal medicine shop.
"Closed?"
"Darkwill couldn't have run off already, could he?"
Wilt was a little disappointed. He had been planning to buy a few more potions, not just for his own use but also to gain favor with Old Neil and get him to teach him more mysticism.
Just as Wilt was about to turn and leave, he suddenly sensed an evil, frenzied aura.
Crash! The door was kicked open.
Inside the house, Wilt saw a Werewolf.