NOVEL NEXT Chapter 418: Diary and Novels
Klein's vision blurred as he closed his eyes, suppressing the tears threatening to fall. Melissa… I also want to go back. I want to tell you it was all a joke… But I can't. Doing so would endanger you and Benson.
And I still have my own things to do! I have to avenge myself! I have to… find my way home! I'm sorry…
After a few moments of silence, Klein adjusted his mindset and continued reading:
"September 16th. Today was supposed to be the day Benson, Klein, and I went to watch The Count Returns together…
Benson noticed I wasn't in high spirits, so he took me to the circus at City Hall Square instead. I don't like circuses at all, but I followed him out so he wouldn't worry too much.
There, I saw a peculiar clown. He seemed very cheerful, but I felt like there was sadness hidden beneath his happiness.
I told Benson about my impression, but he dismissed it as my imagination. He almost took me to see a psychologist…
The good news is, after seeing that clown, I finally regained some of my energy.
Even though Klein is gone, I still have Benson, Selina, Elizabeth, and my other friends. I can't let them worry about me."
She's recovering, that's what matters most. Klein felt a sense of relief. I didn't expect my "Clown" role to have actually helped. That's great…
However, a pang of unease followed as he reflected, But Melissa was able to sense the sadness hidden in my heart? Her spiritual intuition is quite sharp… That's not necessarily a good thing.
He furrowed his brows in thought. Mr. Azik's copper whistle must have been in her possession before my burial. She held onto it for about a week. Perhaps it had some influence on her.
Klein's expression softened as he analyzed the situation, but he quickly caught himself, chuckling self-deprecatingly before turning the page to continue reading Melissa's diary:
"September 18th. That man Leonard, who claims to have been Klein's colleague, came by again today. As always, he offered to help with chores… but he's so clumsy! He's even worse than Klein, always making things worse.
Benson is suspicious of his intentions toward me and remains very guarded. But I think Leonard visits so often out of guilt toward Klein…
Why would he feel guilty? Was it because he wasn't as brave as Klein during the attack? But I remember he was injured too…
Anyway, today was the last time he came by. He stopped by to say goodbye because his job has been reassigned. He's being transferred to Backlund. Even though I found him annoying, his sudden departure still feels a little sad."
Leonard feels guilty toward me? Why? He did his best back then… Is it just survivor's guilt because he lived and I didn't? Klein sighed. Don't take on unnecessary burdens, classmate poet.
Then again, Leonard always carries an air of mystery. Perhaps he had some secret method he didn't get the chance to use at the time?
Lost in thought, Klein read further. The following diary entries were lighter, brimming with small, everyday joys.
For instance, Melissa had constructed a mechanical "puppet" out of gears and discarded materials. Her school teacher was so impressed that they arranged a special exhibition for it. However, the sign at the exhibit mistakenly labeled it as a "mechanical turtle," which left Melissa sulking for several days.
There were also mentions of Benson deciding to move to Backlund by the end of the year after the Civil Service Unified Examination Act was formally passed. He encouraged Melissa to apply to the newly established Backlund Institute of Technology.
Their maid, Bella, had finally learned to cook a few of Klein's signature dishes. This relieved Melissa's constant worry of having to eat a "leftovers stew" from the previous day's dinner for breakfast.
And Benson had even met a woman who caught his eye at the library. She had left such an impression on him that he used his unique "persuasion" skills to get the librarian to tell him her name: Ruth Brooke.
Unfortunately, none of the social circles Benson frequented included anyone named Ruth Brooke. She might have been someone from another city, merely passing through.
…
The diary's details made Klein's lips curl into a gentle smile. For a fleeting moment, he even considered going above the gray fog to help Benson divine the whereabouts of Ruth Brooke—or summoning his own spirit to sneak Melissa some exam answers.
But… Klein reminded himself, this isn't the place for such thoughts. Besides, doing those things might not actually be good for them.
Knowing Melissa, her first instinct upon receiving the answers would probably be to report the incident to the authorities.
And Benson… As rare as it is for him to fall for someone, he should find her himself. With his abilities, it shouldn't be too hard… as long as she isn't a Beyonder.
After murmuring to himself, Klein closed the diary and firmly etched its contents into his memory.
This Dream Labyrinth Tower really does grant its challengers the knowledge or information they most desire… If not for Linstor's interference, this would truly be an excellent place for adventurers—especially transmigrators like me.
Still… if the upcoming scenarios are just as "familiar" as the ones before, even with Linstor's preparations, the "home-field advantage" may not be his alone.
With this thought, Klein willed the diary to dissolve and turned to Sharon. To his surprise, the delicate doll-like lady's usually impassive sapphire eyes were tinged with rare emotion.
Klein lacked the Spectator's ability to discern emotions precisely, but he could vaguely sense a mix of anger and sorrow from her.
However, Sharon quickly suppressed the anomaly, reverting to her perfectly controlled, puppet-like demeanor. She dismissed the notebook in her hand and said to Sherlock Moriarty, "Let's continue. After clearing the seventh floor, we'll obtain basic access rights before leaving."
Klein agreed. After all, waking up before the seventh floor would forfeit their eligibility entirely. He suspected this condition was a consequence of the "helpful hints" Linstor had deliberately planted.
After meditating briefly to stabilize their emotions, the two stepped into the dream realm passage leading to the eighth floor.
…
Backlund, Intis Embassy
Special Envoy Owen summoned the Marionettist Tandler and informed him about the explosion in the dockyard district. He instructed Tandler to temporarily postpone the plan to manipulate Stuart.
Hearing this, Tandler nodded begrudgingly and sighed, "Backlund is truly chaotic."
"Being at the center of an era's development naturally comes with a price," Owen remarked with a faint smile, his tone carrying a deeper implication.
"Era's development?" Tandler frowned in confusion, repeating the words.
"Nothing… just a fleeting sentiment." Special Envoy Owen subtly shook his head and diverted the topic.
…
Beneath the St. Wind Cathedral
After listening to the findings of the investigation reported by current Captain McConna, Stuart turned to former Captain Kuhn and mused, "They were all involved with a woman named Irene? Who is she? What faction does she belong to?"
"It's still unclear… Irene is the daughter of a lumber merchant and has a history of improper relations with many men. Among them, the most notable was a detective named Zeriel, who was later confirmed to be a Feysacian spy. He was killed by agents of former Intis Ambassador Beckron during the struggle over the third-generation difference engine manuscript," McConna replied.
"Before the Demoness of Affliction incident, I had commissioned that detective to investigate individuals polluted by the Student of Ratiocination characteristic. His work wasn't exceptional, but he did complete the preliminary task," Kuhn added thoughtfully.
"So, this Irene… could she have been sent by the Secret Order to approach Zeriel?" Stuart speculated, although he instinctively felt it wouldn't be that straightforward. He then asked, "Where is this woman now?"
"She disappeared completely a few days ago, along with her official boyfriend, Mr. Binglay. His mother has already reported him missing to the authorities," McConna answered, consulting the files in his hand.
Stuart pondered for a moment and hesitated before saying, "I have a mystical art that might help us locate her."
"If you have such an art, then use it quickly!" Kuhn urged with a frown.
"That art essentially involves borrowing power from the Steam Church's 2-111. I've already been 'noticed' by it and even had it bypass its restrictions to reach me… so it would be better if someone else performed it," Stuart carefully explained.
"2-111?" McConna's mouth twitched. He didn't dare to try it himself and pretended not to have heard.
Having recently become a guardian after the Demoness of Affliction incident, Kuhn was unaware of 2-111's infamous reputation within the Storm Church. Displaying bravado, he said, "I'll do it! Although I'm not as strong as before, I can still perform a ritual under your guidance and use the art."
Stuart gave him a deep look, feeling a mix of relief and pity for the upcoming "mystical interrogation" scene.
Fortunately, there were only three of them present.
…
Dream Labyrinth Tower
After completing the eighth-floor scenario, where they had to track down "Phantom Thief No. 1412" aboard a luxury cruise liner, Klein and Sharon successfully returned to the "Room of Rewards" and claimed their prizes.
Miss Sharon appeared to receive an unmarked check. She calmly memorized the cipher before destroying the check.
Klein, on the other hand, was rewarded with a novel titled Modern Iron Man. The book told the story of an Iron Man funded by a mysterious lady who performed heroic deeds across various cities.
"While the plot is intriguing and the new Iron Man is both powerful and resourceful… what does this have to do with me?" Klein murmured in confusion as he set the novel down.
(End of Chapter)