“Yes.”
He thought for a while before adding, “Because of what happened to Welch and Naya.”
“It’s as I thought…” Azik sighed. “There were two people with extraordinary powers amongst the group of police that came to question me and Cohen.”
Azik raised his cane and said, “You should have entered their circle. I hope that you can help me search for clues of my origin. You do not need to go out of your way to do it, just note it down if you find any clues.”
Upon saying that, Azik wore a bitter smile.
“I don’t know any other person with extraordinary powers… You cannot imagine what emotions a man without a past has. You are like a boat floating in a vast ocean. The most terrifying thing is not facing a storm, but not being able to find a harbor. The inability to navigate to shore. All you can do is take on disaster after disaster, with no end in sight, never to feel peace and safety.”
Azik looked into Klein’s eyes and let out a self-deprecating smile.
“Because I’m afraid. I’m afraid of death.”
He sighed and continued, “I have gotten used to life like this. I like my life. I don’t have the courage to take that risk, so I can count on you.”
Klein didn’t say any more. He promised, “I’ll pay special attention if I come across any clues.”
“Alright, we should return to the office. Let’s have lunch together with Cohen when he’s done with work. Do you remember? The East Balam Restaurant in the university is quite good. Heh, my treat.” Azik lifted his cane and pointed to a direction.
A few steps later, Azik suddenly spoke.
“I’ll be on summer break after I finish settling all my work at the university. You can visit me at my house or write to me.”
Klein nodded and said casually, “Mr. Azik, I thought that you would head to Desi Bay for a vacation.”
“No, it is too hot in the south right now. I don’t like the so-called sunbathing. Look at my skin color; it tans easily. I’d rather head to the Winter County, to the north of the Feysac Empire to ski, sightsee, or hunt seals.” Azik, who had a copper skin tone, smiled as he replied.
After lunch, Klein returned home and took a nap before beginning his revision and study of charms and amulets. He hoped to grasp them quickly to create objects that could at least be used in battle and help him.
When it was approaching three in the afternoon, Klein packed his stuff and sealed the room with a wall of spirituality.
…
In the majestic divine hall above the gray fog sat a long, ancient mottled table.
Klein sat at the seat of honor, his face enveloped by the thick fog. He looked at the still-obscured Justice and The Hanged Man as they appeared at their designated seats.
Words couldn’t describe Audrey Hall’s emotions. She was extremely shocked by Susie’s sudden speech.
She had imagined a future with herself as a great detective or famous psychologist bringing along her assistant Susie, but if that became the dog detective Susie bringing along her assistant Miss Audrey, then it would be a little, a little…
But she swallowed the words she was about to say.
Audrey’s mind whirled. Finally, she organized her words and said, “Honorable Mr. Fool and Mr. Hanged Man, who has helped me all this time, I have a question to ask. What can a pet with Beyonder powers do for its owner? In other words, how useful is it?”
She had just said her piece when she noticed Mr. Fool and The Hanged Man slip into silence. The atmosphere became a little weird.
She deeply regretted asking that question.
The Hanged Man Alger Wilson was silent for nearly twenty seconds before he replied in a strange tone, “That depends on what kind of Beyonder powers the pet has. For example, if it’s a Spectator, then it can help you observe or listen in on certain occasions. As you know, most humans are wary of each other, but would never suspect that a pet would be eavesdropping on them, even if the pet was sitting right by their feet.”
Audrey’s expression changed. She regained her posture and smiled.
“Mr. Fool, I found another page of Emperor Roselle’s diary.”
“Great, you have repaid what you owed,” Klein replied in a good mood.
“I am sorry, but there’s not much content on this page of the diary.” Audrey was conjuring the content she remembered onto the piece of goatskin.
Klein raised his hand and made the goatskin parchment appear in his palm before saying, “That doesn’t affect my promise. Furthermore, the parts of the diary you handed me previously had two pages.”
The pages collected by Justice and The Hanged Man were not originals. They were copied by researchers. Some would copy it on one page for recording purposes, while others kept the original look of the diary for convenience.
Klein looked down at the few lines of text on the page.
“December 20th. A new year approaches, but the feedback I received is making me very confused and troubled.
“There is no crude oil in this world! There’s no crude oil to be found!”
