Looking at Svein standing before the monster's corpse, and then at the "Punisher" who had been holding it down now helping his half‑conscious companion, Klein suddenly felt an indescribable sadness.
Whether Nighthawks, Punishers, or members of the Mechanical Heart, almost none of them could ever become heroes, because everything they did would never be known to the public, only buried deep in various confidential documents—but the danger and pain they endured were so real.
Maybe one day, my opponent will be my teammate… Klein sighed silently, feeling the heavy weight contained in words like "Nighthawk," "Punisher," and "Mechanical Heart member."
Just then,
"Let's leave. Let's not disturb them."
"Alright." Klein picked up his cane and was about to step forward when he suddenly saw Old Neil still clutching his left hand, so he asked with concern, "Are you injured?"
Old Neil gave a heh: "I got hit by a flying fragment. If I were younger, I definitely could have dodged it. Luckily, it's just a small problem."
He loosened his right hand slightly, letting Klein see the small wound on the back of his left palm still oozing blood.
After confirming it wasn't serious, Klein walked down the gangway while commenting: "Mr. Neil, you are calmer than I imagined. When that monster was less than two meters away from you, you could still calmly recite the incantation and use the charm."
Although the punisher who had lost control and turned into a monster had been charging at Klein, Old Neil had been close to him all along.
In response to the praise, Old Neil chuckled: "I am a senior Nighthawk. Among the dangerous situations I've been through, what just happened doesn't even rank in the top ten. I remember one time, Dunn and I were patrolling Raphael's cemetery, and a corpse had somehow turned into a living corpse, left its tomb, and ambushed in the shadow of a tree. I passed by, completely unaware of it, and was thinking of finding a secluded place, heh, you know the rest, when it pounced on me from behind and grabbed my neck."
Klein was quite stirred by this and guessed in return: "In that situation, could you still calmly use a charm or a quick spell from a 'Mystery Pryer'?"
Old Neil glanced at him and laughed low: "No. Dunn put that living corpse to sleep in time. I'm telling you this to say that as a Nighthawk, you have to trust not only yourself but also your teammates."
"..." Klein was silent for a few seconds, then half‑jokingly and half‑seriously said, "Mr. Neil, you are so wise today."
Old Neil took a small hop, stepping onto the dock, and replied disdainfully: "That's because you usually only know the most trivial side of me."
The two walked out of the dock area and returned to the front of the Evil Dragon Bar.
Klein put away his revolver, leaned his cane, took off his coat, and under the gas streetlight, checked for any damage.
"Lucky me, just a few splinters and a small dirty spot…" He pulled out the debris, roughly brushed off the dust, and dressed again.
Old Neil watched with a smile, and imitating his tone, leisurely added: "Too bad, can't get it reimbursed."
"..." Klein was momentarily at a loss for words.
I'm not that kind of person! He emphasized inwardly.
At that moment, a public carriage arrived. Klein took out his silver pocket watch with vine patterns, opened it, and glanced at the time.
"If there's nothing else, I need to go home." He turned to Old Neil.
Old Neil nodded slightly: "Go home and enjoy your dinner. Don't worry about the 'Sleep Charm' we used just now. I'll get Svein to pay for it; he's a wealthy man. Of course, not today. I have to consider his feelings."
"...Thanks for your generosity..." Klein opened his mouth, but could only spit out these words.
He quickly boarded the carriage and rode all the way to Daffodil Street. By then it was past seven, and the sky was completely dark.
He took out his key, opened the door, and saw Melissa just taking off her hat and hanging it on the coatrack, so he asked an obvious question: "You also just got back?"
At that moment, the complicated emotions he had accumulated earlier suddenly dissipated, and he felt relaxed and warm.
"School had an operational practice class today," Melissa explained earnestly.
Klein sniffed and smelled food. Startled, he instinctively asked: "Then who is preparing dinner?"
As soon as he said it, he and Melissa answered simultaneously: "Benson!"
Their tone carried a hint of panic.
Just then, hearing them, Benson walked out of the kitchen, wiped his hands on his apron, and said: "You don't have confidence in my cooking skills? I remember when Melissa didn't know how to cook yet, you would both wait eagerly for me to come home and watch me cook with anticipation. Actually, cooking is very simple. For example, beef stew with potatoes: first boil the beef, then add the potatoes, then add the seasonings..."
Klein and Melissa exchanged glances and remained silent.
Leaning his cane and removing his hat, Klein then smiled: "I think it's time we hire a maid. Eating dinner at irregular hours is very unhealthy."
"But I don't want strangers around when we chat. It would make me feel uncomfortable," Melissa subconsciously found another reason to refuse.
Klein took off his coat and said with a smile: "Don't worry about that..."