"Erudite"... That sequence sounds quite strong just from its name... Sequence 7 of the "Reader" pathway is called "Preserver of Knowledge" or "Detective", a profession focused on knowledge acquisition and reasoning abilities, at most supplemented by decent combat and weapon skills, not particularly powerful, but at Sequence 6, there seems to be a qualitative leap, especially in the field of supernatural combat... It appears that every extraordinary pathway has such a node below the high sequences, but it's not fixed at a particular sequence, for example, the "Fortuneteller" pathway has the node at Sequence 7 "Magician"... Klein took a sip of hot coffee and didn't pry further into others' sequence secrets, but instead smiled and said:
"Mr. Stanton, you seem quite relaxed, not nervous or worried at all."
Isengard did not answer directly, put down his knife and fork, took out his pipe, and said:
"Do you mind?"
Actually I mind a bit, but the pollution and fog in Backlund are already so severe, a few more puffs of secondhand smoke won't make it worse... Klein shook his head and smiled:
"Does it help you think?"
"More accurately, it's a habit. Every morning after breakfast, I'm used to doing this." Isengard prepared his pipe and took a deep drag.
As he exhaled the smoke, he sighed:
"Fear, tension, and worry cannot help us face the threat. So why not be a little more relaxed? The brain will be more active. My assistant was too prone to worry, and that's why he met with this fatal disaster, sigh..."
Isengard glanced at Caslana and continued:
"Moreover, our opponent is the 'Apostle of Desire'. Overly intense emotions must be forbidden."
He chuckled:
"Most importantly, we are not without other ways to locate the 'Apostle of Desire'."
"What ways?" Caslana put down the last piece of bacon and asked seriously.
Isengard took a puff from his pipe and laughed mockingly:
"When discussing such topics, I still prefer a comfortable chair.
"'Demons', besides having danger premonitions, are not good at divination or prophecy. So, for the 'Apostle of Desire' to find out the main targets of revenge, he will actively investigate the situation and gather information. Otherwise, how would he know that a group of private detectives made outstanding contributions in the serial murder case, and how could he accurately lock onto you and me?
"In such a process, he will inevitably interact with many people. Even if he disguises himself, he will leave certain traces. Combined with the vague images provided by the 'Mechanical Heart', clues can be formed.
"Similarly, to attack me, he needs to figure out where I live, what my entry/exit and daily routine are, and if there are powerful official Beyonders protecting me. This requires a not-short period of observation and corresponding inquiry, and again, he must interact with other people and fixed locations. Haha, once there is interaction, there will be clues.
"I like a saying: 'Everything done leaves traces.'"
I know that saying, it's from Emperor Roselle... Klein revealed a smile.
Then he sighed a little, because it was the second time he had heard this saying in this world.
The last time was in Tingen.
Caslana, whose cheek muscles sagged slightly, sighed and said:
"No wonder you are a great detective, I didn't think of these things. Your observation and thinking abilities make me admire you."
Isengard smiled in response:
"Everyone has their own field of expertise. In pure combat, you would defeat me time and again.
"Sherlock must have also thought of these things I just talked about. He also has outstanding observation and reasoning abilities and is an excellent detective."
Actually, when you were talking so eloquently, I felt a bit ashamed for no reason... Klein squeezed a smile and said:
"No, you are truly a great detective, while I am still far behind."
"You are truly a modest young man." Isengard remarked.
He smiled and changed the subject:
"Next, we'll start from these aspects. You must use your own resources and information channels."
Apart from matters related to the Tarot Club, a full third of my resources and channels in Backlund come from you, old man... Klein forced a smile and replied:
"Alright."
Besides the Beyonders gathering "Wise Eye", the only ones he could find were Maric, Miss Sharon, the vampire Emlyn White, and Father Utravsky.
With the "Mechanical Heart" protecting me covertly, Miss Sharon and Maric are directly ruled out... That vampire Emlyn is worth visiting. He is now half a believer of the Earth Mother Goddess and is protected by Bishop Utravsky, so he won't be eliminated by official Beyonders in a targeted manner... Klein instantly thought of his plan.
Caslana was silent for a few seconds and said:
"No problem."
Klein spread the remaining butter onto the last piece of toast, chewed and swallowed unhurriedly, and then asked:
"Mr. Stanton, you seemed to mention earlier the unsealing of a certain sealed artifact. Can it help us in dealing with the 'Apostle of Desire'?"
"Yes, its role was crucial last time when that demon hound was found and surrounded." Isengard replied frankly. "Its code is '1-42'."
"1-42"? Grade 1 sealed artifact, highly dangerous, limited usability. Even the Backlund diocese can only preserve one or two... Klein's mind flashed with the corresponding description, and he asked with interest:
"What kind of item is it? What abilities and negative effects does it have?"
Isengard smiled:
"This is a secret of the Church of the Goddess of Night, I don't know the details. I only know that it was not originally in Backlund. It was sent urgently because of that serial murder case."