67 Red Plane Tree Street, Connort City, Dicai County.
Klein, wearing a face that was quite common in the Loen Kingdom, stepped forward and pulled the doorbell.
In less than a minute, the door creaked open. A maid in a black and white dress poked her head out, looked him over for a few seconds, and asked in confusion:
"Good evening, sir. Who are you looking for?"
"I'm looking for Mrs. Nilon. I'm a friend of her father, David Raymond," Klein replied calmly.
David Raymond was the "Nightmare" he had released from "Creeping Hunger", a "Red Glove" in the "Nighthawks". What he cared about most in the end was his daughter, Nilon Raymond. He was filled with guilt for not having been able to accompany her as she grew up, making her lose a father almost at the same time she lost her mother. Klein had promised him back then that if he had the chance, he would come to this beautiful coastal city on his behalf to see how his daughter was doing.
Through his prior inquiries, Klein had already gotten a general idea of Nilon Raymond's situation. After graduating from a grammar school, this girl had entered the "Women and Children Care Foundation" of the Church of the Goddess of the Night, earning a weekly salary of 2 pounds and 10 soli, the envy of the neighbors.
She had also inherited an estate from her "merchant" father. The exact amount wasn't known to others, but it was common knowledge that she was wealthier than most of the middle class.
Normally, a girl with this level of wealth would be very cautious about marriage, choosing and appraising repeatedly, often resulting in a late marriage. However, Nilon had married a government employee just a year after starting to work.
Because both of them worshipped the "Goddess of the Night", she hadn't taken her husband's surname and still called herself Nilon Raymond. She still lived at 67 Red Plane Tree Street and hadn't moved away.
Hearing Klein's reply, the maid quickly asked him to wait, then turned around and went into the living room to report.
Shortly after, a lady in a house dress walked towards the door. She had black hair and blue eyes, a somewhat long and thin face, and decent features. She bore some resemblance to David Raymond.
"Good evening, sir. I'm David Raymond's daughter, Nilon. May I ask when you met my father?"
Klein took off his hat and said with a smile:
"I met him at sea. It's been several years now."
Nilon Raymond glanced at him with a hint of wariness and said:
"You might not know this, but he has passed away."
Klein sighed:
"I know. That's how I met him, during that disaster. He said some things back then. I didn't think much of them at first, but over these past few years, the more I thought about it, the more I felt you should know."
"Is that so?"
Nilon murmured. After thinking for a moment, she said:
"Please, come in. Do you mind if my husband listens as well?"
"That only depends on your decision."
Nilon nodded and led Klein into the study. Her husband, a government employee with an ordinary appearance and a gentle demeanor, put down his newspaper and followed them in.
After both sides sat down, Klein looked at the couple on the sofa opposite him and, choosing his words carefully, said:
"Mr. David Raymond once experienced a disaster in which he lost his father, mother, wife, brother, and sister."
"I know."
Klein thought for a moment and continued:
"He was a merchant on the surface, but in reality, he was hunting down those responsible for that disaster."
"I know."
Klein glanced at her and went on:
"He threw himself wholeheartedly into this matter. It's a great pity he couldn't properly accompany you as you grew up, making you lose a father almost at the same time you lost your mother."
Nilon was silent for a second before replying very quickly:
"I know!"
Klein's gaze swept across the old books around them. He sighed silently and said:
"He said his greatest hope was to see you have your own marriage and family under the witness of the Goddess, and to no longer be alone. I think he must be very comforted now."
Nilon's gaze slowly shifted away from Klein's face. Her mouth opened, but it was two whole seconds before she replied:
"...I know."
Klein leaned forward slightly, clasping his hands together, and said:
"He said he might die at sea. He asked me to tell you that he died in an accident, and all the killers have already been punished. You don't need to hate anyone anymore.
"He also said that he loves you very much, and that he is very sorry."
Nilon was silent for a few seconds, blinked her eyes, turned her head to the side, and gave an ambiguous laugh:
"...I understand."
Klein gave her a deep look before slowly standing up:
"I have delivered my message. I should be leaving now."
The response from across the room was silence. Nilon's husband nodded gently in acknowledgment.
Klein turned around and walked towards the study door. Just as he was turning the doorknob, a low and hoarse voice came from behind him, Nilon Raymond's voice:
"You... what kind of person do you think he was?"
Klein was silent for a second, turned back, curled his lips into a smile, and said:
"A guardian."
He didn't linger any longer. He pulled open the study door and walked over to the coat rack.
When he put on his top hat and left 67 Red Plane Tree Street, a faint sob, one that was struggling to be suppressed, suddenly broke out and reached his ears.
Shaking his head silently, Klein left this neighborhood and entered a church of the Goddess of the Night.