Chapter 758: Meeting in a Dream

Someone snuck in? Klein didn't immediately turn over and sit up. Instead, he rolled onto his side, slipped his right hand under the pillow, and silently gripped the Death Knell revolver. At the same time, he slowly spread the fingers of his left hand, keeping the Creeping Hunger ready to activate.

—Knowing that it would be hard to find food for the Creeping Hunger after returning to Backlund, he had previously snuck into a prison in Connat City, Dias Bay, found a death row inmate, confirmed his guilt, and fed him to the glove.

Have people from the Rose School locked onto me? No, they can't have found me so quickly. Besides, if it were them, they wouldn't barge in rashly. They would wait for an opportunity, strike when I'm passing through a secluded area, without alarming the official forces of Backlund... Could it be that I donated too much at the Moon Mass and caught the eye of criminals? Hmm, a wealthy outsider who just arrived in Backlund and spends lavishly is indeed an easy target... Of course, it could also be the Nighthawks conducting a routine check... As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Klein heard a faint noise from the large balcony of the adjoining semi-open room.

Immediately after, the lock clicked softly, and the French window was pulled open almost silently.

Klein listened carefully and detected footsteps crossing the semi-open room into the hallway.

After a slight pause, the footsteps walked towards the master bedroom, passed by it, and turned the doorknob of the valet's room.

Wrong place? Or is he here for Richardson? Klein's heart stirred. He released his grip on the Death Knell revolver and reached for the tin cigarette case nearby.

The moment he dispelled the Spirit Wall, a spectral figure in a dark red coat and worn tricorn hat materialized beside him and stepped into the full-length mirror.

When Senor, this Wraith marionette, jumped onto the glass window of Richardson's room, he saw a figure with sallow skin, soft features, and black hair walking out the door. Richardson sat silently on the edge of the bed, leaning forward, his back slightly arched as if merging into the darkness.

His expression flickered between fear, hesitation, and weakness before settling into stillness.

So he really is here for Richardson... His features are close to those of the Southern Continent race... Agile and skilled, definitely not an ordinary person... Is this a friend Richardson made at the estate on the Southern Continent, or a connection from his mother's side? Richardson is just a valet earning 35 pounds a year. What could require him to need this person's help? Klein observed through Senor's perspective while making guesses in his mind.

At this moment, he suddenly understood a bit why Richardson was so observant and liked to watch the passersby from the balcony.

He was afraid of being found by certain people!

I hope it's not a big problem and it won't affect my plans... I'll do a divination later... If Richardson can't resolve his troubles, I'll have to find an excuse to fire him... Klein retracted the Wraith marionette after seeing his valet lie back down.

…………

Meanwhile, Leonard Mitchell, who lived at 7 Pinster Street, once again entered the sleeping Backlund shrouded in mist.

He had previously questioned reporter Mike Joseph of the Daily Observer in a dream and had concluded that Sherlock Moriarty hadn't actively involved himself in the Lanerius incident but had only participated as a hired party, which significantly reduced his suspicion.

If this great detective's silhouette hadn't also appeared on the fringes of the Kapin incident and had a close relationship with Emlyn White of the Harvest Church, Leonard Mitchell would have given up the investigation and continued his pursuit of Ince Zangwill.

Since Sherlock Moriarty didn't have many close friends at the Crag Club—one had died in the Prince Edessak incident, and the other was reporter Mike Joseph—Leonard's current target was only one person left: Dr. Alan Chris.

"According to internal documents, this doctor was also involved in a Beyonder incident, related to the Monster Pathway... After some items were swapped, he stopped having bad luck and nightmares, and his life returned to normal... Hmph, most of the people Sherlock Moriarty knows are involved with the Beyonders in some way. This detective is definitely not simple..." As he thought, Leonard rang the doorbell symbolizing Alan Chris's dream.

Entering the dream, he casually found a sofa, sat down, and looked at Dr. Alan across from him: "Tell me in detail how you met Sherlock Moriarty."

Alan in the dream didn't hide anything. He started with Mrs. Mary introducing Sherlock Moriarty to join the Crag Club, with himself being invited as a sponsor, all the way to the great detective's suggestion that he report any unusual occurrences to the bishop of the Church of the Goddess of the Night.

Just as the files described, Sherlock Moriarty was quite friendly towards the official forces and had received the endorsement of Icendrhas Stanton... Leonard glanced at the bearded Sherlock materialized by Dr. Alan, then looked back and continued listening.

Alan finished his detailed account and concluded: "He went south for a holiday and hasn't returned yet. I've been really worried."

"However, he is a great detective full of wisdom and kindness. I don't think anything will happen to him. I hope he can make it back in time for the celebration of my child's birth."

"Maybe..." Leonard doubted Sherlock Moriarty would ever return to Backlund.

He politely took his leave and walked out of Dr. Alan's dream.

After taking a few steps, he subconsciously looked back and saw the house with a garden inside. Misty light spheres representing dreams intertwined and filled the entire space. There was no problem.

Is it my imagination? I feel like something changed about me... Leonard mumbled to himself, turned around, and flew towards Pinster Street.

As far as his eyes could see, a thick fog lay below, and the gas lamps were dim and pale.

Suddenly, Leonard stopped flying and fixed his gaze on a building.

Inside that house, five or six misty light spheres were floating quietly, no different from the surrounding buildings.

However, in Leonard's spirituality, it seemed there was a mass of darkness inside that could absorb all light.

Moreover, he found that he didn't recognize this block or this street.

His heart skipped a beat. Suspecting he had seen something he shouldn't have, he hastily averted his gaze and prepared to leave this place, hurrying back to where his physical body was.