Lying in bed, Klein ultimately couldn't sleep through until dawn, because he thought that if most people on the street were woken by the underground commotion and he slept soundly without noticing anything, it would raise suspicions.
Sure enough, as soon as he got up, went to the balcony, drew the curtains, and pretended to look for the source of the rumbling, the butler Walter knocked and arranged for two servants with double‑barreled shotguns to protect the employer, ready for any accident.
Soon the police arrived and, based on the accounts of several residents in the block, targeted the sewer.
What they discovered next, whether they requested assistance from the Nighthawks— the ordinary citizen Dwayne Dantès never learned.
After initially confirming that there would be no more mishaps, he dismissed the butler and servants and hurried back to catch up on sleep.
When he woke, Berkeland Street had returned to normal: pedestrians strolled in twos or threes, carriages passed occasionally, and the Intis plane trees on both sides kept the street feeling deep and quiet.
“Are the results of the investigation out?” Klein asked, looking at himself in the mirror while addressing his valet Richardson, who was helping him dress.
Richardson had already found out and was waiting for his employer to ask. He immediately replied:
“They say gang members were trading weapons in the nearby sewer and accidentally caused an explosion.”
What a plausible explanation… Klein didn’t ask further, and didn’t even wonder where the demigod of the Marauder pathway who could steal his thoughts had gone, or whether he had been found by the Nighthawks.
First, because he believed that the other party’s intentional detonation likely caused severe damage to himself—if he had sufficient power or a suitable environment, he would have long “parasitized” Hazel without such trouble and complication; that is, Klein didn’t need to worry about him doing anything for two or three weeks, or even two or three months.
Second, because if he continued the investigation and cornered that person, Klein had no doubt that he would also be harmed. Once the other party stopped holding back and affected a wide area, even if Klein didn’t expose his identity, he would endure a demigod’s attack and implicate the innocent residents of this street.
Besides these two reasons, Klein was also concerned that if the formerly “normal” Berkeland Street experienced repeated anomalies, it would inevitably arouse deep suspicion from the official Beyonders. And since all this happened after Dwayne Dantès moved in, Klein wouldn’t be able to explain himself no matter how many mouths he had; then he would have to abandon the plan and consider other options.
For now, he couldn’t go into the sewer because the authorities had likely set traps… He only needed to do one thing: discreetly keep an eye on Hazel and see if she showed any abnormalities. Once he detected signs of danger, he would transform into the “gentleman thief” and paste “notices” at the entrance of Saint Samuel Church… With a calm expression, Klein went downstairs for breakfast, then returned to the master bedroom, ordered his valet Richardson to wait at the door, and took out a nearly worn‑out paper crane from his wallet.
He planned to use it one last time: to inform the “Destiny Serpent” Will Onsetin of the “Star Admiral’s” terms, and see if He would agree.
Normally, he could pay a visit to accomplish this, but without an invitation from Doctor Allen and lacking a sufficient reason, visiting was not a good choice—it would easily arouse suspicion. He couldn’t very well tell Doctor Allen, “I’m not here for you, I’m here for your wife’s unborn child.”
Carefully unfolding the paper crane, Klein glanced at the pencil marks from last time and intuitively believed that if he used an eraser, the paper would definitely tear.
But that didn’t hinder him; he picked up a black fountain pen and wrote directly on the paper:
“They have offered the exchange goods.”
The dark blue, almost black ink was far brighter than the pencil traces, so even though the two parts overlapped completely, the top words were still easy to read.
There’s always a way… Klein nodded with satisfaction and refolded the paper along the creases into a paper crane.
This time, he suspected that unfolding it again would cause damage.
…………
City of Silver, the Berg home.
Since the Tarot Club meeting ended, Derrick had turned into a stone statue, sitting motionless on the bed.
Who knows how long passed before he was “awakened” by sounds from the street, but the nightmare‑like feeling still enveloped him, making his steps toward the window heavy.
“God may be dead…” “God may never return…” Similar thoughts echoed endlessly in Derrick’s mind, breeding uncontrollable despair and pain.
Although when he killed his own parents, he already doubted whether God would return and whether He would still care for the abandoned people of the darkness, and later he wanted to rely on Mr. Fool to turn himself into a true “Sun” and help the City of Silver’s inhabitants escape the curse of fate, the education from childhood and the surroundings still influenced him every moment, making him still hope for the Creator’s return, and hope that the City of Silver’s sacrifices and repentance would be answered.
But now all that hope was destroyed, leaving only a last shred, which could be swallowed by darkness at any moment.
The City of Silver would continue like this, and eventually disappear entirely into darkness, with no one remembering that we once lived and struggled… Derrick looked out the window and saw many residents of his area gathering together, spontaneously praying, repenting before the Creator of all.
This was not a ceremony organized by the “Six‑Man Council,” but a tradition formed over the two or three thousand years of the City of Silver: pray when good things happen, pray when feeling unstable, pray when someone in the family is injured, and pray when a new life is born.
Lightning tore across the sky, illuminating the street. Derrick stood in the darkness of the house, staring blankly outside, not moving for a long time, but his hands had unconsciously clenched into fists.
After the residents dispersed, he finally withdrew his gaze, and his expression twisted.
He touched the “Roar of the Thunder God,” and his eyes gradually grew determined. Following Mr. Hanged Man’s advice, he prepared to make some friends, to help himself from the side.
Soon he became troubled again, because he had no idea how to proactively make friends, how to warmly greet people and find topics.
This was something against his nature.
After thinking, Derrick decided to go to the training grounds and rebuild relationships with his former acquaintances through sparring—that was a gathering place for the City of Silver’s people, and he often met relatively familiar people there.
…………
Another deep night, Klein as he wished saw in his dream a pitch‑black barren plain and a mysterious, dark spire.
After traversing obstacle after obstacle, he reached an area scattered with Tarot cards, where a black baby carriage was already waiting.
Will Onsetin, wrapped in silver silk, asked in a clear voice:
“What are the terms?”
So proactive and forward… Where’s your Sequence 1 pride? But kids are like this, and he keeps a good mindset… Klein chuckled inwardly and said:
“Two pieces, take your pick.”