Chapter 316 – By no means Carry out Unprepared
Klein, with a touch of amusement, borrows Bishop Utravsky’s Psychological Terror Candle to inquire in regards to the vampire’s secrets and techniques, prompting the vampire to disclose the origins of the Grasp Key. The vampire, caught and detained, recounts its encounter with a thief who used the Grasp Key to steal blood and valuables, together with a pocket watch with inlaid diamonds. The thief, initially making an attempt to entry the hospital’s finance division, bought misplaced and was caught by the vampire.
Klein, nevertheless, suspects the vampire is mendacity in regards to the precise deal with the place the thief obtained the Grasp Key. He makes use of his divination expertise to confirm the vampire’s assertion and confirms his suspicions. The vampire, pressured by Klein’s risk to contain the Church buildings, reluctantly reveals the true deal with: 32 Verdi Avenue, south of the bridge.
With this new data, Klein plans to research additional, and the chapter ends with the sense that the thriller is slowly unraveling, with Klein one step nearer to uncovering the reality behind the Grasp Key and the serial murders.
Chapter 317 – Roselle Memorial Exhibition
Klein, wearing a silk prime hat and lengthy double-breasted frock coat, visits the Royal Museum in West Borough, desirous to uncover extra clues in regards to the Grasp Key. As he follows a guided tour, he finds himself bored by the reveals showcasing Emperor Roselle’s each day requirements and historic relics. Nevertheless, his consideration is piqued when he sees the emperor’s diary, written in simplified Chinese language, that includes humorous and relatable entries about constipation and romantic misunderstandings.
Klein’s curiosity is sparked, and he wonders in regards to the safety measures in place to guard the reveals, suspecting that Beyonders from the Church of the God of Steam and Equipment could be concerned. As he continues via the museum, he encounters a strikingly tall girl standing in entrance of a show cupboard, her presence catching his consideration.
Regardless of his amusement on the exhibit’s romanticized portrayal of Emperor Roselle, Klein stays centered on his investigation, his divination expertise and sharp instincts on excessive alert as he navigates the museum, looking for any leads which may deliver him nearer to uncovering the reality behind the Grasp Key and the serial murders.
Chapter 318 – Verification
Klein’s investigation on the Royal Museum continues as he turns into fixated on a particular bookmark, suspecting it could be a Card of Blasphemy. He makes use of his Spirit Imaginative and prescient to scan the reveals, however finds nothing irregular, main him to infer that the bookmark in query is probably going hidden in a priceless e book. Klein’s consideration narrows to a single manuscript, which he believes Roselle would select attributable to his warped humorousness.
Because the guided tour progresses, Klein asks the feminine information about potential notes or gadgets hidden between the books, however is knowledgeable that such gadgets have already been eliminated. This revelation vastly simplifies his activity, as he now solely must concentrate on the one bookmark. Klein takes notice of the room’s structure, together with the oriel home windows and crystal chandeliers, as he begins to formulate a plan to steal the bookmark.
Klein’s inside monologue reveals his evaluation of the state of affairs, together with the possible safety measures in place and the motivations of the assorted Church buildings and historical households. He concludes that the safety degree of the exhibition gained’t be too excessive, and that the main focus of the guards can be on Roselle’s diary. Klein realizes he wants to seek out somebody to assist him confirm the bookmark, however is hesitant to contain others because of the dangers concerned.
Chapter 319 – Audreys Journey
Audrey Corridor, a younger girl from a depend household, receives a mysterious request from The Idiot, asking for her assist in acquiring a bookmark from Roselle’s manuscript of creativity. To her shock, The Idiot is conscious of her deliberate go to to the Roselle Memorial Exhibition that night, and she or he agrees to tackle the duty, curious in regards to the bookmark’s significance. With a minimal reward of 500 kilos, Audrey begins to plan her night operation, realizing she must be cautious to not arouse suspicion.
Because the night arrives, Audrey, accompanied by different aristocratic youngsters, together with Viscount Glaint, arrives on the Royal Museum. Max Livermore, the Captain of the Equipment Hivemind’s West Borough squad, disguises himself as a safety guard to maintain a detailed eye on the group. In the meantime, Audrey feigns curiosity within the reveals, together with a gold-plated rest room, all of the whereas considering of how to inconspicuously receive the bookmark.
Together with her plan taking form, Audrey’s ideas flip to Susie, a possible confederate, and a pair of gemstone earrings with wonderful needles which may come in useful. Because the group continues their tour, Audrey stays centered on her mission, conscious that she must be fluid and logical in her method to keep away from elevating suspicions and changing into a suspect.
Chapter 320 – Motion
Klein receives a shocking replace from Audrey, alias Miss Justice, who has verified the bookmark’s authenticity, revealing it to be a Card of Blasphemy. Audrey’s effectivity and potential affect impress Klein, who decides to attend earlier than responding to her, fearing she would possibly act surprisingly if instructed the reality. As a substitute, he begins planning to infiltrate the Royal Museum, creating an in depth blueprint of the primary flooring and surrounding areas to make sure a protected and profitable heist.
Klein’s preliminary plan entails making a faux bookmark, however he quickly realizes this might put Audrey below suspicion. He modifies his plan to steal the encircling gadgets as nicely, together with some lighter books, to keep away from implicating her. After ending his preparations, Klein patiently waits till after 9, making the most of the curfew imposed attributable to serial murders, to make his transfer.
Because the night time deepens, Klein units out, altering his apparel and utilizing a rented carriage to achieve West Borough. He arrives on the Royal Museum, the place 4 safety guards are stationed, rigorously monitoring the environment. Along with his plan in place, Klein is able to put it into motion, navigating the dangers and risks that include infiltrating the museum and acquiring the dear Card of Blasphemy.
Chapter 321 – A Residing Individual Seems
Within the exhibition corridor of the Royal Museum, two Equipment Hivemind members detect a disturbance, which they initially dismiss as a lifeless leaf blown in by the wind. In the meantime, Klein makes use of his powers to set off a diversion within the close by washroom, making a small hearth to attract the eye of the safety guards. The Equipment Hivemind members, following their captain’s orders, stay in place, able to defend Roselle’s pocket book.
Because the safety guards and Max Livermore rush to reply to the fireplace, Klein makes use of his potential to navigate the museum’s structure, passing via partitions and doorways to achieve the restored examine. He rigorously makes his strategy to Roselle’s desk, taking the bookmark of creativity and the graffiti-like bookmark to stop suspicion from falling on Audrey.
Simply as Klein is about to seize the remaining bookmarks, a sudden, shrill cry of a child echoes via the exhibition corridor, freezing him in place. Effective black rifts seem round him, and an eyeball stuffed with blood strands and tiny white worms crawling in its heart emerges, casting an ominous shadow over the scene.
Chapter 322 – The Thrilling Night time
Klein’s diversion within the museum washroom has drawn the eye of the safety guards, however his plan is all of a sudden derailed by ashrill cry of a child, and an ominous eyeball emerges, casting a darkish shadow. As he freezes, he’s confronted by a grotesque scene: a feminine corpse, a big black canine with sharp enamel and blood-red stains, and an environment of horror.
The canine, a Sequence 6 Satan, transforms into a huge monster with bat wings and goat horns, respiration hearth and emitting a robust odor of sulfur. Klein shortly creates an phantasm to evade its assault and makes a break for the oriel window, smashing via the glass to flee. The Satan canine pursues, unleashing a fireball that Klein narrowly avoids.
Klein makes use of his wits to shout for assist, awakening the close by residents and distracting the Satan canine lengthy sufficient to flee into a close-by fire. He emerges, makes use of the Grasp Key to tear via partitions, and flees in a brand new route, all whereas taking precautions to evade the Satan canine’s scent-tracking talents. As he catches his breath, Klein can’t assist however respect the usefulness of a well-timed scream on this determined state of affairs.
Chapter 323 – The Opening Incantation
Klein continues to unravel the thriller of the bookmark, scrutinizing it for any hidden clues. He injects his spirituality, making an attempt numerous languages to set off a response, however the bookmark stays inert. Klein displays on his mistake, realizing that Roselle’s humorousness may not be as easy as he thought. He tries to faucet into Roselle’s warped mindset, imagining what sort of incantation the determined powerhouse would use to unlock the cardboard.
Klein experiments with totally different phrases and languages, looking for the proper incantation. He guidelines out frequent phrases and focuses on what Roselle might need been unwilling to half with, finally touchdown on the identify “Bernadette,” his beloved daughter. After a number of failed makes an attempt, Klein efficiently unlocks the bookmark utilizing the Intis language, and it transforms right into a miniature e book.
Because the e book reveals its secrets and techniques, Klein discovers that it accommodates details about the “Playing cards of Blasphemy,” together with the Sequence 0: Darkish Emperor and subsequent sequences, equivalent to Sequence 9: Lawyer and Sequence 8: Barbarian. The e book gives cryptic descriptions and potion formulation, igniting Klein’s curiosity and prompting him to delve deeper into the mysteries of the Playing cards of Blasphemy.
Chapter 324 – Imagined and Actual “Adorer”
Audrey Corridor is thrilled to lastly obtain a response from Mr. Idiot, and her pleasure is short-lived as she’s uncertain what a “Card of Blasphemy” refers to. Nevertheless, she makes an informed guess, connecting it to Emperor Roselle’s secret deck of playing cards, which is alleged to carry the paths of the divine. She realizes that Mr. Idiot’s adorer has efficiently retrieved the bookmark containing a Card of Blasphemy with out arousing suspicion, elevating the reward to three,000 kilos.
As Audrey continues to ponder the implications, she envisions their Tarot Membership possessing a whole path to changing into a god. In the meantime, she engages in a dialog together with her father, Rely Corridor, in regards to the newest information on the serial homicide case, which has claimed its twelfth sufferer. Audrey expresses her hope for the police’s success in catching the perpetrator, all whereas desirous about Mr. Idiot’s adorer’s daring heist on the museum.
Audrey’s pleasure and delight are evident as she contemplates the probabilities, questioning if different bookmarks would possibly maintain related secrets and techniques. With the Card of Blasphemy of their possession, she’s satisfied that their Tarot Membership will develop into probably the most highly effective hidden faction on this planet below Mr. Idiot’s steerage.
Chapter 325 – The Equestrian Academics Downside
Klein responds to Isengard Stanton’s letter, studying that the detective’s investigation into the serial homicide case has made progress, and the police are closing in on the suspect. The well-known detective hints at Klein’s connection to the mysterious forces behind the crime, however Klein deflects the insinuation with humility. With the case nearing decision, Klein feels relieved that the authorities are heading in the right direction and focuses on his subsequent transfer.
As Klein waits for the reward cash, he plans to go to the Roselle Memorial Exhibition to pay Leppard for the Card of Blasphemy, hoping the patent for the bicycle can be filed by then. With a free day forward, he decides to observe his marksmanship and Beyonder powers on the Quelaag Membership, the place he runs into Talim, an aristocratic equestrian instructor and acquaintance.
Klein and Talim have interaction in small speak, with Klein boasting about his involvement within the serial homicide case, although he is aware of it’s only a cowl for his true id as a Beyonders. As they chat, Klein learns in regards to the newest Western Railway and East Balam Plantation shares, and Talim asks him a query, addressing him as “Sherlock.”
Chapter 326 – “Skilled” Suggestion
Klein meets with Dr. Aaron Ceres, a person affected by unhealthy luck, and Talim, an aristocratic equestrian instructor, at a restaurant. Aaron recounts his experiences, and Klein makes use of his detective expertise to probe for connections to mysticism. Klein suspects that Aaron could be cursed and asks if he has encountered something uncommon, however Aaron initially thinks of nothing. Below Talim’s involved gaze, Klein presses on, asking if Aaron has offended anybody or develop into an impediment to others.
Aaron lastly recollects a affected person he handled, a younger boy named Will Auceptin, who performed tarot playing cards with him earlier than surgical procedure. The boy predicted Aaron’s unhealthy luck, and Klein’s curiosity is piqued. He asks for Will’s whereabouts, however Aaron doesn’t keep in mind. As they focus on doable options, Klein suggests searching for assist from the cathedral, however Aaron is skeptical, having already tried praying to the Evernight Goddess with out success.
Because the dialog unfolds, Klein’s ideas flip to the potential for a mysterious merchandise, just like the Misfortune Material Puppet, being concerned in Aaron’s curse. He retains his suspicions hidden, adopting the persona of a involved detective, whereas Talim watches with curiosity. The investigation is ongoing, with Klein decided to uncover the reality behind Aaron’s misfortunes and the enigmatic Will Auceptin.
Chapter 327 – Encounter on the Street
Klein attends a efficiency on the Rice Circus, the place he observes a beast taming act and a magician’s present. As he watches, he makes use of his Seer talents to research the emotional colours of the animals and the viewers. He’s impressed by the magician’s ability in diverting consideration, however suspects the chubby Apothecary-like man backstage could be concerned in Dr. Aaron’s curse. Klein leaves the theater, however on his means again to Minsk Avenue, he all of a sudden finds himself in an odd, dream-like state, surrounded by individuals who appear alive however lack auras or feelings in his Spirit Imaginative and prescient.
As he tries to stay calm, Klein realizes he’s the one one with a spirituality luster, and the individuals round him are merely transferring with out life. The carriage continues to maneuver, however Klein’s senses are on excessive alert, uncertain of what’s occurring or escape this weird state of affairs. The chapter ends with an ominous, indignant roar, leaving Klein – and the reader – on edge.
Klein’s detective expertise are nonetheless centered on uncovering the thriller behind Dr. Aaron’s curse, however this new, unsettling expertise has him questioning his notion of actuality. Along with his Seer talents and sharp instincts, Klein should navigate this unusual, probably lethal situation and discover a means again to the world he is aware of.
Chapter 328 – He That Touches Pitch Shall Be Defiled
Klein returns to the scene of the Satan canine’s loss of life, suspicious {that a} Sealed Artifact could be concerned in creating the unusual setting. He takes a detour to keep away from potential official Beyonders, and makes use of his Spirit Imaginative and prescient to scan the realm, however finds nothing out of the peculiar. Nevertheless, he does sense the Artifact’s scope of affect, which covers at the very least one block.
Klein then heads to a restaurant, the place he observes the road, hoping to note any modifications. Though he doesn’t discover something, he confirms {that a} Magician all the time prepares beforehand, a priceless perception for his investigation. As he enjoys his espresso, he feels a delicate stirring inside him, associated to the precipitate in his physique.
After his statement, Klein heads again to Minsk Avenue, the place he runs into Lawyer Jurgen, who invitations him for dinner. At Jurgen’s home, Klein finds an already set desk with blackened steaks and mashed potatoes, courtesy of Jurgen’s grandmother, Mrs. Doris. Nevertheless, he quickly learns that Mrs. Doris has been hospitalized attributable to her continual lung issues. As they sit right down to eat, Klein’s ideas stay on the mysterious Sealed Artifact and the secrets and techniques it would maintain.
Chapter 329 – Claw Marks
Klein visits Bravehearts Bar, looking for Kaspars Kalinin, the black market arms supplier. As a substitute, he finds a brand new group of people who declare to have taken over Kaspars’ enterprise. They provide Klein a deal, however he senses a entice, probably set by the Rose Faculty of Thought to seize Maric and Miss Sharron. Klein decides to look at the state of affairs, making an attempt to assemble data with out scary any battle.
As he interacts with the group’s consultant, a person with a protruding mouth, Klein is led to a billiard room the place he finds a grotesque scene – the group’s boss, a burly man with a full beard, is hanging from the ceiling, lifeless. The environment is tense, and Klein takes a step again, activating his Spirit Imaginative and prescient to scan the room.
Amidst the chaos, Klein stays calm, uttering a prayer for the deceased and making a sarcastic remark in regards to the boss’s mood. With the scene unfolding earlier than him, Klein’s ideas are centered on the Sealed Artifact, Kaspars, and the mysterious forces at play in Backlund.
Chapter 330 – Sharron and Maric’s Philosophy
Klein displays on his earlier encounters, recognizing that he gained’t recklessly intervene in unknown conditions like he did with Sharron’s assist. He’s cautious about utilizing mysticism data, particularly from orthodox sources like The Hanged Man, and as a substitute seeks steerage from Sharron and Maric, who possess unorthodox data as former members of a secret group. Klein acknowledges that this data may very well be priceless in his final objective of returning to Earth.
As Sharron and Maric reveal their backstory, Klein learns that they belonged to an historical and secretive group, the Rose Faculty of Thought, which dates again to earlier than the Fourth Epoch. This group believes in an evil god and practices a type of magic that entails primitive sacrifice and indulging wishes. Sharron and Maric, nevertheless, disagreed with this method, as a substitute advocating for repressing wishes and displaying temperance. They escaped the group and at the moment are being pursued.
Klein items collectively the data, realizing that the Rose Faculty of Thought’s method contradicts the necessities of the Prisoner pathway, and that the evil god’s affect is problematic. He presses Sharron and Maric for extra data, asking if the lifeless man within the alley is linked to their state of affairs, and Maric confirms that he bought himself concerned of their affair.
