053 Listener

On the storm-ravaged sea, an old three-masted sailing ship rose and fell with the waves.

It wasn't fast, nor was it large. In this catastrophic scene where the sky and sea blended into one, it resembled a dead leaf detached from a tree. Yet, no matter how wild the hurricane or terrifying the waves, it sailed smoothly, never tilting.

Alger Wilson stood on the empty deck, gazing at the towering waves around him, lost in thought.

"Monday is coming again..." he whispered silently.

That was the day of the Earth Mother, the beginning of a new cycle of prosperity and decay.

But to Alger, it had another meaning. It belonged to a mysterious entity forever shrouded in grey and white mist.

At least I haven't gone mad... He withdrew his gaze, smiling self-deprecatingly.

At that moment, one of his few crew members approached him respectfully and asked, "Bishop, what is our mission for this voyage?"

Alger looked around and answered in an even tone, "To hunt down a 'Listener' of the Aurora Order."

...

As the storm cleared and fog spread, on a strange sailing ship with cannons that still did not conform to modern trends.

A frightened boy of about eight or nine with soft blond hair watched the undisciplined pirates around him. He saw them drinking large barrels of beer, swinging from ropes, mocking each other, and even fist-fighting.

He turned to the man in the black robe standing in the shadows and whispered, "Father, where are we going?"

Five days ago, he had met his father, who called himself an adventurer, for the first time in his memory.

If it weren't for the painting left by his mother proving the man's identity, and if the orphanage hadn't been waiting to take him in, he would never have left his hometown to follow this nearly unknown relative.

The man in the shadows lowered his head, looking at his son with a kind expression, and answered, "Jack, I'm taking you to a sacred place, the 'Sanctuary' where the Creator once lived."

"Is that the realm of the gods? Only those blessed can enter..." Little Jack, well-taught by his mother, had enough common sense. He was both surprised and scared.

The man in the shadows had a deeply chiseled face, unforgettable like a master sculptor's stonework.

He placed his hand to his ear, assuming a listening posture, and in a nearly dreamlike tone, said, "Jack, 'mortal' is a mistaken concept. The Creator made this world and is everywhere, in every living being. Thus, all things have divinity. When divinity is rich enough, it can become an angel. The current seven false gods are merely more powerful angels."

"See, I can hear the Creator's teachings now. Ah, what extraordinary revelations! Life is merely a spiritual journey. When the spirit is strong and resilient enough, we can find our own divinity and merge with more divinity..."

Little Jack didn't understand this complex explanation and shook his head, asking another question he hadn't had a chance to before, "Father, my mother said that after the Creator made this world, He divided into everything and no longer existed in reality. Why is there still His 'Sanctuary'?"

As a seven or eight-year-old child, his logic was clear enough.

The man with a face sculpted like a statue paused, tilting his head as if hearing more whispers.

Suddenly, he collapsed, kneeling on the deck, his exposed skin revealing blue-black veins.

He covered his head with his hands, his face twisted in pain, and screamed:

"They are lying!"

...

After lunch, with Old Neil promising to take him to the underground market next time, Klein slowly returned to the Blackthorn Security Company. He considered whether to read documents in the office, practice his abilities, or, while Captain Dunn hadn't forbidden it yet, continue wandering outside and play the role of "Seer" at the Divination Club.

However, before he could decide, he saw Dunn Smith enter from outside, wearing a black trench coat and a half-height top hat.

"Captain, how's the situation?" Klein asked, concerned about the whereabouts of the Antigonus family notebook.

Dunn's gray eyes showed no sign of fatigue as he said:

"Multiple sources confirm that the Antigonus family's notebook is in Ray Bieber's hands, but he has completely disappeared."

"I've already informed all the Night Watcher teams via telegram, asking them to keep a close eye on all ports and steam train stations. The first batch of printed portraits was sent out yesterday afternoon and will be published in major newspapers."

If only we had telephones, fax machines, surveillance cameras, and big data... Unfortunately, I only know how to use them, and only understand a little of their principles... Klein sighed silently.

"However, no matter what, we have at least found the whereabouts of the notebook, and that's thanks to you. Of course, this still needs further confirmation. I've already sent a telegram to the Beckland diocese, requesting them to send over Sealed Artifact 2-049, a dangerous item that once belonged to the Antigonus family. It can help us determine whether Ray Bieber is a descendant of the Antigonus family."

A "2" level Sealed Artifact... dangerous... cautious and restrained use... Klein wanted to curiously ask what this Sealed Artifact was, its special abilities, and where the danger lay, but he immediately remembered that he didn't have the clearance, so he reluctantly gave up.

"May the Goddess bless us." Klein made a full moon gesture on his chest.

Dunn opened his office door and nodded slightly:

"The Goddess has always been watching over us. Klein, if you hadn't chosen 'Seer' before, once this matter is confirmed, you should be able to become a formal member and choose 'Sleepless.' It's a pity... Frankly, I've never understood why you chose 'Seer.' Although 'Corpse Collector' is repulsive, you've seen Daly and should understand how powerful 'Spirit Medium' is. 'Mystic' is also a good choice; at least with Old Neil as an example, the risk of losing control would be very low."

Klein had prepared an answer for this question from the beginning, but Dunn had never asked until now.

He organized his thoughts and said:

"I considered that 'Seer' and 'Mystic' are supportive Beyonders, not always facing enemies, which is too dangerous. Both you and Old Neil have said that curiosity and exploration often lead to terrible consequences in the mysterious and extraordinary field. The description of 'Mystic' made me worried, so... You know, not long ago, I was just an ordinary university student. Being timid is the only reason for my choice."

"I have to say, that's an unexpected but very reasonable answer." Dunn rubbed his forehead and laughed lightly.

He half-turned, his gray eyes deeply observing Klein:

"For now, continue going out, don't restrict yourself to the route from Welch's house to Iron Cross Street. Maybe, just maybe, you'll sense the notebook and help us determine Ray Bieber's whereabouts."

"Okay." Klein found he didn't need to struggle with his decision anymore.

He turned to leave, beginning to count silently in his mind:

"Three, two..."

"Wait a moment," Dunn called out.

Klein turned back, smiling slightly:

"Captain, is there something else?"

Dunn coughed and said:

"Well, even supportive Beyonders have to face enemies sometimes. Although 'Seer' seems to avoid this, we can't be negligent. You must continue practicing with firearms and plan to enhance your strength."

"That's exactly what I'm working on," Klein pointed outside. "I'm heading out now."

"Okay, uh, wait a moment." Dunn stopped him again, thinking aloud, "Perhaps I should consider getting you a combat instructor, of course, this depends on you becoming a formal member."

Klein responded with a cautious "hmm," then asked:

"Captain, is there anything else?"

"No." Seeing Klein's skeptical look, Dunn shook his head with a faint smile, emphasizing, "Really, there's nothing else."

Only then did Klein leave the partition, saying goodbye to Roshan, Mrs. Orianna, and the others. He first went to the shooting club to practice, then wandered around for a full hour, diligently completing the tasks the Captain had assigned.

After finishing all this, he arrived at the Divination Club and saw the beautiful Ms. Angelica leisurely reading a magazine.

"Family..." Klein silently read the title, then walked over with his cane and greeted her with a smile:

"Good afternoon, Ms. Angelica."

"Good afternoon, Mr. Moretti." Angelica calmly put down the magazine and stood up, saying, "Mr. Grassis came by shortly after you left yesterday. He has just recovered from a serious illness."

Klein breathed a sigh of relief and smiled:

"That's really good news."

Hearing this, Angelica, who had been quietly observing him, couldn't help but lower her voice and curiously asked:

"Mr. Grassis said that you are a very, very, very miraculous doctor. Is that true?"

What? Klein looked at the lady opposite him in astonishment, wondering if he had misheard.

How could anyone think I'm a doctor?

Even I didn't know that...