LOM: Lord of Mysticism

The more Klein thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

Who else would have borrowed such unpopular book only recently...

I wasn't sharp enough and failed to realize it... Sigh, it looks like I have no talent at being a detective like Sherlock Holmes...

The boss of Evil Dragon Bar, Swain asked, "Is there a problem?"

"Nothing at all. I'm just wondering how I can investigate this gentleman. As you know, Hanass Vincent died at his home." Klein said.

"Vincent was one of the rather famous fortune-tellers in Tingen City. He often came here." Swain recalled, "Now that I think about it, the gentleman in the portrait did come together with Vincent at the very beginning..."

"That is what I wanted to know. Do you remember his name?" Klein asked.

Swain shook his head. "I won't ask for my customers' names or identities unless I knew them to begin with, like Old Neil."

"Alright then." Klein said. To him, it didn't matter if Swain knew, because he could also check the Deweyville Library.

To borrow books from a privately-funded library, he had to leave some personal information.

Klein entered the billiard room in deep thought. He wasn't in a hurry to head to the Deweyville Library for his investigations but planned on completing his purchases first.

After passing through a few rooms, Klein arrived at the underground market. There were a few stalls and customers, it wasn't peak hour yet.

Just as he entered he saw the monster, Ademisaul, standing in a corner.

The young man was pale, and his eyes gave off a hint of madness. He noticed Klein as he looked over.

As they made eye contact, Ademisaul moved toward the corner of the wall in a panicked state, and soon staggered as he ran out.

Is that necessary? Seriously, it's as if I'm the devil. Klein shook his head and came to a stall.

After about half an hour, Klein spent a few pounds. He touched the small metal bottle in the inner pocket.

This is the floral essence, Amantha, which Madam Daly used previously.

This is powder mixed with drago tree bark and leaves.

Essential oil which is extracted from slumber flowers.

Dried chamomile petals.

This is Holy Night Powder which I previously produced myself.

...

Klein recalled the items stored in his pocket to prevent himself from failing to find what he needed at a crucial moment.

As he walked toward the door he spotted a somewhat familiar figure. It was a young lady in a casual green dress.

Is she the girl who was shivering strangely on the public carriage? Klein slowed down and recalled who she was.

The sweet and refined girl stood before a stall that sold mysticism books and, in a breach of etiquette, kneeled to touch a book.

It was an ancient book bound with a black hardcover with the words "Book of Witches" in Hermes.

"It records the black magic of witches. Although I haven't dared to try them, someone I know did, and it really worked." The vendor seized the opportunity to promote the book.

The lady asked, "In your mind, what does a witch look like?"

"A witch? A wicked person who brings calamities, disease, and pain," the vendor answered.

Klein didn't hear their conversation because he had already walked out the front entrance, rushing to the Deweyville Library to settle everything before returning home.

...

Inside Deweyville Library.

Klein took out his badge from his pocket and showed it to a librarian.

"I am a probationary inspector from the Special Operations Department of the Awwa County Police. I need your cooperation in an investigation," he said in a serious voice, like in the police films that he used to watch.

The librarian looked at the badge and replied, "Go ahead and ask, Officer."

Klein recited the names of the journals like New Archeology and upon finishing, he said, "I want the borrowing records of the journal for the last two months."

"Alright. Hold on a second." The librarian quickly found the recent records.

Klein flipped through them carefully. There was only one person who had borrowed the journal several times, including the issue that Klein knew of. The earliest entry was at the end of May, and the most recent one was last Saturday, a day before Hanass Vincent's death.

Klein ran his finger over the borrower's information and memorized it.

Sirius Arapis, cloth merchant, residing at 19 Howes Street...

...

Backlund. Crown Turf Club.

Audrey Hall wore a long white dress with engageantes and ruffled edges, a veiled hat decorated with blue ribbons and silk flowers, and a pair of light colored fishnet gloves.

She stood in a VIP room and watched the horses gallop.

Just as the racehorse breasted the tape, her friend Viscount Glaint came closer. "Audrey, every time I see you, you look more beautiful."

"How can I help you?" In the past, Audrey might have basked in the young man's compliment, but now she could see Glaint's intentions through his speech and attitude.

Glaint was slightly skinny young man. Due to the early passing of his father, he had inherited his title of nobility at the age of twenty.

He looked to the left and right, then said in a low voice. "Audrey, I know a real Beyonder, a Beyonder that doesn't belong to the royal family."

You've disappointed me every time you said that... Audrey thought but replied elegantly, "Really?"

"I swear on my father's name. I have seen his Beyonder powers," Glaint replied with whisper.

Audrey was no longer the same as before in which would be excited over the news-she was now a Beyonder. But to prevent Glaint from turning suspicious, she widened her eyes and asked excitedly, "When can I see him?"

Yes, it'd be great to meet other Beyonders. I can't just solve every triviality through the Tarot Club... Besides, I must gather my own resources to exchange them with Mr. Fool and Mr. Hanged Man... Not everything can be solved with money... Sigh, now that I've sent out the thousand pounds, I'll have to be more frugal...

Glaint, satisfied with Audrey's response, looked towards the racecourse and said, "Tomorrow afternoon, there will be a literature and music salon at my place."