Night had fallen, and Leonard Mitchell, who lived at 7 Pinster Street, once again stepped into the mist-shrouded, slumbering Backlund.
In the past few days, he had repeatedly questioned Mrs. Starling, Madam Mary, and Daily Observer reporter Mike Joseph in his dreams, all about the famed detective, Sherlock Moriarty…
This time, because someone had sent Melissa an extraordinary item in Sherlock's name, Leonard had dug much deeper, piecing together a far more complete picture of the detective.
"This is an extraordinary individual with a rather friendly attitude toward official organizations, but he appeared in several incidents related to the 'Fool' and the Tarot Club… He seems to have a close relationship with that organization worshipping the 'Fool.'"
After leaving Dr. Allen's house, Leonard turned back and glanced at the villa behind him. Within that gardened home, the hazy orbs of dreamlight—each representing a dream—interwove and filled the entire space, showing no sign of abnormality.
Is it just my imagination? I feel like something's off… Leonard muttered under his breath before turning toward another street in the Cherwood Borough—where Inspector Fassin's residence was located.
Since Sherlock Moriarty didn't have many friends in Backlund—besides Hazel, Emlyn, and Detective Isengard, all of whom Leonard had already investigated—he decided to shift focus, starting with others who had contact with Sherlock.
"According to internal records, Sherlock was involved in an international espionage case less than a week after arriving in Backlund, and was nearly silenced by gang members bribed by the Intis ambassador… The officer who interrogated him back then was Xio Derecha, a former lieutenant of MI9, now a colonel.
"And she's not someone who can be casually investigated—she's backed by a princess and has a close relationship with the Fourth Epoch's old monster, Rhine…
"Furthermore, according to the records, this Colonel Derecha herself is already a Sequence 5 'Disciplinary Paladin.' Her title, 'Invisible Fear,' is well-known even within the Red Gloves.
"So, I can only take a step back and get details about that interrogation from Inspector Fassin."
As Leonard pondered this, he reached out to ring the doorbell symbolizing Inspector Fassin's dream.
Yet just then, he seemed to completely forget what he'd been thinking a second earlier—forgetting even to ring the bell. Instead, like a man possessed, he drifted past the house representing Fassin, wandering through Backlund's "dream world" as though he'd lost his mind.
Meanwhile, Pallez Zoroast, parasitizing Leonard's spirit, exchanged a glance with a roughly made puppet and cursed inwardly:
"This kid really knows how to get into trouble—he just left the home of a 'Serpent of Mercury,' and now he's heading straight into a place once tainted by a divine offspring…
"Especially this one—unlike that 'Serpent of Mercury,' this one isn't so easygoing… Seems like the brat's in for a bit of suffering."
No one knew how long it took before Leonard seemed to finally regain his senses, wresting control of his mind. He abruptly plummeted—falling into his own dream!
He woke with a gasp, drenched in cold sweat.
"Old man, what just happened?" Leonard pulled back his legs, which had been propped against his desk's edge, asking with a mix of confusion and lingering fear.
What happened? You just had your 'mind' controlled and did something stupid in your dream… Don't worry, I've erased that part of your memory so you won't recall the embarrassment.
Pallez grumbled silently before replying aloud, in his slightly aged voice:
"I'm not sure."
Leonard's eyelids drooped halfway, and he didn't press further.
He turned his gaze to the window. Outside, Backlund's nightscape glittered with lights—calm, peaceful, and serene.
That night, countless people in Cherwood Borough dreamed of a man with an indistinct face, running joyfully under a crimson moon while shouting, "I'm an idiot!"
...
"Xio, Ebner, you have no idea—I dreamed of a really strange but fascinating person!"
On Saturday morning, at the rare hour of seven, Fors sat at breakfast animatedly describing her dream to her two close friends, already considering turning it into a scene in her play.
For instance, she could add such a "clown" to the story of The Sunken Ship in the Frozen Sea, having him run circles around the ship on the night of its sinking—to inject absurd humor into an atmosphere of despair.
After listening to Fors's excited pitch, Ebner's expression grew a bit peculiar—as though he was deciding whether to accept Miss Magician's suggestion and nail a certain future "Star" to the Pillar of Shame forever.
Yes—Ebner already knew about last night's "Clown Running in the Dream" incident.
Though he'd spent the night studying mythic creature forms—thanks to napping too much during the day—he couldn't possibly ignore an event like all of his servants having the same dream.
So, at dawn, he'd entered his butler's dream and seen the figure firsthand. Using his Information Extraction ability, he confirmed that the man was none other than Leonard Mitchell.
Through the result of informational "retrospection," it seemed Leonard had gone to Inspector Fassin's dream—and that's when things went awry.
Looks like that former "Chained God," now the Angel of Spirit, played a little prank on him…
Thinking of that Angel of Spirit, Ebner decided to pay her a visit later—to hear her thoughts about Adam's current machinations.
If she's willing to come with me to Sonia Island, that would be even better.
As his thoughts drifted further, Xio, sitting beside him, suddenly tugged his hand beneath the table.
Ebner turned instinctively—and saw Xio's somewhat apologetic expression.
By now, she had lost that overbearing aura from a day and a half ago—that commanding presence of someone who'd punish any mistake she saw. It was clear her "mental issues" had stabilized significantly.
Ebner understood her guilt over having "hurt" him, so he gently patted her hand, signaling that he didn't mind.
After all, if he hadn't willingly helped Xio complete her role-playing and heal her psyche, how could she have left him bedridden for half a day?
Across the table, after finishing her pitch, Fors asked eagerly, "So, what do you two think of my idea?"
Ebner finally let go of Xio's hand. After a moment's thought, he smiled and said, "I think it's great. Go ahead and write it that way."
I believe Mr. Fool will like this segment too.
...
Meanwhile, in Sharon's home, "Fool" Klein had run into a new "setback."
"Teacher said, in addition to the 'Yesterday's Reenactment,' you'll need five thousand gold coins—and installments are allowed." Sharon relayed the response from her teacher, the Messenger, through their special means of contact.
As for why Klein hadn't summoned the Messenger personally to discuss the matter?
Naturally—to save gold coins.
Ever since the battle outside Bayam, the Messenger lady had raised her prices.
(End of this chapter)