Arrodes' question still echoed in Klein's ears, making his cheeks stiffen. He didn't even dare glance at Miss Sharon beside him to see how she might react.
Of course, even without looking, he could more or less guess—she probably wouldn't show any unnecessary expression at all. After all, this level of teasing was far inferior to the "malice" she endured daily back when she was part of the Rose School of Thought.
However, what Klein didn't know was that although Sharon's blue eyes didn't move, her pupils did dilate slightly when her own image appeared on the mirror—though she returned to normal a second later.
At this point, Klein also calmed down. He thought carefully about Arrodes' question and confirmed that it had merely asked what kind of ladies' attire he preferred. Though it was still prying into his privacy, it wasn't something he couldn't answer.
He took a deep breath and replied, "Yes."
The golden words on the full-length mirror immediately brightened with excitement, twisting and reshaping:
"Thank you for your answer.
"Your humble and loyal servant, Arrodes, has a small suggestion. Would you like to hear it?"
Upon hearing this, Klein set aside the faint embarrassment in his heart and said solemnly, "Go ahead."
Golden words spread across the mirror's surface, one after another:
"If you can't ensure that a demigod target can truly be killed, it's best not to drive them to desperation.
"Once they stop suppressing themselves and completely abandon self-control, they will transform into incomplete, irrational mythic creatures.
"In many cases, demigods who appear weakened or restrained are doing so because they're constantly resisting the pull of losing control.
"That is the end of my advice. You may ask another question."
Don't force a demigod to the brink unless you're sure of killing them… No wonder in that battle outside Bayam, not a single demigod had fallen.
Aside from each saint having powerful life-preserving means, it must also have been because Ebner, Sharon, and the others exercised restraint…
Klein nodded thoughtfully, his mind turning rapidly. Soon, he formed a preliminary plan and asked Arrodes, "Where will the 'Trident' appear around ten o'clock on Saturday night?"
The mirror shimmered, showing a scene: an old-fashioned sailboat anchored behind an underwater rock formation.
Not far from it lay the ruins of a steel structure—corroded metal rods everywhere, its original form indistinguishable.
Beside the ruins was a narrow but seemingly bottomless pit.
Wait—that's the same underwater ruin Nina explored while I was aboard the "Future"! The 'Trident' will be there? What a coincidence—I still remember the coordinates…
As he mused, Klein noticed the mirror beginning to grow more and more "excited."
Since he'd already asked everything he needed, and not wanting to risk Arrodes "betraying" even its so-called Great Master in its enthusiasm, Klein decisively said:
"Let's stop here for today. If there's anything else, I'll summon you again."
"Understood, Master."
The mirror instantly displayed a doodled waving-hand emoji. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Arrodes presented a complex sigil alongside explanatory text:
"This is a rune composed of corresponding symbolic glyphs and magical marks, Great Master. As long as you're still in Backlund, writing it on paper will serve as a signal to summon me."
A hybrid symbol representing secrecy and observation… This is far more convenient than Mr. Tower's socially-lethal secret arts learned from Stuart!
Klein grumbled inwardly but memorized the symbol before replying, "Alright."
After Arrodes departed, the "Shimmering Mirror" returned to normal. Klein promptly opened the curtains, letting sunlight spill across its surface.
Only then did he dare meet Sharon's gaze. He coughed lightly and got down to business:
"Can you stop a fleet-leading 'Monster Hunter'?"
Sharon's doll-like face remained expressionless as she shook her head slightly.
"'Monster Hunters' are especially effective against demons and aberrations."
In other words—you can't beat him, whether he has a fleet or not?
That thought flashed through Klein's mind before he asked again, "Then what about the 'Iron-blooded Knight'?"
"I can give it a try," Sharon said with a faint nod.
Klein sighed. "So even if I can stall one or two demigods and your teacher blocks an angel, it's still incredibly difficult.
"We'll have to ask for Mr. Tower's help after all."
He sighed again, mourning his wallet for a few seconds before regaining his resolve.
Compared to letting the Twilight Hermit Order's plot succeed, some monetary loss wasn't worth worrying about.
Watching the seemingly resolute "Sherlock," Sharon's gaze wavered slightly as memories stirred within her.
He's like me… He doesn't like war, doesn't like killing, doesn't like endless suffering…
.....
Elsewhere, after breakfast—and after a brief meeting above the gray fog with Klein to finalize their battle plan—Ebner played a few rounds of cards with his friends Xio and Fors for relaxation. Then he took a carriage straight to the Harvest Church.
—At this time of day, Inspector Fassing's wife usually attended Bishop Utravsky's sermon there with her newborn daughter.
Klein plans to act tonight, one day before Alger and the others. That way, he can secure the sea monster first, prevent unnecessary casualties among the Storm Church's privateer forces, and avoid giving Feysac the wrong impression…
Unfortunately, no matter how hard Klein tries to disrupt the Twilight Hermit Order's plan, the coming war can't be stopped… After all, its essence lies in divine will.
Still, what I just saw in the Sefirah Castle was interesting… A pureblood giant serving as an Inquisitor-General in a secret tribunal—nothing strange about that. But is he truly devout to the God of Combat?
If he were, why would he need a ritual to wield the 'Twilight' Authority? When Lady Arianna, the Hidden Servant, uses the Authority of 'Secrecy,' it's nothing like that!
As a 'Glory-bearer,' a Twilight Giant Angel should have access to the 'Twilight' Authority naturally.
Besides, if he must perform a ritual, fine—but that ritual's target wasn't the God of Combat… it was himself!
Borrowing power from oneself—why take such a roundabout path? Could this be what Adam wanted me to notice?
As Ebner pondered, his carriage came to a halt at the entrance of Harvest Church on Rose Street.
(End of this chapter)