The new week's Tarot session was approaching, and Klein took turns taking a break at home, once again arriving above the gray fog more than ten minutes early.

Since his promotion, he has not properly explored the changes in the Gray Mist Palace.

After the familiar babble and illusion, his figure appeared on the tall chair at the top of the round table. He truly felt that his control over the gray mist had deepened. It was not very obvious, but he could truly feel the connection with the fog. The resonance of this space. This is because Klein has stabilized his state after taking the "Joker" potion, which gives him a lot of confidence. It seems that the power of this gray mist does require a higher sequence to be mastered.

Klein raised his hand and waved tentatively towards the gray fog above his head. The fog that originally covered the outside of the translucent sphere was immediately dispersed, and soft light fell from it, just shining on Klein, who was in charge.

The true form of this "spotlight" is a ball of light that cannot be discerned from reality to reality, resembling the pale yellow moon that is often painted on Mid-Autumn Festival illustrations. The light ball is separated by a transparent glass-like barrier and trapped under the gray fog. It is completely like a glass-shaded ceiling lamp. Klein dispersed the gray fog covering it, just like wiping off the dust on an old light bulb, making the entire hall a lot brighter, and the surfaces of the long bronze table and seats were enveloped in a faint warmth.

Klein clearly felt that the spirituality necessary for him to maintain the Gray Mist Palace was being compressed. The light ball seemed to naturally begin to coordinate his consumption. If he wanted to, he could now pull three more people from those red stars to the Gray Mist. Far more than the previous number, and one more person than he felt after his previous promotion.

Klein sighed in his heart: This "spotlight" is really buy one, get one free! It’s so useful!

He recalled the eternal blazing sun that he had stared at during divination. At that time, it seemed that some light cocoon had blocked his body. Although it did not hold up, it now seemed that it was probably the automatic protection function of the "spotlight"?

How thoughtful.

Klein smiled and raised his hand again, trying to pull through a bit of gray fog to block the "spotlight" again, but unfortunately his attempt failed this time.

He stared at the top of his head awkwardly for a few seconds, shook his head helplessly, and had no choice but to give up.

Anyway, it is a good thing and not a bad thing. It does not affect the personality of "The Fool" who has awakened from the ancient times. Let it shine, and it can save some spirituality.

The next morning, before Klein could knock on the door of Dunn's office, Esther walked out first.

"Oh, good morning Klein! Are you looking for the captain? He's inside."

"Good morning Esther." Klein briefly tipped his hat to her, "How are you feeling?"

"There's actually nothing wrong with my body. I just can't wake up..." Before Esther could finish her words, she yawned for a long time, and she quickly covered her mouth, "Sorry, I'm always sleepy. "

"It's a blessing to be able to sleep, and it's a blessing to be able to eat." Klein blinked and put the hat on his head with a smile, slightly blocking the smile in his eyes.

Esther glanced at him: "You sound like you are mocking me. Without delaying your search for the captain, I should go and help Mrs. Oriana sort out last month's expense list."

Klein walked into Dunn's office, but Esther stopped in the middle of the corridor. Her brows gradually furrowed and she raised her hand to rub the center of her right brow to relieve the dull pain in her mind.

I always have a bad feeling.

Just do it when you think of it. Esther adheres to the habit of giving up thinking from time to time and completely following her spiritual intuition. She quickly walked into the bathroom, carefully separated a few golden hair strands from her head, and then tied them together. The roots were pulled out, quickly tangled together, and twisted into small, distorted knots.

After waiting for a few minutes, Esther saw Klein walking out of the clerical staff's office with a newly typed document, and approached her: "Klain, do you still have the knot I gave you before?"

"Of course, it's right here." Klein has always stuffed it in his pocket, keeping it as carefully as the Sun Flame Talisman and Mr. Azik's copper whistle. Now that Esther asked, he Take out the red tassel knot.

Among the knots Esther knitted for everyone, only the knot she gave to Klein was made of pure red thread.

"You just stuff this in and get it stuck in the tassel."

Esther handed over the small ball of knotted golden hair, leaving Klein stunned for several seconds.

"...Just stuff it in right?"

"Yes, just take it with you." Esther looked at him firmly.

Klein sighed and recalled the "time reversal" ability that Esther had displayed at that time. He solemnly took the small ball of hair and glanced at the large silver thread on Esther's head: "This is also true. Protective effect?"

"It should be so. You are too prone to accidents. Well, I feel like you have a physique that attracts extraordinary events. In short, it makes people uneasy."

Fellow fellow, I understand what you mean. You can just say that I am unlucky... Klein sighed silently in his heart.

Esther pointed at herself again: "In my current state, I am not suitable to go on missions with the Nighthawks, so I have to do this. You all should be more careful."

"I will, and I will accept this friendship." Under Esther's eyes, Klein put the knot mixed with hair back into his pocket again, and saw a satisfied smile on her face.

Esther yawned again: "Haha...this sleepiness is the same as before. I'd better go back and sleep for a while. Good night Klein."

Klein knew the time without taking out his pocket watch. It was definitely not even noon, but he still responded to Esther with a smile: "Good night, Esther, have a good rest."

——

It was midnight that day.

Esther woke up again because of the stinging pain in her mind and a huge cross in a trance. Although this time she couldn't even see the person hanging upside down, the quality of her originally peaceful sleep plummeted.

Esther buried her face under the quilt and moaned weakly because of the extremely tormenting migraine:

"Who is it? It's the one who said that mortals should not look directly at gods in old age. Isn't this a sin..."

——

Because of this painful midnight episode, Esther slept for a whole day again this time. She didn't get up early until the third day, sitting in the reception hall of the Blackthorn Security Company, eating the jam sweets that Roxanne brought her. Donuts.

Roxanne waved the "Tingen Morning News" in her hand at Esther: "Today's headlines look very impressive!"

Esther held the donut in her mouth and read the huge title "The great pirate Qilingos was shot to death by the Duke's bodyguards in Backlund". Esther had to admit that she did not recognize the Duke or the pirate. , the report below this news does not even have a more detailed introduction, only the simplest time, place and person, it is simply a death notice.

"Who is this Qilingos?"

"He seems to be a very famous pirate. His name is 'Vice Admiral Hurricane'? I've heard someone mention it before."

Esther threw the newspaper back on Roxanne's table: "Why would a pirate go to Backlund if he doesn't stay at sea? How strange."

"Who knows? Maybe there is a bigger conspiracy behind this..."

Esther grabbed a handful of the tail of her silver-white hair and let go: "But he is dead. Even if there is any inside story, it will be suppressed because of the Duke's background. Just like this empty rumor It’s the same as news with a title but no content.”

Luo Shan opened the newspaper again and pointed to the section introducing local activities with some excitement: "On the 14th of this month, a new circus is coming to perform! It's still the same place, the Municipal Square. I remember you said before that you really wanted to Go and have a look?"

Esther also became interested this time. She squeezed in next to Roxanne and read the newspaper with her: "Let me see... Friday, it's pretty good. You must remember to remind me then!"

"Of course I will go with you, but I don't worry about you getting lost. There will definitely be a lot of people there!"

"Roxanne! I'm not a three-year-old!"

"Then you should get well soon," Roxanne poked Esther's head. "When you get better, you can go wherever you want to play. If the captain might not agree to your leaving, we should all find time. I went to Dixi Bay for vacation, I heard the sunshine there is so nice.”

"Yes, there are many places beyond Tingen." Esther agreed casually, but her heart was full of confusion.

Ever since the idea of ​​leaving Tingen appeared, it had never completely disappeared from her mind. Esther seemed to be holding on to a thin line that was not very clear, indicating that the future was getting closer and closer.

Foreshadowing? Klein is the fortune teller, she is not.

Esther shook her head, trying to get rid of the strange spiritual sensations in her head, which gradually began to disrupt her thoughts and make her feel anxious.

Luo Shan looked over immediately: "What's the matter? Don't you like Disi Bay?"

Esther just used another casual sentence to change the topic: "No, I am worried about taking a boat! I have never been on a boat in my life."

Of course, rafting kayaks are incomparable to cruise ships.

——

At noon, Klein came back to report to Dunn the results of the morning's investigation of the people around Lanerwus. At this time, Roshan came in and informed the captain that someone wanted to make a commission. Klein followed Dunn into the reception hall.

Esther was pouring tea to two guests wearing long black dresses and black bonnets on their heads. They looked like they had just stepped out of a funeral. Esther was telling the two ladies softly that the tasks needed to be confirmed by the team leader before they could be assigned to the team members after signing the commission contract. The service attitude was extremely professional.

After hearing the complaint made by one of the women, Klein immediately recalled a homicide case he had participated in the investigation. The lady next to him was the wife of the deceased Councilor Maynard. She appeared at the Blackthorn Security Company and wanted to entrust them with the investigation. "Mrs. Sharon".

In the eyes of this lady, Sharon, who was well-known in Tingen City, must be the culprit in the death of Councilor Leonard, so she could not accept the result of "death from excessive drinking and indulgence" given by the police, and wanted to collect Any evidence of a crime on Sharon.

At first, Dunn had a lot of scruples, but the lady only asked for tracking and monitoring Sharon's whereabouts, and she could provide him with a high reward. It happened that Klein needed experience in this area. He was promoted to the "Joker" of Sequence 8, and his physical fitness was greatly strengthened and improved. Therefore, Dunn accepted this commission and handed over the task to Klein.

After the two women left, Dunn returned to his office and Roxanne sat back behind the reception desk, making a new entry in the daily visitor register.

Esther took another tea cup and poured Klein a cup of black tea: "You seem to have some idea?"

"Yes, I have met that lady before, but... I won't know the details until I conduct an on-site investigation."

Esther nodded thoughtfully: "Be careful anyway, don't be too reckless, and don't capsize in the gutter."

"Of course I will pay attention," Klein quickly glanced at Roxanne. Seeing that she was not paying attention, he lowered his voice and said to Esther, "Don't worry, I also have a little secret."

Esther rubbed her arms: "You really look like Leonard when you say this. You might be going to save the world in the next second."

Klein was stunned and couldn't help laughing, causing Roshan to turn her head and look over: "What are you talking about?"

Esther also took over Roxanne's question with a smile: "We are talking about Leonard's embarrassing things, please don't tell him!"

The next morning, after Klein learned a lot of tracking and monitoring techniques, he immediately put it into practice and sneaked into "Mrs. Sharon's" home at night.

However, neither Klein nor Dunn thought that there was really a big problem with this "Mrs. Sharon".

Klein used special means to sneak into the safe in her home and sensed an evil bone statue. He immediately returned to the Blackthorn Security Company and reported to Dunn, confirming that it was the statue of the "Original Witch".

Behind Chanis' door, Esther had huddled in bed, but she was suddenly awakened from her drowsy state when footsteps came from the corridor outside.

It seems to be Dunn.

Esther immediately got up and listened as Dunn walked into the deep corridor where the sealed artifacts were stored. Then when he turned back and came out, Esther opened the door and stuck out half of his head.

"Huh? I thought you had gone to bed." Dunn was just a little surprised and wanted to walk out quickly.

Esther glanced at the sealed object in Dunn's arms, which was wrapped in airtight black cloth.

"Is it 3-0217?" Esther's expression instantly became serious, "Captain, are you going to perform a very dangerous mission? Do you want me to-"

"No, Esther, at least not now." Dunn's tone was very stern, "You are not in a good condition now, so take a good rest and leave it to us."

Esther had no way to refute, she just opened her mouth and fell silent.

Dunn shook his head at her: "Don't worry, we will be back."

Then he walked quickly to the end of the passage. Klein was still waiting for Dunn and Cornley outside. They were going to Mrs. Sharon's house to formally deal with the members of the witch sect.

"Be safe and wish you good luck." Esther whispered, watching Dunn walk out of the corridor and out of her sight.