hotmtlnovel Chapter 70 Azik and Klein
Chapter 70 Azik and Klein
A cemetery on the outskirts of Tingen.
Klein was crouching in a corner, waiting for someone to arrive.
"Klein?"
Suddenly he heard someone calling his name, and when he looked up he saw a dark-skinned figure.
"Mr. Azik."
"Yes, it's me. I came here as soon as I received your letter." Azik emerged from the shadows.
"So what exactly happened?"
"I..." Klein's lips twitched, and he couldn't speak for a moment.
Yes, what exactly happened to me during this time? I inexplicably time-traveled, was inexplicably reported, was inexplicably detained, and inexplicably became a "fugitive".
Klein couldn't help but sigh as he recalled his time-traveling experience.
Actually, before I was reported, my life in the time-travel world was pretty good.
She has a younger sister, an older brother, and a high-paying job—the kind of "iron rice bowl" she dreamed of before she transmigrated.
The salary of night watchmen is quite high in this era, belonging to the truly high-income group.
Ugh……
Looking back on what he had experienced these past few days, Klein suddenly felt a little wronged, as if he had fallen from heaven to hell.
He slowly began to tell Azik about the recent events, telling him everything he could, except for the matters concerning the Gray Fog and the Tarot Society, including Lorne.
His tone went from slow to rapid, and his expression shifted from dazed to angry, as if he were both confiding and venting.
Azik didn't speak, but simply nodded slightly, listening to what the other person had to say.
He knew that Klein was not feeling well. After experiencing such a huge change, it was remarkable that he hadn't broken down.
"So much has happened..." Azik nodded as he listened to Klein's account. He hadn't expected his student to have gone through so much in such a short time.
"Mr. Azik, aren't you surprised?"
"I myself often wake up from different coffins, and I've experienced just as many strange things as you have."
That's true. Mr. Azik is a high-sequence individual after all. Even if he has lost some of his memories, he must have more experience than me... Klein didn't say anything more.
"Actually, you should have contacted me sooner," Azik said gently to Klein.
"I'd like to, but I've been staying behind the Charnis Gate lately and I'm too scared to use the copper whistle to summon the messenger..." Klein said with a helpless expression.
"Lorne Disenk..." Azik began to ponder the name Klein had mentioned and his recent experiences.
"I don't have much of an impression of this name. Based on your description, he is probably just a low-sequence Extraordinary, but perhaps with some special characteristics."
"It could be the blessing or gaze of some high-ranking being, or perhaps some special connection in the realm of mysticism..."
"Speciality..." Klein remained noncommittal. Recalling Lorne's performance, he certainly didn't seem like an experienced Extraordinary. Moreover, if he had to say, he himself was a low-sequence Extraordinary with special characteristics.
……
Azik then went on to analyze the various unexpected events that the Night Watch squad had recently encountered.
"What you've been going through lately is full of coincidences, and I even think that my departure was part of that."
"As for the extraordinary individual who attacked you last time, based on your description, he was most likely an extraordinary individual who used the 'corpse collector' pathway."
Sure enough! That person was none other than the traitorous former bishop Ince Zangwill, a Sequence 5 member of the "Corpse Collector" pathway...
Before Azik arrived, Klein performed another divination and barely confirmed the identity of the person who last attacked him: the former bishop who had defected with 0-08.
He had seen Inszangwill's arrest warrant before, but he never expected that the man would come to Tingen.
"You seem to know who's behind this?" Azik asked softly, noticing Klein's thoughtful expression.
"Hmm." Klein nodded, carefully choosing his words to tell Azik about Inszangwill.
"Hmm... 'Gatekeeper,' a former bishop of the Church of the Night, couldn't have orchestrated these coincidences, but a level 0 sealed artifact could indeed have caused all of this."
"As for why the other party would do such a thing, I have some clues."
"Really? Mr. Azik?"
"Um"
Once Klein recovered from his surprise, Azik looked at him and asked, like a teacher, "Did you know that some pathways can be converted into one another?"
"Yes, I know some of the concepts." Klein nodded; he had indeed obtained some information about the exchange methods from Russell's diary.
"Then do you know what extraordinary characteristics are?"
Klein shook his head. The instant he heard the word, he had guessed its general meaning, but he wasn't quite sure.
"These days I've been reflecting on many things from the past, including some knowledge about extraordinary fields."
"There is a very important law in the realm of the extraordinary, which is called the law of conservation of extraordinary properties."
"Immortal..." Klein savored the word, and in an instant, many things appeared in his mind.
"Extraordinary characteristics are not destroyed or diminished; they are simply transferred from one vessel to another." Azik continued recounting the knowledge, as if he had transformed back into the university professor he once was.
Klein's eyes widened suddenly, then he seemed to realize something and asked thoughtfully:
"For example, would an out-of-control Extraordinary leave behind sealed artifacts, magical items, or main ingredients for potions?"
"That's right." Azik nodded in agreement with Klein's words, and then continued.
"Actually, it's not just out-of-control Extraordinary individuals; normal Extraordinary individuals also retain Extraordinary traits upon death, but their traits are purer than those of out-of-control Extraordinary individuals."
"Almost like a magic potion itself."
Almost like the potion itself... This sentence made Klein suddenly understand many things, and he understood why the extraordinary pathways would not be cut off when the materials were exhausted.
"The 'Sleepless' pathway and the 'Corpse Collector' pathway are adjacent pathways. That Inszangwell caused such a huge incident, he must have been trying to seize something from the Tingen Nightwalker headquarters," Azik continued, explaining his point of view.
"Saint Selena's ashes."
Having gained so much knowledge, Klein instantly understood the other party's purpose.
The captain once told him that Saint Selena's ashes were the core of the Charis Gate, and currently the only thing that seemed valuable enough to be coveted.
Moreover, he really did take Saint Selena's ashes... Klein recalled the chaos behind the Charnis Gate.
After failing to advance, Inszangwell set his sights on the ashes of Saint Selena, who lived on the adjacent path, in order to advance again.
He first used 0-08 to create various accidents, including but not limited to the departure of the captain and Ms. Daly, the injury of Cohenley, and the black magic incident involving Old Neil, in order to weaken the Night Watchers' combat capabilities.
Could it be that the other side orchestrated my report as well...? Klein couldn't help but wonder.
To be fair, he was quite "kind," arranging so many accidents yet no one died.
But this doesn't match the personality he ultimately revealed, does it? Klein fell into deep thought.
It is certain that after achieving its basic objective, Inszangwell staged one last accident to draw everyone's attention, which is why Frye and his team were not at the company.
He planned everything, but forgot about me. Perhaps it's because I'm just a Sequence 8, not worth worrying about at all.
ACCIDENT……
ACCIDENT!
"Oh, right, it seems there was a serious and extraordinary accident in Tingen." Klein suddenly remembered something.
"Mr. Azik, do you know how the night watchmen are doing?"
"No one died," Azik replied succinctly.
Hearing this, Klein breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness everyone was alright.
……
"What are your plans for the future?" Azik asked, looking at Klein who had fallen silent.
"I..." Klein was also unsure. He couldn't go back to the Night Watch squad, and he couldn't explain what had happened to him.
As for home… Melissa, Benson… Klein clenched his fists.
He can't go back for the time being...
Everyone in the Night Watch team is a good person; they shouldn't make things difficult for Benson and Melissa.
If I were killed in action, they might receive a compensation payment, but given my current situation...
Klein suddenly felt a pang of melancholy as he thought of his family.
No, I can't let myself give up... Klein made up his mind and looked at Azik.
"I will catch the culprit myself. I've done some divination, and Backlund might have clues about him."
"Do you need my help?" Azik knew that his student had quite a secret, so it wasn't surprising that he could divine some information. He didn't press for details but asked with concern.
"This is my own business, there's no need to trouble you, Mr. Azik. You've already helped me a lot..." Klein lowered his head, unable to let his teacher be put in danger because of his affairs.
Seemingly noticing Klein's persistence, Azik suddenly chuckled.
"Okay, I respect your choice."
"But if you encounter any trouble and need help, you can write to me."
"No matter what, I will always be your teacher."
"Thank you, Mr. Azik." Klein expressed his heartfelt gratitude, and at that moment, tears welled up in his eyes.
"By the way, if you want to go to Backlund, I can give you a ride."
"Give me a ride," Klein said, somewhat puzzled.
"Well, given your current situation, I'm afraid you won't be able to use public transportation."
"That... seems to be true."
Klein reflected on his current situation. If he was lucky, he might be just an ordinary missing member. If he was unlucky, he might have become a fugitive and be on a wanted list.
Although he can disguise himself, there is still a risk of being exposed.
I wonder if I'll be mistaken for someone working for Inszangwell... Klein thought of this worst-case scenario.
It shouldn't be that bad!
Becoming a ruthless criminal, wanted by the church, that's so exciting...
I've shed blood for the goddess, after all, so I don't think I'll really be put on the wanted list... Klein's lips twitched, somewhat uncertain.
His current situation is indeed quite precarious.
Even though everything that happened had nothing to do with me, I just couldn't explain it because I had a secret.
The whistleblower incident cannot be explained, nor can the shooting of Inszangwell.
Seeing Klein's uncertain expression, Azik comforted him, "Don't worry, misunderstandings will always be cleared up eventually, and I believe it won't take long."
"Um"
"Then I'll trouble you to take me to Backlund."
"Okay." Azik pressed his shoulder.
"I only recently recalled this ability of mine, so it might be a bit bumpy. Please bear with me."
Bumping... Klein was a little confused until he saw countless rich colors suddenly appear before his eyes.