Ebner's rate of advancement was almost identical to that of Mr. Tower.
Especially during the period when he advanced to demi-god, Mr. Tower also progressed by another step.
Ebner was as erudite as Mr. Tower, and the time when "Doctor Strange" appeared coincided almost exactly with the time Ebner left Backlund.
Ebner excelled at crafting Beyonder items—so did Mr. Tower.
They had both created "teleportation"-type artifacts… For example, the Endless Teleportation Book only appeared after Mr. X was killed, and it was Mr. Tower who produced it.
Ebner appeared to be a gentleman on the surface… but in truth, he wasn't that proper.
And Mr. Tower likewise enjoyed watching the spectacle of others.
The Banquet of Blood kept in Ebner's home recorded the honorific of Mr. Fool.
How could he possibly be ignorant of the Fool?
During their very first meeting, when Ebner said that her "Full Moon Whispering" issue could only be solved by praying to a deity, he probably already intended to draw Mr. Fool's attention to her.
All sorts of little details connecting Ebner and Mr. Tower rushed through Fors' mind and wove together—
And she almost completely confirmed the two were the same person!
She stared blankly for several seconds before muttering to herself:
"I'm so stupid… really…
"I actually never suspected him at all…
"And of course, Xio is the same!"
Thinking of this, Fors puffed out her cheeks, exhaled, turned toward Xio, and complained:
"Is teasing me really that amusing?"
Xio nodded very seriously, doing her best to keep the corners of her mouth from curling up.
"From my personal perspective, it's very amusing."
Fors was speechless. She suddenly felt she had chosen friends poorly—both liked bullying her.
At this moment, Miss Justice could no longer bear it.
This was Mr. Fool's divine kingdom—how could they discuss such unserious topics?
She coughed lightly and shifted the subject:
"Miss Judgment, can you tell us what this is about now?"
Xio became serious at once. Dropping her playful tone, she said:
"Ebner discovered a dangerous individual in your home, but he was afraid that talking about it in reality would alert the person. So he asked Mr. Fool for help."
"Ebner found a dangerous person in my house?"
Audrey's eyes widened in shock.
"Who?"
Fors glanced at her with grievance—So Miss Justice knew too…
Xio shook her head.
"I don't know the details. Ebner only said that much."
"Then why didn't he come here himself?" Audrey looked toward the opposite side of the long table—no sign of Mr. Tower.
At this moment, Klein materialized the figure of The World.
And instantly, the three ladies' gazes gathered on him.
"Mr. World?"
Audrey felt her chest tighten—if the matter was serious enough to summon the Fool's favored, then the person Ebner mentioned was definitely dangerous.
"Mr. Tower cannot remain away from reality for long for certain reasons, so he did not come…
But he has already told me everything."
The World explained in his rasping voice.
In truth, Klein believed the "bad luck" excuse was merely a pretext—Ebner simply didn't want to face Fors' incoming complaints.
After all, Klein knew Ebner could have a "clone" attend the Fog.
"Mr. World, what exactly happened?"
With Ebner taking this so seriously, Xio could not help feeling nervous.
The World pretended to receive permission from Mr. Fool before projecting an image onto the center of the long table—
A woman in a black evening gown.
He pointed at it:
"Mr. Tower believes that she—no, She—is highly likely the Demoness Sect's Black Saintess, a Sequence 2 Catastrophe Demoness."
"That's… Miss Nancy?
That socialite? I recall Hibbert invited her as his partner for the opening dance…
"She… is actually a She?"
Audrey stared at the projected woman for several seconds before recognizing her.
A woman that outstanding was impossible to forget.
So she's the one who flirted with Ebner… she's a Demoness?
Fors and Xio recognized her as well—they had just seen her earlier.
"Mr. Tower is watching her now…
Although she's been hiding in Backlund for a long time and logically shouldn't casually kill or cause havoc, a Catastrophe Demoness brings a high probability of disaster simply by appearing.
It's best to exercise caution."
Klein's voice deepened.
He wasn't surprised Mr. Tower could monitor an angel.
After the post–Tarot meeting conversation, Klein learned that Ebner had directly broken through the ambush of the Glorious One.
His evaluation of Ebner's strength had risen sharply.
As an elite of MI9, Xio switched instantly into operational mode:
"Then what do you need us to do?"
"First, it's best to end the ball as soon as possible…
Of course, the reason must be reasonable, so the Black Saintess won't be suspicious."
Klein relayed Ebner's plan and looked at Audrey—after all, this ball was hosted by her family.
Audrey quickly calmed down.
After thinking for a dozen seconds, she nodded:
"Leave it to me.
I'm confident I can end the ball within half an hour."
Though the Hall family's reputation would take a hit, that was nothing compared to having an angel of catastrophe loitering inside their home.
"Second, find a reliable channel to notify the Church immediately…
Preferably a direct report to a bishop or senior deacon."
Klein paused before continuing:
"I can handle this part."
After all, Dwayne Dantès was Miss Daly's husband—and Miss Daly, as a Nighthawk, was highly trusted within the Church of Evernight.
All Klein needed was to have his Messenger deliver the written report to Sharon, and then he would formally report it.
Even if the matter was investigated later, the Church would merely conclude that a hidden angel from another organization was interfering with the Demoness Sect.
So Mr. World is in Backlund right now…
The three ladies exchanged thoughtful glances.
"Miss Judgment, Mr. Tower wishes you to go to Princess Vera immediately after the ball and inform her of everything."
Then Klein turned to Fors:
"As for Miss Magician…"
Hearing her name, Fors perked up.
"What do you need me to do?"
Though she was still upset at Ebner for hiding his identity, she wanted to help him as much as possible.
"Do you have Lemano's Travel Notes with you?" Klein asked.
"Yes."
Fors nodded.
As her strongest defensive artifact and one without negative side effects, she naturally kept it on her person at all times.
"In that case…
Mr. Tower's instruction is:
After returning, go into the washroom and use the 'History Projection' recorded in Lemano's Notes last night to pull out Ebner's image into reality."
(End of Chapter)