A Nighthawk?
Once her thoughts turned in this direction, Angel quickly found more evidence.
For instance, Sergeant Duller showed little respect for Chief Inspector Hopper despite the latter being four ranks higher. For instance, this Chief Inspector's manner and demeanor didn't quite match what others said about "Sivellaus Field"...
Of course, even if he was a Sequence 7 official Beyonder granted the rank of Chief Inspector, that didn't necessarily make him a Nighthawk of the Evernight Church—he could also be a "Mandated Punisher" or "Machinery Hivemind."
However, Angel sensed something familiar in his movements and gaze, very similar to the "Nightmare" she'd encountered before.
Assuming this Chief Inspector Hopper was a "Nightmare," it meant the "Difference Engine" manuscript in her possession, and the people and events surrounding it, were probably not as simple as they appeared...
Beyonders were likely involved, which had drawn the Nighthawks' attention!
The more Angel thought about it, the more certain she became. She unconsciously looked toward the study, where behind the bookshelf was a hidden compartment containing the document bag with the manuscript, awaiting the secret gathering in two days.
"Looks like I need to make some preparations. If nothing goes wrong, this Nighthawk will come back for another investigation late tonight, in a dream..."
As she thought this, she returned to the kitchen beside the dining room, only to find her fried egg and bacon had stuck to the frying pan, emitting a burnt odor.
"Sigh, guess I'm eating just one egg..."
Throwing the inedible waste into the trash, Angel fried another portion, ate it with toast and butter, and filled her stomach.
The sky over Backlund was rarely clear today. The smog that perpetually shrouded the city had thinned under the sunshine, revealing the true forms of hazy streets and buildings. Even the pungent, seemingly permanent smell in the air had vanished.
Though the "Backlund Daily" had once published statistics showing the Loen capital only had about seventy-five days of smog per year, people always took clear days for granted while vividly remembering consecutive days of smog.
Having only been here a week, Angel hadn't yet developed this mindset. She simply felt that while the clear weather was nice, it still couldn't compare to Tingen, where she'd lived for two months.
Maybe she'd still have a chance to return there...
As she stared at the sky, azure tinged with gray haze, Angel was lost in thought when the coachman's shout called her back to Backlund.
"Miss, Backlund Bank."
After paying the fare, Angel entered the bank's main hall, located in Hillston Borough.
Her anonymous account was opened at this bank.
The headquarters of all seven banks in the Loen Kingdom with clearing authority were established in Hillston Borough. This area also housed the stock exchange, bill clearing house, and other financial facilities, earning it the title of the Loen Kingdom's economic, commercial, and financial center.
But what does that have to do with a small fry like me with only 1,000 pounds in savings? It just means longer lines for me...
Holding a pamphlet introducing Backlund Bank, using the knowledge within to pass the time, Angel waited through the long queue until she reached the counter.
She withdrew 950 pounds from her 1,000-pound deposit and deposited 350 pounds into another anonymous account Miss Justice had once given her. This cleared her debt to the Tarot Club completely.
Even though she desperately needed money now, she didn't want to owe this member who had helped her so much with her advancement.
The other 600 pounds withdrawn were for the secret gathering in two days. She planned to buy some urgently needed extraordinary materials at the gathering—perhaps star crystals for making special bullets, or acquire some powerful mystical items to replace her heroically sacrificed "Blood Vessel Thief."
She might even encounter the potion formula and materials for her Sequence 6 advancement.
In her previous battle with the Witch Sect, she'd learned her next sequence name was "Pleasure Witch" and had basically figured out this sequence's abilities. Beyond that, though, she knew nothing about the formula or main materials, and could only rely on exchanging or purchasing them at Beyonder gatherings.
But carrying such a large sum made Angel uneasy. Even the kind and appreciative glances from passersby seemed full of malice to her. Not daring to linger outside, after buying some materials for making charms, Angel hurried back to her home at 47 Red Rose Street.
Wrestling in her dream with an egg that would never cook through, Angel suddenly found the frying pan and spatula in her hands had vanished. She was fully dressed, sitting in the single sofa by the bay window in the living room, holding a newspaper whose contents she couldn't make out.
She felt a revelation and looked at her right wrist, where the "Hidden Holy Emblem" strung on the citrine pendant emitted a faint, calming pulse.
She was in a dream... No, in a "Nightmare's" dream!
Just like when Dunn had pulled her into a dream for questioning, but this time she was more lucid, her senses sharper. This should be the Holy Emblem's power—after all, the Goddess stood above all "Sleepless Ones" in sequence...
Hm?
Angel's thoughts were forcibly interrupted, leaving her mind briefly blank.
"Creak—"
The living room door leading to the street was pushed open directly. A figure in a black trench coat strode into the room as if returning home, sitting on the sofa opposite her.
He had medium-length brownish hair with somewhat messy bangs, and brown eyes that looked intently at Angel.
As expected, it's the Chief Inspector from this morning. He's a Nighthawk "Nightmare"...
Angel looked at Hopper, blinked, unsure what expression she should wear for such an occasion.
After all, in both her previous dream experiences, she'd been conscious.
Fortunately, this Nightmare didn't care about the interrogation subject's attitude. After sitting down, his expression was affable, beginning the conversation as casually as if chatting.
"You just came from Tingen last week?"
"Yes."
"What were you doing in Tingen before?"
"I was born in Sivellaus County. My parents died in border conflicts between the Loen Kingdom and Intis, so two months ago I went to stay with relatives in Tingen..."
Angel began "confessing" her background.
"...But they died in that gas explosion accident in Tingen half a month ago. I had no choice but to leave there and come to Backlund to look for work opportunities."
"I'm very sorry to make you recall these things," the Nighthawk's face showed a trace of apology. "I hope you can forget these sad matters in Backlund."
"Let's continue. After you rented this suite from Mrs. Varis, did you find any complex documents you couldn't understand inside? Or dangerous items like guns or explosives?"
After a brief apology, he continued questioning like an interrogator.
Of course, they're all hidden in the study... Angel suppressed a smile and answered:
"No."
"Have you seen any tall, fierce-looking Feysac people?"
"No."
Angel cooperated with "Nightmare" Hopper, quickly leaving this Nighthawk with nothing to show for his efforts, his face showing disappointment.
Judging by his urgency, I'm probably not the first person questioned tonight. Mrs. Varis and her maid should also be on the list...
Angel watched the Nighthawk stand up from the sofa, sigh disappointedly, then disappear from the room accompanied by water-ripple-like fluctuations in the air.
Her vision blurred, and the living room before her became the bedroom ceiling.
When a "Nightmare" exits the dream, I wake up too? This shouldn't be the normal situation, or their intrusions would be too easily discovered.
Still, it's good I prepared in advance. Otherwise, even knowing I was in a "Nightmare's" dream, improvising a story on the spot could easily expose flaws.
Angel lay in bed looking at the ceiling, a smile on her lips.
The Captain is much more polite than this guy...