Klein Moretti.
From a collaborator's perspective, he was impeccable, even perfect.
He was kind and harmless, and although he had harbored suspicions and tested her, he quickly judged and dispelled those unnecessary doubts.
It turned out that her initial intuition was correct; this man was worthy of her trust.
Trust presupposes honesty, and she had indeed largely not lied to him.
But just as Klein concealed some facts he didn't want to tell her, her concealment was no less extensive.
The difference was that she knew the nature of his so-called work and that the "Blackthorn Security Company" that hired him was merely a front.
He was a Night Watcher. Like the team she had encountered when she first arrived in this world, he was loyal to the Church of the Goddess of the Night.
And she had known this from the very beginning.
After all, the aura of the supernatural within him was almost identical to that of a female Night Watcher in her previous team.
That was likely the special aura of a user of the "Diviner" potion.
Of course, it's not hard to imagine why Klein didn't tell her these things. Given his cautious, almost obsessive, nature, he simply wanted to avoid conflict and trouble.
Similarly, Alice's concealment from him stemmed from similar reasons.
Some things, if said, could easily lead to misunderstandings and unnecessary trouble; it was better to keep quiet.
But all of this was built on a fragile balance.
She could trust him, but she couldn't be completely unguarded.
Similar lapses in judgment had happened before, but this morning's incident clearly crossed a serious line.
Should the problem be attributed to her grogginess and exhaustion upon waking from her dream? Or was it because Klein's harmlessness made her forget the most basic precautions?
Whatever the reason, it shouldn't be an excuse for her to lower her guard.
She should consider leaving, but not immediately.
A new identity was already prepared. The "dead" Claire Sibley hadn't taken her own life in that vengeful act of violence, but instead found a woman very similar to herself as a substitute, drawing an unsolvable line to end her revenge.
After all, she was a witch hiding her identity in ordinary society; how could she be willing to risk her life for a faithless man?
—However, it wasn't time to activate this identity yet.
Since she had left traces of her activities among the witches under the identity of Claire, once Alice officially decided to assume the role, it meant she would have to deal with the follow-up plans related to the witch cult in this guise, which would inevitably be mentally and physically exhausting.
This wasn't a good choice for her right now.
Lately, she had relied too much on those chaotic spells.
While she had to admit that these spells and abilities inherited from demons were exceptionally useful and convenient here, everything had its limits.
She wasn't one of those half-blood sorcerers who inherited power, nor was she one of those witches who sided with demons and devils—the witches of her world were those who threw themselves into the abyss, and couldn't be judged by ordinary standards of good and evil.
She was human, at least Alice firmly believed, and she couldn't indulge herself in relying on that power, nor did she want to be bound by it.
But whether she likes it or not, the constraints and limitations on her will not disappear, even if she leaves her original world and comes to a completely different plane.
They are ever-present, always with her.
Just as a normal person needs to eat and drink to survive, she possesses a similar, peculiar habit, a habit that humans shouldn't have.
This is one of the facts she concealed from Klein, and also a key reason why she initially chose him as her collaborator.
But he is not the only irreplaceable option.
At least, if Alice is willing, similar replacements will appear, and the number could even be more than one or two.
See, she's actually quite merciful, isn't she? She planned to leave before he fell into despair, so he wouldn't see her as irreplaceable.
Presumably, after a period of adjustment, he will gradually forget the feelings that once stirred his heart and continue his life.
—If Klein could hear her words, he would probably stubbornly maintain his composure and feign calmness in expressing his objection.
But some facts will not change because of this.
Perhaps initially, he was influenced by her allure, developing a slight fondness. Coupled with his curiosity about the unknown and her mischievous nurturing, these feelings quickly took root and sprouted.
He probably realized this, yet harbored reservations, which is why he tried so hard to convince himself, refusing to confront his true feelings.
But that's enough.
Once she's settled and found a new place to live, she'll leave his life and won't cause him any more trouble.
For now, focus on interpreting Hermes's name.
Alice had a premonition that the meaning behind that title was likely closely related to the reason she was summoned here.
"...
Goddess, in less than a month, Klein, you've become a full member..." The brown-haired girl, Rosanne, couldn't stop sighing from the moment she saw Klein, filling the Blackthorn Security Company's reception area with a gloomy atmosphere. "Now I have to go to the armory every two days for my shift, and my skin is going to get worse and worse... Seriously, Klein, when are you going to find someone to marry and subtly leak a little bit of information to her, just to help us develop new administrative staff?"
"Miss Rosanne, I still think you're capable of finding a suitable marriage partner and then developing her into an administrative staff member. That should be easier than making me do the same thing."
Klein joked with her while thinking to himself that he did know someone who knew the secrets of the Extraordinary, but that person was a "witch" wanted by the church. Recruiting her as a clerical staff member for night watch might lead to unmanageable consequences…
Shaking his head to deal with Rosanne's unusual congratulations, Klein sat down at his desk to organize his documents, then went to Old Neil's to continue his occult course and peruse historical documents…
After completing his morning routine, which was not much different from usual, he went to the lounge to have lunch with his colleagues whom he had become familiar with.
"Klein, do you remember the question you asked me a while ago?" Leonard pushed aside his almost untouched lunchbox, his face seemingly more melancholy than yesterday.
Hearing this, Klein slowly swallowed the food in his mouth, then took a sip of vegetable soup to moisten his throat before replying:
"I remember asking you quite a few questions, but I can't guarantee I remember which one specifically."
"No, you definitely remember, it's that…" Leonard seemed hesitant to speak, but he still tried to lower his voice and coughed lightly, "If you fall for someone who is already in a relationship with someone else…"
Klein paused in his chewing of oat bread, almost choking on his food.
"…You?"
Could it be that Leonard had finally discovered his cohabitation with Alice and was now coming to confront him?
No, they weren't even dating, so what was there to interrogate…
The Night Watcher, with his poetic and romantic air, frowned slightly and sighed with a hint of helplessness.
"I know admitting this seems a bit immoral, but I'm really unwilling to accept it. Perhaps I was just a step too late, and now I'm about to watch the person I like walk into someone else's arms… especially since the other person isn't a trustworthy person at all!"
…Judging from his tone, it seemed he wasn't talking about him. Klein quietly breathed a sigh of relief and asked casually,
"Wait, Leonard, I'm a little confused. The person you're referring to, the one you mentioned before... Sorry, I don't know her name, but anyway, after you met her again, you found out she was someone else's lover?"
"...It's just a possibility." Leonard didn't want to admit this sour guess, turning his head to pick up his spoon and poking at his lunch stew again and again. "I forgot to mention, I met her at a café, and we spent several afternoons together..."
You probably didn't forget to mention it, you deliberately didn't.
Klein could never forget the shock he felt when he saw his poet classmate at the café, but life is like a play, and it all depends on acting. He completely understood Leonard's feelings and wouldn't be so merciless as to expose him on the spot.
Leonard continued his story,recounting how he had casually visited the café again on Saturday afternoon, only to learn from the maids' gossip that the beautiful young woman who had captivated him on Friday evening had boarded the carriage of her employer, Lady Danitalie!
Moreover, the two seemed to be heading towards the outskirts of the city, in the direction the Deville family's outskirts were said to be—and what fueled the maids' speculations even more was that Lady Danitalie hadn't appeared at the café all of Saturday!
Did this mean yet another girl had fallen in love, captured by the fickle and amorous Danitalie? Were they currently in the throes of a passionate honeymoon, inseparable and unwilling to part? But how long could this passion last? Would it exceed a month?
The maids whispered among themselves about their employer's new romance, completely unaware that a perceptive midnight poet stood outside the café, listening intently to all the gossip, his hands and feet turning cold.
"I just hope this Sunday and Monday pass quickly so I can see her again and get the truth from her… no matter how hurtful it might be." Leonard sighed dejectedly, but couldn't help recalling the girl's gentle and innocent smile.
—She seemed to have said there was a chance they could bump into each other on the street on Sunday…
Goddess, if that were true, he would definitely go to church and pray more often!
Klein quickly recalled the "blood-written text message" Alice sent him on Friday afternoon, and her unusual behavior of returning home late that night. He immediately understood that this must be what she meant by having something to do. As for the content…
considering that the next day was the day of the witch's banquet, he was eight or nine out of ten sure she wasn't going to flirt with her female employer!
Besides, why is everyone worried that she'll be deceived in love? It's more like she's the one deceiving others, isn't it?
But for now, Klein, still standing on the side of a colleague, offered some encouragement to Leonard, and then, mimicking Benson's tone when imparting love advice, made up a few insincere remarks. Sure enough, he received a subtle, hesitant look from the other party.
"Klein, if I hadn't seen your file, which says you're still single, I would have almost thought you were some kind of relationship expert."
Klein was both amused and annoyed, and feigned a stern expression, saying,
"Who says single people can't be relationship experts? It's precisely because we don't have time to put theory into practice that we choose to delve into more theory!... Hmm, Emperor Roselle didn't say anything like that, did he?"
"Perhaps not, who knows." Leonard smiled slightly, his green eyes crinkling, the gloom on his face seeming to dissipate considerably. "But thanks to your humor, I feel a bit lighter now, and I've even thought of a pretty good idea."
"What did you think of?" Klein had a vague premonition that he shouldn't have any expectations.
"Hasn't Rosanne been complaining lately about you joining the official team, reducing the number of clerical staff by one?" Leonard said lightly, revealing his plan. "I was thinking of finding an opportunity to reveal my identity as an Extraordinary to her, then accepting a small disciplinary action for leaking information, and getting her to work here. This would be a good opportunity to help her get rid of her female boss!"
Goodness, this guy has quite the imagination… but unfortunately, he's fundamentally mistaken about certain issues.
Klein, after much persuasion, using examples of the dangers he faced when involved in Extraordinary events and citing Rosanne's views on ordinary people venturing into the Extraordinary world, finally dispelled Leonard's terrible idea, preventing a disaster.
"Well, I actually think that clerical staff don't face the same dangers as us Night Watchers, and their work is relatively safe. Exceptions like you are really rare…"
Leonard sighed with slight regret.
"Of course, I don't deny that I secretly hope she chooses to become an Extraordinary, but you're right, thinking like that is a bit selfish, completely disregarding her feelings."
Yes, you haven't considered the possibility that she herself is an Extraordinary. Although she wasn't, the correct answer was even more outrageous…
Klein nodded silently beside her, finally finding an opportunity to devour the remaining food in his lunchbox. Feeling satisfied, he continued listening to his colleagues talk about other topics, occasionally offering a few words of response. He spent the rest of his lunch break in the bright, lazy sunlight streaming through the window.
…
Unbeknownst to others, at sunset, near the city square at the intersection of Iron Cross Street and Narcissus Street, an unassuming gray-robed musician chose a secluded spot, took out her stringed instrument, and plucked a few notes while gazing at the bustling crowd in the square.
Unlike the bard's somewhat somber mood, the notes flowing from her fingertips were cheerful and lively. After only two or three short sections, the melody perfectly matched the rhythm of the distant circus performance, bringing joy to those who heard the music, even giving them a subtle urge to dance along.
The setting sun slowly sank behind the layered buildings, finally disappearing below the horizon. One by one, the streetlights around the city square were lit by those lighting them, and the number of spectators lingering near the circus performance area dwindled. The once light and cheerful music had long since transformed into a tranquil serenade, peaceful and lingering, drawing people to stop and listen.
Suddenly, a calm and gentle female voice joined in, singing the final, serene, and beautiful coda in an unknown language.
Alice let out a soft sigh, and as her fingers left the strings, she opened her eyes and looked in the direction from which the singing had come.
The strange woman in the black dress seemed to sense something, her deep gray-blue eyes meeting her gaze directly without flinching.
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