Secret: The years I served as a foreign aid for the Aurora Club

Chapter 187 Reasons to Stay

448
After Bayam calmed down, Azik, who had witnessed the entire process with Klein, said goodbye softly and prepared to leave.

Klein quickly called him.

"Mr. Azik, I have something to ask you." Klein hesitated for a moment, but still spoke out the worries and pain that had been lingering in his heart for a day and a night.

Azik responded softly, "What is it?"

"I'm sorry, this may expose your scars..."

"Something happened to me that made me realize that Edward Vaughn did not lie to me. I really, I really did... I really came from an ancient era, a world in the past." Klein took a lot of effort to say this. He no longer had the face of a crazy adventurer. He was young and looked like an ordinary college student. "... I always thought this was another world, that my family and friends were still waiting for me, so I tried hard to find a way to go home... As a result, I suddenly learned that I might be a survivor from the past, brought to the present by Sefirah Castle. My family, friends, everything is gone..."

Listening to Klein's increasingly deep and ethereal voice, Azik seemed to understand something.

"...Time." Azik said with deep emotion, "In my countless past lives, I rarely had the opportunity to reminisce about the past, because when I thought about the past, my life had already come to an end."

"I have become cold and heartless, unable to feel sadness or happiness."

He has existed for a long time, but he lives just for the sake of existence. Perhaps he had some wishes and goals in his long life, but in the end, they all sank into darkness and coldness. Life after life often ended too quickly. In just a few decades, he could not compile everything into a book every time he recovered his memory. He could only repeat the endless confusion and bewilderment.

Azik originally thought that this was his own problem, until now he gradually discovered that there was a shadow of a mastermind lurking in every part of his life.

Just as the god-like self had actually been standing in the shadows, watching with eager eyes, whispering to him to go to the southern continent, to the Violent Sea, to respond to the believers there, to follow the call of spirituality and destiny, to do something that he could no longer remember but was very important.

However, these whispers and calls did not make him feel close to the South Continent, but only made him reject his true self. He was willing to live for those memories that were still warm even if they were conspiracies. His wife, friends, parents, and children were all real. Even if he wanted to hate them, he would not hate them, but those who took advantage of their kindness and beauty. Azik kept recalling those memories, fighting against the calls and instinctive thoughts in his ears. Only those memories accompanied him for countless years.

So this is loneliness. The feeling of walking for a long time and then looking back to find that there is no one behind you is loneliness.

"Zhou Mingrui...what do you think of Melissa and Benson?"

He spoke carefully.

"Has there been even one moment in this world that made you want to stay?"

"Stay..."

Klein whispered bitterly.

Actually, Mr. Azik, the first thing I thought about when I woke up was to hold a transfer ceremony and go back immediately, because their brother, the elder brother "Klein" has died. If I live and then die one day, it will only cause secondary damage. I don't want to deceive them, and I don't want to stay here either. I just want to go back quickly, to my real family and friends, but I accidentally contacted Sefirah Castle and became Mr. "Fool"...

Only seven months had passed since he woke up. In this short period of time, he had been busy with detailed goals such as "revenge on Lanevus", "becoming stronger", and "revenge on Ince Zangwill". Klein had been so busy that he had no time to think about it. He even deliberately avoided finding a way to go back.

After being awakened by a heavy hammer from the true Creator, "This is the Earth tens of millions of years later", he felt like a person who had been in a daze and was suddenly splashed with a basin of ice water. He was chilled from head to toe and spent his first quiet night.

Thinking of this, Klein felt a little guilty towards the true creator.

"In my time, there were many fantasy works that told stories of suddenly arriving in another world one day..."

And it's a very popular topic. Even if you haven't seen it, you probably know what it's about.

Azik understood: "So, you behaved well that day, so Melissa and the others didn't send you to the Church of Night."

Klein smiled bitterly and said, "Yes."

"What happens after that?"

"Melissa... Melissa is a good kid, well-behaved and sensible, even a little too sensible. She's used to a hard life, so she's trembling with fear when happiness comes, always worrying about the future..." Thinking of that young girl who wore old-fashioned skirts of old colors and outdated styles all year round, Klein's emotions were slightly aroused, and he gradually spoke more. "Benson is also a good brother. He works hard and uses his meager salary to support his two younger siblings after their parents passed away. He also allowed his younger sister to receive basic school education... I didn't have any brothers or sisters in the past, but I know it would be difficult for me to do as well as Benson."

The father of the three siblings was an army sergeant. After his death, almost all of his allowance was used to support Klein's schooling.

In this era where an illness can push the middle class into slums, knowledge is the only means to change class.

"Klein" also worked hard and went all the way to college, and finally graduated, and was excellent enough to stay on as a lecturer. He would become the new pillar of the family, and this was a very generous salary, enough for the Moretti family to slowly move out of the dirty and small rental apartment...

"...If the family that had been with him for so long disappeared along with the hope of a better life, his brother and sister would definitely be very sad, right? It's even possible that he died of a serious illness, just like what is written in the novel...So, now that I have become him and have his memories, I am even more worried about the two of them. So I decided to take on the responsibility of supporting this family temporarily, at least - I don't know when I will leave, I think, at least after I leave, they can live the rest of their lives in peace."

The dark clouds outside the window gradually dissipated, and the sky gradually brightened. Azik sat opposite Klein and listened patiently.

"You are really a kind and good child." He sighed again, "I am so glad that I chose to trust you at that time."

Of course Klein knew what he was talking about. He smiled awkwardly and simply followed Azik's words and continued:

"Then it's Sefirah Castle."

"I disguised myself as a god in Sefirah Castle... Ahem! It's really embarrassing to say this no matter when."

He recalled the first Tarot Club half a year ago: "In the beginning, there were only two people. Miss Justice was an aristocratic girl with a kindness and sensibility that was inconsistent with her class. Perhaps it was due to her superior and carefree life, but it was a good thing after all."

Azik's mind conjured up an image of a girl wearing a beautiful long dress and smiling in the garden, who was somewhat similar to the little daughter in his memory.

"Mr. 'The Hanged Man' is an experienced captain, but he lacks a sense of cooperation. At the beginning, he was like a hedgehog, always unwilling to expose himself too much, or show a little dependence on other members. This should be caused by the life of a pirate. At first, I thought he was always too sensitive, overreacted, and his thoughts were too jumpy, but after I came to the sea in person and experienced so many terrible events, I gradually understood the reasons for his personality. This world... It really requires constant vigilance to protect yourself."

This world is so colorful and so dangerous because of extraordinary abilities.

Even if you have power, you cannot avoid the aggregation of extraordinary characteristics. One day you may be aggregated to a strong person in this path and lose your life in vain.

Or maybe you are strong enough to protect yourself and the people you care about, but there is always a possibility that a disaster will happen when you are not with them. Just like ordinary people in this world, just living a normal life, suddenly become the victims of some rituals. Afterwards, you can only seek revenge or go to the grave to express your grief. It seems that strength may not be able to protect anyone.

The more I walked and the more I saw, the more I understood Mr. Hanged Man's style of doing things... I was in awe of all unknown existences, and I always maintained my enthusiasm for power. It would be best if I were alone, so that I could fight and die without any worries...

“But I don’t regret the path I’ve taken.”

"And now I need strength, the strength to take revenge on Ince Zangwill."

Listening to Klein's increasingly lively tone, Azik smiled sincerely and said:

"It seems like you get along well with them."

Klein also laughed, scratched his hair, and joked, "After all, in their eyes, I am a god."

Then, he folded his hands together, looked out the window at the vast sea, and said as he recalled:

"Later, we gradually welcomed other members... The 'Magician' who was troubled by the full moon's whispers was accidentally saved by me; Sefirah Castle was really powerful, and was able to bring everyone from the God-Forsaken Land, so the Tarot Club had the 'Sun'... Finally, there was the 'Hermit' lady who had just arrived not long ago. She is stronger and more experienced than me. I always feel a little nervous in front of her."

After all, even in the time-travel novels of the past, only a few people were able to return to their original world... Klein was not completely unprepared. On the contrary, after thinking it through, he wanted to thank the real creator. If he had learned the truth only after decades or even hundreds of years of hard work, he would be lucky not to go crazy and die on the spot.

Seeing that his mood was getting better and he was gradually getting closer to a sad person instead of a desperate person, Azik took the opportunity to speak:
“Any future goals?”

"For example, how far you have reached in sequence, whether you should go back to see Melissa and the others, or whether you should explore the reason for your survival."

Klein looked down, then raised his eyes again after a moment: “Not yet.”

"I will think about these things slowly. I need time... I need some time to think carefully."

Will I become a demigod? Or will I lose control and die in a future adventure? If I really can't go back, accompanying Melissa and Benson for the rest of my life, or being a good neighbor and silently protecting them from a distance, are not bad choices...

Azik nodded in agreement:

"Yes, Klein, you need some time to think."

"But life doesn't just have one choice, especially for you. You can find the lifestyle you want according to your preferences and do countless things you want to do. You are still young and your life has unlimited possibilities."

"Take a slightly more relaxed attitude towards life. If you live with the mentality of 'we will be separated one day so it's best not to have too much contact', then you may not be able to live a relaxed and happy life."

Klein replied thoughtfully, "You are right, Mr. Azik."

He smiled and said, "In fact, I have been doing boring jobs in the past. After coming to this world, I have gained a lot of new life directions and happiness. I think if all this can really end, I might open a bakery and live a comfortable life." As the conversation came to an end, Azik stood up and said, "I look forward to that day."

Klein stood up and said goodbye to him.

After the two said goodbye to each other, the void around Azik rippled like water waves, and his figure disappeared in the room.

Klein stood there, silent for a long time.

He shook his head and smiled silently as if to comfort himself: "Perhaps by then I will be a strong man at the level of an angel, and I can set up a hospital for the treatment of antisocial personality disorders, with Miss Justice as the attending physician..."

Gathering his thoughts, Klein sat down and thought quietly for a while, clearing other things from his mind. He began to habitually recall and review the assassination attempt on Lieutenant General Disease:

"I originally thought I could herd a 'witch of pain' and get further clues about the Death God Documents and the missing persons case, but the development and results were unexpected. I could only complete the initial goal."

"Ah, I can't possibly instigate Mr. Azik to take action. After all, he hasn't fully recovered, and the other side has a backer... It's more important to be strong yourself. It's better to rely on yourself than on others. Haha, think about it carefully, I really rely on myself most of the time..."

"The missing persons case can be started from the clue of the buyer provided by Tracy at that time, the 'Mad Captain' Connors Victor."

Klein changed his sitting position, nodded to himself, and whispered in his heart:

“The biggest gain from this time is that I have initially established the principles of playing faceless characters, integrating into the role while also detaching from it. I have also overcome psychological barriers and have become aware of the problem of becoming addicted to the role.

"In this way, the potion that takes one or two years to digest through simple and normal real-life acting may be completely absorbed in one or two months. It seems a bit too fast. I still have no idea about the material of the 'Master of Secret Puppetry'..."

After his self-reflection, Klein prepared to go to Sefirah Castle to take down the radio receiver from the gray fog and contact the magic mirror Arrodes.

After walking four steps backwards, his spirit body ascended to Sefirah Castle. The eternal gray fog filled his surroundings. Klein couldn't help but whisper:
"What kind of secrets are you hiding?"

The wireless telegraph machine that the Magician sacrificed was placed in the pile of sundries in the corner. Klein did not rush to get it. Instead, he first divined whether it would be dangerous to communicate with Arrodes.

After getting the answer of "safe", Klein sat quietly for a while and wrote down a new divination question:
“I don’t have any marks on me”

After finishing writing, he felt his back gradually getting hot and sweaty. Klein took a deep breath and mustered up the courage to perform a normal divination.

His eyes were fixed on the pendulum. He saw that the pendulum was silent for a while, turned clockwise with difficulty, and then stopped.

This situation is a confrontation with a Level 0 Sealed Artifact or even stronger... Well, at least it succeeded for a moment...

Klein wiped the nonexistent cold sweat and turned the pen and paper back into mist.

Sefirah Castle was quiet. After a few seconds, the gray fog lifted up the wireless telegraph and landed in front of him.

449
The Republic of Intis, the coastal city of Firren.

Treanor stopped in front of a securities company, pushed his messy black hair to the sides to expose his forehead, and put the suitcase he was carrying on the ground, which made a clanging sound.

A red shadow appeared on the glass door, and Medici stood next to Traynor's reflection, with his arm around hers.

"How do you get this way?"

"The Iron Cross still has a spare body of yours stored here. Or do you prefer floating?"

After tidying up his appearance, Treanor pushed open the glass door and entered the lobby. He walked around the staff and guests walking back and forth, went straight to the office corridor on the first floor, and walked into the wall when there was no one around.

As soon as I walked into the office building of the Iron Cross, a burning smell hit me in the face. Several arsonists were tied to the wall, with small wooden signs around their necks that read "Civility, Friendship, and Harmony". Bright flames were burning on their heads, like oversized candles fueled by hair. They were probably doing some kind of performance art like human lighting.

The faceless man's clothes moved a few times, and a hat appeared out of thin air. Trenor lowered the brim of the hat and walked through the chaotic stairwell.

As soon as I got to the first floor, the hunters' friendly conversations could be heard rumbling.

"Good morning! Annie, you are becoming more and more manly!"

"Edel, did anyone tell you that the girl you spent the night with last night was a witch?!"

The communication between hunters is just so simple, warm and friendly.

Treanor passed by the heated exchange, his eyes fixed on the ground, where a set of provocative quotations from the mainland was posted. Medici was quite interested in this vibrant scene, and would occasionally join in, adding fuel to the already anxious office building, striving to make the Iron Cross's account book this month as ugly as Raymond's expression.

"Why do you always pick on Raymond? Try someone else."

After seeing the fire set by the evil spirit melt a wall, Trena, who was calling for repairs as the morning sun shone through the gap, felt his own emotions were also very strange: "In the end, we still have to present it to the Aurora Society."

The suitcase in his hand rattled and clattered, and Medici said something - but he couldn't hear clearly because there were so many people talking.

At the corner, Trena suddenly had an idea and stopped. A hunter with a high nose and blue eyes came towards him. The hunter with short brown hair was followed by several subordinates. They looked unfriendly, as if someone owed him tens of thousands of gold Louis.

Tony Twain glanced and immediately saw the black-haired stranger standing in the corner. His eyes narrowed and his expression became even more ferocious.

"Who are you?" he said in a low voice.

Treanor continued to hold down the brim of his hat and said casually, "I'm here to get the seal that His Majesty the Red Angel uses exclusively."

Hearing the Red Angel, Tony Twain's expression softened a little: "Do you have the formalities?"

"No."

Traynor pulled out a mirror and held it next to himself, "But there's the Red Angel."

Medici's image appeared in the mirror, and Tang En was stunned. Medici smiled, and appeared directly in the real world, waving at the blue-eyed war bishop meaninglessly, just as a greeting.

Seeing the latter bow flattered, Treanor walked around and continued walking forward.

After taking two steps, he suddenly staggered to the side, and a ball of fire hit the place where he had just stood, burning two or three pieces of marble into lava.

"The ground repair fee is 45 gold Louis, which will be deducted from your allowance." Treanor turned his head and frowned: "If you are bored, you can go and do the financial statements. Don't waste my time."

A sinister smile appeared on Tang En's face: "It's you!"

“I was wondering which War Bishop could fight alongside the Red Angel at Bayam! It turned out to be you!”

"Ah, yes, yes."

Treanor scratched his ears and said, "This is your blessing. I cast two spells and I can only beat back an octopus tentacle."

Tang En's face turned gloomy: "You actually disdain this kind of honor."

"Yes, yes, yes, can you please move aside?"

Medici crossed his arms and watched the show, not intending to join either side. Tang En lost his temper and launched an attack first. Trena moved his fingers to open the buckle of the suitcase, dodged sideways, and took out one of Medici's hands. He tied the connecting belt to Tang En's fist at lightning speed, then turned on the switch, kicked open the window and pushed Tang En down.

A few seconds later, the steam-powered arm carried Tony Twain across the air in the square outside the Iron Cross.

"It's really troublesome to talk to such people."

"The repair cost is 70 gold Louis, which is just enough to deduct his entertainment allowance for this week."

When Tang En reacted and started to remove the bandages on his hands, Trenor took the opportunity to collect all the parts on the ground, and then he quickly jumped into the corner of the stairs, turned into a beam of fire and rushed straight to the express passage leading to the warehouse for storing extraordinary items on the third floor.

TBC
------

Treanor: This blessing is given to you. Do you want it?

Tang En: I can’t wait any longer, give it to me now!

(End of this chapter)