In the study, under Ebner's guidance, Helene fiddled with the "Mysticism Camera" for a while. After grasping its basic functions, she hesitated for a moment and then asked, "So how do we play back the footage that's been recorded?"
Ebner had already anticipated this question. He extended his spirituality to the camera and altered the configuration of several runes on its surface. As a result, it successfully projected the previously captured footage onto the wall of the study.
"Both filming and projection involve supernatural powers… Won't that make the costs quite high? And how will we popularize it then?" Helene was quite amazed at the "color" projection, but still raised a new concern.
After all, if there was too much supernatural interference, the Churches would never allow them to promote it on a wide scale.
"This camera-projector combo is just a prototype. The supernatural components in it can all be replaced with mechanical parts… We're only using this version for the demo reel to attract investors…" Ebner had long since planned the development path of the film company, but he understood Helene's concern, so he added,
"Filming can still be justified under the guise of 'trade secrets,' but plain projection really shouldn't involve any supernatural elements… Mm, I'll draft some blueprints later and find an 'Inventor' to produce a hand-cranked projector."
Helene nodded continuously as she listened. Seeing that every issue had a solution, she was suddenly filled with motivation and promised Ebner,
"I'll get the company established first and then quickly complete the Balam street-scene series we planned..."
Here, she changed the topic and asked, "By the way, how should I contact Miss Hazel, the 'tour guide' you introduced, and Mr. Emlyn, the 'actor'? And what kind of compensation should they receive?"
"Hazel's father is Congressman Macht. You could say he's one of our company's potential investors… I'll be paying her fee. When you need to shoot, just go directly to the Church of Harvest to find her. I've already talked to her about it."
While he spoke, Ebner noticed Helene taking out pen and paper to jot things down, so he slowed his speech and continued,
"As for Emlyn, you can negotiate with him according to the standard rate for well-known actors in Backlund. If you need legal support, you can approach Miss Fanny, who just moved into the villa… She holds legal qualifications from both Intis and Loen—an outstanding lawyer."
When Fanny had been impersonating a "Lawyer," she had seriously passed the preparatory exams to become an apprentice lawyer. Then she diligently studied and worked under a senior lawyer for a year before finally earning her practicing license. Even that had only been possible because she already held an Intis license and was granted special treatment… Otherwise, without five years of experience, she wouldn't even have been eligible to sit for the bar exam.
—In the Loen Kingdom, lawyers are divided into barristers and solicitors. The latter handle matters that don't require courtroom appearances—things like gathering evidence, talking to clients, drafting wills, supervising inheritance distribution, and offering legal consultations. The former, meanwhile, only handle court defense. Moreover, to become a barrister, one must study at Backlund Law School and receive a formal university education.
After entrusting the film company's operations to Helene—the "working woman" eager to raise her personal value through hard work—Ebner, who was feeling a bit hungry, went downstairs and had a quick breakfast in the dining room.
Just then, Fanny, who had settled into Ebner's home, came over to discuss how to rescue her grandfather.
But Ebner, after thinking it through for a while, shook his head and said:
"We currently know too little. We don't even know who the enemy is… Acting rashly would only put ourselves in danger…"
"So, the priority now is gathering intelligence?" Fanny murmured thoughtfully. "Maybe I should look for other military attachés at the embassy who were on good terms with my grandfather?"
Ebner glanced at her approvingly. Though this young lady had a stunning figure, she clearly wasn't lacking in brains. After all, she was the "Craftsman Proxy" active in Backlund's wild Beyonder circles. Once she got past the initial panic, she quickly regained the poise a "lawyer" ought to have.
"We should also send a telegram to Trier to inquire about the current state of your Sarri family… That confidential secretary wouldn't have suddenly arrested Mr. Sarri without a reason." Ebner paused after saying this. Seeing Fanny nod repeatedly, he added, "Also, be cautious when contacting the embassy's military attachés. It's best to go with me. If I really can't make it, and you absolutely must go, take that orange cat with you."
As he spoke, Ebner pointed at "Lion" Leon, who was also having breakfast in the dining room.
Of course, in the eyes of outsiders, it was just a normal-sized orange tabby—just a little chubby.
"Take it with me?" Fanny was surprised, but tactfully didn't ask why. It was clear Ebner didn't intend to explain.
"Lion" Leon rolled his eyes at the comment but didn't object. After all, his instincts as a "Seer" told him that sticking close to this boy—who might be connected to the "Calamity Seal"—was in his best interest.
Still, being bossed around like this couldn't just be let go… First, he would quietly collect and document all the dirt, and settle accounts with him someday in the future...
Unaware that the lion was plotting something mischievous, Ebner spent a bit more time briefly discussing with Fanny the idea of her doubling as the company's legal counsel. As expected, she readily agreed and even took quite an interest in "filmmaking."
After finishing breakfast, Ebner put on his coat and glasses, picked up his newly crafted "Decomposition" cane, and stepped out the door.
He was heading to find Xio—first, to deliver the white translucent robe imbued with "Faceless Man" abilities that she had requested; and second, to gather intelligence about the Intisian Embassy through her.
After boarding a carriage, Ebner muttered a few silent prayers, then smoothly activated the "Fool's Navigation" service, heading toward one of Xio's safe houses in the North Borough.
...
West Borough, Intisian Embassy.
Special Envoy Owen looked slightly surprised after receiving the latest report. "The elite squad under the Fless family actually failed? They couldn't even capture a Sequence 8? What kind of elite are they supposed to be?
"Hah, seems my judgment was spot-on—the Fless family has indeed fallen!"
As he tossed the intelligence report aside with disdain, the woman standing beside him—Katarina—smiled teasingly. "But doesn't this mean your plan has now gone off track?"
"That's a minor issue. The Sary granddaughter escaping on her own is actually more convincing than if I'd deliberately let her go... Aside from the lack of romantic development between us, the only real problem is that the squad's deaths might attract official attention," Owen said. After thinking for a moment, he instructed Katarina, "Go to the factory district and St. George's Borough. Stir up a few incidents involving the Beyonder world—enough to catch the Machinery Hivemind's attention. We need them too occupied to investigate the Sary affair."
"Yes, sir," Katarina replied automatically, then added with a half-smile, "As Emperor Roselle once said, 'Trying to cover up the truth of a bad deed often makes it even more conspicuous.'"
"I'm well aware. But my goal is only to buy enough time for that poor secretary of mine to be taken back to Intis by his family... If he's caught by the Church of Steam here in Loen, the biggest potential for conflict will disappear," Owen said casually, clearly unconcerned.
"Such scheming... 'Spectators' truly are frightening. But how can you be so certain that the Fless family will react exactly as you expect?" Katarina probed.
Owen answered confidently, "They will. In a sense, Johnson is just a vessel for Old John's 'resurrection.' The Fless family won't give him up unless absolutely necessary... It would be extremely difficult to find another descendant so similar to Old John.
"Hah, if Old John hadn't been sent to Loen as a diplomat during Emperor Roselle's reign, they wouldn't have arranged for Johnson to be 'groomed' to resemble him—and placed him under a 'normal person' like me. That's the only reason I've been able to 'manipulate' and use him."
Only after hearing this explanation did the "White Saintess" Katarina nod in satisfaction. In the next instant, her body vanished from the study, as though she had gone off to carry out Owen's orders.
But after leaving the embassy and appearing inside a house at No. 8 Williams Street, a smirk unconsciously formed on her lips as she muttered to herself, "As I thought, even while completely dominating me, he can't hide anything from me... As long as I ask, he must answer—and he can't lie."
Just then, a voice laced with mockery echoed in her ears:
"Dominating? You've merely been influenced by the authority of the 'God of Lost Minds,' stripped of your ability to resist!
"I'm guessing you seduced him and got intimate. Then, at the height of your lust, you were 'captured' by that thing...
"Ha! A demoness of unaging getting ensnared while hunting prey? You're a disgrace to all demonesses."
"Who's there?" Katarina was so startled she nearly lost her composure, but a glance around the room revealed nothing. It was as if she'd just imagined the voice.
No... It can't be an illusion. When I heard those words, I didn't even think about reporting to Mr. Owen... Whoever that was understands the sealed artifact's nature and can even suppress its influence?
But before she could follow that train of thought, the artifact's power took effect again. She couldn't resist, couldn't speak, couldn't ask for help...
Just as she was about to leave the house, her gaze caught a line of text in ancient Fusac script etched into the floor: "Bring a 'Gatekeeper' here!"
...
North Borough, a house on Alka Street.
Ebner slapped a gold-framed card onto the floor. With a flash of blue light, a tight-fitting, translucent white robe appeared in front of Xio.
Xio was stunned at first. Then, lifting her gaze to Ebner, her eyes were filled with disbelief—she couldn't quite accept that he had created such a visually provocative Beyonder item...
(End of Chapter)