After dealing with the mutated glass bottle, Klein took out his gold-cased pocket watch, opened it and took a look, memorizing the current time.

He must come back here in three hours to separate the "Darkless Cross" and the "Bottle of Slavery". Only in this way can he obtain the separate "Manipulator" extraordinary characteristic, rather than a product that combines the characteristics of all the previous sequences.

“It feels like doing an experiment…” Klein nodded slightly, put away his pocket watch, returned to the real world, and truly began his lunch break.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, Enuni, the personal servant, knocked on his employer's door under the watchful eyes of the butler Walter.

"What's the matter?" Dwayne Dantès, in his pajamas, rubbed his forehead and opened the bedroom door.

Enuni bowed and said:

"Sir, you accepted Lady Liana's invitation for afternoon tea the night before, today."

"Okay, give me a quarter of an hour to prepare." Klein looked at the butler Walter and said.

Then, he ordered his personal servant, Enuni:

"Come in and help me change my clothes."

When he and his secret doll were the only ones left in the room, Klein manipulated the latter to get clothes suitable for afternoon tea while glancing at the wall clock from time to time.

About ten minutes later, he tied his tie, put on his coat, and walked four steps backwards, heading above the gray fog.

At this time, exactly three hours had passed since his last entry.

Placed at the top of the long bronze table, the mutated glass bottle, which was firmly pressed together with the "Darkless Cross" by the power of the gray fog, had lost its original grid-like shimmering feeling, and seemed to have suddenly changed from a work of art to a common daily necessity on the street.

A large amount of gray and white precipitated from the bottom of the glass bottle. They flowed on their own as if they had vitality, forming a heart-shaped object the size of a child's fist. Not only were there many wrinkles on it, but there were also cracks like eyes. As for the complex, three-dimensional patterns, logos, and symbols that extended into the interior and penetrated into the void, they were almost identical to what Klein had seen when he obtained Hvin Rambis's Beyonder characteristics.

There was just a slight difference... Klein released the suppression of the gray fog and took the "Darkless Cross" out of the bottle.

With such steps, the precipitated items are completely separated from the mutated glass bottle, becoming complete and independent.

Klein stretched out his left hand and picked up the object that looked like a brain or a heart. He looked at it for a few seconds and threw it into the pile of debris, which was shrouded in gray mist.

At this time, the voice in the mutated glass bottle sounded again, but it was quite weak:

"You, the devil..."

Klein did not respond. He inserted the Darkless Cross in his right hand back into his body and held it tightly with the power of the gray mist.

Then, peace returned to the ancient palace.

Back in the real world, Klein put on his top hat, took his cane, and took a carriage from 160 Böklund Street to Councillor Macht's residence, No. 39 on the same block.

…………

In the elegantly decorated living room of Congressman Macht's home, several guests were sitting around an exquisite three-tiered tray, each with a cup of charming black tea in front of them.

Klein took a cucumber sandwich, took a bite, and half-jokingly and half-expressed his true feelings:

"Today's desserts all seem to be very unique, whether it's carrot cake or cream muffins."

Senator Macht laughed when he heard this:

"Dawn, you have really sharp observation skills."

This has nothing to do with observation. Anyone with eyes that are not blind can see that it is strange and bizarre... Klein muttered in his heart and said:

“That sounds like a good thing.”

"Of course, this is made by Hazel herself. You can try it later. Although she can't effectively control its appearance yet, it tastes really good." Congressman Macht said with a little show-off.

On the other side, Backlund University of Technology President Portland Momont immediately laughed:

"This isn't like the Hazel I know."

Senator Macht glanced at Madam Liana and said with satisfaction:

“Everyone grows, right?

"Hazel has really matured recently. Not only is she willing to learn those courses for socializing and marriage that she used to reject, and occasionally makes snacks and plays music for us, but she also often takes the initiative to accompany her mother to concerts, watch horse racing, go shopping in department stores, and quietly listen in on various salons and banquets."

According to Miss Justice, Hazel's treatment has reached the stage where she can recall the great shock and pain she once suffered. Although it is just an intuitive emotional feeling and does not involve the specific events, it is enough to make Hazel dream from time to time that she has lost her parents and most of her relatives... This makes her unconsciously begin to cherish her family. Has she changed herself to a certain extent for this? Klein nodded thoughtfully and smiled:

“That’s a good thing.”

"Yes." Senator Macht responded with emotion, "I used to be very worried about Hazel's character. I was worried that she wouldn't be able to have a good marriage, wouldn't be able to interact normally with people in this circle, and that after we died, she wouldn't be able to find anyone to help her when she encountered difficulties. Now, I am finally relieved."

Congressman Macht smiled sincerely and rarely expressed his past concerns.

He then raised his arm, waved it lightly, and said very proudly:

"Why should I be an enemy of the damn smog and pollution? Why should we fight for colonial interests in East Balam and Feysac, and in West Balam and Intis? Isn't it just to make our descendants live better and have fewer troubles?

"Hazel's maturity is more meaningful to me than the achievements she made in East Balam and the struggle she made in the House of Commons."

Klein listened quietly to Senator Macht's story and couldn't help but turn his head to look out the window.

It was cloudy outside and the sun was nowhere to be seen.

At this time, Portland Momont half-jokingly responded to Councillor Macht:

“No, those things are also for our own betterment.”

Having said this, he looked at Klein and said:

"Dawn, have you made up your mind? Do you want to invest in my mechanical laboratory?"

Klein laughed and said:

“Mr. Principal, why are you still as anxious as a young man?

"I have read the information you gave me and have a general idea of ​​what kind of benefits and income I can get from investing. Frankly speaking, I am very interested. I am very satisfied that this mechanical laboratory can train talented young people. This is the place where we should invest the most. What is the most valuable thing in this era? Talent!"

"Emperor Roselle said this." Portland Momont laughed, "So, how much do you plan to invest?"

Klein picked up the bone china teacup, took a sip of red tea and said:

"The initial plan is 10,000 pounds."

"As expected of you, you are the most famous rich man in Backlund recently. I can't even guess how much assets you have. First, you donated shares worth several thousand pounds, then spent 20,000 gold pounds to buy the Meige Manor, and now you are going to invest another 10,000 pounds in Portland's mechanical laboratory..." Madam Liana beside him couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

Portland Momont gave a thumbs up:

“These are truly discerning investors.”

Klein smiled and said:

"But I will still find a team of lawyers and accountants to verify the situation and draft the terms. Professional matters should be left to professionals. Moreover, I have to consider whether to invest directly or set up a company or fund first to complete it. Well, Portland, I think you haven't considered one thing carefully. Such an important laboratory has no protection measures! Aren't you afraid of industrial espionage or foreign forces infiltrating and sabotaging it?"

Portland Momont was stunned for a moment, then nodded slowly:

"That makes sense... I had somewhat overlooked this issue before."

Having achieved his goal, Klein stopped dwelling on the topic and instead deliberately asked:

"Is there still no news about Major General Qonas Kilger?"

Senator Macht sighed and said:

"No, the Sivellas said they searched the Meige Manor and the surrounding area, but couldn't find any clues."

As he spoke, the member of the House of Commons lowered his voice:

"I suspect that the major general had an accident while carrying out a secret mission. The atmosphere above has been a little strange recently..."

In a sense, you guessed it all right... Klein sighed:

"I hope nothing really happens."

During the afternoon tea that followed, Klein managed to make good use of his time and went to the bathroom, where he put the Beyonder characteristic extracted from the mutation bottle into the pile of miscellaneous items.

When the party was over and he returned to 160 Böklund Street, it had already gotten really dark. The gas street lamps on both sides of the road were lit early, and a drizzle of rain was tapping on the car windows.

"Now all the problems are focused on what exactly is hidden in the Blood Emperor's ruins. As long as the three major churches can discover the problem in time, many things can be prevented from happening." Klein looked at the lights outside the window that were dimmed by the rain and thought about the recent situation. "In the short term, unless Katarina can be captured, I can't help much. The goddess is digesting or mastering the uniqueness of the God of Death, and may not be able to respond at that level.

"To solve this problem, we must either transfer targeted '0' level seals from the Holy Temple, or rely on the Storm or Steam Church to see which of the two true gods will respond... '0' level seals may not be enough, after all, it involves the Angel King, and there may be traitors hidden inside the two churches..."

It wasn’t far from 39 Böklund Street to 160. Before Klein could sort out his thoughts, he had already returned to his doorstep and had to get off the carriage.

When he went to the third floor to change his clothes, inspiration suddenly struck him, and he saw Renette Tinicole walking out of the void carrying four blond, red-eyed heads.

"From Sharon?" Klein took the letter with a guess.

"Yes..." One of the heads held by Renette Tinicole opened its mouth to respond.

Klein said nothing more. He opened the envelope and unfolded the paper. There was only one line of words on it:

"Action at 10 o'clock tonight."