The calls of the night jays echoed alongside the crickets along the road from the abandoned castle to the town. Azk gazed ahead, silent for several seconds, then said, "Though I haven't quite confirmed it yet, I've already formed a certain idea. Perhaps... perhaps I am someone who has lived for a very long time." Mr. Azk, you might actually seriously consider whether you still truly fall within the category of a 'human'... thought Crane silently in his heart, though he dared not utter the words aloud. Here, in this remote countryside, at such a still, quiet hour, one always feels weak... "I must have paid a certain price to live so long—from the end of the Quaternary period right through to now, like a ghost wandering across the continents," Azk's voice was low, as though suppressing inner emotions. "I no longer remember the past. I have forgotten those who promised to remember me, and the things they once shared with me." Cain thoughtfully brushed the weeds ahead with his staff. "Mr. Azk, I have a hypothesis about your condition." "What hypothesis?" Azk turned to glance at his companion. "I believe your memory loss is cyclical—perhaps every few decades, you die once, clearing out your previous memories, then awaken after a period of dark slumber, beginning anew. Only then can I explain the different dreams you've had—each one reflecting events from a different life you've lived." Klein described his hypothesis. Azk's steps suddenly slowed, as if pulled by the darkness at the edges of his garments; he gazed steadily ahead, and after a long moment said, "This aligns with some memories that have awakened in me following the stimulation I received earlier." Memories awakened following the earlier stimulation? Klein was struck and immediately asked, "Mr. Azk, perhaps you don't need to leave Tingel to seek your lost past—you'll begin to recall it gradually!" "Why?" Azk turned, surprised. Klein smiled gently, "Your memories have not been entirely lost; the fact that some have awakened today is proof of that." "Also, do you remember when you first awoke in Bekeland, only to find yourself having forgotten your past?" Azk nodded firmly, "This has always been a troubling dream of mine." Caine tapped his silver-handled black cane, offering a more specific explanation: "Until today, I didn't see anything unusual about this. But now, combining your description with my own observations, it begins to seem rather strange. When you wake up from a dreamless state, suddenly possessing a new identity, sufficient funds, and a manner of entering society that doesn't startle anyone—everything feels as though it's been carefully orchestrated, allowing you to integrate seamlessly into the world right away." "Then who orchestrated all of this?" "Only one person: yourself from the past." "Your past self regained your memories, aware that a new chapter of life was about to begin, and thus arranged all that followed, making every effort to avoid suspicion." Azk stopped, gazing at the scattered, dim lights of the town in the distance, and fell into another long silence. "Perhaps the 'parents' I've been searching for all along are actually myself from the past," he sighed, effectively acknowledging the strength of Caine's reasoning. "So you need do nothing but patiently wait, and your memories will gradually return," Klein concluded, offering reassurance. Azk unconsciously waved his staff, then seemed to transform into a statue carved from marble. After a long while, he replied with a distant gaze: "Perhaps, perhaps only when my old life draws to a close will I fully recover my memories. I don't wish to wait that long—I want ample time to understand and break free from this destiny. Therefore, I must actively seek out my past, gently stimulate myself step by step, and achieve the awakening you've predicted ahead of time. Waiting would only cause me to repeat the same cycle." "This is indeed the most promising course of action," Klein said, no longer attempting to persuade him, but instead adding, "Mr. Azk, besides helping me uncover the culprit who has disrupted my fate and taken the bones from my child, would you be so kind as to assist me with a small, insignificant request?" Azk lightly nodded. "What would you like me to do?" Cain organized his words. "I'd like you to visit small towns around Tinggen next week or the week after, preferably arriving by carriage in a time window of more than two hours but under five hours. There, create some unusual events—events that don't harm people. I noticed how you traced the criminals using bloodline connections earlier; I believe you're particularly skilled in certain aspects of the necromantic arts." "Done," Azk replied without hesitation, without asking why. He also implicitly accepted Cain's assessment of his abilities. "Thank you—this is very important to me. One more thing: when selecting the events, focus only on towns where the residents are devoted to the Night Goddess, and make sure to leave no traces behind." Cain added. Only in this way will the incident be passed on to the Night Watch Team of Tinggen City; only in this way can he join the task force and propose the use of the seal item "3–0782"; only in this way can he, while rotating his watch duties, secretly steal that seal—the divine blood power contained within the "Varied Solar Holy Emblem," thereby creating the "Yangyan Seal!" This is currently the strongest item he can obtain. ——While the hidden force residing in the Red Chimney house has not yet left Tinggen City, and while he continues his own relentless investigations, Klein must make every effort to grow stronger! Hmm. Based on what I've learned, merely siphoning off a portion of its power will not damage the "3–0782"—at most, it will slightly shorten the duration of its purification effect... This is all for the peace and stability of Tinggen City! Klein justified himself mentally. Azk didn't care about the other's intentions, and simply nodded. "I'll let you know the name of the town and the approximate time in advance, so you can prepare accordingly." Heh... Kaine breathed a deep sigh, feeling that the visit to Lamde had been well worth it: Though he had only peeled back the outermost layer of Azk's mysterious veil, and still had many unknowns and mysteries ahead, at least he had gained his friendship—and found a reliable ally in the fight against the forces behind the scenes! ... At 11:30 p.m., Kaine, tired, sleepy, and hungry, returned to No. 2 Waterlily Street. "Azk didn't even invite me for dinner... Oh, how could he possibly have the energy to eat with such a state?" Kaine murmured silently as he pulled out his key and opened the door. The house was not as dim as he had expected. A refined gas lamp quietly radiated its glow, warming and illuminating the living room, dressing the solitary figure of Benson seated on the sofa in a soft, luminous hue. As Benson approached the open front door, holding his book, he was about to speak when he suddenly yawned and had to reach up to cover his mouth. Caine closed the door with a casual smile and remarked, "I went with the Azk Professor to Ramd Town—there's an old, historic manor that has stood abandoned for centuries." Benson instantly brightened, smiled, and said, "A night without the moon, a castle abandoned for a thousand years, a cold and eerie atmosphere, and an archaeological team of just two people—this is precisely the classic setup for a supernatural novel." "What happened tonight truly feels like a supernatural event... Kline recalled Mr. Azk's strange gate, the continuous cries of newborns, and with a slightly apprehensive tone said, "There's definitely something uncanny about such an atmosphere." Benson yawned again and then closed his book, "I should go to bed. Since I started studying grammar and reading classical literature, my sleep quality has improved remarkably." Kline smiled to himself, suddenly remembering what Miss Justice had mentioned, and lowered his voice: "Benson, as you know, our company has a certain connection with the Ahoval County Police Department. Recently, I've heard a rumor from Beckland: the King, the Prime Minister, the ministers, and the members of parliament are growing tired of the slow, inefficient government and are planning reforms—specifically, selecting officials to handle day-to-day affairs through open examinations, just like university entrance exams." Bansen was first茫然, then brightened and asked, "The public examination process?" "Yes, as long as you pass the exam, you can become a government employee handling day-to-day affairs. I suspect—well, I suspect—the content will mirror the university entrance exam: grammar, classical literature, a certain level of mathematics and logical reasoning, and basic legal knowledge..." Klein seized the opportunity to convey his own ideas, concluding, "Bansen, this matter must remain confidential. And don't have high expectations—no one knows whether it will be approved by either the upper or the lower house." "I'll remember that. I understand I just need to work hard." Bansen smiled and took over, "Whether or not this initiative comes through, I'll keep studying and strive to improve my situation, find better work. Learning is the greatest difference between humans and hair-covered baboons." "No. Scientific research shows that baboons have a high intelligence level and possess certain learning abilities... Klein silently muttered a comment and watched Bensen walk up the stairs. Then, he smiled and gently patted his sunken stomach, taking a step toward the kitchen. He located the leftover dishes and the portion of chicken Melissa had specially reserved, and with a deep sense of ease, began preparing his dinner. Outside, the night was utterly still, thick with quiet, and most of the people had already fallen asleep. The only sound was the soft, steady breath of the cool, fragrant air, creating a gentle hissing rhythm. Everything was so serene and unhurried. ... After eating and drinking, washing the dishes, and soaking himself, Klein returned to his bedroom and locked the wooden door. He yawned, struggled to stay alert, and drew out the ritual silver dagger, sealing the entire room with the Wall of Spirit. He now needed to make a divination and summon the 'Fool' who belonged to a time beyond this era—was there any danger in that?"