On a Tuesday morning, after finishing his esoteric course, Caine did not, as he had done previously, seek out a quiet spot to翻 through internal materials such as the "Historical and Contemporary Catalog of Objects" or the "Case Files of the Night Watchmen." Instead, he stayed in the lounge, playing cards with Leonard, Cohen-Li, and Luo Yao. I merely needed Mr. Azk to create an opportunity to bring forth the sealed object "3–0782"—whether I could seize that opportunity would depend entirely on my own performance during the moment. Caine's mind was far from the game table, and he kept losing hands, ultimately losing five soules within an hour—so much so that he felt genuinely distressed and decided to focus more intently, aiming to recover some of his losses. ——Following his purchase of materials for the "Yangyan Scroll" yesterday afternoon, his personal funds had once again dipped below one pound, and this would now also include the daily two soules required for renting a carriage to investigate houses with red chimneys. While waiting for Cohen-Li to shuffle the cards, he idly picked up the copper penny before him and casually rotated it. Suddenly, he noticed Lo Yao fixing his gaze on him, intently. What's going on? Kline was first taken aback, then spotted the copper penny wavering slightly. ...Is he suspicious that I'm faking my divination skills? Teammates playing cards don't need to be this serious... He instantly understood and chuckled awkwardly, pressing the one-penny coin flat. At that moment, Dunning Smith entered, glanced around, and said: "Something's up in Mores Town, Leonard—go handle it." Mores Town? Kline perked up and asked with feigned curiosity: "Captain, what's happening there?" Dunne glanced at him with a calm, steady gaze and explained casually, "Over the past few days, there have been several incidents resembling ghostly occurrences. First, people passing by the cemetery have reported hearing weeping sounds and seeing faint, shifting shadows. Then, a widow woke up one night and went to the bathroom, only to encounter her deceased husband, nearly fainting from shock. Additionally, an elderly resident living alone has consistently heard heavy footsteps echoing within his home, but as soon as he lights a candle or gas lamp, the sounds disappear entirely. The town's residents generally hold a strong faith in the goddess, and the local priest has already formally reported these developments." Upon hearing this, Leonard's green eyes immediately fixed on Caine, as if trying to find clues or traces on his face. Duan nodded first, then remained silent. Seeing the captain's reaction, Caine added promptly, "At times, certain matters may require ritual magic to be fully purified." "That makes sense," Duan replied after a moment's thought. "Then you and Leonard will go to Mores Town." Before anyone else could speak, he added himself, "Hmm, you'll likely miss your afternoon combat practice— I'll arrange to notify Gwynn." Phew—step one complete... Caine silently exhaled, quickly gathering up the Sule and pennies before him. Midway through his explanation, his movements suddenly stiffened, and he turned his head to look at Dunn, speaking seriously. "Captain, I believe we must prepare for the worst. If there's a powerful spirit behind the ghostly incidents, relying solely on me and Leonard might prove extremely dangerous. And the journey from Tinggen City to Morse Town—two, or maybe three hours? Even if we send a telegraph for help immediately, we'd have to endure for a long time..." "So?" Dunn interrupted. "I'd like to have one more teammate join us," said Kline, as though pondering. "Also, according to protocol, when three or more night-watch members act together, we can request the use of a Level 3 seal item. Specifically, the '3-0782' would be ideal for addressing this situation." Upon hearing this, Leonard chuckled. "That's truly your style—cautious, careful, never taking risks." You'd think I'm timid... I've actually faced the 'Eternal Sun' head-on! Klein pretended not to hear Leonard's words, and earnestly looked at Dean Smith. "Captain, what do you think?" "We really need to anticipate unforeseen events—the coincidences lately have been too numerous." Dean nodded thoughtfully, glanced at the other two team members, and said, "Cohen Li, you'll go with Leonard and Klein to Morse Town. By the way, draft up an application quickly—once I sign it, you'll retrieve the sealed object '3–0782' from behind the Charnes Gate." "Understood." The shorter Cohen Li set down the cards in his hands. Good! Klein clenched his fists in his heart and cheered internally, yet on the surface he maintained a cautious, steady demeanor. At that moment, Xigua Tiaoan was monitoring Hude Eugene, while Fley was on duty at the Charnes Gate. After leaving the recreation room, Klein donned his black tailcoat, took his hat and cane, and waited with Leonard at the stairwell leading down to the underground, for Cohen Li. No one around, quiet and still. Leonard suddenly turned to look at Caine and said, "I think you'd better give up on your unrealistic fantasies." "Oh... what?" Caine responded, puzzled. Leonard stepped forward, standing at the edge of the stairs, gazing down into the deep below. "Even during the mission, you won't be able to uncover my secrets, nor understand what makes me special." ...Classmate, please stop being so self-absorbed. Did you really think I volunteered for this mission to secretly observe you? I never even considered that! Caine was momentarily enlightened, then chuckled, "Then how can you be sure that my own uniqueness won't help me discover your secrets?" Leonard's expression grew more serious, but then he smiled warmly. "Really? Then I'll be waiting for your discoveries." "Once I gather more information and items, I'll go to the gray mist and perform a divination for you—no need to thank me." Caine responded with quiet disbelief. Not long after, the compact and agile Coen Li appeared on the winding staircase, holding the "Mutated Solar Holy Emblem." Feeling that distinct warmth and purity, Caine quietly exhaled, knowing he had finally completed the first and most difficult step of his plan to steal the divine blood power of the "Eternal Scorching Sun." Then, the trio departed the Black Thorns Security Company and proceeded down Zhotlan Street toward the carriage belonging to the Watchers' team. "…Will the purification affect the horses?" Coen Li suddenly asked, a touch of unease in his voice. "I don't want to have horses that only sing praises to the Sun pulling the carriage…" His tenure as a Watcher was only slightly longer than Caine's, and his experience remained far from extensive. "Not at all," Caine said in a lower tone. "The seal, '3–0782,' only purifies beings of higher intelligence." If it weren't for that, I wouldn't be bitten by insects… he silently added to himself. "Indeed, that's how it is... Hehe, I must have been too hasty in reviewing the materials back then." Coen Li adjusted his black top hat, smiling with sudden clarity. Since Cline had yet to master the art of driving a carriage, for the next three hours he sat within the vehicle, leisurely tracing the seal artifact "3–0782" in his hands while calmly observing Leonard and Coen Li take turns at the wheel. At lunchtime, they finally arrived in the town of Mores. "What a beautiful sight..." Coen Li stepped down from the carriage, gazing at the endless golden fields surrounding the town, and sincerely remarked. With the date symbolizing the "Volcanic Constellation" drawing to a close and the "Harvest Constellation" poised to take over each person's life, Leonard stood in the driver's position, surveying the landscape, his mouth slightly agape as though he had intended to compose a sonnet in season. Yet, in the end, he only managed to muster one sentence: "What a beautiful sight." Cline suppressed a smile, donned his hat, grasped his cane, and stepped down from the carriage. At that moment, a middle-aged man in a black cleric's robe approached, drawing a crimson moon on his chest. "Hail the goddess," he said. "Are you friends sent by the Saint Serenela Church to assist us?" "Yes, Father Sael," replied Leonard, stepping down from the carriage with a smile. "We've come specifically to address the recent series of ghostly incidents." "Suspect, suspect," the gray-haired, blue-eyed Sael hastened to clarify, noticing a growing crowd of townsfolk gathering. The town of Mores was not large—within ten minutes, one could reach the plain in any direction—and residents were generally familiar with one another. The events that had unfolded had already been widely discussed, both openly and privately. Thus, when the townspeople, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Night Goddess Church's representatives, saw the cleric welcoming three strangers, they quickly gathered with curiosity and concern, some raising their feet to peer closer, others straining to listen. Leonard chuckled lightly. "Reverend, please rest assured—we're professionals. Look, we've brought holy water, a silver dagger, the sign of darkness, and garlic." As he spoke, he performed a magic act, pulling out the mentioned items from pockets on the inside of his garments. Garlic? Do you intend to suffocate the ghosts with its pungent aroma? Kline found himself both amused and exasperated by Leonard's display. Sael, on the other hand, looked utterly puzzled, even beginning to doubt whether the Saint Serenella Church had hired a group of frauds. The onlookers from the town, however, all beamed with relief, as if finally rescued. Leonard approached Sael, whispered to him, "They'll believe in these things..." Before Sael could recover, he added, "We'll head to the church for lunch first, then deal with the incidents." "Yes, lunch is important... After handling those 'supernatural incidents,' it's my turn to take shifts guarding the sealed objects designated '3—0782'—that's when I get the chance to create the 'Yang-Flame Seal Spells'... I hope everything goes smoothly... The 'Yang-Flame Seal Spells' must definitely be created during the day to achieve their optimal effect...克莱恩 thought with eager anticipation by his side. PS: Completed at midnight. Please recommend and subscribe!