Mystery: Lucky One

Chapter 522 Chapter 100 A Painting
This was easy to find, as nothing was more common or more suitable than a painting. Alice found the drawing paper and drew the last scene of the dream.

Well, what I have to do next is to find the place in the dream and spread the news in a ridiculous way...

Alice struggled for a moment and decided to try again tomorrow.

……

"Joy..." Selwyn walked around the room, "Give them joy, give them despair... How do you do this?"

She had been walking like this for a while, and yesterday, after hearing "Cassandra"'s reminder, she rushed out excitedly, and then realized that she had no idea she was supposed to do that.

Selwyn actually knew how to proceed in the general direction - helping others and then destroying their hopes, that's all.

But Selwyn found that just knowing this was not enough, because she didn't know how to find enough people who needed help, nor how to make these people spontaneously want to burn her to death. In comparison, the other problem was very simple - the Extraordinary Characteristics melted in her mouth. She just had to wrap the Extraordinary Characteristics in something, stuff it into her mouth, and bite it on the stake.

Her troubles seemed to be seen by "Cassandra". The dark blue book opened silently without any wind, and a line of silver words slowly emerged:

"Maybe, I have a solution."

Selwyn looked over with a sense of something. The silver words on "Cassandra" went out, and new words reappeared:
"I heard stories where 'witches' were mentioned a lot.

“It’s not the ‘witch’ in the ‘witch’ path. The ‘witch’ here often has magical powers. They will provide various kinds of help to the protagonist and take something from the protagonist as a price in exchange.

"You can also try to help people in this way, but don't tell them you are taking something or what it is.

"Or maybe you want to lend a little credibility? You could take something insignificant, or tell them the payment will be delayed, and make it seem like you're just being kind.

"Most people will believe this, and then you can take your real reward when you are done, bringing despair to them..."

Selwyn's eyes lit up little by little. She didn't need "Cassandra" to continue speaking. She already understood the ingenuity of this method:

"In this case, as long as I am effective enough, many people will ask me for help, and some will even help me spread the word. And there is no need to worry about the dead, as they don't have the ability to spread the word!"

"That's right," "Cassandra" agreed with the guess, "But remember to leave enough people behind to perform the ceremony for you."

"Of course," Selwyn smiled confidently, "I'll get ready right away!"

For a moment, Selwyn, who saw the hope of survival, felt that the whispers in his ears became louder, and everything around him seemed to be full of hope. He did whatever he wanted and forgot what he was going through.

……

After waking up the next day, Alice decided to ask Klein if he had any experience with similar things.

Above the gray fog, after listening to Alice's description, Klein frowned and asked:
"You said you wanted to spread the news, but it would be best if no one believed it? Why would you do that?"

Alice hesitated for two seconds among the many reasons she could come up with, and then she said:

“This is destiny’s guidance.”

Klein paused for a moment, then asked in confusion, "...When did you start telling me this?"

Alice spread her hands and answered as a matter of course:
"I don't want to tell you this, but if you ask me why, I really can't explain it to you - it seems to be the guidance of fate."

Klein had no choice but to accept this, and then replied:

"Okay...but why do you think I know this?"

Alice answered aggressively:

"Maybe it's because your Sequence 8 is named 'Joker'?"

I have to admit that this sentence is not very hurtful, but it is extremely insulting. When Klein heard Alice's answer, he wanted to ignore her.

But he held back, and after a moment's thought, he said to Alice:
"How about...you publish this painting?"

Alice looked at Klein in confusion.

Klein said carefully:

“First of all, it’s a painting, right?
"Why don't you just let it be a painting? Publish it as your work without mentioning the meaning behind it, and then no one will think about it."

Alice nodded thoughtfully, accepting the suggestion.

“By the way,” Klein glanced at Alice and suddenly added, “If you have a chance, please help me ask for Leonard’s contact information—I mean, if I want to write to him, where should I send it to?”

Alice nodded and made a note of it.

Klein's solution was not a complete one. Returning to the real world, Alice pondered for a moment and realized that she could not publish the painting under her own identity - otherwise, everyone would think too much.

She needs an inconspicuous identity, or to place the painting in an inconspicuous but well-traveled location...

Alice blinked and thought of Ian, whom she hadn't seen for a long time.

This child who had been staying at the "Brave Bar" for a long time was undoubtedly a suitable target. As long as she placed the painting in the room where the child was, every old customer of the child would take a second look at it. And as long as Ian gave a perfunctory explanation, the matter would be avoided.

Alice's eyes lit up and she immediately went to find Ian.

After a long absence, Alice arrived at the door of billiard room No. 3 of the "Brave Bar". She pushed the door open and the sound startled the people inside. The boy with bright red eyes turned his head and looked over.

Alice noticed Ian's clothes at first sight. The last time she saw Ian, it was still winter and the weather was very cold.

At that time, Ian always wore an old coat and a fake beard to disguise himself as an adult. But now, probably because the weather was too hot, Ian changed into a linen shirt.

This made him look much younger. Alice walked in and closed the door. She looked at Ian's face, which had lost its smile and color, and said:

"Honestly, the outfit and beard you put on are a little too fake."

Ian took off his beard silently, stood up and asked, "What can I do for you?"

"Why can't I come if there's nothing else?" Alice asked in surprise.

Ian did not refute. His feelings towards Alice were mainly composed of fear. He lowered his head and said:

"No, no, of course you can come." Alice shrugged, walked over, put the painting in front of Ian, and said in Ian's confused eyes:
“Put this painting in the most prominent place in this house…If anyone asks, just pick an inconspicuous answer.

"Don't worry, this won't cause you any trouble. I just need more people to see it and not take it seriously."

Ian blinked in confusion and replied:
"Oh, oh, okay..."

Alice spread her hands and smiled at him: "Good luck."

After saying this, she disappeared from the spot.

……

The atmosphere in the Church of Night has not yet recovered from the incident of someone breaking into the church. There are not many "Night Watchmen" and "Red Gloves" in St. Samuel Church, especially those playing cards.

Alice searched around but couldn't find Leonard. This was normal. After all, Leonard couldn't come to play cards every night. Alice sighed and realized the importance of having a fixed contact method.

After looking around and confirming that there was nothing else to gain, Alice fell into a sleep.

……

On Wednesday night, Klein transformed into the appearance of Sherlock Moriarty with black hair and brown eyes. His height instantly changed from 185cm to 172cm. He lowered his head to look at his trouser legs that were dragging on the ground. After two seconds of silence, he bent down and rolled up his trouser legs one by one.

Be optimistic. At least I'm taller than Alice... Oh, I'll have to consider my height next time I prepare clothes for a change... Klein took a deep breath, comforted himself, rolled up the last leg of his trousers, and stood up again.

After doing all this, he appeared outside the "Brave Bar" in the Backlund Bridge area, pulled down the brim of his hat, and reached out to push open the wooden door.

After asking the bartender, he took a glass of Southwell beer, went to the outside of billiard room No. 3, and knocked lightly on the locked door.

Dong, dong, dong... With the rhythmic sound, the door creaked and cracked.

Ian, with bright red eyes, looked over and immediately smiled:
"Sir, please come in."

This is a much better emotional state than when facing Alice.

Klein nodded with a smile, and quickly entered the billiard room, taking in the scene inside.

Klein noticed the painting opposite the door at a glance. The flames burning naturally and the unclear woman on the stake clearly told the story of the painting. Klein watched for a few seconds and couldn't help asking:

"what is that?"

Maric, with messy hair, was wearing a shirt, black vest, and black pants. He was holding a long cue and bending over to play billiard. When he saw Klein, he straightened up.

At the same time, Sharon, wearing a small black bonnet and a palace dress of the same color, appeared on the other side of the table. She sat on a high stool and answered Klein's question:

"I heard that it was a thank-you gift from one of Ian's guests."

Klein turned his head and looked at Ian. Ian nodded and said:
"Yes, that's right.

“Although I don’t appreciate such high art as painting, the customer told me that if I wanted, I could sell it for some money.

"After all, she couldn't sell her paintings."

Klein once again looked at the painting in surprise. He had to honestly admit that he also had no ability to appreciate paintings. This was obviously a field that required a certain threshold. After looking at it for a few times, Klein shook his head and said:
“This is normal.

"You know, generally speaking, works become more valuable only after the artist dies."

"I don't think the lady will be happy to hear this." Maric said in a low and slightly hoarse voice.

Klein shrugged and saluted the two of them:
"Good evening, you two."

Sharon nodded politely in response, but Maric was much more direct:

"Have you brought the extraordinary properties of the 'puppet'?"

This was an additional point they mentioned in the letter, and Klein did not forget it. He took out the iron cigarette box and the "puppet" - he had hardly touched it since Alice gave it to him.

"Have you saved enough money?" he asked.

Maric nodded and looked at Ian. Ian didn't say a word, but immediately stood up and left the room in a very decisive manner.

After Ian closed the door, Maric took out a suitcase from under the table, opened it, and said to Klein:

"You can take inventory."

Sequence 4 Beyonder characteristics are in short supply in the market. For the sake of his friend, Klein's asking price was not too exaggerated and could barely be considered the market price, but it was still very high for a Sequence 5 and a Sequence 4.

After counting the money, Klein closed his suitcase, looked at the two of them in surprise, and then asked:

"You said in your letter that you had something to talk to me about. What was it?"

Maric replied:

"The day after tomorrow, a ship from the southern continent will arrive at Pritz Harbor. It has close ties with the Loen military.

"The ship was loaded with a lot of treasures and property looted from the Star Plateau, the Pas River Valley, and the Hagati Steppe. Among them was a mummy. It was the nineteenth king of the ancient Highland Kingdom, Tutankhamun II.

"The original language of the Southern Continent did not originate from the ancient Feysac language. It has its own structure. In the ancient Highland language, the king was also called 'Kadfu'. This is a special word. It was translated into 'Pharaoh' by Emperor Roselle. I don't know what he was thinking. In addition, 'Mummy' was also named by him. In short, 'Pharaoh' means the son of God and the king of mankind.

"Tutansis II was once a High-Sequence Warrior. However, after his death, his corresponding characteristics were recovered and only his body remained, which was made into a mummy.

"For other extraordinary people, this is a spiritual material and an excellent object for making zombies, but for us, it has an extra meaning, a very important meaning. Our goal this time is to obtain the mummy of Tutankhamun II."

Additional meaning? What additional meaning does the corpse of a high-sequence expert without extraordinary characteristics have besides being used as material?

Could it be that it was required for the ritual of Sequence 5 "Wrathful Soul" to be promoted to Sequence 4 "Puppet"? Did Miss Sharon already have the formula and digested the "Wrathful Soul" potion? No, then she should have the Beyonder characteristic... Could it be prepared for Maric?
Sharon sat there quietly, looking intently at Shayuke Moriarty and Maric, listening to their conversation.

“If it’s just a high-sequence mummy without Beyonder characteristics, the level of protection won’t be too high. Even if there are only two of you, it shouldn’t be too difficult to steal it.” Klein pondered and asked.

(End of this chapter)