Treatise Of A Failed Knight-Chapter 270: Clues

This is January 29th, 2030.

I’ll be turning 27 come August, but for now, I remain 26 years old.

There are many things I have to think about with the sudden realization that this could be the work of a Leviathan, but without clues... I won’t make a lot of progress.

That’s why—

’I’ll have to gather as many sources as I can on Leviathans.’

In my desperation, I have begun to look over the journal of Zarius, the Witness Exemplar I killed in the past.

The Founding Leviathan’s notes are rather straightforward and do not contain any excessive information, but Zarius documented a lot of his experiences in his journal. There were gaps in his entries, but he undoubtedly wrote of things of which I do not yet know.

Because of this, I have become increasingly hopeful that his journal contains hidden mysteries that will give me a valuable hint in this case.

Time is running out.

It isn’t just Serahina’s life I have to worry about now.

The fact that many people are being captured means this is likely not a ransom situation, and if a Leviathan is involved, this will likely result in a sinister machination.

I must put an end to it quickly.

Thus, I have scoured multiple pages of Zarius’ notes in an attempt to get clues:

August 1st, 1999

"I find myself thinking about my family sometimes, but there really is no point. I am meant for something more. HE told me that I could join their ranks if I worked hard enough on the errand HE has had me do. Although I have come to prefer solitude, it won’t be bad meeting other Leviathans like myself."

September 18th, 2003

"I dreamt about the first time I met HIM tonight again. HIS tall, scrawny physique, deadpan face, eerie black eyes, and that annoying monocle—especially the monocle—upset me to no end. HIS deep gray trench coat and fedora are also burned into my memories. And that silky voice HE has; the whisperings and mumblings that seem humble at first glance but ooze of sheer condescension... I can’t forget any of it. Then again, HE is right to be arrogant. HE is stronger than I am, after all."

April 19th, 2005

"Did I just hallucinate? Even if it were for a brief moment, I believe I saw that person in the City of Fargos. HE appeared to be with the company of regular people. Was HE undercover? Was it really him? I didn’t even get the chance to use Resonance, since the image vanished almost immediately after I saw HIM. Damn it! It seems that man’s shadow weighs heavily in my mind because HE is the only one I have ever met. I wonder just how many there are. If I succeed with this Potion and advance to Rank 2 on my own, I will undoubtedly be recognized by them...."

July 8th, 2009

"Running errands isn’t my cup of tea, but since this is useful for me as well... I guess I’ll go along with it. Fortunately, this Kingdom is too powerless to stop a Leviathan such as myself, so I don’t need to be on my toes when carrying out the operations."

December 18th, 2014

"According to the message, it appears HE wishes to speed things up a little. I will have to find a valuable pawn to use for these menial tasks. I can’t keep running around like this, especially since I have to use Backflow frequently."

November 2nd, 2021

"So far, so good. HE must be pleased with the progress of the plan thus far, but it seems HE has no intention to interfere anytime soon. I guess HE really doesn’t care at all about the Randalorion Kingdom. Other than these errands, HE doesn’t respond at all. HE hasn’t even been replying to my reports for a long time now. I should focus more on my business..."

This is the last entry of relevance.

I have noticed a few patterns in these few entries after proper scrutiny. It’s almost miraculous how I missed them before, but I suppose since they weren’t very relevant to my position back then, I couldn’t have paid them proper mind in the sea of entries that Zarius made.

But now I see it clearly.

Throughout many entries, an interesting figure keeps emerging.

An existence I am a little familiar with.

He is the one who turned Zarius into a Leviathan and also slaughtered his family.

—A Disciple Leaper.

Based on the language of these reports, it appears Zarius maintained contact with this figure, and the man used Zarius for a few errands. Unfortunately, I am unaware of those details.

Still, I have gotten an overall description of the man.

The man is tall and has a scrawny physique. He also has a deadpan face, eerie black eyes, and a monocle. He is fond of wearing a deep gray trench coat and a fedora.

I should be on the lookout for anyone who fits this description.

But this is me reaching too far.

There is no guarantee that the culprit whom I seek fits this description. In fact, this could be a completely unrelated matter.

I need more concrete evidence to revive this investigation.

Fortunately, there is a silver lining.

’I have finally gotten a response from Snake...’ Holding a letter in my hand, a relieved sigh leaves my lips, and I stare at the contents of the message.

Snake’s Master, the Rank 2 Leviathan, has decided to cooperate on this investigation.

They also have valuable information that I may like to hear.

"All that’s left to do is fix a meeting date, and I’ll be able to learn what they know."

I think aloud, trying to encourage myself with those words.

Klein is on edge, at the risk of relapse, and with every moment that passes, Seraphina’s life could be forfeit. Thus, I need to fix the closest date for a meeting.

Time is of the essence!

************

It is now the 2nd of February, and I find myself face-to-face with an informant of the Dark Guild.

It isn’t Snake, but someone else.

’This is a little unexpected...’ My thoughts trail as my eyes furrow in suspicion.

Although I picked the earliest date for a meetup, it took some time for the informant to arrive, hence the delay. I endured the wait because I thought I would be meeting a familiar face, someone I could confirm is close to my Dark Guild Supervisor.

But who is this person?

She is a woman in her late thirties, having sun-bleached skin and deep azure eyes. Her stern demeanor tells me she means business, but she also shows courtesy in my presence.

This means she knows of my existence as a Leviathan.

Or, at least, a higher-up in the Dark Guild where the Randalorion Kingdom is concerned.

She calls herself Lydia, and while her attitude isn’t a problem, I feel deep resistance while interacting with her.

Why?

I haven’t met her before.

I also feel deeply slighted by the attitude of the Dark Guild.

Why didn’t they inform me of this beforehand?

"I understand that you are displeased. My superiors apologize for the sudden change, but since my role today is just as a messenger, the purpose of this meeting will not be obstructed in any way." Lydia tells me with a serious demeanor.

I sigh deeply and shrug.

In the end, I am actually relying on the Dark Guild to help me.

They aren’t actually under any obligation to do so.

There’s no proof that they actually assisted Zarius in his endeavors, and they also didn’t interfere when I took over the Randalorion Kingdom’s Dark Guild and became its new head.

This shows their deep level of apathy.

The mere fact that they are choosing to help me with information can be considered fortuitous.

It also likely means they wish to gain something.

But I am desperate.

I can’t waste time considering these details when my friend is in danger.

"Firstly, Sir J... I have been informed that these mysterious abductions are a nationwide phenomenon. The entire Randalorion Kingdom is experiencing this problem."

’W-what?!’ My eyes twitch slightly. ’It’s not just Loria?’

"Indeed..."

Loria sighs and hands me a scrapbook that has the form of a ledger. I take it from her hands and waste no time in flipping through it.

Within the files are all kinds of reports and detailed explanations of the cases.

The same method of abduction!

The same vague Trace Elements... and the same obstruction of Divination.

All of these cases are the same as the ones I know of!

It’s true...

The abductions are truly more widespread than I initially estimated.

"The second thing I have been told to say is that the Dark Guild is not at all behind these abductions. In fact, we decided to conduct our own investigation and have provided you with our findings as a way to prove that fact."

"I see..."

"The truth is that my superiors like you, Sir J. They desire to work more closely with you, which is why they have chosen to prove the Dark Guild’s innocence. We don’t want you to sever ties or view the organization in a negative light."

"The Dark Guild is a criminal organization. I already view it in a negative light. We are only tied by the chains of mutual interests, nothing more. Let’s not pretend otherwise."

I scoff, almost rolling my eyes at the sentiments of the woman.

What kind of tactic is this woman trying to use on me?

Was I born yesterday?

Trying to make it seem like the Dark Guild really cares about me... Do they really expect me to believe that nonsense?

’Regardless, it is true that they went out of their way to help me...’

The comprehensive nature of their findings is also astounding.

I suppose this is the difference between an individual and an organization.

When investigating things on my own, I have my own limits. But the Dark Guild has a lot of assets in many areas, and by coordinating them effectively, they can obtain better results in an extremely short period.

It will take me some time to digest all of this information.

But I can’t be grateful.

After all, I know this is going to be a trade.

"What do your superiors want?" I raise my brows while scouring through the documents.

"Nothing. We simply wish to prove our sincerity."

’What?’

I recoil in slight shock.

There is no way these people will go through all this trouble just to get on my good side.

Why?

There’s no way the Dark Guild—such an enormous organization—is afraid of a mere Rank 1 Leviathan such as me.

There must be some other reason.

’Maybe they want me to lower my guard for some upcoming thing. They could also be trying to satisfy me and improve our relationship for something they are planning. Or, and this is actually the most realistic, they stand to gain something by getting rid of this mastermind.’

I can see it now.

The Dark Guild likely also wants this abductor captured.

They are simply using me as one of the many hands that are on this case, yet they are making it appear as though this is a favor.

No matter.

I can’t complain about the situation, since this is what I want.

’Nothing in this document definitively states that the culprit is a Leviathan, but the paranormal nature of these occurrences, and the fact that they are occurring throughout the Kingdom, tells me that this is the work of a Leviathan.’ I sigh deeply, my worries climbing. ’If even the Dark Guild hasn’t been able to find this person, or this group, then it must mean they are very capable.’

Very dangerous, too.

I have to be more proactive in this investigation while preparing my mind for the worst.

Things are about to get even more dangerous.

**********

Javier leaves the meeting location, his gaze appearing focused and full of conviction.

Naturally, he has taken many measures to hide his identity during this meeting, and by ensuring it takes place in one of the many buildings he owns through some roundabout means, it will be very difficult for anyone to track him down.

After leaving the building, he enters his private carriage and leaves the city.

However, he plans to enter a series of prepared carriages while changing his identity along the way in order to throw anyone off.

Then, by using Tracing, he’ll return to the Royal Academy.

Unfortunately for him—

"So he’s the one..."

—All of these are pointless before the eyes that currently watch him.

Two obscured figures cast their gaze upon Javier as he begins his convoluted plan to hide is identity, but their expressions are deadpan.

Their eyes, however, hold deep emotions.

"My Clairvoyance picked up their conversation. It appears he doesn’t know very much about the case. The informant also didn’t tell him of our involvement." The older-looking man in the duo sighs while casting his silver-colored eyes on the woman beside him.

She, unlike him, appears to be a teenager.

She simply scoffs.

"Of course. Our Sect has an understanding with The Dark Guild, after all."

"What now? We keep watching him?" He asks, almost as though he requires permission from the teenage-looking girl beside him.

The young lady shrugs.

"Whether his search yields results is up to his own ability. We should keep an eye on him, but our priority remains the Shadowstalker."

"Understood."

After those words are uttered, the two vanish—almost as though they were illusions all along.