After too much contact with the bizarre, nightmares were indeed a common side effect. That was why rituals and potions designed to cleanse spiritual contamination were so necessary. Perhaps it was due to a poor night's sleep, but when he opened his eyes to the first rays of sunlight, his temples were throbbing with a dull, persistent pain. The morning light filtered through the smog that perpetually blanketed the city and into the room, making the cup on his bedside table glint with a brilliant golden light. The entire room was decorated with a distinctly religious feel. Jenkins soothed Chocolate, whom he had awakened, and then began to pray softly.
To avoid being kept at the church for further observation, Jenkins feigned that all was well, and after a quick breakfast, he bid them farewell.
Papa Oliver, considering how hard Jenkins had been working recently, decided to give him the day off. Jenkins, carrying Chocolate, went ho first for a bath, then decided to pay a visit to Miss Audrey.
She was a follower of the Church of Destiny and Equilibrium, an expert in the art of divination. Perhaps she could offer Jenkins so guidance.
The air quality today was as terrible as ever. Even the coachman had to cover his mouth.
Miss Audrey lived on the outskirts of the city in a villa with an impressively large garden. An iron fence separated the private grounds from a road wide enough for five carriages to pass abreast.
Far from the city center, aside from the benefit of lower property prices, the tranquil environnt was also ideal for a single lady who appreciated a certain quality of life.
He stepped out of the carriage at the street corner, handing the driver three silver coins and six banknotes—tip included—then, holding Chocolate, he walked toward the house. The neighborhood was indeed lovely; every ho boasted a beautiful garden, with flowers peeking out from between the fence slats. But it was a bit too quiet, almost desolate.
There was a small bell on the cream-colored gate. Jenkins put his cat down, straightened his collar, and stroked his chin. He checked to make sure his posture in the carriage hadn't wrinkled his clothes. Only then did he gently ring the bell.
Presently, two young won in maids' uniforms erged from the house at the far end of the garden and ca down the path. Without asking any questions, they greeted him politely, "Good day, Mr. Williams," and then ushered him in.
Miss Audrey, dressed in casual ho attire, was waiting in the living room to receive Jenkins. The house was at least twice the size of Jenkins's own ho, and even the living room felt exceptionally spacious.
A bronze-colored incense burner sat on the wooden coffee table, a faint wisp of smoke drifting from its ornately decorated spout. The whole room felt humid, but Miss Audrey seed to be enjoying the atmosphere.
Next to the incense burner, a few playing cards were scattered in a ssy pile. Jenkins wasn't interested in card gas, but he could tell they were from a very fashionable set.
He raised an eyebrow. He noticed a brass nut resting on the top right corner of the card deck—the very sa one used to identify those who were infected.
"Forgive my intrusion."
Jenkins then realized this was the first ti in this life he had paid a social call to a lady's residence. He had considered starting the conversation with a comnt about the weather, but it suddenly felt like a foolish thing to do. So, he sat down, still holding Chocolate, and watched as a maid prepared tea and snacks. He then smiled and nodded.
"Your timing is quite fortunate, Mr. Williams," she said. "I've been away for the past few days and only just returned this morning."
The woman elegantly lifted her teacup, gesturing for Jenkins to try his as well.
It was sweet, with a faint bitter aftertaste. He wasn't much of a tea drinker, but he imagined it must be expensive—the kind where a re handful of leaves cost a ridiculous sum.
Chocolate squird discontentedly in Jenkins's lap, likely annoyed at being held captive.
"What, you an you didn't divine that I would be visiting today and wait at ho especially for ?"
"Of course not."
The woman adjusted her gold-rimd glasses, which seed more for decoration than for practical use. "Divination isn't omnipotent, and diviners can't just perform readings whenever they please. We wish to glimpse into fate, but we also hold it in reverence."
More of this mystical talk. He supposed people in professions that peered into destiny all had a penchant for speaking this way.
Before Jenkins could ask anything, Miss Audrey spoke first:
"Mr. Williams, I heard you were present on the Night of the Divine Bestowal. Could you tell what happened?"
"Of course. We ran into a descendant of the Ashiash family. He was trying to summon so powerful entity here... and then I passed out."
He nodded as he spoke, not the least bit embarrassed by his own words.
The woman chuckled behind her hand. "Are all writers so humorous? I heard that you, Mr. Williams, played the largest role in the affair. Not only did you discover him first, but you also lured him to a secluded, empty place, which is what allowed the situation to be resolved."
"Actually, I just happened to stumble upon him and nearly got myself killed."
Jenkins didn't argue, but he still felt the whole affair was more bad luck than good fortune.
"I heard that man in the black robe appeared again?"
The woman continued on this topic.
"No, he was just a pretext, a story for the public. Yes, and while this isn't exactly a state secret, please don't spread it around... That plaza nearly beca a landing site for so otherworldly entity. Now, no one dares to perform divination there."
"That man, Beryl... did he ntion the Twin Demons?"
"I think so? I was already unconscious by then."
He scratched his hair sheepishly, while inwardly congratulating himself on his superb acting, which hadn't slipped one bit.
"Is that so?"
A hint of regret crossed Miss Audrey's face. She reached out and tidied the cards on the table, saying softly, "What a sha. So, Mr. Williams, what brings you here today?"
Jenkins blinked, deciding to start with a simple question. He wouldn't reveal his secrets easily. He had only co here to get answers to questions he couldn't comfortably ask Papa Oliver.
"Do you know about Star Spirits?"
"Of course. Astrology is a form of divination, after all."
"Have you heard the na Rakul?"
He leaned forward slightly, his expression earnest and inquisitive.
Miss Audrey nodded. "That is the na of a Star Spirit, though not its true na, of course. These special beings from the Astral Plane are high-level entities, second only to the gods. They can take human form and descend to our world; so might even be living among us. But they usually only observe and learn, without altering the course of the world.
"Star Spirits each possess their own unique abilities. The incantations they create are usually nad after them. Could it be that..."
Jenkins feigned surprise and nodded. "Yes. Last night, I felt inspired while stargazing and unexpectedly gained an ability with the prefix 'Rakul.' So that's what it ans..."
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