Raymond hadn't actually provided much information.
Klein flipped through it several times; that was all there was to it.
There was a list of those missing, a record of the dates of full moons, and a basic overview of Silver Scale Harbor.
He closed the notebook, leaned back against the chair, and rubbed his aching eyes.
The beliefs in Silver Scale Harbor were quite a jumble.
This wasn't surprising.
The ocean had never been under the protection of the orthodox gods, so those who made their living from it naturally prayed to anything.
Today they would worship one, and tomorrow another, as long as it kept them safe.
Klein had seen too many port cities like this; the fishermen's beliefs were often more complex than their nets.
Publicly, however, they still believed in the empire's orthodox gods.
After all, Silver Scale Harbor was an imperial port, so they had to maintain appearances.
Surface-level etiquette always had to be upheld.
Klein recalled the mentions of Sea God believers in the records.
Calling them "believers" wasn't exactly accurate.
It was more like a habitual prayer fishermen offered before going out to sea.
They sought peace of mind and good luck.
It was just like how some people would touch a doorframe before leaving or draw a symbol on their chest.
These were just customary small gestures, hardly a matter of devout faith.
At least from the information Raymond had gathered, Silver Scale Harbor did not possess any organized worship of the Sea God.
There were no temples, no priests, and not even a decent gathering.
One couldn't even find an altar.
This, instead, made Klein feel that something was wrong.
He frowned, his fingers lightly tapping on the table.
If it were truly related to sea monsters, those things couldn't possibly leave no traces.
Sea monster pollution was never silent.
During his research, Klein had read related cases—wherever there was sea monster pollution, abnormal religious fanaticism or bizarre collective behavior inevitably appeared.
Yet, Silver Scale Harbor had nothing.
It was unnaturally clean.
Klein rubbed the space between his brows, feeling a throbbing in his temples.
Perhaps he had been looking at the data for too long, or perhaps that uneasy premonition was playing tricks on him.
Maybe he was overthinking things.
Maybe it was just a normal string of disappearances that had nothing to do with sea monsters at all.
Maybe Raymond was just being overly cautious, mistaking a few coincidences for a conspiracy.
But that uneasy feeling in his heart wouldn't go away.
It was as if something was hidden deep in the mist, quietly watching them.
The cry of a night bird came from outside the window, sharp and mournful, sounding exceptionally jarring in the quiet night.
Klein stood up and walked to the window.
The town had completely quieted down, with only a few scattered lights still burning.
The tavern in the distance had also turned off its lights, and the singing had long since stopped.
The streets were empty, with only the moonlight spilling onto the stone path, shimmering with a cold light.
He looked at the night outside and suddenly heard a slight movement from next door.
It was very faint, like the sound of someone tossing and turning.
The rustle of fabric against the bedsheets was exceptionally clear in the quiet night.
Klein paused for a moment.
Ophelia wasn't asleep yet?
He instinctively held his breath and listened carefully.
His heartbeat amplified in his ears, thumping against his chest.
Next door went quiet again.
Only the sound of the night breeze blowing through the window frame remained.
Klein stood by the window, staring at the wall for a while.
The boss was right; the walls were indeed not thick.
He could even hear the faint sound of breathing from next door—very shallow and light, as if she hadn't completely fallen asleep.
Was Ophelia suffering from insomnia too?
Ophelia's image involuntarily surfaced in Klein's mind.
What kind of expression would that always-meticulous Knightess have right now?
Was she staring at the ceiling in a daze, or was she thinking about tomorrow's itinerary?
Or... was she also thinking about something that kept her from sleeping?
Standing by the window and listening to the occasional faint movements next door, Klein suddenly felt a bit ridiculous.
What was he doing?
Standing here like some kind of eavesdropper?
He shook his head and turned back to the table.
Being unable to sleep wouldn't do.
They had to travel tomorrow, and he couldn't set out with dark circles under his eyes.
If he did, Ophelia would surely look at him again with that gaze that said, "How can you be so careless with your health?"
Klein rummaged through his backpack and pulled out a small vial.
A pale blue liquid sloshed inside under the moonlight, looking like a solidified night sky.
A sleep-aid potion.
He had formulated it himself and rarely used it.
But given the situation tonight, he probably really wouldn't be able to sleep without drinking something.
He held the vial but didn't open it immediately.
Klein turned and pulled a few magic stones from his robe, arranging them around the room.
The magic stones glowed with a faint blue light, like phosphorescence in the deep sea, casting fragmented spots of light on the floor.
He placed them according to specific directions, his fingers tracing the patterns of runes in the air.
A simple warning magic circle.
It could sense abnormal movements within a certain range.
It wasn't some profound magic, but it was practical.
Klein crouched on the floor, adjusting the positions of the magic stones.
His fingertips brushed through the air, leaving behind faint trails of mana.
He hesitated for a moment and then expanded the sensory range.
The edge of the magic circle extended outward, passing through the thin wall and enveloping Ophelia's room next door as well.
Klein stood up and looked at the completed magic circle on the floor.
This way, if there was anything unusual, he would be the first to notice.
Whether it was on his side or next door.
After all, this was a strange town; one couldn't be too careful.
And... if anything happened to Ophelia, he would also know immediately.
Klein found a reasonable excuse for himself in his heart.
Once the magic circle was set, a pale blue glow spread across the floor, forming a complete circuit.
Klein checked it over once, and after confirming there were no issues, he finally picked up the potion.
He pulled the stopper.
A faint lavender scent wafted out, mixed with a hint of minty coolness.
This was a formula he had specifically added to help someone enter deep sleep faster.
Klein tilted his head back and drank the potion, the bitter taste spreading across his tongue.
He frowned—the sleep-inducing effect was good, but the taste was indeed not great.
He would have to find a way to improve it next time.
Then he walked over to the bed and lay down.
The effects of the medicine kicked in quickly.
Klein felt his eyelids growing heavier, and the messy thoughts in his head gradually blurred.
The suspicious points of Silver Scale Harbor, the pollution of the sea monsters, and that golden ponytail swaying in the sunlight...
Everything slowly drifted away in the lavender scent.
Klein closed his eyes, his breathing becoming steady and long.
The moonlight from outside spilled onto the floor, and only even breathing remained in the room.
The magic circle glowed faintly in the corner, like a watchman firefly, faithfully performing its duty.
The pale blue light flickered, pulsing gently with the rhythm of Klein's breathing.
The night grew deep.
The town fell into a slumber.
Only the occasional bark of a dog came from afar, sounding exceptionally distant in the silence.
...
The next morning, while Klein was still in a dream, he heard a knock at the door.
It was neither hurried nor slow, following a rhythmic pattern.
"Knock, knock, knock."
Klein opened his eyes groggily.
The morning light from outside was already shining through the curtains, casting bright spots of light on the floor.
He rubbed his eyes and looked at the magic circle in the corner—it had already automatically dissipated, and the magic stones lay quietly in their original places, indicating that the night had passed without incident.
The knocking sounded again.
"Klein, it's time to get up."
It was Ophelia's voice.
Klein rolled over and sat up, checking the light outside.
The sun had just risen not long ago; it was likely only around six o'clock.
The morning light still carried a trace of mist, and the air smelled fresh with dew.
He gave a yawn and climbed out of bed.
His body still felt a bit heavy; the potion's effect had been too good, making him sleep exceptionally soundly.
"Coming, coming."
Klein walked to the door and opened it.
Ophelia stood outside, already fully dressed.
A dark blue vest outlined her slender waist, while the puff sleeves of her white shirt appeared exceptionally soft in the morning light, her golden ponytail tied meticulously behind her head without a single stray hair.
Right now, she didn't look so much like a knight, but rather a noble lady playing at roleplay.
She looked full of energy, not at all like someone who had just woken up—or rather, she was simply the type of person who could be ready to go five minutes after waking.
Her golden eyes sparkled with bright light in the morning sun, and a faint blush colored her cheeks.
It was unclear if it was the result of a morning workout or from having just washed her face.
"Morning," Ophelia said, her gaze sweeping over Klein.
Then her gaze paused.
Klein looked down at himself—his pajamas were crumpled, his hair was a mess, and there were likely sleep marks on his face.
He let out a yawn.
Ophelia's eyebrows quirked slightly, and an indescribable emotion flashed through those golden eyes.
It was as if she were saying, "How do you still look like this?"
"Do you need me to wait for you?" she asked, her voice calm, but Klein always felt there was something hidden in those words.
Klein looked down at himself again—pajamas crumpled, hair messy, and likely sleep marks on his face.
He formed a stark contrast with the meticulous Knightess before him.
"Uh... I'll be ready in a moment," Klein said somewhat awkwardly.
The corner of Ophelia's mouth seemed to twitch, as if she were suppressing a laugh.
But she quickly regained her serious expression, nodded, and said, "There's breakfast downstairs. I'll go down first; join me when you're finished tidying up."
"Don't be too long," she added before turning to walk toward the stairs.
Klein watched her back, suddenly finding it a bit funny.
This knight's schedule was truly unshakable.
No matter how late she slept the night before, she would wake up on time the next morning, full of energy.
It was almost as if she had an alarm clock installed inside her body.
And... did she almost laugh just now?
Klein shook his head and closed the door.
He quickly washed up and got ready.
Cold water splashed on his face, instantly dispelling the lingering sleepiness.
The materials for the magic circle were put away, and the magic stones were packed back into their bag one by one.
His backpack was organized, ensuring nothing was left behind.
He changed into clean clothes—a dark gray robe with a leather belt at the waist, making him look like a proper and quite ordinary mage.
Klein tidied his hair in front of the mirror, using water to smooth down the parts that were sticking up.
After confirming he didn't look too disheveled, he nodded in satisfaction.
He couldn't let Ophelia think he was a slovenly fellow.
He picked up his backpack and went downstairs.
In the dining room downstairs, a few guests were already having breakfast.
There were farmers in coarse cloth clothes, merchants carrying goods, and a few travelers who appeared to be in a hurry.
The scent of bread wafted through the air, mixed with the steam from hot soup, making one's appetite soar.
Ophelia was sitting by the window with a plate of bread and a bowl of hot soup in front of her.
The morning light shone in from outside, dancing on her golden hair, as if plating that high ponytail with a layer of warm light.
Klein walked over and sat down across from her.
Ophelia looked up, her golden eyes sweeping over him.
Her gaze lingered on his tidy clothes for a moment, and then she nodded.
"Did you sleep well?" she asked.
Klein noticed that her tone was softer than usual, as if she were confirming something.
"Pretty well," Klein said. "And you?"
"Mhm," Ophelia responded, looking down to continue eating her breakfast.
Klein noticed a very faint shadow under her eyes.
One wouldn't be able to tell without looking closely, but he noticed it nonetheless.
So she hadn't slept well last night either?
"What would you like?" the proprietress walked over with a tray, smiling broadly.
She was a round-faced middle-aged woman with a warm smile.
"The same as her will be fine," Klein pointed to Ophelia's breakfast.
The proprietress responded and headed to the kitchen.
Ophelia was eating her bread slowly and methodically.
She tore the bread into small pieces and dipped them in the soup.
Klein looked at her, suddenly recalling the faint movements he had heard last night.
"Last night..." he began, then stopped.
Ophelia looked up, her golden eyes watching him: "What is it?"
"Nothing," Klein shook his head. "I just wanted to ask if anything happened last night?"
Ophelia thought for a moment and shook her head: "No. It was very quiet."
"That's good," Klein said.
The proprietress brought the breakfast over.
Steaming soup, fresh bread, and a small dish of pickles.
Klein took it and began to eat.
The bread was very soft, and the soup tasted good too.
It was brewed with mushrooms and herbs, with a faint milky fragrance.
Klein took a sip and felt his stomach warm up.
The town outside the window had already become lively.
Merchants were setting up their stalls, their shouts rising and falling.
Children were running around in the streets, their laughter crisp.
The sound of a carriage came from the distance, the wheels rolling over the stone path with a rumbling sound.
A new day had begun.
Klein looked out the window, then back at Ophelia across from him.
She was focused on her breakfast, the morning light casting a soft shadow on her profile.
Klein suddenly felt that this scene was quite nice.
He couldn't say why.
Maybe it was because of the sunlight, maybe because of the aroma of the hot soup, or maybe just because of the person sitting across from him.
Silver Scale Harbor was still waiting for them.
The pollution of the sea monsters, those unsolved mysteries, and the potential dangers—none of these had vanished.
But right now, in this town's inn, on this ordinary morning, they could still sit together and have breakfast.
Klein lowered his head and continued eating the bread.
The soup was hot, and the bread was soft.
The shouts from outside drifted in, mixed with the laughter of children.
Ophelia looked up, her golden eyes meeting his.
"What is it?"
"Nothing," Klein shook his head.
"I just think... this soup is quite delicious."
And that was enough.
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