The moment Selina caught sight of the gold coin. An intense and overwhelming desire to take possession of it tried to invoke her.
It alarmed her to the point of immediate use of Cogitation. Selina entered a self-restraining half-Cogitation state.
Klein and Leonard instinctively entered the same state upon witnessing the urges creeping in.
"This gold coin... ", Leonard creased his brow as he continues to exert dominance over his desire.
Klein turned away. He felt the urge waning upon doing so.
"Don't look at it. It's best not to pick it up. We'll need to immediately report this to the Captain and hold any access to this room and apartment", He suggested firmly.
Selina nodded and heeded to his suggestion. She placed one foot away and turned to the other side of the room.
Soon, the trio left the corner where the gold coin rest.
...
36 Zouteland Street.
After the report was made. Selina watched as Frye and Royale Reideen left from the partition, holding a briefcase.
"A gold coin that induces desire? Who wouldn't want a gold coin for themselves?" a inquisitive voice of a woman spoke.
Selina turned to see the receptionist Rozanne, sporting a mildly elaborated gray dress.
Klein took off his top hat and replied, "Its danger outweighs its worth Miss Rozanne. As Old Neil said, beyonders are capable of bizarre abilities stemming from their pathways they've took."
"But even I would've taken the gold coin. Could there be truly such an ability to induce desire just by witnessing the item?" Rozanne couldn't help but picture the delicacies she would've gotten if ever a gold coin appeared before her.
"Greed often times kills a person", Klein lifted a corner to smile.
In silence, Selina broke into character and asked, "An ability to imbued an item the invocation of desire... Could there be such a pathway sequence capable of this?"
Klein thought for nearly ten seconds before saying, "It's possible... However, the lower sequences that I have seen from the archives doesn't seem to revolve around the use of desire.
"I could only assume it's from the Prisoner Pathway."
"A higher sequence perhaps?" Selina felt a nameless horror in her heart.
Klein fell into silence.
After nearly ten seconds, he shook his head gently and tried to retort.
"What we can only do now is to wait. So far the gold coin had only exerted an effect of desire. It probably wants itself to be picked up. Captain and the rest should be able to contain it."
"...Alright", Selina concurred. "Where are you going?"
Klein was about to turn when she heard her ask. Adjusting his coat, he replied, "I have to continue my combat training regime with Sir Gawain. You probably know him."
"You're also training under Mr. Gawain?" inquired Selina instinctively.
Upon seeing him nod. Her emotions slowly settled.
"I'm also going there to continue my own training... Uhm, how long have you been under Mr. Gawain's care?"
How come I've never seen you during my sessions? Selina had a doubtful look.
Not long did she realized that after visiting the Shooting Club yesterday. She had entirely forgot to visit Gawain for her combat session.
...Oh my Goddess! Selina's eyes widened and she quickly turned away.
"Just yesterday..." Klein gave an honest answer as recounted his aching body. The sores and pains he felt as his face fell into a daze.
"Anyway, why didn't I saw you that time?"
Alright alright... Stay cool...
"I was uhm..." Selina tried coming up with a favorable excuse.
Her eyes looked up at the ceiling, then down at the carpet. She turned to Rozanne and then to the oriel windows to the hall's side.
Klein watched, perplexed. This continued for ten seconds until he somewhat figured out what was happening.
So Ms. Roy also suffers a sort of constant forgetfulness... Much like Captain...
He sighed and came up an excuse for her to land on, "Old Neil must've put you into a lot of studies about Apothecaries that led you to forgot Gawain's training. It happens to the best us."
Selina lifted the corners of her mouth wryly.
"Anyway, should you not take a rest? Tonight's your celebratory promotion..." she said while quietly tilting her head.
Klein squeezed out a smile, "It's fine. The earlier I finish my combat trainings, the better. Besides, it's impossible for me to stay in the office or port warehouse forever. Perhaps there will come a day when I have to accompany them to the villages or an ancient castle, to the site of some relic. That might require me to hike, to cross rivers, and to walk a lot. I'll have to endure all sorts of tests posed by nature, so I have to possess a sufficiently healthy body."
"Fair point...", Selina did not pressed. Instead, she spruced up her dress and coat, then merely gave a professional-like suggestion. "But as what have been assigned to me as doctor by Captain. I advice you to take regular rest. The body is delicate, if you were to fall ill, the team would lose a valuable asset.
"I could even give you a prescription, which you can give to Mr. Gawain as an excuse. That is, if you wish." she added in an upright posture.
Klein's smile staggered slightly. He did not retort, seeing that this lady who is their doctor gave genuine concern over her fellow's health. He could not help but just reply:
"Yes yes... I will..."
"Well. Since we're both going to Mr. Gawain's. How about I accompany you?" Selina smiled.
After five seconds. Klein turned to her and agreed.
He saw it as an opportunity to carefully examine Ms. Roy's condition and perhaps even knowing a bit more into her history. These, coupled with his spiritual intuition can effectively raise his chance of uncovering the truth behind this lovely lady's destiny.
"Then it's settled", said Selina resolutely. "Also... It seems I have forgotten to buy myself a knight's training clothes. Would you mind if we take another short trip?"
Buy herself a knight's training clothes... Training clothes... Clothes... Klein dazed. Moments later, a realization struck him deeply.
I'm going with a woman in buying clothes!?
Selina remained oblivious until she noticed Klein's abnormal silence that was lasting more than five seconds.
Her ears burned beet red.
"Ah! u-uhm... Just drop me off—Yes! Drop me off to a clothing store when we found one! I-I'm very sorry for hanging my words like that!" she yelled and subsequently lowered her body, intertwining both of her hands while she bowed apologetically.
"I-It's fine", although startled. Klein calmed down upon hearing her followed sentence.
Amid this tension. Rozanne, behind the desk, was sipping her tea quite vigorously.
...
Six in the evening, at a corner table of the Old Will restaurant.
In a span of three hours and thirty minutes. Dunn and the rest of the nighthawks were able to safely contain the gold coin and return to Blackthorn Company. Soon after, with company of the other Nighthawks, they withhold a celebration.
Other than Frye, who was guarding Chanis Gate, all the members of the Blackthorn Security Company were present. There were six Nighthawks and five civilian staff.
A white tablecloth was draped over the long table. Waiters carried over plates of food, portioned them before serving them to each individual guest.
Selina watched as a series of delicacies were each being placed right before them.
Steaks drenched in black pepper sauce. She saw bacon, sausages paired with mashed potatoes, egg puddings, asparagus, and specialty cheeses. She even saw a rose-colored champagne.
However, gazing at the center figure of the celebration. The paled Klein barely had any life as he looked with turbid eyes.
"Are you alright?" asked Selina, angling her head to see Klein's face.
Klein smiled amid his listless face, "The better question is... Are you alright Ms. Roy?"
He emphasized the word "you" during his sentence.
Selina retracted from his and briefly observed her body.
Her body was limply exhausted, but unlike her initial training with Gawain, she managed to reserved a bit of vitality.
I already miss my bed...
"Me? Well, I feel like I could eat a horse!", she replied jokingly. "I'm very tired but I should not neglect myself. And to add on, I was a bit under the weather after being scolded by Mr. Gawain."
While speaking, she adjusted her posture, clearly revealing a slightly discomfort.
With thirty laps and sets? Klein sighed and said, "That's relieving. Mr. Gawain seemed displeased of your absence. Anyway it seems my body could use a bit more work."
"Don't overdo yourself", said Selina, her eyelids fighting the urge to fold.
"The same goes for you." Klein returned the gesture.
Not long before both of them noticed Dunn lifting a glass of red wine in front of him.
"Let us welcome our newest official member, Klein Moretti, cheers!"
The cold and introverted black-haired lady, Royale Reideen, the Sleepless Kenley White, the sloppy Leonard Mitchell, as well as the white-haired, black-eyed Midnight Poet Seeka Tron all raised their cups and looked at the new member of their team.
Selina followed suit and raised her glass with a cheerful smile.
Klein fought back the discomfort of the training and raised his glass of amber champagne. He stood and said, "Thank you."
He clinked glasses with every Nighthawk, tilted his head back, and finished the small amount of champagne.
"Is our Miss Author not going to say something on this occasion?" Dunn smiled as he looked at Seeka Tron.
In turn, Seeka's eyes gleamed faintly as she replied.
"My work have been accepted. Oddly enough, with Ms. Roy as my company, the chief editor of Tingen's Daily Post had postponed the other novelists and accepted mine."
"..." Dunn dazed for a moment and suddenly turned to Selina, sparingly tasting each bites of her piece of the steak.
It wasn't surprising to confirm that this lady's charisma did the heavy lifting throughout the process.
"Expect a promoting page entitled 'Northern Voyage' once the newest distribution of newspapers have arrived", Seeka's voice was filled with anticipation.
"That's great!", Rozanne echoed in-between her mouthfuls of roast mutton.
Amidst the chatter and laughter, Leonard looked at Klein and said with a chuckle, "You seem too tired for an appetite to eat?"
"Yeah." Klein sighed.
"If you haven't touched your food yet, I can be of assistance", Leonard acted as though he didn't want to waste any food.
Klein didn't mind. He nodded and said, "That wouldn't be an issue."
And with that, a good portion of the food in front of him was eaten by Leonard and the rest.
Nearing the end of the dinner, the waiters served plates of beef pudding and ice-cream.
Selina tasted the delightful and cold dessert. It instantly refreshed her waning expression. Her hand almost lifted by its appetizing sweetness.
Not long after, her hands placed down her utensils before letting out a satisfied sigh.
She turned to inspect Klein who was lifeless since earlier and saw that his eyes grew vibrant as they retracted from the empty cup meant to serve ice-cream. Landing onto the table, only to be met with empty plates.
"It seemed you've recovered." said Selina while smiling.
Klein returned the same expression, only a bit melancholic, "Yeah..."
"And now your stomach contracts for food?" Selina added.
Upon seeing him nod. She chuckled lightly before saying, "You can still order. I'm sure Captain wouldn't mind."
"Let's end the dinner here, and give Klein a final toast," Dunn suggested.
Before finishing his sentence, Klein asked, "Captain, may I order another plate of food?"
The group fell silent after hearing such a request, only to break out into chuckles moments later.
"Haha, you've finally recovered. No problem, order two plates if you want to." Dunn shook his head and laughed.
While patiently waiting an unbearable amount of time, Klein heard his stomach growling.
Finally, a freshly prepared black pepper steak was served before him.
Sometime later, Klein let out a satisfied sigh as he looked at his empty plate. He put down his knife and fork and took a sip of his champagne.
"Waiter, the bill please." Dunn turned around and called for the waiter.
The waiter went to the counter, then returned with the check. He gave a thorough breakdown,
"You opened five bottles of Desi Champagne, each bottle being twelve soli and three pence, a small glass of Southville Red Wine for ten pence... Each black pepper beef steak was one soli two pence... Each serving of beef pudding was six pence, the servings of ice cream was one soli each... The total would be five pounds, nine soli, and six pence."
Over five pounds? Hmm... The meal was very much quite tasty than the last restaurant I frequent to so I guess it's a given. Especially the champagne... Selina found it was fitting to give a tip if it wasn't for her status as just an attendee.
But after a few seconds, a realization hit her.
Would I be thinking like this if I'm still on Earth? she sighed, ruminating the possibility.