It seemed we had to leave the Eastern House instantly. Someone must have noticed such a grand commotion. Yet, it seemed this all occurred just in front of our eyes, without a soul being informed of it. After reaching the outer hallway of the building, we removed our concealment, and tried to act normally feigning ignorance of what just happened. Until then, Heinrich did not say a word.
"Heinrich, do not say a word of this to the Northern House."
There was no reaction from him, and his face was expressionless.
Without a doubt, reporting this would avail me to suspicion, and keep me away from this mystery. I could not afford that, especially with how far involved I have already been in these series of incidents. At the same time, this felt quite normal for me, as if my identity was being replaced, slowly but surely, into Oulanem's.
"Dead men are the most free…."
The words of Lieutenant Klaus escaped my mouth, which was reminiscent of the saying from the book, Mana, a specialty of witchcraft.
I tried to scan my memory of the current incident, trying to figure out any clues. I remembered, the sigil was represented with the curves at the end, and a throne at the middle, along with two crosses at the end.
It felt like I was trapped between two timelines again. I could see the thread of time coming into the needle, being knitted into a fabric. Then, I saw the book in my hands, and I flipped each page of it with scrutiny, trying to figure out a lead. They were all mentions of the legion of the 72 spirits, and their sigil of every one of them was inscribed on the pages. All content remained cohesive, except the name written on the first page, as if a child was trying to prevent it from being stolen: "Lukas Weber."
I snapped out of it. It was quite clear that there was a greater mystery behind Lukas. It seemed I must see the Commander to permit my investigation of the room. I quickly turned and directed myself towards his room, which happened to be near the exit. Heinrich remained silent. Upon another glance, he seemed hesitant, although I did not probe why he was so.
I knocked at the door, with an unknown anxiety feeling throughout my body from the pressure of this case.
"Come in."
A headache struck me as I opened the door, and I saw blood on my hands, albeit it ended shortly after.
"Oh, it seems the Northern House has greeted us with their presence this time."
I saw his eyes squint at Heinrich. When I saw him, I was too filled with suspicion.
"It seems your friend there has quite the weapon."
I glanced at his gun, and the sigil was inscribed on it. I quickly loaded my gun, pointing it at him. He also did the same.
"Do not move, traitor!" Heinrich repeated the same words again. Two voices seemed to overlap. I remembered that this sight was similar to what I saw. But, I knew that he was possessed from the marks on his hands.
"State your name." I signaled him with my gun.
"I thought you knew."
The figure's voice seemed to overlap. It seems this will not go anywhere. Quickly, I tried to cast the "Rausch" series to overturn the possession, and it seemed to be working slowly.
"There is no hope for him. There is an external mana circuit attached to him, which is bound to kill him due to mana drainage."
At the same time of being aware of this, I felt a strange attachment to him. The Commander walked towards me, and seemed to quickly disappear into thin air, although I knew it was his speed that gave this illusion. He appeared behind Heinrich, and hastily put him down, wrapping his hands behind him.
"The Divine will rise onto the Hour!"
Now, I saw a reverse cross hanging in darkness, and it looked right into my eyes. The phrase written behind it then stumbled me, as if it was a continuation to a song: "Beyond this realm, there was his friend." I snapped out of it quickly, finding Heinrich already dead.
"Quite a hassle you brought in after a long time no see, Hermann."
His sword had pierced right through his heart. My breath started to become heavier, as if a close one had died right in front of me.
"It seems you realize now."
The figure appeared in front of me again in a dark estranged space.
"Many people will be sacrificed. After all, you are at the center of all this."
"Why is all this happening to me?"
I asked as if he would know the answer to all my questions. Just from that feeling, I knew who he was. The book, Mana, majorly occupied a description: A figure which grants the summoner with the ability to understand the language of animals, and who comes with great power of manipulation.
"You will find the answer to that soon."
I knew now why Lukas Weber possessed a similar power to mine. After all, he was contracted to this spirit who once belonged to the Angelic Order. He must have rebelled against the Heavenly Lord to try to awaken me as Oulanem. The book also predicted this: "The fall of the angel of great manipulation to the form of spirit, happening later on hence."
Then, I asked with an unexplainable hesitation: "Answer me this clearly: Who possessed Heinrich?"
Then, Skold appeared instead of the figure. My tears dried up, as if I was not allowed to cry.
I snapped out of what seemed like a dream. I stood in front of the Commander, and asked him permission to investigate this case further.
"I grant it, along with the permission to take any personnel for help."
I shook his hands, and turned back to leave the room. I could not let anyone else be sacrificed because of me. I let out a sigh, feeling sickly at this mystery as it became more complicated. The only thread which might serve as a lead would be to investigate the room.
"Mind if I join him, Commander?"
Then, I heard a familiar voice come from behind me. And, I knew it was Frederich.
"I had not realized you were out stationed here."
The Commander gave his permission to accompany me. The name of the spirit that I encountered then escaped my mouth, out of both spite and fear: "Barbatos."