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Although manipulating Vest No. 1 carried serious side-effects, Lucien Graves recognized a more urgent priority: saving Vest No. 1—preserving its divine potential—before even using it.
> "First, I have to rule out Adam and Hermes. I can't contact them—and definitely can't have strangers handle psychological treatment… too risky."
Lucien sat atop the carcass, mulling strategy. The only viable option was 008—the Sequence 7 Psychiatrist of the Spectator Pathway, renowned for his script-laced mind influence. In the main timeline, Klein had already endured 008's psychological templates and survived, proving 008's capacity for mental therapy.
> "With Spectator power, anyone can be treated—no matter which vest. After all, my soul spans two bodies," he reasoned.
The problem: How to find 008?
Lucien's memories revealed Vest No. 1's timeframe: early morning, September 8, 1349—just as Book 1 neared its climax. Klein had ascended to Sequence 8 Joker, faced the death of Old Neil, and 008 was nearing the pinnacle of Ins's plotting. Tomorrow, Megose would unveil the True Creator's offspring against the Tingen Nighthawks.
> *"008 and Ins will be around the Tingen Nighthawk branch. That's my chance."*
Reporting to Ince risked 008 escaping, or he'd prematurely trigger the evil spawn. So that was off the table.
Lucien knew his best bet: take the steam train to Tingen, ambush near the Blackthorn Security Company, and seize 008 (and possibly Ins). With Vest No. 1's power, he could overpower them—if luck held.
> *"Tomorrow's the turning point. If I act decisively, I can eliminate Ins, capture 008, maybe even save Dunn and the others."*
He admitted to himself—he wasn't a hero. Lucien's goal was not universal salvation, but strategic rescue and preservation.
> "I don't owe them anything. If I can save them, I will—but if not, I won't guilt-trip myself over it."
He rationalized his choice: On his own, even Klein shied from confronting the Evernight Goddess or Adam. They were gods in their own right. But aligning with Klein and 008—providing them to Adam and the Church—might flip the board.
> *"Adam loves hedging bets. If I hand him 008 later, he might leave me alone."*
He also knew the risk: getting entangled in cosmic conspiracies—but he resolved that if he were to die, it would be flamboyant and meaningful—not petty.
Just then, the red-haired Vest No. 1—presently a child—approached and spoke with disdain:
> "Come on, call me brother."
Lucien frowned. Birth order, right? Then, before he could reply, the child grabbed Lucien's face sharply.
> "You're an idiot," he sneered. "Throw him out—he's useless."
The boy scooped him up as if to discard him.
Lucien's reflexes kicked in. Lightning-fast, he slapped the boy's hand away—hard enough to swell it instantly.
He lowered his guard slightly—this was not a normal child. Vest No. 1 was a Sequence 2 Weather Warlock, even at child size.
The boy lunged—instinct overriding arrogance. Lucien had martial training from his scientific world and divine fortification from the Sage vest—making him far too strong for Vest No. 1's form.
Soon they grappled—no Beyonder abilities unleashed, just brute strength. Half a minute later, Lucien pinned the boy, his face half-buried in soft forest earth, blood trickling from a nose
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