CD-BTC08 (Aug 30, 1988)
Puzzle
“The Mantle.”
Knowledge | 1 Word
Clue
Hover over the clues if you require!
Clue 1: What is the most famous Mantle in CaD?
Clue 2: See the Zodiac Files; alternatively Debt Come Due.
Clue 3: Numeral.
Answer and Explanation
Answer: 8
Explanation: The Mantle here refers to the Mantle of 8.
Summary of Receipt
Baltimore notices that his use of the number 8 seemed to have gone undetected - possibly because the AND channel is secure even against the Cold, but he won't be testing it. He declares his true title to be 8 and wonders when he's actually going to receive its Mantle directly. In the Fifteenth Sphere he got it from his mentor, Jack Octo, but he got deleted from the Universe and couldn't even be brought back with the Pocketwatch. In any case, the Mantle of 8 gives its owner understanding of secrets of the Universe that can't be shared with anyone. Baltimore had to give it up when he became the Otherman - the Mantle can only be held by mortals - and it went to his protege, Jenni. From there it was further divided, but at the end of the Fifteenth Sphere Nick had it. It's highly unlikely Nick has the Mantle now, but since Jack Octo's gone things are...uncertain. Still, Baltimore intends to be declared as 8, even if he can't possess the Mantle.
Transcript
AND RECEIPT
RECEIPT NUMBER: BTC0X
RECEIPT DATE: X 30 19XX
MANAGER TITLE: BALTIMORE
RECEIPT NOTES:
I’m unsure if it was a fluke or Fate, but it seems my use of the number went… unnoticed. Good. It could be that the AND channel is secure even from the watchful eyes of the Cold, though I doubt it. I really shouldn’t tempt Fate like that, but it felt like a moment I had to declare my true name and title. The number after 7. Though—that is something I have been curious about since we recreated the Universe. When will I receive the title of the sacred number? I don’t believe I have it yet, and I’m unsure if I could get it again.
In the past Universe, my mentor, Jack Octo, gave me the title. But Jack—I couldn’t save him even with the power of the Pocketwatch. When asked who we should bring back, he was the first person I thought of, but Belphegor reminded me that Jack Octo was no longer a part of the Universe. And if he was no longer part of the Universe, I couldn’t rewind him like the others. The title of… the number after 7… holds great significance in the world of the supernatural. Though, no one knows why, well, no one besides the one who holds the title. Whatever it is, it bestows upon its holder secrets of the Universe that cannot be spoken or shared.
When I became the Otherman, I had to relinquish the number. Only a mortal can possess the number, after all. So, I passed it on to my protégé, Jenni. From there, it changed hands and was broken and divided amongst many people, but at the time of the end of the Universe, it was Nick who last held it. But, with the rewinding of the Universe, I doubt young Nick still holds the title that Jack originally forged. But if Jack is no longer here to forge it… well. Even if I am unable to claim the title, perhaps that is a good thing. The title brought nothing but disaster to those who held it, as was Fated, of course. Still—the number is who I was. Who I am. And who I intend to be.