Chapter 949 Direction of Investigations
Klein's first target of suspicion was undoubtedly Elf King Soniathrym. This ancient god had created chopsticks, made blood cakes, enjoyed eating animal innards, and was good at using spices for cooking. "His" descendants had facial features, hair color, and eyes that resembled Asians on Earth. Not only did Klein suspect that "He" was a transmigrator, even Emperor Roselle shared his feelings.
Of course, after a deeper level of investigations, Roselle had ruled out that hypothesis from their language, symbols, traditional proverbs, and other facets. Klein believed that using chopsticks as cutlery, the preference for eating innards, and using spices wasn't an exclusive trait. To a species that enjoyed nature, it was possible for these to gradually appear in their daily life!
As for why elves who wielded the Sailor pathway were close to nature, Klein didn't know why. It was just something as described by the murals and texts they left behind.
I for one felt that the Elf King is unlikely to be a transmigrator, but after seeing the three shattered cocoons, I can't be too sure… Perhaps "He" might be a fellow countryman… Hmm, I can't rule out the possibility that this ancient god isn't a transmigrator but that one of the high-ranking elves around "Him" is one. This can also allow the tradition to pass down in the name of the Elf King… Klein tapped his fingers as he thought silently.
Almost at the same time, he had two directions for his investigation:
Groselle's Travels had Elvish Songster, Siatas, who served Soniathrym's queen, Queen of Calamity Cohinem!
As long as I enter her sea of collective subconscious, I should be able to see or make contact with the elves and find memory fragments regarding the ancient
god!
I can also use Hypnosis, directly allowing her subconscious to speak… But the problem is that I'm not good at such matters. The last time I attempted to delve into Groselle's subconscious, I felt quick-tempered and could hardly calm down. Although I'm already a demigod, it also becomes more pressing that I resist the inclination towards madness and losing control. And I won't be able to regulate my mental state for quite some time… Forcefully spirit channeling isn't suitable for such a situation and for such a target… Klein frowned slightly. He felt that he might need a mystical item that was of a relatively high-level Sequence in the Spectator pathway, or an assistant that was at least a Hypnotist.
He began seriously considering the possibility of getting Miss Justice's help. There's no problem doing it. It's not impossible to leave by entering as a Spirit Body above the gray fog…
I don't have to worry that Miss Justice will pry into the secret of a transmigrator. As long as Siatas doesn't have any knowledge of this, her subconscious and collective subconscious wouldn't point towards such a conclusion. And I can find the desired clues in details so they don't pay any notice…
The biggest problem is that Miss Justice has no adventuring experience and she lacks it. Entering the sea of subconscious of an ancient figure is very dangerous to her. There might be the remnants of an ancient god in there at any time… Once I don't have the help of a Psychiatrist, I will also end up the same…
Even if I'm getting Miss Justice as support, I'll have to wait until she reaches Sequence 5 so that she can use her level to make up for her lack of experience. When that happens, we can first attempt to hypnotize Siatas and see what we can learn from her mouth. If there's nothing of value, we can consider entering her dream to delve deeper into her consciousness and step into that sea.
Yes, the Dream Charms I create now aren't potent enough. I might not be able to maintain such a long exploration. Sigh, the Goddess won't directly respond to such trivial matters. It's a fixed feedback based on a fixed ritual… The corresponding Beyonder characteristics have been returned to the Church… Don't tell me that I need to bring Leonard with me? I wonder if pulling someone at the Spirit Body level can avoid the notice of the grandpa inside him. I'll do some research over the next few days…
Klein reined in his thoughts and considered his second target of suspicion.
This person didn't seem too special in the past, nor did Klein believe that he was a transmigrator. But now that his mind calmed down, he began processing his thoughts and analyzing, Klein realized that many points that he viewed as common sense weren't that simple on careful thought. They contained an unspeakable sense of horror.
He suspected: the ancient sun god, the City of Silver's Creator!
The seven Church's separate bibles have similarities to Earth's Western religions… It is similarly the case for their Masses!
Based on Little Sun's description, from what Emperor Roselle saw from Adam's chapel, and the content of the murals in the Forsaken Land of the Gods, it's clear that the ancient sun god's main symbol is the cross!
"He" gave his children the names Adam and Amon…
The angels beneath "Him" all have wings of light. I've not seen that in the other pathways to date…
It's unknown how "He" rose up. "He" suddenly appeared late in the Second Epoch, killed several ancient gods, and took "Their" various authorities…
I never thought much about these details in the past. It's quite scary now that I think deeply of it. Klein drew a gasp as he began feeling more convinced that it was the ancient sun god instead of Elf King Soniathrym.
"His" experiences were just too legendary, more of a protagonist of an era than Emperor Roselle!
Of course, "His" outcome was rather tragic, becoming a feast for "His" Kings of Angels. Emperor Roselle was also tragic but in no way as terrible.
Doesn't this imply Amon's and Adam's attitude in a certain sense? "They" believe that the gray fog is related to "Their" father, but due to "Their" different pathways, they made different choices? Hmm, there's a certain chance that Adam can't see the gray fog. "He" isn't a High-Sequence Beyonder of the Fate, Marauder, Seer, and Apprentice pathways… Klein nodded slightly.
Based on these clues, he also had a direction of investigation that didn't require him to make contact with major figures at the angel level.
In Groselle's Travels lived Ascetic Snowman who survived the Third Epoch and had served the ancient sun god!
The problem circles back to itself… There's nothing to doubt about the rest for the time being. Klein slowly exhaled, reached out his right hand, and picked up the newly obtained Card of Blasphemy: Red Priest card!
Infusing his spirituality into it, the card produced a blood-red light, forming a palm-sized illusory book.
The pages of the book flipped, presenting portraits of a lifelike Roselle Gustav. He was either wearing a hunter's attire, raising his middle finger, walking through a burning building, or standing behind a trap. He had all sorts of attires and was doing all kinds of things.
Sequence 9: Hunter… Sequence 8: Provoker… Sequence 7: Pyromaniac… Sequence 6: Conspirer… Sequence 5: Reaper… Sequence 4: Iron-blooded Knight… Sequence 3: War Bishop… Sequence 2: Weather Warlock… Sequence 1: Conqueror… Sequence 0: Red Priest… Klein's gaze swept past the different portraits on the tarot card and imprinted the content into his mind.
He wasn't surprised at this pathway's Sequence o's ritual to become a god. This was because Hermes had once told Roselle that the "red" in Red Priest meant the red of war.
Therefore, when he saw "stirring up a war that sweeps an entire continent and gain victory," he wasn't stirred at all.
After flipping the Red Priest card, he began thinking about problems and felt his mental state improve. He rubbed his temples, finally feeling exhausted.
I should set a short-term goal and investigate the person behind the Great Smog of Backlund. This is something that I've yet to complete. Yes, I should continue the arms deal according to my original plans, and return to Backlund after receiving the money. Now, there are two clues. First, the captain of the royal guards, Viscount Stratford, and the other is MI9's deputy director, Brigadier General Qonas Kilgor… Klein tried to pull himself up and decided to occupy himself with something.
Before leaving the gray fog, he threw the mental medicine recipe that Miss Justice had given him to the crimson star representing The Moon Emlyn. He requested this vampire, who was good at making it, to make a week's worth at 1 pound a bottle.
Backlund, within the Odora family's villa.
Emlyn White, who was waiting in the activity room, curled his lips and thought to himself, A transaction that's just 7 pounds. I really don't want to do it… The World can concoct it himself if he's a little careful.
He hadn't objected to The World's request, because after spending 5,000 pounds to buy the Sequence 5 Vampire Beyonder characteristic, he only had 730 pounds left.
At this moment, Cosmi walked over, looking like a middle-aged gentleman.
After exchanging a bow, the Sanguine Baron asked, "Emlyn, why are you suddenly here?"
Emlyn immediately felt a little guilty before recalling his previous experiences of conversing with The Hanged Man and The World. He tipped his chin slightly and answered in a seemingly casual manner, "I've received a Sequence 5 Scarlet Scholar Beyonder characteristic. I wonder when we can begin the ritual to make me a Viscount."
Cosmi was taken aback as he asked in surprise, "You obtained a Scarlet Scholar Beyonder characteristic?"
Emlyn glanced at him and nodded with a faint smile.
"That's right."
He didn't explain how he had obtained the Beyonder characteristic, as though Cosmi wasn't worthy of knowing
Cosmi turned agape as he fell silent. After a few seconds, he said, "Wait till the next full moon."
He paused and said, "I happen to have something for you.
"My grandfather wishes to inform you that an important figure will be coming to Backlund. 'He' wishes to meet you."
"He"? Emlyn's pupils dilated instantly.
The ancient ones of the Sanguine that lived since the Second Epoch to this day, together with the Grade o Sealed Artifacts, all of those important existences at the angel level didn't exceed five in number!
Chapter 950 Keeping Secrets
Emlyn fell silent for two seconds as he lowered his chin and asked, "Who… is it?"
To him, angels were naturally worthy of respect, but those who could truly make him bow his head were the important figures addressed as "He" by every Sanguine. "They" had witnessed and experienced the Sanguine's long history, the source of his pride.
"I'm not sure. But in short, I'll notify you when the time comes." Cosmi Odora shook his head.
… The person is coming because of the Ancestor's revelation? There are subsequent instructions? Why doesn't the Ancestor directly give me a revelation? This will be better concealed. I'm "Her" chosen one! This is to avoid agitating Mr. Fool? Questions flashed past Emlyn's mind as he answered them himself.
He didn't speak further as he wore his top hat and left Odora's villa.
When he arrived at the door, he looked at the thin clouds that could hardly block out the sun. Emlyn curled his lips in disdain, raised his hand to press down on his hat, and ran for a rental carriage at the end of the street as he inwardly mumbled, Such weather really isn't suitable for heading out!
The medicine that The World wants isn't rare. It can be concocted in fifteen minutes… Hmm, the ingredients I ordered previously should be in by today. I can carry out the transaction with Miss Magician that I've delayed for days…
Backlund, Cherwood Borough.
Fors placed glass bottles on an altar and looked at the light blue and golden liquids, feeling the exhilaration from shopping. More enticing than a cocktail. I wonder what it tastes like. Putting some ice in might make it taste better… Seriously, what am I thinking? These are all medicine! Fors sputtered at herself and hurriedly cleaned up the room.
Upon receiving the medicine required for medical treatment, she finished her preparations for heading to the abandoned castle in Delaire Forest. She was just waiting for Xio to return!
After tidying up certain matters, Fors slumped onto the sofa and casually picked up a few newspaper copies and began planning her itinerary for the day.
Set off at dusk. Dinner will probably be when we arrive at the town bordering the forest…
Amidst her silent mumbling, Fors flipped to the copy of News At Sea.
Suddenly, her gaze froze as a familiar name was reflected in her eyes: "Gehrman Sparrow!"
This adventurer had appeared at sea again, boarding the Black Tulip with a middle-aged name known as "Death Consul." He killed Admiral Hell Ludwell, changing the lineup of the seven pirate admirals again.
ILIL
Fors subconsciously patted her chest, unsure what she was happy about.
At that instant, she had a baffling feeling that Gehrman Sparrow's experiences were sufficiently legendary, something that could definitely be written into a novel!
Unfortunately, he's not someone who's easy to get along with; otherwise, I can totally be a part-time biographer to write a book for him… Haha, if I were to write the book titled "Gehrman Sparrow," I'll definitely be targeted by the official Beyonders… Fors thought in amusement before hearing the lock turn.
She looked up and saw Xio pushing open the door and entering the living room.
"You're early?" Fors asked in surprise.
Xio ruffled the right side of her blonde hair and said, "I met with MI9 again and received a mission."
"What is it?" Fors sat up, asking out of curiosity.
Xio casually threw herself onto the single-seater.
"Investigate the background of the crazy adventurer, Gehrman Sparrow.
"Based on the information provided by MI9, he's a terrifying Beyonder, and the name he uses is fake. Even his identification documents are fake. He probably came from Backlund.
"They suspect that Gehrman Sparrow has another identity and partners here."
Upon hearing the word "partners," Fors couldn't help but twitch the corners of her mouth. She had the urge to tell Xio that MI9's guess was right. Gehrman Sparrow's partner was sitting directly opposite her.
She coughed slightly and acted calm while she asked, "Why are you investigating Gehrman Sparrow's background?
"What did he do this time?"
Xio glanced at the stack of newspapers beside Fors.
"Haven't you read today's News at Sea?
"Gehrman Sparrow killed Admiral Hell Ludwell and is now known as the strongest adventurer of the Five Seas.
"By the way, MI9 also told me that Gehrman Sparrow might very well believe in the secret existence known as The Fool. This is news that came from many different sources, including the Aurora Order and the Rose School of Thought."
I can testify to that… They are right… Fors forced a smile and said, "Sounds rather dangerous."
"Yeah." Xio nodded. "I only plan on gathering the intel and not delving too deep into it."
Fors didn't continue on this topic as she said, "I've already prepared the medicine. Shall we head to Delaire Forest today?"
Xio had already become a Sequence 7 Interrogator a few days ago, and she had mastered a rather useful power, Psychic Piercing.
"Alright." Xio stood up, showcasing how she was a woman of action. "Let's set off now."
"Ah? Let's wait a little longer. I was thinking dusk…" Fors replied, feeling a little resistant.
She often wished to procrastinate until the last moment.
Before long, she was pulled out of their rented apartment by Xio while bringing all kinds of items along. They got a rental carriage and headed for the metro.
Amidst the sonorous whistle of the steam engine, the massive steam locomotive hauled its meandering body and entered the platform. Under the illumination of the wall lamps on both sides, it stopped
Fors and Xio stood outside a carriage and waited patiently for the passengers to alight.
Suddenly, they saw two Red Gloves.
The owner of the Red Gloves was a man in his thirties. He wore a white shirt with a black trench coat. His collar was raised up high, covering his chin and mouth.
He had a pair of dark-green eyes with golden-brown sideburns. He held a silver chest that was big enough to put a tiny violin in it.
Fors and Xio exchanged looks as they lowered their gaze, staring at their toes.
As a high-ranking deacon of the Church of Evernight's Nighthawks, one of the twenty-two members of power in the Church, and one of the three bigwigs of the Red Gloves, Crestet Cesimir wasn't someone who cared about parading himself around. He enjoyed traveling alone, taking the transportation that commoners took, making him appear like an ordinary clergyman.
After transferring to another line, he eventually arrived in North Borough. He then took a rental carriage and headed straight for Saint Samuel Cathedral where he met Backlund diocese's archbishop, Saint Anthony Stevenson.
After greeting each other and praising the Goddess, Cesimir found a seat and said, "I'll be troubling you to provide me with some help for the next couple weeks."
The clean-shaved archbishop, Anthony, in his black robe with red accents sat down as well. He deliberated before asking, "Is it something to do with Ince Zangwill?".
"Yes." Cesimir nodded slightly. "The Holy See wishes that I inform you that another servant of the Goddess, the matron of the Evernight cloister, Ma'am Arianna, will be in Backlund not long from now."
This ascetic was ranked first among all the thirteen archbishops.
Without waiting for Saint Anthony's inquiry, he explained in detail, "Ma'am Ilya learned plenty of important information from Ince Zangwill's remnant spirit, including his mental problems that 0-08 used to escape, as well as the details of his cooperation with the royal family and the Demoness Sect…
"After machinating the Great Smog of Backlund, Ince Zangwill was betrayed by 0-08 and had ended up being possessed by the Red Angel evil spirit. He headed for the Southern Continent alone in an attempt to set up a trap to hunt Ma'am Ilya.
"An important point to take note of is, that in Ince Zangwill's memories, there is a very important underground ruin. It's in the northwestern outskirts of Backlund, an area just before the Tussock River flows in.
"My mission is to find that ruin."
Saint Anthony finished listening in silence before asking in thought, "Ince Zangwill doesn't know of the exact location?
"He has never been there before?"
Cesimir shook his head.
"He had entered, but he was led in there and didn't grasp the required key information."
Saint Anthony tersely acknowledged before asking, "Have you figured out which batch of people from the royal family that Ince Zangwill was working with?"
"No." Crestet Cesimir paused and continued, "Based on normal logic, regardless of whether the partners donned disguises, if they meet, there should be the corresponding memory fragments, but inside Ince Zangwill's Spirit Body, there were no traces of that. It was as though it never existed."
"Perhaps it's an influence of a deed. The source of the deed's power that even a Sequence 4 demigod can't resist is something worth paying attention to." Saint Anthony nodded very slightly.
He thought and said, "The telegram didn't include much. I do not know the exact sequence of events. Who exactly killed Ince Zangwill?"
Crestet Cesimir exhaled slowly and said, "A name you might never believe, Klein Moretti."
"The Nighthawk who died in the line of duty during the Tingen incident?" Anthony's wrinkles deepened.
"Yes, that's what Ilya sent back. No one knows how Klein Moretti, who was only a Sequence 8, had resurrected, or how he could kill Ince Zangwill, a demigod wielding 0-08…" Upon saying this, Cesimir's expression turned somewhat odd. "The Holy See requests us to strictly keep this intel confidential. We are not to divulge this to anyone who isn't an archbishop or high-ranking deacon. Furthermore, we are not to pursue Klein Moretti, pretending as though he's still in his grave."
Saint Anthony fell silent for a few seconds as though he recalled something trivial. He nodded and said, "Perhaps, he's a Blessed of the Goddess…"
Cesimir suddenly looked up at Saint Anthony as though he was a lunatic.
His lips quivered, but he ultimately didn't say a word.
Anthony didn't continue the topic as he looked at the door and said sternly, "Your mission might need plenty of investigations. This requires enough manpower. Hmm, Soest's team has completed their mission in the Southern Continent. I'll get them to return quickly and follow your instructions."
"Alright." Crestet Cesimir didn't put up any objections.
"Rest for the remainder of the day before returning to Backlund?" Leonard looked up at team captain, Soest.
Soest looked pitifully at Leonard, who had been silent for quite some time, and nodded.
"That's right."
After watching this Spirit Warlock leave his room, Leonard sighed and leaned against the wall.
At this moment, dark red light surged out from before his eyes, enveloping him completely without any prior warning.
Chapter 951 Drawing A Card
By the time Leonard reacted, he saw numerous towering stone pillars, as well as a towering palace that looked like a giant's residence above the endless grayish-white fog that was being propped up by these stone pillars.
His green eyes wore a blank look. After a second, Leonard found himself sitting on a high-back chair beside a long mottled bronze table at some point in time. Beside him and opposite him were high-back chairs that exuded solemnity.
And at the end of the long mottled table, where the seat of honor was, a figure was shrouded in thick gray fog. The figure was leaning into his seat leisurely, as though he was overlooking everything.
When this figure appeared in Leonard's eyes, he felt as though he was on a liner, seeing a bottomless abyss whose boundaries were nowhere to be seen. It also felt like he had left the city and was on the outskirts, looking up to see lofty mountains that tore through the clouds.
Instantly, many thoughts flashed through Leonard's mind. He had a rough guess as to what he was experiencing. As a Beyonder of the Church, a believer who knew that deities truly exist, he wasn't able to resist his feelings. He subconsciously wished to leave his seat and prostrate before the existence before him.
The might of a deity was boundless!
Just as Leonard stood up, he was pressed down by an invisible force. A slow and calm voice resonated in his ears:
"There's no need for such trouble.
"You can call me Mr. Fool."
The Fool… Indeed… Leonard's fear of the unknown had settled immediately. Although he was still worried about what would happen next, he wasn't that perturbed any longer. He didn't sit uneasily with a dry mouth and parched lips.
He got up halfway, pressed his hand to his chest, and bowed.
"Honorable Mr. Fool, why did you summon me here?"
As an experienced Nighthawk and a Red Glove who had participated in major cases, Leonard knew how dangerous it was to establish a connection with a secret existence. He knew that he had slid down the edge of the abyss and had no chance of redemption.
At that moment when he decided to chant The Fool's honorific name, he was able to foresee his tragic end. But for revenge, he had made the choice regardless.
However, everyone had the instinct to survive. Recalling how Klein Moretti, who believed in The Fool, was still alive and had even become a demigod, Leonard couldn't help but hold out some hope and expectations.
At this moment, he heard the fog-enshrouded Fool chuckle.
"Since you prayed to me for help, then based on the principle of equivalent exchange, you definitely need to pay the price."
Leonard's body trembled as he bowed his head lower.
"What is it you wish?"
After a brief pause, The Fool's voice sounded again:
"There's no rush. Perhaps there will be something that requires you to provide help to certain people.
"Have a seat."
Leonard slowly calmed himself down and sat. He looked around and asked, "He… Klein Moretti… has been here like me?"
The Fool's said with a calm tone, "In a different manner."
Different manner… Indeed, Klein didn't enter because he chanted the honorific name. He had been introduced by that Death Consul named Azik Eggers before becoming one of Mr. Fool's faithful… Leonard couldn't help but survey the area, and he discovered that there were a total of twenty-two high-back chairs around the long mottled table.
It corresponds to the twenty-two Beyonder pathways. There are also twenty-two tarot cards… The Fool… Just as Leonard came up with a theory, he heard Mr. Fool chuckle.
"Other than you, there are other living beings that have been pulled in here for various reasons.
"They earnestly wished for me to convene a gathering to carry out the exchange of information and the transaction of materials and formulas. They also help each other. This allows them to rapidly advance, eventually becoming High-Sequence Beyonders."
This is a little different from the secret organization represented by tarot cards I had imagined. It's rather loosely organized… What motives does Mr. Fool have to agree to such a request? After coming to the ancient palace above the gray fog, Leonard felt high-strung, causing his thought processes to be a lot more agile than usual. He came up with all kinds of questions.
After successfully achieving revenge, he had been feeling low-spirited and empty for a moment, as though he had lost his goal in life. However, he quickly pulled himself together. This was because Daly's death told him that he wasn't strong enough. To reduce the number of casualties of his companions in future missions and so as to not lack the ability to save them, he needed to reach Sequence 4 at the very least. He needed to become a demigod.
Therefore, The Fool's words had stirred his heart. He felt that it was an opportunity. Meanwhile, he also believed that by joining the gathering, he could deeply understand the situation of the secret organization. It helped in maximally averting the danger that resulted from establishing contact with The Fool.
After some deliberation, Leonard asked, "Klein Moretti is also a regular member of this gathering?
"Does he have a seat here?"
The Fool replied without much concern, "Yes."
Leonard fell silent for a second as he asked, "Honorable Mr. Fool, can I join this regular gathering?"
Shrouded in the gray fog, The Fool said with a smile, "Sure.
"But when you return, remember to mention this to Pallez Zoroast about it. Do not attempt to hide it from 'Him."
"Him"… Old Man really is an angel! It's no wonder the Luck Siphon charm is so magical… Although Leonard had already expected this, he still couldn't help but be alarmed after receiving confirmation from Mr. Fool.
He hesitated for a moment and said, "Why must I tell Pallez Zoroast?"
Although he had a good relationship with Pallez Zoroast and had established a certain level of trust, he still felt wary. The reason why he had made the request to join Mr. Fool's secret gathering was to balance the latent danger of the ancient Parasite.
He then heard Mr. Fool reply with a smile, "Many a time, striking fear is a lot more useful than conflict."
Striking fear is a lot more useful than conflict… That's right, forcefully creating a balance might agitate Old Man. Regardless, the final battlefield will be in my body, and it would be extremely disadvantageous to me. By striking fear into "Him," I can get "Him" to recognize the situation. Even if "He" has ill intent, "He" will think of another solution and take another path… Leonard bowed his head in enlightenment.
"Honorable Mr. Fool, I have no more questions."
At the end of the long bronze table, The Fool conjured a deck of tarot cards and lifted up his hand and pointed at them.
"They have each selected a tarot card to represent their code name. You can also choose one.
"The deck has the cards of their respective owners taken away."
They do use tarot cards are as their code names… Leonard exhaled and couldn't help but ask again, "Which card is Klein Moretti?"
"The World," The Fool said casually. "It's him, and also not him."
What does that mean… Leonard didn't dare to ask further. He extended his right hand and pulled out a card from the deck of tarot cards.
Flipping it over, he saw a goddess pouring holy water, with stars littering the background.
The Star card!
This didn't match Leonard's taste, but since he had already completed the ritual under Mr. Fool's watch, he could only accept it.
"Return. The gathering happens every Monday at three in the afternoon, Backlund time." Shrouded in the gray fog, The Fool raised his hand and made Leonard, who was rushing to bow, vanish from the ancient palace.
The Fool Klein chuckled as he flipped all the tarot cards.
All of them had the same picture with the same sky-filled stars.
All of them were The Star cards!
After laughing for a while, Klein cast his gaze to the crimson star that represented Leonard.
While attempting to pull the poet above the gray fog, he had made some careful observation and had discovered that there was a blob of light hiding in Leonard Mitchell's body. It seemed to be made of countless ringed worms, hidden deep inside his Soul Body.
This made Klein confirm that Pallez Zoroast had only parasitized Leonard at a preliminary stage. "He" didn't control Leonard's Body of Heart and Mind, Astral Projection, Ether Body, and physical body. And after advancing to become a demigod, Klein had gained a deeper control over the mysterious space above the gray fog, allowing him to pull in anyone he wanted, without targeting the soul. He could make a selection.
Therefore, Klein decided to not touch Leonard's Soul Body, and only pulled his Astral Projection above the gray fog. This avoided agitating Pallez Zoroast or end up bringing "Him" into the mysterious space. Of course, it was almost certain that the Sequence 1 angel of the Marauder pathway would notice it.
And the ability to enter the dreams of others stemmed from the Astral Projection of Beyonders of the Evernight pathway, so it didn't affect Leonard's ability to do what he was good at in this mysterious space.
Let's hope that he can escape from Pallez Zoroast's parasitizing bit by bit… Klein suddenly sighed.
The reason why he made Leonard join the tarot club was because he wished to help this former teammate grow stronger, allowing him to escape the claws of Pallez Zoroast.
If that Marauder pathway angel didn't have any ill intent, he could get Leonard to help "Him" hide from Amon and aid "His" recovery. This would speed up "His" switching of parasitic targets.
Retracting in his gaze, Klein thought for a moment. He threw the Hunter pathway's Sequence 6 Conspirer potion formula to the point of light representing Danitz. He then instructed him to leave the Southern Continent and return to the Golden Dream.
Black Hunting Spider's composite eye, sphinx's brain… Danitz recalled the content he had just "seen" in a daze as he stood up in delight.
He planned to immediately bid farewell to Anderson and leave the dangerous Southern Continent.
After coming to the door of the Fog Sea's Strongest Hunter, he knocked on the wooden door, only to see it open.
Anderson hadn't locked the door!
Danitz was puzzled as he cast his gaze inside and saw Anderson holding a knife and sliding it against his abdomen.
Chapter 952 What a Small World
Danitz jumped in fright as he blurted out, "Sorry, I didn't see anything…" Before he could finish his sentence, he had already pulled the door handle towards him.
Bang!
The door closed, emitting a sound that echoed through the corridor.
At this point, Danitz finally came to a realization.
What was I doing just now…
What is Anderson doing?
He instinctively removed the black boxing glove and thought bitterly with a frown. Finally, he decided to return to his room, pack his luggage, and leave.
As for what Anderson was trying to do, he felt that something was amiss despite his curiosity. He had no plans on getting himself involved in it, lest he fell into a trap.
Captain said that I should maintain fear and respect towards the unknown. So, I should distance myself from this… Just as Danitz turned around, he suddenly heard the door unlock before being opened.
Anderson, whose buttons on the lower part of his shirt weren't buttoned up, walked out with a dull, pitch-black knife. He looked at Danitz with a mixed expression.
"Aren't you going to try to stop me?"
Danitz acutely noticed the chance to mock him as he sniggered.
"That's your freedom.
"If you didn't leave a will, I'll be rich!"
Anderson rubbed his cheeks.
"Aren't you curious about what I encountered?"
Danitz glanced at him suspiciously.
"I keep feeling as though you're up to something."
Anderson roared with laughter.
"Well, I had been captured some time ago and was soaked in strange blood with all kinds of ingredients. I was corroded by it for an extended period of time until a strange chrysalis was formed inside my body. This was to create the effect of having a certain level of attraction towards High-Sequence Beyonders of the Hunter pathway."
As he spoke, he pointed at his abdomen.
Danitz was taken aback.
"I've never really heard of something like that.
"If you were another sex, I might've imagined that you're pregnant…"
He paused for a moment before asking, "That strange fellow in Revival Square was attracted by the baby, no— 'chrysalis' in your stomach?"
Anderson nodded as Danitz gestured with his hands.
"You were trying to cut open your abdomen to extract the 'chrysalis'?"
Anderson replied honestly, "Yes, I'm worried about how it would affect me, or if it will continue attracting demigods. I have to make every second count to remove this latent problem."
Danitz thought before asking in puzzlement, "Then why aren't you making the attempt?
"You forgot to set up a will, and you want me to be your witness?"
Anderson's facial muscles twitched as he chuckled.
"Not bad. Your Provoker potion should almost be digested."
He then sighed.
"After some careful analysis, I believe there's no direct way to extract it. Otherwise, they wouldn't have soaked me in blood and allow the ingredients to seep into me. They could've just opened up my stomach and placed the chrysalis inside before sewing me up."
Without waiting for Danitz's reply, he said in thought, "Don't you have the method to contact Gehrman Sparrow? He's been through so much and knows so much, so I would like to consult him on how to resolve this problem."
In recent months, Danitz was extremely afraid of people raising the matter about him knowing Gehrman Sparrow, so he subconsciously retorted, "No! I haven't seen him since I left the Golden Dream!"
Anderson curled the corner of his lips and said, "When you were writing to Gehrman Sparrow, I was beside him and have met his messenger."
Danitz's expression immediately froze. He forced a smile after a few seconds.
"Then why don't you directly summon his messenger?"
Anderson raised his hand again and touched his throat, chuckling.
"I don't know the ritual for summoning his messenger."
Danitz still suspected that Anderson was up to something, and was unwilling to confirm that he had been repeatedly communicating with Gehrman Sparrow. He then suggested, "Actually, you can always seek the help of our captain on such matters. She's very knowledgeable and good at research. She knows many secret techniques and can also seek the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom for help. She should be able to give you the solution for resolving the matter of the chrysalis in your stomach.
"Haha, if you're embarrassed, I can talk to her for you."
Just as he said that, he saw Anderson's face beam. He quickly replied with a rushed tone, "Alright, let's do that!
"I've already packed my luggage. When shall we set off?"
"…" Danitz fell into a daze for a few seconds, feeling that he had been tricked by Anderson.
He returned to the room, drank his remaining beer, and threw all the miscellaneous items into his luggage bag, leaving behind a dried leaf with golden patterns.
This was the token Danitz previously used to establish contact with the Northern State's dominant leader, General Maysanchez. Following Gehrman Sparrow's instructions, he left the leaf inside and allowed the person-in-charge to follow up.
In the room that Danitz checked out of, a candle was suddenly lit as a two-meter-tall scarlet flame burgeoned.
Amidst the flames, a figure walked out. He was wearing a silk top hat, black formal suit, and had white sideburns. He looked outstanding with his deep, blue eyes and mature demeanor. He was none other than Klein as Dwayne Dantès.
After picking up the leaf with golden patterns, Klein left the hotel, circling around the sealed-off Revival Square, and came to Cookawa's core region, White Feather Square.
Maysanchez's residence was there, located beside a Death cathedral that descended downwards.
As a standard Loenese gentleman, Dantès looked out of place when walking through the city. Here, the foreigners were a minority, with most foreigners seen around the few major embassies located around Rejoice Square. The other places were filled with mostly locals from Balam.
Their skin was slightly brown, and they had curly black hair. Their facial features were soft, and in the eyes of most people from the Northern Continent, people of the same sex all looked the same, aside from the differences in height and weight.
These locals, be it male or female, enjoyed rolling dried tobacco leaves into Balam cigarettes. Along the way, Klein would see residents spewing out smoke alongside the road from time to time.
In addition, many of them hung a fruit known as Dalawa by their waists.
This fruit was the size of two fists, with thick skin. After digging open a tiny hole and eating the flesh inside, one could use it to store water, alcohol, and other beverages.
Based on Klein's observations, they mostly drank an orange-yellow Gwadar. It was sour with a hint of sweetness, good at quenching thirst and relieving heat. It was also great at keeping people awake.
I didn't have a chance to try it before… Klein mumbled as he found the guard manning the general's residence and sought to meet a man named Haggis.
Due to his appearance as a Loenese person and a gentleman, the guard didn't deny his request or make it difficult for him. He got a person to head in to get a man in his thirties.
The man's facial features and skin were that of a standard Balam native. However, his curly black hair had been pulled straight and neatly combed back as though he was trying to mimic members of high society in the various countries of the Northern Continent.
He wore a white shirt and a black vest, matched with a very formal bow tie. Upon seeing Dwayne Dantès, he said in standard Loenese, "Good afternoon, I'm Haggis. Nice to meet you."
His accent was a little odd, different from any borough in Loen.
Klein had lived in high society for quite a period of time, so he wasn't too surprised. He said with a smile, "Good afternoon, I'm Dwayne Dantès. I never expected to meet a gentleman who's so good at using the accent of Loenese nobles."
Haggis couldn't help but smile.
"Many children of noble birth from Loen have one come to East and West Balam to seek out opportunities. I was fortunate to learn from them."
"Oh, I might know some of them." Klein wasn't in a rush to talk business as he began making small talk with Haggis like a gentleman.
Haggis smiled.
"My friend includes Colonel Alfred Hall, the second son of an earl."
Hall… Klein let out a soft chuckle.
"I once met Earl Hall at a charity party. He's a true noble.
"What a small world."
Haggis nodded in agreement.
"Perhaps this is an arrangement of fate. Unfortunately, Alfred was transferred to East Balam last year."
He didn't continue as he immediately invited Dwayne Dantès into the general's residence.
When passing through the side door, Klein suddenly looked up, glancing at the embedded stained glass above.
The glass shimmered like a rainbow under the illumination of sunlight, as though gazes were sweeping past.
Chapter 953 Prophecy
Klein retracted his gaze in a natural manner, held his gold-inlaid cane, and followed closely behind Haggis before entering the general's residence.
The architecture style was completely unlike those found in the Southern Continent. It didn't make any use of light manipulation to make the rooms appear dark and gloomy, nor did they boldly use some human bones as accessories to produce a strong visual impact. Instead, it was more in the style of the Northern Continent. Furthermore, there was an undeniable hint of Intis influence.
Every column was covered in segmented gold foil. The use of colors in the murals were warm, and there were sculptures embedded with gold. A beautiful spiral staircase descended from above, connecting all four stories before ending in the middle of the huge hall where it faced the entrance. It was extremely grand.
I have to say that countries led by the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun are really at the forefront when it comes to gold artwork. It doesn't have the feeling of the gaudy nouveau riche… Klein swept his gaze to the palm-sized golden angels that extended out from the staircase's railings and mid sections of the columns, holding back his urge to caress them.
Looking at the guards standing by the two sides, he casually found a topic and said to Haggis, "Colonel Alfred Hall seems to have made some significant contributions in West Balam?"
Haggis nodded and used a Loenese noble accent to say, "He's a determined and brave man. He once led a special forces team of more than thirty men to raid an Intis battalion with more than a thousand people, completely crippling them. I heard that he had also made significant contributions in East Balam; therefore, becoming a colonel before the age of thirty."
Sounds impressive… Perhaps Miss Justice's brother has already become a Beyonder with quite a significantly high Sequence… Hmm, in every aristocratic family, every generation should have some members taking the Beyonder path… Heh heh, if this Mr. Alfred finally reaches his goal of becoming a Beyonder with a relatively high Sequence and gaining the rank of brigadier general or major general through hardship, I wonder how sad would he be when he returns to Backlund to realize that he's no match for his sister's dog… Having drank his medicine before heading out today, Klein used the act of lampooning to adjust his mental state.
He didn't ask further about Alfred as he asked with a curious tone, "I realize that there are some differences in the traditions of East and West Balam. Here, in many houses, there are people with human bone decorations, but it's not present in East Balam.
"I've been here several times, but I've never been able to bring myself to get the answer to this question."
Haggis stopped and pointed to the exaggerated spiral staircase.
"Mr. Dantès, the general will be here in a few minutes."
After informing him of this, he chuckled.
"It's actually not common to see human bone traditions. Only fiefs that came under the royal family of the Balam Empire still have this tradition. To us, the death of family members doesn't mean that our relationship has come to an end. After the burial, we will take a piece of their bones and place it at home as a decoration as a way to indicate that the deceased continue being with the living.
"As for which bone to choose, it will be decided by the interring priest through a ritual. The best and most symbolic part is the skull.
"Some families will even make the skull into a vessel for drinking alcohol, using it only when entertaining the most honored guests.
"Mr. Dantès, if you close a deal this time, I wish to invite you home. I wish to offer Finis Wine in my grandfather's skull to show my respects to you."
II
11
Klein's expression nearly fell apart. He felt that he was incapable of accepting the local customs in this aspect.
He laughed and was just about to be perfunctory when he saw a figure slowly walking down the golden railings of the staircase.
The person didn't wear a hat. He was wearing a cut black military attire with shimmering gold buttons. The sash he wore was red like blood.
He had light-brown skin and a rather soft facial outline. His facial features looked scrunched up in the middle of his head, making his face appear abnormally big
Klein, who had obtained the relevant information from various channels, instantly recognized the man to be the dominant ruler of West Balam's Northern State. He was Maysanchez who declared himself as general.
On the surface, he wavered between the factions of Loen, Intis, Feynapotter, Feysac, and the Resistance, maintaining a balance, but secretly, he had received the support of the Numinous Episcopate's royal family faction.
Meanwhile, Klein suspected that this native general had established a solid working relationship with the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom.
As for Maysanchez's strength, be it Vice Admiral Iceberg Edwina or Admiral of Stars Cattleya, he was noted to be a Sequence 5. But the two ladies didn't mention which pathway he was from, as the powers this local general exhibited were mostly related to spirits, but he carried a mystical item from the Death pathway.
"Good afternoon, Your Excellency." Klein took off his hat, pressed his hand to his chest, and bowed.
At this moment, he sensed gazes locking onto him from some unknown location. They were like lights that flashed across the golden angel figures, the sunlight reflected from the stained glass or the lustrous glow from the smooth marble.
"Hello there, Mr. Dantès," Maysanchez replied in Dutanese.
Having grasped Dutanese through his marionette, Klein naturally was able to understand him. However, in the Southern Continent, the longer he stayed in East and West Balam, the more he felt the similarities between Dutanese and ancient Feysac.
Although these two languages obviously followed different systems, making it much more difficult if he were to truly study Dutanese, certain details were shockingly similar as it was as though they shared a common heritage.
Klein could only be certain that the heritage wasn't Jotun.
Pretending as though he hadn't noticed anything, he very naturally chatted with Maysanchez until the other party raised the topic of the arms deal.
"How many goods do you have in total?"
Klein laughed and replied, "It wouldn't be a problem equipping three to four thousand people. In addition, there will be a few cannons."
Maysanchez fell silent and said, "Name your price."
Klein pretended to deliberate and said, "If you wish for me to send the goods to the Northern State, the price would be 50,000 pounds. If you send your troops to retrieve the goods with me and be responsible for the subsequent transportation and safety, it will only cost 40,000 pounds."
Maysanchez thought and said, "The latter.
"Take the down payment and go with my men. Once they see the goods and move it onto our carriages, my men will pay the rest."
He paused for a moment and then added, "However, I do not have much Loen gold pounds."
So you don't have enough foreign reserves… Klein surveyed the area and said with an unconcerned smile, "You can directly pay me in gold coins, or even gold bars or gold bricks."
Maysanchez was rather decisive. He didn't waste any time to nod and say, "Deal. I'll get Haggis to bring my men and money to you tomorrow."
Not bad. I like doing business with people who don't haggle… Klein first heaved a sigh of relief before suspecting if his price was too low.
After Klein left the general's residence, Maysanchez suddenly looked up and said to the person above, "Your Excellency Lucca, is this the person you're waiting for?"
One story above the beautiful staircase, a figure slowly appeared.
He was an elder in a white robe with inlaid brass lines. His hair was completely white and neatly combed. His pair of gray-green eyes were so deep that they appeared bottomless.
He replied with an unhurried tone, "There's no way to be certain. Although my prophecy tells me that I'll meet the person who can resolve my future predicament in the next two days here, that person was too ordinary. Besides being a Beyonder, there's nothing worth taking note of.
"Of course, I can't tell the more profound truth. He might have an existence that's at least not weaker than me behind him."
Having said that, he slowly walked down and, after a few seconds, said, "I'll attempt to use a dream to see if I can discover more."
"Do I need to prepare a special room for you?" Maysanchez asked reverently.
Lucca shook his head.
"I'll use the activity room here. Hmm… The best time will be four hours later. Don't disturb me before that happens."
He then entered the room, sat down, and leaned against the sofa. He relaxed himself, closed his eyes, and fell silent.
Only when it slowly turned dark did the old gentleman fall asleep.
In the dream, he found himself standing in the hall of the general's residence, standing at the first floor of the beautiful staircase. By the side was Maysanchez and numerous guards.
The middle-aged man named Dwayne Dantès was standing opposite him when he suddenly curled his lips into a smile, revealing an exaggerated smile.
Flames soared up as poker cards fell from above.
Lucca's green eyes instantly darkened as Dwayne Dantès's body instantly fell into a strange darkness that appeared.
The old white-robed gentleman immediately spread his arms open, revealing a dark vortex at his chest.
The vortex expanded and devoured Dwayne Dantès.
Before Lucca could confirm the situation, he felt something. He turned to the side and saw Maysanchez's face squirming and turning tall before instantly becoming another Dwayne Dantès.
Almost at the same time, Haggis and all the guards present turned into Dwayne Dantès. All of them were casting their gaze at Lucca!
Lucca was jolted awake, and under the watch of Maysanchez, who had entered at some point in time, he faltered for two seconds and said heavily, "I have to personally meet that gentleman from before and see the demigod behind him."
Before he finished his sentence, he subconsciously turned his head to look out the window.
At this moment, the street lamps lit up. It was dark outside, and the crimson moon's moonlight was strangely tainted with a bloody color.
Another Blood Moon!
Thankfully there's Mr. Fool… I must say that there are way too many Blood Moons this year… It's only been two months since the last time… I didn't even have any time to prepare! Fors who sat up, wiped her cold sweat, and muttered silently.
She had arrived at a town near Delaire Forest and had checked into a hotel. She shared a room with Xio, and they had made preparations to do some investigations of the abandoned castle early tomorrow morning. To Fors's surprise, there was a Blood Moon just as she was preparing to get some rest.
At this moment, she seemed to recall something as her body stiffly turned to the side.
Xio, who had exhorted her to sleep early, had already woken up at some point in time. She was looking at her with her eyes open.
Chapter 954 Strange Ancient Castle
Fors's gaze met Xio's in midair as both parties remained silent.
After a while, Fors chuckled dryly.
"Haha, you haven't fallen asleep?"
Xio frowned and said, "What happened to you?"
"Nothing. Didn't I tell you before? Whenever the full moon happens, I won't be in a good state. It's even worse during the Blood Moon," Fors replied as though everything was normal.
Xio sized her up and pulled her blanket.
"I remember that you brought sleeping pills?"
"There's no need for that. I've fine now." Seeing that Xio wasn't pressing further, Fors secretly heaved a sigh of relief. "Go back to sleep. We still have to head into the forest early tomorrow morning."
Xio didn't say another word as she turned around, gripped the blanket, and closed her eyes.
Before long, her breathing turned heavier and became more drawn out and uniform.
Fors stared blankly at the ceiling as her thoughts ran wild. At some point in time, she fell asleep as well.
The next day at noon. In the core region of Delaire Forest, in front of a collapsed, ancient castle covered in green vines.
Fors wiped the perspiration on her forehead and exhaled.
"We're finally here…"
Xio shot her a glance and said, "The boss at the hotel told me that we only need two hours to get here."
They had set off before six in the morning, but they had spent nearly seven hours to arrive.
The corners of Fors's lips twitched as she said, "Ideal conditions and reality are different. There weren't any trails for us to take towards the end. We needed to explore and forge a new path ourselves!"
Xio took out her triangular blade, nodded, and said, "You should've foreseen this from the beginning, but you refused to have a guide as suggested by the hotel's boss."
"As an Astrologer, I don't believe such trivialities will cause any trouble. Look, aren't we there now? Besides, the time is perfect. The wraiths and ghosts are definitely in their weakest state." Having forced a smile, Fors held Leymano's Travels in one hand as she pointed with the other. "I didn't notice it before, but the more I think about it, the more puzzled I become."
"About what?" Xio also cast her gaze to the ancient abandoned castle that was covered by vines.
Fors casually found an excuse.
"Tell me, who would build a castle in the middle of a forest? Furthermore, they didn't open up a trail to it…"
Before she finished her sentence, she really found the matter a little odd.
Xio thought and said, "Perhaps there was a trail, but after the castle was abandoned, whatever traces of it had been wiped out with time."
Fors stroked the hair by her ear and shook her head.
"Then why would they abandon it?
"If they had considered safety back when building it, it would be more dangerous building it far from the town in an uninhabited castle. If it's just for vacations, with the way nobles do things, they wouldn't abandon it even if the maintenance and repairs are difficult."
Xio blurted out, "Could it be because it's haunted?"
Fors thought for a few seconds.
"Won't someone who can build such a huge castle hire Beyonders to deal with the ghosts?
"I suspect that the three Churches and the kingdom's government don't know of this ancient castle. Otherwise, it doesn't make sense that they will leave the Beyonder ingredients inside…"
Upon saying that, she raised a possibility:
"An ancient castle of the Sanguine?"
Such extraordinary creatures enjoyed living in places with few people. Furthermore, they were usually connected to dark forests and ancient castles.
In addition, information about this ancient castle came from the Sanguine to begin with.
"It's possible," Xio first agreed before disagreeing. "Will the Sanguine be afraid of ghosts? They definitely have the means to deal with the ancient wraiths inside."
Makes sense… Don't tell me those Sanguine don't like money and don't care about the search for Beyonder ingredients? Fors recalled Mr. Moon's behavior and denied her hypothesis. In deliberation, she said, "Unless there's some problem that's not easy to resolve. That's what made the bigwigs choose to skirt around it."
In that case, her operation would become more dangerous than she had anticipated.
Xio tersely agreed.
"Let's do some preliminary investigations while the sun is still strong."
"Alright." Fors held Leymano's Travels and approached the half-collapsed ancient castle one step at a time.
The two soon arrived at the entrance which was two-thirds blocked by rocks. They discovered that, beneath the green vines, the stone walls were mottled and heavily weathered as though it had been in existence for a very, very long period of time.
Xio wasn't in a rush to enter. Calling out to Fors, they circled around the castle slowly.
When they returned to the entrance, she said in puzzlement, "This castle's style is purely defensive. It doesn't seem to consider the problems needed for living in it. Besides, many of the peculiarities of the building are ones I haven't heard of before. It has probably existed in the late Fourth Epoch or even earlier."
"What's there to defend again? Beastmen? Treants? They've all gone extinct after the Cataclysm. Haha, don't tell me that it's a building from the Second or Third Epoch?" Fors casually replied.
She observed the terrain and left the entrance with Xio before arriving at a relatively complete wall. She reached out her palm and pressed on it.
Although she lacked combat experience, she was rather skilled when it came to the various aspects before a battle.
An illusory light appeared in front of her, allowing Fors and Xio to instantly enter the abandoned castle.
The first thing that they saw was a collapsed staircase and layers of remnant concrete from above. There were rays of pure sunlight shining in from above, as well as masonry and rotten wood. There weren't any animal or bird feces or any green weeds on the ground.
With a whoosh, the wind seeped into their bones, chilling them despite it being noon.
Fors activated her Spirit Body and surveyed the area, but she failed to see any Spirit Bodies.
However, she noticed that on the right of a remnant collapsed wall, there was a rather intact stone staircase.
The staircase was mottled and scuffed as it extended downwards to an unknown location.
"Shall we head over there to take a look?" Fors shot a glance at Xio and made a suggestion.
From her point of view, everything else in the castle could either be taken in at a glance or collapsed and stacked together. If they wished to do thorough investigations, it was certain that it would take a rather long amount of time. Therefore, it was better to gain a general understanding of the overall picture to assure themselves.
Xio glanced around and nodded gently.
"The cold wind is gathering underground… I suspect that all the wraiths and ghosts are hidden in the area where the staircase leads to."
"Yeah." Fors cautiously walked towards the mottled stone staircase and followed the steps, which were covered in gravel, down.
The staircase was rather narrow, allowing only one person to pass at a time. Furthermore, they spiraled down, leaving Fors shaken.
Tap. Tap. Tap. As their footsteps echoed into the distance, the light that shone inside the staircase darkened.
Xio lit the lantern in her hand as Fors opened Leymano's Travels, swiping a page with great familiarity.
A bright and warm light burst out, illuminating the mottled stairs ahead of them. Tensed, Fors and Xio walked down one level at a time.
On the way, cold wind blew past them, making them overreact and nearly cause them to launch attacks at nonexistent enemies.
Tap. Tap. Tap. In the narrow and silent environment, Fors finally walked down the steps and stepped onto rather flat and solid ground.
She had originally wanted to say "being in a place like this for too long will really make one go mad," but due to the silent and heavy atmosphere around her, she didn't make a sound. She was afraid that breaking the silence would result in extremely terrible developments.
Using the blob of light that was floating above her, Fors cast her gaze forward in an attempt to see what was at the end of the staircase.
It was a huge hall that was nearly ten meters tall. There were black tiles laid on the ground with water droplets seeping out. There were signs of damage everywhere.
Dozens of meters away, where the light nearly failed to illuminate the other end of the hall, there was a pair of double bronze doors sitting there silently.
It went from the bottom to the top, and the rocks on the walls to its side had peeled off. The statues were in shambles, revealing the dark brown mud underneath.
The surface of the door was engraved with dense symbols and strange patterns. They had a very mysterious and heavy feel, as though they were sealing something or blocking out something.
Fors finally couldn't help but say with a hushed tone, "Have you seen such large doors before?"
Beside her, Xio shook her head.
"No."
Fors immediately drew a gasp.
"Say, what could be behind that door? Where does it lead to?
"C-could it be the reason for building this castle in the first place? To prevent the creatures behind the door from coming out?"
Xio circled the area but didn't find any murals that could provide any information. All she found was that the closer she was to the bronze door, the more water seeped out from the ground. There were also more and more abandoned silver-black swords on the ground.
"During the Fourth and Fifth Epoch, murals were very common in all castles and buildings. And before the Cataclysm, it can be seen from various elvish ruins that supernatural creatures similarly like to use murals to praise their deities and to record their daily lives…" Xio said slowly, using her experience and knowledge from being a bounty hunter.
Fors nodded slightly and said, "That's indeed the case.
"This ancient castle is more magical than I imagined."
At this moment, she felt hesitant. She even had thoughts of leaving and seeking Mr. World's help.
Having heard Little Sun describe so many horror stories when exploring abandoned ruins at the Tarot Gatherings, her mind couldn't help but wander when placed in a similar situation. She was scaring herself.
"Perhaps we can gather more clues by going closer." Xio boldly took a few steps forward and approached the heavy sealed door that seemed to lead somewhere.
Fors gripped Leymano's Travels tightly and hurriedly chased after her.
As she walked, she suddenly saw bright redness appear before her.
What seeped out from the cracks of the black tiles was no longer water but staggering blood!
This… Fors immediately flipped open the notebook with a bronze-green cover and cast her sight on Xio through the corner of her eye.
It was unknown when Xio had turned pale. Her eyes were dark-green, and her lips were red. The area around her was dark and gloomy as her expression looked extremely distorted.
Chapter 955 Ancient Wraith
Fors's pupils dilated as though she was trying to absorb more light into her eyes to better see Xio's current circumstances.
Meanwhile, the light in front of her suddenly exploded with a flash several times more blinding than old-school cameras, blanketing the surroundings with whiteness.
Following that, her finger swiped on a page on Leymano's Travels as black fog soared from her feet, enveloping her entire body.
The thick black fog quickly transformed into palm-sized illusory bats as they flew in different directions of the underground hall.
This was Wings of Darkness which The Moon had recorded in Leymano's Travels!
Its original use was to enhance one's speed and bestow temporary flight capabilities while producing a horde of blood-sucking bats to attack the enemy. However, Fors didn't use it for this purpose. Instead, she used it as a "prop" for her performance.
After the illusory bats flew away, the space where Fors stood was already empty.
At some point in time, she had appeared more than ten meters away!
After subconsciously escaping and defending herself, Fors could finally calm down as she hurriedly cast her gaze onto Xio, who had turned abnormal.
However, Xio only appeared to have slightly disheveled blonde hair with malt-colored skin due to her continuous forays out in the sun. Besides looking somewhat blank as though she was surprised as to why her friend had such a huge reaction, she didn't show any signs of being influenced by wraiths or ghosts.
sor
as
"What happened?" Xio asked warily.
Fors narrowed her eyes without directly replying to her. Flipping through Leymano's Travels's pages, she asked, "Xio, how tall are you?"
Seemingly realizing something, Xio answered, "152. Isn't that so?"
Just as she said that, Fors's fingers slid across the notebook's page which was filled with symbols and magical labels.
Silently, a holy light swirling with fire plummeted down from above.
The unadulterated and bright light instantly enveloped Xio before rippling outward with sunlight.
As the blazing light stabbed into Fors's eyes, she saw the hall collapse and the surroundings space shatter like glass.
This feeling was gone in a flash as Fors realized that she was still in her original spot. She had yet to flee.
That was an illusion? She hurriedly turned to the side and saw Xio looking at the damaged region of the heavy door.
Fors deliberated for a moment and asked, "Xio, how tall are you?"
Xio glanced at her and angrily said, "Stop asking such inane questions!"
Phew, she's real… Fors heaved a sigh of relief as she quickly described her encounter to Xio.
After a few seconds of thought, Xio used her lantern-wielding hand to nudge Fors's arm.
"Let's retreat. Perhaps the closer we are to that door, the easier it is to hallucinate."
"Yes, that's possible!" Fors nodded in agreement as she quickly moved back a few steps.
Following that, she surveyed the area and asked in puzzlement, "Why can't we find any wraiths or ghosts here?
"Such an environment should be something that they enjoy."
Xio was perplexed as well. She then did a careful observation before landing her gaze on the blob of sunlight floating above Fors's head.
"Try extinguishing it," she suggested.
Fors came to a realization as she immediately dispelled the light. Silent darkness blanketed the area and ruled the underground hall once more. Only the lantern's faint yellow light put up a resistance against all of this.
Then, Fors saw two figures in her Spirit Vision.
They were rather close to the bronze door. One was a female with coiled hair, wearing a knight's trousers and a garish shirt for ease of movement. The other was a man wearing silver-black armor as he held a sword that was almost snapping due to rust.
The former's face was a blur as it kept wandering between the door and where Fors and Xio arrived. The latter was loitering beside the door, muttering something
These are the two ancient wraiths? Fors nudged Xio and said with a suppressed voice, "I see Spirit Bodies."
"I see them as well. They aren't hiding at all." Xio curved her back as she readied herself for a fight.
Fors hurriedly nudged her.
"Don't be hasty. We aren't sure that they're the targets."
She attempted to take three steps forward, but the two relatively blurry figures didn't even look at her.
Fors thought and suddenly said, "Ma'am, what are you doing?"
She had heard of stories in other mysticism circles that wraiths, shadows, and other higher-level Spirit Body creatures could be communicated with.
However, she regretted it the moment she said that. This was because communication didn't allow her to achieve her goal. There was no way she could persuade the other party to kill themselves and hand over the cursed item and remnant spirituality of an ancient wraith.
O
m
Just as Fors was considering if she should launch a direct attack, the lady in the garish shirt and knight's trousers replied with a flat tone, "I'm searching for my husband.
"He's a guard here."
Communication is really possible… Fors pressed out of curiosity, "Where did he go?"
At this moment, Xio approached as she wore a look of extreme vigilance.
The blurry-figured lady answered blankly,
"He's a guard here. He told me that magical power seeps out from behind the door, corrupting his teammates. He got me to leave as quickly as possible with a messenger.
"He said that he would ensure that I escaped safely, but I don't wish for that. I want to leave with him… After sending off the messenger, I returned midway and returned underground. But I can't find him…"
With the age of this castle exceeding the present Epoch, the last defender has definitely transformed into an ancient wraith. Hmm, this lady's story has moved me. I really can't bear to attack her… Fors's mind whirled as she carefully took a few steps and circled around the ancient female wraith and approached the bronze door.
This time, she and Xio didn't suffer any more hallucinations. This seemed to imply that her encounter was subconsciously created by the lady.
A distance from the silver-black armored knight with a rusty sword, Fors attempted to ask, "Sir, what are you doing?"
The knight paused and said with a humming voice, "I'm guarding this Door of Blackness. I need to ensure that my wife has escaped safely.
"If you meet her, tell her that her knight will fight for her to the very last moment."
Ah… Door of Blackness. It's clearly a bronze door… Wait, what did he say? He said that he's guarding the door to ensure that his wife can safely escape? I-isn't this the other half of that woman's story which she described? This is her husband? Fors was taken aback as she kept looking back and forth between the two ancient wraiths.
The lady wearing a garish shirt and knight's trousers slowly approached the bronze door before returning to the middle of the hall repeatedly. As for the silver-black armored man, he was patrolling about the door with a rotting sword in hand. At times, they would pass by without noticing each other.
Such a scene must've gone on for at least fifteen hundred years, or even longer… Fors commented silently as she turned to glance at Xio. She realized that her friend's eyes were already welling with tears.
What an easily touched person… Fors couldn't help it as she shouted at the female wraith, "Look at the door. Your husband has been there all along!"
The lady slowed down her pace and first glanced at Fors before casting her gaze at the heavy door.
Her blank gaze penetrated the knight, landing behind him.
"Why can't I find him…" the wraith repeated her words and repeated her actions.
Fors felt an explicable sense of sorrow, and just as she was about to shout again, she saw the knight turn to look at her and Xio. He shouted, "Who are you?"
Just as he said that, the female wraith cast her gaze at Xio and Fors again.
Fors immediately felt her thoughts slow down as a coldness quickly formed inside her body and rippled out, freezing her flesh and joints. As for Xio, she too was suffering from the same condition. The area around the lantern dimmed significantly.
At this moment, two bolts of lightning lit up in Xio's eyes.
This made the wraith let out a painful cry as his body turned faint.
Xio instantly escaped from her frozen state and threw out the triangular blade in her hand towards the female wraith.
Bolts of illusory lightning swirled around the triangular blade's tip, stabbing straight into the lady.
Psychic Lashing!
The female wraith screamed as her body turned faint.
Fors instantly snapped awake as she slid her fingers across the open Leymano's Travels.
Life seemed to immediately gather from the surrounding shadows, turning into a pitch-black chain that restrained the male wraith to the ground, sealing off his "mouth."
Abyss Chains!
Meanwhile, Xio rushed out, and with an illusory brand in hand, she stamped it on the female wraith.
With her holding back the female wraith, Fors's actions became more composed.
She flipped through Leymano's Travels and slid her fingers.
Silver lightning that branched out and blasted out of thin air, smiting the male wraith and turning the area into a lightning hellscape.
Finally, a holy pillar of light that had flames swirling around it appeared. It enveloped the male wraith and completely purified him.
With one enemy taken down, Fors immediately turned and dealt with the female wraith with Xio.
She didn't hold back on using powers from Leymano's Travels. She came up with wise combinations of them, and using Xio's suppression, she switched between restrainment powers and offense from time to time. Soon, they finished off their target.
Everything fell silent as Fors heaved a sigh of relief. She then looked at the battlefield with a look of disbelief.
"Is that it?"
She originally imagined that two ancient wraiths had unique powers, and with their higher levels, they weren't something sub-Sequence 5 Beyonders could deal with. However, she realized that everything happened rather smoothly.
This made her truly realize how godly Leymano's Travels was. She also began looking forward to the next Sequence as a Scribe.
Xio was somewhat astonished as she thought for a few seconds.
"It's no wonder someone told me that, beneath the level of demigods, the number of Beyonders, their cooperation, and usage of powers are more important than the Sequence."
Just as she said that, she heard knocking sounds resonate.
It broke the silence of the hall, and it came from behind the bronze door.
Chapter 956 The Things Behind the Door
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Behind the bronze door, the slamming sounds continued incessantly, echoing throughout the vast underground hall as though they came from an abnormally distant past.
Fors clamped up and couldn't help but tremble. Unable to help it, she suppressed her voice:
"What could be behind the door?" "I've no idea." Xio honestly shook her head, subconsciously gulping.
Her right hand, which had just picked up her triangular blade, had her joints protruding out as her blood vessels surfaced. Clearly, she was gripping the triangular blade tightly.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The slamming sounds continued without any change in frequency. Each sound seemed to strike at Fors's and Xio's hearts, leaving their hair standing and scalps tingling
"It likely won't be able to come out, right… If it could so easily come out, it wouldn't have waited until today." Fors tried to console herself with parched
lips.
Xio nodded heavily and said, "We leave once the ingredients form."
"In such an environment and atmosphere, her curiosity had been completely overwhelmed by her innate fear.
"Alright!" As Fors glanced at the spots where the two ancient wraiths had been cleansed, she blamed The Moon for providing undetailed information. He hadn't mentioned that there was such a strange door beneath the ancient castle.
At this moment, glowing dust was landing on the ground like shattered gems, forming into two piles as they gathered together.
Around them, nearly formless remnant spirituality condensed into a seemingly ethereal crystal.
Accompanied by the crystals and dust were two different items. One was ring-shaped and completely transparent as though it was a corroded ring. The other was an eye carved from crystal, with faint black gas swirling within. Upon seeing this scene, Fors suddenly realized something
An ancient wraith was a ghost-like creature with a Beyonder characteristic mixed in. The cursed item would be related to a particular item while they were still alive, fusing with the characteristic and turning into a foundation to which they relied on for their existence. It was precisely because of this that different ancient wraiths had different corresponding cursed items in shape and form. However, they were essentially the same. And the dust was another type of characteristic. It was the source of most of their strength, stemming from remnant spirituality, slightly equivalent to the blood and ingredients of monsters.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The entity striking behind the bronze door didn't let up at all. It kept testing Fors's and Xio's psyche.
Being afraid and cautious, the duo's bodies trembled so much that they even imagined that the door was shaking slightly. Their racing hearts were in their throats.
With them being able to head for the staircase at any moment, Fors finally waited until the ancient wraiths' powder and cursed items took form.
As she signaled to Xio to be wary, she crouched down and took out three square metal boxes she had prepared.
After some hesitation, Fors looked up at Xio and said, "These two ancient wraiths have been waiting for each other for so long. I-I'm thinking of separating a little of what they left behind and burying them together… Uh, in that case, I'll get a cursed item, and you'll get a pile of dust. We'll split the remaining spirituality, alright?"
Xio didn't hesitate as she nodded.
"Alright!"
Fors silently heaved a sigh of relief as she pursed her lips. Flipping through Leymano's Travels, she slid her finger across a particular page.
The five nails on her right hand immediately grew long and sharp, covering black patterns and symbols.
This was the Claw of Corrosion from the Sanguine.
Upon seeing her palm transform, Fors grabbed at the ground, easily digging a hole and leaving behind a corrosive mark.
Right on the heels of that, she placed the crystal eyeball-like cursed item and a pile of dust into the hole before filling the hole with the gravel and soil she had dug up.
She lightly grazed the flattened ground with her fingernails, writing an epitaph.
"Returning for you; Defending for you; Together forever."
After doing all of this, Fors sighed when she heard the slamming behind the bronze turn louder.
Bam!
She jumped in fright and hurriedly placed the pile of dust, ring-shaped curse item, and remnant spirituality into the different square metal boxes.
Then, she put the boxes away, stood up, and slowly walked to the spiraling and cramped staircase with Xio.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The slamming sounds behind the bronze door grew intense as Fors and Xio subconsciously gritted their teeth, following the staircase and rapidly heading up.
They increased their speed until they began running. They ignored the possibility of falling on the staircase and tumbling down like a wheel.
Finally, Fors and Xio saw sunlight.
Sunlight beamed in from outside, shining upon the staircase ahead of them. It was bright, pure, and warm.
At this moment, the slamming sounds from underground had come to a sudden stop without any follow-up.
Fors and Xio exchanged looks, slowed down their pace, and after a few large strides, returned to the top of the abandoned ancient castle.
The duo didn't say a word and directly left the area, returning to the periphery of the forest.
After walking for some time, Fors calmed down and pursed her lips.
"It was really terrifying. Although the thing behind the bronze door didn't deal any harm to us, nor did it even show itself, I think it was more terrifying than the ancient wraiths. Compared to all my past experiences—uh, it's far more terrifying. In those few minutes, I couldn't help but imagine all the different tragic deaths I might suffer. Each one was more terrifying than the last, but none of them were as terrifying as the slamming sounds."
Xio turned her head and agreed with a nod.
"Yeah. I felt as though I was walking on the edge of a cliff."
Fors was about to continue when she saw two streams of bright red blood flowing down Xio's nose.
"Xio, Xio! Your nose is bleeding!" Fors hurriedly warned her friend.
Xio was taken aback as her pupils dilated.
"You too!"
"Ah?" Fors blankly reached out her hand and wiped her nose. It felt warm to the touch, wet and sticky.
She was appalled as she hurriedly held her right hand in front of her and saw red blood smeared across it. It was bright and striking.
"A result from being overly-anxious?" Fors muttered in puzzlement.
At this moment, through the sunlight diffusing through the forest's canopy, she realized that faint black spots were quickly growing on her wrists at a discernible pace.
The black spots rapidly spread, covering her arms and the back of her hands.
"Ah!" Fors subconsciously cried out as she hurriedly looked at Xio.
She saw Xio's cheeks and neck covered with black spots!
"Th-this isn't normal!" Fors blurted out.
Xio sensed the abnormality happening to the both of them as she recalled and said, "Do you still remember what that female wraith said?
"She said that the guards from before had been corrupted by the forces that seeped out from behind the bronze door!
"Could it be that we've been corrupted?"
Fors was taken aback for a second before she nodded heavily.
"It's possible!"
She hurriedly took out the medicine that she had prepared, handing over some of it to Xio. Then, she twisted the lid off and downed two bottles.
However, they didn't show any signs of recovering. The black spots grew in number, turning their vision blurry.
Badump! Badump! Before long, Fors, whose efforts to save herself were in vain, could hear her heartbeat and sense her body beginning to lose strength.
Out of ideas, she quivered her lips, clenched her teeth, and turned her body around. She took a few steps to open up a distance from Xio.
Then, she bowed her head and chanted Mr. Fool's honorific name.
In about ten seconds, she saw dark red light appear, engulfing her like the tide.
The ravings and roaring vanished and Fors saw the familiar mottled table and the ten high-back chairs opposite her.
She then realized that her dizziness and blurred vision had vanished. There weren't any more of the strange, accentuated black spots on her Spirit Body.
"Thank you for your help." Fors hurriedly stood up and bowed at the figure shrouded in gray fog at the end of the long bronze table.
Then, she heard Mr. Fool say in a calm tone, "Your spirit had been corrupted by some force.
"It should be fine now."
Cleansed by Mr. Fool? Fors's heart stirred. Just as she wanted to make a request to Mr. Fool regarding how Xio could be saved, the scene before turned red as light soared up.
After a brief pause, she found herself in the real world, back in Delaire Forest. The black spots on the back of her hands and wrists were rapidly fading and receding. The blood that kept dripping from her nose had already come to a stop.
Returning to her body, she saw Xio weakly slumped on a tree. Her face was covered in black spots, making her look terrifying. The muscles on both sides of her neck were tensed up as her mind spun.
A few seconds later, she walked over quickly, pressed Xio on the shoulders and rapidly said, "I have a way to save you, but you need to follow my instructions!
"Use ancient Hermes to say this: The Fool that doesn't belong to this era…"
Xio could hardly turn her swollen eyelids. Looking at Fors for two seconds, she heavily chanted, "The Fool that doesn't belong to this era.
"The mysterious ruler above the gray fog.
"The King of Yellow and Black who wields good luck…"
Just as she said that, Xio saw dark red starlight surge out from the void, sweeping over her.
Indescribable roars continued for a second before vanishing from Xio's ears. She then saw herself seated in an ancient and majestic palace. She was sitting beside a mottled, bronze table. At her feet was a boundless grayish-white fog. In front of her was a lofty figure looking down upon her.
This scene was both unfamiliar and familiar to her. She had once seen it in a "dream," but she hadn't ever had it again after the exorcism ritual.
That purification was actually useless… Xio suddenly had this thought as she stood up in deliberation, bowing at the figure enshrouded in gray fog.
"You are the great King of Yellow and Black?"
She didn't appear too surprised or alarmed, as though she had already expected it.
"You can call me Mr. Fool. Have a seat," the figure with an epic aura replied calmly.
Xio bowed again and sat down, confirming that she had escaped her unwell state.
She looked to her sides and thought before asking, "Honorable Mr. Fool, does Fors Wall have a seat here?"
Shrouded in the gray fog, The Fool nodded gently and said, "Yes." Xio fell silent for a second and directly asked, "Can I join just like her?"
The Fool chuckled.
"It's a gathering they organized on their own accord but is convened by me.
"There's still a seat available at present. You may join.
"Draw a card. They use one of the Major Arcana cards as their code name."
Xio didn't ask or speak further. She immediately nodded.
"Yes, Mr. Fool."
On the bronze table in front of her, a deck of tarot cards immediately appeared.
Xio reached out her right hand and solemnly cut the deck, pulled out one card, and flipped it over.
Her card depicted an angel with a trumpet and the sleeping dead awaiting salvation: the Judgment card!
Chapter 957 Getting to Know Each Other
Looking at the Judgment card in hand, Xio was taken aback.
"This greatly meets my expectations."
Shrouded in the gray fog, The Fool nodded and calmly said, "The gathering is held here at three in the afternoon on Mondays, Backlund time. Be prepared.
"During the gathering, you can exchange information, ingredients, formulas, and knowledge. You can also pay a certain price to entrust missions to the other members."
Xio recalled for a moment before nodding in enlightenment.
"Yes, Mr. Fool."
Believing that this was all for the day, she heard the voice coming from the end of the bronze table.
"What did you do before being corrupted by that force?"
We really were corrupted… Xio composed herself and completely recounted her exploration of the ancient castle with Fors. She emphasized the bronze door which had been named the Door of Blackness, as well as the ancient castle's guard that had been reduced to a wraith due to the corruption.
Then, she noticed Mr. Fool nod slightly as he said calmly, "Don't enter that ancient castle again before you reach Sequence 4.
"It's time for you to return."
Xio then got up, and following the descriptions in the religious rituals, she bowed and said, "Your wish is my wish."
Just as she said that, the dark red color surged in front of her. After everything dissipated, she was back in the real world and leaning against a thick tree.
Subconsciously looking at the back of her hand, she realized that the black spots were rapidly turning faint. Xio looked up at Fors who was staring at her worriedly.
As their gazes met, Fors was first delighted before revealing a smile. She opened her mouth but was at a loss for words.
Xio slowly exhaled and pointed ahead.
"Let's first return to the town."
"Alright!" Fors answered without any hesitation.
At this moment above the gray fog, The Fool Klein was tapping on the edge of the mottled table as he considered Miss Magician and Miss Judgment's encounter.
The object or power sealed behind the Door of Blackness could still corrupt the guards and explorers outside, even without escaping. Just the mere thought of it was terrifying!
Furthermore, this corruption stemmed from the Spirit Body. To resolve it, Klein had only two solutions. One was to make the corrupted entity hold a complete secret deed ritual as he used the powers above the gray fog and the Sun Brooch to complete a purification. The other was to directly pull the Spirit Body over, using the gray fog to "cleanse" them. As he didn't have the luxury of time, he had chosen the latter.
What could it be?
The most corruptive power belongs to the Devil pathway… That place connects to the Abyss? That's not impossible. Based on Little Sun's description, during the early and mid-stages of the Second Epoch, Devils often left the Abyss and were active over the land. It was only when the ancient sun god appeared, causing ancient gods to perish one after another, did they retreat into the Abyss and seal themselves in. Based on that, it's rather normal to have an underground ancient entrance in the Northern Continent to lead to the Abyss… It can also be imagined that a castle is built with men sent to watch over it…
But the problem lies in the fact that it's been millennia. Why would there still be an existence slamming the door? Are the Devils planning on returning? Klein made a preliminary guess.
He temporarily had no plans on exploring the abandoned castle to verify his thoughts, because it was unlikely that there would be any changes anytime soon. After all, since it was news that came from the Sanguine, he could get The Moon Emlyn to do some gathering of information to figure out the history of the castle.
Reining in this thought, Klein removed the topaz chain from his wrist and divined if the matter regarding the ancient castle was pressing. He received a negative answer.
He immediately returned to the real world and waited for the local ruler, General Maysanchez, to send over the down payment.
At two in the afternoon, Feynapotter time, Haggis, with his hair combed backward while dressed as a Northern Continent gentleman, carried a black leather suitcase with a team of guards as he knocked on Dwayne Dantès's door.
"Please come on in." A warm and elegant voice sounded from the inside. It was first Loenese in a Backlund accent before it was changed to the local language of Dutanese.
Haggis turned the doorknob and entered. He saw Dwayne Dantès with his white sideburns and deep, blue eyes stand up from his reclining chair while pressing down the ends of his black vest.
"Good afternoon, my friend." This Loen gentleman with good looks and bearings took two steps forward and extended his right palm.
This time, he switched to using Loenese.
Haggis replied using the accent of a Loenese noble, "It's my honor to be your friend."
After he shook hands with Dwayne Dantès, he surveyed the area and chuckled.
"Is this your servant?"
He pointed at a mixed-blood youth standing behind the arms dealer. In between the lines, he was asking if he was trustworthy. After all, Dwayne Dantès hadn't brought any servants back when he visited the general's residence yesterday.
"Yes, his greatest strength is the ability to keep secrets." Dwayne Dantès smiled as he pointed to the leather sofa across the reclining chair.
With two guards following Haggis, he closed the door and sat down. He then said with a smile, "I've heard of an Intis proverb that's said to be from Emperor Roselle.
"He said that dead men tell no tales."
Dwayne Dantès said with a laugh.
"Emperor Roselle also said something else:
"Corpses can speak."
"Is that so? This is my first time hearing of this." Haggis enjoyed conversing with a Northern Continent gentleman, so they continued their conversation for a while before he lifted up the leather suitcase beside him and opened it.
At that instant, there seemed to be overflowing golden lusters. Under the illumination from the sunlight outside, the entire room seemed to brighten significantly
Haggis then looked at Dwayne Dantes and said, "5,000 Loen gold pounds, as well as 5,000 gold coins and gold bars.
"This is the down payment.
"I'll bring along the remaining 30,000 pounds in cash and gold the entire time, and will hand it over when the arms deal is completed."
Dwayne Dantès scanned the stacks of cash, the gold coins, and gold bars in the leather suitcase before retracting his gaze and saying with a smile, "When do we set off?"
Haggis closed the leather suitcase and handed it to Dwayne Dantès's servant and said simply, "Tomorrow morning."
He paused for two seconds before saying, "Mr. Dantès, the general has a guest who would like to meet you."
Dwayne Dantès's expression didn't change as he fell silent for a few seconds.
"When?"
"Now," Haggis said without daring to show any signs of being perfunctory. "He's downstairs."
Dwayne Dantès nodded slightly.
"Please invite him up."
Haggis immediately heaved a sigh of relief and left with his guards. They followed the stairwell down.
Before long, Lucca, in a simple white robe with brass lines adorning it, walked up. His silver hair had been combed very neatly.
When he arrived by Dwayne Dantès's door, he heard a voice from the inside just as he raised his hand.
"Please come in."
This time they spoke using ancient Feysac.
Lucca's expression didn't change as he naturally pushed open the door.
He then saw the middle-aged gentleman who had rather good looks and qualities from yesterday standing beside a reclining chair facing him.
And sitting on the reclining chair was a young man. He had black hair and brown eyes, with a thin, cut face. He had a cold temperament.
Lucca was taken aback as he took a step forward, entered the room, and closed the door.
After he sat down on the sofa in a composed manner, his gray-green eyes clearly reflected the young man in front of him.
"Gehrman Sparrow?" Lucca addressed him with a rhetorical question.
Gehrman Sparrow curled the corners of his mouth.
"Directly addressing others by their full name is impolite."
Lucca nodded and said, "My apologies for my faux pas. I recall that you advanced to Sequence 5 less than half a year ago, or it might have only been three months. Yes, it should have been completed when you were in the ruins of the battlefield of gods. I never expected… that you were already a demigod. It left me a little bewildered."
Gehrman Sparrow smiled without giving any explanations.
After a brief moment of silence, he said in an unhurried tone, "Why are you visiting me?"
Lucca calmly replied, "I don't know."
The atmosphere in the room suddenly turned somewhat odd. Gehrman Sparrow seemed to forget that there was an elderly man sitting opposite him that needed him to speak again.
Lucca indiscernibly nodded and said, "This is the thing: I made a prophecy by chance not too long ago. In that prophecy, I will be in a rather thorny situation in the future. And one of the people I met with over these few days will help me deal with it.
"I'm not sure if it's you, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. So I decided to meet you and get to know each other.
"My name is Lucca Brewster, a clergyman who serves the God of Knowledge and Wisdom. I'm presently in charge of various matters in West Balam."
Gehrman Sparrow nodded and said, "Not bad. I now know you. I don't believe I need to introduce myself, right?"
"Of course," Lucca thought and said. "You should be a Bizarro Sorcerer. I recently received some intel that there has been some reshuffling among the Secret Order in Intis."
He didn't see Gehrman Sparrow reveal any looks of shock. This powerful adventurer, who was famous across the Five Seas, said after a moment of silence, "Zaratul has returned."
The look in Lucca's eyes changed immediately before being restored to normal.
Then, he stood up and nodded.
"Since we've gotten to know each other, it's time we bid farewell."
After saying this, he walked to the door, twisted the doorknob, and left the room.
Sitting on the reclining chair, Gehrman Sparrow watched as his figure was concealed inch by inch by the wooden door until he completely disappeared. Then, he chuckled.
"What a charlatan."
"Yes." Dwayne Dantès, who was standing beside the reclining chair, found a seat and sat down. Then, he picked up a cup of tea and sipped from it.
With white sideburns and deep blue eyes, he and the thin, angular-faced Gehrman Sparrow exchanged looks and smiled in unison.
On Monday afternoon, Dwayne Dantès took out his golden pocket watch, opened it, and said to Haggis opposite him, "We're almost arriving at our destination. I believe you and your men need some rest."
"An excellent suggestion," Haggis was rather agreeable.
Dwayne Dantès pointed at the street ahead.
"There's a hotel ahead. Let's rest there for half a day before we set off again tomorrow."
Haggis didn't object to it as he turned to the front and instructed the carriage driver.
After checking into the hotel, Dwayne Dantès declined Haggis's invitation for afternoon tea by using an afternoon nap as an excuse.
Slightly more than half an hour later, above the boundless gray fog, Klein sat in the seat belonging to The Fool.