In the same Runen language, with the same solemn and tense atmosphere.
Where are we? What do I want to do? I am also curious... Zhou Mingrui calmed down, silently repeating the questions of both individuals.
But what impressed him most was not the sentences formed by the words, nor the meanings contained in the sentences, but the panic, vigilance, fear, and reverence displayed by the man and woman!
Bringing the two of them inexplicably into this misty world above, even as the "culprit" himself, Zhou Mingrui was exceptionally stunned and shocked, let alone the passive side they belonged to!
To them, this kind of event, this kind of encounter, was probably beyond imagination, right?
At this moment, Zhou Mingrui thought of two choices. One was to pretend to be a victim himself, hiding his true identity in exchange for a certain degree of trust, observing quietly and seeing how things developed. The other was to maintain the mysterious and unpredictable image of the man and woman, actively guiding the development of events to extract valuable information from them.
Without much thought, Zhou Mingrui seized upon a fleeting idea in his mind and quickly made a decision, opting to try the second method.
Utilize the current psychological state of the others, leveraging his own greatest advantage!
After a brief silence above the mist, Zhou Mingrui chuckled softly, his tone flat and his voice low but not heavy, as if responding to a polite greeting:
"One attempt."
One attempt... One attempt? Audrey Hall looked at the mysterious man shrouded in the gray-white mist, feeling that the situation was absurd, humorous, terrifying, and eerie.
Just a moment ago, she was in her bedroom, in front of her dressing table, and then she "arrived" in this place full of mist!
How incredible it all was!
Audrey took a deep breath, revealing an impeccable polite smile, and asked somewhat anxiously:
"Sir, is the attempt over? Can we go back now?"
Algernon Wilson also wanted to make a similar inquiry, but being more experienced, he restrained his impulse and remained silent, observing quietly.
Zhou Mingrui glanced at the questioner, vaguely able to see the figure of the girl through the blur, a tall girl with soft blonde hair, but her specific features were not very clear.
He didn't rush to answer the girl's question, turning his head to look at the man on the other side. The man's hair was deep blue, disheveled like seaweed, of medium build, not particularly robust.
At this moment, Zhou Mingrui suddenly had an insight. When he became stronger, or when he understood this misty world better, perhaps he could truly see through the haze and see the true appearance of the girl and the man.
In this event, they were visitors, and I am the host!
With this change in mindset, Zhou Mingrui immediately noticed some details that he had not paid attention to before.
The sweet-toned girl and the calm and reserved man were both quite illusory, tinged with a faint red, like the two deep red "stars" projected above the mist.
And this projection was based on the connection between himself and the deep red, an invisible but palpable connection that he could grasp.
Cutting off this connection would cause the projection to dissipate, and they would be able to return... Zhou Mingrui nodded imperceptibly, looking at the blonde girl and smiling softly:
"Of course, if you formally request it, I can send you back now."
Audrey, sensing no malice, breathed a sigh of relief, believing that the gentleman who could perform such miraculous feats would surely keep his promise.
With her spirits somewhat calmed, she didn't rush to request to leave, her emerald eyes shifting back and forth, flashing a peculiar brilliance.
She asked tentatively, expectantly, and eagerly:
"This is truly a wonderful experience... Well, I have always looked forward to such things, I mean, I like mysteries, I like miracles beyond nature, no, my point, my meaning is, Sir, how can I become extraordinary?"
As she spoke, her excitement grew, even becoming a bit incoherent, as if the dreams she had nurtured since childhood, hearing various strange stories from her elders, finally had a glimmer of realization.
In just a few words, she had forgotten the fear and anxiety from before.
Well asked! I also want to know the answer... Zhou Mingrui self-deprecatingly remarked.
He began to think about how to maintain his mysterious and unpredictable image with his response.
At the same time, he felt that standing here having a conversation seemed a bit low-key. Shouldn't there be a temple, a long table, and many high-backed chairs carved with ancient patterns, with himself sitting at the head, quietly observing the guests?
As soon as Zhou Mingrui had this thought, the mist suddenly churned, startling Audrey and Algernon.
In an instant, they saw towering stone
pillars surrounding them, with a wide dome overhead.
The entire structure was magnificent, grand, and towering, like the palace of giants from legends.
Directly beneath the dome, amidst the clustering mist, there was a bronze long table, with ten high-backed chairs on each side, and seats arranged in the front and back. The backs of the chairs were shimmering and twinkling, with a deep red glow, outlining strange constellations that did not correspond to reality.
Audrey and Algernon were seated opposite each other, in the positions closest to the head of the table.
The girl glanced to her left and then to her right, unable to help but mutter softly:
"How magical..."
Indeed, it's magical... Zhou Mingrui extended his right hand, gently rubbing the edge of the bronze table with a small movement, without changing his expression.
Algernon also surveyed the surroundings, and after a few seconds of silence, he suddenly spoke up, answering Audrey's question on behalf of Zhou Mingrui:
"You are a Runen person, aren't you?"
"If you want to become extraordinary, join the Church of the Night Goddess, the Church of the Storm Lord, or the Church of Steam and Machinery."
"Although most people never see the extraordinary in their lifetime, leading to doubts about the Church, even many clergy within the major churches have similar thoughts, but I can tell you clearly, in the Arbitration Court, in the Tribunal, in the Punishment Bureau, extraordinary individuals still exist, still fighting against the dangers growing in the darkness. It's just that compared to the early or pre-Black Iron Age, their numbers have decreased significantly."
Zhou Mingrui listened attentively, but his body language made it seem like he was casually dismissing a child's story.
Relying on the historical knowledge left by Klein, he was aware that the "Black Iron Age" referred to the current era, the Fifth Era, which began 1,349 years ago.
After Audrey quietly listened, she sighed softly:
"Sir, I know what you said, and even more. Like the Watchers, like the Penitents, like the Heart of Machinery. But I don't want to lose my freedom."
Algernon chuckled softly, vaguely saying:
"Who doesn't want to pay a price to become extraordinary? If you don't consider joining the Church, accepting tests, then you can only go to the royal family, to the noble families with histories of over a thousand years, or rely on luck to find those hidden evil organizations."
Audrey puffed her cheeks subconsciously, then looked around anxiously, making sure that the "mysterious gentleman" and the man opposite hadn't noticed her little movement before she asked anxiously:
"Are there no other options?"
Algernon fell silent. After about a dozen breaths, he turned his head to look at Zhou Mingrui, who had been quietly observing.
Seeing that the other party did not comment, he looked back at Audrey and carefully said:
"I actually have two Sequence 9 potion formulas in my possession."
Sequence 9? Zhou Mingrui thought to himself.
"Really? Which two?" Audrey was obviously well aware of what Sequence 9 potion formulas represented.
Algernon leaned back slightly, answering in a calm tone:
"As you know, humans can only become true extraordinaries by relying on potions. The names of the potions come from the 'Profane Slate,' translated through Giant, Elven, Ancient Hermes, Ancient Fusheng, and modern Hermes languages, adapting to the characteristics of the times. The name is not important; what matters is whether it can represent the 'core symbol' of the potion."
"The Sequence 9 formula I have in my hand, one is called 'Mariner.' It will give you outstanding balance, even if you are on a ship shrouded in a storm, you can walk freely as if on solid ground. You will also gain exceptional strength and the illusion scales hidden under your skin, making you as elusive as a fish. You will be able to swim easily underwater for at least ten minutes without any equipment."
"Sounds great... The 'Seafarer' of the Storm Lord?" Audrey asked, half-expectantly, half-seeking confirmation.
"In ancient times, it was indeed called 'Seafarer,'" Algernon continued without pause, "The second Sequence 9 formula is called 'Spectator.' As for what it was called in ancient times, I do not know. This potion will give you outstanding mental acuity and keen observation skills. I believe you have seen operas and dramas, and can understand what 'Spectator' represents. Like a spectator, you will scrutinize the 'actors' in society, glimpsing their true thoughts from their expressions, their actions, their catchphrases, and their unknown actions."
At this point, Algernon emphasized:
"You must remember, whether it's a lavish banquet or a bustling street, the audience is always just the audience."
Audrey's eyes lit up as she listened, taking a long time to respond:
"Why? Well, that's a follow-up question. I... I think I like this feeling, 'Spectator.' How can I obtain the formula for 'Spectator'? What do I exchange with you?"
Algernon seemed prepared, answering in a solemn tone:
"Ghost shark blood, at least 100 milliliters of ghost shark blood."
Audrey nodded excitedly at first, then worriedly asked:
"If I can get it, I mean if, how should I give it to you? And how can I ensure that you will give me the potion formula after receiving the ghost shark blood, as well as the authenticity of this formula?"
Algernon replied calmly:
"I will give you an address. When I receive the ghost shark blood, I will send the formula to you by return post, or directly inform you here."
"As for the guarantee, I think if this mysterious Lord here serves as a witness, both you and I will be sufficiently reassured."
As he said this, he turned his gaze towards Zhou Mingrui, who was sitting quietly at the head of the table:
"Your Excellency, you who brought us here and possess unimaginable power, your testimony is something neither I nor she would dare to violate."
"Yes!" Audrey's eyes lit up, excitedly concurring.
In her view, the mysterious gentleman with means beyond imagination was indeed an authoritative witness.
Neither she nor the man opposite had the courage to deceive him!
Audrey half-turned her body, earnestly looking at Zhou Mingrui:
"Your Excellency, please be the witness to our transaction."
At this moment, she realized that she had forgotten a certain question all along, which was quite impolite, and hurriedly asked:
"Your Excellency, how should we address you?"
Algernon nodded slightly, then asked solemnly:
"Your Excellency, how should we address you?"
Zhou Mingrui was momentarily stunned, his fingers tapping lightly on the bronze table, his mind suddenly flashing with the content of the previous divination.
Leaning back slightly, he withdrew his right hand, crossing his ten fingers under his chin, smiling at the two and saying:
"You may call me..."
At this point, he paused, then spoke in a gentle and calm tone:
"The Fool."