Due to an emergency, Knight Iman stayed in the guest room to avoid suspicion, and the original dinner party was naturally canceled.
Not only that, but Albert, Grimm, Eight Fingers, and other high-level executives of the territory all came to Alan's study.
"This matter... is difficult to handle..."
Albert frowned: "We cannot completely confirm Knight Iman's innocence... Your safety needs the most thorough guarantee... and it involves a nobleman, I think, we should immediately notify Sothos Fort..."
"And then? If the matter escalates... those sympathizing with Iman in the Green Forest will completely distance and separate themselves from us? It's clear to all that such clumsy assassination methods cannot succeed; they might just want to frame Iman, given his good reputation in the Upper Green Forest, which could arouse widespread sympathy... And my father..."
Alan shook his head: "He might not care whether Iman is innocent, but see this as an opportunity to directly strip Knight Iman of his territory... After all, I have a brother too!"
In this regard, Lady Sonia would definitely push strongly.
"Therefore, we must quickly uncover the conspiracy, capture the real culprits, and... minimize the impact."
He concluded.
"Mika's condition is poor, and it's difficult to interrogate him, and those assassins, we can't get any useful information from them..." Albert frowned, hesitating.
"It's okay, you all go out first."
Alan dismissed everyone, then took out a detailed map of the territory, as well as candles, incense, essential oils, and a pendulum.
He wasn't bothered to look for evidence to solve the case; taking advantage of the 'Chrysalis' spirituality, he would solve it directly with mysticism!
"Divination for finding people is not at the same level as ordinary navigation spells; it's a relatively advanced mystical ritual."
"And it's easily interfered with and countered, whether it's the mysticism rank of the person being divined, whether he has other mystical items on him, or even protection from higher beings, all can cause interference!"
Just like Lin back then, she not only had a rank equivalent to that of a Burner, but also the contamination of the Blood Flesh Mother Tree, which was equivalent to a form of observation, making divining her very difficult. In the entire Black Sun Cult, only the high priest could do it.
But in the real world?
"Everyone is mortal. My rank in mysticism, even without counting the Dream World, is still half a rank higher than others... Moreover, unless the Foreign God—[Grandmother Green Banyan] truly exists, there won't be a high being protecting the behind-the-scenes culprit... So, the interference I face is nearly negligible!"
"As long as I can manage the ritual, I will definitely find the mastermind!"
Alan quickly drew the ritual sigils on the table and infused his spirituality.
Immediately, he lit the candle, created a closed environment, and added essential oils and incense, allowing himself to enter a meditative state faster.
Whoosh!
In the closed study, it was as if an invisible wall had formed.
"Because this world has no gods, and I can't communicate with myself in dreams, but the subject of the ritual prayer will still be myself..."
Thinking of this, Alan vibrated his spirituality and chanted in a foreign language:
"I beseech... the Creator above the Creator!"
"The Absolute Observer behind multiple veils!"
"The Vague Spirit wandering in the unknown, the Absolutely Neutral Existence, the Silent Observer!"
"Please grant me the ability to perceive fate!"
...
Slightly, Alan seemed to hear an echo in his ears, but he did not attempt to respond to the prayer.
After all, he had tried several times before, all of which had failed.
He simply picked up the pendulum and placed it on the map, allowing the pendulum to start rotating clockwise.
"The location of the mastermind behind the assassination case!"
"The location of the mastermind behind the assassination case!"
"The location of the mastermind behind the assassination case!"
At the same time, Alan silently recited what he wanted to divine.
One circle, two circles, three circles...
Finally, the pendulum pointed obliquely to a spot on the map in a way that defied the laws of physics, as if attracted by an invisible force there.
"It worked."
Alan stared at the map, a cold smile appearing on his face: "So, he's hiding inside my territory?"
He noted the location on the map and ended the ritual.
The next moment, Alan's vision went black, and he almost fainted.
"My spirituality is completely depleted... It's been less than a day, but it's dissipated faster, though it makes sense."
"What a pity, the 'Chrysalis' spirituality is still quite handy."
"But what I desire most are abilities that heal longevity and manipulate the mind..."
In a world without magic, if Alan could choose extraordinary abilities, he would naturally lean towards mind control and longevity magic.
The ability to control humans, casually getting a grand lord or even a king, would easily gain a large number of people and wealth, allowing him to stay behind the scenes and control everything.
If there was enough time, ruling the world wouldn't be a fantasy!
However, this rule of spirituality dissipating fast makes immortality a luxury, so Alan prefers to find paths focusing on charming and mind-controlling humans.
Mixing various paths has some chaotic risks, he still prefers the pure ones.
"Hmm?"
Alan cleaned up the table, suddenly looking at his pendulum, which was just a small piece of crystal on a fine line, and the quality of the crystal was not very good.
But now, it seemed a bit more crystal clear.
"It has a sense of spirituality, though faint and weak, almost negligible... Is this, imbued by the ritual and me?"
Alan pondered: 'Perhaps, it's not that the world's spirituality has dissipated, but rather its concentration has diffused? Just like water flowing from a high place to a low one... The bit of spirituality I brought into this world, dispersed and lost, is no different from a drop of ink dissolving in the sea, thus making no difference?'
'This is a very intriguing research topic.'
He put his things away and called the people outside in: 'I have already determined that the mastermind is here!'
Alan pointed at the map: 'Go and prepare first. Also, bring Knight Iman over.'
Albert wore a perplexed expression. What exactly did he miss?
Why did a brief moment outside result in the baron determining the existence of another mastermind? And even locating the hideout directly?
Eight Fingers and the others thought even less and directly followed the orders to bring Knight Iman.
'Honorable Baron...'
Knight Iman, slightly fatigued, still saluted meticulously.
'Knight Iman, I have found the true culprit. Are you willing to apprehend him and prove your innocence?'
Alan smiled as he spoke.
'Of course!'
Iman raised his head, eyes filled with joy and determination: 'I am willing!'