39 COI

On his way back to the market district, Lumian leaned against the carriage wall, pondering the whole situation once more. He realized he had overlooked a problem.

A Sequence 7 mysteriously vanishes during a relatively simple mission, and it is now suspected to be dead. Would the secret organization behind him just pretend that nothing had happened?

Would they realize the truth tonight and launch an investigation?

As a Conspirer, there's no way the Boss wouldn't have thought of this. Yet, he didn't warn me and allowed me to go home alone… Is he using me as bait?

Yes, the secret organization behind the Werewolf might not take action tonight. As long as they keep their wits about them, they should realize that their missing subordinate is a huge problem. It seems the Savoie Mob is not as simple as it appears. If I were in their shoes, I'd hold back for a while until further events unfold. Then, I'd use the chaos to figure out the true situation of the Savoie Mob.

Of course, if they have an angel's protection and can get Him to temporarily descend upon Salle de Bal Brise, they can do whatever they want…

Now that I think about it, although that Werewolf was arrogant, he wasn't that stupid or reckless. He's just average. He must have captured some ordinary members of the Savoie Mob beforehand and roughly figured out the situation of the few leaders before targeting the leader who recently joined the Savoie Mob—me. Logically speaking, I wouldn't have been involved in the Savoie Mob's core matters. I wouldn't know many secrets, and I won't cause too many implications…

Furthermore, ordinary members of the Savoie Mob don't know that I've advanced to Pyromaniac. Judging from my recent combat records, that fellow believes he can easily handle me. In close combat, a Werewolf with stronger self-healing abilities, faster speed, greater strength, and nimble reactions, possessing claws equivalent to Beyonder weapons, is far superior to a Provoker…

By the time Lumian returned to Salle de Bal Brise, he had already sorted out the situation. He touched Mr. K's finger in his pocket and entered the room on the second floor, seemingly oblivious. He washed up and went to bed.

…

As the sun began to rise, Jenna hurriedly left 17 Rue Pasteur in Quartier du Jardin Botanique, a piece of toast in her mouth.

Last night, she had returned to visit her brother. She tossed and turned in the bed that she had shared with her mother until midnight before finally falling asleep. She woke up early in the morning, not wanting to run into her neighbors who might inquire about the wanted criminal named "Celia Bello."

It was still dark, and the streets were mostly empty. Jenna passed by the few vendors and passersby and turned into an alley near Rue Saint-Hilaire, which was even more desolate.

And then, she saw a familiar figure approaching.

He was a man with brown skin, thick lips, and light-yellow hair neatly combed. He had native blood from the Southern Continent and an inconspicuous piece of tape on the bridge of his nose. Wearing a light-colored shirt and a yellow vest, a golden Sun Sacred Emblem was pinned to his chest.

Sun Sacred Emblem… Jenna's heart skipped a beat as she remembered who he was.

He was a Beyonder from the Eternal Blazing Sun Church, once responsible for protecting Hugues Artois!

Jenna instinctively wanted to turn and leave the alley, but she noticed another Beyonder from the Eternal Blazing Sun Church standing guard at the alley's exit! He too was an Eternal Blazing Sun Church Beyonder who had protected Hugues Artois!

Valentine's eyes were bluer than lake water, and his expression was cold.

Jenna stopped turning and held her breath. Her right hand rested on her waist, ready to draw her hidden revolver and dagger in an instant.

Seeing her cautious stance, Imre quickly called out, "Relax! We're not here to arrest you."

Recalling Franca's analysis about the possibility of the official Beyonders making her an informant, Jenna calmed down a bit, but still eyed Imre and Valentine warily.

Imre flashed a friendly smile and said, "We do eliminate wild Beyonders, but that doesn't mean we don't have options."

"Don't be intimidated by the rumors about the stake. This is Trier. Wild Beyonders who aren't truly sinful won't face such a fate. Of course, similar cases happen in other provinces, villages, small cities, and towns."

Jenna grew more certain of the official Beyonders' intentions. She feigned inexperience and asked, "What do you want from me?"

Imre smiled.

"We hope you can cooperate with us.

"In fact, if we hadn't deliberately let you go, you would have been arrested long ago."

Jenna pondered for a moment, thinking about how she managed to lead a peaceful life after assassinating Hugues Artois.

After a while, she asked hesitantly, "Cooperate?"

Imre smiled and nodded.

"Let me introduce myself. I'm Imre, a Purifier of the Eternal Blazing Sun Church's Inquisition. This is my colleague, Valentine.

"Not every wild Beyonder earns our goodwill and the chance to cooperate. We've looked into your situation and confirmed that you're also a believer of God and haven't committed any serious offenses. Moreover, after gaining superpowers, you restrained yourself and didn't misuse your abilities, except for assassinating Hugues Artois.

"We understand your hatred and your choice. After all, he's a heretic who deserves death. Anyone has the right to purify him on behalf of God. You must know that if we hadn't arranged it and deliberately turned a blind eye to your actions, you wouldn't have escaped from the member of parliament's office."

Jenna nodded slowly, showing that she had realized it later.

Imre continued, "Because you're a believer who inherently stays true to yourself and doesn't abuse your abilities, we want to invite you to be our informant and provide us with corresponding intel.

"Don't worry, we won't force you to betray your friends. We just want you to keep an eye out for anything that might bring disaster to the market district and Trier."

Stay true to myself and refrain from abusing my abilities… I used to be like that in the past, barely so in the present, but will I be in the future? Jenna thought, mocking herself. She wanted to tell them that they had arrived too late, and she was no longer the same person.

After a moment's hesitation, she said, "I also live in the market district. I'd be glad to help resolve any issues that might harm this place through you."

She tactfully expressed her willingness to cooperate.

At that moment, Jenna felt inspired and blurted out, "I discovered something two days ago!"

"What?" Imre glanced at his teammate Valentine in surprise.

They hadn't expected their newly-hired informant to provide intel right away.

Jenna recounted how she'd attended a mysterious gathering where she heard about the disappearance of the Deep Valley Cloister's gatekeeper. Upon accepting the corresponding commission, she described how she and her companion accidentally stumbled upon a cybernetic-eyed monk entering a nearby quarry and opening a secret cave filled with numerous human arms and legs.

Throughout the process, she kept her companion's identity and name, as well as the time and location of the mysticism gathering, hidden.

Imre and Valentine were a mix of joy and solemnity.

They were delighted by the unexpected gain, but the peculiarity of the situation also troubled them.

"Very good. That's the kind of cooperation we need," Imre praised Jenna after she finished speaking.

Valentine nodded reluctantly.

It wasn't that he didn't see the need for such an informant; the incident with Hugues Artois had changed his perception of wild Beyonders significantly. However, he was a bit emotional as Imre could have convinced Celia Bello alone, yet he insisted on involving Valentine.

After praising the morning sun, he could have gone home to rest and enjoy breakfast with his family.

Nevertheless, Imre's reasoning was sound.

According to the rules, it was best to have two Purifiers present when developing informants, especially Beyonders who belonged to a few pathways like Demoness.

Imre explained that over the years, many Purifiers had fallen into the trap of being seduced while developing Demonesses as informants or pursuing them. This led them to fall in love, betray the Church, and lose control amid the torment of faith.

Hence, having two Purifiers to supervise each other in such cases was essential.

Though Jenna was still an Assassin and had plenty to go before qualifying as a true Demoness of Pleasure, one couldn't be careless about such matters, especially with a rare female Assassin.

After the praise, Imre added, "Cooperation means both sides can benefit from this matter. We'll reward you accordingly based on the intel you provide. You can choose from money, materials, knowledge, weapons, and more."

Jenna hesitated for a moment before asking, "Will there be a reward for what I just said?"

"What do you want?" Imre inquired.

"The main ingredient of the Instigator potion," Jenna replied without hesitation,

having already received the potion formula from Franca.

Imre wasn't surprised. He nodded and said, "We'll discuss it after we verify the authenticity and importance of this intel."

"Alright," Jenna replied, not too disappointed as she didn't hold out much hope.

Imre produced an ordinary-looking piece of white paper with a few simple clauses written on it, outlining what he had just said.

The terms didn't demand Jenna's faith to be constantly with the Eternal Blazing Sun, but they required her not to believe in an evil god.

Being experienced, Jenna read the terms over and over again until she confirmed that there were no issues, and then she readily signed her real name.

She watched Imre take out a fountain pen made of pure gold and sign his name. He then quickly wrote a few bright red words in the Notary position.

A sun-like glow briefly enveloped the contract before vanishing.

After bidding farewell to Imre and Valentine, Jenna headed towards Rue des Blouses Blanches.

…

Apartment 601, 3 Rue des Blouses Blanches.

Lumian roused Franca from her sleep at the crack of dawn and faced her wrathful expression as he recounted the Werewolf incident.

Franca swiftly focused her mind and mumbled contemplatively, "If there's a follow-up investigation, the one you'll face will either be Zombie or Wraith. I'm more inclined to believe the latter."

"Huh?" Lumian was bewildered.

Franca explained matter-of-factly, "They are Sequence 6 and Sequence 5 of the Prisoner pathway."

Lumian sighed, still puzzled, and commented, "You seem to know this pathway quite well."

"Of course." Franca chuckled. "In the whole world, besides a few Prisoner pathway Beyonders, the rest belong to two factions. One is the Southern Continent's terrorist organization, the Rose School of Thought, that I mentioned earlier, and the other is…"

At this point, she paused, teasing Lumian deliberately. After a few seconds, she revealed, "Mr. Fool's Church."

-x-X-x-

Mr. Fool's Church? Lumian was both surprised and unsurprised by the answer.

He hadn't expected the Church of The Fool to have a large number of Beyonders from the Prisoner pathway, but he figured that, according to the Bible's description, it wasn't too surprising for anyone from any pathway to appear.

Franca smiled and began to explain in detail, "Actually, the Prisoner pathway Beyonders of the Rose School of Thought and the Prisoner pathway Beyonders of the Church of The Fool were originally one."

"They later fractured?" Lumian hazarded a guess.

Franca confirmed tersely. "The Rose School of Thought is an incredibly ancient organization, boasting a history stretching back over two millennia, even predating the Fourth Epoch—prior to the Cataclysm."

Over 2,000 years old… Lumian was astonished.

When he learned that the Iron and Blood Cross Order had been established only 200 to 300 years ago, he had considered it ancient. But compared to the Rose School of Thought, the Iron and Blood Cross Order seemed like a child who hadn't even attended compulsory education.

Franca continued, "The Rose School of Thought was originally an orthodox organization in the Southern Continent. It ruled the Paz Valley and Star Highlands, where the government and the church were one, until the invasion of the Northern Continent's countries."

"When the invasion occurred, they lost their country and went underground, becoming clandestine. On the one hand, they resisted the colonists and attempted to expel them from the Southern Continent. On the other hand, they frequently caused terrorist acts in the Northern Continent. Heh heh, this actually had no effect on their resistance to colonization. Instead, it incurred the hatred of the people of various countries. Of course, their primary goal might not be this. Perhaps it's purely for blood sacrifice and certain rituals."

"How did they fracture?" Lumian was more concerned about this question.

Franca leisurely paced two steps in the living room.

"The Rose School of Thought has held different beliefs for ages. Their core principle revolves around the notion that willpower is born from diverse desires, capable of reshaping reality and achieving incredible feats. Yet, there's a divide in how they approach these desires.

"Some adhere to indulgence, embracing passionate cravings at all times, even resorting to bloody or primitive sacrificial rituals to bolster their willpower. On the other hand, the temperance faction, working from the potions' names, advocates for suppressing desires, keeping them pent up within their hearts, only unleashing them during critical moments to unleash formidable forces.

"Hence, one faction is known for indulgence, while the other is the temperance faction."

Prisoner… Lumian silently echoed the name of Sequence 9 potion and pondered. "I reckon the temperance faction has got it right."

"Any sensible person would think the same. After all, the body is like a cage for the heart, and the world is a cage for the body. Madness must be curbed, and desires must be reined in," Franca sneered. "But there'll always be a few with a few screws loose. After indulgence, all that's left is madness. They'll barely be able to retain their basic faculties."

No wonder the Werewolf reacted that way… It seems he truly belongs to the Rose School of Thought… If the others in their ranks share his mindset, it only confirms their strength. Surviving to this day without wit would demand remarkable strength… Lumian's thoughts carried both mockery and vigilance.

Franca gazed out the window, watching the daylight grow brighter, and spoke, "In the beginning, the indulgence faction and the temperance faction barely tolerated each other. If you ignore me, I won't meddle with you or the people you protect. But later, the indulgence faction started claiming that the Chained God, whom both factions believe in, is actually the embodiment of some evil god."

Some evil god… Giving in to desires… Lumian's brow furrowed as he sought confirmation.

"Mother Tree of Desire?"

"Yes," Franca smiled. "Someone you know, or rather, a deity you know."

No, I don't want to know Her at all… The Rose School of Thought actually believes in the Mother Tree of Desire. The Werewolf's investigation of the Savoie Mob's information seems more complicated than I suspected… Does the Bliss Society have any connection to the Rose School of Thought? Or do they withhold such information? Lumian fell deep into thought.

Franca sighed sincerely and said, "Powers related to desire can be quite useful, but why can't they be used for the right purpose?"

"Blame it on the evil god?" Lumian cautioned his companion. "It's best if you don't try."

Franca smiled sheepishly and said, "I still know what I can try and what I shouldn't. I understand the dangers posed by evil gods better than you."

"Yes, later on, the indulgence faction launched a surprise attack on the temperance faction and inflicted severe injuries. The remaining members of the temperance faction fled in a sorry state and were hunted down for a long time until they found protection under Mr. Fool."

"I've heard that Saint Sharron from Mr. Fool's Church was once a member of the temperance faction. Likewise for the Angel of the Holy Spirit beside Mr. Fool's throne…"

The indulgence faction is terrifyingly powerful to be able to hunt down the angel-led temperance faction and send them scurrying. There's no doubt they have angels, and not just one… And Mr. Fool's Church can protect the temperance faction… After hearing this, Lumian gained a rough understanding of the Rose School of Thought's history. He grew more confident in the Church of The Fool's strength and associated some of the names from the Bible with significant figures in reality.

Simultaneously, he understood why the Knight of Swords, the other holder of a Minor Arcana card, intended to blow up the Rose School of Thought's weapons warehouse.

"Heh heh, should we stop calling it the Rose School of Thought? Can't we just call it the School of Indulgence?" Lumian taunted.

Franca replied in amusement, "What a lame name! Do you think every secret organization is as uncreative as the Iron and Blood Cross Order?"

As they chatted, they heard Jenna's familiar gait approaching.

Jenna opened the door and was taken aback to find Lumian standing there.

"Something happened to him last night," Franca explained.

"What happened?" Jenna scrutinized Lumian but found no signs of injury.

Franca briefly recounted the Werewolf and Rose School of Thought, leaving out the deep connection that tied her, Lumian, and the Church of The Fool.

The more Jenna listened, the more alarmed she became. She felt that a Sequence 9 was nothing in the world of mysticism.

Her determination to become an Instigator as soon as possible grew stronger.

After the discussion, Franca added, "I'll briefly explain the situation of Zombie and the Wraith so you don't rush forward without knowing anything or sense the abnormality without realizing it.

"Compared to Werewolf, a Zombie's greatest transformation is their steel-like sturdiness. They're unafraid of fire, bullets, or cannonballs. You need to hit the same spot more than five times in a row to break through their defenses. As Zombies, as long as their heads remain intact, they are not in danger.

"They have also mastered decomposition, frost, and death-type spells that can awaken and control ghosts and corpses.

"A Wraith can freely transform into a specter. They no longer have a physical body and are unafraid of physical damage. Their spellcasting abilities are significantly improved. They can even forcefully possess you, taking control of your body and making you kill yourself.

"After entering the Wraith state, they can traverse different mirrors and use them to conceal themselves. Even if you activate your Spirit Vision, it's almost impossible to see them directly.

"If you encounter something similar to a poltergeist, you mustn't be careless. You have to consider the possibility of dealing with a true Wraith."

Lumian listened attentively and pondered before saying, "Are attacks targeting the spirit more effective against Zombies and Wraiths?"

"Yes, I recommend the abilities of the Sun domain," Franca said with a chuckle. "However, I suggest that you run if you can when facing such an enemy. If you can't, seek help quickly."

Lumian never found it embarrassing to ask for help. As he expressed his agreement, he proposed a new idea.

"They're all members of the indulgence faction. Wouldn't it be better to deal with them using an ability to influence desires?"

If that was the case, the mystical item made from Shadow Branch would come in handy.

Lumian had yet to contact Madam Magician. He planned to wait for Mr. K to reward him before deciding which domain's Beyonder characteristic to match the Shadow Branch.

"In theory, yes, but it might have the opposite effect," Franca warned him.

After discussing the Rose School of Thought, Jenna recounted how she had been recruited as an informant and provided information about the Deep Valley Cloister.

Franca genuinely felt happy for her.

"That's right. This way, you'll have a fixed source for resources, but the officials are very strict about key items. You can't rely on them completely."

Lumian hadn't expected Valentine to be in the market district as well. He was concerned about his lack of necessary disguises. The Mystery Prying Glasses could only be used at critical moments.

After some thought, he said to Jenna, "Showing your devotion to the Eternal Blazing Sun in front of a Purifier will yield unexpected gains."

"You seem very experienced." Jenna's eyes darted around, sensing that Ciel held many secrets.

…

Leaving 3 Rue des Blouses Blanches, Lumian strolled back to Salle de Bal Brise.

The more he delved into secret organizations, the more he sensed his lack of knowledge about mysticism.

Lumian sipped a glass of absinthe and settled into his office.

Just as he was about to find a more comfortable position, starlight oozed forth, forming a dazzling and dreamy door.

The door swung open, and Madam Magician emerged. Today, she sported a beige shirt, a brownish-yellow dress, and dark brown leather boots.

What's the matter? Lumian rose to his feet.

Madam Magician grinned and replied, "The friend I mentioned earlier, the one who can help you decipher the symbolic elements, has finished his recent work and is on a short vacation. I'll take you to him now."

Lumian responded with unusual excitement, "Alright!"

-x-X-x-

Lumian had been eagerly waiting for the dream symbols to be interpreted so that he could get enough clues before meeting with Padre Guillaume Bénet.

Only then could he effectively interrogate his target.

This time, when Madam Magician placed her hand on his shoulder, the usual layers of saturated colors and strange creatures were absent.

Instead, he felt a surge of starlight before finding himself in a distorted and concealed dark tunnel. His spirit and body seemed in chaos, unsure if he was moving forward, retreating, or simultaneously ascending and descending.

The state lasted briefly, but Lumian couldn't grasp the duration accurately, as if time had slipped from his grasp temporarily.

When he returned to his senses, he almost suspected that he was at Salle de Bal Brise just a moment ago, and in the next instant, he had arrived at his destination.

Before him lay a primitive forest, its dense canopy almost blotting out the sky. In an open space surrounded by towering trees stood a brownish-yellow hunter's hut.

"Go in," Madam Magician's voice echoed, though he couldn't see the demigod.

Following her instructions, Lumian stepped forward, treading on tumbling leeches and navigating through the dancing poisonous insects in the air and vegetation. He reached the hunter's hut and pushed open the unlatched wooden door.

Inside, rows of bookshelves lined the walls, and a wooden table stood in the center, seemingly existing in a different world compared to the primitive forest outside.

A figure sat behind the table, dressed in a white shirt and an open black coat, appearing somewhat obscured by a thick fog. Lumian could barely make out the clothes, facial features, and gender of the person, but not his face clearly.

"Have a seat," the figure spoke with a slightly magnetic and ethereal voice.

"Hello," Lumian greeted with a polite bow before taking a seat. "May I know how I should address you?"

The figure pondered for a moment and replied, "Think of me as a poet."

Poet? Lumian didn't fully grasp the significance of the code name, but he still chose to show respect. "Hello, Mr. Poet."

The poet gave a small nod and said, "Magician has already shared the entire dream and related information with me, but I'd still like to hear you recount it in detail."

Addressing her directly as Magician… Is he also a member of the Tarot Club? A holder of a Major Arcana card? Lumian sized up the poet opposite him with a guess.

In the dense fog's outline, he got a clearer impression.

His black hair was longer than usual, giving him an artistic appearance. His eyes were emerald green, not sharp but captivating. He had a slim face and a relaxed posture…

The combination of these elements and the thick fog made the poet seem like he emerged from a dream.

"Alright," Lumian replied.

He recounted Cordu's nightmare, supplemented by the various traces found in the ruins and the vast amount of information he gathered over the past month.

Compared to before, his emotions were still stirred by recalling these matters, but not as intensely. Throughout the entire process, he only took a single deep breath.

As he spoke, Lumian noticed the poet, leaning back in his chair, clasping his hands between his chest and abdomen. The poet's green eyes were much clearer than before.

In the next second, Lumian noticed strange insects crawling in and out of the other party's eye sockets.

The insects switched between translucency and opaqueness, as if carrying rings on their backs.

Such a scene nearly made Lumian forget to continue his recount. It was like facing the headless monster created by Supervisor Olson. He couldn't help but feel shocked.

He composed himself and forced himself to ignore the strange insects wriggling into his eyes, expressing everything he wanted to say.

After his words trailed off, the poet fell silent for a moment before continuing, "It's truly a dream filled with symbolic meaning.

"Let's start with the simplest part—the deceased Warlock in the tomb."

Doesn't it symbolize Aurore becoming Inevitability's Blessed and ultimately dying? Lumian was about to ask this question, but before he could, the poet seemed to sense his thoughts and took the initiative to explain.

"This is a typical dual-structure symbol. In other words, it contains two layers of meaning.

"The first layer is about the Warlock representing the power of Inevitability, or rather, corruption. And it also stands for Termiboros. The coffin is like the concept of 'death.' Both symbolize the sealing of Inevitability's power and its loss of vitality. The tomb itself represents the seal.

"In the dream, we can see that the Warlock is truly dead and has never left the tomb. This aligns with the sealed state on your body.

"Your sister Aurore got some boon from Inevitability in this incident as well. She's suspected to be one of the leaders, embodying the power of Inevitability to a certain extent. Plus, she's already dead, so the Warlock matter takes on a second symbolic meaning.

"These two layers of symbolism are superimposed through Inevitability's core power, which can easily make interpreters overlook one of them."

So that's how it is… Lumian's heart sank as he gradually became convinced by the poet. From another perspective, he now understood the essence of the Warlock legend.

The poet kept his seated posture, and there were no longer any strange insects crawling in and out of his eye sockets.

"Now that we've unraveled the full symbolism of the deceased Warlock, there's a preliminary answer for the owl and the other you.

"The other you symbolizes both your mutated personality due to corruption and Termiboros's attempt to achieve His goal by influencing your thoughts. If we only had the first symbol, the other you probably wouldn't be able to leave the tomb.

"The fact that the owl can freely enter and exit the deceased Warlock's tomb means that it can bypass the seal to some extent. It also displayed a few characteristics: monitoring your changes, not showing up at critical moments, and guarding the deceased Warlock.

"Based on our interpretation of the symbolic meaning of the deceased Warlock, the owl represents another Blessed of Inevitability, assigned to monitor your condition. Its attitude towards the deceased Warlock is quite ambiguous. It didn't exhibit the protective behavior it should have, nor did it assist during the final ritual with the angel's descent.

"Bypassing the seal suggests it's in the outside world and might be communicating with Termiboros in some way. I'm not entirely sure about that yet. You shouldn't ignore other possibilities."

So, the symbol of the Sufferer turns out to be the owl. I thought it was the other me or Aurore… Lumian heaved a sigh of relief but also felt a sense of disappointment.

During the momentary pause in the poet's speech, he seized the opportunity to pose a question. "The underground altar exists, but what does the Sufferer aura in the dream symbolize?"

"The first layer symbolizes the previous appearance of the power of Inevitability there, but only on this layer. It's unlikely that the symbolic elements will take the form of the Sufferer aura." The poet took a moment to interpret. "As for the second layer, if the owl—the Blessed of Inevitability—who watches over you is already a Sufferer, it means it doesn't want others to come into contact with the altar of Inevitability. It also symbolizes the power of Inevitability.

"Furthermore, we observed that you suffered the least damage back then. This suggests that the Sufferer isn't willing to kill you. It might even protect you to some extent. This is quite similar to the psychiatric treatment you experienced in Trier's market district."

So, from the beginning, that person was already eying Termiboros? Of course, before his intentions are fully revealed, he will cooperate with Termiboros to do something… Termiboros attempted to influence me several times, but without success. Could this be the reason? Lumian couldn't help but sympathize with the Inevitability angel sealed in his chest.

The poet continued, "I suspect there's a third symbolic layer. It represents a true Sufferer in Cordu, a Sufferer who's not at the Beyonder level."

A true Sufferer… Lumian's heart skipped a beat.

He made numerous connections but couldn't find the correct answer.

The poet wasn't entirely certain about this, so he didn't elaborate further. Instead, he focused on interpreting the symbol that Lumian was most concerned about.

"Whether or not the lizard-like elf actually exists, its symbolic importance in the dream is quite evident.

"Firstly, it represents a yearning for the cemetery and a fascination with entering and exiting tombs, but it never truly enters the tomb of the deceased Warlock. This signifies its affiliation with another faction, linked to the power of Inevitability, yet not exactly the same. It appears to be using this connection to seek and attain something related to Inevitability.

Another faction… Lumian recalled the diaphanous "lizard" present during the Tree of Shadow incident.

The poet sat up straighter.

"Secondly, it symbolizes concealed corruption and unconscious alterations.

"In the entire dream, only two individuals had a lizard-like elf crawl out of their mouths. One was your sister Aurore, and the other was the deputy padre, Michel Garrigue. What do you recall about him in reality?"

Lumian pondered for a moment and responded, "He's somewhat similar to the dream, but not as exaggerated.

"He's a devoted follower of the Eternal Blazing Sun. When he was shunned by Guillaume Bénet, he became fixated on giving sermons and hearing confessions. Later, his behavior became more and more apparent, neglecting all other matters…"

Suddenly, Lumian was startled.

He thought of Aurore, the other person from the dream who had a lizard-like elf emerge from their mouth.

Hadn't she also neglected to ask Hela for help?

Mr. Poet nodded.

"Your sister Aurore should have exhibited similar behavior.

"Thirdly, the faction or deity represented by the lizard-like elf does not want to witness an angel of Inevitability descending. It symbolizes the role of a saboteur."

Seeing Lumian's confusion, the poet continued, "If it hadn't been the person with the lizard-like elf crawling out of their mouth who knocked you out, brought you to the final sacrificial site, and turned you into a vessel, the descent ritual might have succeeded.

"Consider this: during the ritual, if someone else had stood in front of Aurore instead of you, would she have gained a moment of clarity and pushed him off the altar?"

-x-X-x-

Upon hearing Mr. Poet's question, Lumian was caught off guard. A shiver ran up his spine and pierced his brain like an icy dagger.

Whether it was Aurore, who had knocked him out in the dream and led him to the sacrificial grounds, or the deputy padre, Michel Garrigue, who had done it in reality, they all had been secretly corrupted by the lizard-like elves—evident from them crawling out of their mouths!

If Lumian hadn't become the vessel, forced onto the altar and stood before Aurore, Termiboros's descent ritual might have succeeded. Aurore wouldn't have pushed the vessel out the altar, ruining the rite, and Lumian's Mr. Fool mark wouldn't have been activated!

This realization left Lumian's mind in chaos.

He never imagined that the lizard-like elf was behind the sabotage of the ritual. They had insidiously corrupted Aurore and the deputy padre, making them blind to important matters and missing their last chance to save themselves!

"W-what does it want? What's its true motive?" Lumian asked, feeling a pang of pain.

The poet's voice, veiled in mist, replied calmly, "I'm just interpreting the symbolic meaning of your dream's elements. I can't fully reconstruct the truth.

"But I can offer some speculation.

"The faction represented by the lizard-like elves aims to use the large-scale sacrifice of the Inevitability believers to summon an angel for some hidden purpose. However, they don't want Termiboros to descend upon this land for real.

"There must be a conflict between them and the entity known as Inevitability."

Lumian nodded, finding it the most logical explanation.

He couldn't help but furrow his brow.

"What hidden motives do they have?"

"That's one of the paths for your subsequent investigation," the poet said with a smile. "Decryption isn't divination or prophecy. You need enough information for deduction. You can't make wild guesses."

Lumian nodded slightly, eager to catch the padre, Guillaume Bénet.

The poet leaned forward, placing his elbows on the wooden table, hands still clasped together.

"I've already deciphered the more crucial symbolic elements. There's only one left.

"Your dream itself holds a strong symbolic meaning."

"The dream itself?" Lumian pondered for a few seconds but couldn't grasp the specific symbolism.

The poet's voice deepened, no longer abnormally ethereal but more magnetic.

"It symbolizes protection.

"Back then, due to intense emotional upheavals, your mind was on the verge of collapse, and you fell into a deep slumber. If not for the comfort and hope brought about by the dream of reality, perhaps you would have collapsed completely. Driven by your self-destructive tendencies, you would have acted irrationally until your death.

"Moreover, we can confirm that you don't have the ability to produce a dream of reality, nor can you draw investigators into that dream. The sealed Termiboros can't do it either. In other words, the dream of reality is a result of external interference.

"We haven't grasped the specific abilities of the High-Sequence Beyonder of the Inevitability pathway. We can't determine if it was done by the Inevitability Blessed symbolized by the owl or if it was influenced by other factions. Given the previous interpretation and the situation in reality, all of them have sufficient motives.

"In short, besides the entity known as Inevitability, no one else wants to see Termiboros truly descend upon the land."

Lumian instantly recalled the area around the blood-colored mountain peak in Cordu's ruins that induced slumber.

Before he could bring up the subject, the poet added, "Considering that the area that forces others into sleep is around the sacrificial ground and not the house where you sleep, I'm inclined to believe that it's influenced by other factions. Their main purpose is to disrupt the ritual, and pacifying you just comes with it.

"If it was done by the Inevitability Blessed symbolized by the owl, the location of the abnormal area would be completely opposite."

The faction represented by the lizard-like elf did it, or someone else did. Is there another faction? The more Lumian understood the situation, the more he realized that the truth of the Cordu disaster was far more complicated than he had expected.

He fell silent, taking a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking.

"What's the significance of the empty baby cradle in the administrator's castle?"

The poet took a few seconds to contemplate and then replied, "It's a rather minor symbol. It represents the child of the Great Mother. Based on the information you provided, it seems that the child might have entered our world secretly during the final sacrificial ritual, aided by another blood-related son hidden by Madame Pualis. It then left Cordu unnoticed, leaving behind the empty cradle."

The spawn of the Great Mother… Lumian hissed to himself, realizing the seriousness of the situation was on par with Termiboros's descent.

Inevitability's faction had taken a significant risk and worked tirelessly for nearly a year, all for the sake of obtaining a sealed angel. Ultimately, it served the Great Mother's purpose.

With those thoughts, Lumian let go of his worries.

The saints and angels of the Tarot Club and the Church of The Fool would undoubtedly handle this matter. It was beyond the concerns of someone like him, a mere Sequence 7.

Besides, this issue primarily revolved around the sacrificial ritual and had little to do with the truth behind the Cordu disaster. Lumian's main focus was tracking down and capturing the padre, Guillaume Bénet.

He then inquired, "Why was the entire Cordu village destroyed, while only my home remained intact?"

The poet pondered for a moment and answered, "I believe it symbolizes Aurore's nostalgia, reluctance, and regret.

"After the ritual, she should have regained some clarity. In the midst of the fusion of the villagers' flesh and blood, she instinctively protected the building that represented her beautiful past life.

"Of course, it's possible she also leveraged other forces interfering with the ritual."

Nostalgia… Reluctance… The beautiful life of the past… Lumian fell silent, lost in thought.

Observing this, the poet unclasped his hands and said, "I've deciphered all the symbolic elements of your dream."

"Thank you, Mr. Poet." Lumian stood up and, following the Church of The Fool's customs, pressed his hand to his chest and bowed slightly.

For a moment, his mind turned adrift, seeing the poet, the wooden table, the surrounding bookshelves, walls, the primitive forest outside, and all kinds of insects fade away like a dream, returning to deep darkness.

In an instant, the darkness vanished, and Lumian found himself standing at the edge of a marketplace.

In the distance, there were white buildings with dark black or earthy yellow bell towers and spires. Nearby, cloud-like tents and herds of cows, sheep, and horses were scattered around.

Most of the people passing through the market had dark skin, as if they were exposed to the sun every day. Among them, men wore felt hats and dark-red or sky-blue robes, while women wore colorful multi-layered gowns.

A chilling wind howled as Lumian gazed at the snow-covered mountain peak in the distance, momentarily lost in his thoughts.

His conversation with the poet and what he had just experienced felt like a vivid dream.

No, it was a dream!

That's why he couldn't see Mr. Poet clearly.

I didn't realize I was dreaming at all. When did the dream start? It felt eerily similar to the dream I had in the ruins of Cordu. Could it be that Mr. Poet's divine path has the power to make others have vivid dreams? And could the abnormal area around the blood-colored mountain be related to similar abilities? Lumian was shocked at first, but then numerous thoughts rushed through his mind.

Just then, Madam Magician appeared before him, wearing a beige shirt, a brownish-yellow dress, and dark brown leather boots.

"Do you want to go back to Salle de Bal Brise now?" the Major Arcana card holder asked.

Lumian casually asked, "Where are we?"

Madam Magician gazed at the azure sky and pure white clouds and replied, "We're in Star Highlands' Rapus, once a significant city in the Highlands Kingdom, also known as the City of White."

Star Highlands… Lumian recalled the Rose School of Thought and recounted the Werewolf attack and Gardner Martin's arrangements to Madam Magician. Finally, he asked, "Did the Rose School of Thought enter the market district because of the Tree of Shadow? And didn't they gather detailed information about me from the Bliss Society?"

Madam Magician chuckled.

"You should have asked these questions earlier. The gentleman who helped you decipher the dream symbols is an expert at dealing with the Rose School of Thought. Alright, I'll ask him for you now."

With that, she vanished in front of Lumian. A few minutes later, she reappeared in the same position, unnoticed by the people passing through the market.

Madam Magician smiled at Lumian and said, "Based on that gentleman's experience, although the Mother Tree of Desire and its worshiping organizations show clear purpose, sufficient decisiveness, accurate foresight of the future, and excellent planning on a higher level and at the macro scale, when it comes to specific events, they often appear chaotic, disorderly, and even mad. It reflects the nature of the evil god itself.

"In simpler terms, the organizations worshiping the Mother Tree of Desire don't cooperate or communicate well. They sometimes act erratically and unpredictably. It's a common situation.

"However, in the past year or two, that gentleman noticed some rudimentary cooperation among these organizations. Some members of the Devil families are even involved."

"Devil families?" Lumian had never heard of such a term.

Madam Magician casually explained, "The families that control the Devil pathway—the Criminal pathway. Some of them show signs of worshiping the Mother Tree of Desire."

-x-X-x-

Criminal pathway… Lumian began to recall the contents of Aurore's grimoires.

Sequence 9 Criminal possessed a formidable physique, sharp senses, and a range of criminal skills. They were adept at wielding various weapons and could even kill their targets using something as mundane as a spoon.

Sequence 8 Coldblooded were heartless and inhuman. Their bodies were further strengthened, and they gained mastery over spell-like abilities with a leaning towards the eviler domains. Different Coldblooded excelled in different aspects, making them challenging opponents to deal with with no one-size-fits-all solution.

Sequence 7 Serial Killer was well-versed in devilish knowledge and rituals. They could summon projections of devils from the Abyss and had a sick fascination with creating serial murders.

Turning to Madam Magician with a thoughtful expression, Lumian inquired, "What are the names of Sequence 6 and Sequence 5 on the Criminal pathway?"

"Sequence 6 is called Devil, and Sequence 5 is Desire Apostle," Madam Magician readily shared her knowledge.

From worshiping the devil to becoming one—a fitting name for the Devil pathway. And Desire Apostle sounds like a Beyonder who would follow the Mother Tree of Desire. It's a compatible match. They might as well rename it to Mother Tree of Desire Apostle… Lumian couldn't help but criticize as he analyzed the information.

Madam Magician continued, "The first major qualitative transformation of the Criminal pathway is at Sequence 6 Devil. After the corresponding Beyonder temporarily transforms into a devil, not only will their strength, speed, and defense improve, but they become immune to most poisons and acquire a certain resistance to curses and flames.

"More importantly, they possess Malicious Perception. If someone can cause fatal damage to them in a short period of time and begin to take steps to make it a reality, and both parties are within the range of their abilities, the Devil Beyonder can sense the source of danger and the perpetrator. This allows them to take targeted revenge in a counterstrike."

So powerful… Lumian couldn't help but frown.

If the Rose School of Thought's subsequent operations had members of the Devil families involved, the situation would become exponentially more dangerous.

Of course, the Prisoner pathway's Zombie and Wraiths were also terrifying.

Most importantly, at a certain Sequence, Beyonders of these two pathways boasted formidable defenses against flames.

Dammit, Pyromaniacs would be in for a rough time! Lumian made a self-deprecating comment, infected by Franca's and Jenna's vulgarities.

After pondering for a moment, Lumian inquired, "How short can the period of time be for the Malicious Perception to be effective?"

Madam Magician smiled and replied, "The Devil pathway is highly individualistic. Devils from various races each possess their distinct abilities. Even among devils originating from the same race, differences arise due to their individual nature. The reason behind this lies in the requirement of ostentatious malice, which varies from person to creature.

"Unique wills, distinct hearts, and a penchant for desires all amalgamate to form the diverse nature of devils.

"Now, to your query. Some Devils can sense malice merely minutes before its occurrence, whereas others can foretell it hours or even more in advance. As they progress in Sequence, this ability only grows stronger.

"The range of this ability's influence can span a few kilometers, an entire market district, or perhaps even encompass the whole of Trier.

"Furthermore, Devils wield an array of spells involving flames, poison, and filth."

The more Lumian listened, the more serious he grew. Devils were truly powerful—just like Zombies countering Pyromaniacs, who were experts in fire spells and close combat.

After briefly explaining the Desire Apostle's abilities, Madam Magician comforted him with a smile,

"Don't worry too much. Even if the Rose School of Thought takes action in the future, their target will most likely be Gardner Martin. You'll just be along for the ride. The Iron and Blood Cross Order, being a secret organization, has enough strength to resist the Rose School of Thought even if the Devil families send someone to participate.

"If the Bliss Society and the Rose School of Thought share intelligence, you may become their primary target, but they won't launch a fatal attack on you paradoxically. They fear releasing an Inevitability angel like Termiboros. As long as you pay more attention to abnormalities and suspected conspiracies around you, you'll have enough time and opportunity to seek help."

Upon hearing this, Lumian retorted, "If the Rose School of Thought sends an angel to capture me, how will I have time to seek help?"

Madam Magician chuckled.

"Do you think Trier is a public washroom where an angel can descend and snatch someone away easily?

"If it weren't for the alternate space of the Tree of Shadow with the Paramita World enveloping it, that brainless Abomination wouldn't have been able to descend its power.

"So, remember to avoid such places and live under the sun in Trier."

Lumian heaved a sigh of relief and asked in confusion, "Abomination?"

Could it be the power summoned by Susanna Mattise?

Madam Magician's expression turned odd.

"Yes, Abomination—the child of the Chained God whom the Mother Tree of Desire worshipers and the Rose School of Thought originally worshiped. He's a Sequence 1 angel and the current leader of the Rose School of Thought.

"I won't tell you His real name. This guy is covered in curses. If you say His real name often, you might become a frog that needs a prince's kiss to recover. Or worse."

"Why a prince?" Lumian had read the Intis Fairy Tales Collection published two years ago and remembered that the protagonist of the story was a princess.

"Why else would it be called a curse?" Madam Magician wore a matter-of-fact expression.

Lumian was speechless. He asked, "The spawn of the Mother Tree of Desire are angels, already roaming our world. And to descend, the child of the Great Mother requires a ritual. Is one more special than the other?"

"They're equally special," said Madam Magician, her expression taking an odd turn once more. "The crux of the matter is that it wasn't the Mother Tree of Desire who gave birth to the Abomination, but a high-ranking existence in our world known as the Chained God."

Lumian's heart filled with trauma as he immediately thought of Louis Lund, Administrator Béost, and his valets.

"Can the Mother Tree of Desire impregnate creatures of all races and genders through the barrier?" Lumian asked with a hint of fear in his voice.

Madam Magician shook her head.

"She doesn't have authority in that regard. That belongs to the Great Mother.

"However, if you're enticed by Her and end up interacting with the power She has descended or the aura that seeped into our world, She has plenty of ways to impregnate you. Furthermore, the Chained God pathway—the Prisoner pathway—is rather special and has a close connection to the Mother Tree of Desire.

"If it weren't for Mr. Fool's protection, the temperance faction members would have more or less been influenced by Her in the past year or two."

Lumian nodded, then brought up the issue of the indulgence faction and the temperance faction.

"I believe the temperance faction's philosophy is correct, but why can the indulgence faction still grow and possess such strength? Is it because there's no fear of losing control when they are already crazy?"

Madam Magician chuckled and responded, "The temperance faction's philosophy is correct, but it doesn't mean that the indulgence faction's viewpoint is necessarily erroneous.

"You have to remember that acting based on the potion's name is like tarot cards. There's a difference between the upright and reversed position. And even if we act in the upright manner, the acting principles summarized by different people will vary according to their unique minds and experiences. After all, we're just acting. Our goal is to deceive the mental imprint left behind by that entity and digest the potion bit by bit. It would be troublesome if we were to completely align with Him."

Lumian nodded in understanding.

"So, the phrase 'remember that you're only acting' not only prevents us from losing ourselves to avoid mental problems but also helps avoid such problems altogether?"

"That's right," Madam Magician affirmed.

Lumian then steered the conversation back to matters pertaining to the Mother Tree of Desire.

"Mr. Poet mentioned that there are multiple organizations that worship the Mother Tree of Desire?"

"Poet…" Madam Magician's lips curled up slightly. "They're all relatively small organizations that haven't formed a large cult. They're far inferior to the Rose School of Thought and the few Devil families, but they're relatively hidden. Currently, we are aware of three. One is the Bliss Society, the other is the Naturism Sect, and the third is the Tree Worship Sect."

After pondering the matter for a while, Lumian finally brought up the idea of crafting a mystical item using the Shadow Branch.

"Madam, once I receive the reward from Mr. K, I'd like your help in finding a saint-level Artisan to craft the item. Do you happen to know the price?" Lumian inquired.

Madam Magician grinned and replied, "I haven't rewarded you yet for successfully joining the Iron and Blood Cross Order. How about using that reward to cover the cost?"

"That sounds perfect," Lumian happily agreed.

Receiving three rewards for a mission was truly a remarkable thing.

Madam Magician nodded thoughtfully and said, "A friend's relative knows a demigod-level Artisan. I'll check with them first. If it doesn't work out, I'll find another option."

She then smiled and asked, "With the gap between the Lucky One and the potential reward from Mr. K, are you sure you want to use one of them to create a mystical item?"

Lumian responded with certainty, "I won't have any regrets."

His approach had always been to utilize available resources as swiftly as possible.

It had to be known that the padre was already a Sequence 5 bestowed when he left Cordu. He might have even taken a potion to boost his abilities. Dealing with him on one's own was akin to embracing death for Lumian.

He needed to make use of every available resource to enhance his skills quickly and gather more allies to increase his chances of success!

During his early days as a wanderer, Lumian once stumbled upon a wild apple tree laden with fruit. He intended to wait for the apples to grow larger and less sour before figuring out how to pluck them. However, to his surprise a few days layer, someone else had managed to harvest all the small and sour apples.

This incident left a profound mark on Lumian, significantly influencing his approach to handling things.

-x-X-x-

Madam Magician didn't say more and asked again, "Do you want to return to Salle de Bal Brise now, or stay here until noon?"

Lumian had never left Intis, let alone come to the Southern Continent. Since he had nothing planned, he nodded and replied, "I'd like to explore around a bit."

Madam Magician gave a slight nod and vanished before him.

Almost instantly, a bone-chilling wind swept through the crowd and struck Lumian.

Having come from Trier in the summer, he couldn't help but shiver in the harsh highlander winter.

Accompanied by the cold breeze, the distant clamor of the market, a few hundred meters away, filled Lumian's ears, making him feel truly immersed in this world.

Recalling how Madam Magician's arrival and disappearance had gone unnoticed by the surrounding people, Lumian quickly made a guess.

Did she create a wall of spirituality or pull me into a separate alternate space?

As these thoughts raced through Lumian's mind, he noticed that the passersby looked at him with wariness and puzzlement. He was only wearing a thin shirt, a black vest, and thin pants, which were hardly suitable for the harsh winter.

"What are you staring at? Haven't you seen someone acting cool?" Lumian muttered. Relying on Alms Monk's endurance, he nonchalantly ventured into the market.

The smell of fresh livestock dung, the sweet aroma of corn, and the tantalizing scent of roasted meat with spices filled his nostrils.

Lumian surveyed the area and spotted numerous stalls selling various food items made primarily from corn. There were boiled whole corn, roasted corn with red sauce, corn chunks served in thick soup, roasted corn wrapped in beef and mutton, onions, and potatoes, corn ground into a gooey paste and stuffed into various meat chunks, and corn spread into rough flatbread sprinkled with ingredients…

After a moment of consideration, Lumian made his way through the "cleared" path among the marketers and arrived at a stall.

The stall owner was a man in his thirties with dark and flushed skin, gaunt face, high cheekbones, and dark brown eyes. He had long greasy black hair and wore a black felt hat along with a dark red robe made of wool and other materials.

Lumian pointed at the bubbling yellow corn paste in the iron-colored pot and asked in Intisian, "How much?"

He had noticed that some folks here understood Intisian. The transactions were done using various metal currencies, including verl d'or.

The stall owner seemed scared, and he replied in non-fluent Intisian with a hint of flattery, "5 coppet for 1 cup."

A lick, pretty cheap… Lumian glanced at the corn paste with mutton chunks and pulled out a brass coin with a Hornacis mountain range pattern on the front.

The vendor breathed with relief and quickly produced a paper cup that didn't quite match the market's style and technology. He filled it up generously, even adding a few extra meat chunks.

As Lumian received the cup, warmth spread through his body.

It was a wonderful experience to have something warm while enduring the biting wind.

The even better experience was the warm corn paste flowing from his mouth into his esophagus and into his stomach, spreading warmth to every nook and cranny of his body.

The corn paste, with its light sweetness and a hint of spiciness and pungency, perfectly complemented the beef and mutton cubes, neutralizing their gamey smell. It was peculiar and appetizing, a treat for his taste buds.

Ignoring the cautious glances from the women and the fear and loathing from the man driving the cows and sheep, Lumian sipped his corn paste and made his way to the end of the market.

Soon, he entered the City of White, Rapus. He spotted the golden Eternal Blazing Sun cathedral and the God of Steam and Machinery cathedral adorned with various industrial components. The white buildings, shops selling leather and fabrics, the Highland Import and Export Corporation, and the Rapus Mining Federation signs were all visible. Carriages pulled by long-haired cows and medium-sized horses filled the streets, accompanied by locals in robes and a few foreigners in formal attire.

Lumian picked a shop called Highland Mystic Potion and entered like a tourist.

The owner, an Intisian in his forties, with typical black hair and blue eyes, wore a white shirt with floral patterns, thick cashmere clothes, and a dark blue coat with golden trim.

Upon seeing Lumian, he greeted him warmly, "Good morning, dear compatriot."

The man checked out Lumian's attire and asked with concern, "Did you encounter a bandit?"

"I just arrived in Rapus. There was an accident on the way," Lumian replied, smiling with a Trier accent.

The proprietor of the mystic potion nodded in understanding.

"The Southern Continent isn't all it's cracked up to be, but it's a paradise for adventurers. I arrived in West Balam fifteen years ago in search of opportunities. Life only turned for the better when I found true opportunities in the City of White. By steam!"

With a sigh, he drew a triangular Sacred Emblem on his chest.

"By steam!" Lumian responded with the same etiquette.

The owner's smile grew warmer.

"Brother, would you like some mummy powder? Real mummy powder!"

Lumian looked around the small shop and smiled.

"Why don't you display the mummy in the window to prove its authenticity?"

The boss smiled sheepishly and said, "That would upset the barbarians.

"Some buy mummy powder, but most can't accept mummies as commodities."

Lumian deliberately said, "When I left Trier, there was a shortage of mummy powder. The price skyrocketed. Ever thought of transporting mummies back to Trier for sale?"

"Maritime trade is too risky, and the import-export companies give terrible prices, not to mention the taxes they charge. Those damned hyenas!" The owner glanced at Lumian, testing the waters, "If you're willing to take the risks, we can cooperate."

"How many mummies can you provide?" Lumian feigned skepticism.

The boss smiled.

"That depends on how many you want. I have the right connections."

I can have as many as I want? Have you unearthed the grave of a nobleman from the Highlands Kingdom? Or will you find a corpse or even a living person to make one on the spot? Lumian engaged in a conversation with the owner of the Highland Mystic Potion and left the shop, pretending he needed time to consider the offer.

After wandering for some time, Lumian came across a magnificent three-story white building by the roadside, bustling with locals swarming in.

Curiosity got the better of him, and he followed the crowd inside, only to find Intis soldiers, clad in their distinctive black triangular hats and blue coats with gold threads, guarding the entrance in their white pants and black leather boots.

Rapus, Lumian thought to himself, is truly an Intis colonial city. His gaze settled on the golden words above the main entrance, which read: "Rapus Specialized Court."

Taking a seat in an empty corner of the courtroom, Lumian tuned in to the trial that was underway.

Two Intis soldiers stood accused of a heinous crime—intercepting a newlywed couple in the suburbs, murdering the husband, and subjecting the wife to unspeakable horrors.

The latter was fortunate enough to survive. With numerous witnesses and ample evidence, the entire case appeared quite clear-cut.

After much deliberation, the judge, who was now holding the third hearing, finally pronounced them guilty, decreeing their immediate expulsion from the highlands. Upon their return to Intis, they would face further punishment in a military court.

The verdict didn't sit well with the local crowd, and they expressed their dissatisfaction loudly. However, the judge remained resolute, ordering bailiffs and soldiers to remove the dissenters from the court.

Lumian observed the faces of the agitated and angered locals as they were forced to leave, and only when they had gone did he decide to leave the courtroom as well.

As he strolled past the Eternal Blazing Sun cathedral's square, he noticed a group of clergymen in white robes adorned with golden threads.

They were walking towards the cathedral, keeping a safe distance from the crowd, and speaking in hushed tones.

Lumian, relying on his Hunter's ears, strained to catch their words from afar.

Though the distance made it difficult, he managed to make out two phrases: "Evernight's power… has invaded this place…"

What could that mean? Is the Evernight Goddess Church of the Loen Kingdom extending its reach into the Star Highlands? Lumian pondered for a moment before continuing on his way.

…

At 12:30 p.m. Trier time, Madam Magician escorted Lumian back to Salle de Bal Brise, and he reappeared in his bedroom.

He sat down at his wooden table and began organizing Mr. Poet's interpretation of the dream's symbolic elements.

In the midst of his work, Lumian heard familiar footsteps approaching and an impolite knock on the door.

Putting down the fountain pen, Lumian stood up and glanced at the entrance.

"Come in."

It was Franca, dressed in her usual attire of blouse, beige breeches, and red boots. However, she now wore a light-colored pleated dress around her waist.

"Very strange," Lumian remarked honestly.

Franca sighed, a mix of joy and melancholy on her face.

"I'm not used to wearing dresses yet. This will have to do for now.

"This is to welcome Pleasure."

"Pleasure?" Lumian was puzzled by the term she mentioned.

Franca closed the door behind her and explained with a complex expression,

"Since you've joined the Iron and Blood Cross Order, my initial mission is considered accomplished. Now, I'll see if I can join and assist with your operation.

"And since the mission is complete, there should be a reward. The next Sequence for a Witch is Demoness of Pleasure.

"Yes, I already have all the main ingredients and most of the supplementary ones, except for real mummy ashes. I came to ask if you could keep an eye out during your mysticism gatherings. Damn it, those mummy ashes sold in shops are all fake!"

-x-X-x-

Mummy ashes… Lumian's mind immediately went to the Highland Mystic Potion shop in Rapus.

The mummies had their origins in the old Highlands Kingdom, and they had a special ancient Highlander term for it. Emperor Roselle translated it into "mummy."

In simpler terms, the most genuine and ancient mummies could be found in Star Highlands, the largest source of mummy ashes.

Franca grew more and more agitated as she spoke.

"Why do you think men in Trier are so keen on things that enhance their abilities in that area? They even dare to consume mummy ashes! This means that those who genuinely need them can't afford the real deal!"

"Many women in Trier are interested as well, hoping their husbands and lovers can perform better in bed." Lumian had read about it and asked Franca curiously, "Does it really work?"

Franca scoffed.

"I can't see any other effects besides getting sick from using powder made from a specially prepared corpse. Well, its use in mysticism is a different matter.

"Think about it. Trier is now flooded with fake mummy ashes. People are gobbling them up without knowing if they're authentic!

"There are many herbs with similar effects, but once they are labeled as mummy ashes, the price skyrockets. Who wouldn't take advantage of that?

"Don't overestimate the merchants' conscience. I've heard complaints at many mysticism gatherings about people finding dead rats, grinding them into powder, mixing it with herbs, and selling it as mummy ashes.

"When I, um, before I had superpowers and was still struggling, I saw the café owner making fake coffee from chicory. Later, he couldn't even afford that. He gathered coffee dregs, animal bile, and even brick dust and soot as a substitute. Believe me, if you visit the kitchens of certain restaurants and cafés, you'd want to hang the boss from the gallows. Those escargot shells are reused, picked up from the trash, filled with ingredients, and served to new customers"

Franca continued her rant, expressing her frustration with counterfeit and inferior products hindering her Beyonder career.

After she finished speaking, Lumian asked with certainty, "Have you finished digesting your Witch potion?"

Franca's emotions returned to normal as she replied smugly, "That was a long time ago. Have you seen me act as a Witch during this period of time?"

Lumian changed the subject thoughtfully.

"You seem to despise the Rose School of Thought for their acts of terror in the Northern Continent. You even mock them for hindering the colonization resistance by the Southern Continent natives. I don't quite understand your logic. Shouldn't they resist and take revenge when bullied?"

Franca walked to the window of Lumian's bedroom and gazed at the dock and depot concealed by buildings. Her gaze was unfocused as she said, "They should—if they wish to seek the adrenaline from exacting vengeance, for a moment of exhilaration. But if you want to lead the Southern Continent to expel the colonists, such actions will only have the opposite effect. A philosopher back home once said that no king should send troops out in anger. Resisting colonization is a serious and challenging matter; it's something that shouldn't become a wastebasket for venting one's emotions."

Seeing Lumian's confusion, Franca pointed out the window.

"There are many workers and laborers there. They work hard every day and sleep in bedbug-infested rooms. Are they colonists? Did they benefit from the colonies? True, their jobs may be a result of colonial trade, but will they lose their jobs without the colonies and normal trade? I don't think so. The most likely possibility is that they will still have a job that barely provides sustenance; it's the bosses who lose excessive profits.

"They have their own demands and a desire to change the current society. They often join Trier's citizens in various marches and protests, expressing deep dissatisfaction with the government.

"There are many similar people in Trier. Some of them have various reasons and even sympathize with the Southern Continent colonies.

"A philosopher king back home once said that we must distinguish between our friends and foes when carrying out deeds. The Rose School of Thought's various terrorist acts will only pit those who sympathize with the colonists and those who are also resisting the government against them. It makes them the object of hatred that will be exploited by the rulers to bridge any internal conflicts. It will harm the people of the Southern Continent's resistance against colonization.

"The philosopher king even prohibited his intelligence officers from carrying out assassinations or seeking revenge, let alone causing terrorist incidents."

Franca snapped out of her daze and spoke with enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling, "As long as we can gather more allies, isolate our enemies, and ignite that tiny spark, it can set a whole wilderness ablaze!"

Who is friend and foe… Finding allies and isolating the enemy… Even a tiny spark can set a whole wilderness ablaze… The words left a profound impact on Lumian. He pondered Franca's words repeatedly, especially her last sentence. It unveiled a new understanding of Pyromaniac, bringing him closer to unveiling his first acting principle.

After a few moments, Lumian nodded solemnly.

"I agree with you now. The Rose School of Thought's acts of terror are extremely foolish, mere decisions made after their minds are filled with desire. Uh, as believers of the Mother Tree of Desire, it's quite expected."

Franca pursed her lips.

"If the Rose School of Thought focused on assassinating colonial generals, members of parliament, and high-ranking government officials, as well as destroying battleships and arsenals, I wouldn't mock them. But their blood sacrifices, indiscriminately killing people, are the actions of lunatics. I don't want to become a sacrifice to these madmen one day."

Lumian remarked, "It's a classic case of turning sympathizers against each other."

Franca disdainfully added, "Not only do these lunatics carry out blood sacrifices in the Northern Continent, but they also do it in the Southern Continent, turning villages into uninhabited lands. The Southern Continent has the Rose School of Thought as another insurmountable obstacle besides the colonists."

Lumian nodded gently and said, "That lady took me to the Star Highlands and during my tour of Star Highlands, I encountered a mummy merchant. Should I request permission to visit again and obtain some real mummy ashes for you?"

That lady… Franca realized something and decided not to press further. After some thought, she said, "No need for that now. Just because Trier has plenty of counterfeit goods doesn't mean there's nothing authentic. Let's try to find the authentic ones first. If not, we'll go to the Southern Continent."

Lumian honestly shared his intentions, "I hope you can advance to Sequence 6 within a week and become a Demoness of Pleasure."

"Huh?" Franca was confused.

Who's the one making the advancement?

Lumian didn't hide anything, responding directly, "It has been prophesied that Guillaume Bénet will appear in Quartier de la Princesse Rouge next week. I want to find him and capture him, and I need the help of more friends. The Boss has already agreed to help me find him. The stronger you are, the higher our chances of capturing Guillaume Bénet."

Amused, Franca teased, "You're learning on the spot, kid. You really aren't holding back anymore. You made a request without getting my agreement to help."

Lumian smiled, replying, "Isn't that what I'm doing now?"

Franca pondered for a moment before saying, "Wait a few more days. If we still can't find real mummy's ashes, we'll go to the Southern Continent to search for them. Remember, try not to trouble the Major Arcana card holder if possible."

"Right then," Lumian said, sharing a similar view, but he never missed a chance to fleece. Otherwise, it would be best to seek Madam Magician's help in dealing with Guillaume Bénet.

A subordinate who couldn't handle problems on their own, bothering their superior all the time, would eventually be left behind!

Furthermore, the Tarot Club followed a rule of equivalent exchange. What price would one have to pay to enlist the help of a demigod-level Major Arcana card holder?

After chatting for a while, Franca, who was about to leave, glanced at the window and suddenly said, "Although Gardner Martin already knows the situation and has made preparations, you can't be careless. You can't place all your hopes on him. The Rose School of Thought is an ancient secret organization. It must possess various abilities."

Why are you bringing this up all of a sudden? Lumian was taken aback for a moment before responding with tacit understanding, "The Boss is at least a Conspirer. He has probably set countless traps in secret, awaiting the arrival of the Rose School of Thought."

On this topic, the two of them continued their conversation as they left the bedroom and entered the corridor.

Franca lowered her voice and said, "I sensed something amiss with the glass in your window. I suspect a Wraith."

The Rose School of Thought's Wraith? Franca discovered something wrong with her Witch's grasp of mirrors? Lumian's nerves tensed as he nodded slightly, acting as though they were discussing an ordinary topic.

He saw Franca stroll into the café and depart Salle de Bal Brise before stepping out of the corridor. Like always, he settled into his regular seat and savored his aromatic coffee.

An hour went by, and Lumian started to feel a bit more at ease. He thought the Wraith had probably left, so he shifted his focus to Gardner Martin and the potential traps.

The following days were filled with paranoia for Lumian. He sensed eyes on him from the glass window in his room and the bathroom mirror, but nothing alarming occurred.

Finally, the day of the reward promised by Mr. K arrived.

As Lumian descended the stairs of Auberge du Coq Doré, he encountered an unfamiliar woman.

Dressed in a lake-blue dress, her brown hair flowed naturally, and her brown eyes had a uniquely ethereal quality. Her looks were above average, her cheeks plump, and her demeanor stood out from the ordinary.

As Lumian passed by the front desk, he casually asked Madame Fels, "Is that young lady a new tenant?"

The plump Madame Fels smiled ingratiatingly. "No, she's Miss Safari, staying in Room 309. She went to a small seaside town to be a human model for a painter. She only returned today.

"How enviable. Her job lets her take a vacation by the sea."

That human model? Lumian nodded and left Auberge du Coq Doré, catching a public carriage to Avenue du Boulevard.

-x-X-x-

Avenue du Boulevard, 19 Rue Scheer, basement.

Mr. K's face remained hidden under the massive hood, but Lumian could feel the admiration and recognition in his gaze.

Standing behind a red armchair, Mr. K pointed to a narrow wooden table by the wall.

"Make a choice. These are Grade 2 Sealed Artifacts, as per the standards of various Churches. They have distinct characteristics but come with dangerous negative effects. Nonetheless, there are ways to resolve those issues and utilize them to some extent."

Following the gesture of Mr. K's raised right hand, Lumian spotted three containers on the narrow wooden table.

One was an exquisite wooden box adorned with rubies, emeralds, agates, and other precious items. Another was a rubber injector, and the last one was a wide-mouthed bottle filled with a dreamy green liquid with a golden object at the bottom.

Mr. K approached the table, picked up the wooden box with gems, and opened it.

Inside, there lay a thin and soft leather mask. As Mr. K lifted it to display, an exaggerated face outlined in red, yellow, and white oil paint emerged.

For some reason, Lumian's mood took a plunge at the sight of the face, and his heart filled with sorrow.

"It's called the Clown Mask," Mr. K introduced in a low, raspy voice. "Wearing it enables you to create Paper Figurine Substitutes. You can ignite combustible objects within a 50-meter radius and leap between flames, allowing you to transfer wounds across your body and turn a fatal injury into a minor one. However, each wound can only be transferred once.

"It will also meld with your face, altering your appearance. This aspect is beyond your control, but it grants you strong expression control and sharp premonition for a short duration.

"To store it safely, you'll need a high-value container. Otherwise, it will continuously bring frustration, pain, and sorrow to those around it, gradually driving them insane until they break down. For Beyonders, this often means losing control.

"That's why you can't wear it for more than ten minutes at a time. Additionally, you have to 'watch' a comedic performance once a week; otherwise, it will attempt to replace you when you wear it, truly becoming your 'face.'"

Wound transference… This Sealed Artifact belongs to the Seer pathway. It corresponds to the Sequence of Bureau 8's Miss Leah or higher, Lumian quickly deduced based on his experience.

He felt that the Clown Mask suited him well. With Pyromaniac and Flaming Jump, he could significantly increase his strength.

He was in need of changing his appearance, but the limitation of wearing it for only ten minutes made it similar to the Mystery Prying Glasses, albeit more convenient.

Moreover, Paper Figurine Substitutes and wound transference could effectively boost his survivability, but when it came to dealing with Zombies, Wraiths, Devils, or Desire Apostles, these abilities lacked specificity.

Emotional influences were currently a taboo for Lumian. While his psychological issues had been somewhat healed, the flames of pain couldn't be fully extinguished. They still smoldered deep in his heart. If this emotional breakdown erupted, Termiboros would undoubtedly be grinning from end to end.

As Lumian pondered, Mr. K put the Clown Mask back into its exquisite wooden box and picked up an injector made of rubber hoses, a glass syringe, and a thin needle.

At that moment, a tube of bright red liquid quietly filled the syringe, as if it had just been extracted from a person's body.

Mr. K gently shook the injector and said, "It's called Lifeblood. Once injected into your body, it allows you to control your flesh and blood completely for a short period. You won't need to maintain your human form deliberately, and your vital points will be safe. Moreover, you can envelop a target, corrode their body, and kill them from the inside.

"Simultaneously, you can transform into your own shadow and merge with the surrounding shadows. That way, you can secretly trail the enemy and avoid detection.

"With each injection, you'll become closer to our Lord, closer to the most ancient appearance of humanity's original form. Others and creatures won't endure it well. Their bodies will collapse gradually with each injection, and they won't be able to return to their original state. Their minds will be cloaked by shadows, making them crave flesh and blood, turning them into irrational monsters. However, we need not worry. As long as we devoutly believe in our Lord and remember to pray to Him always, there won't be many issues with our bodies and minds.

"I've injected myself several times before. Am I not normal now?"

Lumian didn't fully buy into it. I don't think you're normal… The flesh corrosion ability seems useful against Zombies…

Furthermore, he wasn't devout when it came to the True Creator. He usually used psychological cues to seal the memories of His honorific name and didn't pray at all.

"If you carry Lifeblood without injecting yourself, it won't affect you other than making you crave flesh and blood," Mr. K explained. He then picked up a wide-mouthed bottle filled with green liquid

filled with an alcoholic fragrance and retrieved a golden brooch carved into a Scotch Broom from it with his white palm that appeared sickly.

"This one's called Decency.

"Once you wear it, you can acutely detect a target's weaknesses. By symbolically giving them items, you can complete a Bribe, significantly weakening their attack, defense, or control over you for a certain period.

"In addition, you can Distort the target's words, actions, and intentions. You can also Distort certain actions of yourself or others to create an environment that's beneficial to you."

Using Bribe to weaken the target's attack, defense, or control… This ability is very versatile. It can be used against Zombies, Devils, or other Beyonders… If I use Distortion well, I can come up with all kinds of tricks… Lumian's spirits lifted, believing this was what he wanted.

The next step was to see if the negative effects could be endured.

Mr. K continued, "It must be kept in liquor that exceeds 45 proof. Otherwise, it might result in arrest from official Beyonders or other factions at irregular intervals.

"You can't wear it for more than fifteen minutes. In the following hour, you'll become repulsive and disdainful. It's best not to go out. Wait patiently until the negative effects fade."

As a Hunter, how can I not be repulsed and despised? And it's normal for regulars at Ol' Tavern to carry two or three flasks of liquor with them… Sometimes, I can even use it to attract nearby factions to capture this characteristic for "fishing." It's a perfect part of certain traps… Lumian quickly made up his mind and said firmly, "I want Decency."

Now, the question was whether this Sealed Artifact could be matched with the Shadow Branch to create a mystical item with both characteristics.

Mr. K respected Lumian's decision and didn't offer any persuasion.

He tossed the Decency brooch back into the wide-mouthed bottle of liquor, capped it, and handed it to Lumian.

Lumian swiftly caught it and mumbled, What if I'm not skilled enough to catch it and shatter the bottle? We'll exchange looks and then flee before the official Beyonders come after us?

Lumian gripped the bottle of liquor suspected to be absinthe and deliberately said, "I have something to report."

He briefly recounted the Werewolf incident and concluded, "The Rose School of Thought suffered repeated setbacks, yet they remain arrogant. I heard they also believe in the evil god, the Mother Tree of Desire."

Mr. K's gaze turned cold, and his voice carried an oppressive metallic quality.

"The evil god's believers are indeed becoming more impudent.

"Since some deities can't shoulder such a heavy responsibility, let us share Their burden."

Lumian could sense Mr. K's anger igniting as his Pyromaniac potion was showing signs of digestion.

After bidding farewell to Mr. K, he left the basement and closed his eyes in the corridor.

Through this experiment, combined with the fire in his heart when he advanced to Pyromaniac, Franca's words, the various situations in the market district, and the actions of the people of Rapus and the Southern Continent, he concluded his first Pyromaniac acting principle: "Pyromaniacs not only ignite matter but also the mind and society."

…

In the market district, Auberge du Coq Doré, Room 207.

Lumian gazed at the enticing green liquor bottle, contemplating the need for sturdy military flasks to prevent it from breaking during a potential fight. Simultaneously, he made the final decision—to utilize the Lucky One Beyonder characteristic and the Shadow Branch to create a mystical item.

He felt that Decency's powers didn't mesh well with the Shadow Branch, and its drawbacks were manageable. On the other hand, Sealed Artifacts offered decent effects and could be used independently.

Without any hesitation, Lumian penned a letter, seeking Madam Magician's aid in locating a demigod-level Artisan.

Afterward, he made his way to the safe house on Rue des Blouses Blanches, summoned the messenger, and dispatched the Shadow Branch and Lucky One Beyonder characteristic, along with the letter, to the holder of the Major Arcana card.

In no time, Lumian spotted the puppet messenger materializing above the desk, dropping a thick stack of papers with a loud thud.

Bang!

The table groaned under the weight of the hefty object.

Lumian rose to his feet and noticed a response placed on top of the stack.

"No problem. I'll assist you in making contact. The process will take some time, as will the crafting of the item. If you don't mind, I'll add a condition that the final product should be portable."

"Additionally, while observing celestial phenomena, I sensed that you are on the verge of assimilating the Pyromaniac potion and can endure a new Inevitability boon. Here's information about some creatures from the spirit world. You can study it beforehand and explore which contracts you might form to borrow their abilities."

Madam Magician possesses knowledge of astromancy? Her predictions are remarkably accurate… Lumian felt a bit lightheaded as he glanced at the substantial stack of papers.

Having summarized the core principle of his initial Pyromaniac acting, he knew he wasn't far from fully digesting it.