Chapter 51: The Grounded Ritualistic Magic

Old Neil removed the vases and other items from the round table, placing them in a corner.

He then took out both a crimson red and black candle from the silver chest and explained, "If ordinary people attempt ritualistic magic, they have to follow the results from astromancy or read corresponding manuals on suitable dates and times. For example, the day representing the Goddess—the period when She rules over the moon.

But for us Beyonders, especially Beyonders good in this domain, there's no need for that.

Of course, if you are not confident about the ritualistic magic you are attempting, it's best to choose a suitable date and time to increase the probability of success.

Ah right. This is based on a premise. Remember carefully; you need to abide strictly by the rules!" He placed two candles and said, "Low-Sequence Beyonders are not strong enough. Almost all the ritualistic magic they are able to perform is the seeking of external powers and help.

Therefore, you can only consider orthodox divinities like the Goddess or the Lord of Storms. Absolutely do not attempt to communicate with the unknown existences. Even if people believe in them or the promises recorded are filled with enticements.

This is a slippery slope into the abyss with no return. Any resistance will only slow it down with no way to change the trajectory."

"I'll remember!" Klein murmured.

My luck enhancement ritual has apparently sought power from an unknown and unpredictable existence.

Furthermore, I have gained powers capable of pulling people into the fog that even a senior Beyonder like the Hanged Man finds unbelievable. Well, at least I think he is a senior Beyonder.

Thankfully, I haven't gone mad or have any signs of losing control.

While worrying over this, he proactively changed the subject. "So, Nighthawks should seek the help of the Goddess?"

"No one will stop you if you pray to the Lord of Storms. However, we are unable to tell from our ritualistic magic whether He replies with malicious intent or not. The outcome will be distorted in unpredictable ways." Old Neil said.

There was no so-called "best," only "necessary!"

After his exhortations, Old Neil picked up a crimson red candle and said, "In ritualistic magic, by using candles made of moon flowers and dark-red sandalwood, it will represent the Goddess's identity as Lady of Crimson."

He pointed to the black candles. "Candles made of night vanilla and slumber flowers represent the night."

As he spoke, he placed the black candle on the top left end of the round table while the red candle was placed on the top right end.

"Why do we symbolize the Goddess with only two candles? She is also the Lady of Crimson, the Mother of the Secret, Empress of Disaster and Horror, and Mistress of Calm and Silence."

Old Neil chuckled. "That's right. This is something I wish you asked."

"Before their fall, the Moses Ascetic Order had a very good relationship with the Church. Their beliefs and results on ritualistic magic have heavily influenced us.

They believe that all objects are numeric. Every number has a spirituality, and in ritualistic magic, 0 represents the unknown or Chaos. It symbolizes the state of the universe before it was born. 1 represents a beginning, the first Creator. 2 represents the world and various divinities that were produced from His body. 3 represents contact between divinities and material objects to create all things. Here, using two candles represents the Goddess while the third candle is for you.

Which two candles and which two symbols to have depend on the intended effects of ritualistic magic."

Three begets all things? All things stem from three?

This is a Daoism saying: Dao begets One, One begets Two, Two begets Three, Three begets all things.

Seeing Klein listen attentively, Old Neil took a third candle. "This is the candle representing 'me.' It's a very ordinary candle that only has a little bit of mint added. Take note that plants like roses, lemons, mint, moon flower, night vanilla, and slumber flower are beloved and cherished by the Goddess.

Viewing it from another angle, the three candles represent the bodies, spiritualities, and godhood of every person."

After finishing the description, Old Neil placed the third candle in the middle of the round table and then took out a bottle of concocted "Full Moon Essence Oil," a huge cauldron engraved with the Dark Sacred Emblem, a silver knife with gorgeous patterns, a cup of water, and a saucer of coarse salt.

"To Beyonders who are not good at ritualistic magic, there is a need for bells, crystal balls, silver cups, incense, or other supplementary items. However, Mystery Pryers and Seers have no need for that. These artifacts are already sufficient."

Old Neil placed the fake goatskin parchment just below the cauldron and used a special quill to hold down one corner, turning to Klein.

"Ritualistic magic needs a clean spiritual environment where you won't be disturbed. That requires us to create it. The steps are to first enter Cogitation. Focus your mind, and with the supplementary items, draw out our strength and construct it around us. For example, Ray Bieber's house had used Holy Night Powder, while I'll be using a ritualistic silver dagger.

Throughout the entire process, we have to go according to the outcome we desire to confirm the symbolism and corresponding incantation. Incantations are best done in Hermes because ancient Hermes stemmed from nature. It's akin to ancient Dragonish and ancient Elvish. The effects are very direct, lacking the necessary concealment and protection, and it easily causes the caster to fall into danger. This is also why it has been modified and is more effective.

Alright, I have to focus on ritualistic magic. I won't explain things to you any further. Pay attention. Remember any problems and ask me when everything is done."

"Alright." Klein took two steps back.

Old Neil's eyes rapidly darkened as an invisible wind around him spun.

He moved and used his psyche to cause friction and consecutively light up the three candles, then picked up the silver knife and stabbed it into the coarse salt while chanting in Hermes:

"I sanctify you, blade of pure silver!"

"I cleanse and purify you, allowing you to serve me in this ritual!"

"In the name of the Evernight Goddess, the Lady of Crimson..."

"You have been sanctified!"

After a short syllable, Old Neil drew a silver knife, inserted it into a cup of clear water, then raised it and circled the round table.

Klein could feel an invisible energy spewing out of the silver knife filled with spirituality as it formed a completely sealed wall.

After walking one round, the altar was completely isolated from its surroundings. Old Neil picked up the bottle of Full Moon Essence Oil and dripped three drops on the black, dark red, and ordinary candles.

Sizzle! A thin mist emanated as everything seemed to become veiled.

He picked up the quill and drew a square on the parchment, indicating that he was in control, and drew another 'cross,' indicating that it was canceled.

Upon reaching this step, he picked up the parchment and tapped his glabella to activate his Spirit Vision.

Another energy bloomed as Old Neil whispered a chant:

"I pray for the power of the dark night."

"I pray for the power of the crimson."

"I pray for the Goddess's loving grace."

"Please provide me with the funds to pay this IOU."

"Night vanilla, an herb that belongs to the red moon, please bestow your powers on my incantation!"

"Moon flower, an herb that belongs to the red moon, please bestow your powers on my incantation!"

Klein listened from the side.

Such an incantation would work? Wouldn't the Goddess be angry and multiply the debt severalfold?

At that moment, the candlelight suddenly lit up.

After Old Neil finished his incantation, he picked up the Full Moon Essence Oil and dripped one drop onto each of the three candles. Then he grabbed the parchment and pulled it close to the candle representing "me," and when it ignited, he immediately threw it into the cauldron.

"Praise the Lady!" Old Neil tapped his chest and extinguished the candles in the reverse order as he lit them.

After finishing everything, he used the silver knife to rip apart the invisible wall around him.

A huge wind stirred immediately as Old Neil heaved a sigh of relief. "It's done."

"That's it?" Klein asked in a daze. "Has the IOU been settled? How?"

"I don't know either. Anyways, it will be settled in a reasonable manner," Old Neil said.

This… Klein was unsure what expression or words to use as a response. Isn't this a little unreliable?

"Let's discuss ritualistic magic." Old Neil put away the items with a relaxed expression.

Klein turned his focus toward ritualistic magic and threw out questions. For example, the incantations had a particular format. As long as they were satisfied and the key meaning was expressed in Hermes, the rest could be left to one's creativity. Of course, blasphemy or disrespectful descriptions were absolutely forbidden.

The mysticism class lasted until noon.

After returning to Zouteland Street, Old Neil suddenly grunted after stepping down the carriage. "What do I see? Goddess, what am I seeing?"

He was suddenly as nimble as a young lad. He quickly came to the roadside, picking up an item.

Klein looked carefully and realized it was a wallet with fine workmanship.

Old Neil opened up the wallet and pulled out the notes, laughing. "Ten-pound notes. The honorable founder and protector, William I. Wow, Goddess, there's a total of thirty notes. There's also a few five-pound notes, one-pound notes, and five-soli notes."

As the amount of gold pounds was immense, picking up such a wallet was equivalent to picking up a briefcase of banknotes.

"I wonder which gentleman dropped it... He can't be someone ordinary," Klein murmured.

"There's no need to care who he is," Neil said with a chuckle. "It's not like we attempted to divine and take money that doesn't belong to us. We should wait here for a moment. I believe the gentleman will soon be back searching for it. It's not something that can be given up no matter who it is."

The duo did not wait more than a minute by the streets when a luxurious four-wheeled carriage zoomed over. Its side had a light blue logo with a dove spreading its wings.

The carriage stopped, and a middle-aged man dressed in a black formal suit looked at the wallet, took off his hat, and said politely, "Sirs, that should be my master's wallet."

"Your logo is proof, but I need to make additional verifications. Might I ask how much money is in the wallet?" Old Neil asked.

"As a butler, I do not know how much money Master had in his wallet. Sorry. Please permit me to ask."

"As you wish." Old Neil gestured.

The man walked to the carriage's side and through the window, conversed with the person within, then approached Klein and Old Neil again. "More than 300 pounds, but less than 350 pounds. My master does not remember the exact number."

Old Neil nodded and handed the wallet back. "With the Goddess as proof, this belongs to you."

The man took the wallet and did an estimate before pulling out three ten-pound notes. "My master is Sir Deweyville. He wishes to commend your morals. This is what an honest person should receive. Please do not reject it."

"Thank you, Sir Deweyville. He is a kind and generous gentleman." Old Neil received the three notes.

After watching Sir Deweyville's carriage depart, he turned to look at Klein and flicked the notes. "Thirty pounds. The IOU is settled."

"This is the power of magic."

Holy f**king power of magic! That actually works!? Klein was once again flabbergasted.

While heading back to the company, Klein asked, "Mr. Neil, why didn't you ask for more money?"

"Do not be greedy. One must take care not to be greedy when doing ritualistic magic. Temperance is a critical trait needed by every Mystery Pryer if they wish to live long," Old Neil said.