14
---
**The Other Side**
Klein, who had made several divination predictions above the gray fog, was beaming with joy.
*Clockwise?*
Hey, it's done!
Participating in the competition for true godhood as an angel, the feedback from the digestion of the magic potion allowed him to absorb the last trace of Beyonder remnants.
Blessed as his soul was, Klein felt it was time to take the next step!
Returning to the real world, he did not dare to neglect his task and directly used the Witch's secret technique to locate Backlund.
But at that moment, the mirror used for casting spells suddenly shattered, and a figure in a black dress appeared in front of Klein.
Amon smiled mockingly. "Fate is wonderful. I didn't expect our styles to be so similar."
"Who's getting close to you, you cross-dressing pervert!" Klein's heart felt like it was falling into an ice cave, but his face remained calm.
His mind raced.
Then, his thoughts went blank.
"I was thinking of moving reinforcements. Haha. Sorry, but those friends of yours won't be coming anytime soon." Amon pinched his monocle and said with great appreciation, "Look at this sign. I must admit, the Witch style suits you well. Why not just jump over and make it easier for both of us, so we don't need to fight over it?"
"That seems to make sense..." Klein thought instinctively.
But the next second, he realized this idea was forced upon him by Amon!
Despite Amon's constant emphasis, Klein couldn't help but think—how could there be such a disgusting, Beyonder method of 'stealing'?!
"Enough resisting. Just hand it over. This will be better for everyone," Amon said calmly as he approached Klein.
Klein didn't want to sit still and wait for death; he'd resist at the slightest chance.
However, all his attempts were futile.
Thoughts of resistance, escape plans, even calls for help—anything beneficial to him were effortlessly stolen by Amon.
This was the 'thief'—he treated Beyonder beings weaker than himself, almost invincible.
Fear.
A deep, overwhelming fear washed over him.
Klein had never felt so desperate.
Amon was like a locust swarm, stealing even his emotions.
Klein, who lacked Sequence 2 status and abilities, was like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered, letting the grinning wolf open its bloody mouth to tear at his flesh.
"Okay, I've gathered too many useless things. Now, hand over your 'baby'!" Amon grinned.
Klein, hair standing on end, instinctively reached out to communicate with a hint of the gray fog's power, and a moment of clarity flashed in his eyes.
But soon, he was under Amon's control once again.
Amon's smile deepened.
The moment Klein mobilized the power of the gray mist, he also felt the call of some origin.
Seeing Klein in such a submissive state, Amon couldn't wait to reach out and grab it. "This belongs to me!"
After successfully attacking, Adam appeared next to Amon and dragged his son away without explanation.
Once the two brothers left, Klein finally regained his ability to move freely. He collapsed on the ground, gasping for air in humiliation.
But he had more important matters to attend to.
Suppressing the madness welling up inside him and calming the spirituality on the verge of spiraling out of control, Klein muttered, "The reflection of the long river of time, the illusion of the mirror of space, the singularity of order and chaos..."
Before he could finish the incantation, a transparent portal appeared next to him.
Julius looked at Klein, kneeling with a pale face, but said nothing. He simply flicked his fingers and pulled out several 12-link Worms of Time from Klein's body.
"It seems you've already met Amon. How was it? Exactly as I said, he's a complete bastard."
Klein said nothing, silently absorbing the spirituality stored in the 'Black Iron Cross' to replenish what he had lost.
After a moment, he stood up and smiled bitterly, "I finally understand why you warned so much about Amon. If he survives, it will be a great mercy on his part."
"Compassion? I just keep a thin line, so I don't offend anyone..." Julius responded softly.
Hearing this, Klein's eyes flickered. He wanted to ask several times, but ultimately kept his thoughts to himself.
Now was not the time for a showdown.
---
**Backlund, Grand Square**
Though George III's confidants were doing their best to smooth things over, he still felt powerless under the questioning gazes of the crowd.
The impassioned speech turned into a farce.
Had it not been for the presence of soldiers with real guns and ammunition to suppress the crowd, a riot may have erupted.
However, compared to the failure of his speech, the true turmoil lay within the Augustus family.
During the ceremony, most of the saint-level Beyonder beings retained their vitality, but the angels—including Drink Augustus, the family's founder William Augustus, and the protagonist of the ceremony, George III—were lost. Whether alive or dead remained uncertain.
Of course, 'uncertain' was a euphemism. Anyone with discernment could tell those missing had been completely wiped out.
Some were relieved, others mourned.
The godhood ceremony planned by the Augustus family for years had failed, but the noble alliance in Loen was overjoyed.
Major official Churches closely aligned with them had privately informed the nobles that the Augustus family's power had been significantly weakened.
Subtext: The king's banner is changing on the city walls today!
Of course, rebellion wouldn't happen overnight. Despite the loss of the Augustus family's top powers, many of their key members still remained.
The tiger may die, but it won't fall easily.
However, the nobles weren't in a rush.
It's still a long road ahead.
Loen, like a tempting cake, beckoned everyone eager for a bite.
Political games, power struggles, and an impending war now made the situation more complicated than ever...
---
Adam and Amon, now in the Southern Continent, glanced at the square before them, both somewhat speechless with many thoughts in their hearts.
Perhaps recalling some past events, Adam sighed.
This was the second time he had sighed today—more than he had in the past thousand years.
Amon pinched his monocle, confused.
Is this the most precious treasure?
He couldn't understand.
Logically speaking, shouldn't it be 'Sefirah Castle'?
Yes.
At the critical moment, luck had finally favored Klein.
Using the power of the gray mist, Klein redirected Amon's target from 'Sefirah Castle' to the 'mobile phone' the Starry Sky Evil God had given him.
This 'mobile phone' would remain undamaged by any force or ability, showing just how precious it was.
It's definitely not a problem to call it "the most precious treasure."
---
---
Monday afternoon, two fifty-eight.
Following the instructions, Emlyn began to pray to the great god in the secret room beneath Backlund.
In an instant, red light enveloped his consciousness.
After a brief moment of confusion, Emlyn's eyes suddenly cleared, and he saw the mysterious being sitting at the head of the long, mottled table.
"Fool!"
Emlyn was startled.
He was about to salute, but before he could speak, several more figures appeared on the other side of the long table and beside him, their faces obscured like his, their bodies shrouded in gray mist.
Among them, a lady with a voice as light as an oriole pondered for a moment before extending cordial greetings to the members of the association.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool."
"Good afternoon, Mr. Destiny."
"Good afternoon, Mr. Hanged Man..."
From left to right, from male to female.
Of course, she placed Emlyn at the end, who had not yet revealed his identity.
"Hello, this strange gentleman. Welcome to the Tarot Club." After saying that, Audrey finished her weekly routine.
Hearing this, Emlyn subconsciously puffed out his chest and said calmly, "Yes."
Ah, the young man has character.
Alger, who had never interacted with Emlyn, couldn't help but narrow his eyes.
Little Sun, who was far away in Silver City, folded his arms slightly dissatisfied and observed the newcomer with a rare intensity.
It was Julius who tried to smooth things over, saying, "Don't mind it. Vampires probably all have that kind of virtue... I'm sure Miss Temperance can vouch for that."
At this, everyone naturally turned their attention to the doll-like Sharron.
Sharron nodded slightly.
In comparison, Emlyn was one of the more polite vampires.
These days, she and Maric were not cooperating with Emlyn or the vampires behind them.
To be honest, those with overly sharp eyes are not the easiest people to talk to...
"Vampire? Vampire!" Derrick exclaimed, somewhat startled.
Emlyn, unable to hold back any longer, flared up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on and said indignantly, "Watch your words, sir! Vampires are a noble race, unlike those monsters covered in pus and blood!"
Just as Emlyn seemed ready to initiate the first party member duel, Klein knew he couldn't keep watching and coughed lightly.
In an instant, all sounds ceased.
Everyone, including Julius, bowed their heads respectfully.
Klein was very satisfied and spoke softly, "The members here are very close, as close as family."
The topic shifted, "Of course, even family members will inevitably quarrel and bicker. But don't forget, in the end, you will both prosper and suffer."
Friendly, stern, admonishing.
Emlyn was immediately impressed by the great existence and responded with a trembling voice, "Follow your will."
"Very good." Klein was pleased with his well-rehearsed lines and summoned the power of the gray mist to condense a deck of tarot cards. "Choose an identity. This will be your code name in the group."
Although the identities of each member were nearly no secret, there still had to be some formality.
Emlyn did not dare to be careless and chose the 'Moon' card from the remaining options.
Coincidentally, he happened to be sitting next to Derrick Berg, the holder of the 'Sun' card.
The sun and the moon are in the same sky, and their wisdom is boundless.
"Then, welcome to the party, Mr. Moon." Klein chuckled.
Emlyn crossed his fingers in front of his forehead. "I sincerely praise you, Mr. Fool!"
This gesture was the iconic movement of the Church of the Fool (designed by an unnamed Mr. Astorio himself), akin to the Church of Evernight's chest-dotting ritual and the Aurora Order's cross gesture.
As early as when the "Code of Fools" was compiled, each member had received a door-to-door delivery from the Star Insect messenger. Naturally, they all knew the meaning of Emlyn's gesture and followed suit.
"Praise the Fool."
Klein: ...
Don't tell me...
Amid the heartfelt praises, the gray fog seemed to solidify a little more.
Emlyn's formal admission marked the beginning of this gathering.
Klein first acknowledged the contributions of each member in the recent event and then particularly praised Julius, Emlyn, Sharron, and the others for their busy efforts.
This made Derrick very envious.
Because he also wanted to help Mr. Fool.
As for Fors...
Well.
Miss Xianyu had spent another week that was neither fulfilling nor particularly engaging, but extremely relaxing.
It was truly gratifying and congratulatory.
"George III has fallen, the real 'Black Emperor' has returned, and things have ended successfully this time." Klein shifted to a more comfortable position and said casually, "But don't forget, the war sweeping across the northern and southern continents is about to begin."
At this, Alger was startled.
People like Miss Temperance, Miss Justice, Mr. Moon, and others were primarily focused on the area around Backlund.
As for himself, he was a man who traveled across seas.
In other words, the opportunity to make a meritorious deed had arrived!
So, he spoke eagerly, "As per your instructions, I've made contact with some naval admirals on Sunia Island. The Blue Avenger is at your disposal at any time."
My instructions?
It must be from that guy Julius.
Klein thought to himself.
He kept a neutral expression, nodded, and said, "Very good, Mr. Hanged Man, you will be the pioneer."
Alger was overjoyed.
Things were rare and valuable.
His own influence at sea was irreplaceable within the party!
Mr. Fool had taken care of the affairs of the Kingdom of Loen, and now it seemed he would focus on expanding his power overseas...
Thinking of this, Alger added, "Mr. Fool, I must inform you that the Lord of Storms's minions have been quite active recently, especially along the coast of Fusac. It seems they share some of the same sentiments as us."
Lord of Storms?
Who?
This was truly unfamiliar.
Alger, who had turned from the second-fifth son of the Church of the Lord of Storms into a full-time loyalist of the Church of Fools, mentioned this.
Klein had a headache.
He had just finished digesting the potion of the 'Faceless Man,' and all he could think about now was advancement and where to find a mermaid to sing for him.
As for the construction and expansion of the Church of Fools...
That wasn't something he could manage just yet.
"Don't worry." Klein thought for a moment before speaking slowly, "Time is on our side."
Alger seemed to understand.
At this point, Julius interjected, "The Lord of Storms is just afraid his position will be threatened. He's a tyrant, but not a fool. Don't worry, do what you need to do, and there won't be any direct conflict with us."
"The main reason is that he doesn't dare," Julius added silently in his heart.
The Starry Sky Evil God's cultivation of "The Fool" wasn't a secret to some great beings. In this case, how could the Lord of Storms possibly lose his mind and provoke him, unless the god had abandoned him?
"In that case..." Alger felt reassured.
Since the political commissar had already spoken, what else was there to say?
Just do it, and it's done.
---
---
Emlyn, attending the party for the first time, listened quietly to the incredible conversations around him. Gradually, the arrogance in his heart began to subside.
It dawned on him that, not only was his status special, but each individual present had qualities worthy of praise.
The blue-haired Hanged Man wielded power at sea.
Sharron, the one who had dealt with the most, was now the second-in-command of the 'Rose School.'
As for the brown-haired lady who had remained silent from the start, her significance seemed even greater—her aura was unfathomable.
Fors, unexpectedly singled out, was unsure of the situation.
Though she didn't quite understand, it seemed it wasn't her time to speak, so she quietly went with the flow.
"Mr. Sun, Mr. Moon." Julius suddenly addressed the two of them.
Derrick and Emlyn responded in unison, "Yes!"
For example:
The Fool is the principal.
Destiny is the class teacher.
Theoretically, the principal holds the most power.
But what students fear the most is undoubtedly the class teacher.
Julius smiled warmly. "Don't be nervous; I simply wanted to suggest that you deepen your relationship."
"Mr. Sun's hometown has cultivated a new batch of crops, and Mr. Moon, you have connections with the Church of the Mother Earth."
At first, everything seemed fine, but by the end, Emlyn felt something was off.
"Qiao… ahem, Mr. Destiny, I am a vampire. How could I possibly be involved with the Church of the Mother Earth? Have you forgotten? My enemy is the priest of the Harvest Church," the young vampire emphasized, still in the dark.
"A grudge? Isn't that where it all began?" Julius's smile didn't waver. "In any case, I'll leave this task to you."
Emlyn didn't expect his first task after joining the association would be this, leaving him speechless for a moment.
Derrick, on the other hand, looked suspiciously at those around him.
Could a vampire like Emlyn really provide the crops that Silver City needed?
At the top of the table, Klein blinked.
Perhaps it was just an illusion, but he couldn't shake the feeling that after the sun and moon had merged, the two of them were becoming oddly close, like comedians.
After regaining his composure, Klein spoke. "I'm very pleased that the gathering is growing. In the future, each of you will shoulder your respective responsibilities. I'd like to introduce the representatives of my favored ones."
With a thought, a figure materialized at the end of the long bronze table.
White hair, leather armor, a tough demeanor.
"Hello, I'm White Wolf. Or, you can simply call me White Wolf." Klein's deep voice resonated as he controlled the figure.
Julius's eyes lit up.
Ah, the little one can play the part.
It was clear that Klein had chosen a spokesperson to deliver messages that the Fool couldn't directly say.
When Audrey and the others learned that White Wolf represented Mr. Fool's favored ones, they all responded with awe and didn't dare show any disrespect.
Seeing his goal accomplished, Klein was quite pleased.
He controlled the 'White Wolf' to salute first, then swept his gaze over the members, explaining the identity: "I am an adventurer active in the Southern Continent. Forty-eight years old. I am at Sequence 5 of the 'Warrior' Path..."
He stood there like an upright piece of wood, explaining himself clearly.
Of course, it was all for show.
Klein concluded with his identity as 'White Wolf': "My code name is 'World,' but this isn't just my code name—it's the code name for all of Mr. Fool's favored ones. I will convey their demands and handle matters on their behalf."
The 'Fool' represents the beginning, and the 'World' represents the end.
It made sense for their favored ones to be codenamed 'World.'
At the right moment, Klein added, "If you need help or have any requests, you can issue a commission to 'World.' After all..."
He glanced at Julius.
Julius pretended to smile bitterly and followed Klein's words. "Ladies and gentlemen, I regret to inform you that I won't be attending the party for the next few days."
What?!
The news caused a stir.
Audrey and the others were completely dumbfounded.
What had happened?
Klein felt the need to explain. "To be precise, Mr. Destiny serves Fate, not me."
Ah?
Mr. Destiny, the all-encompassing figure, wasn't one of their own?
Audrey and the others were left feeling quite conflicted.
Julius smiled. "Fate has chosen you, so naturally, I will serve you."
Changing the subject, Julius addressed Audrey and the others, "Anyway, I aim to claim the position that George III once held. If everything goes well, when I return, I'll communicate with you under a different identity."
"If things don't go well…" he paused for effect, "If we can't meet again, I wish you good morning, good afternoon, and good night."
"Mr. Destiny!"
The members couldn't hold back any longer, especially Alger and Audrey.
They recalled the initial gathering, where only three people were present.
It hadn't been long, but it felt like ages...
Through this, they realized how difficult the road to becoming a god truly was.
Like George III, who had prepared for so long but still failed.
Julius's farewell words, "Good morning, good afternoon, good night," sounded like his final words.
Of course, Julius didn't feel like he was delivering last words.
Becoming a god via Sequence was uncertain, but it was still different.
First, maintaining his sanity was a key factor in merging the two paths.
And whether his body could endure six copies of Sequence 1's Beyonder traits and two copies of uniqueness remained to be seen.
In the worst case, he could climb to the top at a critical moment and simply endure it.
'The Chained God' and 'The Abyss'—both Sequence 0 pathways controlled by the 'Mother Tree of Desire.'
Torzvar from the "Chained God" path was gone, and eliminating Fabuti, the "Lord of the Abyss," would destroy most of the Mother Tree's influence.
This was beneficial to Ke Miao's situation, both publicly and privately.
But before delving into the 'Abyss,' Julius needed to visit the Southern Continent and meet with the 'Blood Worship Cult' and other demon-worshiping families to gather as many Beyonder characteristics of this path as possible.
As for the 'Chained God' path, the 'Rose School' had already contributed almost everything needed, so no further collection was required.
With that, Julius addressed Alger. "Mr. Hanged Man, after this gathering ends, I'll send you something. You can take it with you on your sea journey. Once you attract the 'Immortal King' Agaritu, just pray to me."
Alger raised an eyebrow in confusion.
Facing the puzzled looks of the group, Julius chose not to elaborate.
The last time Adam came for the 'wrong' path's uniqueness for his son, he'd paid a significant price, including the 'Abyss Card' created by Roselle.
Agaritu and his ghost ship, "Sad Death," held Sequence 5 and Sequence 3 Beyonder characteristics, respectively. Acquiring them would save much effort.
---
---
Backlund, Pulitzer Harbour.
"Have you said goodbye to your family? You should think carefully. Once you set sail, you might not return for some time." Julius spoke calmly, gazing into the distance.
Beside him, Klein, carrying a suitcase in his left hand, adjusted the brim of his wide-brimmed hat with his other hand. "Farewell. I told them I was going to the Southern Continent to explore investment opportunities..."
He paused before continuing, "And they are already Beyonder individuals now. With the protection of the Church, they shouldn't face any significant danger."
Julius shrugged. "As long as you're aware of the situation."
Speaking of which, the Beyonder abilities of Melissa and Benson had been given as a housewarming gift by Julius.
— 'Generalist' and 'Lawyer'—two Sequences that would greatly benefit ordinary people, enough to help them manage their daily lives, study, and work.
Klein remained silent.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he took a ring from his pocket and handed it to Julius. "Here, take this back."
"Forget it," Julius waved his hand. "Keep it as a memento."
Klein didn't refuse.
The 'Chick's Ring' had exhausted its last trace of spirituality three days ago, becoming as empty and powerless as the Card of Blasphemy.
On a side note, Klein had yet to rid himself of his female body, as his current form still depended on the mimicry of the 'Faceless Man'...
At that moment, a white steamer appeared on the horizon.
Klein pondered for a moment and then asked, "We still have time to meet again, right?"
Julius's eyes widened. "Of course. What are you scheming now? By the way, do you know how much you owe me?"
Klein tWitched his lips. "To be honest, I haven't done the math, and I really don't want to know the answer."
Julius laughed, slapping Klein on the shoulder. "Go on your way with peace of mind, my friend. I wish you a safe journey. I still have some things to take care of, so I won't watch you board."
He turned and walked away without a glance back.
Klein watched Julius's figure leave, a twinkle in his eyes. A meaningful smile played at the corner of his lips. "My friend, I look forward to our next meeting."
---
Backlund, Queens.
Earl's Mansion.
Audrey was writing something on a soft parchment when she paused to ask the big golden retriever lying at her feet, "What kind of treatment do you think we should use for Miss Sharron's lesions? Should it be more stimulating or gentler?"
Susie raised her head and looked at Audrey through the special eyes on the bridge of her nose, lifting a paw. "It should be gentler. I think it should be sorted out first and then guided to talk... You know, many psychiatrists use this method."
For some time now, the two of them had unofficially taken on the roles of 'psychiatrists.'
Aside from being busy with preaching, Audrey had been actively playing the role of a magic potion digestor, striving to reach the threshold of becoming a 'hypnotist.'
At that moment, a maid's voice called from outside the door: "Miss Audrey, Mr. Astorio is here and is waiting for you downstairs."
At the mention of Julius's name, Audrey immediately became more alert.
Downstairs in the living room, the hostess, Caitlin, warmly welcomed Julius, who had returned from the port.
"Mr. Astorio, it's an honor to meet you. I am Audrey's mother—just call me Caitlin." Caitlin, who knew Julius's true identity, was noticeably respectful, lowering her posture in his presence.
Julius smiled and replied, "Madam, no need for such formality. Audrey and I are very good friends."
As they spoke, Audrey and Susie came down from upstairs.
Upon seeing them, Julius stood up and opened his arms.
Caitlin's expression shifted, feeling slightly awkward.
Still, as a mother, she reasoned, "I shouldn't be bothered by this. No need to be so obvious."
But before she could finish the thought, a black shadow shot past.
The next moment, Julius was holding a very happy dog in his arms, tongue hanging out.
"Good girl," Julius said as he rubbed Susie's head. "Guess what tasty treat I brought you this time?"
Caitlin stared, baffled.
As a mother, Audrey thought to herself, "Why can't I be as charming as a dog?"
Embarrassed by Caitlin's complicated expression, Audrey felt her face flush.
Originally, Susie had not been so indulgent, but Julius had an endless supply of delicious treats.
In fact, Audrey herself had gained a little weight from all the pampering Julius had provided.
After a few more playful exchanges, Julius finally shifted to business. "As you know, I'll be away from Backlund for a while, and I won't be able to attend your coming-of-age ceremony. So I brought your gift in advance."
He handed Audrey a box, seemingly conjured from thin air.
Audrey took the box but remained silent for a moment, unsure of what to say.
Julius, sensing her uncertainty, added, "Preaching is all about human effort—don't push too hard. Also, even though I won't be in Backlund, if you face any trouble, you can ask Mr. Azik for help. You know where to find him."
Audrey nodded, remembering how she had once mistaken Mr. Azik for the manor's butler before apologizing for the mix-up.
Caitlin hesitated, unsure whether to speak.
At this moment, Julius turned toward her. "Madam, I know the Hall family wants to gain as much influence as possible in the Loen Kingdom, but I must advise you on something. Beyonder matters are far more dangerous than politics. If it's not absolutely necessary, avoid getting involved in such murky waters."
The inside information passed along by the Church was nothing to take lightly.
Earl Hall and Lady Caitlin lacked the proper respect for saints and angels.
The Augustus family's stubborn opposition might cause trouble for the nobles, but when push came to shove, the royal family wouldn't hesitate to act.
Let's not forget Duke Negan, who had been assassinated and quickly forgotten.
Assassinating Earl Hall wouldn't be much harder than the killing of Duke Negan.
After hearing Julius's words, Lady Caitlin's face turned pale, and she began to reconsider her position.
Julius paid her no further attention.
Respecting others' fates and stepping back when needed were part of his principles.
With that, he petted the dog, gave the gift, and left without delay.
---
---
**Backlund, Joe Wood District.**
"Xiu, you've been bored in the house for two days. Do you want to go out for a walk?" Fors forced a smile. "How about we go shopping?"
It's hard to imagine such words coming from Xianyu's mouth.
However, the 1.5-meter sheriff slumped on the sofa showed no interest. He just waved his hand and said, "I'm not in the mood, Fors."
Fors's expression suddenly fell.
Throwing the bag on the coffee table, she said angrily, "If I had known you'd be like this, I wouldn't have told you 'that thing.'"
Xio's father had been a palace guard. Because he knew the secrets of George III, he had been erased from the physical plane. Not only was he expelled, but his family had almost been implicated.
A large part of Xio's motivation each day was to become stronger quickly and uncover the reason behind his father's death.
After the death of George III, some secrets had been revealed by Julius as talking points during the Tarot sessions.
Among them was the truth about Xio's father being silenced.
As a good friend, Fors hadn't hidden anything from Xio.
Then, Xio's fighting spirit had completely disappeared, and he degenerated into a petite salted fish.
"Leave me alone, Fors; I just want to be alone for a while." Xio turned over on the sofa.
Just then, the doorbell rang, and a slightly familiar voice reached their ears.
"Miss Fors, are you at home?"
Fors reacted quickly and hurried to the door.
As soon as she opened it, she was greeted by Julius's handsome face.
"Fate... seems wrong, Mr. Julius." Fors said, a little flustered, "Why are you here?"
"Just came to see you and say goodbye." Julius smiled and walked into the house.
The apartment that Xio and Fors shared was not large. Julius immediately spotted the petite sheriff, who looked like a Chihuahua in his pajamas.
After thinking for a moment, Julius figured out what was going on.
With a plan in mind, he said deliberately, "Miss Fors, do you know that you're about to face a disaster?"
Hearing this, Xio's ears tWitched.
Fors's legs grew weak. "I... I... I..." she stammered, unable to finish her sentence.
Julius smiled faintly, "Do you still remember what I told you? About your stone bracelet? Mr. Door's descendants have sensed your presence, and they might come after you.
I'm leaving Backlund soon, and you're just a Sequence 8. What will you do then?"
Julius blinked as he spoke.
Fors, who was a bit lazy but definitely intelligent, understood quickly what Julius was hinting at. She pretended to be frightened.
"Don't be afraid, Fors. We'll face it together!" Xio, still in his pajamas, jumped off the sofa with a face full of determination.
Fors clearly saw a spark reignite in Xio's eyes.
Though she felt a little guilty, she decided to continue playing along.
---
**Backlund, Dock Area.**
**'The Brave Bar'**
"Miss Sharron, this is the list of members of the Rose School who have been smuggled into Backlund recently."
"Miss Sharron, I want to thank you for your help last time."
"Miss Sharron, are you free tonight?"
Emlyn kept chattering, listing a few things.
Even Sharron's cold temperament couldn't fully mask his growing annoyance.
Ever since she completed her advancement ceremony, shifting from a 'revengeful soul' to a 'puppet,' Emlyn's interest in her had expanded exponentially—from normal social interaction to a kind of morbid obsession.
Sharron wasn't sure if this description was even accurate. Either way, she didn't like it.
Her companion, Maric, who had been promoted to a 'Wraith Spirit,' didn't interfere with Emlyn's pursuit of Sharron. He simply watched from the mirror, amused by the vampire's foolishness, as though it were a show.
To be honest, that was the only joy in his ascetic and boring life.
No matter how Sharron tried to change the subject, Emlyn kept talking.
He didn't think anything was wrong, continuing with his usual 'dog-licking' behavior and leaving the conversation with satisfaction.
Afterward, he boarded a public carriage, heading to the South District of Bridge, Rose Street, before entering the Harvest Church through a familiar route.
Unexpectedly, he ran into someone he knew.
"Your Majesty, Julius!" he exclaimed in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"What? You can be polite to Miss Sharron, but I can't reminisce with the priest?" Julius half-smiled.
In the original destiny trajectory, Emlyn and Sharron had exchanged words, but back then, things were tense, and they had worked together for a common purpose—hunting.
Now, the Church of the Fool had nearly become the default official Church of Loen Kingdom. The Blood Cross Rescue Team under the Church was also highly praised by the people. As the person in charge, Emlyn was young and successful. His mentality had shifted. He now had the time and energy to pursue things he liked—like dolls.
But Julius wasn't optimistic about this one-sided relationship.
The 'prisoner' was ascetic and lacked emotions, so he would never respond. Emlyn was destined to only be able to move himself.
Julius said, "In any case, Mr. Father, this guy depends on you to take care of him.
Also, we need to seize the time to cultivate various crops suitable for the region. You know, we have an entire continent to restore to normal ecological balance."
The giant priest smiled gently, making a gesture as though holding a baby. "Harvest and growth, supreme joy. Praise the mother goddess."
Julius smiled and crossed his fingers on his forehead. "Likewise, praise the Fool."
Emlyn, standing dumbfounded in the hall, hurriedly mimicked the gesture when he saw Julius praising Mr. Fool. "Praise the Fool."
After discussing business, Julius didn't stay any longer. He greeted Emlyn and teleported directly to a ship, dozens of miles away from the Loen coastline.
Alger, who was aware of the situation, hurried forward. "Mr. Julius!"
Julius smiled and greeted him. "So, how is it? Lieutenant General Youlan, has the enemy taken the bait?"
Alger scratched his head in embarrassment. "Death has secretly locked the location of the Blue Avenger. Once it leaves the waters under the Loen Kingdom's jurisdiction, the 'Immortal King' will likely strike without hesitation."
The sea breeze blew, and Julius stretched. "So, what are we waiting for? Let's set sail, Captain. Let's get it done early and rest early."
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