Chapter 68: Deepening Cooperation

When Bart saw Silas, he was immediately startled.

Silas's face was somewhat pale, and his spirit was very poor, especially the strange bruises visible beneath the collar of his white shirt, all indicating to Bart that Silas was in a very bad state.

"My friend, what happened to you?" Bart hurried over with a concerned look and asked anxiously.

Silas, very fatigued, said in a low voice, "Find a safe place. I was just attacked."

Hearing this, Bart's heart skipped a beat. He immediately called Jik and helped Silas into the elevator on the left side of the hall.

This elevator was similar to those on Earth, but powered by steam engines instead of electricity.

During the entire process, the three men and the dog said nothing, only the crisp sound of metal gears turning and meshing. The atmosphere was eerily quiet.

After a minute, the elevator stopped, and the three entered a corridor.

It resembled a modern office building corridor, with neat doors on both sides, each labeled with different company names.

After walking about ten meters to the left, they entered the door marked "Tour Investment Company."

Inside, it looked less like a company and more like a family living room.

The floor was covered with a soft carpet. In the center was a luxurious genuine leather sofa. The walls were adorned with classical paintings full of ancient charm, very tasteful.

Silas no longer bothered with gentlemanly manners and plopped down on the sofa, hoarsely saying, "My head hurts badly. Bring me some strong coffee, with extra milk and sugar. I need to replenish my energy."

Jik nodded immediately and turned to prepare the coffee.

Bart sat down and looked at the withered Silas, asking softly, "What exactly happened?"

"If nothing unexpected, I was attacked by a hypnotist from your Green Flame Brotherhood. Half an hour ago, I nearly strangled myself."

Saying this, Silas loosened his collar, revealing more purple-black skin and two handprints.

Seeing this, Bart's face grew very solemn. He bit his lip and said, "Impossible. I've eliminated all their informants in the city. They couldn't have found you."

Silas patted the Husky's head and nodded. "They targeted me not because of the previous events, but because of what happened this morning."

"You met them!?" Bart's expression tightened.

Silas then recounted the entire case from beginning to end.

After hearing this, Bart's face darkened. "I didn't expect they had reached this stage."

"What do you mean?" Silas asked, holding his forehead.

This time, Bart did not conceal anything and explained honestly: "The Primordial Flame is an avatar or incarnation of our faith. But Our Lord does not exist in this world. To complete the summoning, a vessel and medium are needed. This Joseph you mentioned likely had a momentary link with Our Lord's spirit, thus becoming the summoning medium. Now that the medium is ready, what remains is to prepare a large amount of life energy and vessels."

"Judging by how boldly they are attracting police attention to this matter, the vessels are probably ready. Now they only need enough life energy to perform the summoning."

At this moment, Jik brought over a cup of rich coffee and thoughtfully served a plate of cookies.

"Thank you!" Silas gratefully accepted the coffee. After a sip of the hot drink, his headache eased slightly.

"What would be the consequences if they fully summon it?" Silas asked.

Bart stroked his chin. "It depends on the summoning. But given the current situation, the avatar summoned probably won't be too terrifying. Even so, that flame would drain all life in the city—not just humans, but animals, plants, even the very soil beneath our feet."

Hearing this, Silas was somewhat shocked.

His knowledge of Tourzcha on Earth was limited. He only knew it as the Invisible Dancer in Azathoth's palace. He didn't understand its abilities. In Silas's mind, this Outer God was always an image of a beautiful, graceful dancer.

Well, that's definitely the influence of Japanese anime.

Hearing Bart's explanation today, Silas had to reconsider the actual effect of this "beautiful dancer."

After some thought, Silas said directly, "I have Joseph's home address here. According to the curator, he went mad after painting something. If we find that painting at his home, wouldn't that help us find a way to stop the Primordial Flame from descending?"

Bart pondered and then asked seriously, "Tell me in detail everything from when you arrived at the museum to the attack. Be very thorough."

Silas felt something was off and recounted the whole process carefully.

While speaking, Silas confirmed the details. After finishing, before Bart could remind him, Silas suddenly said, "The curator is suspicious!"

"Not as dumb as I thought," Bart's eyes flashed with approval.

At this moment, a calm Silas noticed the curator's mysterious composure and his agile footsteps and sharp mind, which seemed completely inconsistent with his age.

Bart continued, "You're still rational. If you had gone straight to Joseph's home, you'd probably be mad or dead by now."

Silas felt a surge of relief, thankful that his inner unease had saved his life.

Bart then carefully scrutinized Silas and asked, "I'm curious, how did an apprentice priest break through a professional hypnotist's illusion?"

Silas relaxed and said, "My devotion to Our Lord has been rewarded. It's a spiritual blessing that makes my will as strong as steel."

Bart was immediately shocked. "This guy really isn't ordinary. Looks like those things before weren't fake. Spiritual blessing is a skill only held by extremely devout believers and at least expert-level priests. That surpasses two levels!"

Silas knew Bart was imagining scenarios again. Silas was happy to see this and smiled mysteriously as before. "So, Mr. Bart, shouldn't you also contribute now? I've shown enough sincerity and provided you with ample intelligence."

Bart grinned. "Of course. Business dealings always require honesty. Dear Silas, I see your sincerity. I will respond to your earnestness!"

With that, Bart stood and walked into the inner room.

Silas sipped his coffee and ate cookies quietly, waiting.

Five minutes later, Bart appeared before Silas, holding a crystal staff, wearing two gem rings on his right hand.

"Let's go. It's time for judgment." Bart's eyes burned with eerie green flames, his demeanor cold as eternal ice.