At midnight, hazy and dim crimson moonlight spilled into a garden near Stonne University.
Michel Deit, a senior associate professor at just forty, wore his pajamas and, as though facing a lover, gently and carefully polished each of his treasured collectibles. Only after confirming that day's maintenance was complete did he leave the collection room and return to his bedroom, already pondering which pieces he should display to that distinguished young lady during their meeting this weekend.
That very evening, he had received a letter. The messenger was a servant of the Earl Hall family, the most powerful noble house in East Chester County, while the writer was none other than the influential member of Parliament's daughter, the lady hailed as Backlund's most dazzling gem—Miss Audrey Hall.
In the letter, this noble lady mentioned that she had, through various channels, bought a copied version of Roselle's notes from him. From the friend who had provided the notes, she also learned that Mr. Michel Deit was an exceptional collector. As a fellow enthusiast, she dearly hoped to visit his collection over the weekend.
Michel Deit had no reason to refuse—he even faintly looked forward to his treasures pleasing this illustrious guest.
Soon after, he sank into a deep sleep. In his dream, not only did his erudition win him Miss Hall's admiration, but she even offered assets and land worth over ten thousand pounds to invest in the "Institute of Antiquities" he was preparing to found—all for the sake of his collection.
In the end, moved by Miss Hall's devotion to academic pursuits, he agreed to her request.
While Michel was lost in his sweet dream, two uninvited guests on his spiritual island were watching his every move with great interest.
Naturally, they were Ebner and Xio, who had traveled overnight from Backlund to East Chester County.
It was worth noting that since becoming a demigod—especially after obtaining models of the "Incomplete Mythical Creature Forms" from his previous demigod lifetimes—Ebner no longer needed magical items to transform into a special spirit body when using the ritual "Astral Walk." He also gained the ability to navigate within the spirit world.
In a sense, this was hardly inferior to actual "Teleportation"… If he used the "Pure White Eye" to pre-experience the Sequence 3 ability of transforming into other pathways' Incomplete Mythical Creature Forms—becoming a "Worm of Star"—he might not even lose to a "Traveler."
Unfortunately, transforming into other pathways' Incomplete Mythical Creature Forms was still too burdensome for him at the moment, suitable only as a trump card and not for regular use.
He faintly sensed that relying on this ability too frequently posed certain dangers… and those dangers stemmed from what lay behind the illusory sun within the "Pure White Eye."
"You just combined your 'Prophecy' ability with this professor's dream?" Xio asked thoughtfully after watching Michel's fantasy.
"I only let him have a 'precognitive dream'… and even then, it's just one possible development of the future." Ebner replied, then withdrew his ability, restoring Professor Michel's dream to normal. At the same time, he wrapped an arm around Xio's waist and guided her out of the dreamscape, continuing, "Since we've already seen where all his collectibles are stored, we can now swap out the diary page carrying that mental corruption."
Xio didn't mind Ebner's casual gesture. She only frowned slightly and said, "He seems very familiar with each of his items… If we only replace that one page, and it's discovered, then the 'Justice' lady who bought a copy before might be suspected.
"Although the chances are slim, and even if suspicion arises, he wouldn't have any proof."
Ebner chuckled at that. "Are you doubting a 'Reader's' ability to forge?
"My pathway can perceive the essence of the world and use knowledge to reproduce everything… From omniscience to omnipotence!
"Creating a flawless counterfeit is no problem at all. If I want, I can even implant false 'information' into both the real world and the spirit world… In that case, even Beyonders skilled in 'Divination' or 'Backtracking' wouldn't be able to tell the difference—at least not for a while."
It was Xio's first time hearing about the higher-level authorities of the "Reader" pathway. As she mulled it over, she shot him a sideways glance and teased, "You're even proud of your counterfeiting now?"
Bantering as they went, they used skills like "Open Door" to slip into Professor Michel's most hidden chamber, where one priceless treasure after another came into view.
On the far left stood a golden helmet, its design exquisite, with bird-like decorations soaring at the top. The visor was made of layered metal scales. Though devoid of extraordinary aura, it looked extraordinary at first sight.
Since they had just seen it explained in Michel's dream, both Ebner and Xio knew it was a helmet from the White Rose War, likely once belonging to a member of the Sauron family.
—The White Rose War took place after the Twenty Years' War and before the Oath-breaking War, resulting in Loen defeating Intis and regaining strength.
The Twenty Years' War, occurring between Year 621 and 642 of the Fifth Epoch, was fought between the Loen Kingdom and the Feysac Empire. Loen lost and ceded Sunia Island.
As for the Oath-breaking War? That was nearly seven centuries ago—a religious conflict. The southern Kingdom of Feynapot once worshipped both the Earth Mother and the God of Knowledge and Wisdom, but under certain influences, the two churches grew deeply opposed, with frequent clashes among their followers.
Their northern neighbors, the Loen Kingdom and the then Intis Kingdom, seized the chance, using "religious freedom" as a pretext to wage war. Later, the Feysac Empire joined, trying to spoil Loen and Intis' plans, but still suffered defeat.
The result was that Lumbar, Masin, Segar, and other nations at the Loen–Feynapot and Intis–Feynapot borders became independent, primarily worshiping the God of Knowledge and Wisdom, while within Feynapot only the Earth Mother Church remained.
Because both sides accused the other of betraying the "Sacred Oath" of the late Fourth Epoch, this five-year conflict came to be known as the "Oath-breaking War."
That, at least, was what the history books recorded—though perhaps there was another truth.
Ebner, however, realized that this "Oath-breaking War" occurred right when his "Daniel" lifetime had ended… Based on many clues, in that life he had worked closely with the "Two-Five Dragon," conducting numerous experiments together. Later, the attempt involving the "Calamity Seal" was very likely decided during that time…
And Lilith—or rather, the Earth Mother—clearly did not support that plan.
Could that have been the true spark of the conflict? Hmm… The original novel also mentioned this war, so there must have been other factors too… Perhaps the war itself was just a smokescreen.
While such thoughts raced through his mind, Ebner and Xio made their way to the cabinets holding documents and manuscripts. They quickly found the box containing Roselle's original diary.
Xio might not have noticed, but to Ebner's "Pure White Eye," the page written by Old Huang in his most agitated state practically screamed with its presence.
"Klein was right. Even without understanding Chinese, the power hidden in this page has already influenced its surroundings…
"Professor Michel must not have had this diary for very long—otherwise, his house might have already spawned 'monsters' of some sort…"
As he thought this, Ebner carefully examined the page. Then, after simulating it within his own "White Tower" space, he pulled out various materials from his pocket, letting them automatically "assemble" according to a set pattern…
Soon, an identical diary page had taken form.
After forging records of its existence on the informational level, Ebner pocketed the authentic page and placed his counterfeit in its stead.
Satisfied, he clapped his hands and looked at Xio, who had been observing the whole time, eager to hear her assessment.
Xio thought for a moment, then said with apparent sincerity, "If you went into counterfeiting currency, it'd probably take an angel to tell real from fake."
That's not the feedback I was asking for… Ebner's mouth twitched, though inwardly he scoffed:
At least what I made requires skill and raw materials. That's a step above simply pulling money straight from historical projections!
(End of this chapter)