Facing this question, the three "Alchemists" did not conceal anything, and even wanted to use the opportunity to please the divine envoy before them, hoping to gain more favor from the Emperor.
Very soon, from their descriptions, Ebner learned that Morning Star City currently possessed six Sequence 1 sealed artifacts, and that was without counting the Emperor's armored statue and the floating city itself. With the capabilities displayed by the city's four core systems, it was undoubtedly at the level of a Sequence 0 sealed artifact.
—Under the promotion of the "Mechanical Emperor," Morning Star City had adopted the same numbering system for sealed artifacts as the Churches.
Among them, the strongest and most dangerous was "Gollon's Stomach," sealed within Annik Splint's body. It was a mixture of multiple pathways' characteristics and could only be used in very limited ways.
Eleanor, who had fused with the sealed artifact "Hive of Honey," needed no further introduction, while the last council member, the black mecha-clad Ormus, had sealed within his modified body another Sequence 1 sealed artifact.
That artifact was called "Song of Midnight," created from the "Nightwatcher" pathway's characteristic. It took the form of a string of black pearl necklaces. Through its singing, it could bring misfortune upon others, soothe souls, and was especially effective against spirits—serving as a rare supplement to the mostly physical means of the Alchemists.
More importantly, after the "Mechanical Emperor" had fallen, this necklace became the only item capable of affecting the "Night Barrier," briefly deactivating it to allow exploration teams to enter and exit.
"Besides the three Sequence 1 sealed artifacts sealed within our bodies," Eleanor continued, "among the other three: one is the 'Golden Eagle,' created from the 'Bearer of No Darkness' characteristic. Before your arrival, it was our city's primary energy source.
"The second is the 'Horadric Cube,' created from the 'Alchemist' pathway. It was designed and personally named by the Emperor. It is currently the primary tool for producing low-level implants, mechas, and weapons within Morning Star City.
"Because the characteristic came from Lady Evelina, who perished in the battle between the 'Fallen Sun' and the 'Three-headed Cathedral,' we often call it the 'Evelina Cube.'
"Unfortunately, another Alchemist, Ramiro, also fell in that battle, and his characteristic was lost outside Nightmare Town before we could retrieve it.
"The last sealed artifact is the 'Wild Hunt' Medallion, created from the 'Demon Hunter' pathway.
"It can summon a semi-giant that displays an incomplete mythical form to fight for you for thirty seconds.
"If it is not recalled within that time, it will completely lose control and indiscriminately attack all nearby beings.
"Only the blood of the user's kin can reseal it.
"This characteristic came from Gollon, a follower of the True Creator, one of the demigods he herded. It is suspected that he secretly captured a Saint from a nearby city.
"Unfortunately, at that time, the Emperor's old injuries resurfaced, and faith within the city began to waver. After reaching the vicinity of Afternoon Town, he did not organize manpower to investigate the surrounding cities… so we don't know the exact origin."
After Eleanor's introduction of the remaining three sealed artifacts, she let out a sigh, then looked at Ebner with some anticipation, hoping he would take an interest in one of them.
After hearing all of this, Ebner pondered:
The three sealed artifacts embedded into their bodies are powerful, but their side effects are too troublesome and not portable… Abandoned.
The Golden Eagle… I already know all of its functions, and I even have the phantom White Angel of the "Unknown Land," which is stronger. Useless to me… Abandoned.
The Horadric Cube… so my plagiarizing skills are no worse than Roselle's! But this item is critical production material for Morning Star City. Taking it away would be excessive, and besides, I can already craft mystical items. Once I recover the Mechanical Emperor's memories, implants and the like won't be a problem… Abandoned.
The Wild Hunt… the combat ability is secondary. The key is that it can display the incomplete mythical form of the Demon Hunter!
Heh, the advancement ritual for Seer requires deep understanding of at least three incomplete mythical forms. Only after fully analyzing their models can one consume the potion…
And the more incomplete forms one masters, covering broader domains, the higher the success rate of the advancement.
Thanks to my prior accumulation, I've already mastered nine different incomplete mythical forms. Among the ones I still lack, Demon Hunter is included.
As for kin's blood… that's not difficult. Ever since news of my ennoblement spread, countless "relatives" I never knew I had have appeared. Though I've already "hinted" most of them away, buying a bit of blood from them wouldn't be a problem.
Thinking this, Ebner adjusted the machine and started playing the trailer of the Beckland documentary series while saying bluntly, "I want to borrow the Wild Hunt for a while."
He had no need for politeness—after all, this was also his rightful compensation. Bearing the fate of tens of thousands was no small matter.
Eleanor, with her "bee wings," actually looked relieved at his request and said with a smile, "No problem. You can borrow it for as long as you like."
She then instructed another projection of hers to retrieve from the underground seal chamber a medal that resembled the Republic Medal of Honor, except that the national emblem was replaced by the emblem of Morning Star.
Good grief, the highest ceremony is a military salute, and now the medal looks like this… Mechanical Emperor Ivans, you really were scheming! Ebner mocked inwardly, though the smile tugging at his lips betrayed his good mood.
At this time, the one-and-a-half-minute trailer had already ended, and the three who had never seen the real world before were obsessively replaying every detail.
Seeing this, Ebner brought out a few more edited films and said with a smile, "Here are more complete records and introductions. You can watch them slowly…"
Then he shifted his tone, bowed slightly, and continued, "But I must take my leave. Next time we meet, perhaps it will be in the world of light."
"Divine envoy, you're leaving? Did we fail to host you properly?" Eleanor asked in surprise, with a faint trace of reluctance.
Ormus and Annik also spoke up together, hoping the envoy would stay a little longer.
Ebner only shook his head and smiled. "My mission is finished. I cannot remain longer…
"This is God's will."
I must quickly find the entrance to the dried-up Chaos Sea here and return… After all, Edwina is still waiting back in Bayam!
Hearing this, the three Alchemists dared not stop him further and could only see him off from the central tower.
After stepping outside, Ebner deliberately studied the statue of the Mechanical Emperor. He planned that once he found the imitation floating city at Nas, he would sculpt a counterfeit statue out of ordinary metal and place it there. In the future, he could… well, in his previous world's words, "make the fake real."
…..
On the Future, Klein was crouched in the washroom, ready at any time to support the Sun and the Tower, when he suddenly heard light footsteps approaching.
Knock, knock, knock—someone rapped on his door.
"Who is it?" Klein had to dispel the spiritual wall and step out of the washroom.
"Me." Admiral of the Stars Cattleya's voice came from outside.
Klein walked closer, a little puzzled, and opened the door.
He didn't ask what she wanted. His cold gaze conveyed everything.
Cattleya adjusted the heavy glasses on her nose and asked gloomily, "Did you meet her?"
Klein gave a simple "Mm," without hiding it.
"She's on the ship?" Cattleya pressed her lips together and asked softly.
"Yes." Klein looked at the Admiral of the Stars and casually said, "You have very deep feelings for her."
Cattleya bit her lip, gave a self-mocking smile, and said, "Yes.
"I was not yet three when I began following her. Heh, that's what they say—I don't really remember it.
"She taught me knowledge, held my hand as we ventured, watched me grow little by little. To me, she was not only a captain, but also a teacher, and… a mother."
As she spoke, Cattleya fell silent.
Seeing her fall quiet, Klein suddenly felt a little awkward. He had to change the subject. "She asked me to tell you to be more careful about Frank and Heath…"
He then relayed what the Queen of Mysteries had said.
After listening quietly, Cattleya had already hidden her earlier lapse and returned to her usual calm and wise self. She nodded and said, "I understand…"
Then, as if remembering something, she added uncertainly, "Actually, although Frank appears to be an orphan, some priests of the Earth Mother's Church know his origins… I once privately inquired about his parents. But it seems that's a taboo within the Church. The few who knew anything refused to speak.
"Frank's peculiarity may have come from his parents."
Klein nodded thoughtfully. Perhaps Mr. Tower can uncover more detailed information. I'll ask him during the next small Tarot gathering… After all, Frank is a decent fellow. If possible, it would be best to help him rid himself of this so-called brand…
I wonder if pulling him into the gray fog would work… But he doesn't seem like the type to worship the Fool.
After that, the two stared at each other in silence for a while. Finally, it was Cattleya who hesitated, then took the initiative to ask, "You just advanced to Puppet Master… didn't you?
"I happen to have a ready-made puppet. Do you want it?"
As she spoke, she took out a scroll, unsealed it, and released the body of Admiral of Hell, Ludwell, which Jane had turned in as a communal item of the Future.
Her actions carried a hidden intent. Because she had revealed information about the Fool, she wanted to "please" the envoy of the Fool a little, to lessen any punishment. But she couldn't say this outright, so she set a relatively low price instead:
"Ten thousand pounds, and he will be your puppet."
(End of Chapter)