Deep within Sodrac Palace, George III, seated upon the throne, lowered his head in thought for a long while before finally turning slightly to look toward the dark curtain to the left of his seat. After weighing his words, he said:
"Ancestor, recently the churches seem to have discovered some clues and have already begun investigating many suspicious locations around Backlund…
"So this time, I had 'Pride' secretly assist Teysst, precisely so that 'Goddess's Eye' Ilya, who just happens to arrive at Pritz Harbor on Friday night, would notice the flaw and list Teysst as a suspect colluding with a secret organization.
"In truth, I originally wanted Vera and 'Lust' to carry out this plan of diverting the church's attention… but Vera really isn't valued within the royal family, her authority is insufficient, and the church would very likely not believe it…
"Moreover, behind 'Lust' stands Zaratul, so it's not convenient for me to scheme against him directly.
"But Teysst, as one of the 'big figures' of MI9, fully responsible for Southern Continent affairs and also my cousin, has authority and influence great enough. Letting him temporarily shoulder this 'charge' makes it highly likely that the church will believe it.
"As for 'Pride,' his personality is easy to exploit, and he doesn't have much background. The resources of the Twilight Hermit Order and the Psychology Alchemists can be utilized even without him, so he's a very suitable candidate.
"Once he draws the church's attention, many of our problems can be explained away… after all, as a demigod of the Spectator pathway, he has 'arranged' quite a few matters among the nobility.
"Although if he's captured, some issues might be exposed, there will be no direct evidence.
"What's more, by that time, he would most likely have already completed the task of delaying time, and the three major churches might even tacitly approve my attempt to 'become a god.'"
Only after laying out his entire scheme to William I, the 'Hand of Order,' did George III stop, awaiting the evaluation of this Augustus family ancestor.
After a long while, a sigh finally came from behind the dark curtain. Then, a voice devoid of any emotion sounded:
"Just do as you think best. Don't come asking for my opinion on everything…
"Also, when you're in a disadvantaged position, such schemes and calculations are indeed necessary—but they must be kept within moderation."
The Black Emperor, at his core, was still an emperor—one who issued a command and had everyone obey absolutely… not someone who relied on such petty tricks to achieve things.
This could already be seen from the starting Sequences of the Black Emperor pathway: when a Lawyer's methods were no longer effective, it was time to rely on the power of a Barbarian to resolve matters.
This was what should have run through the entire acting core of the Black Emperor pathway…
But William I did not tell George III these things. After all, once certain knowledge was conveyed directly, deliberately trying to act upon it could instead produce the opposite effect. It was better to guide and let this junior of his comprehend it on his own.
However, although George III verbally acknowledged it, he still had his own thoughts in his heart. The effect of William I's intentions was clearly not very good…
...
At the same time, in a secluded palace, "Hvin" waited for a while. Seeing that George III truly had no intention of summoning him, he then left Sodrac Palace.
—Because Hvin's body and mind had been personally handled by Adam, even though he had been made into a marionette, Ebner was not worried about him being sensed by the Augustus family's Hand of Order.
After walking out of the palace, the corners of "Hvin's" mouth curved slightly upward. As for what George III was plotting, someone with Insight like him naturally understood it perfectly well.
However, Ebner did not resist it either. This was a good opportunity to play along and numb George III for a while—after all, even if the other party were beaten to death, he would never imagine that Ebner was wearing the same pants as the Goddess!
"Moreover, in order to give me enough 'weight' to be suspected by the church, George III has really put in quite a bit of capital. He actually allowed me to control a mid-to-high-level figure within MI9 as the reward for Friday night's mission…
"It seems I'll have to plan this carefully… Although with my current strength, manipulating a mid-to-high-level member of MI9 isn't difficult, having such an opportunity to operate openly, with someone backing me, to 'do whatever I want' is still quite rare."
As his thoughts turned, "Hvin" boarded his carriage and returned to the residence belonging to his identity as a royal advisor.
Since "Hvin" had a high probability of becoming Miss Justice's potion for advancement in the future, Ebner planned to first return and take stock of Hvin's assets, then sell the villa he was currently living in and switch to renting.
His previous experience of being controlled by the Hidden Sage had made Ebner vigilant. To prevent similar incidents from happening again, he decided to use "Alvin's Palace" to purchase a one-time King of Angels–level ability.
However, the "cost" required for an ability of this level was far too high—so high that even after just selling several million pounds' worth of Fountain of Youth water, he still couldn't afford it…
So he could only continue working hard to save money.
"I really am a believer of the 'God of Poverty.' Even if I'm rich enough to rival a nation, I'm still short on money…"
...
Early morning, 160 Berkland Street.
With Maric's visit once again, Klein, who had already decided to help him obtain the "mummy," drew that symbol combining Peeping and Secrecy onto a mirror.
When the final stroke fell, the light in the living room abruptly dimmed slightly.
Ripples like water spread across the mirror's surface in circles, eventually turning deep and dark.
Immediately afterward, one blood-dripping word after another bulged out:
"You have summoned the mysterious, just, and great Arodes. You may ask me questions, but you must answer my questions in equal measure, otherwise you will suffer severe punishment! Alright, now state your question."
This scene was filled with a sense of eerie horror. Even if there were a vengeful spirit standing opposite, it would seem to be intimidated, momentarily not daring to speak.
Although Sharon still showed no extra expression, there was a faint sense of confusion in her heart. After all, the last time Sherlock summoned this "evil spirit," the style had not been like this.
Only Klein maintained a smile from beginning to end, because from his perspective, the text was completely different:
"Your loyal servant Arodes bears witness to you reclaiming yet another part of your authority, trembling for your gradually recovering aura. You will ultimately return to that supreme position, bringing calm to the entire world beneath your gaze!"
This mirror really has a high EQ. Last time, when it was just Sharon and me, it wasn't nearly this 'proper'… It knows I'm not afraid of exposing anything in front of Sharon, doesn't it?
And now that Maric is present, this thing chooses to disguise itself and help cover for me…
As Klein praised it inwardly, Maric—who had remained silent for several seconds—stepped forward two paces, about to speak.
—Klein had already informed him of the relevant rules beforehand.
However, at this moment, Sharon's soft yet emotionless voice suddenly rang out:
"I'll ask."
Clearly, with Sharon's intelligence, she had inferred something from the mirror's different attitudes on the two occasions. To avoid Maric—whom she regarded as a younger brother—being asked strange questions and becoming someone's source of amusement, she, dressed in a loose morning robe, took the initiative to look at the mirror and said:
"The mummy of Tutankhamun II is a trap set by the Loen military against the Rose School of Thought, correct?"
The blood-red text on the mirror suddenly melted and slid downward, dragging filthy streaks with it. Only a single word barely remained, writhing and deforming into:
"Yes."
So it really is a trap… Fortunately, I've already become a 'Bizarro Sorcerer.' Otherwise, I really wouldn't have had the courage to help… As Klein mocked himself inwardly, the mirror's surface returned to its deep stillness, and new blood-colored words appeared:
"According to the principle of equivalence, it's my turn to ask a question.
"If you answer incorrectly or lie, you will suffer punishment."
Sharon gave a slight nod and replied succinctly, "Ask."
At this moment, the previous sentence slowly faded, replaced by new words:
"When he was acting as a 'Marionettist,' among the outfits he personally dressed you in, which set did you like the most?"
(End of chapter)