The room fell into an awkward silence. Thaddeus stared intently at the redhead, who was boredly eating another cookie.
"Mmm. They taste sweeter than before." Smiling at that, Adryan was extremely pleased.
He had finally brought his greatest interest to light. And the main reason why he follows the Church's orders without complaint.
0-01
An artifact that appeared at the end of the Pale Era.
One that was very possibly the Uniqueness of the Red Priest Pathway!
'Many readers theorize that 0-01 is the Uniqueness. Not only does the timing coincide with the fall of the mad Death, but the original story hinted that it was...' If he wanted to claim the throne, this was the most important piece he had to obtain.
That said, a part of Adryan was worried.
The original story no longer existed. So there was a chance that 0-01 wasn't really the Uniqueness. But something else entirely. And if that was the case...
He could only think of one other place it could be.
And he didn't like it. At all.
Sigh...
Adryan took another bite of his cookie. 'It doesn't matter. Whatever the truth is, I'll face it like I always have. Head on and without looking back.'
Crunch!
'Is this attack by the Demoness Sect to obtain an artifact? It's Grade 0, but is it necessary to risk provoking a War of Gods for it?' Flora frowned inwardly.
The artifacts that a Church possesses are a fundamental part of its strength. Divided into four grades from highest to lowest, 3-0, the most important among them were those of grade 0. The classification refers to its danger, power, and sealing method. Generally speaking, the higher the grade, the more powerful its ability, but also the more dangerous its downside.
Grade 2 and 3 artifacts can have repeating codes in each of the seven churches, but the codes of Grade 0 and 1 artifacts are shared and known among the churches due to their danger. However, the information regarding grades 0 and 1 artifacts is not shared; only the codes are.
'The Churches already possessed a large number of Grade 0 Sealed Artifacts before the numbering procedures were established in the late Fourth Epoch and early Fifth Epoch. As such, for the first portion of sealed artifacts, the ones with smaller serial numbers are usually more powerful or terrifying than their higher-numbered counterparts. Then, the rest were labeled based on the order of appearance...
'Taking this into account, then 0-01 should be the most dangerous artifact in the world... Ha, no wonder the witches are interested in obtaining it.' Flora pressed her lips together slightly.
The Demoness Sect brings destruction wherever they go. Whether it's plagues, natural disasters, or terrible curses, every place they step into is struck by chaos.
It would not be strange for this organization to want the most dangerous artifact on the planet. However, she felt that it was not as simple as it seemed. It couldn't be.
Her mind returned to the princess's words. About the reason why the Scarlet Monarch and the Blood Emperor were different and should not be compared.
'Jumping to a non-adjacent path drove Alista Tudor mad. The Scarlet Monarch once sat on the throne of the Red Priest and now seeks to reclaim it. The True Gods are beyonders who ascended to Sequence 0...'
She did not know what was necessary to ascend to that Divine Sequence. But following the path of advancement in high sequences, a ritual and ingredients were necessary. Given the Scarlet Monarch's interest in 0-01, it is possible that it is one of these ingredients, whatever it may be.
'It must be because of that artifact that the Scarlet Monarch decided to ally with the God of Knowledge and Wisdom instead of the other orthodox gods! That is why the princess wants to build a good relationship with the Church and has agreed to become a Wise Owl under it...' A chill ran down the woman's spine with the realization.
From the beginning of this whole conversation. No. Long before he even set foot in Lenburg. Ever since he prayed to the God of Wisdom and Knowledge, the princess's goal had always been that artifact.
The sudden report of the boy only accelerated things. 0-01 was always in the spotlight.
'Did the Princess really see that far ahead at the time?' Flora quickly moistened her suddenly dry lips.
It was no surprise that another name for that path was War.
Hunters are terrifying!
A fleeting thought crossed her mind with that last thought.
'The path adjacent to the Red Priest is that of the Assassin, one controlled by the Demoness Sect.'
The Blood Emperor was driven mad because He jumped from the Black Emperor Pathway to the Red Priest, a non-adjacent path.
But...
What if the Blood Emperor had jumped to Sequence 0 of His adjacent path?
The woman's brow furrowed faintly, the meaning of this possibility weighing heavily on her shoulders.
'Is the Primordial Demoness seeking to obtain that artifact to... consume it?'
Wouldn't that technically make Her a Dual Pathway God?
Guided by the features of the Red Priest and Assassin paths, Flora couldn't imagine the disaster that would bring.
War, calamity, plagues, and natural disasters in the hands of an Evil God... And not just any Evil God, but the Primordial Demoness!
That this was even a possibility was genuinely terrifying.
'Now I understand why the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom actually agreed to protect us. Between the Primordial Demoness and the Scarlet Monarch, it's clear who is preferable for everyone...' With that in mind, the problem from before resurfaced.
'But why doesn't the Aurora Order want the Demoness Sect to get 0-01? Does the True Creator also support the Scarlet Monarch?'
At that moment, the uncomfortable silence in the room was broken by the Archbishop.
"You have hazardous information, Mr Kenway."
Adryan winked knowingly, "Thank you very much, I read a lot."
Thaddeus closed his mouth again. His hand scratched his beard as he sank into deep thought.
Fifteen seconds later, he turned his attention back to the Reaper.
"From the actions of the Aurora Order, does that mean Medici didn't die in the Fourth Epoch?"
The redhead used his left hand to make the universal gesture for more or less. "The state of the Three Flavour Soup is curious. But in a sense, we could say that he is still alive. But in a delicate state."
Whatever Thaddeus was about to say got stuck in his throat. He looked strangely at the Reaper.
"Three Flavour Soup?" he muttered, confused.
"A nickname I gave that guy. Don't pay too much attention to it."
Thaddeus remained expressionless.
"...You really have dangerous information."
This time, the redhead just shrugged his shoulders.
For her part, Flora rubbed her forehead, somewhat dazed.
'Medici... From the way Mr. Thaddeus said the name, he is referring to the ancestor of the Medici family and not one of its members...' The woman's lips tightened a little more.
Another special existence from the Fourth Epoch had been mentioned; this problem was becoming more profound.
She really needed to get hold of the books in the castle...
Adryan sighed loudly. Even a little exaggerated by his standards.
Resting his cheek against his knuckles again, he continued;
"That fanatic Ouroboros sent a message. The Aurora Order has its eyes on Azshara, and the Demoness Sect is slithering between the cracks with its fangs ready to strike.
"Aren't we being too passive? They're moving around our house as if it were theirs. Are we really going to let them do that?"
This time, Thaddeus nodded slightly.
"On that, we agree. Mr. Kenway." No sooner had he said that than a slice of paper and a blue fountain pen appeared in his lap.
The paper levitated in the air along with the fountain pen. The latter began to write on the paper, as if held by an invisible hand. Several paragraphs rich in information had been filled in on a draft.
"I will organize a meeting with the high-ranking officials to discuss how to deal with this. At this point, the attack on the Demoness Sect is in the hands of the Church."
Placing a hand on his chest, Thaddeus bowed politely.
"On behalf of Lenburg and Azshara. Along with the lives of the innocent people of this city. I deeply thank you for notifying us of this."
"I'm returning the favor." Adryan sighed.
"I would have reported it earlier, but I didn't want to risk provoking a premature reaction to the irregularity. Coming today would not attract attention. I would be another believer attending Mass. It would be an expected development."
"From the way you're talking, it seems you have a plan of your own," Thaddeus pointed out flatly, the pen at his side already filling the seventh page.
"Perhaps. Although it would be better to call it a vision," Adryan observed the interesting trick curiously, but did not comment on it.
"I'm a hunter, so naturally I'm not good at divination... Hehe. I'd say I'm terrible at interpreting them. It's not my forte by any means. That's why I have others do it for me..." Pausing for a moment, the Reaper shook his head.
"Still, I have a point of view because of that. I can get an idea of what the Demoness Sect wants.
"From Ademisaul's vision, what the Demoness Sect plans to do will be very noticeable. Not even the mountains could ignore it... And I think I know why," raising a finger, he pointed it at the ground.
"They want to force a situation where 0-01 must be used."
The pen stopped writing for a second. And Thaddeus himself raised an eyebrow in interest.
"They alone will not be able to create such a situation. So they have more support?"
Adryan nodded: "That's most likely. Although I don't know what organization it could be."
"Mmm." The pen resumed writing. "Any idea what kind of situation that might be?"
"Possibly trying to cause the descent of the Primordial Demoness in Azshara."
Crack
Blue ink stained the floor, pieces of the crushed pen falling stiffly.
'I'm not even surprised at this point,' Flora thought, completely expressionless. After witnessing so many of the princess's crazy antics, her skin was thick.
Her only complaint was that it constantly involved evil gods.
Visibly tense, the archbishop could barely keep from growling.
"What makes you say that?"
"What other reason would the Church have to release the seal on 0-01 and bring it here?"
Thaddeus sank into his chair, aging 100 years in the blink of an eye. A murmur escaped from the old man.
"You even know about that?"
The Reaper once again shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.
"What kind of idiot would have the most dangerous artifact on the planet sealed away in the middle of their country's capital? That's a disaster waiting to happen."
The Temple of Knowledge might be the base of the Church of the God of Wisdom and Knowledge, but that didn't mean it was where they kept the most dangerous artifacts.
That would be the underground of the White Tower.
Adryan had no idea where that was. But now it didn't matter.
"The Demoness Sect cannot access the White Tower where 0-01 is sealed. Just trying to do so is not only suicide, but the mother of all stupidity.
"It's obvious that they will create a situation where the prize comes to them. Not them to the prize."
Thaddeus sighed again. At this point, he had stopped counting how many times he had done so. Another blue ink pen appeared and continued what its predecessor had failed to complete.
"Do you have anything else to add?" Somewhat defeated, the archbishop visibly wished it were all over.
Much to his disappointment. The Reaper smiled.
"I think I have a lead on Ince Zangwill and 0-08."
"You think?" The words came out before he could stop them, and to his dismay, this only made the demon in front of him more cheerful as he laughed mischievously.
"Ohoho. And I think well, my sweet nightmare of lice~"
"Pftt—" Covering her mouth, Flora turned her body to the side. Her shoulders trembled with barely contained laughter.
"Hehe~ Don't worry, Mr. Thaddeus, ramps are all the rage with the ladies lately." Winking at the frozen archbishop, Adryan explained further.
"My student, Hazel Match, may have been written into a story by 0-08. We can use that to track them down."
"What makes you think that?" Not wanting to even allude to what he had heard or how he had been called, Thaddeus continued with the subject.
"Because it reeks of a useless writer."
"..."
A trembling sigh escaped the archbishop, who covered his face with his hands. Veins pulsed in his neck.
"How no one has killed you yet, I don't know."
"Oh. Many tried, but they all failed."
"Of course." Patting his knees, Thaddeus rose from his seat.
"Anything else?"
"Judging by Ademisaul's revelation, the attack will come during the winter. So we have a month and a half to either prevent it or prepare for the worst."
"Personal opinion. It's best to do both," Adryan said with a smirk, pointing to his companion.
"I'll need a little hypnosis for my dear worm. I have ways of avoiding alerting that quill, but I'm not at liberty to share them. Would you mind?"
"..." Thaddeus watched him silently. The pen behind him finished filling page twenty and disappeared along with the sheets.
After five seconds, he asked flatly, "Is this revenge for our first meeting?"
The Reaper tilted his head to the left, innocently.
"Ah? Wasn't it obvious?"
"..." The demigod didn't know what to say.
"If you step on the tiger's tail, you will awaken the dragon's wrath."
His weary eyes moved to the other occupied chair in the room. The white-haired woman smiled at him; another chocolate-covered strawberry in her hand was shaken in a gentle rhythm.
Flora laughed a little.
"The Emperor said that when he destroyed the Sauron Family and removed them from power. A phrase that we can apply well now, don't you think?"
The old man's eyelids fluttered.
Not wanting to stay in this room a single second longer, the archbishop blinked. His pupils lengthened, and his irises turned golden.
"Mr Uron's team will be investigating the trail you mentioned. They will also offer some protection and assistance."
"That's music to my ears."
"If we're done here, I'll complete the hypnosis."
"Of course," the Dream Stealer nodded casually, the corners of her lips slightly raised.
This was really fun.