Evening of September 19th.
Two assassination incidents occurred in Backlund.
Intis Republic Ambassador Bakerland was assassinated, and by that very night, major newspapers in Backlund worked overtime to ensure this news made the front page.
Meanwhile, Klein, who had also been targeted for assassination at his own home, appeared unfazed. The battle this time didn't even cause any significant damage to his belongings.
Instead, Rosago practically delivered his own head on a silver platter, allowing Klein to obtain, through spirit channeling, the full potion formulas for the Seer pathway: Sequence 7 Magician, Sequence 6 Faceless, and Sequence 5 Marionettist. He also acquired a "Pitch-Black Eye" contaminated by True Creation.
If he were to purchase these items at an extraordinary gathering, they would cost at least tens of thousands of gold pounds.
But at this moment, Klein had spent only one thousand gold pounds.
This unexpected generosity from Rosago made Klein feel a strange sense of gratitude toward him.
Afterwards, to ensure nothing went wrong, Klein decided to perform a divination.
With nothing better to do, he casually pulled out a coin and softly recited: "Bakerland is dead."
Clang!
The one-penny coin flipped through the air and landed steadily in Klein's palm.
If he's not dead, Klein thought, I'll just divine again tomorrow.
Slap!
The coin landed, showing the head side up—a confirmation.
Good! Bakerland is dead!
A wave of relief washed over Klein, and he finally relaxed.
Hillsdon District, a townhouse living room.
Mr. A, who had just successfully completed his assassination mission, knelt in the shadows in a black hooded robe.
Before him stood a small statue—a figure hung upside down, its legs bound by chains extending upwards.
"Cough, cough."
As he recited devout prayers, Mr. A suddenly began coughing violently, spitting out bloody fragments that wriggled on the floor.
But soon, he bent down and, with reverence, licked the fragments back up, even savoring the blood at the corner of his lips.
The next moment, Mr. A sensed something and swiftly turned his head, alert.
A figure silently emerged from the darkness.
"Saint of Darkness."
Mr. A's heart tightened, and he immediately lowered his head in respect.
"Do you remember the one who tried to assassinate you last time?"
The Saint of Darkness stepped forward, his voice slow and deliberate.
"I remember!" Mr. A responded without hesitation, his voice filled with hatred. "I would recognize him even if he turned to ash!"
"Good."
The Saint of Darkness nodded slightly.
"The Lord has given an oracle."
Hearing this, Mr. A's expression became solemn. He bowed his head, filled with reverence.
"Find him."
"And... kill him?!" Mr. A's eyes lit up with excitement.
"No."
The Saint of Darkness shook his head. "Help him."
Mr. A froze. He met the Saint's gaze for a moment, then quickly lowered his head again. "Understood. How should I help him?"
The Saint of Darkness nodded approvingly.
"Give him whatever he asks for."
He scanned Mr. A with a calm gaze but still offered a warning.
"He is currently investigating the Black Emperor. If you meet again, take the initiative and tell him everything you know."
"The Black Emperor?"
Mr. A looked confused. "I don't understand. What does he have to do with this?"
"The Loen Royal Family."
The Saint of Darkness did not elaborate further, simply saying, "If he asks, tell him about our cooperation with the royal family and the Demoness Sect."
"But… what about the royal family and the Demoness Sect?"
Mr. A hesitated. "Aren't we working together? If we reveal everything to him, wouldn't that be betraying our allies?"
"They don't matter. They're just a bunch of ignorant fools."
The Saint of Darkness dismissed the thought.
"Your job is to continue cooperating with them while hiding your relationship with him. Do whatever they ask of you—but report everything to him. If necessary, I will intervene personally."
The more Mr. A listened, the more confused he became.
This wasn't just double-crossing—it was triple-crossing.
On one hand, he had to help the royal family execute their schemes. On the other, he had to leak all their secrets to Ashes.
What was the point of this?
"He destroyed the Lord's vessel. Why are we helping him?"
"The vessel does not matter."
The Saint of Darkness gave him a deep look. "The Lord does not need to descend into this world. But the Lord needs Ashes to fulfill his mission. Do you understand?"
"I understand."
Mr. A bowed his head once more. "Saint, forgive my boldness—why don't you contact him directly?"
"Praise the Lord."
The Saint of Darkness recited a devout prayer, then his expression subtly changed. After a long pause, he finally answered:
"It is not yet time. Ashes must discover the Black Emperor at the same pace as the royal family's plan. If he learns too much too soon, the Fire Passing will lose its meaning."
"If complications arise, divert his attention with secrets about other gods."
"Fire Passing?"
Mr. A sensed something important.
Was everything they were doing simply to let Ashes pass the fire?
What exactly was the purpose of this Fire Passing?
And the Church of the Evernight Goddess—
Ashes was clearly backed by the Church of the Evernight Goddess.
Did that mean the Evernight Church knew more than they did?
"Saint," Mr. A whispered, "Does the Evernight Church also want him to pass the fire? If our goals align, could we work with them?"
"No."
The Saint of Darkness' tone turned heavy.
"Do not trust them. The Evernight Church knows more than we do, but that does not mean they want Ashes to pass the fire."
Backlund, Saint Samuel Cathedral.
Inside the Grand Prayer Hall, a woman dressed in a simple linen robe stood before the altar, bowing her head devoutly.
"Your Highness Arianna."
An elderly man, clad in a black and red archbishop's robe, hesitated before speaking.
"You have questions?"
Arianna remained in prayer, her voice soft.
"I don't understand."
Archbishop Anthony fell silent for a long moment before voicing his confusion.
"The Hall of Painting exists within our church—why must we rely on the Aurora Order's version?"
"Time."
Arianna whispered, "The Goddess needs time. And so does the Favored."
"The Aurora Order's Hall of Painting can send the Favored to the Sunya Sea. This will buy us at least one more month."
Anthony remained silent. Arianna's answer did not resolve his doubts, but he chose not to question further.
"When the Favored returns, what should I do?"
After a long silence, he asked.
"Everything will proceed as usual."
Arianna finally lifted her head, her tone gentle. "Grant the Favored everything he asks for."
"Except the Black Emperor?"
"Yes. Except the Black Emperor."
"Why?"
"Time."
Arianna's lips parted slightly, her voice drifting like mist. "The time is not yet right."
Then, she bowed her head once more, praying devoutly.
For a true believer, there was no need to question the Goddess' will.
(End of Chapter)