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Aaron Weil's originally somewhat somber expression subtly froze, and he didn't respond immediately.
Before the Original Creator's Barrier was broken, and with the limited power that Outer Deities could penetrate, Evernight Goddess was definitely capable of handling it.
But what he was struggling with now was what he would have to pay to get the Goddess's help, and where that outer god, or rather, the Rose School of Thought, would start.
Recalling Sharron's prayer from earlier, Aaron Weil's thoughts gradually cleared.
Sharron's escape in the Sonia Sea earlier was also due to his intervention.
The true high-ranking member of the Rose School of Thought, the Sequence 3 "Disicple of Silence" Mahmosi, was severely wounded, and the Rose School of Thought's Grade 1 Sealed Artifact, the "Scepter of Disaster," was also lost in that battle.
Having suffered such a great loss, the Rose School of Thought must have conducted a thorough investigation.
The fact that Will Auceptin specifically came to warn him indicated that they had already grasped certain clues, and might even be using Admiral of Blood and a potential Rose School of Thought demigod as bait to draw him out.
"Alright, I've given you the warning I needed to."
"Oh, by the way, Ricciardo is currently in Bayam. Hmm, once you've settled the Rose School of Thought matter, I'll have him come find you."
Aaron Weil, deep in thought, was interrupted by Will Auceptin's words. He reined in his thoughts, intending to make a decision after praying to the Goddess tomorrow.
Seeing that Will Auceptin intended to end this dream, Aaron Weil lightly coughed.
No way, he had finally caught him once, he couldn't let him just run off like that. The wool that needed to be shorn, of course, had to be shorn completely.
"Um, Chairman, when we were in Backlund, you said you could act for me once..."
Before Aaron Weil could finish speaking, Will Auceptin glared and interrupted him, correcting him:
"What I said was, within my capabilities, even if you haven't completed my task, I can act for you once in advance."
"The fellow you've provoked this time is beyond my current capabilities. If I were in my peak condition, it wouldn't be impossible to help you, but right now, no."
Looking at Will Auceptin, who was clearly resistant, Aaron Weil's face broke into a kind and amiable smile, explaining:
"I think you must have misunderstood. I'm not referring to the Rose School of Thought, but to dealing with another Angel who is in a very poor state."
"And you don't need to personally fight; you just need to provide some necessary assistance."
Will Auceptin and the scale-less silvery-white long snake coiled around the black spire stared at Aaron Weil simultaneously, looking at his harmless smile. After a long moment, he muttered:
"Anyone who doesn't know better would think you're the Angel. Can't you let me have some peace for once?"
The Red Angel Evil Spirit, Hermes, the existence behind the Rose School of Thought, and the Angel in a poor state that Aaron Weil mentioned—Will Auceptin suddenly felt an urge to retract his previous promise.
Taking a deep breath, Will Auceptin reminded him with a serious expression:
"I need to warn you, dealing with powerhouses at the Angel level is different from the others. The fluctuations from my actions are hard to conceal and might attract a smelly snake to you."
"Hmm, I'm not in good shape right now, so I can't beat him yet. Are you still sure you want me to help you?"
Aaron Weil's smile remained unchanged, and he nodded, saying:
"I will find a way to erase the traces of your actions, so that Angel of Fate won't find your whereabouts."
Will Auceptin nodded somewhat reluctantly and quickened his pace:
"Alright, when you need me, light that paper crane, and I will naturally act."
"Also, don't bother me every time something happens."
As if fearing Aaron Weil would make more excessive demands, giving him no chance to respond, the dream shattered with a rumble.
-----------------
Northern edge of the Fog Sea, the central island of the Oladk Islands.
Danitz, bathed in the warm sunlight, stood on the deck with his luggage, looking at the Oladk Port nearby. He hummed a tune, a slight curl to his lips, in a very good mood.
He had just arrived at the Oladk Islands by boat from Nothsea Town in the Intis Republic, traveling directly along the Rhine River.
Ever since his last trip with the Captain to the Southern Continent to trade with the local natives, Danitz had seized the opportunity to acquire many gold ornaments with a distinct Balam style.
These exotic ornaments allowed Danitz to make a significant profit in Intis, where gold was highly valued. He kept half of the money he earned for himself, to live a carefree life.
The other half was all converted into real estate and land deeds. Danitz was well aware that even if he truly died at Sea, his parents could live a prosperous life.
Carrying a heavy briefcase full of gold pounds, Danitz, who had been in a pleasant mood, suddenly felt his expression drop as soon as he thought about having to give at least half of the money in the briefcase to Ferran.
Muttering "shit" under his breath, Danitz silently vowed:
"Once I pay off that guy's debt this time, if he ever dares to nag me again, I will, hmm, I will definitely ask the Captain to mediate for me..."
Just as Danitz was muttering, his spiritual perception suddenly stirred, and he subconsciously turned his head to look towards the Oladk Port.
Above the undulating deep blue Sea, beneath the scattered white clouds, a point of blazing white light flew from far to near at high speed.
This light grew larger and clearer, eventually revealing its complete form: a gigantic flaming spear!
The flaming spear cut across the sky and landed at Oladk Port, but it didn't ignite anything. It merely shattered the hard port street, and then the flaming spear scattered directly, reassembling into a human figure.
Danitz's mouth fell open, his pupils constricted, as he saw the figure.
The figure wore a white shirt and a dark blue coat, with a high nose bridge, deep-set eyes, light blue irises, and slightly curly brown hair. His facial contours were hard, and his chin was slightly raised, giving off an air of looking down on everyone.
He appeared to be middle-aged and slowly surveyed his surroundings. He walked past the wide-eyed, half-mouthed Travelers and approached a person in a police uniform. With a shake of his hands, a portrait was revealed.
The portrait showed a young man in a white shirt and black vest, of medium build, with golden short hair parted in a three-seven ratio, and emerald green eyes that conveyed a direct sense of mockery. It was Anderson-Hood, the strongest Hunter in the Fog Sea.
Even from such a distance, Danitz could still feel the oppressive aura that made his soul tremble. Thanks to Vice Admiral Iceberg's teachings, he quickly reacted.
The man who transformed from the flaming spear was a Beyonder, a figure comparable to a Pirate King.
Danitz abruptly withdrew his gaze, daring only to watch the subsequent developments from the corner of his eye.
The mysterious powerhouse seemed to have inquired about something, but Danitz couldn't hear it due to the distance. Then, blazing white flames suddenly surged around his body.
Next, he transformed into a gigantic flaming spear and hurled himself towards the Berserk Sea.
The flaming spear moved further and further away, and soon only a speck of light remained.
Throughout the entire process, this Beyonder, except for the very beginning, did not spare another glance at the surrounding Travelers, as if they did not exist.
In a hotel near the port area, Ferran listened to Danitz's slightly exaggerated account, his brow slightly furrowed. After a moment, he nodded.
"I'll go report to the Captain. You pack your things; we'll depart this afternoon."
After speaking, he walked to the partition, took out a glowing charm, and began to set up the ritual magic as taught by the Captain from memory.
Once everything was in place, Ferran closed his eyes, his spirituality diffused, and the hazy, blurred surroundings became clear. Accompanied by the sound of light tapping on the table, Ferran opened his eyes.
He found himself in a spacious and elegant study. Edwina Edwards, with her smooth brown hair draped down, sat quietly behind the desk, her light blue eyes, like clear spring water, calmly gazing at him.
Ferran first bowed to the Captain, then recounted Danitz's words again, and also informed the Captain about his previous encounter with Anderson-Hood, who claimed to be the strongest Hunter in the Fog Sea.
"Vice Admiral Iceberg" Edwina had listened quietly, not interrupting him. Finally, she nodded gently:
"I understand. You two should leave the Oladk Islands as soon as possible and head to the northern small island. The Golden Dream will stay there for two days, after which we will head to the Fog Sea to explore for treasure..."
-----------------
Accompanied by the long whistle of the ship, Aaron Weil stood on the deck, watching the vessel sail away from Tiana Port, heading towards Bayam, the capital of the Rorsted Archipelago, the "City of Generosity."
He had learned from the Captain that at the current speed, they would reach Bayam by tomorrow afternoon at the latest, or tomorrow noon at the earliest.
After a night of rest, his depleted spirituality had recovered. Recalling the dream from last night, Aaron Weil rubbed his temples, feeling a headache, and turned to return to his room.
Regardless of the specifics, Aaron Weil felt it was best to observe the Goddess's attitude before making a decision.
Without further hesitation, Aaron Weil set up a Wall of Spirituality and immediately began the ritual.
He lit the candles, burned the corresponding essential oils and herbal powders, stepped back two paces, and let his spirituality surge into the red moon mark on his wrist. At the same time, he solemnly chanted in ancient Hermes:
"You are the Evernight Goddess, more exalted than the Cosmos, more ancient than eternity."
"You are the Lady of Crimson, the Hidden Mother."
"You are the Queen of Misfortune and Fear, the Mistress of Repose and Silence."
"I implore your help, I seek your protection."
After reciting the honorific name, Aaron Weil switched to normal Rune Language, concisely and respectfully recounting the general course of events, including Will Auceptin's warning and his own conjectures.
Aaron Weil did not directly state a request but merely presented the facts. This was equivalent to an exchange of equal value, rather than an offering of items in prayer for a bestowal.
Other aspects of the ritual could be less meticulous, but this fundamental attitude, as a Blessed of the Evernight, Aaron Weil felt needed attention.
After waiting for a moment with no unusual reaction, Aaron Weil gently exhaled. He took out the Sequence 4 "Cataclysmic Interrer" Beyonder characteristic, obtained from the shattered "Scepter of Disaster," and placed it on the altar. Then, he reverently chanted the sacrificial incantation in ancient Hermes.
As Aaron Weil's words ended, two of the three candle flames suddenly swelled and intertwined, forming an illusory and dim mysterious Door.
The Door slowly opened, bringing forth a strong invisible wind.
Before Aaron Weil could speak further, an invisible force lifted the "Cataclysmic Interrer" Beyonder characteristic from the altar, and it disappeared into the Darkness.
A black strand of hair emerged from behind the ethereal Door, coiling around the red moon mark on Aaron Weil's left hand.
Aaron Weil felt a moment of trance, as if he saw a young woman in a classical hooded robe, with black eyes and hair, and a beautiful but vacant face.
In just an instant, all anomalies disappeared, and the illusory and dim mysterious Door also vanished.
Having tidied up all the materials, Aaron Weil finally let out a sigh of relief. Regardless, as long as the Goddess accepted his sacrifice and responded, at least his safety was guaranteed.
He then felt a pang of heartache for losing a demigod-level Beyonder characteristic, and could only hope that his upcoming actions would compensate for his loss.
Thinking this, Aaron Weil suddenly turned to look at the corner of the room, where colorful blocks intertwined. Astolfo's figure floated quietly in mid-air, with a bulging envelope beside him.
Reaching out to take the envelope, Aaron Weil opened it and found it was a letter from Harland Rooney of the Southern Continent, along with a newly forged "divination pendant."
As for the "Traveler" Beyonder characteristic, due to the high Sequence of the materials, it would take some time to forge.
His spirituality probed the newly forged "divination pendant." He didn't know what materials Harland Rooney had used during forging, but the divination effect was far superior to before.
Satisfied, Aaron Weil re-coiled the pendant and looked at Astolfo, who had not yet left.
Seeing Aaron Weil look over, an intention emanated from Astolfo's form, which was covered in mysterious patterns:
"The previous blood moon anomaly caused unknown changes in the Spirit World, and many of my memories have revived because of it."
"A long time ago, my true body, the existence you call the 'Chained God,' was corrupted by a terrifying existence."
"The 'Chained God' had been fighting against the erosion of that terrifying existence, but unfortunately, he failed."
"But the long period of erosion also granted him different abilities. Perhaps you've heard this saying: the heart is the Prisoner of the body, and the body is the Prisoner of the world. This refers to bound madness and suppressed desires."
"And when he was forced to give birth to the Abomination Suah, he also expelled a Sequence 2 Beyonder characteristic, fleeing to the Spirit World with the last remnants of his conscious awareness and spiritual imprint."
"Some anomalies occurred during this process, which is also the origin of that Angel in the Spirit World."
"Even with the Original Creator's Barrier and the Spirit World's isolation, because the Beyonder characteristic he carried originated from the 'Chained God,' he was still slowly eroded."
"Decades ago, I peeled off my last shred of conscious awareness and re-entered the Spirit World, seeking a turning point."
"Based on previous lessons, I did not separate any Beyonder characteristics, only consciousness. I autonomously gave birth to a new Spirit World creature in the Spirit World, which is my origin."
"Having lost my conscious awareness, my body in the Spirit World, driven by the instinct to aggregate, has been constantly pursuing my traces in the Spirit World."
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