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A phantom prayer scene then emerged, with the burly Frank praying with his eyes closed. On the altar lay several impossibly vibrant mushrooms and a necklace shimmering with layers of starlight, like a galaxy, emitting strong spiritual fluctuations.
Bernadette's efficiency is too fast. As expected of bloodline suppression, even Mythical Creatures are no exception…
Aaron sighed slightly in his heart and looked at the mushrooms. These were the experimental versions he had Frank sacrifice earlier. Although there were still many flaws, the most crucial issue of edibility had been resolved, so Cavendish Lancer Pinto could try them in the Abyss first.
If these mushrooms could retain their characteristics in such an utterly depraved place, then other places would naturally be no problem.
Spirituality leveraged a wisp of dark gold mist, and the prayer light spot suddenly expanded. The dark gold double-door opened, and the items Frank sacrificed arrived beside Aaron.
He placed the mushrooms with different effects in the sundry pile first. Aaron reached out to summon his divination pendant. He was very curious to what extent a Sequence 2 Knowledge Magister could refine a demigod Beyonder characteristic. Based on this, he could even infer the terrifying nature of the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery's Sealed Artifacts.
The boundless mist surged. Aaron opened his eyes, put away his divination pendant, and clicked his tongue as he looked at the dazzling necklace in his hand:
"Necklace of Secrets"
Ability 1 "Space Concealment": Divides a space into two, hiding a portion of it. Entry is only possible through a specific "Door." To exit the hidden space, one must either use the Door or lift the concealment. Can be used to create spatial pockets.
Ability 2 "Phantom Door": The main body appears behind the "Door," existing in a different world from the point of attack, looking on from afar.
Ability 3 "Exile": Constructs a gray-blue phantom Door with seven brass keyholes. The initially controlled target is thrown into the corresponding chaotic space-time currents. Different phantom Doors correspond to different scenes, but the corresponding Spirit World coordinates must be pre-recorded in the Necklace of Secrets.
In addition to these abilities, the most basic "Travel" and Scribe abilities were also retained.
Two demigod-level Beyonder abilities can be recorded, and the success rate of recording Beyonder abilities from similar Sequences is higher.
When "Traveling" in the Spirit World, one cannot be tracked or locked onto. "Concealment" can block perception.
The "Concealment" of a Secrets Sorcerer has a hidden meaning… Aaron immediately thought of the symbol he had summoned Arrodes with before, or rather, the symbol that could, to some extent, point to The Fool:
A portion of the "Pupiless Eye" symbolizing Concealment, plus a portion of the "Contorted Line" representing change!
Gathering his thoughts, Aaron was extremely satisfied with this Mystical Item. It retained Beyonder abilities to the greatest extent, making it one of the most capable even among Grade 1 Sealed Artifacts.
The negative effects mainly consisted of two points: If used by someone below demigod-level for more than 15 minutes, their body would inevitably merge with the Spirit World, becoming completely lost in that space.
For existences above demigod-level, this process can be interrupted voluntarily, but if used for more than 15 minutes, the various Beyonder abilities of the Necklace of Secrets will be distorted to some extent.
Another point is that during a full Moon, whether used or not, simply wearing it will cause one to be affected by the full Moon's whispers. Aaron's guess about this is that the Beyonder characteristic Botis used to advance to demigod might have originated from the Abraham family.
Looking at the Necklace of Secrets in his hand, Aaron frowned slightly. The title of the original God of Craftsmen was truly not an exaggeration. Although the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery was established for the shortest time, its foundation was probably very deep.
When Roselle fell, the True Gods who acted were the Eternal Blazing Sun and the God of Steam and Machinery, personally killing the "Son of Steam" they had enfeoffed. Even with preparations, the anchors being shaken was inevitable.
Although he didn't know how Adam specifically operated to retrieve the Black Emperor's Beyonder characteristic under the noses of two True Gods, this should have been the limit. It was impossible for two True Gods to gain nothing.
Perhaps it was a method Adam had laid out in advance; this wasn't without precedent. When the ancient god Demonic Wolf Flegrea died, Antigonus, who was only Sequence 2, took away The Fool's Uniqueness and a portion of an Attendant of Mysteries' characteristic due to Beyonder characteristic Convergence.
If Adam had the Duke of Entropy's characteristic, he indeed might have had a chance to replicate this situation.
Or perhaps Roselle simply actively interfered when he decided to purify himself through death.
Although it didn't matter where the characteristic was, leaving it in the hands of those who killed him would be more annoying. In this situation, allowing Adam to regain the characteristic also fit Roselle's personality. Of course, this doesn't rule out Adam's covert guidance.
Moreover, after killing Roselle, the Eternal Blazing Sun's state was definitely better than the God of Steam and Machinery's. It was highly probable that he snatched the Sequence 1 Knowledge Emperor Beyonder characteristic that Roselle had accommodated a step ahead of him.
If, during the war of gods, the Eternal Blazing Sun, who was on the God of Combat's side, exchanged the Knowledge Emperor Beyonder characteristic for the God of Steam and Machinery's help, causing the previously neutral Church of the God of Steam and Machinery to switch sides.
This could explain why the God of Steam and Machinery, who advanced to Sequence 0 with incredible luck as the ultimate European Emperor without fully digesting the potion, surprisingly chose the wrong side in the end.
Eternal Blazing Sun, God of Combat, God of Knowledge and Wisdom...
Aaron, gradually reining in his wandering thoughts, silently recited these names. Some matters were not about likes or dislikes, but only about interests. Whether it was the Justiciar Uniqueness or the Red Priest Uniqueness, he didn't have much time left.
Sighing lightly, Aaron selected Cavendish Lancer Pinto's prayer light spot, and with surging spirituality, opened the Door of Sacrifice, bestowing those several different types of mushrooms. At the same time, he transformed his thoughts into light spots and cast them into the dark golden double-door.
-----------------
The westernmost part of Desi Bay, the city of Southville, belonging to the Feynapotter Kingdom.
Aaron's figure slowly emerged, looking at the coastal city shrouded in night in the distance, his Life Imprint emitting a faint glow.
Just as Aaron was observing this beautiful city with a strong Desi style, patches of red scales appeared before Aaron without warning, quickly reassembling into a handsome man wearing the robes of an Church of the Earth Mother archbishop.
Archbishop Segura? Aaron looked at this old acquaintance with some surprise. He had only intended to exchange materials with the Church of the Earth Mother archbishop here using his identity as a Blessed, but he didn't expect to meet this Mr. Earl who had left a deep impression on him.
As soon as Segura's figure condensed, his scarlet eyes looked at the void beside Aaron, frowning slightly and muttering:
"Rose School of Thought?"
As a demigod of the Moon Pathway, which is related to life, he keenly sensed Cavendish Lancer Pinto in his ghostly state. Moreover, an ordinary demigod would not bring him such intense pressure.
Waving his hand, signaling the bishop not to be nervous, Aaron explained softly:
"This is my ally, no need to be nervous. Since you are here, it will save me a lot of trouble."
"I have a, ahem, subordinate who still lacks a main ingredient for Sequence 5 Druid: 'Life Tree Root Crystal'."
Segura's face immediately showed understanding. His gaze inadvertently swept across the still empty void beside Aaron, and he said with a smile:
"It is indeed difficult to find this Beyonder ingredient in the outside world. If it were a demigod-level material or formula, I would still need to report to the Patriarch, but for just a Sequence 5 main ingredient, I can decide to give it to you."
As he spoke, he pointed to the city behind him, casually adding:
"I am here to replace Archbishop Moro, who was originally stationed here. He is also a Blessed, and was sent to the Southern Continent last week."
Blessed... sent to the Southern Continent... Aaron's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't inquire further. Whether this was Lilith's intention or an angel's arrangement, it had nothing to do with him, at least for now.
"The Church's rules cannot be changed for me alone. There's no need to give it. Although I don't have the corresponding contribution to exchange for it, you can use your contribution to exchange for it, and I will compensate your loss with a Sanguine Baron Beyonder characteristic."
Rules are rules, and this is the most basic requirement for role-playing an Imperative Mage.
Segura smiled and did not refuse the slightly rigid suggestion of this Blessed. The transaction, which satisfied both parties, was quickly completed.
Watching the Blessed disappear into the Spirit World, Segura's smile faded, and his figure shattered, rapidly surging towards the Church of the Earth Mother in the city.
A Sequence 3 or at least a Sequence 4 Rose School of Thought member who possessed a Holy Item was an ally of this newly advanced Blessed. He had to report this matter to the Church's Matriarch, Roland.
-----------------
Tingen, beneath the Blackthorn Security Company. Klein, who had just returned from the Seer club, saw Seeka Tron returning with a large stack of documents.
"The Captain told me about your idea. I retrieved the documents for you from behind the Chanis Gate. But you can only read them here; you cannot take them away."
He placed the documents on the table while giving his instructions.
Old Neil had left for Backlund with Frye yesterday, and Seeka Tron was temporarily taking over Old Neil's work.
Looking at this steady young man, who was a Nighthawks by profession and a part-time Author even though his works were neither famous nor best-selling, Klein nodded heavily, stretched out his hands, and quickly flipped through the pages.
This was a problem he had realized after observing the symbolic signs behind the high-backed chairs of several Tarot Club members last time. He had some understanding of high-level hidden existences, but he knew nothing about the most basic Sequence knowledge.
Even if he knew the corresponding symbolic signs, he wasn't sure what Sequence the members of his gathering actually were, which was an utter disgrace for the boss of a secret organization.
After an unknown amount of time, Klein closed the book with a complex expression. As he expected, he did not see the subsequent information for the Seer Pathway. What pained him most was that the Sailor pathway was indeed the Beyonder Pathway controlled by the Church of the Lord of Storms.
The previously uncertain conjecture was verified, which also meant that even as a witness to the transaction, having obtained the Sequence 9 Sailor potion formula through Mr. Hanged Man, he could not sell it in the Tingen underground market now, unless he didn't want to remain a Nighthawks.
Thinking about how he only earned two soli from divining for others at the divination club all morning, while a Sequence 9 potion formula that couldn't be sold was worth at least 200 pounds, Klein felt an unbearable pang in his heart.
Because his level was insufficient, all documents involving Sequence Pathways only went up to "7," which made him itch with curiosity but unable to find any other way.
He could only hope that Sealed Artifact "2-049" would be sent from Backlund soon to confirm whether Riel Bieber was a descendant of the Antigonus family.
If so, he would have hope of becoming a full member and gaining a higher security clearance level.
He put down the book, planning to find Seeka Tron and leave work early. Tonight, the Tarot Club members would attempt to trade, and he needed to prepare in advance.
Pushing open the door and seeing the slightly empty corridor, a phrase suddenly appeared in his mind for some reason:
"Small hermits hide in the wilderness, medium hermits hide in the city, great hermits hide in the court…"
In the future, if he could become a high-ranking member of the Church, who would ever suspect that he was a heretic, the mastermind behind a secret organization?
He coughed lightly, dispelling the somewhat blasphemous thoughts in his mind, and quickened his steps.
...
Backlund, Empress Borough, Earl Hall's residence.
Audrey watched the Ghost Shark blood vanish into the deep Darkness, and a parchment scroll appear out of thin air, with "Sequence 9 Sailor" written prominently at the top.
Audrey, who had already been taught the ritual for summoning a messenger by Aaron, was only slightly surprised and quickly regained her composure. She retrieved the parchment recording the potion formula from the altar and chanted the incantation to end the ritual in a not-so-fluent ancient hermes.
Above the gray fog, Klein, at the head of the bronze long table, looked at the beautiful young lady in the prayer scene. Including Mr. Hanged Man whom he had just seen, this was his first time seeing the true appearance of a Tarot Club member without the dense gray fog obscuring them.
Unlike Mr. Hanged Man, who was clearly as poor as himself, even though Klein didn't know much about the fashion tastes of this world, the jewelry Miss Justice wore, which almost blinded him, was enough to explain everything.
Recalling his own meager wallet, Klein felt a pang of bitterness. Because he still had to trade with Mr. Emperor later, he didn't dare to waste any more spirituality and proactively cut off the prayer scene.
At the very last moment of the prayer scene, Klein seemed to see another very similar spiritual color appear not far from Miss Justice.
Skillfully erasing the traces of the ritual, Audrey hummed a little tune as she put away the parchment with the potion formula, preparing to go find Susie, holding a bag of Susie's favorite dog biscuits.
"This time, it's not like before, when the Tarot Club ended in less than ten minutes. Susie definitely didn't expect it; I'll give her a surprise later."
Thinking this, Audrey opened the door only to find that Susie, who should have been squatting in front of the door, was nowhere to be found. After searching for a long time, she finally found the somewhat sneaky golden retriever in the utility room.
Listening to the clumsy, unrounded words coming from the golden retriever's mouth, Audrey's mouth slowly opened, completely forgetting the etiquette an elegant lady should possess, and almost blurted out:
"Su, Susie, you can talk? When did you learn to talk?"
The golden retriever jumped in fright and turned to face its owner.
It frantically and quickly wagged its tail, and after several times of opening and closing its mouth, it finally vibrated the surrounding air and said:
"I…"
"I don't know how to explain it, after all, I'm just a dog."
Upon hearing this, Audrey was speechless for a moment.
Just as Audrey didn't know how to face the talking Susie, her personal maid Anne's voice came from the hallway:
"Miss, Miss, Viscount Glaint has arrived, and the carriage you requested is also ready, you can depart at any time."
"Ah, alright, I'm coming now!"
Audrey hurriedly responded. Viscount Glaint had previously said that he knew of a Beyonder gathering located in the Backlund Bridge Area, which was also part of her plan for tonight.
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