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Looking at Audrey, who had calmed down, Aaron considered his words carefully and said, "My current identity isn't suitable for appearing in public in Backlund, at least not recently. Furthermore, I might be busy with some matters for a while, making it difficult to look after you."
"Although Backlund has several major churches, there are always some spirits and monsters. These rats in the gutters, for various reasons, cannot directly target me in the open, but that doesn't mean they will do nothing."
"To ensure your safety, I've entrusted a friend in Backlund. If you encounter difficulties and cannot contact me in time, you can try chanting his honorific name."
Hearing that Aaron was leaving again, even with some psychological preparation, Audrey still felt a bit reluctant. As if thinking of something, a bright gleam flashed in her emerald eyes, and a smile reappeared on her face.
After informing Audrey of Will Auceptin's slightly unusual honorific name, Aaron pondered for a moment before adding, "My friend is also an outstanding gourmet. He has a wish: to taste ice cream from various noble families and determine the most delicious one."
"If you can help him fulfill this wish, he will certainly go to greater lengths to ensure your safety."
Hearing this somewhat strange wish, Audrey was momentarily stunned, then a smile quickly spread across her delicate and beautiful face:
"No problem."
"But how do I give him the ice cream?"
Aaron took out a peculiar transparent and translucent intertwined charm from his embrace. This was a high-level Marauder Pathway charm originally made by Pallez Zoroast. He placed it in front of Audrey and responded with a smile:
"Just offer it to him as a sacrifice. He is already a Sequence 3 Saint and can accept sacrifices within the Backlund area."
"Using the honorific name I just told you, a regular sacrificial ritual will suffice."
A Sequence 3 Saint... Audrey's eyes showed clear surprise. She was no longer the naive girl she once was and knew what that term truly represented.
To have such a powerful individual protect me, you must have paid a great deal... Audrey looked at Aaron with some emotion, somewhat overlooking the charm placed before her.
Picking up the charm and placing it in Audrey's hand, Aaron pointed to the charm and explained:
"This charm is called 'Parasitism'. It can create 'Worms of Time' with a short lifespan, which quietly 'parasitize' the target and are controlled by the user of the charm."
"Even for powerhouses at the level of a diocesan bishop, it can still have some effect, but controlling the 'Worms of Time' requires a significant amount of spirituality, which your current spirituality might not be able to bear."
"I will give you the Beyonder potion formula for the Spectator's subsequent Sequence 8, Telepathist, in a moment, but you must promise me to only attempt advancement after the potion is completely digested."
"Additionally, the target of parasitic control is not limited to humans. Certain Mystical Items or Sealed Artifacts can also produce unexpected effects."
Carefully noting Aaron's words, Audrey also realized the value of the charm in her hand, while her eyes sparkled as she looked at Aaron, awaiting the Telepathist potion formula.
Susie, who had originally returned to burying herself in her food, wagged her tail and ran over upon hearing about the potion formula, nestling at Audrey's feet and looking at Aaron with expectant eyes.
The complete pituitary gland of an adult Rainbow Salamander... Looking at the potion formula Aaron handed over, Audrey subconsciously murmured the phrase. Although she had read many books and understood much mystical knowledge, she had never heard of such a Beyonder creature, at least not in Earl Hall's treasury.
Seeing Audrey's pleading gaze, Aaron remembered the two Rainbow Salamanders still kept in his own treasury and comforted her with a smile:
"You don't have to worry about that. You can send your butler to Duke East Tucker's villa today to pick up two Rainbow Salamanders. Uh, they might be a bit larger than you imagine."
Looking at Audrey's expectant face, Aaron thought for a moment and finally warned:
"If that 'Parasitism' charm is used, it might leave some residual aura. You must go to the church and pray to the Evernight Goddess, requesting a complete purification."
Compared to Fate Grafting, the traces of "Parasitism" are relatively more distinct. Although Audrey had received the attention of Will Auceptin and should not be so unlucky as to encounter Amon, necessary caution should not be relaxed.
Although she didn't understand the reason for doing so, Audrey, already a Spectator, could clearly feel the solemnity in Aaron's voice when he said that. She clutched the charm in her hand tightly and nodded.
Since he had already given Audrey the Telepathist potion formula, Aaron thought for a moment, then took out a black, button-shaped object wrapped in an amber shell from his jacket pocket. He handed it to Audrey while explaining:
"It's called the 'Devil Button'. Besides allowing you to cast some fire-type and filth-type spells, the most crucial part is that it can grant you the ability to foresee danger."
"If someone can cause you fatal harm within a very short period and takes practical action, you will be able to sense the source of the danger."
Whether using a charm or praying to a certain little snake, both require some time. The "Devil Button" can maximize the time Audrey gains when danger arrives.
Given his current situation where he frequently faces Angels directly, this Sealed Artifact's help is already limited.... A thought flashed through his mind, and Aaron looked at the astonished Audrey, adding:
"As for its negative effects, prolonged wearing merely brings about negative psychological states like cold-bloodedness and disregard for life. Once you advance further, this negative effect will have a negligible impact on you."
He didn't linger for too long. After a brief tender moment with Audrey, Aaron teleported away. Both his conversation with Will Auceptin and his discoveries from the Book of Calamity were enough to indicate that the "Elf Queen" was not simple.
To explore the Elf ruins more safely, and also for his later journey with Nast to the Fog Sea to seek the "Lost City of Newins," Aaron felt it necessary to awaken the Angel slumbering in the "Specter Empire" and unlock the treasures left behind by the Trunsoest Empire.
The range of travel provided by the demigod-level "Necklace of Secrets" was far beyond that of the previous "Traveler's Badge." In less than a quarter of an hour, Aaron arrived at the entrance of the Sea of Ruins.
Looking at the deep crack stretching across the sea, Aaron suddenly descended. The familiar sense of distortion flashed, and he saw the boundless ocean burning with golden flames.
Not attempting to travel within the dangerous Sea of Ruins, Aaron patiently waited for night to fall. Using his connection with the Specter Empire, his spirituality surged into the Darkness imprint. His consciousness blurred for a moment, and Aaron returned to the Specter Empire.
Closing his eyes and sensing the distorted order permeating the Specter Empire, Aaron frowned slightly. Even within the ruins of the God's War, where rules and order were almost shattered, the speed of rule assimilation still exceeded his expectations.
If this situation continues, it won't last even two years; at most, a little over a year, and the Specter Empire will reconnect with the outside world. Realizing this, a sense of urgency rose in his heart. He no longer lingered and rushed towards the black mausoleum at the center.
Passing through the fresco-lined corridor and arriving at the deepest part of the mausoleum, Aaron looked at the last unopened sarcophagus and didn't rush to open it.
Praying to himself and responding to himself, Aaron retrieved the "Sun-Chasing Scepter" and the "Ring of Mysteries" which had been disinfecting in the Nation of Disorder.
As a medium for summoning historical projections, the "Ring of Mysteries" was no less corrupted than Cavendish Lancer, but fortunately, the corruption was rootless and not difficult to deal with.
Even as fellow executors of the Spark Plan, Cavendish Lancer and Faus Ellen, who lacked Angelic rank, had not touched upon the most core secrets. The fact that they had not acquired any of the high-level Beyonder characteristics and Sealed Artifacts preserved in the Specter Empire, which belonged to the Trunsoest Empire, was the best proof.
As the Night Emperor's most trusted subordinate and the leader of his personal guards at the time, Alvin Gallows was already a Sequence 2 Ancient Bane. He must have known that a wisp of the Night Emperor's consciousness was sealed here.
If he knew that wisp of consciousness had been obliterated by him, how would this ancient Angel react? This was also Aaron's previous concern that made him hesitate to open the final treasure.
Taking a deep breath, displaying his strength was the most crucial thing no matter what. With spirituality surging into the "Ring of Mysteries," Aaron made two grabbing motions towards the void and pulled out Varna's historical projection.
Although in terms of status and ability, the fate reset performed by Will Auceptin would be very effective, considering that the entrance to the Forsaken Land of the Gods was right next door.
If there was no conflict, it would be fine, but once a conflict caused fluctuations in the River of Fate and attracted the attention of Ouroboros, it would be a loss rather than a gain.
Even if Varna did not have the ability to escape into the historical fog, causing the historical projection to lack spirituality, this leader of the personal guards had personally handed over that Sequence 2 Weather Warlock Beyonder characteristic to Varna back then.
Whether it was for verification or building rapport, it would be better than a stranger like Will Auceptin. If it weren't for the restrictions on entering the Specter Empire itself, bringing an Angel by force would accelerate the Specter Empire's interaction with the outside world, Aaron would have brought Varna long ago.
Collecting his scattered thoughts, Aaron's spirituality stirred, and a deep Darkness emerged within the Darkness domain, spreading towards the final sarcophagus.
The coffin lid instantly turned to dust, and a chilling wind suddenly permeated the entire hall. Aaron's consciousness was somewhat hazy, feeling as if his Spirit Body was being pulled by some force.
Pure and blazing golden light bloomed from his right hand, dispelling the chilling wind and the terrifying Death intent hidden within it.
A humanoid creature, whose body was inscribed with countless mysterious patterns, entwined with wicked vines, and with white feathers growing from its chest, stood before the opened sarcophagus. Its blood-red eyes did not look at Aaron, but gazed at the dark-golden sarcophagus at the very center, which originally belonged to the Night Emperor.
Just as Aaron was about to say something, he heard a sigh of unknown meaning. The chilling wind and Death intent permeating the hall gradually dissipated:
"Perhaps this is fate..."
Alvin Gallows, the leader of the personal guards from the Night Emperor era, turned his head. His gaze lingered on Varna's historical projection for only a few seconds before focusing on Aaron.
Although the feeling of being stared at by an Angel was not pleasant, he couldn't help but feel relieved upon realizing that this ancient Angel, who had been dormant for a thousand years, bore him no ill will.
Even so, he did not relax his vigilance, clutching the Sun-Chasing Scepter to accumulate spirituality, preparing for possible influences, and simultaneously introduced the history from the end of the Fourth Epoch to the present to this Angel.
Unlike the resentment and killing intent of Cavendish Lancer and Faus Ellen, Alvin Gallows remained quite calm throughout. During the narration, Aaron also activated his Spirit Vision to look at the opened sarcophagus, but he did not find the spiritual colors he most wanted to see.
Clearly sensing Aaron's spiritual perception, Alvin Gallows's slightly aged voice spoke:
"Back then, His Majesty entrusted everything to me. As long as one possessed the bloodline of Trunsoest and came here to open all the mausoleums, they could obtain the empire's treasure."
His eyes darkened, and the sub-consciousness remaining in the Nation of Disorder mobilized power. Surging dark-gold mist, carrying the residual Night Emperor aura on the "Crown of Chaos," merged into Aaron's still-undissipated prayer light point.
His blood-red eyes suddenly froze. He, who had been secretly observing the Darkness imprint, suddenly felt a familiar aura. After a moment of silence, his body began to swell, as if propping up the entire mausoleum hall.
His chest, entwined with wicked vines and thorns, split open from the middle. A terrifyingly profound and indescribable Death intent and pressure emerged. The numerous souls patrolling within the vast Specter Empire all knelt on one knee, bowing their heads.
Aaron, who faced this impact directly, was still affected to some extent despite the "Sun-Chasing Scepter's" self-protection. But what shocked him most was that he had sensed this aura before, in the underwater Death ruins within the Sea of Ruins.
A gate of white bones slowly emerged from the split body. Mysterious symbols, rendered in pale and eerie green, appeared one by one, intertwining on the white bones. After forming a whole, they collapsed inward, transforming into a boundless, slowly rotating Dark vortex.
The golden light in his pupils grew even more blazing. Aaron finally saw what was beyond the Door: it was a city of the dead!
Alvin Gallows's voice sounded again, a few shades weaker than before. The bone gate connecting to the city of the dead was embedded within his body; each opening seemed to consume some of his power.
"This gate was personally forged by His Majesty with a Death Consul Beyonder characteristic. It is a small underworld built upon this foundation. You can call it the 'Gate of Rebirth'!
"The Beyonder characteristics and Sealed Artifacts Grade 0 preserved within the Specter Empire are all sealed in the underworld inside the 'Gate of Rebirth.' I sealed them at the cost of my slumber."
"Every soul in that city of the dead was a Warrior of the empire in life, a testament to the history and glory of the Trunsoest Empire."
"They exist because of the 'Gate of Rebirth.' Besides those Sealed Artifacts and Beyonder characteristics, they are the last Warriors the empire has left for you."
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