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Pale golden text appeared on the right side of the screen:
"Great Duke, my scrying was interfered with by some power and can only be displayed up to this point. Are you satisfied with my answer?"
Aaron closed his eyes and sensed the approximate Spirit World coordinates obtained from Arrodes. He nodded slightly:
"Well done!"
The image gradually dissipated, and the pale golden text reassembled:
"Thank you for your answer. In exchange, you may ask me one more question."
Looking at the sunset outside the window, Aaron pondered for a moment and asked:
"Arrodes, do you know about 'Lost City of Newins'?"
Arrodes was silent for two seconds, then ripples spread across the mirror surface, and a deep, void-like Darkness emerged.
Faintly, even though it was just a displayed image, Aaron seemed to hear silent shouts, coming from the depths of the Darkness, directly resounding in his mind.
A faint dark-gold mist appeared before his eyes, and Aaron easily broke free from this state, frowning as he looked at the constantly shaking mirror.
The deep Darkness lasted only a moment, and the image then pulled back. A faint glow emanated from the edge of the mirror, as Arrodes thoughtfully adjusted the angle.
It was a submerged architectural complex, so corroded that its original appearance was indiscernible. The entire seabed seemed to be covered by a black, honeycomb-patterned, hard mud.
Frowning at the honeycomb-shaped spots on the black mud, Aaron realized they weren't marks left by tiny objects penetrating it, but rather "patterns" remaining after something had corroded the surface.
Each spot was shallow, with edges subtly and irregularly spreading outwards. A slightly distorted glimmer emanated from these "patterns," bringing a faint light to the pitch-black seabed.
The image froze on this faint light, and the fleeting glimpse of deep Darkness from before never reappeared.
Text interwoven with gold and stark white appeared at the very bottom of the image, as Arrodes carefully explained:
"The relevant Spirit World information I can gather is very scarce. It only vaguely shows that, at the end of the Second Epoch and the end of the Third Epoch, a civilization of intelligent beings appeared in the Fog Sea's depths."
"Their origin is extremely mysterious, and they almost vanished as soon as they appeared, just like, just like…"
The gradually stark white text distorted and reassembled. Arrodes seemed unsure how to describe it, finally using a somewhat inaccurate expression:
"Just like the fleeting appearance of an Outer Deity civilization!"
"Also, I, I also felt a familiar aura there, one that made me feel warm, wanting to return, to show submission…"
Looking at Arrodes's description, Aaron's brows furrowed. When he felt that strange summons just now, he had already sensed something was amiss.
Even when he previously scried the Hidden Sage, the result was, at most, an inability to scry, and any negative effects were borne by Arrodes himself. This was the first time that the holder could be affected through the image.
Aaron understood the so-called Outer Deity civilization and even Arrodes's true origin. Combining with the previous description, what could make it feel this way was likely only the Chaos Sea, one of the nine Sefirah!
This was not to say that a Sefirah was hidden there; a more accurate description might be similar to the ancient castle in Drier Forest, where the aura of "underground pollution" existed or had existed.
The end of the Second Epoch and the end of the Third Epoch… Aaron pondered the times Arrodes mentioned. These two times corresponded to the Ancient Sun God awakening from the Chaos Sea, and the fall of that quasi-Great Old One who controlled the Chaos Sea.
Connecting some fragmented clues, Aaron's mood was not particularly good. If the "Lost City of Newins" had some connection with the Chaos Sea, then the risk factor of exploring that place later would be uncontrollable.
The higher the Sequence, the closer to the underground, the easier it is for the residual aura of the Chaos Sea to awaken the Primordial One's mental imprint within the Beyonder characteristic, causing "personality splitting"!
Although he was in a bad mood, Aaron's thoughts were unusually scattered, and he suddenly recalled another legend on the sea.
The Naga tribe in the northern Sonia Sea had always been dedicated to finding a rumored underwater city that sealed powerful monsters, which was the object of their faith.
Could that so-called underwater city sealing powerful monsters be an Outer Deity ruin that was once affected by "underground pollution," and those monsters were merely mutated Beyonders who had been polluted?
Compared to the Naga tribe's legend, the "Lost City of Newins" was incredibly low-key. Realizing this, Aaron quickly formed a conjecture.
The Fog Sea has an entrance to the Abyss, and the Tenebrous World, which is also secretly infiltrating the Abyss, might have played a role in suppressing it.
Therefore, only at the end of the Second Epoch and the end of the Third Epoch, when the Chaos Sea fluctuated the most, did the "Lost City of Newins" break free from suppression and appear briefly.
If this was truly the case, the residual "underground pollution" there might not be entirely unacceptable, but its impact on High-Sequence Beyonders would need to be determined by on-site observation.
Recalling Alvin Gallows, who had gone to the Sanguine alone after their separation, Aaron's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly.
The Beyonder characteristics possessed by High-Sequence Beyonders of the Planter and Moon Pathways do not directly originate from the Primordial One, and thus do not have corresponding mental imprints.
Although anyone who comes into contact with "underground pollution" will suffer corruption, with varying degrees and manifestations, the Sanguine Dukes would certainly be affected much less, as they do not need to expend a large portion of their energy to resist the awakening will of the Primordial One.
With a plan in mind, Aaron looked up again at the mirror, which had returned to normal, and asked his final question:
"If in the future I might not be able to come to Backlund for a period of time, how should I ask you questions?"
The text, now pale gold again, formed a long passage on the mirror:
"Oh, great Duke, although the humble Arrodes always awaits your summons, under the circumstances of being sealed by the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery, I can only respond to summons within the Backlund area."
"However, if you can find another item with that great aura, like last time, and use it as a medium, I can respond even if you are not in Backlund, though there will be certain time limitations."
Although he already had the answer in his heart, Aaron was still somewhat disappointed after Arrodes's confirmation.
While he also possessed a Sefirah and could respond worldwide, it was the Sefirah Castle's aura that truly served as the medium for connecting with Arrodes. Therefore, what Klein could do, he could not.
For example, although Arrodes often flattered him, it never called him "Master." This mirror, despite its low moral standards and bottom line, was quite loyal.
Having found no other method, Aaron watched Arrodes depart. After erasing the residual traces in the room, he activated a teleportation and left.
-----------------
At the same time, at the Backlund Steam Train Station, a slightly taller Xio looked helplessly at the languid Fors, and whispered:
"Actually, you don't have to come with me to the Southern Continent. Staying in Backlund to host the gatherings can also help you pay off your debts quickly."
Fors patted her not-so-perky chest with great bravado, ruffled Xio's meticulously styled short hair, and said with a grin:
"What would you do without me, with your absentminded and impetuous nature? Besides, how could I miss such a great opportunity to gather material in the Southern Continent?"
"You… you rascal…" Although Xio was a little touched, she still slapped away the mischievous paw on her head.
Her trip to the Southern Continent this time was not just for those relatively harmless reconstruction efforts; she was also participating in certain actions of the East Tucker family in the Southern Continent. The danger level was far greater than in Backlund.
But similarly, danger and opportunity coexist. Xio, who wanted to investigate the truth of her father's death, still chose to embark on this path. She needed more Merits to gain further strength.
With a mischievous smile, Fors withdrew her hand and looked towards the front of the line, where the Church of the Evernight's accompanying personnel were located. She lowered her voice:
"Xio, who is that?"
Xio looked up in surprise, following Fors's gaze, and saw a woman with blue eyeshadow and blush, possessing an enchanting and cold beauty.
Pulling her curious friend, Xio also lowered her voice and said:
"That's a Red Glove who was recently transferred to Backlund. I think her name is Daly Simone."
"Her strength is immense. Uh, even if both of us went at her together, she'd take us down within five seconds."
As a well-known bounty Hunter in Backlund, Xio was also an important member of the East Tucker family's intelligence network in Backlund, and she had some knowledge of the Church of the Evernight's intelligence.
Fors, who had been a Sequence 8 Trickmaster for some time, cleared her throat awkwardly. Although she felt Xio was underestimating her a bit, she also gained a direct understanding of Ms. Daly's strength.
Daly, dressed somewhat exotically, felt many curious and strange gazes, but she didn't care. The Church of the Evernight attached great importance to this operation to the Southern Continent.
On one hand, it was because the city of Nikifell, which needed rebuilding, was one of the Church of the Evernight's centers of faith in the Southern Continent. On the other hand, it was because a Grade 1 Sealed Artifact preserved by the local Church of the Evernight needed to be sent back to the Cathedral for purification and re-sealing due to the continuous demigod battles that had loosened its seal.
The Nighthawks Senior Deacon and the direct person in charge of this operation, Crestet Cesimir, known as the "Sword of the Goddess," had already taken another replacement Grade 1 Sealed Artifact and gone ahead to Pritz Harbor to arrange the airship.
Daly composed her somewhat playful expression, trying to look like a qualified cleric. Her gaze lingered on a luxurious carriage that had just stopped in front of the station, and she slowly walked towards it.
As soon as the carriage door opened, a golden retriever darted out, stopping abruptly at Daly's feet, its tongue out, curiously examining her somewhat exotic eyeshadow and blush.
Daly was momentarily stunned, feeling a hint of strangeness in her heart. She was actually made a little uncomfortable by a dog's gaze. Fortunately, this feeling was quickly dispelled, and Audrey, whose face was obscured by a thin veil, also stepped out of the carriage.
Rubbing the golden retriever's head, Audrey performed an elegant noble's curtsy. Although she was also somewhat surprised by the Nighthawks' attire, as a Spectator, she would not be so rude as to inquire.
Returning a rather unconventional courtesy, Daly drew a Crimson Moon on her chest, made a gesture of invitation, and said with a smile:
"Miss Audrey, Mr. Crestet Cesimir has already gone to Pritz Harbor, so I am here to await you. Please follow me; we can then take a special train directly to Pritz Harbor and transfer to an airship for the Southern Continent."
Although she didn't like these elaborate rituals, after truly becoming a Red Glove member and learning many secrets, she felt an even stronger sense of awe towards that Beyonder, now the Duke.
Facing this future Duchess, Daly reined in her previous nonchalance and explained the general arrangements for this operation in detail.
Audrey nodded slightly, about to follow the Nighthawks into the steam train, when she noticed Susie turning her head to look in a certain direction.
Not far away, it wasn't until Audrey entered the train that Fors and Xio peeked out from a carriage. Fors clicked her tongue:
"As expected of that person's fiancée, her temperament is truly enviable."
Glancing at the sighing Fors, Xio scratched her slightly messy blonde hair and muttered softly:
"I just feel that Miss Audrey's golden retriever gives me a very strange feeling."
-----------------
Tingen, Daffodil Street.
Except for Frye, who accompanied Old Neil to Backlund, and Royale, who needed to guard Chanis Gate, all other Nighthawks had arrived.
Seeka Tron frowned as he looked at the messy street. The Nighthawks had suffered heavy losses this time; all the Nighthawks involved in the operation, except for Klein and Leonard, were injured and unconscious.
After arranging for personnel to send all the injured to the Church, Seeka Tron first re-sealed the Sealed Artifact "2-049," then examined the body of the tuxedo Clown, and finally carefully put away and sealed the Antigonus family notebook.
After listening to Klein and Leonard's "cooperatively fabricated" statement, the Midnight Poet rubbed his temples, somewhat troubled, and reminded them:
"I understand the general situation. The captain's condition isn't very good. Tomorrow, you two will write a written report of the operation and submit it to me. I will submit it to the Church."
Klein breathed a sigh of relief. In their fabricated statement, he and Leonard had used the Sealed Artifact "2-049" together to kill the tuxedo Clown from the Ascetic Order who had suddenly appeared.
Although Klein believed that even if the "Moonlight Ring" were truly exposed, that Beyonder would cover up this loophole for him if he knew. But that would be tantamount to openly admitting that he was a Beyonder of the mysterious Fool.
Although there was still the veil of being a Beyonder, Klein, who was uncertain about the true attitude of that "Emperor" gentleman, still tried his best to avoid this matter.
With a worry resolved, Klein looked up at the severely damaged house, feeling a pang of heartache. He had just moved in less than a month ago when disaster struck.
Now, he was only thankful that Benson and Melissa were unharmed. The 500 gold pounds sacrificed by Mr. Emperor had always been kept above the gray fog, which was enough to compensate the landlord for the losses and find a new rental house.
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