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"When did this happen…" Mobet, who had deeply Parasitized Odeson Castiya, was startled. He had Parasitized many Worms of Time throughout the Governor's Mansion, yet he was approached without any feedback whatsoever.
However, that familiar voice eased his taut nerves. He turned to look behind him and found Aaron standing there with a half-smile, his gaze oppressively directed at him, or more accurately, at his chest.
Beneath his luxurious clothes, a pendant, somewhere between illusory and real, emitted fluctuations. This was the Grade 1 Sealed Artifact "Bizzaro Pendant," originally held by Odeson Castiya.
This originated from Prince Lovick of the Castiya Imperial Family in the early Roselle era, over a hundred years ago, who was already a Sequence 3 Chaos Hunter at the time.
After Roselle quelled the rebellion, he seized power through a coup, appointing himself Consul and transforming the Intis Kingdom into a Republic. The Secret Order secretly supported Roselle at the time and participated in the later expansion.
After Prince Lovick killed a Bizzaro Sorcerer from the Secret Order, the remaining Beyonder characteristic formed this Grade 1 Sealed Artifact, serving as one of the foundations of his lineage.
Odeson Castiya only gained the qualification to possess it when he traveled north to serve as Governor.
As a demigod Sealed Artifact, the "Bizzaro Pendant" possesses a certain degree of living characteristics, largely retaining the abilities of a Bizzaro Sorcerer.
In addition to basic divination and changing appearance, it can also transfer one's own or others' injuries and diseases to paper substitutes, and gain a "Flame Leap" distance of nearly a thousand meters.
Most crucially, it can control Spirit Body Threads to a certain extent, but there is an upper limit to the number of Puppets that can be converted. At most, there can only be 2 Puppets, and they cannot exceed a thousand meters, otherwise they will automatically detach from the Puppet state.
However, the converted Puppets can use all the Beyonder abilities of the "Bizzaro Pendant." Within an effective range of a thousand meters, one can freely swap positions with the Puppet.
As long as any Puppet is still alive, the holder of the "Bizzaro Pendant" can theoretically escape using it.
But similarly, as a demigod Sealed Artifact with living characteristics, its negative effects are also extremely severe. As long as it is used, it will be eroded by Spirit Body Threads, causing a certain degree of slowed thinking and stiff body.
The erosion of Spirit Body Threads is extremely subtle. When one feels their thoughts slowing, it means that a part of their body has already been Puppeted. Without external interference, this process will be irreversible, and the holder will become a Puppet controlled by the "Bizzaro Pendant."
If it weren't for Pallez Zoroast, Mobet, who had only recently digested his potion, truly wouldn't have been able to Parasite Odeson Castiya.
Relying on the absolute suppression of his Beyonder characteristic, Pallez Zoroast directly and silently Parasitized this living Sealed Artifact.
When Mobet attempted to Parasite, he directly backstabbed Odeson Castiya, allowing everything to be done unnoticed.
Pallez Zoroast's phantom directly appeared. He was a middle-aged man with completely white hair neatly combed back, almost no wrinkles, not appearing that old.
It was clear that he must have been quite handsome when he was young, and bore a strong resemblance to Mobet, but his overall demeanor was more serious.
"Long time no see? How come I remember we just met in Tingen last week?"
Aaron carefully scrutinized his ally and quickly noticed the old man's abnormality. This was merely a Worm of Avatar of his. Aaron instantly recalled the gold coin he had given Mobet earlier.
A single clone can Parasite and control a demigod Sealed Artifact… Aaron's eyes narrowed slightly. If that's the case…
There was no need to steal thoughts; simply through his gaze, Pallez Zoroast could guess what the young man who liked to exploit old people was thinking. He cleared his throat and then explained:
"For so many years, the thing I've thought about most is what to do if Amon's true body really finds me. After countless trials, I've also 'created' a method of using avatars."
"Even a clone can possess a considerable Beyonder characteristic, and even temporarily have strength close to the main body. This is also for the purpose of sacrificing a pawn to save the king when necessary."
"This is accomplished through the combined cooperation of the Trojan Horse of Destiny's ability to graft fate and the Worm of Time's rule of deception. There is only one such clone."
Looking at Pallez Zoroast, who spoke with caution in every word, Aaron clicked his tongue in slight regret and gave up the idea of getting a few avatars for protection.
Pallez's words were also easy to understand: based on an Angel's Beyonder characteristic that resonates throughout the world, use the Trojan Horse of Destiny's ability to graft a relatively short period of Pallez's main body's future onto a marked clone.
Then, use the Sequence 1 Worm of Time's ability to temporarily steal anchors and authority, slightly deceiving the rules, allowing the clone to possess everything of the main body for a short period.
Indeed, Angels who could escape Amon's pursuit were not simple. The Marauder Pathway truly produced talented individuals, playing with the clone method to perfection.
Putting away the emotions in his heart, Aaron looked at the upright "Odeson Castiya" and nodded slightly, smiling as he said:
"The identity of a Castiya family member will play a role in the future. Your task from now on is to play him well, don't reveal any flaws. I came this time both to find Pallez and to help you stabilize some uncertain factors."
Although he hadn't reached demigod status yet, holding a Grade 1 Sealed Artifact and serving as Governor, the future Mobet would definitely meet with the Archbishop in the Church of Nature.
As a Sequence 3 Pallbearer, he possessed a certain degree of authority over life, and it was very likely he could discern the abnormality of "Odeson Castiya." To prevent affecting future plans, this hidden danger had to be addressed in advance.
Seeing "Odeson Castiya" nodding profusely, Aaron seemed to think of something and turned to Pallez Zoroast, asking for his opinion:
"I remember that deep Parasitism is almost a fusion with the host's Spirit Body, knowing his thoughts and intentions, and being able to actively take over the body, but the host's consciousness remains clear."
"If the Beyonder characteristics are not too different, when the Parasite is injured, it is very likely to be backfired by the host, revealing flaws. This might affect some arrangements. Does Mr. Pallez have a way to solve this?"
Pallez Zoroast glanced at Aaron and chuckled:
"I can deceive his consciousness and construct a realistic dream for him to indulge in, but this requires you to inform me of the time in advance for preparation."
Nodding slightly, Aaron turned his head to look at the western part of Selanian City, where the life aura was most concentrated, and disappeared from the Governor's Mansion with "Odeson Castiya."
The western part of the city, which echoed the Governor's Mansion, was precisely where the Feynapotter Kingdom's Northern Church of the Earth Mother headquarters, the "Church of Nature," was located.
In the deepest part of the church, beneath the Holy Emblem of Life, Archbishop Odoro Worth, a Sequence 3 Pallbearer and one of the members of the Divine Council, suddenly opened his eyes, his emerald pupils seemingly reflecting an ocean of life.
Outside the "Church of Nature," Aaron politely stopped at the church entrance, followed by "Odeson Castiya." The flowing crowd tacitly avoided them, as if deliberately ignoring the two.
A red-haired man wearing the robe of an Church of the Earth Mother Bishop slowly walked out. Aaron's eyebrows twitched slightly upon feeling the Iron-Blooded aura that could stir his spirituality, and then he heard a cold voice lacking emotional fluctuation:
"Mr. Blessed and this Parasite, please follow me."
"Odeson Castiya's" facial expression instantly changed. Mobet, in his Parasitized state, was somewhat uncertain and surprised.
On one hand, he was momentarily unable to accept that his identity had been instantly seen through by a Bishop. If it had been the Sequence 3 Archbishop who recognized his identity, he would have accepted it.
On the other hand, it was the Bishop's address to Aaron: a Blessed of the Earth Mother?
Mobet, having experienced the glorious Fourth Epoch, knew that even the Seven Deities who jointly supported the Trunsoest Empire at that time did not have Blessed simultaneously belonging to two deities, let alone three.
Hastily catching up with the Bishop's pace, Mobet simultaneously called out in his mind:
"Old man, what, what's going on?"
The aged voice only sounded after a while:
"That Bishop is not a living being. He should be a product created by that Pallbearer using a portion of the Iron-Blooded Knight's Beyonder characteristic through Life Alchemy. I've seen similar, even stronger, products during the War of the Four Emperors."
"He should have been manipulated by that Pallbearer to discern your identity. As for that Duke, you don't need to worry about him. This is not something you should know yet."
Disregarding Mobet's wild thoughts, Aaron followed the Bishop, passing the side of the prayer hall and walking deeper into the church. He recognized the Bishop's true identity at first glance.
When he previously visited the Church of the Earth Mother headquarters, the "Church of Life," the demigod Puppet created through Life Alchemy given by Matriarch Roland, the Pontiff of the Church of the Earth Mother, was still in the Life Imprint on his wrist. Therefore, Aaron was extremely sensitive to the aura of Life Alchemy.
Looking at the distinctive red hair and the strong Iron-Blooded aura, Aaron only felt that when Roselle dealt with the Sauron family, the Church of the Earth Mother might have also taken advantage of the situation and kicked them while they were down.
Such thoughts came and went quickly. Feeling the fluctuations from the Life Imprint, Aaron suddenly raised his head. The setting sun shone through the stained glass of the dome, casting a Oblique light on the high platform in front.
The slightly mottled light illuminated a beautiful lady. She stood before the huge Holy Emblem of Life, her emerald eyes fixed on Aaron.
The Iron-Blooded Knight beside her bowed slightly, completely losing his life aura. Aaron, very self-aware, activated the Life Imprint on his wrist and took the initiative to speak:
"I want to gain the church's tacit approval. He will be the true Odeson Castiya from now on. Without violating your wishes, I also hope for a certain degree of cooperation with his future actions."
Odoro Worth finally shifted her gaze and re-examined Odeson Castiya. The dome hall immediately fell silent.
Due to the occurrence of the Battle of the Violated Oath, the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom, which originally checked each other within the Feynapotter Kingdom, was forced to leave, leaving only the Church of the Earth Mother as the dominant power.
From then on, divine power and royal power inevitably clashed. This situation continued until a hundred years ago, when after Roselle ascended to the throne, in order to stabilize faith and also to counter the increasingly powerful Intis.
Matriarch Roland, representing the Church of the Earth Mother, signed a contract with the "Founder" of the Castiya royal family, Nicholas Castiya I, a Sequence 1 Hand of Order.
Aside from the complicated rules and regulations, the most core point was that the Church of the Earth Mother could not interfere in the internal affairs of the Castiya royal family for any reason, and the royal family could not restrict the spread of the Mother Goddess's doctrines for any reason.
The increasingly quiet atmosphere made even breathing clear. Just as Aaron was wondering whether to say something, the huge Holy Emblem of Life emitted a verdant light, which finally merged into Odoro Worth's body.
The silent atmosphere was broken by a clear, cold prayer. Odoro Worth, with a devout expression, made a simplified Holy Emblem of Life on her chest: "Praise be to You, Mother of All Things! Source of Life!"
Then, she no longer hesitated, looking back at Aaron and the other person. A verdant light flew towards Mobet:
"From now on, you are Odeson Castiya. This ring can help you conceal the abnormality of your life aura, and you can also use it to contact me."
Mobet looked at the emerald green ring in his palm. Even though he was in a state of deep Parasitism, he still felt that every Worm of Time was being baptized by the life aura. Some of the chaotic and irritable negative emotions that had accumulated were greatly soothed in this embrace, like that of a Mother.
Good stuff! Mobet's eyes lit up. He quickly put on the ring, bowed, and expressed his gratitude. This also resolved the hidden concern in his heart; at least for a long time, he wouldn't have to worry about the risk of exposure.
Aaron was not surprised by this outcome. To allow himself to advance to Angel and go to the Evernight Plain, he always had to show some willingness in matters that were not crucial to the overall situation.
It wasn't an outrageous request like asking the Church of the Earth Mother to directly deal with the Castiya family now; it was merely a certain degree of tacit approval, which was a reasonable request.
Looking at the somewhat joyful "Odeson Castiya," Aaron imitated the standard prayer gesture of an Earth Mother believer, and the two then disappeared from the dome hall.
Governor's Mansion, in the empty study, Aaron looked at the re-appearing phantom of Pallez Zoroast and said meaningfully:
"Last week, I and several other Angels went to Sonia Island together and met the Elf Queen from the ancient era. After some friendly exchanges, she also joined our alliance."
He emphasized "friendly exchanges," then glanced at the somewhat bewildered Mobet, and Aaron then added with a smile:
"When you see Shatass again next time, you might truly not be able to defeat her."
Instantly understanding Aaron's unspoken meaning, Mobet gave an awkward dry laugh, then asked somewhat shyly:
"Then, when will I be able to see her? We haven't seen each other for half a year, cough, never mind, I was just asking…"
Under Aaron's somewhat strange gaze, Mobet coughed dryly and closed his mouth. Pallez, beside him, glanced at his junior and sighed silently.
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