Inside the luxurious villa of the Hall family in Empress Borough, Backlund.
As the boundless, grayish-white mist dissipated before her eyes, Audrey pursed her lips, her emerald-like eyes brimming with unconcealed curiosity:
"So, while I was taking the airship across the Berserk Sea, that newly emerged Pirate King fell so silently?"
As Audrey pondered various possibilities, she heard Susie's barks from outside the door, along with her maid Anne's voice:
"Alright, Susie, I know it's Miss's rest time, but after all, we have guests."
"And the Earl and Countess have gone to the church for their routine prayers. To show the Hall family's upbringing, Miss still needs to make an appearance."
Guests? But Father didn't tell me before he left...
Audrey frowned slightly, quickly tidied up the items on the table, and holding up her skirt, walked to the door. Opening the locked door, she saw Susie crouching in front of it, baring her teeth, and Anne, who was blocked by Susie at the door, looking somewhat exasperated.
Rubbing Susie's head, Audrey looked at Anne with some confusion:
"Why are there suddenly guests this afternoon? Didn't we receive a visiting card beforehand?"
Anne shook her head blankly, explaining in a low voice:
"No, Madam Norma arrived very suddenly, and the Earl and Countess happened to be out, so I had no choice but to come to you, Miss."
Madam Norma? The Psychology Alchemists member Aaron mentioned, hidden within the aristocracy?
A glint flashed in Audrey's emerald eyes, and her hand paused slightly, causing Susie, who was already a Telepathist, to whimper in confusion.
She lightly coughed, masking the unusual expression on her face. Roughly guessing that the other party's motives were impure, Audrey merely nodded with elegant composure, softly replying:
"I understand. Please have Madam Norma wait a moment in Father's study. I'll be there shortly."
After dismissing Anne and the somewhat suspicious Susie, Audrey closed the door again. Recalling Aaron's instructions when she first returned to Backlund, she raised her hand to lightly touch the Chain of Emerald, crafted entirely from emerald spiritual crystals, on her neck, and softly uttered a word in ancient Hermes:
"Order!"
A verdant halo flowed, and before Audrey could react, the bedroom in front of her immediately became abstract in color.
Under Audrey's somewhat dumbfounded and surprised gaze, Aaron stepped out of the Spirit World, and the "Domain of Judgement" silently enveloped the entire Hall Earl's residence.
Although he had already informed Audrey of Will Auceptin's honorific name, Aaron was not sure if this newly restarted Snake of Destiny still had the ability to pay attention to the outside world, so he deliberately left a backup plan.
Even within Backlund, in order not to attract the attention of the Hand of Order from the Augustus family, Aaron did not borrow the power of the Nation of Disorder, but his Sequence 3 Beyonder characteristic alone was enough to respond to prayers within Backlund.
After Audrey arrived in Backlund, Aaron immediately had a Artisan solidify his honorific name onto the Chain of Emerald.
After quietly listening to Audrey's narration, a strangely shaped Gluttony mask appeared in Aaron's hand. He then gently placed it over his face and took Audrey's hand.
Amidst shifting light and shadows, Audrey felt a moment of disorientation. She subconsciously looked up, surprised to find that her bedroom had been replaced by a vast expanse of shimmering, undulating light and shadows. They were dense, overlapping, like an illusory ocean.
Audrey, who was already a Psychiatrist and had experience with self-hypnosis into dreams, looked around with interest, muttering softly:
"This is the Sea of Collective Subconscious..."
Aaron stood in front of Audrey, looking at the grayish-white island half-submerged in the ocean nearby, his pupils quietly turning golden.
Looking at Hvin Rambis, who was deep within that Mind Island with an indifferent expression, Aaron's lips curved upward:
"The Psychology Alchemists are truly impatient. And only a virtual persona came. Heh, it seems the erosion of the 'Pride' mask is even more severe than I imagined."
As he spoke, Aaron shared his vision with Audrey, who, due to insufficient strength, could not observe Madam Norma's subconscious. He gently explained:
"This should be the Psychology Alchemists' operation targeting me. But you don't need to worry; you are an important believer of the Goddess in Backlund, and also my fiancée."
"That fellow wouldn't dare to directly parasitize a virtual persona into your subconscious. At most, they'll use 'subconscious hypnosis' to make you help them achieve their goals in certain matters..."
Audrey, her expression normal, reopened the door and entered the study, where she saw the tall, slender-browed, elegantly dressed middle-aged lady.
This was Madam Norma, the sister of Duchess Della and the wife of a hereditary viscount.
After exchanging greetings, Norma looked at Audrey and chuckled:
"Long time no see, Miss Audrey."
The low, refined male voice did not cause any unusual reaction from the maid beside her, as if it were perfectly normal. Even Susie, who was lying in the corner of the room, seemed not to notice.
As this sentence sounded, Hvin Rambis, who was originally hidden deep within Madam Norma's Mind Island, entered Audrey's Mind Island with a smile on his lips but exceptionally cold eyes.
Golden scales immediately grew on Audrey's exposed skin in response, and her emerald eyes contracted, tinged with a faint golden hue, as if they had become vertical pupils.
Sensing Audrey's abnormality, Hvin Rambis raised an eyebrow, not expecting this Earl's daughter to already be a Psychiatrist.
However, this level of resistance had no effect on him. Using psychological cue to slow down the intense vigilance, he walked into the subconscious submerged by the "ocean."
Looking at the somewhat confused and bewildered Audrey manifesting deep within the subconscious, Hvin Rambis connected to the subconscious ocean, slowly repeating in a low, seductive voice:
"Before the end of this year, you must ensure Aaron Weil returns to Backlund..."
As these words, like demonic whispers, resounded, Audrey's fluctuating emotions quickly calmed down, the golden scales on her body visibly receded, and her emerald-like eyes became hazy.
What Hvin Rambis didn't notice was that at the very top of the Mind Island, beneath the spiritual sky occupied by seven clear lights, stood two other figures.
Audrey clenched her fists, looking indignantly at her hypnotized self deep within the Mind Island, and muttered softly:
"I really didn't expect such a refined and knowledgeable person to have such a true face."
Aaron, wearing the "Gluttony" mask, chuckled softly. The gray charm with complex patterns in his hand ran out of power and slowly returned to nothingness.
This was the "Deception" charm that Pallez Zoroast had personally made from the Worm of Time of the Jacob family's demigod when they were in Tingen.
Although limited by the Beyonder characteristic of the material itself, it couldn't affect Angels, it was more than enough to deceive Hvin Rambis's virtual persona.
Looking at Hvin Rambis, who, under the influence of the "Deception" charm, was treating the virtual persona separated by the "Gluttony mask" as subconscious hypnosis, Aaron's lips curved as he softly said:
"Refinement and knowledge are merely his masks. After Hvin Rambis leaves, I will temporarily seal that hypnotized virtual persona."
"With this probing complete, a formal member of the Psychology Alchemists should contact you soon. Some less critical information can be revealed to gain more trust."
As Aaron spoke, his eyes turned cold. Looking at Hvin Rambis slowly withdrawing from the Mind Island, he was somewhat unsure whether this hypnosis was Hvin Rambis's sole decision or if he was instructed by certain individuals within the Loen royal family.
-----------------
Feynapotter Kingdom, Seran City, Governor's Mansion.
Mobet, possessed by Odinson Castiya, looked at Anderson, the strongest Hunter of the Fog Sea, who stood obediently opposite him, with a strange expression, and clicked his tongue:
"You mean to say that you were oppressed by those brainless people from the Iron and Blood Cross Order, turned to the light, and that's why they put a bounty on you?"
"And you helped Duke Aaron hunt down a demigod of the Iron and Blood Cross Order, and in exchange, he sent you here to seek an opportunity to become an Iron-Blooded Knight?"
Under the oppressive gaze, Anderson gave an awkward laugh, somewhat at a loss for words, and could only respond in a low voice:
"Just luck, it's all just luck..."
He had been thrown into Seran City, in the northern Feynapotter Kingdom, by Aaron a few days ago. As an experienced Hunter, he did not immediately seek out the Governor mentioned by the Duke, but instead spent time gathering some intelligence.
After multiple confirmations, Anderson finally breathed a sigh of relief upon learning that this Governor named Odinson Castiya only held the position due to his Castiya royal identity, despite being only a Sequence 5.
However, he didn't expect that upon truly arriving at the Duke's mansion, he would discover that this Governor had already secretly been parasitized by a demigod.
Throwing the human skin mask back to Anderson, Mobet hinted meaningfully:
"This kind of human skin mask isn't very effective against Beyonders above demigod, but in all of Seran City, only the Archbishop of the Church of the Earth Mother can see through your identity."
"Come up with an identity for yourself. I will, in the Governor's name, allocate some manpower to you. Whether you can complete the Iron-Blooded Knight's advancement ritual depends on yourself."
"As for the Iron and Blood Cross Order, I have other arrangements. If your cooperation is needed, I will inform you in advance."
Sighing inwardly, Anderson put the human skin mask back on his face, bowed resignedly, and slowly departed.
After the strongest Hunter of the Fog Sea's figure completely disappeared, a badge the size of an eyeball appeared in Mobet's hand. Its surface was a combination of the symbolic runes for "Fate" and "Concealment."
Clutching the Fate Hermit's badge, he muttered to himself:
"Old man, the next meeting of the Fate Hermit Society is at the junction of the Serenzo River and the Central Highlands. Should I attend?"
"Perhaps I can trade for some things that will help you recover faster."
An old and deep voice emerged in Mobet's mind after a while, carrying a hint of inexplicable meaning:
"Amon has already arrived on the Northern Continent. He wouldn't miss such a thing. Now, do you still want to go?"
His eyelid twitched slightly. Mobet decisively put away the badge and chuckled dryly, shaking his head.
-----------------
Amidst the pouring rain, howling winds, and deep black night, a ship painted entirely black sailed on.
A large white flag fluttered from the mast, bearing a skull with a black background and glowing blue flames in its eye sockets. It was the "Black Death."
Unlike the deep gloom outside, the interior of the "Black Death" was illuminated by a soft glow, and a warm, fragrant scent permeated the air, making one unconsciously want to indulge in pleasure.
In the captain's cabin at the highest point of the "Black Death," "Vice Admiral Ailment" Tracy, wearing a white linen shirt and a dark red coat, sat quietly before a bronze mirror, her eyes fixed on the red figure behind her. Her low, yet sufficiently soft, female voice echoed:
"Why do you want to run away?"
The body beneath the golden-red dress trembled slightly. Elaine's eyes darted away from the gaze in the mirror, and she bit her lip lightly, whispering almost pleadingly:
"I, I just want to go home..."
Tracy slowly stood up, raised her right hand, and gently pinched Elaine's soft, somewhat flushed face, asking with a half-smile:
"Go home? Isn't this your home?"
Tracy spoke with a smiling expression, but her blue eyes seemed to accumulate a stormy ocean.
Just then, a sudden knock on the door interrupted Tracy's next action. A rough voice came from outside the captain's cabin:
"Captain, a secret report has come from Seros Island. Someone wants to plot against us!"
Tracy impatiently glanced at the door, released Elaine, and stretched. Her slender and graceful figure appeared exceptionally alluring in the candlelight, and her eyes became hazy and extremely seductive:
"Come in, Misor..."
As her soft voice faded, the door was pushed open. "Sly Speaker" Misor Kane, with deep-set eyes and brown pupils, immediately entered the captain's cabin, his chiseled face filled with infatuation.
Not daring to linger his gaze on the Captain, Misor walked up to Tracy, handed her the telegram in his hand, and explained in a low voice:
"Captain, it's not just Seros Island; rumors are spreading across most of the Berserk Sea islands that we stole the so-called Death Treasure Key from the 'Golden Dream.'"
"This must be those people from the 'Golden Dream' plotting against us, trying to divert trouble!"
Tracy slightly raised her hand to stop the chattering Misor. She put away the telegram in her hand, her delicate brows furrowed, and her tone turned cold:
"It won't be the 'Golden Dream.' Someone else is behind this. I'll give you a week to investigate who it is!"
Although she harbored deep disgust for her Mother, "Saintess of White" Katarina, the strange tacit understanding she had reached with the demigod of the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom from the Golden Dream earlier could not be faked.
Tracy hummed softly, and a ball of black flame ignited in her hand, burning the stack of telegrams to ashes. Looking at Misor, who bowed and retreated, her blue eyes were sharp and bright, but a somewhat sinister smile ruined that ethereal beauty.