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The atmosphere inside the carriage grew increasingly tense. Under the oppressive aura of a demigod, or even an Angel, Leonard, who had been trembling, suddenly became calm.
An ancient sigh, as if from the distant past, deep and Vicissitudes, emanated from "Leonard." He raised his head, and through his short black hair, a ancient and mottled giant phantom flashed in his pupils.
When Aaron had communed with the Jacob Family demigod in Backlund, she had seen this symbol in her memory fragments, though the two were not entirely identical, differing in some subtle details.
"Young people these days are truly incredible. I really am getting old."
An aged voice, inconsistent with his demeanor, came from "Leonard's" mouth, carrying a hint of helplessness and Feelings.
He withdrew his gaze from the Ring of Mysteries in Aaron's hand and the paper crane, then, as if unintentionally, glanced at Varna's projection behind Aaron and the Frenzied Mage standing in the corner of the carriage.
As a Sequence 1 of the Marauder Pathway, Pallez was also extremely knowledgeable about the neighboring Seer Pathway, recognizing at a glance that it was a historical projection of an Angel.
As for the Frenzied Mage who brought him a sense of familiarity, Pallez speculated that he might have seen him in the Fourth Epoch. For high-level Beyonders of the Seer Pathway, discerning their disguise would likely require him to recover to his peak.
"As expected of the Angel Family, to possess such a foundation without a sound. However, I'm still very curious, how did you discover me?"
Looking at "Leonard," Aaron's lips curved upwards. He picked up the paper crane and placed it in his palm, responding casually:
"Perhaps my luck is better. Otherwise, your descendant would have truly been lost to history, completely unable to meet you."
He ignored this obviously perfunctory explanation. If he could be found merely by luck, he would have long since become Amon's meal.
But since he had been found, Pallez no longer dwelled on it. He tilted his head to look at Mobet, who was driving the carriage outside the sealed space towards Iron Cross Street in Howl Street, and his aged voice gradually softened:
"It's good that he's alive. I originally thought he was killed by Amon or Jacob in that war, which is why I couldn't divine the culprit."
"However, misfortune and fortune are intertwined. Although he disappeared for a thousand years, he also escaped that disaster. It seems the aura that appeared in Tingen last time was indeed left by him."
"Thank you, Duke, for his cultivation. But achieving demigod at this time is very likely to be sensed by that one. I hope Duke will pay more attention."
Looking at Pallez, who had released a friendly signal for communication, the smile on Aaron's face became even more pronounced. He pointed to the front of the carriage:
"This is an equal exchange. He provides faith, and I help him achieve demigod and ensure his safety to a certain extent."
Pallez, who was old and cunning, had already heard the unstated meaning. A strange smile appeared on "Leonard's" face, and he pointed his right hand to the sky:
"Given your status, you must already know what the name Amon means. Not to mention my current state, even if I were at my peak, plus your entire East Tucker Family, we would not be His opponent."
"If I wanted to seek refuge, why not seek out the seven in the Astral World and become their vassal?"
"I advise you not to get involved in this mess. The Jacob Family and the Zoroast Family have already vanished. With the Evernight Goddess's protection, as long as you don't provoke them, you won't encounter too much trouble."
Aaron didn't care about the sarcasm in the old man's tone. His smile remained unchanged as he responded:
"Apocalypse is approaching. Those existing threats are already close at hand. Even if some of the Seven Deities dislike Amon, their opinions will eventually converge despite their differences."
"At least on the opinion of quickly bringing about the birth of a Lord of the Mysteries, they will easily reach a consensus."
"Even if Mr. Door, who has already been corrupted, returns, he will only be a sacrifice. Antigonus was placed on the altar long ago, not to mention you, who have fallen to such a state?"
"At least the current Amon certainly seems to be the most suitable candidate. Using a half-crippled Angel as a bargaining chip to gain a step closer to the Western Continent is a high-return, low-investment transaction in the eyes of those existences."
Aaron chuckled softly, looking at "Leonard," whose smile had faded, and added in a playful tone:
"It's not that you're unwilling to align with the Seven Deities; you just don't dare. In this situation, Mr. Pallez, have you considered the most pessimistic future for you?"
As if his sore spot had been touched, or perhaps surprised by how much Aaron knew, Pallez remained silent for a long time before his voice finally rang out again:
"You went to such great lengths to find me. What exactly do you want to do? Hand me over to Amon, or offer me to the Evernight Goddess?"
Looking at "Leonard," whose body surface was showing faint patterns, Aaron shook his head indifferently and said with a smile:
"There's no need to be so nervous. If I wanted to do that, you wouldn't have had the chance to hear me say any of this."
Then, he changed the subject and uttered two words in a leisurely tone:
"Sefirah Castle!"
"Leonard's" eyes clearly changed for a moment. He looked at Aaron with some surprise, as if he had thought of something, and his expression changed several times.
Looking at "Leonard's" changing expression, Aaron, who had initially achieved his goal, did not further provoke this old man. Pallez, who was stronger and knew more than Nast, would not side with him based on just a few words.
This matter couldn't be rushed. After all, poaching also required proper methods. However, Pallez still had to pay the life-saving fee and the cost of helping Mobet, his direct descendant, advance to demigod.
After all, the landlord's family didn't have much surplus grain left. Every bit of wool that could be shorn was shorn.
Aaron took out a metal tin box, sealed layer by layer with a wall of spirituality, from his embrace. He unsealed it to reveal a small Worm with 12 transparent rings placed in the very center, surrounded by six smaller Worms, each with only seven or eight transparent rings.
The Worm of Time in the center came from the spoils of dismantling Amon's Mausoleum, while the rest came from that Jacob Family demigod.
Attracted by the familiar fluctuations, Pallez, who had regained his calm, paused on the Worm of Time with 12 transparent rings.
Pointing at the seven Worms of Time in the box, Aaron's face once again showed a warm, spring-like smile:
"To rescue Viscount Mobet, I spent a lot of effort. That Parasite Beyonder characteristic is also a token of our sincerity in cooperation."
"As the saying goes, courtesy demands reciprocity."
"It would be too wasteful not to use such excellent materials. I think these Worms of Time, in the hands of an Angel like you, could certainly be made into some powerful talismans."
Looking at Aaron, who hid exploitation and oppression behind his smile, "Leonard's" face twitched. Those Worms of Time then transformed into faint light and merged into his body.
Aaron, whose smile grew even more sincere, nodded in satisfaction and added:
"I might be leaving Tingen soon. It would be best if you could give me these talismans within a week. If you lack any spiritual materials, just let me know."
As he spoke, Aaron clicked his tongue, glancing at "Leonard" with some regret, and muttered softly:
"It's a pity that after the Worm of Time dies, the Beyonder characteristic contained within inevitably dissipates. That Worm of Time from Amon was something I obtained three years ago."
"If it were alive, the final talisman might even point to the domain of time. Tsk, I really want to experience that kind of power!"
Three years ago? Pallez was stunned. If he remembered correctly, this Duke had only just advanced to demigod this spring. Three years ago, he was probably at most a Mid-sequence.
Lunatic of a Mid-sequence who dared to provoke Amon directly—as this thought flashed through Pallez's mind, he looked up and saw Aaron's unconcealed fervent gaze. His face couldn't help but twitch again, and he explained with a helpless tone:
"My current state is also very poor. Being able to make talismans for you is already my limit; it's difficult to separate any more Worms of Time."
"Of course, if you can provide me with high-Sequence Beyonder characteristics of the Marauder Pathway, none of these will be a problem."
Aaron, though rejected, was not disheartened. As for Pallez's claim that he couldn't separate the Worm of Time, he didn't believe it at all, but the fact that the other party was willing to cooperate was already a very good start.
Putting the paper crane back into his pocket, Varna's historical projection slowly dissipated. Aaron extended his right hand, concluding with a warm smile:
"I think this will be a beneficial cooperation for both of us."
"Leonard" gave a stiff smile and shook Aaron's outstretched hand, echoing:
"I think so too. I will complete your talismans within a week."
Satisfied, Aaron withdrew his hand, watching the strange patterns on Leonard's body gradually fade. He glanced at the front of the carriage and said faintly:
"Aren't you going to say something to him?"
An ancient gold coin from the Fourth Epoch Solomon Empire appeared in Aaron's palm, and the aged voice slowly faded:
"No need. The fledgling will eventually spread its wings and soar. But there's one thing I must remind you: the gathering of high-level Beyonders from the Marauder Pathway can easily attract Amon's attention. Take him away as soon as possible."
"After you leave, give this gold coin to Mobet. It contains a gift I left for him…"
Looking at Leonard, who had returned to normal and was utterly bewildered, Aaron put away the gold coin and casually lifted the seal within the carriage. Faus Ellen in the corner had already disappeared.
-----------------
The lingering glow of the setting Sun cast down. Accompanied by groans of pain, Klein propped himself up from the cold floor, thankful that the late June heat had prevented him from catching a cold.
He subconsciously checked the pocket watch left by his father, whom he had never met, and found that it was already almost 6 PM.
Putting down the pocket watch, Klein, whose head was throbbing and splitting, could barely support himself and sat down in a chair. He lowered his head, massaging both temples with his left thumb and middle finger.
After resting for more than ten minutes, the after-effects of spiritual exhaustion finally subsided. During this time, he noticed four black dots on the back of his right hand, forming a small square.
These four black dots faded from dark to light and quickly disappeared, but Klein knew that they still remained within him, waiting to be awakened.
"Four points, a square. Could it correspond to four staple foods at four corners? Does this mean I won't need to prepare staple foods anymore and can directly proceed with the steps and incantations?" Klein had a vague guess.
This seemed good, but having more "things" of strange origin and lacking understanding always caused fear.
Just thinking of the honorific name he had chanted in a daze when he first arrived in this world, Klein's headache, which had just eased, showed signs of flaring up again.
He inevitably thought of how the inexplicable ancient magic from Earth could actually have an effect here, and then recalled his strange transmigration in dreams, as well as the mysterious, illusory gray fog world that represented who knew what.
As the whispers from the "ritual" that had lingered around him, driving him almost mad, seemed to echo in his ears again, Klein couldn't help but shiver uncontrollably, a shiver in the scorching late June heat.
Uncontrollably, he felt a strong urge to delve into the mysterious domain, to understand more, to break through the unknown, but also a desire to bury his head and pretend nothing had happened.
Grumble! Grumble!
Hunger interrupted Klein's wild thoughts. He sighed, suppressed the emotions in his heart, and retrieved the rye bread from the four corners.
Although these rye breads were just ritual materials, they didn't seem to have changed at all. With his pockets emptier than his face, Klein felt that one should be a bit frugal.
After being busy for a long time, having just finished stewing lamb with tender peas, Klein was waiting for his sister Melissa to come home for dinner, while pondering the original owner's mysterious suicide and the unknown dangers he might encounter. Suddenly, he heard a rapid, forceful knocking at the door.
The thumping sound echoed in his ears. Klein abruptly sat upright, subconsciously pulled open the drawer, took out the revolver, and asked warily:
"Who is it?"
Silence outside the door lasted for two seconds. Just as Klein's nerves were taut, a gentle voice spoke:
"Dunn Smith, a police officer. I need to confirm some things with you."
The streetlights that had already lit up outside the window and the somewhat noisy human voices dispelled some of the tension in Klein's heart. He thought that even if he didn't open the door, Melissa, who would be back soon, would still encounter the people at the door.
Steeling himself, Klein quickly hid the revolver. After tidying his clothes, he quickly approached the door, opening it while mumbling indistinctly:
"Sorry, I was just preparing dinner for my sister."
Klein looked up and met the gaze of the gray-eyed police officer who introduced himself as Dunn Smith. He quickly made an assessment in his mind:
"A very elegant, melancholic uncle, though showing signs of balding."
His gaze swept over the three silver hexagonal stars on his inspector's epaulets, and was quickly drawn to a young man among the visitors. Meeting his golden eyes, Klein's heart was instantly filled with a tangible sense of majesty.
He obediently lowered his head. Although he felt that instantly cowering was a bit of a disgrace to his identity as a transmigrator, it was also due to circumstances.
After all, his understanding of this world was still too shallow, and that young man who gave him a slight sense of familiarity was clearly not an ordinary person.
Just as Klein was still pondering the source of that familiar feeling, Aaron had already entered the room with a somewhat stiff-faced Leonard. Dunn put away his inspector's badge and closed the door behind him.
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