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Recalling the final scene in his mind, Klein couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat on his forehead, as he had already remembered what that puppet in the long black court dress was.
As a formal member of the Nighthawks, he was already qualified to know about the Sealed Artifact behind the Chanis Gate in Tingen City.
"Number: 0625 'Calamity Puppet'."
He had seen the symbol displayed by the Calamity Puppet before; it was revealed in the Antigonus family's notebook after he killed the tailcoat Clown.
"This puppet shouldn't possess living characteristics. This attempt to break free from the Seal is likely influenced by the notebook behind the Door."
"What does the symbol that this puppet, or rather, that notebook, has repeatedly tried to convey to me represent?"
Clearly seeing the color of Klein's emotions, Aaron, sitting in the Envoy's seat, stroked his chin. Although he was curious about what had happened, there were more important things to do now.
In the deepest part of the magnificent palace, the figure shrouded in dark gold mist slowly raised his hand, and an incomplete version of the "Holy Scripture of Order" appeared in the minds of all Council of Entropy members.
"This is a long-term task for everyone. Under the premise of confirming safety, discreetly propagate the doctrine. This will accelerate My recovery."
These Council of Entropy members, spread across the world, would be powerful tools for the future Order Church to establish a kingdom on Earth. Propagating the doctrine and offering some potion formulas and materials for the spread of faith were acceptable.
Flipping through the information in her mind, Louise Sears looked a little moved. This great existence, who had a hidden connection with the Ancestor, was finally going to spread faith and influence the real world.
More than a week ago, she had already met her grandfather, Count Mistral, who had returned from the ancestral land. More precisely, he should now be called Marquis Mistral.
After being promoted to Sequence 3 and becoming a true high-level member of the Sanguine, Marquis Mistral also relayed the events to Louise, making Louise even more awestruck by this hidden existence.
She immediately stood up and bowed to the indescribable figure on the throne:
"As You command, great Lord of Order!"
Klein suddenly woke up and bowed along with the others. Although he was worried about his body left outside the Chanis Gate, he could only suppress it for now.
Seeing that this great existence had no intention of speaking further, Louise simply continued:
"I wish to purchase a Beyonder characteristic of a Sanguine Viscount. I can pay in gold pounds or Mystical Items of equivalent value. I also acquire Beyonder characteristics of a Baron and below—um, at a premium. This will also be a long-term transaction."
"If there are relevant clues, I can also pay a reward after verifying their validity."
Except for Klein, who had only attended the Council of Entropy once, the other members knew that Louise's true identity was Pirate Admiral "Admiral of the Moon" and also a Sanguine Viscount.
They all speculated that this should be the intention of the Sanguine behind her and kept it in mind regarding this matter. Mobet, however, looked slightly moved and responded with interest:
"I have a Sealed Artifact formed from a Sanguine Viscount Beyonder characteristic. I don't need gold pounds; I only want to exchange it for a Dream Stealer Beyonder characteristic or a corresponding Sealed Artifact."
"If not, a Marionettist or Traveler can also substitute."
That Sealed Artifact was naturally obtained by parasitizing Odeson Castiya. The old man had already told him the method of parasitizing Sealed Artifacts. To minimize risks, Mobet only planned to exchange for Sequence 5 level items from adjacent Pathways.
At the same time, Sharron's clear voice rang out:
"I have one. I'll exchange it for a Wraith Beyonder characteristic. If it's a Sealed Artifact, I hope the Sanguine can help me crush it beforehand."
This came from a manufactured Vampire who had joined the Rose School of Thought.
After Klein became a formal member, he read internal Nighthawks texts of a higher security clearance, knowing that the so-called Sanguine Viscount was actually a designation for Sequence 5.
The highest a Bishop in a non-core diocese of the Church of the Evernight could reach was Sequence 5, or even lower. Klein's heart pounded, already knowing what a Beyonder characteristic meant.
Louise was quite surprised and continued:
"I am willing to acquire both. However, the Beyonder characteristics you desire will require some time. I will do my best to meet your needs."
Politely waiting for the transaction to end, Frank scratched his head. He first thanked Mr. Envoy for providing the Druid potion formula, then looked at all the members and said with anticipation:
"I wish to purchase, um, accurately speaking, to rent a ghost ship. If anyone has relevant clues, I can also pay a corresponding reward."
Knowing Frank's dangerous nature, Mobet cautiously asked:
"What do you want a ghost ship for? Do you need this to advance to Druid?"
"No, I already advanced last week. I need a ghost ship only to fulfill a concept of mine."
Frank answered seriously, not minding the somewhat strange looks from others, and then added:
"I want to study how life is conceived and how souls are produced!"
"The Druid's abilities have solved many problems that previously troubled me, allowing me to research soil, crops, and hybridization techniques without restrictions."
"Last week, I obtained some soil from the deep sea, and studying the microorganisms contained within gave me a lot of inspiration."
"I have a premonition that the Earth Mother's care is contained within it. Perhaps this can free humanity from famine and make people equal."
"What you can do, I can do too. What you can grow, I can grow too!"
Originally, after only hearing the first half, Klein thought Frank was a mad scientist who cared about humanity. It wasn't until he heard the second half that he decided such equality was not worth having.
The atmosphere became silent, no one responded to Frank's words, and even Sharron couldn't help but take another look.
Unable to resist observing Frank carefully with his True Sight, and confirming that this guy was currently still somewhat normal, Aaron still dispelled the idea of rewarding him with the Classical Alchemist potion formula.
This came from the heritage of the Moon City. Although it only had formulas for Sequence 4 and below, many of these Sequences were lost or incomplete, and the only truly complete Sequences were Warrior and Sleepless.
Allowing a dangerous guy like Frank to advance to Sequence 4 and gain divinity would be very dangerous for cows, fish, the sea, and Rose Bishops.
Aaron could not be sure what experiments this guy, who was not much better than a Lunatic, could accomplish or what strange species he could create if he gained more powerful abilities.
What if he felt he couldn't complete this great undertaking alone and simply planted himself, harvesting a bunch of Franks? Then this world would truly be in danger.
Even though no one responded, Frank continued with full anticipation:
"A ghost ship can help me travel to the depths of the North Sea in the Evernight Plains or the icy world of the polar regions to take a look."
"Beneath the thick ice there, ancient microorganisms from the Fourth Epoch, Third Epoch, or even the Second and First Epochs might be buried. This could bring me more discoveries."
At this point, he scratched his head in embarrassment, looked at Louise and Ferran Eddas, and added:
"If you are willing to take me there, I can pay a corresponding reward."
Evernight Plains? Hearing this name, Aaron raised an eyebrow. Judging by the Earth Mother's attitude last time, the breach where the "Brood Hive" infiltrated the real world might be there.
The Planter Pathway itself was susceptible to corruption, not to mention that Frank had previously been sent to the Tribunal by the Church of the Earth Mother due to forbidden experiments and was later wanted.
Clearing his throat, Aaron no longer remained silent:
"As the apocalypse approaches, the deep-seated dangers within the Evernight Plains have also begun to erode the outside world. Your current level is insufficient to understand the relevant situation."
"If you wish to conduct research, I can provide you with some samples from the Forsaken Land of the Gods; they are equally ancient."
A look of disappointment flashed across Frank's face, then he nodded with renewed vigor. The other members were surprised by Mr. Envoy's mention of the "Evernight Plains" and the "Forsaken Land of the Gods" which only existed in ancient texts.
Although equally curious, Klein knew he definitely couldn't afford the cost of knowing such secrets. Seeing that no one continued to speak, he thought for a moment and asked:
"I have a high-level charm called 'Calamity Charm' that can actively attract disasters of varying degrees, affecting targets or enemies and drawing opponents into environments where they can best exploit their strengths."
"It also comes with a strong mental storm, directly affecting the opponent's Spirit Body, causing a certain degree of dizziness or loss of sanity, allowing the disaster to escalate until it devours them."
After briefly introducing the most valuable item he possessed, and feeling the interested gazes from the other members, Klein added:
"My destiny has an imbalance. Through certain methods, I've determined the source of the problem might be a quill pen. I wish to exchange this charm for relevant information."
Withdrawing his gaze from Frank, Aaron looked at Klein, pondered for a moment, and replied:
"Your description matches the ability of an item very well. It is a Sealed Artifact of Sequence 0 of the Church of the Evernight, numbered 0-08."
"Former Archbishop Ince Zangwill took this Sealed Artifact when he defected."
Watching Klein's expression suddenly change, Aaron smiled and added:
"This Sealed Artifact can write stories based on its own spirituality. Once a story is written, it will definitely become reality. This should be the reason for the abnormal destiny you mentioned."
"Furthermore, the more you understand 0-08, the more it will understand you, and the more likely you are to appear in its stories."
Klein was somewhat at a loss for words. Both a Grade 0 Sealed Artifact and a defected Archbishop were too far removed from his current reality. Mobet and Louise, who knew what a Grade 0 Sealed Artifact represented, also changed their expressions slightly.
Giving everyone some time to react, Aaron finally said:
"But this Sealed Artifact cannot affect powers of a higher Beyonder characteristic. In the Lord's Divine Kingdom, you do not need to worry about being sensed, and its sensing range also has certain limitations."
Cannot affect powers of a higher Beyonder characteristic... Klein silently repeated this sentence in his mind, recalling the mysterious gray fog space, and his heart settled slightly. After a moment of silence, he replied:
"Thank you for your explanation. I will offer the charm to the great Lord of Order before tomorrow night."
The transaction session quickly ended. Sid Watson was the first to open the discussion session. As a Sequence 6 Spirit Guide, his demeanor became increasingly gloomy:
"After my last advancement in a certain secret place, I have become a quasi-high-level member of the Sleepless faction. I met their mysterious leader; he calls himself Sas Aegis. I also saw the Shaman King Klarman of the Rose School of Thought."
Sas Aegis... Klein was slightly startled, inexplicably recalling Mr. Azik, who had warned him about his abnormal destiny. His full name seemed to be Azik Eggers.
However, the Council of Entropy's discussion session was his key channel for accumulating intelligence at the moment, so Klein had to suppress this matter for now, planning to visit the mysterious Mr. Azik later when he had time.
After obtaining the potion formula, and with the help of Edwina Edwards, Ferran Eddas, who had already advanced to Sequence 6 Wind-Blessed, had recently been trying to act and receive systematic guidance from "Vice Admiral Iceberg" on the Golden Dream. He was not very aware of recent events, so he thought for a moment and said:
"The 'Golden Dream' has recently been resting at Seros Island, at the border of the Berserk Sea and the Fog Sea. I personally saw the 'King of the Five Seas'' flagship, the 'Black Emperor,' sail into the Fog Sea, while his other fleets disappeared."
-----------------
The dense dark gold mist dispersed. After regaining consciousness, Klein instinctively rolled to the corner of the wall, looking around vigilantly.
The Chanis Gate was tightly shut, there was no knocking sound, and the underground was peaceful and silent, as if nothing had ever happened.
His body gradually relaxed, Klein patted the dust off himself, and pondered in his heart:
"The Chanis Gate was opened from the inside. This situation must be reported to the captain. As for that symbol, I'll divine it above the gray fog after my shift ends."
Having made up his mind, Klein immediately returned to the duty room, but he had no mind to read the documents on the table, feeling somewhat negative in his heart:
"Stories that are written become reality. So, is my current investigation also part of a story?"
"The defected Archbishop... Unfortunately, I cannot reasonably explain the source of the intelligence. I can only take it one step at a time."
......
On the outskirts of Tingen, a dark gold badge engraved with the symbol of the Sun emanated a warm, pure glow.
The ice crystals burning with black flames melted inch by inch, but the target had already vanished. The Nighthawks, Punishers, and Machinery Hivemind members looked at each other.
On the south bank of the Khoy River, moonlight filtered through the branches. A woman in a pure white sacred robe, with her back to the scarred Trissy, smiled:
"Suffering is the way to approach the Primordial Demoness!"
"Only by drawing closer to the Primordial Demoness can we achieve sanctification, become stronger, gain salvation, and escape the final apocalypse."
"Do not interfere with matters in Tingen. Go to Backlund as soon as possible; that is where you belong."
The burning wound on her abdomen strangely wriggled, and black threads penetrated it, repairing it in an instant. Trissy said resentfully:
"I will make them pay!"
The sapphire ring on her hand glowed faintly, and lines quietly merged into Trissy's body.
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