As the dragon's eyes opened, its pale-golden vertical pupils no longer held even the slightest trace of "humanity," only endless madness and cold indifference.
Ebner knew that Mr. Stephen Humphreys, the "vessel," no longer existed. Now he… no, it should be called—it was already the personality simulated by the Dragon of Imagination Ankewelt.
And it's a semi-mad state of 'personality'… it should be the side of Him when He was an 'Ancient God,' the 'madness' side… That means, although He lacks reason, His power is even stronger! Anyway, what He needs is only to destroy Yaloran's spell as much as possible. He doesn't need delicate operations.
While Ebner studied and felt the structure of the "Magic Wolf's" body, he split his attention to observe his opponent. For now, he was in a "hosted" state, strangely "leisurely."
As the two enormous mythological creatures finished their transformations, they destroyed all the nearby town buildings around the tavern. Then one flew into the air, while the other raised its head in a long howl. On the surface, neither had moved to attack yet, still locked in their confrontation.
But the fact that they didn't move didn't mean they hadn't clashed!
In Ebner's sight, the Magic Wolf and the Dragon, two mythological beings who both held certain authority in the dream domain, had already begun fierce contention the moment their gazes met.
"Battle Hypnosis," "Mind Stripping," "Psychic Storm," "Dream Labyrinth"… in the deeper layers of the psychic clash, the "mad" dragon kept hammering at the Magic Wolf's island of mind, trying to shatter its defenses and invade within.
Yet the Magic Wolf's mental island was as black as ink, peaceful and tranquil. None of the dragon's assaults had any effect. Instead, from that pure darkness came the sound of sung poetry, effortlessly dissolving the dragon's attacks, while the deep "darkness" surged back like a tide to drown the other's mind island.
Though both sides were "substitutes" being put "online," the Goddess's black gem was far stronger than the Dragon of Imagination's backup power hidden in Stephen Humphreys's body.
And the nightmare environment clearly favored the Goddess's power. So the dragon, who excelled in the psychic field, found its mind gradually being infected by "darkness"…
Then, from deep within, what He most feared slowly "walked" out of that darkness!
It was a man, dressed in the long black robe of a clergyman, with a silver cross hanging on his chest.
This man's hair wasn't long, mostly black, but the roots showed a pale-golden tint. His eyes were pure gold, his skin pale, his features sharply defined, and his eye sockets deep, resembling the current North Continent races.
This is… the "Ancient Sun God"?
Sure enough, what the Dragon of Imagination Ankewelt feared most was Him!
The combination of slumber and terror, symbolizing the dangers hidden in the dark, symbolizing the deepest fears in the nightmares of living beings… This ability of making fear take form must be the hallmark of the "Sleepless" pathway Sequence 3, the "Horror Bishop."
Ebner reflected for a moment, then sent a "Wise Eye" to study this ability.
Soon, he discovered that this "embodiment of fear" ability was somewhat similar to the "Scholar of Yore" from the "Seer" pathway at Sequence 3, who could pluck historical projections, even borrowing a portion of that authority.
This ability was very likely created by the Second Epoch Ancient God, the King of Magic Wolves Flegrea. At that time He held both the "Darkness" and the "Fool" pathways, so it makes sense He developed such a power…
Just like the Phoenix Ancestor Gregrace, who combined the "Death" and "Door" pathways to develop abilities like the 'Gate of Hell' and 'Spirit World Traversal.'
Perhaps, once the 'Fool' and the 'Door' truly each had a Sequence 0, they could choose not to open their authority to the "Darkness" and "Death" pathways' Beyonders… But for now, the 'Fool's' uniqueness is in the Goddess's hands, while Mr. Door is still sealed outside.
Just as Ebner thought this, he saw the embodied "Ancient Sun God" step forward twice, grasp the seemingly ordinary cross, his eyes gradually clearing from confusion, and the corner of his lips curving upward.
He then spoke in a deep voice:
"Let there be light!"
Immediately afterward, with a scream sounding, a torrent of information erupted from the dragon's mind and was completely dissolved in the holy brilliance.
That torrent of information was "Knowledge Fairies," also called "Information Creatures"!
The 'Hidden Sage' had actually been secretly lurking inside Stephen Humphreys's spirit as well? If it weren't exposed by the Dragon of Imagination's embodied fear, even I wouldn't have discovered it…
As Ebner felt a moment of relief, the piercing brilliance cut through the "darkness," making the "hidden" reveal the true face of the nightmare's deepest layer of "town."
Since the "hidden" environment created by Yaloran had been reconstructed from the "vanished Nation of Evernight," the overall layout resembled the misty town Ebner had once visited.
Ancient-style spired churches, blue-roofed houses scattered around them, simple wooden huts, shabby taverns, bakeries with hanging signs, gray-white mills powered by waterwheels…
Everything was very similar to the misty town, yet also bore "Kabas" town's unique features.
I thought before that Kabas Town's layout felt familiar… heh, its foundation was likely modeled on the misty town. Only after centuries of change did it look different, so I didn't notice at first… Instead, it's this deepest nightmare that preserved the town's earliest form…
By now, the "Magic Wolf" and "Dragon" had vanished, as though they hadn't followed Ebner into this deepest nightmare, still fighting in the layer above.
But I'm sure my body also came down here. Only the black gem the Goddess gave me has disappeared…
While Ebner pondered and hesitated, unsure where exactly Yaloran was hiding or what other dangers lurked in this deepest nightmare, a young lady with silver hair and blood-red eyes, her face exquisitely beautiful, appeared beside him without his noticing.
She stood still and smiled, saying, "Welcome to your arrival… Ebner."
Hearing the sudden voice, Ebner, though alert inside, turned his head calmly and slightly nodded. "I've come as promised… Are you Lady Yaloran?"
As he spoke, he carefully studied the famous lady's appearance, but soon, his brows furrowed.
It wasn't that Yaloran wasn't beautiful. On the contrary, her looks, like Lilith's "Beauty Goddess" vessel, carried the concept of "beauty." At first sight, one felt she was utterly perfect, the exact type they favored most.
But one detail troubled Ebner greatly… That was, how could Lady Yaloran's brows and eyes resemble those of the "Queen of Calamity" Cohinem?
No, if not for the concept of "beauty" overlaying her, and her different hair and eye colors, they would be nearly identical!
*Is Yaloran Cohinem's sister? Daughter? Or… is she Cohinem herself?
The part inside the Golden Goblet?*
Speculations flashed through Ebner's mind, but on the surface he listened calmly to the lady's reply:
"I am still only an avatar. My true body is not in good condition, and can only remain hidden inside the church."
After finishing, Lady Yaloran's avatar led Ebner toward the church.
"To avoid the 'Hidden Sage'?" Ebner asked casually as he followed.
"That is only part of the reason… the more important one is the loss of 'Balance.'" Lady Yaloran's avatar gave a simple answer.
The loss of 'Balance'? Ebner thought, faintly guessing something.
The two continued chatting as they walked across the town, until they reached the grand church.
Different from the misty town of the Nation of Evernight, this church had no crows perched on it, and beside it was a large man-made lake.
Ebner glanced curiously at the lake, then froze. The reflection in the water wasn't the grand cathedral right beside him…
It was a magnificent palace in the style of elves!
Ebner recognized this palace…
It was the Elven "Temple of Trials"!
In the Dream Labyrinth Tower's fifth floor, he had once entered its interior in a dream, cleared three challenges, and finally obtained a clue about the "Prophet" characteristic.
He never expected Yaloran to have drawn it into her "Nightmare"!
Thoughts flashed quickly through his mind, but when he saw Yaloran's avatar already entering the church, he set it aside for now and hurried after.
As soon as he stepped into the prayer hall, a lady identical to the avatar appeared before his eyes.
She carried herself with elegance, clothed in splendor. At that moment she sat in a high-backed chair. Seeing Ebner arrive, she did not rise but merely smiled slightly and gestured with her hand.
Immediately, the avatar who had guided Ebner dispersed into the wind, turning into a strand of hair that returned to Yaloran's true body's hand.
Seeing Ebner's slight daze, the silver-haired red-eyed lady smiled and explained:
"This is 'Mystical Reappearance'—'the Monkey King's Hair!'"