Considering that "Red Saintess" Margaret Constantine was also "Spade 12" of Roselle's Men in Black organization, Ebner came to two likely conjectures:
First, Margaret was an anomaly within the Demoness Sect, someone who still bore loyalty to the Constantine family. Taking advantage of the "Primordial Demoness" Cheek's slumber for recuperation, she rose to power within the sect, secretly allied herself with Roselle, and waited for an opportunity to restore her family's honor.
Second, Margaret was one of the surviving remnants of the Constantine family that Cheek had exterminated. Roselle discovered her, nurtured her, and later sent her—under a false identity—into the Demoness Sect, where she eventually climbed to a position of authority with his aid.
Ebner leaned toward the second theory. If it were merely a temporary alliance of convenience, Margaret wouldn't still be dutifully performing the tasks of the Men in Black so long after Roselle's death.
No matter which it is, Ebner thought, Margaret remains the only surviving clue to the Constantine lineage. Meeting her needs to become a priority…
Fortunately, she's an Intisian socialite in Trier. With my "Owen" persona, attending a ball where she'll be present won't be difficult.
I'll have to act quickly though—once the Delien family collapses, Owen's identity won't be nearly as useful.
His mind turning over these plans, Ebner shifted his attention back to Vice Admiral Deep Sea, Hal Constantine, and posed his second question:
"How much do you know about Madam D of the Aurora Order?"
Since the identities of the five survivors from the experiment eleven years ago had been confirmed, it was time to add the capture of Madam D to his task list.
After all, aside from Bianca—the maid living in his Trier mansion—and Abby, trapped within Grossel's Travels, the Aurora Order's divine emissary was the only one suitable for "rough" research.
As for Miss Filina and the Pale Admiral Maria…
The former had no evil deeds to her name, was close to the Church of Storms' Stewart, and was the daughter of the Life School's demigod Roy King—negotiation would be better than force.
The latter? Maria was a close friend of both Klein and Edwina. For their sake, Ebner wouldn't consider coercion; he'd simply need to find something she couldn't refuse.
Across the table, Vice Admiral Deep Sea recalled for a moment before speaking hesitantly:
"This Madam D of the Aurora Order only took up the role of divine emissary after 'Mr. D' was intercepted and slain by Vice Admiral Iceberg last year. Outwardly, she differs greatly from other emissaries—she's not insane. Rather, she's refined, intelligent, graceful, and commands real authority.
"A month ago, she was stationed on Corsica Island, presiding over a Beyonder gathering there…
"But as for now, I'm not sure where she is."
Judging from your tone, she seems to be flawless in every way. Don't tell me you're infatuated with her?
Ebner kept the thought to himself, simply nodding and asking, "Anything else?"
Hal thought for a moment before saying, "I think… she doesn't seem particularly devout toward the True Creator."
"Oh?" Ebner raised an eyebrow. "And how did you reach that conclusion?"
Vice Admiral Deep Sea replied, "The True Creator once issued an oracle commanding us to locate a certain evil god named 'The Fool,' but she carried out the order perfunctorily—almost lazily.
"I didn't notice at first, but later, when I compared her attitude with Mr. H of Dilis City, the difference became obvious. To borrow Emperor Roselle's words, it was 'obeying outwardly while defying in secret.'"
So she shelters beneath the True Creator yet lacks genuine faith? That sounds a lot like Abby… Could she be using the 'source quality' corruption within her body to resist the True Creator's rapacious influence?
After mulling over this, Ebner's understanding of Madam D—whom he had never met—deepened further. Finally, he nodded and said, "Very good. Your answer pleases me. You may leave now. I'll speak to Miss Gwen on your behalf."
"Thank you, my lord," Hal Constantine said sincerely, rising to give a deep bow.
Ebner inclined his head in return, then swept his hand forward. The surrounding scene shattered like glass, and Vice Admiral Deep Sea instantly "awoke," finding himself deep beneath the sea, far from the island. Everything just now had been a dream.
"Good thing I can breathe underwater," he muttered with relief, before thinking solemnly, "That divine emissary appeared through a dream again… It seems the Unknown—or rather, my Lord—holds authority over dreams."
…
Meanwhile, Ebner appeared near the island's old pier and activated his Pure White Eye, linking to his "Owen" persona, which had been inactive for over a month.
Although the lustful gentleman's soul had been assimilated by Liu Bo, the duplication ritual used to create him had flaws. Ebner worried something might have gone wrong.
Fortunately, the month-long absence hadn't led to rebellion, and Ebner smoothly reclaimed him.
He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, rented a room in Alvin's Question Labyrinth, and stored Owen's body inside.
Afterward, he returned to his true appearance and used his simulated "Gale" powers to soar toward the so-called "Town of Pleasure."
Minutes later, from high above the town's edge, Ebner saw Miss Gwen and her crew maintaining order. Young Terance was trying to reason with the townsfolk but soon became embroiled in an argument.
Leaning against a large tree in the background, Cullen toyed idly with the small bird Silika—but upon sensing Ebner's approach, he looked up and waved lazily.
Ebner descended beside him and asked casually, "What's going on?"
Cullen sprinkled powdered spiritual materials onto his palm for Silika to peck at, then snorted, "You've heard about this place's rules, right? One week of 'service,' one week of 'pleasure.'
"During their week of pleasure, they can indulge themselves however they like—enjoy all they wish, treat the servants however they please.
"And during their week of service, they must endure anything demanded of them.
"So aside from Gwen's uncle's group—who arrived too late to enjoy their week of pleasure and just want to leave—the rest have already been corrupted by desire. They've fallen completely. They no longer wish to return to their old lives. All they want is fleeting pleasure, even if it means another week of servitude.
"Most of them were commoners. Outside this island, even if they traded their lives, they'd never experience the kind of luxury they've tasted here.
"But what they fail to realize is that their 'pleasure' existed only because this island had abundant supplies and was monitored by the Delien family—no one could die here.
"Without that oversight, this place will become a true abyss before long."
So that's it—Gwen couldn't bear to abandon them, so she sent Terance to persuade them. But it looks like they're not listening.
Ebner nodded, smiling slightly as he asked, "And you're not planning to interfere?"
"Why should I?" Cullen shrugged. "Of course, if Lydia begged me, I could make them all faint and follow Gwen like mindless corpses."
He gestured toward Lydia, who stood nearby with a faint frown. "But she doesn't seem interested either."
Gwen probably foresaw the coming disaster and can't bring herself to abandon them.
Ebner cast Cullen a sidelong glance, thinking, This vampire count acts indifferent, but he's soft-hearted. He's already thought of a solution—he just won't admit it.
Still, his way only treats the symptoms. Anyone who's tasted this kind of pleasure can't go back to the hopeless monotony of their old lives. Let them return, and they'll become walking disasters—perhaps even cause tragedies.
Except for a few strong-willed ones, the rest are spiritually twisted and fallen. To 'cure' them, I'll need something… special.
Having decided, Ebner nodded to Cullen and strode toward Gwen.
Speaking of Gwen—after receiving the Dawn Paladin characteristic from Ebner, she had successfully advanced to Sequence 6, becoming a true mid-sequence Beyonder. Her height had also increased to nearly 1.9 meters, much to her distress; as a young woman who cared about her looks, finding clothes that fit was now a challenge.
Sensing Ebner's approach, Gwen brightened, and together with Lydia, she went to greet the Hero Detective.
"Ebner—no, Lord Viscount of Belden, congratulations on your hereditary title," she said warmly after their brief exchange. "And even more so on ascending to sainthood."
"This was thanks to the 'Laurel' treasure map you gave me," Ebner said modestly—though it was true.
The Laurel had been both a vital ritual component for his advancement and the source of funds for his title purchase.
"Right, about Madam D—you asked me to keep an eye on her…" Gwen began, but then saw Terance returning, dejected. Clearly, he'd failed to persuade the townsfolk.
"Later," Ebner said, waving a hand. His lips curled faintly. "Let's deal with the current problem first."
Now that he was certain Terance was the descendant of his Rhine incarnation and Yaloran, Ebner finally understood why he always felt an instinctive urge to look after the boy.
And he felt something similar toward Jane and Lydia.
As for Cullen? The man was too "dependable." Ebner had no urge to coddle him—if anything, he enjoyed watching him squirm.
Even if they're all descendants, I don't have to treat them equally, he thought.
"You have a plan?" Gwen asked, her eyes shining.
She wasn't surprised; this was Ebner—the man who always solved her problems.
Around them, Lydia, Terance, and the others turned their eyes toward him as well.
"Cover your ears," Ebner said calmly, taking a triangular membrane of flesh from one of his cards.
It was the vocal cord of that Men in Black clone fused with the Mentor of Deceit characteristic.
He had named it The False Voice of Faith.
The group wasn't new to the supernatural. Recognizing the setup, Gwen immediately led the others in covering their ears, while Cullen shielded himself and Silika from afar.
Once everyone was ready, Ebner withdrew his spirituality from the False Voice of Faith and activated a newly crafted mystic art—"Life of Pain."
He'd chosen the name because, using one of his Eyes of Insight to simulate the Worm of Time's mythical form—and with the Mentor of Deceit's amplification—he had the Voice steal all "pleasure" memories from those who heard it, leaving only "pain."
At the same time, they all became shallow believers of Liu Bo. Due to the False Voice's deceit effect, any future prayer or confession—no matter the god—would instead connect them to the Unknown Land.
That was precisely what Ebner intended. After all, if he was going to do good deeds, he might as well earn some benefit, right?
Besides, those already corrupted by desire needed the Unknown's protection to keep from falling further.
And when, one day, their hearts grew strong enough through the tempering of pain, he could restore their memories of pleasure through faith's link.
As for how he'd learned the Worm of Time's mythical form—
That, of course, came from Flora Jacob, now his fanatically devoted believer. Having surrendered body and soul to her "Lord," she hadn't hesitated to share even her incomplete mythical form for his study.
(End of Chapter)