"Warning. Lacking 'credentials.' Unable to dock…
"In three minutes, the 'Monica' will return."
Listening to the warning echoing beside his ears, and looking at the "nation" on the projection screen that was shrouded in gray mist and appeared only faintly visible, Ebner activated the Pure White Eye and began to observe carefully.
About a minute later, he closed his eyes, rubbed his throbbing temples, and pondered internally:
"The purpose of the 'Night Emperor' cooperating with Mr. 'Door' was indeed to open a breach in the seal of 'Sefirah Castle,' allowing the power of the Nation of Disorder to leak out from the Western Continent…
"And this 'leak point' is not only hidden deep within the secret space formed by these mirror worlds, but is also concealed inside the 'Night Emperor's' own divine kingdom!
"That faintly appearing nation is not the Nation of Disorder itself, but rather the divine kingdom of the 'Night Emperor' that carries a portion of the Nation of Disorder's power.
"No wonder only the 'Ghost Empire' can approach it— even dock here.
"But then, what exactly is this so-called 'credential'?
"Hmm. According to what Monica—whom I just contaminated—confessed, after Her main consciousness violated the 'Night Emperor's' final will, She inevitably suffered 'punishment' and has remained in a dormant state ever since.
"That is to say, for over a thousand years, every time the 'Ghost Empire' approached its destination, it would automatically return, endlessly sailing back and forth through the vast mirror worlds…"
With that thought, Ebner asked the green-haired "Monica" beside him:
"What is the 'credential'?"
"I don't really know… I have no memory related to it…"
"Monica" first shook her head, then after a brief moment of thought, pointed at a recessed slot on the control console.
"But my intuition tells me that whatever's missing belongs there."
Ebner stared at the shape of the slot for several seconds. Then, with a flip of his palm, a hardbound book appeared out of thin air. On its cover, written in Ancient Feysac, was a line of text:
The Book of Virtues
"The Book of Virtues is something I obtained from the 'Ancient Scholar' Daphne Priestley. And Daphne's ancestor was a minister under the 'Night Emperor,' as well as the knight canonized as 'Humility' by The Book of Virtues.
"Besides Priestley, the other six knights were 'Loyal Augustus,' 'Tolerant Einhorn,' 'Gentle Sauron,' 'Diligent Castia,' 'Generous Odra,' and 'Temperate Monica'…
"I already mocked back then that these so-called 'virtues' were probably exactly what the corresponding individuals lacked.
"But looking at it now, what it represents may not be merely virtues—it might be an alternative form of 'order' or 'disorder.'
"Moreover, when the 'Night Emperor' was still alive, this book was a sealed artifact on par with Level '0.' It could temporarily elevate a canonized knight to the level of an 'angel.'
"Clearly, it has an extremely close connection to the 'Night Emperor'!
"And on top of that, after Daphne pledged allegiance to me, she even admitted that this Book of Virtues might have some connection to the 'Ghost Empire,' and might even be the key to controlling it…
"Then, could The Book of Virtues be the so-called 'credential'?"
Holding The Book of Virtues in his hand and looking at the recessed slot on the console, Ebner pondered for a long while. In the end, however, he did not place the book into it, instead allowing the three-minute timer to expire and the "Ghost Empire" to turn back.
Ebner refrained from attempting it for two reasons.
First, the 'Night Emperor' was a true god. His divine kingdom was bound to be extremely dangerous—especially since it also contained a leak point of a source of power. Who knew what terrifying things might be hidden inside?
Although Ebner currently possessed angel-level strength, he was well aware that he was still far inferior to the 'Night Emperor.' It would be better to return only after he was more prepared.
Second, he suspected that The Book of Virtues, if it truly served as the 'credential,' might itself be problematic. Something indispensable for entering a divine kingdom should possess more special characteristics… yet Ebner had not discovered any.
Thus, he decided to put things on hold. After all, the gains from this expedition were already more than sufficient.
Setting aside the various "resources" within the many worlds inside—including characteristics and extraordinary items—just the three portions of "angel" characteristics used to construct the 'Ghost Empire' alone were priceless treasures.
Of course, Ebner had no intention of "dismantling" the ship right now. But if the need ever arose, he might be able to instantly add three Sequence 2s—or even one Sequence 1—to his side.
Such harvests already left Ebner very satisfied. He felt there was no need to recklessly court death.
Finally, and most importantly, Vera's act of giving him the ring forced him to be cautious.
After all, something that even an existence like Vera took seriously enough to investigate was bound to be extremely dangerous. Being careful was the wiser choice.
Regarding Ebner's decision to abandon the attempt, Xio and Edwina both understood it very well, and even supported his choice.
Madam Filina was somewhat confused, but she was an outsider and not familiar with Ebner, so she naturally did not ask further questions.
As for "Monica," having already been "controlled," She would not oppose Her "master's" decision.
For a time, the captain's cabin fell into silence.
Before long, however, Edwina curiously asked:
"Ebner, you said earlier that you've already obtained partial authority over the 'Ghost Empire.' What exactly can you do?"
"I can freely arrange for people to enter and exit the various worlds within the 'Ghost Empire';
"I can freely take items and resources from those worlds;
"I can use stored resources to 'create' a new world within the 'Ghost Empire,' and write rules for that world;
"I can make limited adjustments to the 'Ghost Empire's' course, using mirror worlds to travel to any place in the universe that has mirrors;
"And I can also use the 'Ghost Empire's' strongest attack once per day," Ebner explained succinctly.
The so-called strongest attack of the 'Ghost Empire' was the ability jointly unleashed by the 'Hand of Order' and the 'Disaster Demoness'—Order Catastrophe.
"I see…"
Edwina nodded thoughtfully, then continued asking,
"Then if I re-enter one of the worlds here, can my original abilities be restored?"
"That won't be a problem. You can even retain your 'class level,'" Ebner nodded, then smiled and asked, "What, do you want to experience more worlds?"
"Yes! Those worlds each have their own characteristics and are all worth exploring!"
Edwina's blue eyes sparkled as she looked at Ebner.
"And today is only Thursday. I have time until next Monday—can I stay here and travel around?"
"Of course you can!"
Such a small request was naturally not something Ebner would refuse. He quickly sent Edwina into an ancient world with a distinctly Eastern style.
All of these worlds originated from the knowledge that a certain "Liu Bo" had infused into Monica back when he created the succubi.
After Edwina left, Xio also looked at Ebner with anticipation and said after some deliberation:
"I want to return to the previous 'Hero' world… Maybe I can complete the ritual for 'Law Mage' there."
Hmm. Although the 'people' in the 'Ghost Empire' are essentially 'ghosts,' they are still intelligent lifeforms. That does meet the requirements…
After thinking it over, Ebner felt it was acceptable to let Xio try. He opened another "door" and sent Xio into that world as well.
Immediately afterward, Filina also requested to return home. Ebner verbally agreed—but after turning around, he directly "hypnotized" her, then placed her into "Alvin's Palace," preparing to find an opportunity later to bring her into Groselle's Travels for "research."
—With Xio and Edwina gone, he had far fewer concerns.
Only after finishing all this did Ebner return his attention to "Monica" and ask a question he had failed to find an answer to in Her memories when he had previously "contaminated" Her:
"Who 'created' the original you…
"Or rather, what was 'my' identity when I created you, the progenitor of succubi?"
Hearing this question, "Monica" looked at Ebner somewhat strangely, as if surprised that he did not even remember who he was. Still, She answered "honestly":
"You were the great 'Father of Succubi, Lord of Desire, Source of Corruption'…"
(End of Chapter)