Inside the ancient palace above the gray fog, "Moon," "Magician," "Justice," and "Hanged Man" were holding a small gathering.
While Ebner and "Greed" and "Sloth" were exploring the Observer Castle, "Moon" Emlyn had also successfully lured the vampire viscount Ones—who had previously tricked him—into the Church of Harvest with the cooperation of Miss "Justice."
—Because the Beyonder item on Miss "Justice" was much stronger than in the original story, even without the participation of "Star," they successfully completed this "punishment" mission.
And the role of investigator originally played by "Judgment" Xio in the original story was replaced by Susie, who had undergone training in the Dream Labyrinth Tower.
"These are all the spoils." "Moon" Emlyn placed many items in the center of the table and pointed at a pair of rings among them as he introduced, "This Beyonder item is called 'Oath of Roses.' It's a pair ring. Rumor has it that it already existed in the Fourth Epoch. Within the range of an ordinary city, no matter how far apart the wearers are, they can share senses and convey thoughts. It's very valuable.
"Its side effect is that if it's worn continuously for a week without being removed, the two people possessing the pair rings are very likely to fall in love, regardless of gender or race.
"That viscount didn't expect us to act so quickly. He probably hadn't had time to hand one of them to the existence behind him."
He had originally wanted to keep the "Oath of Roses" as his own spoils, but after thinking about it, he realized that aside from the priest, there was basically no trustworthy and powerful person with whom he could share senses, so he had to give up the idea.
"What a pity… Even if my puppets wear the ring, they still can't tell me their thoughts…"
After muttering regretfully, Emlyn began introducing the other items, explaining their positive effects and negative side effects one by one, even adding some elaboration:
The "Moon Paper Figurine" was a one-time item that could substitute for its holder to endure a fatal injury or an attack that directly targeted the spirit body, allowing the holder to avoid severe injury or death for a short period… It almost had no negative effects, only causing the body to feel slightly cold.
The diamond brooch "Nemesis of Alcohol" could help the wearer maintain abundant energy and clear thoughts, improving resistance to spells affecting the mind and mental body… However, the problem was that it would continuously damage the liver and brain. If worn for too long, one might lose a certain degree of thinking and logical ability. Therefore, it had to be removed for fifteen minutes after every half hour of wearing it.
The "Moonlight Ribbon" could effectively reduce damage from "Sun" and "Lightning"… But once this belt was tied on, all senses would become more sensitive, making it easier to see things that shouldn't be seen and hear sounds that shouldn't be heard. At the same time, the wearer would experience intermittent itching all over the body…
His tone while introducing them carried a bit of showing off… Otherwise, with Mr. "Moon's" personality, he wouldn't talk so much at once… Hmm, it might also be because Mr. "Fool" isn't present, so he's more relaxed… "Justice" Audrey watched like an observer and didn't actively choose any spoils.
Instead, "Magician" Fors glanced at the items and was the first to speak:
"I only lent out 'Leymano's Travel Notebook.' I didn't take any risks. I'll just take the 'Moon Paper Figurine'."
Compared to Beyonder items, this kind of one-time Beyonder object was relatively less valuable.
Moreover, as a "Recorder," she could record most other active abilities from Ebner anyway. Instead, a passive trigger type item like the "Moon Paper Figurine" suited her better.
After speaking, she waited for a moment. Seeing no one object, she picked up the "Moon Paper Figurine" and placed it before her.
Emlyn then turned his gaze toward Miss "Justice" and said with a smile,
"Ladies first."
Hearing this, Audrey picked up the diamond brooch called "Nemesis of Alcohol" without hesitation. The ability itself was secondary—after all, with the "Box of Depravity," she could already use a fairly comprehensive range of abilities. The main reason was that the design looked beautiful.
And with this item, if she suddenly encountered Hvin Rambis and didn't have time to seek protection from Mr. Fool, she would still have some chance of resisting "Hypnosis."
Next, just as Emlyn was thinking whether he should use the "Moonlight Ribbon" or the "Oath of Roses" as the "consultation fee" to pay Mr. "Hanged Man," two figures suddenly appeared above the gray fog.
"'World' Mr., 'Tower' Mr.… why are you here as well?" Miss "Justice," who quickly recognized their identities, asked in surprise.
The others also looked over at the same time, each showing more or less a trace of confusion.
Ebner himself was also somewhat confused at this moment. He hadn't expected that merely praying for the protection of the "Paper Angel"—such a "routine" operation—would result in being pulled into Sefirah Castle. He couldn't help but glance at Klein not far away.
Klein gave him a look and then glanced at the items on the table.
Of course, when making these small movements, he temporarily blocked Miss "Justice's" observation.
Ebner followed his gaze and then swept his eyes over the pair of "Oath of Roses" rings, immediately understanding.
So Old Zhou wants to buy that pair of rings, but he lacks a reason to intervene, so he pulled me up here to act as a 'tool'?
Fine. Since I still want to rely on the gray fog to 'kill viruses,' I'll help you out.
As his thoughts turned, Ebner looked at the four people holding their small gathering and said with a smile, "I ran into some matters and wanted to discuss them with 'World.' I didn't expect you all to be here as well…
"Hmm, are you dividing the spoils? That vampire viscount was brought into the Church of Harvest by you?"
"Magician" Fors nodded and said, "Yes, he was very easily hypnotized by Miss 'Justice.'"
"In fact, without the assistance of the 'Box of Depravity,' I wouldn't have succeeded," Audrey added modestly.
At this moment, Ebner deliberately let his gaze linger on the pair of rings. He had originally intended to find an excuse to say that the rings had some problems and needed Mr. Fool to purify them first, creating an opportunity for Klein to intervene…
But after only a few glances, his spirituality was suddenly stirred, followed by a strong sense of familiarity rising in his heart.
This ring… I remember seeing it in Giuseppe Castilla's memories… He found it in that underground ruin in Backlund where he buried the Red Angel… Of course, there was only one.
And the other one, if the memory I received is correct, was already worn on Lamia's hand when Giuseppe first met her!
But before they secluded themselves on Blue Mountain Island, the pair of rings had been stolen…
No wonder… No wonder!
At that moment, Ebner finally understood why Giuseppe and Lamia had fallen in love and opened their hearts to each other in such a short time, even forgetting that they had transmigrated into a dangerous novel world heading toward doomsday, only pulling themselves together ten years later…
Unfortunately, by that time it was already too late. The fate originally designed for him by the Seal of Calamity had long been rewritten!
Hmm, the existence capable of sensing the Seal of Calamity disturbing "fate," and unwilling to let Its plan succeed—thus laying out arrangements in that underground ruin in advance—was probably only "Little Snake" Will.
The pair rings "Oath of Roses" were provided by Him to Lilith?
(End of Chapter)