Although it was still just a conjecture, verifying his idea wasn't actually difficult. As long as he went back and "studied" the essence of Miss "Plant," and whether it shared the same "origin" as the "branches" on the "Father of Succubi" before him, it would be enough.
As for why Dennett gave the summoning creature of the "Blood Moon Queen" to "Gluttony," due to a lack of clues, Ebner couldn't yet "discern" it, but there were roughly three guesses.
First, Dennett did it casually, without any clear purpose, just like how I casually saved that "Iris" Baron earlier…
But this possibility is very low. After all, saving someone can be incidental, but why would he let the other party take away the "Heavenly Feast"?
Second, "Gluttony" might be a pawn of some existence, and Dennett used this method to conduct a transaction with that party that I'm currently unaware of…
Third, and the most likely guess, is that the "Heavenly Feast" involves some of Alvin's arrangements. After discovering this, Dennett handed it to "Gluttony" in order to sabotage it.
The "Heavenly Feast" and "Alvin's Palace"—one is an item of the "Gourmet" pathway, the other is a creation of the "Collector" pathway—both are related to the Outer God "Primordial Hunger." After Alvin discovered the "Heavenly Feast" once summoned by the "Blood Moon Queen" Auernia in that second-floor room, it's entirely possible he tampered with it using that connection.
After all, I also feel that when I previously fused with Alvin's imprint, it was far too easy. Even if he did have some schemes, overall they were too simplistic.
One must know that Alvin wasn't killed like Rhine and Vicente, who didn't have time to set up many methods. He voluntarily entered the Goddess's "Nation of Evernight" and stayed there until his lifespan was exhausted!
It seems I owe Dennett a favor… perhaps he dealt with most of Alvin's backup plans… While being astonished by the "internal competition" among his many selves, Ebner also felt somewhat fortunate… because he was the last one, and also the one who had received the most help, the most favor, and the highest expectations!
After letting his thoughts wander for a while, Ebner refocused his attention on the body of the "Father of Succubi" and began studying it carefully again.
Strictly speaking, this thing is the remains of an "Old One," or rather a half-"Old One." Although its spirit has returned to the "Unknown," causing it to lack the divine wonder of the "Blasphemy Slate" left behind by "God," if one sets up an appropriate ritual, using it to mobilize the power of the corresponding Sefirot shouldn't be a problem…
Of course, that's under the premise that the "Tenebrous World" and the "Brood Hive" have been freed from the gray fog's seal.
The ritual eleven years ago essentially also relied on the special nature of this body… mm, even Roselle's "Arc de Triomphe" and the "stone gate" built by the "Night Emperor" on that island in the Berserk Sea partially derived their "concepts" from this body.
But the "knowledge" contained within this body is also extremely dangerous. If I didn't have the "Pure White Eye," I wouldn't dare observe it like this.
After pondering for a moment, Ebner reluctantly gave up the idea of taking this body away, because with his current abilities, the risk was still too great.
It would be safer after he became a "Wisdom Angel" in the future.
After studying the body of the "Father of Succubi, Lord of Desire, Source of Depravity," this ritual room no longer held any other value in Ebner's eyes.
Next, he casually chatted with Aglea for a few more sentences, then bid her farewell and returned to the "Dream Castle" through the "Door of Reality and Illusion."
Soon, Ebner saw the "Dream Eater Chan You," who had been squatting there waiting, at the entrance of the double doors.
After thinking for a moment, Ebner activated the "Transformation Belt" again, turning into the appearance of "Rhine," and recited the incantation:
"Every time I see the moonlight, I think of you…"
The "Dream Eater" was stunned for a moment, then raised its head to size Ebner up. It curled its lips in a very human-like manner, causing a line of words formed from white smoke to appear in midair:
"Master's reincarnation, please don't treat me like a fool… if you want me to acknowledge you, it won't be that easy."
This… I'm being disliked? It always knew I wasn't the real "Rhine," and had just been acting all along? Or perhaps it was attached to its master's aura, which is why it behaved so intimately with me?
It seems Aglea was right. This is an intelligent creature, and a very smart one at that—it can distinguish the difference between me and Rhine.
I'll have to find something good to bribe it! Having made up his mind, Ebner reached out and tried to pat the "Dream Eater's" head again, and this time it didn't dodge.
Seems like its favorability isn't too low…
After building some rapport with the "castle spirit" of this castle, Ebner walked down the stairs and happened to see the two ladies, "Sloth" and "Greed," walking out of a room.
"How were your gains?" Ebner asked with a smile.
"Not bad. With the help of the 'dreams' here, we learned a lot about the Fourth Epoch." "Greed" Ksenia's azure eyes were filled with "satisfaction."
Meanwhile, "Sloth" Closfia added with a half-smile, "We also learned quite a few remarkable secrets… tsk tsk, that ancestor of Helen's really is…"
Hey hey, ladies, you didn't peek at something you shouldn't have, did you? And that "Dream Eater" too… this should really be regulated!
Ebner complained inwardly but didn't ask further, directly changing the topic. "I also gained something here… but the red moon is about to set. Let's return first and then share our findings."
Regarding the situation in the ritual room, the parts involving Old Ones and Outer Gods were naturally not something Ebner would share with the two ladies, but he didn't mind revealing some of the other aspects.
For example, the function of the ritual left behind by Roselle, and the efforts Roselle made for Aglea…
"No problem." Ksenia and Closfia exchanged a glance and nodded in unison.
The three of them, followed by the "Dream Eater," went down to the second floor and arrived at the door of the room where the "Blood Moon Queen" Auernia was sleeping. They picked up the "Iris" Baron who had been thrown there, and before the last trace of crimson completely left the castle, they exited the dream and returned to the real-world library.
The moment they appeared, no longer "invisible," three gazes almost simultaneously turned toward them.
They were the organizers and supervisors of this "Castle Trial": the "Duke of Graycastle," "Iron-Blooded Knight" Wimbledon Einhorn; the "Dim Starlight," "Undying" Fink Vasika; and the "Patriarch of the Beria Family," "Murmurer" Yarubed Beria.
Ebner had no intention of fighting them. After all, all three had angels backing them. If a fight broke out, he himself might be fine, but the two ladies "Greed" and "Sloth" could suffer harm.
But why is the succubus matriarch of the Beria family, who had a fling with Roselle, here in Feysac? After I almost wiped out the Nois family, did she bring the entire Beria family to defect to Yaldabaoth?
As his thoughts turned, Ebner gave a salute to the three demigods observing from afar, then opened a "door" formed of golden flames and stepped into it with the two ladies.
On the other side, the three Saints led by the "Duke of Graycastle" did not stop them. After watching the three leave, Wimbledon Einhorn muttered, "The masks they wore… those are unique to the Psychology Alchemists, right?"
"Yes, they represent 'Lust,' 'Greed,' and 'Sloth.'" Yarubed Beria, who had dealt with the former "Lust" in Intis, confirmed.
"They snuck in following that kid from the 'Iris' family… should we interrogate him after he comes out?" "Dim Starlight" Fink Vasika asked.
"Fink, don't bring your habits from the tribunal into noble circles. You're no longer a member of the Church of War." Wimbledon retorted, glancing at the still-unconscious Iris Baron, then added, "What could a Sequence 9 possibly know? He was just being used."
(End of Chapter)