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Immediately, Aaron mentioned his summons by George III tomorrow, as well as the Blood Emperor ruins hidden beneath Williams Street and the Red Angel Evil Spirit concealed within them.
Aaron did not directly state his request, merely stating the facts, which was equivalent to an exchange of equal value, rather than an offering of items in plea for a bestowal.
Other aspects of the ritual could be less meticulous, but Aaron, as a Blessed of Evernight, felt that this fundamental issue of attitude needed attention.
As Aaron finished speaking, two of the three candle flames suddenly expanded, intertwining to form a illusory and dim mysterious Door.
The Door slowly opened, bringing with it a strong, invisible wind.
They swept up the Undying Beyonder characteristic, allowing it to pass through the gaps of the illusory Door and disappear into a scene resembling the boundless Cosmos.
Immediately afterward, a flash of light appeared, and a pure Darkness, like a tide, enveloped Aaron with a power of quiet serenity.
At the same time, specks of light illuminated, deep and dazzling, penetrating the barrier and quickly outlining a medal, which fell onto the altar without a sound.
The medal was crystal clear throughout, as if cast from black gems, giving one the feeling that when they looked at it, it was truly there, but when they didn't, it would disappear.
Immersed in the quiet and serene atmosphere, Aaron reached out and picked up the medal, and streams of information immediately surfaced in his mind.
"Arianna's Darkness Mark…"
"It possesses no characteristics or power itself; its sole purpose is that once activated, it will establish a connection with Arianna, the Servant of Concealment, no matter where one is in the real world."
"If more direct help is needed, while activating it, pronounce the name 'Arianna' in ancient hermes."
"Arianna, head of the thirteen Archbishops of the Church of the Evernight Goddess, Matron of the Evernight Cloister, a Sequence 2 Angel."
Aaron instantly grasped the essence of the Darkness Mark:
"Hmm, this is equivalent to a solidified altar and ritual pointing to itself, which, with the Angel's status, can respond to prayers worldwide."
With a slight sigh of relief, Aaron put away the Darkness Mark, faced the altar, and sincerely bowed, saying:
"Thank you for your bestowal."
After speaking, he tapped his chest four times clockwise, drawing a scarlet moon:
"Praise the Goddess!"
Aaron had always been wary of Adam, who was vaguely associated with Red Angel, and was unwilling to involve his ancestor Varna, who was also of the Red Priest Pathway, like the Red Angel Evil Spirit.
He was worried about unpredictable anomalies, but now that Aaron was about to leave Backlund, to ensure that Red Angel caused no trouble, Aaron decided to deal with Her as soon as possible, whether by killing or sealing Her, it could no longer be delayed.
And facing those potential unexpected situations, the intervention of Arianna, the Servant of Concealment, who in some sense could symbolize the Evernight Goddess's attitude, could minimize such risks to the greatest extent.
For the sake of immediate benefit and future plans, after much deliberation, Aaron still endured the heartache and sacrificed the Undying Beyonder characteristic.
With the addition of this Servant of Concealment, even if Ancestor Varna did not make a move, he could still borrow Will Auceptin's one-time assistance to explore the Blood Emperor ruins where the Red Angel Evil Spirit was hidden.
"But the final proceeds will probably be split in half…" Thinking this, Aaron sighed, ended the ritual, tidied up the altar, and returned to his bedroom.
-----------------
After lunch, on the road to Backlund's Sodela Palace, Aaron was not wearing his luxurious formal attire, but a military uniform, sitting upright in a luxurious carriage adorned with the East Tucker Family emblem.
Through the wide and bright carriage window, one could see layers of magnificent palaces and towering Gothic clock towers in the distance without even needing to look up.
That was the highest terrain in all of Backlund, and where the Loen royal family resided.
Its status on the Northern and Southern continents, and in the entire world, was equivalent to or even slightly higher than Intis's White Maple Palace and the Feysac Empire's Aurmir Palace, but its name was neither romantic nor ancient.
It was called Sodela Palace, and in the ancient Feysac, the word meant "balance."
Aaron withdrew his gaze from outside the carriage window, a slight curve on his lips, and tossed the golden silk brocade in his hand onto the table.
"Not only was I directly promoted from Major to Colonel, but they even gave me this position of Deputy Director… Heh, how generous."
Although it was a good thing for him, Aaron felt a sense of mockery in his heart. As Aaron, who was destined to inherit the title of Duke of East Tucker in the future, there was no need for additional titles, only military rank promotions.
Just yesterday, along with George III's official document, came the conferment of honors for Aaron.
Aaron was promoted to Colonel and concurrently served as Deputy Director of MI9 in the Paz River Valley colonial area of the Loen Kingdom in the Southern Continent.
That region directly bordered Intis's colonial area in the Southern Continent, and was a complex mix of forces including the Resistance, the Rose School of Thought, the Numinous Episcopate, and various Churches.
Due to historical issues and conflicts between Churches, small-scale wars frequently occurred in this area, even if both sides did not acknowledge them.
Although this region had various drawbacks, its proximity to the East Tucker Family's colonial territory in the Southern Continent was not far, making it one of Aaron's core strategic areas for future covert expansion, and thus one of the three locations Aaron initially submitted.
The other two locations were Osel, the capital of East Tucker County, and Bayam, the capital of the Rorsted Archipelago.
Perhaps not wanting Aaron to be out of control in East Tucker County, and even less wanting Aaron, who was so close to the Church of the Evernight Goddess, to re-establish ties with the Church of the Lord of Storms in Bayam, he was ultimately assigned to the Southern Continent.
Although he had already learned of his reward, the conferment ceremony still needed to be attended.
This afternoon, after His Majesty George III finished his governmental affairs, he would, "in his busy schedule," set aside an hour to receive him and several other individuals who had made outstanding contributions in Loen and its other colonies.
Although Aaron did not believe it would be the real George III summoning him, it was more likely Adam's imagined George III.
But out of reverence for the Angel, especially without understanding the opponent's methods and true intentions, Aaron maintained the utmost vigilance, using all available means.
As the future heir of the East Tucker Family, he inherently carried original sin and was inevitably scrutinized by George III.
Given that he was also associated with the Justiciar Pathway's corresponding Sefirah, the Nation of Disorder, Aaron had already planned to divert attention and reasonably leave Backlund as early as when he decided to intervene in the Capim case.
…
Backlund, outside the Sodela Palace.
As Aaron stepped out of the carriage, he saw many familiar nobles and council members.
Such a gathering of noble council members was not required merely for a reward, but as a prominent figure in Backlund, the news of Earl Aaron's advancement to Colonel and his impending departure to the Southern Continent still made many noble council members restless.
Especially at the critical moment when "The Proposal for the Establishment of the Kingdom Atmospheric Pollution Investigation Committee" had just begun discussion in the Parliament.
However, not everyone was worried about the uncertain future of the Kingdom Atmospheric Pollution Investigation Committee.
Audrey walked slowly, complex emotions swirling in her emerald eyes: reluctance, pride, and worry.
She wore a fitted light-colored dress, her bodice tightly cinched, her waist extremely slender, and the multi-layered cake-cut skirt perfectly supported by whalebone hoops.
Her golden hair was elegantly coiffed, her earrings and rings sparkled brightly, a jade necklace Aaron had given her adorned her fair, delicate neck, and on her feet were white dance shoes adorned with roses and diamonds.
Aaron immediately felt a sense of familiarity well up in his heart. With a slight recollection, he remembered that this outfit was exactly what Audrey wore when they first met.
Meeting Audrey's gaze, Aaron smiled, took Audrey's slender, delicate hand. Audrey lowered her head, her expression hidden, but she did not resist.
Aaron then glanced at the somewhat anxious noble council members around him. Earl Hall, not far away, immediately coughed lightly, stopping other nobles who wanted to approach.
Aaron gratefully nodded to Earl Hall, and led Audrey towards the distant Sodela Palace.
"Aaron, are you really going to the Southern Continent?"
"My second brother, Alfred, is also in the Southern Continent. His letters never mention the dangers there, but I have already learned from Father what the real Southern Continent is like."
Having moved away from the crowd behind them, Audrey finally raised her face, still tinged with a slight blush, and spoke with some concern.
Aaron stopped, looking at the girl's flawless face and delicate, crimson earlobes beside him. His heart stirred, and as if by some strange impulse, he lowered his head, his lips lightly touching Audrey's left ear as he whispered:
"I promise you, I will definitely protect myself."
Feeling the warm breath on her left ear, Audrey's mind went blank for a moment, then an indescribable sensation surged through her, instantly turning her face red to her earlobes.
"Ah, what, what should I do?"
"Audrey, pull yourself together, you must say something…"
Audrey thought to herself, flustered, suddenly missing Susie terribly, but she couldn't utter a single word.
Finally, she could only manage to say "Okay," then nervously pulled her hand away and, hiking up her skirt in a manner somewhat unbefitting noble etiquette, scurried towards the side hall of the Sodela Palace not far away—that was the resting place specifically prepared for the noble ladies attending the conferment ceremony.
Aaron's lips curved slightly as he looked at Audrey, then turned and walked towards the main entrance of the Sodela Palace, standing with the other honorees, among whom was an acquaintance of Aaron's—Glenn Weil.
After exchanging smiles and nods, everyone waited in silence until a servant arranged by the Palace Earl brought the announcement:
"Please, sirs, adjust yourselves quickly, and then follow me to the Grand Council Hall to await His Majesty's arrival."
Aaron nodded slightly, expressionless, briefly tidied his attire, and with a slight spiritual movement, the Darkness Mark on his arm seemed to resonate with the power from last night, and any subtle irregularities seemed to be gently smoothed away.
Feeling the change in himself, Aaron was the first to pass through the very solemn and dignified members of the Royal Guard, and accompanied by stirring music, he entered the Sodela Palace.
George III, wearing a crown, had a resolute face and a stiff, upturned mustache. He sat on his throne, scanning the ten subjects, some in military uniforms, some in formal attire, separated by the guards.
His gaze lingered inadvertently on Aaron for two or three seconds, his eyes seemingly glowing with a faint light, scrutinizing him for a moment before shifting his attention.
"Welcome, my warriors…"
Without a loudspeaker, His voice was not particularly loud, but it was very magnetic and full of vigor, and with His intentional restraint, it sounded even deeper and more resonant.
"Gentlemen, you are the heroes who expanded the Kingdom's territory, my most proud warriors… I am sincerely proud of you."
Listening to this brainwashing rhetoric, Aaron curled his lips in disdain in his heart.
Aaron inwardly rolled his eyes. Whether from the family's perspective or the Sequence advancement perspective, he naturally had no good feelings for George III or the Augustus Family.
He had long designated George III as his "prey," viewing Him as a doomed man, and these words did not cause a ripple in him.
But the performance had to continue.
"Loyalty to His Majesty the King!"
Without being taught, everyone, including Aaron, strained their necks, exerting themselves to express loyalty.
Compared to the deliberate performances of others, Aaron appeared indifferent, even somewhat perfunctory.
As an unstable factor in George III's eyes, and the person involved in being kicked from Backlund to the Southern Continent at the most crucial moment of the submitted proposal, it was a reasonable display to show a bit of indignation.
Taking the Colonel's rank and the official appointment document presented by the attendant, Aaron merely bowed symbolically and then retreated to the side. From beginning to end, he felt a gaze fixed upon him.
Upon entering the great hall, Aaron felt two powerful, oppressive gazes, but after only a moment, one of them disappeared.
Maintaining vigilance, Aaron continued his performance, displaying the indignation and helplessness he should have, until the ceremony ended.
-----------------
Backlund, inside a certain underground ruin.
This was a world ruled by Darkness, with faint light coming from strange moss growing in different places and the firelight reflected from human buildings.
Aided by their illumination, even Beyonders without Dark Vision could grasp the overall appearance of this vast ruin:
On one side was a gray stone wall, extending upwards, without a visible end, seemingly connecting to the surface; on the other side was a deep, dim valley with no visible bottom, like the Abyss dwelling of a Devil.
A stone-paved road ran between the two, connecting various halls and buildings, with humans constantly moving back and forth, quietly and silently.
On a peculiar metal base at the upper end of the rock wall, a faint blue light suddenly rose, forming a Door.
Four guards in dark full body armor immediately looked through the faint blue light to check the situation outside, and prepared to use certain methods to confirm whether the one who awakened the "Teleportation Door" was disguised as someone else, thereby deciding whether to open the "Door."
Through the light screen, the image of a benevolent old man appeared, none other than the former Royal Advisor, member of the Psychology Alchemists' Council, Hvin Rambis.
A figure flew out from the dim deep valley, heading straight for the "Teleportation Door."
The figure had a rectangular face, wore a white wig, had two mustaches that curled slightly upwards at the ends, thick eyebrows, and large eyes, bearing a strong resemblance to a character on a playing card.
He wore formal attire, a large cloak, and shoes with extremely long tips, his dress out of step with the current era, as if he lived in the last century. He was Prince Grove Augustus, a Chaos Hunter of the Arbiter Pathway, Sequence 3.
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