join p atreon.com/KeyofStars for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr
Just as Alger's excitement arose, his expression suddenly froze, as he remembered that he still needed to provide 1,500 pounds in operating funds for Mr. Fool's anonymous account.
Ostensibly still a Folk of Rage, and with a 'Blue Avenger' under his command, Alger's illicit income was already dwindling after purchasing the Crystallized Sun for 'Sun' Derrick.
Even the Roselle's diary and the investigation report on Qilangos, which he had prepared to offer to Mr. Fool, were funded by the Church of the Lord of Storms.
Recalling 'Artisan' Sharff, whom he had met in 'City of Generosity' Bayam and had cooperated with for several years, Alger immediately had an idea.
-----------------
After retrieving the four most valuable demigod Sealed Artifacts from Alvin Gallows, Aaron returned the 'Crown of Stars' to Varna.
Sitting back on the throne, looking at the Sealed Artifacts suspended before him, suppressed by the Nation of Disorder as if lifeless, Aaron put away his divining pendulum.
Although some of Solomon's treasures were taken by Liana, Nast, and others, that was already the agreed-upon reward in advance. Even so, among the remaining demigod Sealed Artifacts, two were at Sequence 3 level, one corresponding to 'Horror Bishop' and the other to 'Mentor of Deceit'.
However, what gave Aaron a headache was that this time he had also acquired a Sealed Artifact corresponding to 'Classical Alchemist'.
Although this meant he no longer needed to trade Beyonder characteristic with the Church of the Earth Mother, Frank's mental state always made Aaron uneasy about letting him advance to demigod.
Aaron couldn't be sure what bizarre things Frank would do after gaining divinity; he didn't want to discuss questions like whether a mushroom should have a soul.
Suppressing some strange images that appeared in his mind, Aaron mobilized the power of the Nation of Disorder. An invisible yet immense power condensed into a terrifying hurricane, directly crushing the last Sealed Artifact corresponding to 'Earl of the Fallen'.
Tiny black light particles seemed to be gathered by an invisible force, continuously solidifying into a translucent, pitch-black eyeball. The faintly emerging patterns seemed to follow normal rules, yet were full of contradictory meanings, directly giving a sense of power and strangeness.
For him now, demigod-level Sealed Artifacts could help him very little. It was better to cultivate more demigods to prepare forces for the impending great war that would sweep across the northern and southern continents.
Thinking this, Aaron reached out and summoned a black hexagonal prism, within which countless soul bodies seemed to swirl, appearing exceptionally eerie and terrifying. It was the Sealed Artifact 'Crystal of Specters', corresponding to 'Horror Bishop'.
After experiencing the changes the Moon City brought him, Aaron attached increasing importance to these devout believers in the Forsaken Land of the Gods. And as the leader of 'Moon City', Nim was precisely a Sequence 4 'Nighthawk', so this Sealed Artifact could maximize his strength.
When the time was ripe, Aaron would also consider exchanging the 'Horror Bishop' potion formula with the Church of Evernight.
He looked up at the dome, which resembled a cosmos. On the high-backed chair originally belonging to the Attendant, mist solidified into a figure. Having completely controlled the Nation of Disorder after advancing to Sequence 3, he no longer needed to pretend to be the Attendant himself.
After preparing, Aaron summoned the Black Emperor card, mobilized the power of the Nation of Disorder, and reached out to light up the 'Cosmos'. The grand palace immediately surged with mist.
The dark gold faded from his eyes. As Klein opened them, he instinctively looked upwards, his pupils suddenly contracting. Besides Mr. Attendant, several figures had appeared on the high-backed chairs directly adjacent to the throne—something that had never happened before.
What surprised him even more was the aura emanating from those figures; each one was comparable to Mr. 'Emperor' whom he had seen before—a demigod existence.
The aura from the high-backed chair directly opposite Mr. Attendant, closest to that hidden existence, gave Klein the illusion of facing the 'Snake of Fate' again!
These were Angels! Angels serving the 'Lord of Order'! This great existence had recovered further!
The same thought appeared in the minds of Louise, Sharron, and others. Unlike Klein, who was still confined to Tingen, their shock was even greater due to their various backgrounds.
Looking at the silent magnificent palace, Aaron overlooked the new members who were digesting the information appearing in their minds, including Alvin Gallows, Cavendish, Faust Ellen, and the Moon City High Priest Nim.
Nim's body trembled slightly, not expecting that he, who had been submerged in Darkness in the Forsaken Land of the Gods, could actually see a divine kingdom that only existed in ancient texts. Suddenly, a black hexagonal prism radiating a strong attraction appeared before him.
Just as Nim was surprised, a majestic and grand voice came from the throne deep within the palace:
"This is a Sealed Artifact formed by a Sequence 3 'Horror Bishop', and it is also a reward for Moon City. The hidden dangers in the Forsaken Land of the Gods have already awakened. You now only need to lead Moon City to accumulate strength and await the opportune moment."
Satisfied, Aaron withdrew his gaze from Nim and calmly spoke to the council members, who harbored various thoughts:
"The apocalypse, which even Gods cannot escape, is approaching. A great change sweeping the world is about to arrive. Your time is running out."
Klein, somewhat nervous from these words, recovered from the words "Sequence 3" and, thinking he was only Sequence 8, couldn't help but feel bitter.
After the initial surprise, Cavendish pondered and replied:
"Great Lord of Order, an anomaly occurred in the Forsaken Land of the Gods a few days ago. It seems something happened to the True Creator, so I am still staying in the 'Mutant King' city-state."
Recalling the terrifying pollution pervading the Fog Sea, Aaron thought of Roselle's hidden mysterious island and immediately understood. His tone was indifferent and casual as he replied:
"That is not something you can understand now. 'God of Wishes' Kotar, hidden in the Forsaken Land of the Gods, is the problem you most need to pay attention to."
"If you discover his whereabouts, do not act rashly. He still holds a Sequence 1 'Attendant of Mysteries' Beyonder characteristic. You can continue searching along the clues of the Puppet City."
Attendant of Mysteries? His originally relaxed expression turned solemn. Cavendish respectfully bowed, then sat back in the high-backed chair and fell silent.
From the moment he heard about the Forsaken Land of the Gods, Klein held his breath, inexplicably connecting it to the City of Silver mentioned by Little Sun, guessing that the so-called 'Moon City' might also exist in the Forsaken Land of the Gods.
Before he could lament that this existence already had a large number of followers in such a place, his hand instantly felt slightly hot, and four black dots, perfectly forming a small square, appeared on the back of his hand. This was the mark that only appeared when he entered that gray fog space.
With the Clown's spiritual perception, Klein quickly pinpointed the source of the anomaly. He subtly covered the back of his hand and muttered to himself:
"'Attendant of Mysteries'..... this title is related to that mysterious gray fog space!"
This thought inexplicably appeared in his mind. Klein watched as Sharron and Louise reached an agreement in a few words, preparing to cooperate in hunting the 'King of the Blood Moon'.
Thinking that he had to trouble Mr. Azik just to deal with a low-ranking Pirate Admiral, Klein immediately felt that he, as the 'The Fool', was truly losing face.
Listening to the council members' conversations, which started at the demigod level, Klein silently dismissed the idea of asking about the potion formula clues after 'Clown'. Having just advanced, he was not in a hurry.
Just as the gathering was about to end, Klein exchanged a demigod-level 'Slumbering Charm' with the new member, Moon City High Priest Nim, using his self-made 'Sunlight Charm'.
-----------------
Feynapotter Kingdom, outside Feynapotter City.
Aaron left Osel after the gathering. Feeling the fluctuations from the Darkness mark, he opened the 'Traveler's Door' and stopped far outside the city, gazing at Feynapotter City enveloped in scarlet moonlight.
He looked at the continuous golden churches, and the Holy Emblem of Life, surrounded by symbols of wheat ears, flowers, and springs, engraved on their outer walls.
His purpose for this trip was to retrieve the creation he had previously entrusted to the Church of the Earth Mother, but he dared not approach too closely, fearing the 'Hand of Order' in the city.
Manipulating the demigod creation gifted by Matron Roland, accompanied by the spread of invisible fluctuations, a moment later, Archbishop Melanie, clad in a long robe, flew out from the sprawling palace complex covered by towering trees, appearing before Aaron in an instant.
After observing the Duke who visited late at night, a hint of surprise flashed in Melanie's eyes. Without waiting for Aaron to speak, the ground beneath her feet instantly softened, turning into a 'Swamp'.
"Divine Favorer, this was refined according to the flesh and materials you provided. I have sealed the 'Nightmare' ability to prevent the Beyonder characteristic from polluting this spiritless body."
As her voice fell, a naked man was spat out by the 'Swamp'. He had a high nose bridge and dull gray eyes. It was 'Dunn Smith', created through 'Life Transmutation'.
After examining him, Aaron praised without any burden:
"Praise the merciful Mother, 'Life Transmutation' is truly an incredible miracle, but some subtle details still need to be modified."
Looking at the Archbishop with green hair mixed with wheat ears before him, Aaron lightly tapped his finger, and 'Dunn Smith's' hairline on his forehead instantly rose a few centimeters.
Archbishop Melanie, who had originally wanted to hear some valuable opinions from this unfathomable Divine Favorer, immediately fell silent.
-----------------
Tingen City, Blackthorn Security Company.
Leonard, who had just returned from investigating the disappearance of Lanevus, silently looked at Klein, and at the 'Tingen City Honest Man' newspaper spread open on the table. The most prominent position in the newspaper published a piece of news:
"...Lady Sharron, the widow of the old Baron Khoy family, was involved in the sudden deaths of Councilman Maynard. Lady Sharron and her accomplices paid with their lives for their evil deeds, but caused the death of a brave police officer...."
"A brave police officer... Is this how they describe Kenley? Just like Welch and Naya before?"
Klein felt a surge of anger in his heart, but had nowhere to vent it, because this was the best way to handle it.
According to the internal regulations of the Nighthawks, in order to guard against retaliation from evil forces against their families, even if they sacrificed themselves, their names could not be publicly glorified by ordinary people.
Patting Klein's shoulder, Leonard said in a low voice:
"We are a group of pitiful wretches constantly fighting danger and madness, but we are also Guardians."
"Get ready, this afternoon, the Captain will take us to inform their families, to face the scene we least want to face...."
Silently folding the newspaper and putting it back on the reception desk, Klein nodded slightly. Mr. Azik had not yet replied. Although he felt somewhat unsure how to face the Captain, he felt responsible for Kenley's death and could not evade this matter.
"As soon as the Tarot Club ends this afternoon, I'll go with the Captain and the others...."
Just as Klein was thinking this, his spirituality was touched. He instinctively looked towards the company entrance, where a visitor stood in the midday Sun.
She was a young lady, wearing a lotus leaf hat and a loose dress. Her golden hair framed emerald green eyes that revealed a melancholic and serene temperament.
But what was most striking about her was her heavily swollen belly; she seemed to be at least seven months pregnant.
Klein was stunned for a moment, feeling as if he had seen this young pregnant woman somewhere before.
Suddenly, he heard Leonard exclaim in surprise:
"Miss Megose?"
Megose... Yes, the young woman seduced by Lanevus! She was pregnant with Lanevus's child, and her mental state had been affected, saying that her child could hum and whistle even in the womb... Klein suddenly realized, and was not surprised why Leonard knew Megose.
When re-investigating the people and objects related to the Lanevus case, this young woman's photo had been seen by every Nighthawk.
At this moment, hearing Leonard's voice, Megose looked at the two with somewhat dull eyes and greeted them politely:
"Hello."
"Miss Megose, what brings you to our Blackthorn Security Company? Do you have anything you need to entrust us with?" Klein stepped forward two paces and asked.
He was completely baffled by Megose's sudden visit, as his interactions with this lady were limited to the Divination Club.
Megose touched her belly and smiled faintly:
"I don't know why, but I suddenly thought of coming to Zouteland Street, and suddenly thought of coming up to take a look."
Her mental problems were worsening....
Klein remembered that he seemed not to have activated his Spirit Vision last time, failing to confirm Megose's state. So he lightly raised his teeth, about to tap them to the left.
Just then, he suddenly froze, and a series of increasingly intense thoughts flashed through his mind:
"Don't look!"
"You'll die if you look!"
...
The Clown's precognition of danger was like a bomb about to explode. Klein stood frozen like a statue, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
He felt as if he had experienced the deepest, darkest Nightmare, almost unable to wake up.
Suddenly, he understood something: last time, he hadn't forgotten to activate his Spirit Vision; rather, his spirituality had sensed an unimaginable danger, causing him to subconsciously ignore the matter and forget the aftermath.
As Klein's body stiffened, he didn't notice that in his shirt pocket, the lucky gold coin suddenly emitted a faint, obscure glow, and invisible waves rippled outwards, spreading along the River of Fate towards a certain direction.
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr