In truth, the Burial Agency could be described as a den of perverts and lunatics. As its coordinator, Nrvnqsr Chaos was naturally no ordinary person, and her true strength was something no one fully grasped... "Nrvnqsr Chaos" was not her real name, merely a code name; every coordinator of the Burial Agency inherited this title.
Just like "Barthomeloi," every head of the Barthomeloi family automatically assumed this name!
Lorelei accepted the phone handed to her by her subordinate... Unlike those foolish mages lost in the glories of the past, as a magical combat unit frequently engaged in battle, the entire Clone Brigade, including their leader Barthomeloi, needed to understand all aspects of human culture to achieve victory.
They weren't like other mages who only knew how to bury themselves in research.
They had a sufficient understanding of humanity's technological advancements and did not reject modern scientific tools when necessary.
"Nrvnqsr Chaos?" A cold voice came from Lorelei's lips... "Barthomeloi Lorelei, is it..." A frivolous and malicious tone came from the other end of the line.
"Dispense with the formalities!" Lorelei interrupted Nrvnqsr Chaos's words.
She had long heard of the unpleasant nature of the Burial Agency's coordinator.
"Alright, alright... Don't be so impatient, little girl," Nrvnqsr Chaos said, sounding like an old fox.
Before Lorelei could speak, she continued, "So, why is Barthomeloi willing to cooperate with our Holy Church?" She intentionally used the title "Barthomeloi," as if surprised that the proud Barthomeloi would actually cooperate with the Holy Church.
"I know you're plotting against Arcueid Brunestud; I can help you!" Lorelei stated concisely.
"Then what do you want?" Nrvnqsr Chaos's tone remained calm.
She knew that to gain something, one must give something.
"You only need to tell me the precise location of Tatari... Don't claim ignorance; for tracking the whereabouts of these Twenty-Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors, your Holy Church must have its methods," Lorelei said indifferently.
"Of course, are the terms really that simple?" Nrvnqsr Chaos's tone was even, as if unsurprised by such a simple reward for cooperation.
"Although I don't know how you plan to lure Arcueid into your trap, what I want to tell you is that Ryougi Raku is also with Arcueid.
I believe you know this person... Regardless, the other side also possesses Ancestor-level combat power.
I can help you deal with Arcueid, but at the same time, you must also help me deal with Ryougi Raku.
Of course, my Clone Brigade and I are only responsible for providing assistance."
Lorelei negotiated the terms, also making it clear that she would not be the Holy Church's vanguard.
"Of course, that is very reasonable... Ryougi Raku, huh... No problem, Merem Solomon is quite fond of him..." Nrvnqsr Chaos's cackling laughter came through.
Lorelei remained unfazed by Nrvnqsr Chaos calling an Ancestor who had lived for an unknown number of years "little."
She simply asked succinctly, "Your location?"
Nrvnqsr Chaos quickly rattled off a set of coordinates... Lorelei listened, then scanned her surroundings and decisively said, "Very well, we'll be there soon!" After speaking, she hung up the phone without waiting for Nrvnqsr Chaos's reply.
Lorelei was a woman of action.
After formulating a plan, she waved her hand and instructed her subordinates, "Full speed ahead!"
The location Nrvnqsr Chaos gave was not particularly far... The Clone Brigade obediently used subtle magical fluctuations to employ magecraft and began a forced march... Along the way, her adjutant asked with some confusion, "Lord Barthomeloi, do you truly trust that Nrvnqsr Chaos? Moreover, why are we helping her deal with the Black Princess?"
He was very puzzled.
After asking, noticing Lorelei's expression unchanged, he continued cautiously, "And, while the Holy Church might have a way to lure the Ancient Crimson into their trap, they likely cannot guarantee anything regarding Ryougi Raku, can they?"
His tone was careful, as if afraid of angering his liege.
Lorelei glanced at him and sneered, "Hmph, that woman is not being entirely truthful; she's definitely hiding something from us, especially regarding the method of luring Arcueid.
You know, the Black Princess is not so easily fooled... However, it doesn't matter.
We are only providing assistance.
Have the Clone Brigade use some bounded fields to casually help them out; they are the main force, we are just support.
Even if there are casualties, they will be on their side.
Hunting Ancestors is the duty of the Holy Church; they will exert themselves fully!
Although Nrvnqsr Chaos is malicious, she keeps her word.
We did help them, and she will fulfill her promise to tell us the White Winged Lord's location!
Our target is only him!"
When she spoke of the White Winged Lord, her eyes blazed with intense flames!
She paused, then continued, "As for Ryougi Raku, he's not important.
If he accidentally stumbles into the trap, let the Holy Church exert themselves and kill him together... This fellow who insulted the Mage's Association also has many radicals in the Holy Church who want him dead... If he doesn't enter the trap, then disregard him.
I'll deal with him when I have time; our primary target is Tatari, hmph, with Arcueid as a possible bonus!"
Proud and confident, as if everything was within her calculations. After hearing this, the adjutant remained silent.
Since Lord Barthomeloi had personally explained, as a subordinate, he only needed to cooperate with the work.
Moreover, this was Lord Barthomeloi's considered response, not a rash one... Not far away in the mountains, Nrvnqsr Chaos set down the phone and smiled, "I didn't expect the proud head of the Barthomeloi family to actually use a cell phone, ha!"
Compared to the content of her discussion with Lorelei, she seemed more concerned about Lorelei using a cell phone.
Nrvnqsr Chaos, in appearance, was a rather young woman with a lazy yet seductive aura.
Her eyes were narrow, as if constantly squinting with a mischievous smile.
Her left eye was a deep blue, while her right eye was covered by her hair, completely unseen... "Boss, it looks like Barthomeloi Lorelei has been tricked by you..." A low, muffled male laugh sounded.
It came from a man in his thirties who looked utterly lifeless, like a shadow in the light, making him hard to discern clearly, much like an Assassin in the Holy Grail War.
"She is still too young, after all.
She thinks she controls everything, unaware that she is also being manipulated... Sabra." Nrvnqsr Chaos said this to the man.
The man named Sabra merely licked the corner of his mouth, chuckled, and said nothing more.
As an Executor of the Burial Agency, for him, only killing brought satisfaction.
"What are your plans, Nrvnqsr Chaos!" A man in medieval knight's armor walked over from nearby.
He was a Grand Master of the Heretic Inquisition Knights, subordinate to the Holy Church.
He had brought his knight order and some ascetics to assist Nrvnqsr Chaos.
Although he disliked the people of the Burial Agency and was even angered by the presence of Dead Apostles among them, since they were united to deal with a high-ranking member of the Twenty-Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors, he could still restrain himself.
Nrvnqsr Chaos glanced at the Knight Commander and explained with a smile, "Barthomeloi would never guess that we are cooperating with the White Winged Lord.
We are essentially using the White Winged Lord as bait to lure the Black Princess... He, who has an irreconcilable conflict with the Black Princess, will certainly comply... With Barthomeloi's assistance, whether sincere or not, it will ultimately help us minimize losses when dealing with the Black Princess."
She paused, then continued, "As for what the White Winged Lord thinks when he sees Barthomeloi's appearance, that is none of our concern... Perhaps he will fear this is a conspiracy against him and take the initiative to attack, but his primary targets will either be the Black Princess and her group or Barthomeloi and her people, because only we have the possibility of cooperation... If he is patient enough, then after we deal with the Black Princess, we can simply tell Barthomeloi and let them fight to the death.
After all, Dead Apostles and the Mage's Association are both our enemies, aren't they...?"
Nrvnqsr Chaos casually calculated everyone into her scheme.
Although her strength was formidable, she preferred the feeling of having everyone within her grasp rather than personally engaging in battle.
"Our power is sufficient.
The current Arcueid is extremely weak; we will eliminate or seal her as quickly and at the lowest cost possible!"
"As for our sacrifices... to achieve our goals, some sacrifice is quite normal, isn't it?" Nrvnqsr Chaos said with a smile.
For her, the lives of others were of no concern, even if they were all members of the Holy Church... The Knight Commander said nothing, merely glancing at Nrvnqsr Chaos, then at Sabra, the faceless member of the Burial Agency; the young man kneeling on the ground praying, with thorns on his back, constantly whipping himself with something like a rope, as if suffering for others like Jesus, continuously self-flagellating.
He too was an Executor of the Burial Agency.
At a distance from the crowd, a Dead Apostle exuding a foul odor—that was the Eighteenth Ancestor, the Avenger Knight Enhanse, who had slain his predecessor and, despite being a Dead Apostle, hated Dead Apostles and hunted other Ancestors... Not far away, his brought Heretic Inquisition Knights, the silent ascetics sitting on the ground praying, and then he thought of that ultimate secret weapon... The Knight Commander felt reassured.
If Barthomeloi and her Clone Brigade were added to the mix, the Ancient Crimson would face a hopeless situation.
If she were still at her peak, along with her guardians, even with Barthomeloi present, his side might not be able to stop them.
But, weakened as she was, facing such a lineup, she stood no chance whatsoever!
---
Lorelei led the Clone Brigade, moving at full speed, to the gorge.
She was somewhat surprised by the Holy Church's lavish lineup.
However, being a woman of action, she immediately began her arrangements.
"Divide the Brigade into five units, each to lead a team in setting up bounded fields... Hmph, although the Holy Church has deployed stealth-type bounded fields, their level seems nothing special... You are in full command of their deployment. Once complete, leave a small contingent to operate the bounded fields; the rest will regroup here!"
With just a single glance at the gorge, Lorelei made her decision and turned to command her adjutant, swift and decisive.
"Yes, my Lady!" The adjutant respectfully accepted the order and, without a word, quickly set about the task. He knew Lorelei disliked procrastination and had no need for superfluous formalities.
"Barthomeloi, still as decisive as ever, aren't you...?" Accompanied by malicious words, Nrvnqsr Chaos approached after Lorelei finished issuing her orders... "Nrvnqsr Chaos, I don't believe we are that familiar, are we?" Lorelei replied coldly to the Burial Agency's coordinator.
"Though this is our first meeting, I know you quite well, you know..." Nrvnqsr Chaos said, smiling as she looked at Lorelei.
Lorelei merely shot her a cold glance and did not respond... The commander of the Heretic Inquisition Knights and the ascetics had no affection for the Mage's Association, so they attended to their own tasks. Cooperating with the Mage's Association was already a stretch for them... Enhanse also saw no reason to invite trouble. The only one watching Nrvnqsr Chaos and Lorelei's interaction with keen interest was Sabra of the Burial Agency.
"...My setup will be complete shortly. You should consider how to lure Arcueid and her group here!" Lorelei said indifferently, standing at the cliff's edge of the gorge, gazing into the distance.
"Don't worry, everything is prepared... And perhaps, we won't even need to lure them..." After these cryptic words, Nrvnqsr Chaos fell silent, offering no further explanation... Not long after, the Clone Brigade arrived. They stood silently behind Lorelei, a testament to their discipline. This strict orderliness drew tacit approval from the nearby knights. To make these unruly mages as disciplined as a military unit, Barthomeloi's Clone Brigade certainly possessed its own unique qualities.
'If all mages were this disciplined, the Holy Church would likely have a much harder time...' the Knight Commander muttered to himself... And not far away, within the area shrouded by the Holy Church's magical circles, the White Winged Lord watched the gathering of Lorelei and Nrvnqsr Chaos with a grim expression. His direct subordinates, the Dead Apostles, stood beside him, not daring to breathe loudly.
"Barthomeloi!" The White Winged Lord gritted his teeth as he uttered the name. "Did they come here by chance, or was it planned? Are they here for Arcueid, or for me?" His face was dark, his mind racing with thoughts.
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