"Even the darkest remnants of souls couldn't achieve such a feat." As the High Priest of a divine hall, Priest Laine was also an outstanding wizard, possessing extremely profound magic knowledge.
Perhaps his power was not particularly strong, but with the backing of a divine hall with an ancient heritage, he always had a reserve of knowledge beyond the reach of ordinary wizards.
"Yes, he can't do it. The problem is if it's not him, who else could it be? Who has set their sights on your city, destined... destined for disaster?"
Ian's young face furrowed, nearly wrinkling like an old man, unable to find any clues. He couldn't find any information related to this type of curse in the history he knew well.
This was the most bizarre thing.
It made Ian have to wonder if his knowledge of Magic History wasn't up to par. He barely checked books before final exams, leading to a lack of confidence in his historical knowledge reserve.
"If only William were here."
The little wizard couldn't help but miss his roommate, the green-hat boy who always helped him with Magic History homework, and Ravenclaw College's know-it-all.
To be honest.
If it were truly Ian's own lack of knowledge, it wouldn't be such a big deal. The terrifying thought is that the information he understood was not incorrect, which means similar curses must have been buried in history.
This is the most chilling problem when you ponder it deeply.
Voldemort was very smart.
He could think of a way to strengthen himself in disaster without disturbing history, but perhaps he wasn't the smartest Dark Wizard; maybe someone was already doing this before him.
"You seem to have no clue, perhaps we can take you to see the zero patient." The priestess, who had been tinkering with Holy Oil, suddenly looked up and spoke.
Her words made Priest Laine slightly stunned.
"That's too dangerous! The curse's source possesses a stronger dark power than these infected! Don't forget what our friends and partners sacrificed for!"
Priest Laine frowned, refuting the priestess's suggestion. He wasn't trying to hide anything; he simply believed a little wizard shouldn't be touching such dangers.
Although Ian was an outsider to him, he was still a priest of Escorpios Divine Hall, a follower of the God of Medicine skilled in healing, with a kind heart.
"That's because nobody knew the curse's spreading method at the time. The zero patient's eyes are now covered; he's even safer than the patients we're caring for, isn't he?"
The priestess still insisted on her opinion.
Watching the two argue.
Ian's gaze lingered on the priestess's face for a moment.
He paused too.
But soon snapped back to attention, raising his hand and saying, "I think it's a good idea. Have I told you my teacher is very skilled in Dark Arts... I mean, in researching and breaking Dark Arts methods?"
The little wizard promptly corrected his wording, not wanting to be mistaken for an apprentice of a Dark Wizard, as Dark Wizards in this era were even more frowned upon than in the future.
"He's telling the truth; he really understands the knowledge we lack in this area." The priestess also supported Ian, though it was unclear how she determined the truth of Ian's words.
"I'm indeed telling the truth; I love to speak honestly." Ian was quite curious about the so-called zero patient, hoping he might trace the curse's original source through this patient who experienced the initial event.
"This..."
Priest Laine saw the priestess and Ian in agreement, hesitant, perhaps because he trusted the priestess's ability to judge the truth of others' words.
This is a natural Legilimens.
"You must believe him! He is my god!" Cassandra, her eyes covered, suddenly spoke, her childish voice filled with firmness and trust in Ian.
"..."
Priest Laine's expression was exceptionally strange.
The priestess gave Ian a deep look.
"This way."
She didn't continue debating with Priest Laine but actively led Ian deeper into the dungeon, down a narrow stone stairway that twisted and turned as if leading to the depths of the earth.
"You can't go!"
Priest Laine saw the priestess already leading the way and had no choice, but he stopped Cassandra from following, signaling another priest to take Cassandra away.
"I don't want to be separated from my god!"
Cassandra attempted to resist, but how could an eight or nine-year-old girl contend with strong adults? Wizards in this era were generally more robust than those of future generations.
"Check the Dream Guardian Queen's body to see if she's affected by any mind-confusing magic." Priest Laine instructed several priests with a heavy expression.
He clearly couldn't comprehend Cassandra's situation.
He had rather grim suspicions.
Seeing his people lead Cassandra away from the dungeon, Priest Laine also withdrew his gaze, looking at the surrounding patients, neither human nor ghost, and sighed heavily.
"Criminals like to return and admire the victims' plight; I hope it's not what I think..." mumbling to himself, he followed the priestess and Ian, who had gone far ahead.
"What kind of criminals were held here before?" Ian followed behind the priestess, footsteps echoing rhythmically on the dungeon's stone path. The dungeon's air was cold and damp, carrying a mixed scent of mildew and rust, seemingly permeating the bones and causing an involuntary shiver.