The "Blood Emperor"?
That Alista Tudor who forcibly became a half-mad true god using three Hunter pathway angels as materials?
Upon hearing that name, Silas instinctively frowned. Recalling that emperor's insane actions, he felt increasingly ominous.
"...What materials have you delivered to that ruin?"
"Mercury, iron ore, construction materials, various herbs for rituals..."
Qonas rambled on about many things.
They were all jumbled together with no apparent connection. Possibly intentional, to prevent anyone from guessing.
"What were your sources for acquiring people?"
Silas questioned again. When this topic came up, his gaze turned slightly cold.
"There was the human trafficker Casoim from Backlund, believers of the Aurora Order, Southern Continent people and Sonia Sea natives abducted by the Demoness Sect..." Qonas searched his memory to answer.
"Later Casoim was killed, the Aurora Order in Backlund was destroyed, leaving only the Demoness Sect at sea to provide people steadily."
Yes, my fault for not being thorough enough.
Silas calmly pressed on, "Do you know how the Demoness Sect transported people? Who specifically were the channels and handlers?"
"lady of Disease Tracy, Crazy Captain Connors Viktor..."
Qonas answered.
The Crazy Captain, huh.
Silas committed another name to memory.
He questioned Qonas from various angles, trying to construct a specific outline of the royal family's plan, but didn't succeed.
He merely gained some additional intelligence, learning that Qonas had been promoted to Sequence 4 under the emperor's direction, and that the sealed artifact "Concerto of Light and Shadow" was also a gift from the royal family.
The organizations cooperating with the royal family, besides the Demoness Sect and Aurora Order, also included the Psychology Alchemists.
"That's enough."
The prolonged interrogation had left Qonas's soul somewhat listless. Plus, nothing truly new could be extracted anymore.
Silas opened his palm and once again absorbed him into his body.
"Medici, do you know something?"
He suddenly spoke, addressing the Red Angel's wraith.
The latter chuckled softly.
"Want to know? Then beg me."
He said with considerable malicious amusement.
"...I'll throw Sophia Einhorn overboard right now."
"Tch, go ahead and throw her then. Don't think I haven't noticed you seem to have some connection with her."
Hearing Silas's straightforward threat, though Medici still appeared dismissive, his tone moderated somewhat.
"Fine, I'll be magnanimous and give you a hint... That Alista guy went crazy long ago. For power, for survival, he made multiple attempts..."
"Attempts at what?"
Silas sensed something ominous in His meaningful pause.
"Attempts to become a true god."
Medici laughed. "Of course, in the end that bastard succeeded."
"Damn Tudor!"
"That maggot-brained lunatic!"
Sauron and Einhorn, who hadn't appeared in a long time, also spoke up to curse.
The three Hunter angels rarely maintained unified opinions at this moment.
Meanwhile, after Medici's words, Silas's expression grew increasingly grave.
"...You're saying that ruin might be the 'Blood Emperor's' attempt at apotheosis?"
He asked hoarsely, his voice cold.
Though Alista Tudor ultimately didn't become a god this way, he still left behind related ruins.
And George III discovered these things and wanted to use them to become a true god?
On the churning sea, Silas's heart tightened momentarily.
The more he thought about it, the more possible it seemed. Such strict secrecy, cooperation among multiple factions... It really could be an attempt to create a true god in this Fifth Epoch of waning mysticism!
As for those citizens who died in the plague, the trafficked slaves, they were all just steps on this monarch's ladder to godhood...
"Are you alright?"
M observed his expression and walked over, asking gently. She extended a hand toward Silas, seemingly wanting to touch his forehead.
"I'm fine."
Silas pushed her arm away, refusing her kindness.
No, I can't make rash judgments yet.
He told himself internally.
Maybe the "Blood Emperor's" ruins served another purpose and weren't a means of apotheosis... Better to stay vigilant and wait to meet up with Klein to discuss it.
Silas slightly recovered his composure.
"There's one more thing, Medici."
He quickly recalled the other's pre-battle promise.
"You promised me you'd tell me the secret of this sea. Now I've brought Sophia Einhorn aboard. Can you fulfill your promise?"
"I can."
Medici laughed, his forthright attitude even surprising Silas somewhat.
"Then speak."
He steadied himself and said.
So, on this chaotic sea, Medici softly began. He spoke in a tone both nostalgic and detached, recounting legends from the primordial age:
"In the glorious era, among the Kings of Angels surrounding that Lord of Creation, there was one angel whose authority was unique.
When He wielded His power, illusory sounds of waves could be heard. His name was..."
"Sasrir."
God-Forsaken Land, Afternoon Town.
In a basement of a house, [The Sun] Derrick, exploring this place, looked at the text carved on the altar and struggled to make out a few words he could still read.
He was very cautious, not reading aloud but silently reciting in his mind:
"Dark Angel," Sasrir;
"Angel of Fate," Ouroboros;
"Red Angel," Medici...
Ouroboros? I know this, He's one of the Kings of Angels who believed in the fallen Creator.
"Red Angel" Medici is another King of Angels. Then who is this "Dark Angel" Sasrir?
Derrick was both excited and fearful. Just as he was about to raise his head and share his discovery with other team members, he saw that he was now alone!
"The Fool that doesn't belong to this era..."
Fortunately, he didn't panic. After confirming he'd been affected by the altar's power, he immediately lowered his head and prayed to the respected Mr. Fool.
At sea.
Sasrir!
When he heard Medici speak that name again, Silas couldn't help but freeze, then his heart surged with turbulent waves!
This sea came from a King of Angels who served that Lord of Creation? Something controlled by a King of Angels, why would it be bound to him? What was his relationship with that angel?
Moreover, how much of what this temperamental "Red Angel" said was true and how much was false remained debatable.
"That King of Angels was also called the Dark Angel."
Medici stopped abruptly after just two sentences.
"Why did you stop?"
Silas asked. "Is my payment only worth this much?"
"The knowledge that follows isn't suitable for you to hear right now."
Medici answered with a laugh. "Of course, if you insist on knowing, I can tell you."
The same old rhetoric, forbidden knowledge is harmful...
Silas shook his head.
He didn't plan to debate further, but asked another question instead. "What is a King of Angels?"
"Those who surpass ordinary Sequence 1s are Kings of Angels. Some hold two Sequence 1 characteristics, some have accommodated the Uniqueness of their pathway..."
Medici said lazily.
"Uniqueness?"
Silas had heard this term from the "Blasphemy Cards," but didn't know the specific description.
"You just touched it."