Compared to Foy Port, the configuration of the Sands of Slumber Bell Tower in the capital, Moldway, was different.
Foy Port was close to the Abyssal Sea and possessed the largest port in all of Gormouth, making it more susceptible to storms and attacks by aberrations.
Therefore, patrol personnel were mostly fully armed, distributed in various outposts around the area, ready to respond to emergencies.
In contrast, the defensive characteristic of Moldway's Sands of Slumber Bell Tower was "concentration."
The range of the Star-Tellers' patrols wasn't large, but they were all concentrated within the bell tower itself, with a high density of guards. Using ordinary means, it was almost impossible to find gaps to infiltrate... However, even the tightest defenses inevitably have vulnerabilities.
Moreover, even if the Stellar Abyss Society truly achieved an impenetrable defense, a certain doctor could create a vulnerability out of thin air.
Currently, Fran was wearing the same academic robe she had worn at the White Cup symposium, leading Vivian and Haida as they strolled naturally through the corridors of the bell tower.
For convenience, she had also tailored a set of Stellar Abyss Society standard uniforms for each of them beforehand. Haida didn't have any particular feelings about this and cooperated quite readily, changing out of her nun's habit.
Vivian, however, was somewhat puzzled about how this doctor could so accurately know her body measurements... Even the tailoring of the undergarments and waist area was extremely precise, fitting her skin perfectly, as if custom-made.
"Um... Dr. Fran, how long will your hypnosis last? Won't the guards notice something wrong midway?"
Vivian asked cautiously, with some unease.
This was the core stronghold of the Stellar Abyss Society. If an intrusion was discovered, they would almost instantly be surrounded and hunted. Moreover, both she and Sister Haida were Secrets-Hunters, with special identities, which could potentially trigger a dispute between cults...
If mishandled, it could even become the spark that ignited a covert war.
Fran raised her hand to cover her mouth, yawned, then provided an explanation.
"Mhm... After some simple mental interference, the Star-Tellers in the outer perimeter now believe we are 'Tide-Listeners' from the Stellar Abyss Society's higher echelons."
"Based on the effect of the Swaying Heart-Clock, simple logical interference can last about a month without external influence. If someone points out the incongruities in their thinking, they'll quickly realize the problem."
"Conversely, if the surrounding people are deepening and reinforcing their faulty logic to the point of forming a closed loop, this state can be maintained indefinitely."
Her tone carried a trace of vague laziness.
Although it was hard for Fran to truly feel tired or sleepy, because many of Gormouth's secrets were related to "night," "shadows," and "the moon," her recent activities had all been in the dead of night... to the extent that the dark circles under her eyes had deepened noticeably.
"A whole month without external influence..."
Hearing this, Vivian felt a sense of awe towards such relics capable of interfering with thought.
To the doctor before her, the minds of ordinary people seemed like something that could be arbitrarily modified and molded. She only needed to lift and gently sway her pocket watch, and those people would believe absurdities with no basis at all.
"Just some parlor tricks not worth mentioning; they're very weak against high-tier cult acolytes, at most subtly causing them to overlook certain situations."
Fran spoke quite humbly.
Although she was a rather dedicated psychiatrist, she wasn't very interested in toying with people's minds. Such skills were fine to use occasionally to keep in practice, but immersing oneself in them would be putting the cart before the horse.
"Then... that means those Stars-Tellers will realize strangers invaded the Sands of Slumber Bell Tower a month later?"
After carefully considering Fran's words, Haida deduced.
It seemed Fran had anticipated this concern from Haida, as she explained further.
"Beyond the logical interference I mentioned, you can also leave 'triggers' in the hypnotized subject's mind. They will completely forget everything about the encounter upon reaching a certain trigger point."
Her modus operandi was always known for its thoroughness; she wouldn't overlook such a solvable detail.
That said, in truth, this doctor didn't mind leaving behind some urban legends as long as it didn't affect her, adding some interesting anecdotes to the places she visited.
Gazing at the empty, deep corridor, Fran suddenly asked another question.
"Speaking of which, Haida, don't you feel the internal structure of the Sands of Slumber Bell Tower looks somewhat familiar?"
"There is indeed a sense of familiarity..."
Haida's grey-chestnut gaze lowered slightly. After a moment of contemplation, she identified the source of that familiarity.
"From the outside, the entire Sands of Slumber Bell Tower has a strong Lost Age style. Asymmetrical ornaments, bizarre and complex patterns, and a tall, sharp spire... But the interior follows Order of Dust era regulations, with more than one separating layer between the core level and other areas."
"It's like... the library of the Children of the Whiskered Tree."
Hearing the sister beside her, Vivian suddenly understood what the "familiarity" they were discussing actually was.
Indeed, the internal structure of the Sands of Slumber Bell Tower was extremely similar to the library ruins. But perceiving this vague, abstract feeling required an extremely keen sense of space.
"Could it be that the Tide-Listeners of the Stellar Abyss Society have also hidden Mythical Creatures inside the tower?" she asked with some nervousness.
Vivian still felt a lingering unease about the Time-Aphid she encountered in the library ruins. Its bizarre spiritual nature could actually restore people who had been torn into dismembered pieces, which was truly horrifying.
Also, in the core layer, she saw the first-category ritual [Retrogression] about to be activated, and in her dazed state, glimpsed layers upon layers of insect-like shadows about to break through the veil of time and revive again, leaving her with some psychological trauma.
Hearing this, Fran pursed her lips, not directly answering Vivian's question.
"We shouldn't encounter that sort of thing every time, right?"
Actually, she herself was quite inclined towards that possibility... because this wedge-shaped, nail-like bell tower was originally used by the ancient people of the Order of Dust era to contain, or even imprison, Mythical Creatures.
Looking into Fran's slightly shifting amber eyes, Haida couldn't help but think that Vivian's speculation might be the truth.
As the three conversed, a tall figure in academic robes slowly approached from down the corridor. He was followed by an entire squad of Starseers patrolling the tower. Judging by the significantly more intricate ornaments on his clothing, he was likely a Tide-Listener.
"Comrades, please halt. I haven't received any transfer order from headquarters, and there's no special personnel change tonight. Why are you here?"
After carefully scrutinizing the figures before him, Tide-Listener Wolfturn found the newcomers to be three unfamiliar faces. Moreover, their route deviated from tonight's patrol plan, raising his guard slightly.
He had just returned to Moldway not long ago after completing a special guard duty during the Plum Moon's full moon at the Sands of Slumber Bell Tower in Foy Port. But his mind remained tense and sensitive, without a moment's relaxation.
The sight of the three Ant-Scale Door prisoners being torn apart outside the bell tower on the night of the full moon was too horrifying, like a shadow over his thoughts. He suspected some terrifying high-tier aberration was lurking near the coast, but had been unable to track it.
To be honest, if possible, he never wanted to encounter that thing in his life.
"Good evening, Mr. Wolfturn. The stars and moon tonight are as resplendent as ever. It's a great honor to meet you. Heh... Please forgive our uninvited presence."
Faced with his cold, stern questioning, Fran showed no fear. Instead, she stepped forward, bowed slightly, and greeted him.
Regarding the roster of Tide-Listeners in the Stellar Abyss Society and intelligence records, Marquis Jude's library also had extensive collections. As a major cult entrenched in Gormouth, infiltration and espionage between the Stellar Abyss Society and the Moon's Favored had never ceased.
Therefore, she wasn't worried about giving herself away in front of Wolfturn.
After all, Jude's information was very detailed, even including some unsavory secrets within the Gormouth Royal Court...
Haida noticed Fran's tone had changed now.
She used an abundance of modifiers, less elegant and more like exaggerated, slick words. Her demeanor, however, was not humble like her speech; instead, it showed a trace of arrogant, sinister coldness.
It was like a venomous snake flicking its tongue in the shadows.
"Another one sent by the 'Royal Court'... When did you lot become unwilling to even wait for the full moon?"
Hearing the familiar sense of disdain in Fran's words, Wolfturn couldn't help but darken his gaze, frowning deeply, trying not to show his disgust.
Faced with the implied displeasure in his question, Fran paid no heed, as if she couldn't be bothered to explain.
After a moment, she stated whose orders she was following.
"Lord Gunther Don Gailethson commands my presence here. I hope you will grant passage."
Hearing that name, Wolfturn's expression grew even more grave. He pondered for a moment before asking for the relevant token.
"The credential?"
Faced with his demand, Fran merely looked him in the eye unhurriedly. Only after a long while did she speak, still at her own pace.
"This is a private matter, not official. Mr. Gunther doesn't want unnecessary trouble; it's not good for either of us. However, I don't mind showing you..."
As she spoke, she revealed a standard Tide-Listener sacred emblem from her sleeve.
Sensing that familiar wisp of spiritual element, Wolfturn snorted coldly, then turned his head away.
"If you don't plan on causing trouble, don't take it out. I haven't seen you tonight."
With that, he led his Star-Teller squad past them and away. His steps were quick and heavy, as if avoiding something repulsive.
"Phew..."
Only when Wolfturn was completely out of sight did Vivian dare to breathe loudly again.
Although Fran had handled the Tide-Listener's interrogation flawlessly, Vivian still wasn't very confident deep down. And also... she was somewhat puzzled now. It was one thing for this doctor to know secrets about the Sands of Slumber Bell Tower, but why did she even have a Tide-Listener's credential token?
"Um, Dr. Fran, why do you have a Tide-Listener's sacred emblem token?"
After holding back for a while, Vivian mustered the courage to ask.
Fran's amber eyes blinked, then she took out a well-shaped sacred emblem of the Stellar Abyss Society from her sleeve, rubbing it gently between her fingers a few times.
"There was a Tide-Listener in Norlington too, wasn't there? The 'Mandala' tavern, the Star Chart Research Society, and the deceased leader Nikolas... does that ring a bell?"
Vivian's lips parted slightly in sudden realization.
So, the token Dr. Fran had now was from Leader Nikolas?
Oh, she should have thought of it earlier... During the evidence search at the 'Mandala' tavern, Nikolas's body was found empty. Now, thinking back, it was probably taken by Dr. Fran at the time.
Haida, however, was more concerned about the name Fran had just mentioned.
"Gunther Don Gailethson... the de facto power-holding prince of Gormouth. He has such deep connections with the Stellar Abyss Society? Just mentioning his name made a Tide-Listener drop the investigation."
Earlier, Fran was about to show Nikolas's sacred emblem, not a token from the Gailethson Royal Court. If Wolfturn had insisted on investigating according to creed like a Secrets-Hunter, he might very well have discovered something amiss.
But upon hearing it was an envoy sent by Gunther, he immediately showed an attitude of wanting nothing to do with it, unwilling to get involved at all.
Hearing this, Fran looked at the contemplative Haida and began narrating with a slightly mysterious tone.
"The Moon's Favored have stood firm in Moldway for a thousand years; the little secrets they hold are not insignificant. Although the Confidential Division has excellent operational capabilities, they are, after all, separated by the Abyssal Sea, making it difficult to obtain firsthand intelligence deeply."
"In fact, the Stellar Abyss Society's expansion in Gormouth to this extent in recent years... also relies heavily on Prince Gunther's political assistance."
As she spoke, she added with a hint of amusement, bringing up another secret.
"Oh, by the way, according to intelligence from the Moon's Favored, Gunther also has a particular quirk."
Hearing such a little-known royal secret, Vivian immediately asked curiously.
"What is it?"
"He doesn't like women," Fran stated concisely.
Hearing the doctor's revelation, both Haida and Vivian narrowed their eyes simultaneously, unsure how to react for a moment.
"So... he likes the same sex, like that Engineering Department official from the Meredith family who was purged by the Black Banyan?"
Vivian's expression became slightly peculiar.
She had heard before that some ancient nobles had a penchant for keeping catamites, but she didn't expect there were still royal family members maintaining this "tradition" nowadays...
Fran gently swayed her slender index finger, indicating a denial.
"You could use a more pleasant term, 'celibate.' In fact, Gunther has remained unmarried for decades and has no substantiated romantic rumors. He hasn't even established a princess consort."
To this, Haida expressed understanding.
"He probably cares more about worldly power or the power of secret rituals."
"The deep-seated drive for biological beings to seek a mate is 'reproduction,' to have offspring as a continuation of their own life. But if one can obtain a longer life through other means, they likely wouldn't care as much about progeny."
As for pure "love"... For cult acolytes pursuing ascension to higher levels, that was truly an unattainable luxury.
"A good insight."
Fran expressed approval of Haida's words, then shifted the topic, expanding their thinking.
"Regarding Prince Gunther's quirk, there's actually another interpretation."
"According to some descriptions from the Moon's Favored, he might not be entirely averse to women, just not to female 'humans.' That is to say... the object of his affection is not human."
—
Prince Gunther doesn't dislike women, but dislikes humans?
Admittedly, the angle of this thought was rather unique. Even Haida, who was quite familiar with Fran, couldn't help but lower her gaze slightly and sigh inwardly.
Dr. Fran seemed to always enjoy speculating from such absurd and bizarre perspectives, making it somewhat difficult to follow her peculiar train of thought.
But judging from the outcomes, her strangest guesses often turned out to be the truth... One could only say that sometimes reality is indeed more fantastical than imagination.
After discussing this secret, the three didn't continue idle chatter, proceeding in silence along the spiral corridor of the Sands of Slumber Bell Tower.
As a Secrets-Hunter, Haida was long accustomed to remaining silent during missions or hunts, and so was Vivian. The deeper they went into the bell tower, the quieter the surroundings became. Even the sound of a water droplet hitting the ground would create an audible echo.
In such an environment, casual conversation was too easily overheard.
Along the way, they encountered patrolling Star-Tellers head-on more than once.
But most of these guards seemed to have received instructions from Wolfturn, knowing the newcomers were envoys from the Gailethson Royal Court, and didn't conduct detailed inspections.
In fact, they even skipped the routine questioning. The Star-Tellers would even bow respectfully to Fran.
One more point requires additional explanation.
The upper levels of the Sands of Slumber Bell Tower were narrow and cramped, with few functional rooms. There was only a rope ladder leading to the top-floor bell tower...
The main structure of the building was actually underground. Therefore, Fran's group's route was a continuous spiral downward.
The stairs twisted and turned, with only the lamplight revealing a vast expanse of deep, obscure darkness. It felt like they were step by step descending into the depths of the abyss.
Finally, the three reached the deepest part of the tower's base.
Surprisingly, there were no guards stationed here, only a massive stone door covered in ritual arrays. The door was full of weathering and seawater erosion marks, seeming to have stood here for a very long time.
Fran examined the ritual arrays on the door with interest and quickly stated its specific name.
"A large-scale second-category ritual [Sea Ridge Prison], and the prayer text has been improved; the technique is quite exquisite. This door is essentially a triggered trap. Attempting to open it without a special key... will turn the entire tower base into a sealed space flooded with seawater."
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