Chapter 147: Dual Purpose

Chapter 147: Dual Purpose

Hearing Maric’s words, Klein picked up the sheet of paper bearing the incantation for summoning Arrodes, gave it a casual shake, and restrained his smile. In an entirely serious manner, he said, “Tell me the detailed process by which the ancient Highland Kingdom made pharaoh mummies.”

As he spoke, the sheet of paper cracked and caught crimson flames, turning into drifting specks of ash.

Maric glanced at Sharron, thought for a moment, then answered, “The first step is to leave the body in place for three to five days, using certain auxiliary methods to allow the Beyonder characteristic to naturally separate out without merging with any part of the pharaoh’s body, forming a sealed artifact.

“The second step is to hold a Cleansing Ritual, place the body upon an altar, and pray to the Chained God, hoping that half of the deceased’s spirituality will remain within the body. This does not affect the son of god’s return, while allowing the completed mummy to retain spirituality for a long time.

“The third step is to rely on Beyonder powers and ordinary techniques to remove the brain, internal organs, and bodily fluids, leaving only the heart.

“The fourth step is to fill the corpse with spices and medicines possessing spirituality, then carry out comprehensive dehydration…

“The fifth step is to refill the body with the previous spices and medicines, make certain ritual arrangements on the surface of the corpse, then wrap it in linen bandages and place it in the coffin.

“The sixth step is to process the removed organs in a manner similar to the fourth step, then place them at the four corners of the coffin as ritual materials. The brain and bodily fluids are the same—the former is mashed into a slurry and mixed with the latter, then made to circulate through channels reserved inside the coffin, imitating the condition of the deceased while alive… This can draw spirituality from the spirit world and gather it from the surroundings, allowing the pharaoh mummy to remain an extremely spiritual material even after being buried for a thousand years. It can be used to create a rather powerful living corpse…”

It does not sound like it has anything to do with enhancing that particular ability at all. I wonder how a Pharmacist turns decay into magic… Mm, it is similar to the mummification process of ancient Egypt on Earth, yet also different. The mysticism elements are much stronger…

Klein listened attentively, swiftly analyzing whether any of the details could become part of his plan.

In any case, the mummy of Tutanthis II is an object of enormous research value. Unless there is absolutely no other option, no one would be willing to destroy it…

After pondering for a while, Klein turned to look at Sharron, who had resumed sitting on the high stool, and asked with a serious expression, “What is the maximum effective distance of your Mirror Blink?”

Sharron sat upright and answered without pause.

“Three hundred meters.”

That is quite far. Much stronger than my Flame Jump. But that is normal enough. After all, the main trait of a Wraith is coming and going without a trace, while Flame Jump is only one method of performing magic tricks… Mm, this is good. It can be used…

Klein could not help sighing inwardly.

—Although he had once possessed a Wraith marionette, he had not known the limits of Mirror Blink, because even before reaching its limit, it would already have moved beyond his control range. Once that happened, the marionette would become a dead object, and the blink would fail halfway through.

Klein asked two or three more questions. A plan gradually took shape in his mind. He looked separately at Sharron and Maric, then said in a steady tone, “We still have a chance to take the mummy of Tutanthis II. There will indeed be some risk, but it will not be great.

“Mm. The prerequisite is that you must listen to my arrangements and allow me to lead this operation. Of course, as long as either of you feels something is unsuitable, you may interrupt the operation at any time and choose to return. That is your freedom. Just remember to pay me.”

In the past, Maric would certainly have refused without even thinking. He and Sharron could both be considered experienced and rather powerful among mid-Sequence Beyonders. How could they possibly obey the arrangements of a newcomer who had once sought their protection? But during their previous cooperation, Sherlock Moriarty had displayed wisdom, adaptability, and strange items that had left a deep impression on Maric. He had subconsciously placed Sherlock at an equal level.

Later, when news of Gehrman Sparrow repeatedly spread to Backlund, Maric, beyond astonishment, increasingly believed that this person should be considered one of the strongest below the high Sequences. In the fields of mysticism and Beyonder combat, that meant he was an authority.

Since he was an authority, one ought to obey.

And he can Teleport…

Maric recalled Sherlock Moriarty’s entrance just now and inexplicably felt that the other party possessed powerful confidence. Perhaps he truly could find an opportunity for success.

He turned his head and exchanged a glance with Sharron.

The two nodded at the same time.

“Alright,” Sharron replied, no hesitation visible at all in her blue eyes.

Klein immediately revealed a smile.

“As for the specific method, I will tell you after we combine it with the situation on-site.”

He had deliberately appeared through Travel just now, and had provided a “hidden existence” to obtain intelligence. Aside from making it easier to explain matters and gain a more accurate understanding of the situation, it had also been done to establish an image, raise his level, and seize the right to lead.

As a Marionettist, even when he temporarily lacked a marionette, he still had to manipulate others and complete the predetermined performance!

To Klein, this operation was, on one hand, helping Sharron and Maric. On the other hand, he hoped to rely on a grand scene and a “puppet play” directed by himself to further and more quickly digest his potion.

He had to admit that the pressure created by Amon’s appearance in Backlund, along with the recent number of times he had interacted with Spectators, had allowed Klein—who currently happened to have no marionette—to understand more deeply a rule of the Marionettist he had previously summarized: using one’s marionette as the guide, manipulate enemies, and stage a puppet play in reality.

His present thought was:

Even without a marionette, one could still use bearing, language, situational design, or certain forms of cooperation to manipulate target individuals and stage a puppet play in reality.

What a Marionettist manipulates is by no means limited to Spirit Body Threads!

What he had done just now was Klein’s small trial.

Just like Amon. Merely appearing once seems to have begun directing many things, making Pallez Zoroast and me look as though we are waiting for His baton…

Amid Klein’s silent sigh, he heard Sharron and Maric respond at the same time:

“Alright.”

…

At night, Pritz Harbor was lined with elegant black metal gas streetlamps. They radiated light, illuminating one road after another.

By now, most ships had already entered harbor. Quiet was the main theme of this place.

On the top level of a warehouse, in a spot surrounded by numerous wooden crates, three figures abruptly outlined themselves from the void: Sherlock Moriarty in formalwear and top hat; Maric, wearing a white shirt and black vest; and Sharron, whose attire remained unchanged—a black soft hat and court dress.

Using Teleportation, they had arrived directly from Backlund to this place. It was a fair distance from the harbor where the ship carrying the mummy of Tutanthis II was scheduled to dock.

Klein pressed down with his right hand, stepped on a wooden pillar, and nimbly leapt onto a crossbeam. As though walking on flat ground, he swiftly reached the wall.

There was a sizable ventilation opening there.

He then took out the telescope Miss Sharron had provided and looked toward the pier described in the intelligence.

The tops of the surrounding buildings were already occupied by soldiers carrying steam backpacks and holding thick-barreled rifles. They patrolled back and forth, guarding the area, ready at any time to fire upon any unauthorized person who dared approach, giving only one warning.

Beyond those soldiers, several exaggerated mechanical monsters were parked around the pier. They were made entirely of metal and were taller than giants. Their upper sections had rotatable tops, water-cooled machine guns, and vertical chimneys. Their lower portions were gray-white, with rivets, nuts, and gears exposed in many places, giving them a crude, rugged appearance.

In front of each machine was a thick cannon barrel, while the base consisted of two rows of metal wheels wrapped in rubber tracks.

There were clearly people inside them, but Klein could not see who they were and could not confirm whether any were Beyonders.

Near these steel monsters, on the pier itself, stood a dark metal tower more than ten meters tall. It had a complicated but not especially refined pulley system, with steel cables and hooks dangling downward.

On the surface, this looks like a military operation of a fairly high level, but not high enough…

Klein withdrew his gaze and tossed the telescope to Maric, who had come closer, letting him observe the scene again.

—Before the official operation, the three of them had reached a consensus: they would do their best not to use Beyonder abilities, relying instead on non-mystical creations to observe the target, lest they arouse vigilance. After all, the pier area very possibly had a demigod lying in ambush.

Of course, Klein had also adjusted the powers recorded inside Creeping Hunger, pairing Paper Angel with Tornado rather than Lightning Storm.

After Sharron had also understood the situation at the scene, Klein, who had moved aside onto a wooden frame, revealed a seemingly relaxed smile.

“Tonight, we have only one principle: if an opportunity appears, we try. If not, we would rather watch from the sidelines, or even leave early.

“Any objections?”

“No,” Sharron replied calmly. Maric expressed the same meaning by shaking his head.

Klein nodded and looked at Maric.

“How many mirrors did you bring?”

“Nine.” Maric showed them one by one, then pointed at his own eyes. “They count too.”

“Good.” Klein pointed in one direction. “When I tell you to leave later, run toward the outside of Pritz Harbor. Drop these mirrors one after another along the way.”

Maric opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to ask why. But he soon roughly understood Sherlock Moriarty’s intention and nodded seriously.

“I will follow your words.”

Klein smiled and extended his hand, freezing it in midair.

“Happy cooperation.”

Maric hesitated for a second, then also extended his right hand and clapped it against Klein’s.

After completing this gesture, the tension in his heart inexplicably eased a little.

Klein then turned to look at Miss Sharron. He took out an iron cigarette case and handed it to her.

“Hold this. After receiving my hint, fly toward the lighthouse.

“Then silently count to three and remove the wall of spirituality on it.

“During that process, and after it is complete, you must not stop flying. Also, make your path as irregular as possible, by any means necessary.

“When you see the special firework I send up, immediately isolate this cigarette case with a wall of spirituality and Mirror Blink in Maric’s direction. Do it to the limit of your ability.

“After the two of you meet, flee all the way. Do not wait for me. I will Teleport over.”

One of the core elements of his plan tonight was Azik’s copper whistle!

Stealing the mummy of Tutanthis II is very difficult, but I can make it run over by itself!