Chapter 180: The Artisan’s Origins

Chapter 180: The Artisan’s Origins

Cattleya understood the Hanged Man’s meaning: if the problem was great, they could use the Moon to pull the entire Sanguine race into this matter, then recover losses and seize benefits amid the chaos.

She smiled and said, “If matters become serious to that extent, why not directly find the World? That would seem simpler.”

Alger was silent for several seconds.

“I must prove that I have the ability to handle problems. Therefore, that is the final option.”

Hearing his answer, Admiral of Stars Cattleya immediately formed certain associations.

The Hanged Man cares greatly about the World Gehrman Sparrow’s view of him. Is that because the latter is Mr. Fool’s Blessed? Also, his attitude is quite consistent in some sense with the political jokes popular in places like Backlund and Trier: when encountering a problem or making a mistake, the first reaction is to suppress it and find another way to solve it. One cannot let one’s “superior” or “client” know…

This indicates that the Hanged Man once belonged, and perhaps still belongs, to a large, tightly organized power. He has been affected by such tendencies and has grasped the corresponding skills… The Church of Storms? No. Someone like him would be a heretic inside it… King of the Five Seas’ fleet?

As thoughts rose and fell, this pirate admiral pushed up the heavy glasses on the bridge of her nose and guided the topic back on track.

“Continue telling me about that Artisan.”

As though he had prepared a draft long ago, Alger spoke without reflection or pause, his speed neither fast nor slow:

“In the past, in order to conceal that Artisan’s identity and prevent this channel from being grasped by others, I deliberately shaped him into an internal member of the Church of Steam. In reality, because he loved famous wines, indulged in women, and spent money extravagantly, he had no choice but to make items for wild Beyonders to earn money and maintain his lifestyle. He defected from the Church of Steam long ago and hid in Bayam.

“This time, first, he strangely fell ill and was monitored by people of unknown origin. After that, he was controlled by those suspected of believing in the Primordial Moon and claimed that he had obtained new life…”

Cattleya listened attentively, her faintly purple eyes behind the lenses extremely focused.

When the Hanged Man finished, she thought for a moment and asked, “An Artisan will absolutely not lack mystical items. Furthermore, they understand very well how to combine different Beyonder effects and negative influences. His strength should certainly be able to reach the level of Sequence 5.

“What method did those Primordial Moon believers use to control him without harming him?

“Was a demigod involved?”

Alger slowly shook his head.

“There are currently no clues in that regard. But according to my observations, that Artisan displayed a certain element of willingness. I suspect that while threats and coercion existed, there was also temptation aimed at his weaknesses.”

He indirectly denied the guess that a demigod had participated.

Admiral of Stars Cattleya nodded.

“How did those Primordial Moon believers find this Artisan?

“According to your description, this Artisan has always only traded with familiar, trustworthy friends. He does not especially like expanding his channels. In terms of safety, he can be considered very cautious.”

Alger hesitated briefly.

“I am not entirely certain, but I have a guess.

“I once helped the World sell a Werewolf Beyonder characteristic to that Artisan. The Werewolf pathway belongs to the Mutant pathway. Whether formulas or characteristics, they are firmly controlled by the Rose School of Thought and rarely flow outside.”

Likewise, those who believe in the Primordial Moon on the Southern Continent basically belong to the Rose School of Thought…

Cattleya silently supplied the additional line in her heart and had already understood what the Hanged Man’s guess was:

He…