Chapter 151: The Cathedral of Serenity

Chapter One Hundred Fifty-One
The Cathedral of Serenity

How should I summarize the remaining “Magician rules”?

Klein flipped through a newspaper he had already read long ago, seemingly distracted, while pondering this question that was vital to him.

He had considered one point before: the difference between having an audience applaud and not having one. But that alone still seemed insufficient.

Following that line of thought, Klein’s mind rapidly spread outward, somehow connecting it to other things.

Back when I was still at the Diviner stage, gaining others’ approval and being praised as a true diviner gave me the feeling that the potion was digesting faster. After I summarized the “Diviner rules,” I began to believe that the two were not directly related. Other people’s opinions and feedback were merely manifestations, not the essence. If the acting was good enough, approval would naturally follow, and digestion would naturally speed up.

In other words, I had always believed that they were different expressions of the same harvest, not a relationship of cause and effect.

But now, the “audience’s applause” option has appeared… If it truly can help me digest the potion, does that mean some forms of acting genuinely require feedback? Does the way others view me also subtly influence the pace at which I digest the potion?

Uh, by extension, the seven orthodox deities establish Churches, spread faith, and cultivate believers—could that also involve factors in this regard?

…That really is a blasphemous thought. As expected, I am not someone who sincerely reveres gods from the heart. I can praise them, but I cannot become a fanatic…

Klein hurriedly adjusted his thoughts and looked for another angle.

He repeatedly compared the subtle differences between Diviner, Clown, and Magician. Gradually, an idea formed.

Compared to the others, does the Magician, who needs to perform, imply “initiative”?

Actively seeking chances to perform, rather than being passive like a Diviner or a Clown?

From the perspective of fate, this also fits. From the Diviner revering fate, to the Clown being toyed with by fate yet still having to maintain a smile, to the Magician actively challenging fate—even if all he obtains is a false result, even if the audience’s applause is gained only through deception…

Klein gave a nearly imperceptible nod, deciding to try and actively put on a performance.

Where should I start? It has to be something relatively not-so-dangerous. Uh, that vampire named Emlyn White being imprisoned by Father Utravsky can be considered…

However, the premise is that I have to confirm that this group of nonhumans has generally abided by the law and, at most, engaged in petty theft… Where exactly did Emlyn’s companions live in the South Borough of the Bridge? I cannot quite remember. I will use divination to recall it later, and while I am at it, confirm the degree of danger…

Having thought to this point, Klein set down the newspaper and rose, heading upstairs.

It had to be said that actively interfering in a matter almost unrelated to him, without any other motivation, was not his style. But for the sake of acting, he could only force himself.

My case is still relatively simple. What would a steel-straight man do if he had to act as a Witch or a Demoness of Pleasure? No wonder the City of Silver emphasizes: “You are only acting”…

Klein suddenly understood that warning a little better.

…

City of Silver, in a dim room at the top of the round tower.

Colin Iliad, Chief of the six-member council, stood before the window, gazing upon the City of Silver shrouded by darkness and lightning.

The streaks of light illuminated his graying, disheveled hair, the old scars on his face—some twisted, some savage—the deep nasolabial folds, and the eyes filled with worry.

No one knew how much time passed before Colin turned and looked toward a dark corner, asking in a low voice, “Have you discovered anything?”

In the corner, a shadow rose upright, casting itself blackly onto the wall, twisting and swaying.

Its voice carried the texture of metal scraping metal, rather grating to the ear.

“After Derrick Berg returned home, he showed a certain degree of abnormality, but not to the point that he requires immediate handling.”

Colin nodded lightly.

“What did he do?”

After using the magical item at the bottom of the round tower to transform into a light figure and deal with both the one who had lost control and the mysterious person who was not the main body, he had always suspected that the matter was not fully resolved.

The former exploration team captain had suddenly lost control, and the mysterious person, after patiently enduring for forty-two full years, had rashly launched an operation without considering traps or consequences… All of it made Colin, who had hunted many monsters, instinctively feel that something was wrong.

Therefore, he believed it had been a deliberate choice by the mysterious person. Although that person’s true purpose was still unknown, there had to be some follow-up method. He could not possibly have been cleansed so simply.

After using the Demon Hunter’s abilities and discovering nothing abnormal, Colin had deliberately acted as though he had been deceived, sending the young man named Derrick Berg straight home while secretly assigning strict surveillance.

This was completely different from the previous procedure of confinement and examination. It was a change Colin had been forced to make.

The faintly swaying black shadow answered, “After entering his room, he sat at the edge of his bed and spoke quietly to himself for quite a while. Because I feared being discovered by that mysterious person, I did not approach too closely and could not hear exactly what he said. But I can confirm it was an abnormal display.

“After he finished talking to himself, Derrick seemed very exhausted and quickly fell asleep. Yet not long after he slept, he suddenly woke up and held a ritual. I suspect he was not clearheaded at that time and was being controlled by that mysterious person.

“Right—there were elements of a secret pact in that ritual.”

Colin pondered with a heavy expression for a while, then said, “As expected… Perhaps he was using that method to communicate with his main body.”

“What exactly is his goal? Why was he willing to peacefully spend forty-two years at the bottom of the round tower?”

The black shadow naturally could not answer that question. It continued, “After the ritual, Derrick showed no further abnormalities.

“Does this matter need to be dealt with immediately? If that mysterious person’s main body is drawn here, we may not be able to handle him.”

The Chief of the six-member council, Colin, was silent for several seconds.

“Continue observing. For now, that mysterious person has not displayed substantial malice sufficient for us to react too fiercely.

“Sigh. Do you still remember that prophecy? The time when disaster descends is nearly here… We are exploring farther and farther, discovering more and more strange ruins, and the things we gain are growing more and more dangerous…”

“I obey your will, Your Excellency Chief.”

The black shadow slowly shrank back into the ground and vanished.

At that moment, in the Berg household, Derrick suddenly began coughing violently, coughing until his heart seemed as though it might split apart.

Cough, cough, cough!

He bent over, coughing again and again, until his throat suddenly itched and he coughed something out.

Pa!

A semitransparent object slid through his throat and fell onto the floor. It was a worm the size and thickness of a finger.

Certain parts of its body were fully transparent, forming rings one after another.

Derrick had seen something similar at the bottom of the round tower before. Because of it, he was now completely certain he had escaped Amon’s influence.

He bent down and picked up that semitransparent little worm, finally counting clearly that there were twelve rings on its body.

What is it for? What can it be used for? It seems to already be dead…

Derrick sank into thought.

…

In Winter County, northern Loen Kingdom.

A black Gothic cathedral with a pointed spire stood among snow-covered mountains, occupying a vast area.

Before it was a sheer cliff. Around it stretched a white expanse, without the slightest sound.

This was the headquarters of the Church of the Evernight Goddess: the Cathedral of Serenity, commonly called the Sanctuary.

Leonard Mitchell, black-haired and green-eyed, put on a black windbreaker and a pair of red gloves, then walked out of his room.

Having successfully advanced and stabilized his state, he had not yet received the chance to participate in operations. For now, there were still exercises and so-called mysticism courses.

Turning past a corner, Leonard saw a stairway leading downward. He saw Captain Dunn Smith in a black windbreaker, with deep gray eyes, and Klein Moretti with his faintly scholarly air, standing there alongside others, smiling as they waited.

He tilted his head up slightly and sighed soundlessly.

“My memory has become worse too.

“I forgot that you are already gone…”

Leonard withdrew his gaze and descended the stairs, arriving on the cathedral’s first floor. He knocked on a door and entered a small room.

Inside the room stood rows of chairs. Scattered among them sat several Nighthawks wearing red gloves.

Leonard casually found a seat, smiling as he chatted with the acquaintances beside him.

After a while, Crestet Cesimir, the high-ranking deacon whose high collar concealed his chin and lips, entered and sat at the very front, facing everyone.

“Today’s lesson will tell you about certain precautions.

“As Red Gloves, you will travel across many regions. There is a certain chance you will encounter dangerous high-Sequence Beyonders.

“If their malice is obvious and they intend to kill you, the only thing you can do is covertly leave traces behind so that subsequent investigators may obtain the corresponding clues. The specific methods include…

“However, in many cases, those high-Sequence Beyonders may not directly attack. They may use you based on all sorts of factors.

“You must remain sufficiently vigilant and not be deceived. The following are several situations we have summarized.”

Seated at the back, Leonard listened with a smile, exceptionally focused. His target for revenge was a high-Sequence Beyonder!

High-ranking Deacon Cesimir paused for two seconds before continuing.

“The first situation: certain high-Sequence Beyonders will disguise themselves as hidden existences and use promises and hope to trick you into reciting the descriptions corresponding to them.

“The second situation: certain high-Sequence Beyonders may be in a state of confinement or sealing. They may pretend to be miraculous objects capable of fulfilling wishes, inducing you to help them escape—for example, a magic lamp that can grant three wishes, or a wishing well.

“The third situation: a certain high-Sequence potion is called Parasite. They often claim that they have lost their bodies and can only coexist with your Spirit Body, can only depend on you, and cannot harm you. Then they give you knowledge, formulas, and all kinds of benefits, hoping you will become stronger and help them reconstruct a body or seek revenge.

“In reality, a parasitized Beyonder will only become their nourishment, used to extend their life and condition.”

As Leonard listened, the smile on his face gradually disappeared.