The starlight was dim, and the crescent moon remained hidden.
It was an exceptionally deep night. Even within the Radiance church, the candle flames flickered unsteadily, as if they might go out at any moment.
Twelve strange magic circles, painted with pigments that gave off an azure glow, surrounded the church in layers.
Li Wen was placing each sacrifice at the center of the magic circles according to their designated positions.
Those rebellious and blasphemous powers had been sealed within several ordinary objects.
For instance, "Light After Death" was sealed within a dim grayish-white block of ice; "The Rusted Iron Crown" was a dagger thrust into thorns; "The Beginning of the Ring" was a venomous snake with its head and tail nailed together...
Priest Mog watched from the side, his expression shifting unpredictably. These sacrifices truly suited that mentor's style.
A great madman—this was likely the unanimous conclusion of everyone who had seen Siswell's true face.
Once all the sacrifices were in place, Li Wen entered the church alone.
She placed The Final Codex within the "The Birth Ceremony of Dawn and Dusk" magic circle at the center, then backed away to the doorway.
An inexplicable force descended silently. The Final Codex rose without a sound, and the girl beneath the tree on its cover quietly stood up, raising a hand to point overhead.
Li Wen picked up the bronze mirror by the door. Instead of reflecting her, it showed a lifelike, enormous tree. She drew the Bone-Gnawing Short Sword and stabbed it straight through the mirror.
The mirror's surface shattered into pieces like ice or glass, while the tree within silently withered and decayed.
Li Wen set down the mirror and walked to the wall on her left.
A silver goblet filled with red fruit wine stood beneath the