The Advancement Ritual Performed Ahead of Time
"Nothing's over yet, so why should it end!"
Luther slammed a newspaper on the table and roared.
The newspaper read:
"According to preliminary statistics, a total of 20,000 people died directly from the Great Smog, and the subsequent spread of the Plague claimed another 40,000 lives."
"The Air Pollution Investigation Committee announced that the root cause of smog is excessive emissions of waste gas. With the implementation of relevant laws, we have reason to believe that such a tragedy will not happen again."
"Calm down."
Opposite him, the Queen spoke with a solemn expression.
The Queen could see that the Shepherd was in a very dangerous state; the crimson robes covering his body were churning like liquid, and his Spirituality was overflowing wildly, just like his uncontrollable rage.
"."
Luther fell silent for a moment.
This wasn't because he controlled his anger, but because he was making a decision.
A moment later, he suddenly raised his head and looked at the Queen.
"Your Queen, there is something I would like to ask of you."
As he spoke, he pointed to the black cat sitting quietly in the corner of the room, "Please look after my cat for me."
His voice had returned to calm, but his bloodshot eyes proved that his madness had not yet subsided.
What are you going to do?
The Queen frowned slightly, suddenly sensing something was amiss.
"I will seek Justice for my Lamb, and for everyone in the East Borough."
Luther said coldly.
"Demand Justice."
The Queen's eyes narrowed, and she suddenly understood what he was planning to do. "Are you going to make an enemy of the Loen Royal Family?"
"That's right!"
Luther answered proudly.
Do you really know what you're doing? You're practically courting death!
The Queen's Way.
"I understand perfectly."
Luther sneered.
In fact, this idea began to emerge Oldest One as he learned the truth, and it grew stronger with what he had seen and heard over the past few days.
His heart is not at peace because his Lamb have died because of this despicable emperor!
To George III, these people were just a number, but to Luther, they were his Lamb, a vital part of his soul. What kind of Shepherd could he be if he couldn't seek justice for his own Lamb?
The person directly responsible for this incident has been killed.
The Queen sighed inwardly, pointing to Panatiya's Beyonder Characteristic on the table—a shriveled, blackened, translucent heart—and advised, "As for the mastermind behind it all, we can deal with that after you've reached a higher level."
"No, I can't wait, I can't wait."
Luther shook his head. "I understand now. This is my Fate, and also my opportunity for promotion."
If he chooses to run away today, afraid to face the Loen Royal Family, how can he face the True Creator at the level of True God? Does his declaration of revenge still hold true?
He cannot back down even an inch!
"Your Queen, I asked you before, and your reply was that the Advancement Ritual could Acting in advance, right?"
He suddenly asked that question.
"The essence of the Advancement Ritual is to counteract the side effects of the Potion. As long as it takes effect when the Potion is taken, it can Acting in advance."
"Very good."
Luther wasn't sure what the side effects of the Black Knight Potion would be, but that was enough to justify his refusal to back down.
"I'll ask you one more time, have you thought it through?"
The Queen said in a deep voice.
Luther nodded without hesitation.
"Alright then."
The Queen abruptly rose, and an invisible Servants floated to a corner, carefully picking up Luna. "I'm going back to my ship. If you return alive, you can find me in the waters near Pritz Harbor."
MI9 and the Royal Family are after her, and she can't stay any longer.
"Meow."
Luna lay on the Invisible Servant, looking over the Servants's shoulder at Luther. She was being held by an unfamiliar strange thing, but she didn't resist or breathe on it. She just looked at Luther with her wet, azure eyes until she boarded the carriage with the Queen and drove away.
Luther gazed silently in the direction the carriage had disappeared.
M's figure quietly appeared beside him.
"When does it begin?"
She parted her rosy lips slightly and asked softly.
"Right now."
Luther replied, pushed open the door, and went out onto the streets of the East Borough.
December 30, 1349, the night before the end of the year.
The disposal and burial of the bodies is not yet over, and new patients continue to die. The lingering spirits of the dead still haunt this slum. The Star lights illuminate the streets—the glow of the crematoriums.
Luther's keen hearing allowed him to hear muffled sounds coming from the surrounding buildings—the cries of the surviving residents of the East Borough. They couldn't understand why, when life was already so difficult, Fate had to subject them to even greater suffering.
No one is asleep in the East Borough tonight.
Luther walked and walked.
"Come here, everyone come here."
Beside him, M spoke gently and lovingly, calling upon the lingering souls of the dead.
In fact, their main resentment has been Soothing by the "Requiem" ritual, leaving only wisps of extreme, unwilling emotions. Normally, these lingering souls would disappear in a short period of time even if ignored.
But then Luther arrived.
"Call"
Drawn by M's "Soothing" gesture, the remnant souls swarmed to Luther's side, following him closely. Anyone who could see it would likely be horrified by the horrific scene—behind him, countless remnant souls mingled together, resembling a colossal worm, filling the street and relentlessly pursuing Luther. And even more remnant souls continued to be drawn to M, gathering around him.
After roughly circling the East Borough, Luther had gathered a massive number of souls behind him.
"The estimated number is around 30,000."
M said to him, "Should we go around again?"
That's enough.
Luther Zedao.
The Advancement Ritual for the "Black Knight" requires the Degeneration of over ten thousand people, and even if the effect of remnant souls is not as good as that of living people, more than three times the amount is sufficient.
He gestured for M to step back, then stepped forward himself, walked in front of the remaining souls, and directly summoned the Phantom Tide within his mind.
"Whoosh--"
The seawater filled his body, infusing his spirit, making his soul heavy and solid, while an invisible authority began to form.
"Buzz!"
Luther's eyes turned a fiery gold, and he used the "Spectator" Pathway ability to directly resonate his voice, imbued with strong emotional implications, around all the remaining souls:
"Your king betrayed you; he killed you!"
Upon hearing this, the remnant souls let out mournful cries.
"That despicable beast is unworthy to be king!"
Luther continued.
The suffering of the remnant souls deepened further, and they resonated with Luther's emotions, allowing Luther to feel their pain as well.
They were desperate, they were cold, they needed comfort, they wanted justice!
"Don't be afraid, come to me."
The excruciating pain caused veins to bulge on Luther's forehead. He suppressed the urge to scream and said in a low voice.
Under the streetlights, his long shadow suddenly shifted, exuding an aura of Degeneration and madness. "I will bear your pain, your anger, your sins. We will become one!"
"Call!"
The remnant souls moved, one taking the lead, and the others quickly followed, all diving into Luther's shadow.
Luther's face quickly turned pale.
The pain, despair, and extreme emotions of the remnant souls were absorbed by him as they merged into his shadow!
At the same time, those remnant souls also completely Degeneration, becoming part of his madness!