Senior Deacon's Authority

Luther walked down the steps one by one.

The lantern illuminated only a small area. Although there were candleholders on both walls, their flames were quite weak, as if they could be swallowed by the darkness at any moment. At the edge of the light, an invisible sense of fear spread through the pure darkness. It was humanity's instinctive awe of the unknown, like the helpless loneliness felt as a child on a moonless night.

Yet Luther remained unmoved.

Whoosh...

Beneath him, equally dense darkness swayed with the lantern's light. The darkness born of shadows was not pure; on the contrary, it was filled with chaotic, complex, violent emotions. It was the wails of countless dead, the degenerated and filthy curses. This alien "darkness" surrounded him, becoming a powerful barrier against the encroachment around him.

The steps finally ended, and level ground appeared before him. He had reached the second floor where Sealed Artifacts were stored.

Luther raised his head, his eyes piercing through the darkness. The second floor was divided by walls of different materials—brick, steel, earth, silver... These walls formed separate sections. Some rooms were tightly sealed, while others stood completely open. Each room held a Sealed Artifact.

He closed his eyes and sensed the surroundings slightly.

Black threads filled the darkness. The Sealed Artifacts in most rooms were suppressed by them, completely motionless. Only a small number remained unaffected, freely flickering with the radiance of Spirituality.

It seemed that most of the Sealed Artifacts were below Grade 2. There were relatively few Grade 1 and Grade 0 Sealed Artifacts.

So, which section would hold the Antigonus Family's notebook?

After some thought, Luther decided to head in the direction with the most Spirituality lights.

With shadows swaying beneath his feet, he carried the lantern deeper inside.

Strange rooms