Divination

Due to an emergency, Knight Yiman remained in the guest room to avoid suspicion, and the original banquet was naturally called off.

Not only that, but high-ranking members of the territory, including Albert, Green, and Eight-Fingers, had all gathered in Aaron's study.

"This matter... is not easy to handle."

Albert frowned. "We cannot fully confirm that Knight Yiman is innocent... Your safety, my lord, must be guaranteed with the utmost thoroughness... Furthermore, since this involves a nobleman, I believe we should notify Sothoth Castle immediately."

"And then what? Blow the matter out of proportion... and have the Upper Green Forest people, who sympathize with Yiman, completely alienate themselves and sever ties with us? Anyone with eyes can see that such a clumsy assassination attempt could not possibly succeed. They likely wanted to frame Yiman; after all, he has a good reputation in the Upper Green Forest, which can stir up widespread sympathy... And as for my father."

Aaron shook his head. "He might not care whether Yiman is innocent or not, but rather see this as an opportunity to directly strip Knight Yiman of his territory... After all, I still have a younger brother!"

In this regard, Lady Sonia would certainly push for it with great vigor.

"Therefore, we must uncover the conspiracy as quickly as possible, capture the true culprits, and then... minimize the fallout."

He concluded at last.

"Mika is in poor condition and likely unable to be interrogated, and those assassins simply won't reveal anything..." Albert frowned, hesitating.

"It doesn't matter. You all may leave."

Aaron shooed everyone out and took out a detailed map of the territory, along with candles, incense, essential oils, a pendulum, and other tools.

He couldn't be bothered to look for evidence to solve the case; since the spirituality of the 'Chrysalis' was still within him, he would simply use mysticism to resolve it!

"Divination for locating people is on an entirely different level from ordinary tracking spells; it is considered a relatively advanced mystical ritual."

"Furthermore, it is easily subject to interference and resistance. Whether it is the mystical rank of the target, the presence of other mystical items on them, or even the protection of a high-level entity, all can create interference!"

Take Lin, for example. Not only did she possess a rank equivalent to a Son of Burning, but she also carried the corruption of the Mother Tree of Flesh, which acted as a form of gaze, making her extremely difficult to divine. Within the entire Black Sun Cult, only the High Priest could manage it.

But in the real world?

"Everyone is a mortal. My mystical rank, even without counting the one from the dream world, is already half a step higher than everyone else's... And unless a Foreign God—the [Grandmother Green Banyan]—truly exists, there will be no high-level entity protecting that mastermind... Therefore, the interference I face is virtually non-existent!"

"As long as the ritual can be performed, I will inevitably find the mastermind!"

Aaron quickly drew the ritual circle on the table and injected his own spirituality.

Immediately, he lit the candles to create a sealed environment, then added essential oils and incense to help himself enter a state similar to meditation more quickly.

Whoosh!

Within the sealed study, it felt as if an invisible wall had been erected.

"Because there are no gods in this world, I cannot communicate with my dream self, but for the subject of the ritual's invocation, I shall use myself..."

Thinking of this, Aaron vibrated his own spirituality and spoke in an otherworldly tongue:

"I beseech... the Creator above all creators!"

"The Absolute Neutral Entity behind the multiple veils!"

"Spirit of Unknown Void, Absolute Neutral Entity, Silent Observer!"

"I request that you grant me the ability to perceive fate!"

In a hazy state, Aaron seemed to hear his own echo in his ears, but he did not attempt to respond to the invocation.

After all, he had tried a few times before, and all had failed.

He simply picked up the pendulum, placed it over the map, and let it begin to rotate clockwise.

"The location of the mastermind behind the assassination!"

"The location of the mastermind behind the assassination!"

"The location of the mastermind behind the assassination!"

At the same time, Aaron silently recited the content he wished to divine.

One circle, two circles, three circles...

Finally, in a way that defied the laws of physics, the pendulum pointed diagonally toward a spot on the map, as if drawn by an invisible force there.

"Success."

Aaron stared at the map, a cold sneer appearing on his face. "To think they are hiding within my own territory?"

He noted the location on the map and ended the ritual.

The next moment, Aaron's vision went black, and he nearly fainted.

"My spirituality has completely dried up... It hasn't even been a day yet; it dissipated faster than before, though that is within reason."

"It's a pity; the spirituality of the 'Chrysalis' was quite useful."

"But what I desire most is the ability for healing, longevity, and mental manipulation..."

In this magicless world, if he could choose supernatural abilities, Aaron would naturally lean toward mental manipulation and longevity.

With the ability to control humans, he could easily acquire a vast number of subordinates and wealth by manipulating any great lord or even a king, and then hide behind the scenes to control everything.

If he had enough time, ruling the world would not be a delusion!

Alas, the rule of this spiritual dissipation made immortality a pipe dream, which was why Aaron preferred to find a path inclined toward charming humans and mental control.

Mixing various paths together carried the hidden danger of chaos, and he still preferred purity.

"Hmm?"

Aaron tidied up his desk, suddenly gazing at his pendulum; it was merely a small, low-quality crystal strung on a thin thread.

Yet at this moment, the crystal seemed to have become a little more crystalline and clear.

"There is a sense of spirituality, though it is very vague and faint, almost as if it weren't there at all... Is this the result of being steeped in the ritual and my own influence?"

Aaron pondered, "Perhaps it is not that spirituality is dissipating in this world, but that its concentration is diffusing? Just as water at a high altitude will constantly surge toward low-lying areas... the bit of spirituality I brought with me, once dispersed into the world, is like a drop of ink in the ocean, and thus appears as if it were nothing?"

"This is a very interesting research topic."

He packed his things away and called the people outside in: "I have confirmed that the mastermind is right here!"

Aaron pointed at the map: "Go and prepare, and also, invite Knight Yiman over."

Albert wore a look of utter confusion; what on earth had he missed?

Why was it that after standing outside for a while, the Baron had determined there was another mastermind, and had even found their lair?

Eight-Fingers and the others thought even less, simply following the order to bring Knight Yiman in.

"Respected Baron..."

Knight Yiman's expression was slightly weary, but he still bowed meticulously.

"Knight Yiman, I have found the true culprit. Are you willing to go and apprehend him to prove your innocence?"

Aaron smiled.

"Of course!"

Yiman raised his head, his eyes filled with surprise and fire: "I am willing!"