Doctor

Abner did not fly far with the sack containing Dunn. As soon as he left the city, he landed and entered a detached house he had rented under a false identity.

The house stood far from all three of the Three Great Churches, with the Tussock River flowing nearby. It was an excellent place to make an escape.

Abner had already set up a ritual in the hall to conceal unusual sights and sounds. As soon as he entered, he placed Dunn's "corpse" on the prepared altar.

A secluded house on the outskirts, dim crimson moonlight, flickering candles, eerie and mysterious runes... and an altar bearing a corpse...

Even Abner, the presider of this seemingly "evil" ritual, felt uneasy at the sight. He could not help muttering:

"This is a ritual of the Churches of the True Gods. The presider is a Blessed, and the person being saved is a noble 'hero'... So why does the whole thing look like a villain's lair? Anyone who saw it would probably report me."

After steadying his nerves, Abner carefully took a tin box from his pocket. He removed the Spiritual Lock on it and took out the black Life Stone the Earth Mother Goddess had given him.

Abner drew a deep breath and readied himself to flee at any moment. Then he stepped forward, unbuttoned Dunn's shirt to expose his visibly stitched-up chest, and solemnly placed the Black Gemstone over the left side of it.

The instant the Life Stone touched Dunn's body, it seemed to melt into his chest. Red and green light wrapped around his entire body, sending out intertwined rays.

Abner quietly breathed a sigh of relief. The phenomenon was not strong enough to break through the ritual he had set up. At least he would not have to