What an evil aura...
Lorne studied the wide black-and-silver ring lying quietly in the wooden box and muttered inwardly.
He did not reach for it immediately.
Something about the ring felt strangely familiar. It carried a sense of corruption and madness that seemed capable of piercing the soul.
Just like... just like the True Creator!
In an instant, the terrifying scene at the Descent Ritual resurfaced in Lorne's mind: apocalyptic destruction, flesh and blood flying everywhere.
I remember Antigonus saying he went to clean up the Descent Ritual site. Could he have made this from something left behind there?
As Lorne speculated, he noticed an unsigned envelope tucked beneath the wooden box containing the ring.
He picked it up and opened it. Inside were two documents: instructions for using the ring and a handwritten letter from Antigonus.
He took out Antigonus's letter first and began reading.
In the letter, Antigonus answered Lorne's earlier inquiry about the Rose School. He frankly admitted that the Society wanted to find members of the Temperance Faction primarily to seek their cooperation.
The reason was that the Society currently had certain plans on the Southern Continent, but its operations were highly likely to be discovered and obstructed by the deeply entrenched, fanatical Indulgence Faction.
Thus, the Society needed to support the Temperance Faction against them. It also wanted the Temperance Faction to serve as its guide on the Southern Continent, using that connection to win over the people of the Highland Kingdom region oppressed by the Indulgence Faction.
In exchange, the Society could offer the Temperance Faction considerable assistance and promise supplies of food and other necessities to the people of the highlands.
"Just as I expected..." Lorne rested a hand against his chin, deep in thought.
*They'd clearly be using them as a weapon,