Julian was instantly alarmed by the Colour Out of Space's violent reaction.
Perhaps provoked by the True Creator, it once again lashed out like a rabid dog, attacking both Hanass Vincent, the source of the noise, and Lanevus, the Beyonder of the Marauder Pathway whom it hated.
Honestly, killing two cultists from the Aurora Order was no great matter to Julian. In a sense, these people were guilty of every conceivable evil.
Besides, Julian had official backing himself as an auxiliary member of the Nighthawks. Even if something happened, he would not actually get into any trouble.
Regardless, that outcome would not serve Julian's interests. It would severely disrupt his plans.
On top of that, it would spoil a lot of the fun. In a sense, the Aurora Order was one of the secret organizations in the world of mysteries most adept at stirring things up, and Julian did not want to burn his bridges with them at this juncture.
Hey, hey, hey! Don't kill my "pet"!
Cursing inwardly, Julian fervently recited the Honorific Name of Amanises, the Evernight Goddess, despite the risk of making the True Creator's incomprehensible, maddened ravings grow stronger again.
As a result, the True Creator's ravings became clear once more, but in exchange, the Colour Out of Space was suppressed again.
The spreading, radiation-like iridescence abruptly stopped about two centimeters in front of Hanass Vincent before retreating.
The Colour Out of Space did the same with Lanevus.
But whether because it bore greater malice toward Lanevus or for some other reason, a trace of neon color still stained the Swindler before the Colour Out of Space's radiance completely withdrew.
At that moment, Lanevus's gaze suddenly went blank.
Through the supernatural abilities of the four-color seer, Julian clearly saw that neon color burrow into Lanevus's body in the blink of an eye.
A trace of neon color appeared deep within his eyes. It blocked out everyone present, reflecting only Julian's figure and the variegated light beside him.
Huh?
Suddenly, Julian sensed an inexplicable connection forming between himself and Lanevus. He felt as though he could now subtly influence and control Lanevus!
The sensation was much like what he had experienced earlier when infusing the crystal ball with the Colour Out of Space's corruption. In other words, after Julian stopped the Colour Out of Space's attempt to slaughter Lanevus in time, its remaining influence was insufficient to kill him, but just enough to create a corruption that did not show outwardly.
Julian could still understand that much, but something even more baffling soon happened.
The True Creator's ravings, which had already become clear again as the Colour Out of Space's humming weakened, began to rise in pitch. Countless whispers, packed with an extraordinarily high density of information, poured into Julian's ears through the Sealed Artifact.
Meanwhile, Hanass Vincent seemed to have no intention of stopping Julian from continuing to "listen." He merely watched Julian silently with vacant eyes.
Once again, Julian's mind was on the verge of being torn apart. His thoughts grew sluggish, and suppressing the Colour Out of Space became increasingly difficult.
Yet just as he felt he could hold out no longer, those maddened, impossibly dense ravings abruptly ceased!
A few seconds later, a clear, coherent voice rang out in Julian's mind:
"Julian Albrecht..."
What?
Was that the True Creator calling my name?
Julian froze in astonishment.
But before he could think any further, his four-color seer potion suddenly underwent a dramatic increase in digestion!
How did that work?
The sudden change left Julian utterly bewildered.
Just then, clarity suddenly returned to Hanass Vincent's eyes. He released Julian's right hand and smiled.
"It seems you've heard those whispers and received a remarkable revelation."
"...It would seem so."
Julian nodded slightly, a moved expression appearing on his face.
Then he asked in a voice that sounded as though he was still craving more.
"Was that... the Original Creator? Or, as you said, was what I just heard the voice of my own inner divinity?"
"Yes."
Hanass nodded.
"Except that it was the omnipresent god speaking directly within you."
"Ah..."
At those words, Julian crooked a finger at Lanevus beneath the table. The Swindler immediately used Mental Interference on him, just as he intended.
In that instant, numerous hallucinations appeared before Julian's eyes. He saw his great-grandmother from his previous life.
His nose stung, and tears spilled involuntarily.
"How great... How awe-inspiring..."
Julian's eyes trembled as he looked gratefully at Hanass Vincent.
"Before today, I never understood the meaning of life, nor had I ever listened to my own inner desires and voice.
"Thank you, Hanass. You've helped me find myself again."
Upon hearing this, Hanass and Sirius Arapis exchanged a quick glance. Then Hanass promptly said:
"There's no need to thank me. I'm merely one of the god's many humble messengers.
"Rather than thanking me, why not devote yourself to the Original Creator and join the great undertaking of awakening all life?"
Finally got you to reveal your true intentions... Just as I thought, that so-called "listening" must have been meant to let the True Creator corrupt me and make me serve the Aurora Order.
Grumbling inwardly, Julian nodded emphatically.
"What can I do for the god?"
"As far as we know, you seem to have some connection to the Nighthawks."
Hanass spoke.
"Yes. The Nighthawks provide me with protection, and in exchange, I offer them some assistance."
Seeing that they knew of his connection to the Nighthawks, just as he had expected, Julian simply made no attempt to conceal it and immediately nodded in
acknowledgment.
"Very good."
Hanass nodded, then cast another quick glance at Sirius Arapis before continuing.
"To be honest, the Nighthawks often cause us a great deal of trouble. Many of our companions have died at gunpoint at their hands... These servants of the Evernight Goddess have greatly hindered our great undertaking of spreading the god's teachings.
"So, if possible, to preserve more seeds of hope for this undertaking, could you regularly provide us with intelligence on the Nighthawks?"