Summoning the "Armored Wraith" Again

Fifteen minutes later, the "Magician" Lady replied with a rather brief letter:

"The Iron and Blood Cross Order's investigation into the reasons for the Sauron Family's Decay clearly contradicts some of my previous speculations. It seems that what they claim and what they actually possess are not necessarily the same. Perhaps they only have certain key intelligence that allows them to achieve their desired goals when given the right conditions, and one important condition cannot be separated from the Sauron Family."

By this point, Lumian's temples were throbbing. The "Magician" Lady seemed to have said a lot, but the key parts were always vague. He could understand each Vocabulary individually, but when put together, he couldn't figure out what it meant.

What does the "Iron and Blood Cross Order" actually possess, and what does it claim to represent?

Lumian rubbed his temples and continued reading:

"For you, this is both a danger and an opportunity. Investigating the truth behind the Decay of the Sauron Family is also what I've been hoping for. This is a long-term mission that Mr. ' The Fool ' has given to our ' Tarot Club,' just like how ' The Two of Cups ' contacted the Witch Sect to confirm the state of the ' Primordial Witch.' There's no need to rush. Take your time. Even if it takes years to complete, it's fine."

"..." Lumian was stunned for a moment.

Franca's Major Arcana, "Judgement," grants the Lady's consent to Lumian's plan to contact the Witch Sect, but what terrible task awaits to confirm the state of the "Primordial Witch"?

That was a real Deity!

According to what Lumian had learned from various sources during this time, not only should one not look directly at the Deity, but understanding their specific circumstances was also a very dangerous thing.

As for those Evil God who claim to be based on Fate, the very fact that they are aware of their existence is itself a form of Corruption.

A long-term mission... a mission that can only be completed when Franca becomes Half-God? Lumian thoughtfully turned his gaze to the last paragraph of the reply:

"Focus on this matter. If you need help and have no other options, write to me in advance. As for the ' Aurora Order,' don't participate in other missions. Focus on the ' Iron and Blood Cross Order ' storyline. I believe Mr. K will understand."

The "Magician" Lady's previous task for me was to join the "Aurora Order" and gradually gain Mr. K's trust. Her ultimate goal was probably to make me a Divine Emissary. The "Iron and Blood Cross Order" was just a necessary prerequisite for completing this task. But judging from her current tone, the priorities have changed, and the "Iron and Blood Cross Order" is now the main focus... Lumian deciphered a rather important signal from this reply.

Crimson Flames erupted, burning the letter in his hand. Lumian slung his satchel over his shoulder, placed the "Torture" gauntlets inside, and headed straight for White Coat Street.

He randomly picked a Café and had breakfast there.

It wasn't until almost nine o'clock that Lumian finally knocked loudly on the door of Apartment 601.

Franca didn't complain about being woken up this time; she looked like she hadn't slept yet, her expression was gloomy and worried.

Upon seeing Lumian, she scratched her Linen-Colored hair, which wasn't yet tied into a ponytail, and said, "You'd never guess, I've taken on a death mission!"

"Confirming the status of the ' Primordial Witch '?" Lumian laughed.

After realizing that Franca was acting voluntarily, he stopped worrying about her altogether.

"How did you know?" Franca asked, looking surprised.

"Do you want to hear the truth or a lie? The lie is what I Divination, the truth is what I just reported to my Major Arcana about the recent situation, and she mentioned your choice." Lumian walked to the Long Sofa and relaxed, sitting down. "Where's Jenna?"

Franca suddenly realized and casually said, "They went to the Old Pigeon Cage."

"Ever since she got her father's compensation back, she's been obsessed with Instigation others. Just yesterday, she Instigation one of my actresses whose contract was expiring and got her transferred to a Theater in the Memorial Hall District. Okay, her income has increased quite a bit, but she could have just asked me for a raise. Old Pigeon Cage's profits have been pretty good lately."

She didn't really blame Jenna, because Jenna had asked for her opinion beforehand and received her permission. She thought this kind of Instigation was good, and letting go of a supporting role would give those Actor Apprentice a chance, such as Jenna, and those former dancers.

After briefly explaining the matter, Franca sighed and said, "' The Judgement ' Lady only instructed me to make contact with the Witch Sect, to use their resources to improve myself while controlling my own desires and mental state, and to pay attention to their movements and recent plans. Once I truly attain Divinity and become Saint, I will then consider confirming the ' Primordial Witch's' status. Hmm, by observing the Witch Sect's movements, their recent plans, and their reactions when praying to the ' Primordial Witch,' I can actually deduce some things."

"Aren't you troubled by the mission?" Lumian raised an eyebrow.

Franca sighed.

"The quest is frustrating, but what's frustrating is that if I do that, I'll still be Witch at Sequence 4 and can't turn back into a man."

"We can wait for Sequence 3," Lumian said casually.

"Yes, though that would be more difficult." Franca had already figured it out and then asked Lumian why he had suddenly reported to the "Magician" Lady.

Lumian briefly recounted his experience at Red Swan Castle yesterday and Gardner Martin's words, without going into specific details.

Franca listened attentively, pondered for a few seconds, and said, "Our current missions combined are to uncover the secrets and movements of the forces related to the ' Hunter ' and ' Witch ' Pathway."

"The ' Tarot Club ' seems to care a lot about this kind of thing..."

Lumian smiled:

"That's how we'll have a chance."

Franca hummed in agreement, then suddenly remembered something:

"How much gold did you order Count Puyver to give you?"

"30,000," Lumian answered truthfully.

Franca's eyes lit up:

How much gold do you have now?

"75,000, and I can add another 6,000 at any time." Lumian didn't hide anything.

Franca's smile instantly brightened:

"Then I'll lend you 25,000 yuan first, interest-free!"

"Let's summon that ' Armored Wraith ' tonight and try to figure some things out before next week's gathering."

"You have 25,000 Felkine now?" Lumian asked, slightly surprised.

He remembered that Franca had spent all her savings to become a "Pleasure Witch".

Franca said smugly, "I got 20,000 Felkine for helping you deal with Guillaume Béné, and Gardner Martin has been quite happy lately, letting me handle most of the profits from the Old Pigeon Cage and those dancers myself. Hehe, ' The Judgement ' Lady even gave me 10,000 for operating expenses."

They're making money just as fast as I am... Lumian knows that while the profits earned by the Old Dovecage Theater and those dancers aren't as high as those at Breeze Ballroom, they're still considerable. If Franca can take the majority, she'll have an income of around 20,000 per month.

He nodded and said, "Okay, let's go to that place tonight at 11 pm to hold the Summoning Ritual."

Franca's joy was palpable:

"I'll arrange for someone to exchange it for 25,000 yuan worth of gold right now."

Late Night, at Lister Docks, inside the building that was burned down.

Franca watched as Lumian set up the Altar, placing all the gold on it.

She did not choose to remain outside the "Spirit Wall," but stayed by her companion's side.

Lumian lit the Candle one by one, dripped essential oil on them, took a step back, and said, "A ' The Fool ' who does not belong to this era;

"..."

Almost simultaneously, Franca began to chant the Honorific Name of "The Fool" to avoid being harmed by the power of the Ritual.

Soon, amidst the thin mist and surging danger, Lumian recited the final part of the Incantation:

"I!

"I call upon the name of the great ' The Fool ':"

"A spirit wandering in illusion, a composite of numerous Shadows, Lumian Lee's Contract Creature."

In the flickering candlelight, a phantom gate covered with mysterious patterns emerged, and a blurry, shadowy Shadows clad in Pitch-Black armor resembling fish scales stepped out.

Just like last time, each scale seemed to hold a face, the face of a different creature.

"It really is fish scale armor..." Franca stared intently, both expectant and apprehensive.

This made her forget the unease that permeated her surroundings and the obvious malice emanating from the "Armored Wraith."

Lumian gazed at the "Armored Wraith" and said in Hermetic, "I will fulfill the Contract and offer you gold worth 100,000 Felkine."

Frankly, he had some doubts about the 100,000 Felkine worth of gold, because the exchange rate between Felkine and gold fluctuates slightly. Therefore, he was completely unsure whether to prepare according to the exchange rate at the time of signing the Contract or according to the current situation, so he could only exchange an extra 1,000 Felkine as a backup.

As Lumian finished speaking, the gold bars and ornaments placed on the Altar suddenly collapsed, turning into tiny gold particles that flew towards the mysterious and illusory gate.

Most of them landed on the "Armored Wraith," while a few passed through the open illusory gate and disappeared without a trace.

Nearly one-fifth of the "Armored Wraith" armor's fish-scale-like Pitch-Black surface has slowly turned Golden, transforming it from gloomy and dull to sacred and clear.

Franca stared, her eyes wide with amazement.

Legends and terms from her original world flashed through her mind, and she murmured to herself, "This is... reshaping the Golden Body?"

In her memory, the Golden Body body referred to the gold powder or Gold Leaf leaf applied to the surface of Statue, and sometimes it also referred to the special body of a person with Divinity or accomplishment. The Armored Wraith's appearance was like a dilapidated Statue repainting itself with gold powder.

Once all the gold on the Altar had disappeared, Lumian felt that the Contract had been fully fulfilled.

He seized the opportunity and, in Hermetic, asked Franca, "Where are you from?"

"Armored Wraith" opened its mouth and spoke in a deep, majestic yet sinister and ethereal voice.

However, Lumian didn't understand at all and could only watch blankly as the "Armored Wraith" walked back behind the illusory gate.

Once the Summoning Ritual was completely over, Lumian turned to look at Franca and found his companion lost in thought, her brows furrowed and her expression bewildered.

A thought struck him, and he asked, "Did you understand ' Armored Wraith's ' answer?"

Franca nodded slowly:

The language he used was very similar to the language of my Homeland.

He was saying...

Franca paused, then muttered to herself, a mixture of confusion and bewilderment, "The Blood-Colored Son of Heaven disrupted the Underworld, and the Underworld Daoist sacrificed himself by entering the river."