Facing It

High above Trier, an ancient, mottled, enormous phantom appeared, like a stone-carved clock, divided into twelve sections, each either Gray-White or bluish-black, interspersed with each other, clearly defined, and each with a different symbol.

When!

The distant, ethereal chimes seemed to travel across a long history, bringing the entire Trier to a standstill.

During this brief pause, Insects with twelve intersecting transparent and opaque Ring crawled around haphazardly, burrowing into different places, searching for patterns that could be used to Deceit and escape the influence of Fate.

Lumian and the others also froze in their movements to the sound of bells that seemed to come from an ancient era.

Not long ago, after hearing Lumian utter the term "Person of the Loop," Franca and Jenna took out a Tarot Cards from the "Traveler’s Bag" one after the other.

The Tarot Cards depicts an angel blowing a trumpet to guide the Angel of the dead.

Major Arcana, "Judgement"!

Immediately afterwards, the two "Witch" began to chant in Hermetic:

"I request Judgement!"

They both sensed the "Judgement" Lady's response, but it was vague and unable to establish a real connection.

The two "Witch" instantly realized that the area around the Botanical Garden or Wooden Hut was subject to far more severe restrictions, not just due to the abilities of the "Person of the Loop."

As they pleaded for the arrival of the "Judgement" Lady, Lumian, Anthony, and Lugano saw their Wooden Hut rapidly decaying and collapsing, like a tree trunk buried in the earth for a very long time.

Boom!

Blazing White Fireball shot upwards, blasting open the collapsed ceiling and preventing the rotting wood from touching anyone present.

As the Wooden Hut decayed and collapsed, Lumian saw two figures appear a few dozen meters ahead.

The Daoist was slender and of medium height, dressed in a crisp white shirt and black suit, with a gray bow tie, and had strong and deep features.

Although he looks old, it is clear that he was quite handsome when he was young. His hair is now gray but neatly combed, and there are brownish age spots on his face that look like they might fester and ooze pus at any moment.

The Daoist was also dressed in a suit, in his fifties, with Blond Hair blond hair tinged with gray, clear Eyes like lake water, and an exceptionally elegantly trimmed beard. Even though he was getting on in years, he could still be described as a handsome man.

Upon seeing the Daoist behind him, Lumian, though mentally prepared, still managed to squeeze out a hoarse voice:

"Vazan Sanson!"

This is the leader of the "Sinners" organization, the father of Aurora's original self, and a believer Fate to bring tragedy to Aurora!

"Sanson, leave those two Witch to me too." Upon seeing Franca and Jenna, the man with many age spots on his face lit up and immediately said to "The Person of the Loop," Vazan Sanson.

This is not merely a desire for beauty, but also an attraction stemming from deeper factors.

Vazan Sanson gazed at Lumian and chuckled in response to his collaborator:

"No problem, Higdon."

Lumian suppressed his urge to rush forward and seek revenge, and quickly said to Ludwig, "You go deal with that blond guy!"

Last time, Lumian relied on the Intimidation Residual Aura of the "Blood Emperor" to affect Vazan Sanson, causing the "Person of the Loop" effect in the Painted World to collapse on its own, thus getting rid of this Beyond Ability. This time, the Residual Aura of the "Blood Emperor" has been sealed by the "Underworld Daoist," and Vazan Sanson, having learned his lesson, will certainly be more cautious.

Therefore, Lumian hoped that Ludwig, who possessed both Angel body and Angel-Level, would Impact Vazan Sanson to see if he could break the influence of the "Person of the Loop" through brute force and angelic power.

If they don't break free from the "Person of the Loop," no matter how much effort he, Franca, Jenna, and the others put in, they will regress to the present and achieve nothing.

Ludwig paused, as if saying to Lumian, "Me? Me, fight that powerful old man? I'm just a child!"

On the one hand, Ludwig hadn't expected to have to fight, and on the other hand, he inexplicably felt that he shouldn't fight and that it would be best to cooperate with the two old men in front of him and let them take him away.

Lumian faintly heard the sound of bells, and his thoughts briefly drifted away.

Franca, Jenna, Anthony, and others, along with Vazan Sanson and Higdon on the opposite side, all shared similar feelings.

Lumian quickly regained his composure, swiftly took out "Black Tear" from the "Traveler’s Bag," and tossed it to Franca.

Judging from the tone of voice of the enemy named Higdon and his attitude towards Vazan Sanson, Lumian believed that he must also be a Saint, a true Half-God. Therefore, Franca could only use "Black Tear" to stall for time long enough to hold out until they could destroy the "Person of the Loop" effect.

While throwing the "Black Tear" to Franca, Lumian was also urging Ludwig:

Go quickly!

"I'll prepare the most sumptuous meal for you afterwards!"

Ludwig seemed tempted, but his feet remained firmly planted on the ground.

At this moment, Vazan Sanson and Higdon, who did not Angel-Level, seemed to be under the influence of some strange force, appearing somewhat sluggish and failing to launch an attack quickly.

Lumian's voice then turned authoritative, and he growled:

Do you want to be sent back to the Church of Knowledge?

Ludwig was startled and quickly turned to face Vazan Sanson.

"Don't you like your life now?" Lumian added, based on his understanding of Ludwig.

Ludwig unconsciously pursed his lips, then stuffed a piece of chocolate into his mouth and dashed toward Vazan Sanson.

Lumian then winked at Franca and Jenna, who had just shaken off their dazed state.

His meaning was that Franca should be responsible for distracting and maneuvering around Higdon, while Jenna should assist Franca, but they should not risk engaging in direct combat.

Franca and Jenna both nodded solemnly.

The former Entanglement the "Black Tear" Forehead Ornament around his wrist and disappeared in a flash.

Jenna also concealed herself.

Without hesitation, Lumian withdrew his gaze and immediately took out the "Demon’s Whisper" Bone Ring, putting it on the middle finger of his right hand.

His body instantly Burning into Purple Flames that emitted a strong Sulfur smell, and malice began to blaze forth.

To his relief, he had released most of his Accumulation desires and emotions during this time, and was in much better condition than when he used the "Hisoka" relic in Morola.

Immediately afterwards, he grasped the hilt of the "Sword of Courage" and drew it from the "Traveler’s Bag".

Courage instantly filled Lumian's body. He stared at Vazan Sanson, who wanted to manipulate Ludwig's insignificant Destiny, and transformed into a Blazing White -blue Flame Spear, which he hurled at Past with a Burning.

Revenge! Revenge!

I will never back down!

--Lumian had already planned out his overall strategy before using the "Sword of Courage":

Franca and Jenna held off Higdon, while he and Ludwig launched a fierce attack on Vazan Sanson, trying to break the influence of the "Person of the Loop." Anthony was responsible for supporting both sides and acting as his external brain.

As for Lugano, he doesn't need to participate in the battle; he should be given treatment when the opportunity arises.

Inside the somber "Black Emperor" Mausoleum, dark walls surround a central High Platform of the same color.

On the High Platform, there was a Giant chair that looked like it was made of black iron and was engraved with intricate and Distortion patterns. The top of the chair's backrest extended upwards in the shape of Crown.

At this moment, a huge black shadow sat on the heavy chair, the outline of its facial features clearly visible:

Blue eyes, a high-bridged nose, thin lips, and a neatly groomed mustache...

The shadowy figure gradually became clearer, seemingly wearing black armor and a magnificent cloak.

Roselle Gustav.

Emperor Intis, who made an era name for himself!

He is constantly Rebirth and dying, but the speed of both is Distortion and slowed down, so that he can awaken and manifest a certain form.

Seeing Roselle like this, "Queen of Mysteries" Bernadette's eyes welled up with tears, and she cried out with a mixture of Pain and joy, "Papa!"

Roselle's Eyes turned blood red, and two gashes appeared on his face, through which the blood-red light could be seen.

But these things disappear again after another round of death and Rebirth.

And whether it's passing away or Rebirth, it's all happening much slower.

Roselle looked at his Eldest Daughter and sighed, "Didn't I tell you never to come back?"

Bernadette replied firmly, "Father, I want to save you!"

"I dare not gamble on whether it is Mr. ' The Fool ' who wakes up, or the ' Celestial Worthy of Heaven and Earth ' they speak of; at the very least, you must be able to remain conscious and maintain your composure without any corresponding assistance."

The "Queen of Mysteries" paused, then added in a deep voice, "Moreover, I cannot Prophecy when the Apocalypse will come, or what the outcome will be. I don't want to wait any longer."

Roselle sighed with a hint of relief:

Silly child...

"Who helped you bypass my restrictions and get back here?"

"Yes, that That One." Bernadette made no attempt to hide anything from her father.

"Adam? The current ' True Creator '?" Roselle wasn't surprised at all.

Bernadette nodded slightly.

Roselle chuckled coldly, then looked at Bernadette and said in a complicated tone, "You actually chose to cooperate with the followers of the ' Mist of Uncertainty,' don't you know how dangerous that is?"

Bernadette paused for a second before saying, "It's exploitation."

"The Corruption that can balance your body are currently outside the Barrier. Among these, only the ' Mist of Uncertainty ' can relatively easily pass through the Barrier and enter in a little bit."

"I also made some preparations to prevent the Whirlpool from pushing further downstream:"

"I deliberately didn't reply to Cattleya's letter, allowing her to participate in the ' Tarot Club.' Being Above the Gray Fog would make her more alert, and given the strength of the ' Tarot Club ' and the connections it has, once they figure out where the problem lies, they can take very effective measures..."

"I also foresaw that some of the Trader Perle had recruited discovered the unusual activities of the ' Rose School ' Indulgence Faction and arranged for his Subordinate to inform the Temperance Faction..."

"...

"I even Prophecy the outcome of this matter, and the situation did not deteriorate."

"That One also hinted at that."

Roselle shook his head and said to Bernadette in a slightly somber tone, "Perhaps the situation hasn't deteriorated because many people have made sacrifices."

"For Adam, this may have been necessary."

But what about you?