A bolt of lightning streaked across the deep sky, illuminating the entire City of Silver, but it didn't last long before fading away, plunging the world back into darkness.
After opening his eyes, Derrick Berg immediately jumped out of bed and headed straight for the door.
As he walked, he slowed his pace, a troubled expression clearly showing on his face.
How should he bring up the Creator's relic with the Chief? Should he just tell the Chief that he has his eye on an item? No, that won't do. Although, according to Mr. " The Hanged Man," the Chief has an unspoken understanding about such matters, he still feels that he shouldn't be so direct... Derrick has always been a shy boy, and even when his parents were alive, he rarely asked for anything.
He stopped in his tracks, carefully recalling the behavior of the Tarot Club members, such as "Miss Justice " and "Mr. The Hanged Man," who were skilled at conversation, hoping to find a reasonable explanation by imitating them.
After simulating for a while, Derrick gritted his teeth and decided to be more direct.
He picked up " Roar of the God of Thunder," opened the door, entered the street, and headed towards the Twin Towers in the north of the city.
Along the way, many residents of City of Silver came out of their homes, smiling, and gathered towards the training ground.
This period is the "season" for the Harvest black-faced grass, the "festival" for the City of Silver to worship the Creator, and one of the few days of the year when people struggling to survive in the darkness can feel genuine joy.
Watching the children who were still hopping around as they walked and the adults who were wearing black grass amulets and rings, listening to their discussions and the occasional singing, Derrick's mood gradually calmed down, and his steps became more and more firm.
Upon arriving at the Round Tower within the Twin Towers, after being informed, he met Colin Iliad of the Council of Six, in a room at the top of the tower.
As always, this " Demon Hunter " had messy, unkempt gray hair, deep nasolabial folds on his face, and some deep or Distortion old scars. His light blue eyes were deep and weathered, as if they could see into people's hearts.
After Derrick finished bowing, he nodded and said:
"How's your mastery of the ' Light Priest ' Potion coming along?"
This refers to the Spirituality convergence and mastery of corresponding divine arts.
Derrick answered frankly:
"Almost there."
"Well, no rush. The other members of the exploration team aren't ready yet. They need some time, like Lovia, who's gathering and searching for materials for her advancement," Colin Iliad casually remarked.
As expected, Elder Lovia will also participate in this exploration of the " Giant King's Court "... Is she trying to open the gate to Demigod? Derrick paused for two seconds, then asked without hesitation:
"Does Elder Lovia have a follow-up Potion recipe?"
This was a problem that had long troubled the " Shepherd " elder, preventing her from becoming Demigod for many years.
"Yes," Colin replied affirmatively, but offered no further explanation.
He then asked:
What brings you here this time?
Derrick felt a little anxious upon hearing this, and although he didn't make a request, he still spoke quite directly:
"Your Excellency, I have discovered a relic of the Creator, corresponding to Sequence 4 of the ' The Sun ' pathway, ' The Unshadowed '."
Tall and robust, Colin Iliad, dressed in a linen shirt, narrowed his eyes, and his expression changed.
The emotions contained within were so complex and difficult to describe that Derrick stood frozen in place, forgetting what he was going to say next.
In the unspeakable silence, " Demon Hunter " Colin spoke in a slightly low voice:
"Relics?"
Derrick's eyes narrowed, realizing he had inadvertently said something serious.
He agonized for a long time over the possibility that the Creator might have been devoured, utterly destroyed, and never to return, to the point that he developed the illusion that this was common knowledge.
Faced with the chief's question and gaze, Derrick fell silent, momentarily at a loss for words.
He hesitated for several seconds before finally opening his mouth with difficulty:
Yes, relics.
"The kings have betrayed their lord..."
He subconsciously adopted the name the clergyman in town used for the Angel King that Afternoon Town.
Colin looked at Derrick, just stared at Derrick, his light blue eyes seemingly momentarily unfocused.
The " Demon Hunter " remained silent for a long time, finally speaking calmly after nearly a minute:
"I see."
His voice unconsciously became somewhat low. He didn't ask Derrick where the Creator's relic he had discovered was, what it looked like, or what its specific function was.
His gaze regained its depth, and instead of continuing the previous topic, he said:
"You have now reached Sequence 5 and are qualified to know what holy-level Sealed Artifact are in City of Silver. Once you can properly control your Spirituality and fully master divine magic, I will give you the relevant information and lead you to the place where they are sealed."
"If you can achieve a connection with a Saint-level Sealed Artifact and reduce its negative effects, then you can wield it."
The compatibility here refers to the fact that Derrick's spirit is similar enough to the High-Sequence powerful spirit imprint remaining within the Sealed Artifact, which can reduce the terrible negative effects through a certain degree of Deceit.
In City of Silver, commonly used Beyonder Characteristic and materials are not lacking, and everyone has mastered the Acting Method. The main obstacle to their advancement is that the ritual conditions are difficult to meet. Sometimes, even without Potion recipe, it doesn't prevent advancement from Sequence 8 to Sequence 7, or from Sequence 7 to Sequence 6. As long as the previous advancement was achieved through the correct method of consuming Potion and has been fully digested, then if one is willing to take the risk, it is possible to try to directly consume Beyonder Characteristic to advance this time, and the success rate is not too low. However, from Sequence 6 to Sequence 5, without the aid of a ritual, the success rate is extremely low.
Therefore, in City of Silver, Sequence 6 is abundant, while Sequence 5 becomes rare and is a highly valued tier.
Why did the Chief suddenly bring this up...? Does he mean we can exchange the chosen Saint-level Sealed Artifact for the Creator's relic? I haven't expressed that intention yet... Hmm, I'll offer the data to Mr. " The Fool " first and see which one pleases Him... Derrick paused for a few seconds before realizing what was going on, and nodded solemnly:
"Yes, Your Excellency."
He said nothing more, took his leave, and prepared to attend the Harvest festival.
After watching his figure disappear through the doorway, " Demon Hunter " Colin slowly walked to the window and turned his gaze to the altar near the training ground.
Many people had already gathered there, surrounding the altar of the Creator, either pleasing the gods with ancient dances or opening their throats to sing praises to the great being.
They all wore obvious smiles, their eyes filled with longing and anticipation, as if if they persevered for a few more years, the Creator would return and all suffering would end.
Such expectations have been shattered time and time again over the past two or three thousand years, but they have also risen again and again, supporting people's hearts and fighting against despair and oppression.
Colin Iliad stood by the window, watching intently, watching carefully.
Backlund, Böklund Street.
After returning to the real world from above the Gray Fog, Klein felt rather heavy-hearted.
That page in Emperor Roselle's diary gave him a glimpse into the secret of the " Spectator," making him realize how dangerous it would be to continue investigating the king's affairs, even with the backing of the Church of Evernight and the protection of the goddess; it wasn't entirely safe.
The main issue is that the goddess is processing the " Uniqueness " of the " Death " pathway, and hasn't been able to descend for a long time... Hopefully, the Lord of Storms and the God of Steam and Machinery can respond in time at crucial moments... In any case, with Lady Arianna, Will Auceptin, and Pallez Zoroast, even facing the Angel King isn't a certain death. Even if I die, they still have a chance to retrieve my body... The longer I hold on, the greater my chances of survival... Klein relieved the pressure with self-deprecation.
Previously, above the Gray Fog, he had already decided on the focus of his investigation: to primarily track down " Saintess of White " Katarina and the Witch Trissy, whose current Sequence number was unknown Herabergen Rambis, he would try not to search for him unless the other party took the initiative to contact Miss " Justice," to avoid encountering an unexpected event that he could not resist.
On one hand, he waited for Miss " Judgement's " feedback; on the other hand, he tried to find " Vice Admiral Ailment of Disease" and lock onto " Saintess of White " through blood ties. This possibility wasn't very high; the three major churches would definitely have thought of this method as well, and the Demoness Sect wouldn't be without a countermeasure... Later, he'd have Danitz try to collect items related to " Vice Admiral Ailment," while he relied on the Gray Fog Divination that could block interference... Hmm, he'd also have him ask Anderson about his situation, but that wasn't urgent; " Unshadowed Crucifix " was undergoing experiments... Klein pulled himself out of his thoughts, rolled over, and got out of bed.
He had used the suppression of the Gray Fog to bind the " Unshadowed Crucifix " and the " Severed Finger " together, to see if Beyonder Characteristic would be extracted the next time he went up.
After resting at home for a while, Klein changed his clothes and went out with his personal servant Enuni, intending to go to Saint Samuel Cathedral to pray and then take a look at the " Loen Charity Bursary Foundation ".
This personal servant was not actually the " Winner," but rather Qonas Kilgor. The real Enuni had long since used the " Flower of Blood " ring to transform into flesh and blood, hiding inside the " Earl of the Fallen's" stomach.
At this time, the weather in Backlund was seasonally gloomy, and the gas lamps enclosed by iron grates on both sides of the road had not yet been lit, while a few lights were sparsely lit in the houses on the left and right.
Klein watched all this expressionlessly, then took a carriage from Böklund Street to Phelps Street. He first prayed at Saint Samuel Cathedral, then put on his top hat, took his cane, and walked to the location of the " Loen Charity Bursary Foundation ".
As he approached the door, he heard a jingling sound and saw Miss Audrey riding out of a nearby alley on a modified, rather exquisite bicycle without a crossbar.
She wore a simple white long dress and black leather shoes. Her blonde hair was simply tied up, and her blue eyes were intently watching the road. On the seat behind her sat a large golden retriever that could maintain its balance no matter how the bicycle swayed.
Noticing the refined gentleman with graying temples ahead, Audrey's lips curled into a slight smile, and she greeted him in a light and cheerful tone:
Good afternoon, Mr. Dantès.
"Good afternoon, Miss Audrey. You seem to be in a good mood?" Klein watched as the other woman stopped her bicycle and braced herself with her feet.
Audrey pursed her lips, and her smile brightened a little more:
"You're absolutely right, I really am in a good mood. After riding around for a few laps, I feel like all my worries have disappeared."
P. S.: Double reward time! Please vote with your monthly tickets~ There will be another update tonight.
PS2: I recommend a new Republican-era spy novel called "Spy Trails." It's very well-written and sincere: Forensic doctor Lin Jiangbei accidentally travels back to the Republican era and becomes a Kuomintang agent. He uses his identity to hunt down Japanese spies and help underground organizations, writing a legendary tale of Chinese heroism in this war-torn era!