"???"
That voice…was Hunter?
What was going on?
Hadn't Intis declared at the last meeting that he was already dead?
"No need to look so surprised," Hunter said lazily. "Sure, I might've leaked Intis's information to the Demoness Sect and the Iron and Blood Cross Order, making him believe his plan was flawlessly executed—and that's exactly what led to his downfall. But hey, I'm still a good person! And good people always live longer than the bad ones, don't they?"
The Witch smiled sweetly. "Then congratulations, Senior Hunter."
"Likewise, likewise!"
At that moment, Hermes spoke softly, "Intis isn't dead."
"Oh, really? Well, I don't see much difference between his current state and death anyway."
As he spoke, Hunter glanced in the direction of Coward's usual spot. "And what about the coward?"
Hermes replied calmly, "He…truly died."
Hunter immediately shook his head with mock regret. "See? I told you—codenames are not something to take lightly. In the mystical world, they're not just aliases. You called him 'Coward,' and sure enough, he was timid for so long…the one time he found some courage, he went and died for it."
He gave a small, exaggerated sigh. "And as for Intis—'died' in the capital of Intis itself. Let's see…who's next in line to be unlucky?"
His mischievous gaze swept over everyone in the ossuary-like cathedral. When it landed on Edward, he froze for a second, then blinked in surprise. "Huh? And who might this little gnome be? A new member?"
At those words, the others—who were already curious about Edward—openly turned their attention toward him. Indeed, the image projected into the cathedral showed Edward in the form of a small child.
Edward smiled lightly. "Yes, I'm new here. Pleased to meet everyone. If anyone needs assistance, feel free to reach out."
"Can you help me get the Beyonder characteristic of the War Bishop?" Hunter asked instantly.
"Of course," Edward replied evenly. "As long as you can pay the appropriate price."
"Deal! I've been keeping an eye on that War Bishop for a long time. Once this meeting's over, let's—"
Hermes coughed lightly. "Don't joke around with Hunter, Number Eight."
"Yes, Mr. Hermes."
"Number Eight?" Hunter's voice shot up a few notes. "You're Number Eight? Why the hell did you make yourself look like that?"
"I just thought it would be fun," Edward said casually.
In truth, he had simply forgotten to mask his current form.
"Fun, my ass!" Hunter raised a middle finger at him.
Then Adam turned around. The moment he did, Hunter fell silent at once.
"I have already determined the cause of the deviation in the trend of the times."
Adam did not address any of the previous topics. His calm, ethereal voice filled the cathedral. "However, the deviation has already spiralled out of control. From now on, I need you all to help restore the trend of the times to its proper course."
Edward's heart skipped a beat. The current of the era's deviation…Could Adam be referring to the fact that Roselle wasn't corrupted by the Mother Goddess of Depravity?
Hunter raised a hand. "Leader, could you be a bit more specific about how we're supposed to do that?"
Adam gave him a faint glance but said nothing.
A moment later, He left behind only one sentence: "I'll leave the rest to Hermes."
Then His figure vanished.
"Great, just like always," Hunter muttered under his breath. "Never explains anything, but expects us to clean up the mess."
The Witch chuckled softly behind her hand. "Senior Hunter, your courage has really grown."
"I've already died once. What's there to be afraid of now?" Hunter crossed his arms and huffed. "By the way, did any of you run into that guy in the blood-red armour?"
The Witch nodded. "I did. But I ran the moment I saw him. I thought he was one of the Iron Blood Cross Order's angels—didn't expect it to be one of Intis's tricks instead. We were supposed to help him, weren't we? Why did he turn on us instead? Does anyone know?"
Everyone exchanged glances, but no one spoke.
"Mr. Hermes," she turned toward him again, "do you know?"
Hermes inclined his head slightly. "Intis intended to use the demigods from the Witch and Hunter pathways as sacrifices—to achieve a certain purpose. But I'm not sure what that purpose was."
Hunter grinned slyly. "So when Intis issued that commission, you already knew, didn't you?"
Hermes smiled faintly. "Whether I knew or not doesn't matter anymore, does it? The matter's over, and besides—you all more or less achieved your own goals in the process, didn't you?"
Hunter laughed. "That's true enough."
Edward couldn't help but speak up. "Have you all forgotten who the real victim of this incident was?"
The Witch giggled. "Of course not. I've already observed a moment of silence for him."
"So have I."
"Me too."
Edward: "…"
"Alright, let's get back to business."
Hermes's tone turned serious. "Regarding what the Leader just said—it isn't a specific commission, but rather a series of subsequent operations that will need to be performed gradually to correct the deviation. There's no need to rush."
He paused briefly before continuing, "Next month, there won't be any new assignments for the time being. Just proceed as usual."
After another pause, he added, "Considering the damage and losses you all suffered due to Intis's commission, the Leader has granted a special exception—you may preview the Blasphemy Slate ahead of schedule. How much you can remember depends entirely on your own capability."
The Corpse Cathedral instantly fell silent.
A moment later, a peculiar stone appeared in Hermes's hand. It was grayish-white in colour, its surface worn with age, engraved with a language none of them had ever studied—yet all could somehow understand at a glance.
At first sight, it bore a strong resemblance to the one Edward had seen beside Sasrir, in the Giant King's Court, though it lacked that same overwhelming grandeur.
And as those mysterious symbols entered their minds, a wave of dizziness struck them all. Though there were only a few lines carved upon it, each character was difficult to retain in memory, as if one's mind instinctively resisted holding onto it.
How did Roselle manage to memorise all 22 pathways and even create the Cards of Blasphemy? Edward thought, his head pounding. Was it his unique talent…or did that Russian Priest give him special treatment?
Focusing intently, Edward directed his full attention to the Spectator and Seer pathways. Just before Hermes withdrew the Blasphemy Slate, he successfully memorised the formulas and rituals for Sequences 3 and 2 of the Spectator pathway—naturally, this was for Audrey.
"Alright," Hermes said, putting the stone away, "that concludes today's gathering. Does anyone have any questions or trades to bring up?"
No one answered. The hall was quiet; everyone seemed preoccupied, desperately trying to recall and retain what they had just seen.
"In that case, until next time."
In an instant, the other four figures within the ossuary-like cathedral vanished, leaving only Edward and Hermes behind.
Hermes said calmly, "About what we discussed last time—the matter concerning the Mind Dragon—have you made up your mind?"
That Mind Dragon…had already been dealt with by the Russian Priest.
Though, for some reason, the Priest hadn't killed it. Instead, He kept it sealed—likely for some future purpose. Tsk, to complete the time loop, maybe?
Edward scratched his head. "It's doable, but I no longer need the Dream Weaver's Beyonder characteristic."
"Oh? Then what do you need?"
"The Planeswalker's characteristic."
Hermes fell silent for a moment. "I'm afraid that's beyond my reach. Forget it, then."
That straightforward?
"The Leader also asked me to convey a message to you…" Hermes continued evenly. "He hopes you'll find an opportunity to pray to the True Creator."
"???"
Edward's eyelid twitched. "What? Pray to…the True Creator? Why? Isn't the Leader—" He caught himself before saying 'the Russian Priest is His enemy,' and instead rephrased, "—isn't that…an evil god?"
"To be honest, I don't really know either. I'm just relaying the Leader's words."
"…"
Edward was silent for a few seconds before asking, "And what exactly am I supposed to pray for?"
"The Leader only said to pray—not what to pray about. But every commission He issues carries a purpose."
Hermes spoke calmly. "It's true that praying to an evil god carries certain risks. But the Leader told me that the payment for this commission has already been delivered to you in advance."
"???"
Edward was dumbfounded. In advance?
Don't tell me you're referring to that Wanderer's Beyonder characteristic?! That wasn't a gift—you made me fight both Mr. Door and the Mother Goddess of Depravity for that! I earned it myself!
He cursed inwardly but said evenly, "Understood."
Taking a quiet breath, he added, "By the way, I also have something I'd like to report to the Leader."
Hermes looked surprised. "Why didn't you bring it up earlier?"
"There were too many people—it wouldn't have been appropriate. Please pass the message along for me."
"Alright."
Edward's tone turned serious. "Please ask the Leader whether He's aware of what the Mother Goddess of Depravity has been doing on the primitive island within the Fog Sea."
"The Mother Goddess of Depravity?" Hermes's voice changed subtly. "I understand."
If the "deviation" Adam mentioned truly referred to Roselle's uncorrupted state, then He naturally knew everything—but it was better to be cautious and mention it anyway.
"Also…" Edward hesitated briefly before asking, "Mr. Hermes, those brass rods that Intis used—did you or the Leader give them to him?"
Hermes didn't answer directly. "Why do you ask?"
"Was Intis's downfall also part of the trends of the times?"
Hermes smiled faintly. "You can ask the Leader yourself next time."
The moment his voice fell, the Corpse Cathedral collapsed with a thunderous crash. Infinite darkness surged inward, condensing into a single point.
When Edward's vision cleared, he was back within the Sefirah Castle.
"Yo, back again?"
Since Amon had moved into the Sefirah Castle, he always greeted Edward the instant he appeared—like someone waiting alone in an empty house…
Edward slapped himself lightly on the head. "What the hell am I thinking?"
"Were you just now entertaining a very impolite thought?" Amon asked teasingly.
"No." Edward's face remained expressionless.
Amon stretched out a wing and made a playful grab at him, sighing in disappointment. "Ah, still doesn't work, huh?"
Edward ignored him and asked, "Say, what do you think would happen if Adam were to approach the Hanged Man?"
Amon raised a brow. "Are you serious?"
"I said if."
"Alright then…if." Amon tilted his head in thought. "Honestly, I can't even imagine it. Those two have always seen each other as their greatest enemy—each wanting the other dead at all times. If that Paranoid Zealot were ever to take the initiative to approach the Hanged Man, there's only one possible reason…"
He paused, then smiled faintly.
"It would mean He now believes He's powerful enough."
———
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