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Subconsciously flipping back a few pages, Klein found no further clues related to the "Lord of Order." Helplessly, he returned to that page, pondering:
"According to Emlyn's statement, and the on-site investigation at 32 Weldy Street, this Abraham descendant has been dead for at least three months. This means the time this note was written might be even earlier."
"It's already October now, so it at least indicates that the Abraham elders began secretly believing in the 'Lord of Order' in June or even earlier, and I hadn't transmigrated yet at that time."
"However, there seems to be no member of the 'Council of Entropy' related to this ancient family, and there are also disagreements within the Abraham family regarding conversion."
Taking a deep breath, Klein closed the notebook. This was an unexpected pleasant surprise; at least he now knew that the Abraham family was also connected to that "Lord of Order," which provided him with ideas for his future investigations.
Although Klein didn't deny that this "Lord of Order" had provided him with considerable help, facing such a hidden existence, unheard of in major religious texts, Klein found it truly difficult to relax, especially given his own significant secrets.
Looking at the notebook in his hand, Klein shook his head. His most important task at the moment was still to improve his strength and quickly take revenge on Ince Zangwill. Only by possessing that level of strength would he be qualified and confident enough to investigate this hidden existence.
As he was thinking this, an unfamiliar plea suddenly reached his ears. Klein was slightly startled. It felt a little familiar, but it wasn't from any member of the Tarot Club.
Quickly creating a Wall of Spirituality and setting up the ritual, Klein took four counter-clockwise steps and arrived above the gray fog.
-----------------
At the intersection of the Berserk Sea and the Sonia Sea, near Toscat Island.
A water spout that seemed to cover the sky was split open by a crimson sword glow. From the collapsing curtain of water, a tall Knight in black full armor sprang out. He held a long, wide straight sword, and two crimson lights flickered in his eye sockets.
Beside this Knight, where the scarlet moonlight was obscured by the water curtain and appeared extremely dim, a figure flickered in and out of existence, sometimes swaying, sometimes stretching, a thin layer with no thickness, like a living shadow.
As the Black Armored Knight collapsed into a shadow, that figure quickly materialized.
This was a gentleman, clad in a mysterious black robe, with slightly curly, stiff brown hair, and deep eyes that seemed to hide countless things.
It was none other than "Dark Saint" Kisma, one of the five Saints of the Aurora Order, a Sequence 4 Black Knight!
Kisma's indifferent eyes looked at the calm sea and murmured in a low voice:
"Rejoice…"
At this moment, a pure white feather, emanating layers of light, floated in his hand. Faintly, a winding, shimmering river could be seen circulating around the feather.
This was a token granted by the "Angel of Fate" who served the Lord, used to track the important Sealed Artifact of the Life School of Thought. If necessary, chanting that Lord's honorific name could provide help.
Not far away, on Toscat Island, a light imperceptible to the naked eye emerged, instantly leaping out of the Collective Subconscious Sea and transforming into a male figure.
His light yellow eyebrows were long, his hair was neatly combed back, his forehead had a few wrinkles, and his face was abnormally pale.
Putting away the feather, "Dark Saint" Kisma turned his head, his scarlet eyes narrowed slightly as he scrutinized this uninvited guest who brought him a hint of danger. He asked in a hoarse voice:
"Who are you?"
The somewhat ethereal man's voice was calm, as if it possessed a magical quality that made people unconsciously want to sink into it:
"The people of this sea call me Barros Hopkins!"
The scarlet light in Kisma's eyes flickered. Only then did Kisma realize he had heard this title before, but had always ignored it, not taking it to heart, and rarely recalling it.
"Barros Hopkins, 'King of the Black Throne,' one of the Four Kings of the Sea?"
"I didn't expect you to be a demigod of the Spectator Pathway. What is the Psychology Alchemists' relationship with you?"
Ignoring the Aurora Order Saint's questioning tone, although he had some cooperation with the Aurora Order in Backlund, it had nothing to do with Barros Hopkins. He directly ignored the other party's question, pointed to Toscat Island behind him, and replied in an unchanged tone:
"I will not interfere with the Aurora Order's affairs, but this is my territory. I do not wish to attract unnecessary trouble because of this, such as that Sea King of the Church of the Lord of Storms."
Kisma, the "Dark Saint" with a violent temperament, heard the warning and expulsion in his words, yet he strangely calmed down and nodded obediently, directly transforming into a shadow and disappearing from the spot.
Stopping the hypnosis of the spiritual island in the center of the Collective Subconscious Sea, Barros Hopkins shook his head, looking at where the Aurora Order Saint had disappeared, and directly disintegrated into starlight, merging into the surrounding void.
South of Toscat Island, on a desolate, unnamed small island.
A hand with some silvery-white scales pressed against a lush ancient tree. "Councilor of Fate" Rejoice hadn't even had time to catch his breath when he suddenly stumbled and fell to the ground.
Standing beside Rejoice, Ademisaul, who had completely digested the Sequence 8 Robot potion and precisely controlled his body, was quick to reach out to help his teacher, but suddenly slipped and fell straight to the ground.
This comical scene was somewhat incredible for two Beyonders, especially since one of them had already gained divinity.
Rejoice no longer tried to stand up, directly sat cross-legged on the ground, waved his hand to signal Ademisaul to move away from him, and then explained in a low voice:
"I'm a bit injured, and my power is somewhat out of control. Anyone who enters a certain range of me will be afflicted with bad luck."
"That person just now should have been Kisma, the 'Dark Saint' of the Aurora Order. I mobilized all my bad luck to draw a storm to delay him, but that guy definitely won't give up easily."
Saying that, his other hand, also with silvery-white scales, reached out, holding a paper-like leather item in his palm.
The item resembled a pipe, but it was connected end-to-end, appearing grayish-white under the crimson moonlight. Its surface was covered with complex symbols and markings, as well as many ancient Hermes writings pointing to Will Auceptin, the Snake of Fate.
Due to these directional ancient Hermes writings, he no longer needed to chant the corresponding honorific name; he only needed to activate the residual power within it, which was equivalent to praying to Will Auceptin for help.
"Councilor of Fate" Rejoice opened the item, then took out the ring box containing the "Die of Probability," and chanted in a low voice in ancient Hermes:
"Fate!"
The complex symbols and markings on the paper-like leather item immediately emitted a silver glow, and the ring box trembled slightly. Rejoice closed his eyes, seemingly listening to something.
A moment later, he reopened his eyes, looked at the somewhat bewildered Ademisaul, threw the ring box in front of him, and solemnly instructed:
"I have already made an imprint of the aura of this important Sealed Artifact. I will leave alone to attract the 'Dark Saint's' attention."
"Remember, no matter what, do not open this ring box. I will find a way to get rid of that guy as soon as possible. You have learned a lot during this time, and you can truly experience some things on your own now."
"Also, absolutely do not go to Backlund! If I don't come to find you within three months, do not rashly seek help from other members of the School of Thought."
"Because I cannot confirm whether this will bring you greater danger. At that time, you should go directly to Osel, the capital of East Tucker County, find the Duke of East Tucker, explain the situation, and hand this ring box over to him for safekeeping."
Listening to this almost last will-like tone, Ademisaul clutched the ring box, looking at his teacher with some stubbornness, not wanting his already injured teacher to undertake such a dangerous task again.
An orphan since childhood, he had never felt the warmth of a family, and because of his excessively high spiritual perception, he was called a "Monster" by others. Although it was only for a brief two months, Ademisaul had long regarded Rejoice as a family member, both teacher and father.
Looking at his new disciple with some relief, Rejoice softened his tone:
"Don't worry about me. I survived such difficulties in the Southern Continent back then, and this time will be no exception. We will eventually be protected by fate!"
After a moment of silence, Rejoice recalled the information that had appeared in his mind after praying to Will Auceptin, and said in a somewhat strange tone:
"After I leave, you can try chanting this honorific name in ancient Hermes. It might provide you with some help during my absence."
"The Fool who does not belong to this era;"
"The mysterious ruler above the gray fog;"
"The King of Yellow and Black who controls good luck."
Even though he used the most common Loenese language this time, he still paused for a few seconds before speaking the honorific name.
Taking another look at the somewhat bewildered Ademisaul, Rejoice propped himself up with both hands, and his figure quickly disappeared in a leap.
-----------------
Above the gray fog, Klein, at the head of the bronze long table, looked at the scene in the prayer light with some surprise, his brows slightly furrowed:
"Is this Ademisaul? How does he know the honorific name of The Fool?"
Raising his gaze slightly to see the isolated island surrounded by waves, Klein pondered:
"This looks like the Berserk Sea or the Sonia Sea. Hmm, at least it's not in the Northern Continent…"
Although Klein had never been to sea, the only place in the entire Northern Continent with such a landscape was the Strait Sea at the northernmost part of the Loen Kingdom, but the obvious tropical plants on the island directly ruled out that possibility.
"Chanting an honorific name with such a clear purpose, could it be an entrapment?"
Scanning the surroundings with his True Sight again, Klein dismissed this doubt. Remembering the strange child who had given him the Wheel of Fortune earlier, he suddenly felt a headache. After a moment of hesitation, he still extended his spirituality.
-----------------
Backlund, Empress Borough, inside Earl Hall's luxurious villa.
Aaron, still unaware that a certain "Snake of Fate" had already set his sights on him, was sitting in Earl Hall's study.
Earl Hall, from behind his desk, put down the telegram Aaron had brought from the Southern Continent and rubbed his forehead, saying:
"Hmm, the Rieveldt family is an old and established noble family, whose origins can even be traced back to the founding of Loen. They are considered members of the conservative party, but it's not surprising for them to send you an invitation at this time."
Seeing Aaron's curious gaze, Earl Hall poured himself a cup of Marquis black tea, savoring the fragrance on his lips, and continued with a smile:
"You've been away from Backlund for too long. Even if you've set up an intelligence network in Backlund, some secrets involving major nobles are still quite restricted."
"After Pallas Negan was assassinated by that rampant Pirate Admiral, his eldest son inherited the title. The current Duke Negan's actions can be described as bold and decisive."
"Didn't Vice Admiral Qonas Kilgor, the deputy director of MI9, go missing a while ago?"
"I heard that Duke Negan and Prime Minister Aguesid Negan plan to jointly propose to His Majesty George to transfer Admiral Amyrius Rieveldt back to Backlund to oversee the Ministry of Defense and concurrently serve as the deputy director of MI9."
"And Admiral Robert Davis will take his place, becoming the supreme naval commander of the Loen Kingdom in the Central Sonia Sea. Hmm, but this is just a draft for now."
"Additionally, although Admiral Robert Davis is not of noble birth and is one of the few who rose from a low-ranking officer to the position of admiral, he has received funding from many nobles, especially the royal family."
When he heard about Qonas's disappearance, Aaron, as the instigator, subtly curved his lips. After listening to Earl Hall's suggestive words, four words appeared in his mind:
"Advancement in name, demotion in reality!"
Although the Ministry of Defense seems to be a higher position than the naval commander, in Loen, or rather, in this world where Beyonder powers exist, the influence of the two is not on the same level.
A supreme naval commander with significant military power is undoubtedly a local emperor. Even that Storm Brother in the Rorsted Archipelago has to give him enough face.
"The most crucial point is that the Rieveldt family itself is a member of the conservative party, yet this time they were betrayed by their own people. This indicates that the person who truly wants to do this is someone whom neither Duke Negan nor the Prime Minister can resist."
"It seems the Rieveldt family, or more accurately, Admiral Amyrius, must have blocked George III's path."
"So, he plans to remove him and replace him with a more obedient Robert Davis. Hmm, Sonia Sea, George III…"
Aaron pondered, various conjectures flashing through his mind, only to be dismissed one by one:
"Amyrius must have discovered something, but this discovery doesn't directly point to the biggest secret, so George III only intends to remove Amyrius, giving him a warning, rather than directly killing him to silence him."
"Hmm, in this situation, even if I go to the appointment, I can't do it openly. A secret meeting might reveal what Amyrius discovered…"
Clearing his thoughts, Aaron exhaled and took a sip of the Marquis black tea in front of him. Looking at his kind-faced father-in-law, he said with a smile:
"Thank you for informing me. Also, Audrey will be returning to Backlund next week by airship, accompanying Crestet Cesimir of the Church of Evernight. I've given her some things to ensure her safety."
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