"Wait a second..."
Silas's thoughts gradually drifted.
He couldn't help but think of that Fourth Epoch underground ruin, of that evil spirit formed by the mingled souls of three angels: Einhorn, Sauron, and Medici.
Three Sequence 1 angels who died simultaneously, and from the same pathway at that!
Could it be that they died during a ritual to become gods?
At this thought, Silas felt a chill of horror.
The dark and chaotic era of the Fourth Epoch had finally lifted a corner of its veil to him, but what he glimpsed was so twisted and insane.
"How terrifying..."
He muttered under his breath, pressing the "Revolver of Luck" on top of the "Abyss" card to prevent the light paper card from being blown away by the sea breeze.
Since the "Mercury of Snake" affecting this extraordinary item wasn't Ouroboros, perhaps they could have a proper conversation, given they shared a common enemy.
Thinking back to the scene at the time, that couple was most suspicious.
Silas had briefly examined them then.
Both were ordinary people, and the child in the woman's womb hadn't seemed unusual either.
But looking back on it now, under those circumstances, his revolver had dropped and just happened to save them from danger. They were way too suspicious!
Was it one of the couple, or... the unborn baby itself?
No, there's too little information. There's no way to deduce it.
He shook his head and set the matter aside for now.
He'd deposited his items and checked on Katie's soul condition. It was about time to return to the real world.
Today he planned to continue going to the East Borough to watch over his flock.
Just as a shepherd must fulfill daily herding duties, he couldn't just abandon his lambs. Otherwise, the acting he'd already completed might all go to waste.
***
Queens, Sodlark Palace.
Vast, magnificent palace buildings and towering clock towers rose from the ground.
The thick fog could only reach their foundations.
This majestic complex of buildings bathed in sunlight, overlooking the fog-shrouded districts below, resembling heaven on earth.
This was the highest ground in all of Backlund, and where the Loen royal palace was located.
In the slums far from Queens, this palace existed only in people's word of mouth.
In the relatively closer middle-class areas, one could only hear at set times the chiming from the famous clock tower called the "Bell of Order" at the palace's edge.
And for those who could enter and live in this palace, it was just another ordinary building they'd grown tired of seeing.
"...Your Majesty, that's roughly the result of the investigation."
In one of the palace halls, the kingdom's current Prime Minister, Agushid Negan, solemnly concluded his report.
He'd worked hard to suppress his grief but inevitably showed signs of exhaustion.
Around him stood a select few of the empire's elite who could sway national politics, with Earl Hall prominently among them.
"So, you ultimately only killed the assassin but don't know who the real mastermind behind it all is?"
On the throne facing them, the current King of Loen, George Augustus, commonly known as George III, asked calmly.
Yet his words made everyone present feel invisible pressure.
This king was middle-aged, wearing his crown. He had a stern, resolute face with a mustache on both sides, looking very upright and rigid.
"Regrettably, Your Majesty."
Earl Hall stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said, "The professionals from the Goddess's Church and the 'Spellsinger of God' lords from the Storm Church have all made attempts, but the results weren't very satisfactory."
"MI9 hasn't discovered anything either."
A man in a well-tailored formal suit added, "Currently, our public statement is to pin the responsibility on the Aurora Order..."
The king on the throne adjusted his posture slightly, leaning back against the chair.
"Continue the investigation.
A grand duke of Loen being killed under mysterious circumstances will be a laughingstock for the upper echelons of other great powers!"
He issued his command in an unquestionable tone.
"Yes, Your will is the direction of our advance."
Everyone bowed in unison.
"Also, regarding the duke's side... provide appropriate compensation.
Let his eldest son step up and take on responsibilities. The House of Lords still needs a presiding officer."
George III continued to command, "Prime Minister, pay more attention and help that nephew of yours become a qualified heir sooner."
"...Yes."
Prime Minister Agushid and Earl Hall exchanged glances and reluctantly responded in agreement.
Among those present, several people's eyes showed faint traces of delight.
Duke Negan's eldest son was far inferior to his father and definitely couldn't unite the thoughts of everyone in the House of Lords.
This meant change, and change would bring opportunities. Seize the opportunity, and one might advance further.
"All right, let's leave it at that for now. Let me rest a while."
In the slightly awkward atmosphere, George III waved his hand.
The court steward led everyone out, leaving only this theoretical holder of Loen's highest power alone in the great hall.
He propped his fist against his cheek, leaning sideways on the throne, expressionless, lost in thought.
"These people will never know that the real mastermind is right in front of them."
A clear, bright voice rang out sweetly, like a nightingale singing.
With the voice, a woman in a white robe slowly materialized from thin air.
She had an exquisitely beautiful face and a perfectly curved figure, yet her demeanor was as pure as a young girl's, making people involuntarily feel conflicting urges to both protect and defile her.
"Panatiya, what are you doing here?"
George III was clearly not captivated by her appearance, asking in a rather cold tone.
"To congratulate the respected King on achieving his goal and completing internal cleanup... Of course, that's just a joke."
Panatiya's first half sentence was still light and playful, but after being glared at by him, she became much more subdued.
"Get to the point."
His Majesty the King's patience was limited, especially since this reckless cultist had dared to appear in the palace.
If she were discovered, his plans would be greatly affected... If she weren't still useful, he would have arranged to have her eliminated long ago.
"Don't be in such a hurry... What I want to ask is, since the duke has already been eliminated, shouldn't the follow-up plans also begin?"
The white-robed Panatiya asked coquettishly.
"What you care about is your own digestion and advancement, right?"
George III sneered.
"I don't care. Handle it yourself. Just pick any area in the East Borough. My only requirement is that the number of deaths should be substantial."
If the numbers were too small, people wouldn't truly feel the pain, and his subsequent policies couldn't be implemented.
"...I thought that being a king meant caring about one's subjects."
Hearing him agree so readily, Panatiya felt joy in her heart but was still shocked by his callousness.
"Heh."
Hearing the demoness across from him say this, George III stroked his mustache and said indifferently:
"Those are just necessary sacrifices."
۞۞۞۞
~ Push the story forward with your Power Stones