Chapter 781 Doubts
Rationally, Klein didn't believe that his "fellow countryman," who had left the cocoon of light above the gray fog two hundred years ago and been reborn, still had a chance of survival. However, his daughter, Bernadette Gustave, clearly didn't think so. This "mysterious queen" not only traveled extensively herself, searching for any trace of her father, but also assigned Cattleya, a "hermit" who had joined the Tarot Club, to repeatedly present her father's diary, seeking a vague hope:
Russell Gustav is still alive.
Of course, as can be seen from the "Blasphemy Card" and Roselle's diary, there are many ways for a "Black Emperor" to be resurrected. The nine mausoleums prepared during the promotion are an important component. Even if eight of them are destroyed, as long as one remains, the "Black Emperor" can be resurrected from it and return to the world.
Of course, if this situation really happened, Caesar would have ruled his Intis Empire again long ago. How could there be no movement for more than a hundred years?
However, this did not prevent Klein from interpreting Bernadette's perspective accordingly, and he concluded that the ghost ship "Ghost Empire" was likely hiding a tomb of Roselle.
So, Nast has been trying to find traces of the Ghost Empire, sharing the same aspirations as Bernadette? No, he's not that loyal. Perhaps he's simply seeking a promotion. Or perhaps, he's heard from some legend that the Ghost Empire harbors the high-sequence Beyonder characteristics of the Arbitrator. Based on my assessment, Lawyers can jump to this adjacent path at certain sequences...
This tiny hope was enough to make a High-Sequence Beyonder who should have reached Sequence 3 give up everything.
Analyzing these possibilities in his mind, Klein directed the marionette:
"I will convey your wishes, but there is no guarantee that she will attend."
"That's enough. I believe that sincerity and benefits will earn her cooperation," Nast said without expecting too much. He spoke in a majestic voice, making the walls of the captain's cabin buzz. "Then, let me answer your question: My impression of the Emperor is that no one is more suitable to be the 'Black Emperor' than Him."
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When Angel left the Archbishop's office and returned to the ground, it was already time for St. Samuel's Church to stop receiving believers. Her personal maid, Elsa, became dull-eyed after listening to several sermons in a row and sat motionless on a bench in the corner. Apart from her, there were only a few believers who were reluctant to leave, the cleaning servants, and... Leonard Mitchell.
Seeing his colleague talking with Bishop Elektra in front of the altar, Angel quickly glanced at him, smiled at the bishop who was looking at him, called his maid, and left the church.
She was still thinking about her previous conversations with Archbishop Anthony and "Sword of the Goddess" Cesima.
The two colleagues approved of her treatment of Triss, believing that since the witch already had the motive of revenge against the Loen royal family, the military, and the "Witch Cult", she could be allowed to act freely under supervision and help the church investigate the truth about the smog.
On the other hand, if Triss causes some disaster that harms innocent people, Angel, who is keeping an eye on her, must deal with it immediately and leave no hidden dangers. After all, this witch was responsible for many murders in the Clover case and when she arranged sacrificial ceremonies in the city of Uttingen. She is the kind of criminal who does not need to report even if she kills someone.
Furthermore, during the conversation, Cecima revealed an important piece of information: the goddess' servant, the headmistress of the Night Monastery, the earthly angel Ms. Arianna, will be arriving in Backlund soon.
This in principle violates the common agreement of the three major churches not to arbitrarily dispatch "0" level seals and angels into this city.
The fact that the Goddess Church took the risk of letting Arianna come here meant that the Holy Temple believed that an incident that would require the power of a Sequence 2 angel to resolve was likely to occur in this city in the near future.
Is the "Witch Cult" secretly plotting something else, or has the "Aurora Society" revived, seeking to summon the evil god once again? It couldn't be the aftermath of the smog, could it? Could it be that the Church believes that continuing the investigation might face strong resistance from the royal family and the military, perhaps even deploying a power equivalent to a Level 0 Seal or a Sequence 2...
Thinking of this, Angel became more worried about the subsequent "mission".
…
Watching the woman with long black hair fluttering in the breeze and purple eyes as bright as gems slowly walk away, Leonard turned his head thoughtfully, only to find that Bishop Elektra in front of him was still looking towards the main entrance of the prayer hall with a faint smile on her face.
He wouldn't be attracted to the young, beautiful, and mysterious Miss Theresa, would he? Although she does have the looks and temperament that people of all ages, personalities, and even genders like, you're already married... No, there are rumors that Elektra's wife is almost half his age. Could it be that this bishop likes this kind of relationship... Leonard's face changed again and again, and finally he couldn't help but ask:
"Your Excellency, is there anything wrong with that young lady?"
"Problem? No, of course not!" Elektra came to her senses and looked around. Seeing no believers or servants were interested, she lowered her voice and continued, "This is simply a manifestation of my faith in the goddess and my practice of her teachings... Perhaps in time, this young lady will start a family with another devout believer. The chapter on family in the Apocalypse of Night warns us not to give up the pursuit of love because of differences in status or age."
He seemed to be emphasizing that his marriage was in accordance with religious doctrine... Leonard narrowed his eyes and asked curiously:
"Who is that lucky gentleman?"
"You should have seen him here quite a few times. He's Dwayne Dantes, who donated tens of thousands of pounds of shares to establish the Loen Charity Student Aid Fund."
Bishop Elektra replied with a smile on her face, not noticing the sudden dull look and expression of the "Red Glove" in front of her.
What? That Dwayne Dantès, also a follower of Mr. Fool, who had likely survived from the Fourth Epoch to the present, the Dwayne Dantès who knew the old man?
Several question marks suddenly popped up in Leonard's mind, most of which were about the mysterious middle-aged gentleman, and a few were about "Christine Theresa".
The latter showed no abnormalities in his several dream examinations, and only revealed his "gray business" in Trier and some longing for extraordinary power and adventurous life, which was consistent with the information the Goddess Church had investigated through other channels.
An old monster who has lived for at least a thousand years also... likes this tune like Elektra?
He pursed his lips and looked at the bishop who was smug about having brought together a pair of "goddess's believers", but ultimately did not remind him that there might be something wrong.
Never mind. Even the old man told me not to bother with that guy. Besides, we are all followers of Mr. Fool now. We’ll see each other sooner or later. Let’s just let it go… Leonard’s casualness finally paid off. He straightened his windbreaker, which had only one button fastened. Finally, he saluted the dark holy emblem above the altar, turned around and left St. Samuel’s Church. Under the brighter moonlight than usual, he returned to his home at 7 Pinster Street.
As soon as he took off his windbreaker, a slightly old voice appeared in his mind:
"Were you thinking about me?"
The old man woke up?
Leonard's face lit up with joy as he threw himself onto the soft sofa. He was a little excited, but subconsciously lowered his voice and said:
"Of course not. I was chatting with a bishop... Old man, didn't you say you wanted to rest for two weeks?"
"That was my expectation. Apparently, I've recovered quite well within your body," Pallez Zoroast replied jokingly. "Tell me about what's happened recently. I can sense signs of disturbance in your fate. It seems the 'Luck Stealer' has played a role."
After making himself a cup of coffee, Leonard recounted in detail how he had communicated with his former colleague Klein through letters, how he had obtained the "Creeping Hunger" as a supplementary force and joined the battlefield, how he was unable to look directly at Ince Zangwill as he unfolded his incomplete mythical creature form, and could only recite the name of "The Fool", how he had used the "Luck Stealer" to reverse the situation, and how he watched Klein kill the renegade archbishop and successfully ascend to demigod. Finally... he told the "parasite" in his body about how he proposed to another colleague on the spot.
Of course, he did not forget Mr. Fool's instructions and told him everything about his experience of joining the Tarot Club.
"'0-08' really lured Adam here. Hey, it seems I followed fate and fell asleep after extracting the 'Worm of Time', which actually helped me avoid Him."
There was a hint of emotion in the old voice.
"Wait, wait a minute, how can you even say His name? You can't even think about it!"
Leonard immediately broke out in a few drops of sweat. He stood up from the sofa in a panic, almost spilling his coffee. He looked around and felt that the mysterious blond priest had appeared in his room, admiring him talking to himself in a corner.
"It seems the 'Fool' taught you a lot, but don't worry. Even if I say his name, he will think it's someone else... However, he may have discovered the existence of a 'parasite' in your body at the scene. It's just that I was asleep at the time, so he didn't know who it was. It's our good fortune. Otherwise, if he knew, it would be the same as Amon knowing."
Pales said "Hey" again, not seeming to care much.
It seems that the old man has some means to fight against Ya... against the prying of that existence. Should we say that he is worthy of being another angel... Leonard muttered to himself and told Pallez various things he didn't understand at the Tarot Club, such as the "Angel King" and the "Red Angel", and received satisfactory answers.
Of course, the two of them disagreed on certain issues. Pales believed that the Fool and the Church of the Goddess seemed to have reached some kind of tacit understanding, which was why no one came to investigate Leonard and Daly, tacitly accepting their "abnormality." Leonard, on the other hand, felt that only Klein's resurrection was under the Church's surveillance, and they used this to form a secret force to fight against "0-08." As for the Tarot Club, which was no different from a secret sect, it was not under their surveillance.
Pallez, who had woken up again, was full of energy. Leonard argued with him endlessly, and finally had to give up the topic. His eyes suddenly changed, and his tone became strange. He asked in a low voice:
"Old man, do you think it's more likely that a Sequence 9 Assassin will be promoted to Sequence 3 within a year, or that an 'Ageless' Witch will take a fancy to the young Nighthawk and stay by his side, watching him grow stronger?"
This time, the old voice in his head fell silent again.
Leonard didn't seem to care about the other party's answer. His voice was a little low as he continued:
"Why doesn't any witch like me? Could it be that... he is the real protagonist?"
"Oh."
Pales ended today's topic with a sneer.
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