Chapter 863: Transaction and Honor
Mr. K...
Sherman was no stranger to similar names. She had attended another underground party in the East District, which was organized by "Mr. X". The format was similar to today's, requiring introductions and appropriate disguises. Transactions could be made freely or written on the blackboard by the waiter. The organizer was also mysterious, wearing a hood and not revealing his true face.
Moreover, "Mr. X" has been confirmed to belong to the evil organization, the "Aurora Society". According to her friend Hugh Dilcha, these gentlemen are all messengers of the Aurora Society and their status is not low. They probably have other intentions in organizing gatherings.
"Mr. X has just been dealt with, and now Mr. K has arrived. No wonder Miss Angelica asked me to keep an eye on the East District. It seems these cults like to expand their influence in the chaotic and densely populated East District..."
Sherman thought secretly, trying her best to keep her expression and movements unchanged, so as to avoid being noticed by Mr. K, who was sitting in the middle of the room and watching the behavior of every partygoer.
While others were whispering or observing others, one waiter had already written down transaction information on the mobile blackboard, while another was walking between the tables and chairs, asking in a low voice if anyone wanted to add new information to the blackboard.
Of course, if you are not afraid of exposing your identity and being targeted, you are allowed to directly ask for a transaction, but Sherman observed for a moment and found that no one was so bold.
So she also wrote on a piece of paper some extraordinary materials she needed to make talismans and handed it to a passing waiter.
These materials are not available only at underground gatherings. Many occult shops sell them privately, but the quality varies and some are even adulterated. They are not as reassuring as regular gatherings.
"These materials are all on consignment. If you need them, you can buy them directly. Star crystal is 40 pounds per 10 grams, and mummy powder..."
Listening to the other party's offer, Sherman frowned slightly: This is at least 20% more expensive than the market price.
"Please write down your trading request first. If no one sells in the end, I will consider yours."
"The consignment price is indeed slightly higher, but this includes our handling fee to ensure it is authentic. If you need to purchase the formula, you can also do so through Mr. K. He will act as an intermediary and 'notarize' the accuracy of the information. The cost is only 20% of the transaction amount."
The waiter seemed to know that this was Sherman's first visit and explained patiently.
"I can tell the difference between true and false myself."
As a fortune-teller proficient in magic mirror divination, Sherman declined the waiter's suggestion. After the waiter left, he turned his attention to the blackboard that was already filled with content.
"The recipe for the 'Corpse Collector' potion, along with some ingredients, costs 350 pounds."
"A complete brain tissue of a water ghost, 20 pounds."
"Hunter's formula, 250 pounds."
…
"Purchase the Warrior Path Sequence 7 potion formula for 700 pounds."
"Seeking the 'Pharmacist's' subsequent potion formula or related clues. Price is negotiable."
The information of sales and purchases was neatly arranged on both sides of the blackboard. Sherman wrote down the demand and corresponding price of each transaction in order to have a preliminary understanding of the "prices" here. The waiter who collected information walked forward and wrote the new content at the bottom of the blackboard. The information she submitted also appeared in the lower right corner.
As the blackboard was filled, Mr. K, who was sitting on the sofa, said in a hoarse voice:
"We can begin now."
The waiter next to the blackboard held a wooden stick and pointed at the transaction content one by one and repeated it loudly three times. If someone wanted to trade, they would directly propose it and decide whether to do it on the spot or go to a small room next to it for private communication. If no one responded, they would jump to the next one.
It was strange. There were many potion recipes for sale, some even coming with some ingredients, but few people were interested. Instead, the information seeking to buy them was mostly focused on the subsequent sequences of various channels, or the extraordinary materials they required... Sherman didn't plan to buy too many things this time. Instead, he focused on familiarizing himself with the occasion and collecting intelligence. However, he discovered many problems while listening in on the transactions.
"According to Xio, a year ago, there were hardly any formulas for sale in Backlund. Now, they're like shelves waiting for purchase. Meanwhile, the attendees aren't interested in these Sequence 9 'entry level' formulas. They're more interested in formulas and materials for subsequent sequences. This means that most, or even all, of them are Beyonders... Even in Loen's capital, this situation is somewhat unusual..."
Sherman used his dark vision to secretly look around, taking in the figures of the other party members, and gradually formed a judgment in his heart:
Basic occult knowledge, including extraordinary knowledge previously controlled by the church and various secret organizations, is becoming increasingly cheap and is spreading among ordinary people.
This can be seen from the situation around Sherman herself. A year ago, she was still him, an ordinary person hanging around in the bottom of the East District, but now she has become a Sequence 6 "Pleasure" Witch, with three "Hunters" and "Pharmacists" under her command, and is still looking for and training a female assassin. She has almost formed the scale of an official Beyonder team.
The "crackdown" after the smog was cleared had ended, and the trading market was recovering. The proliferation of Beyonders was also a cause for concern. Perhaps there were many secret organizations or individuals constantly spreading potion formulas and occult knowledge. It was unclear whether this would be good or bad for Backlund...
Sherman pondered this with some worry until her message was read out and responded to by other partygoers, who bought the necessary materials at a price much cheaper than Mr. K's quote.
As she completed the transaction with the waiter, the waiter next to the blackboard pointed to the last transaction information:
"Looking for the 'Witch' potion formula, 1,000 pounds or 24,000 Fel Gold."
Um?
Sherman's eyes suddenly widened under her cloak. As a witch of "joy", she was naturally familiar with the formula of the previous sequence potion, and the other party's offer was much higher than the normal sequence 7 formula, which made her quite tempted.
But her years of experience and caution in the East District prevented her from responding.
This deal was utterly wrong. According to Sherman's understanding, it was nearly impossible for a wild "Assassin" to grow to the point where it needed to be promoted to Sequence 7 without help from others. However, if they received help, they wouldn't need to purchase the formula themselves; at most, they would only need to prepare the corresponding materials.
So, do those who are looking to buy the "witch's" formula really need this formula, or are they looking for "someone who knows the formula"?
Analyzing calmly in her heart, Sherman indifferently moved her gaze away from the blackboard and quietly observed the other party members to see if anyone made unusual expressions or movements because of this information, and if there was anyone like her who was secretly observing others.
Glancing around, Sherman was dismayed to find that no one responded to the message.
Did I guess wrong... She muttered, and inadvertently noticed that Mr. K, who was sitting on the sofa, raised his hood slightly, and his hawk-like eyes stayed on her for a moment.
Could it be that Mr. K posted this information himself? Is he looking for people from the "Witch Sect" or wild "witches"?
Sherman was fidgeting under his gaze when she heard him speak in a hoarse voice:
"My mission is the same as last week: to find those who believe in The Fool. If you have any clues, please tell me directly. The reward will not disappoint you."
The Fool? Is that some evil god?
As Sherman recalled the gatherings she had attended in the past and tried to figure out the meaning of this name, the partygoer next to her who had previously asked his companions not to mention Mr. K's name raised his hand and said:
"I found a clue. Half a year ago, someone claiming to be a follower of the Fool was secretly preaching in Enmat Harbor, but he quickly disappeared. Perhaps there's the clue you need there. I..."
"That's fake," Mr. K interrupted calmly. "I personally went to Enmat Harbor to investigate. That guy was just a fraud. He died on the spot while chanting the Honorable Name... Please pay attention to this. Don't make the same mistake when investigating this person."
Ah, this "Fool" is so powerful that he can punish imposters on the spot? Many people curse the "Storm Lord" and "Night Goddess" while drunk and nothing happens, even the East District police ignore it... Is he even more powerful than the true gods?
Sherman took this matter to heart with a smack of astonishment, and prepared to explain it to his men, asking them to be careful not to provoke the followers of The Fool.
————
Returning to his residence not far from the cannery, Sherman took off his hooded cloak, tidied up his messy long hair, tied it back behind his head, and entered the study on the second floor.
After the work in the factory got on track and reaped a lot of profits, Sherman did not rush to move out of the dirty and messy East District. Instead, he rented a two-story building near Liv, Freya and Daisy's home, and kept an eye on the living conditions of the three of them at all times, so as to be able to arrive in time if something happened.
Of course, it can also protect the nearby cannery... Sherman added in his heart, drew the curtains, and began to organize the materials bought today and carry out the daily routine of talisman making training.
The method of making talismans was taught to her by Miss Angelica, including talismans such as "Sleep", "Requiem", and "Dream", which were obviously talismans belonging to the Church of Night, as well as how to use a mirror to pray to oneself to gain power to fill the talismans.
To her surprise, Triss also had extensive experience in "praying to herself". It seemed that every witch who did not belong to the "Witch Sect" regarded herself as the source of power.
Me too... Sherman chuckled and started making various talismans.
As thin silver sheets were scrapped under the carving knife, some finished products were also completed and placed on the table. Only when he felt that his success rate had improved did Sherman take out a flat iron sheet and engrave a new talisman that was much more complicated than before based on the symbols and patterns in his memory.
As the complex talisman gradually took shape in her hands, Sherman became more and more excited. She took the iron piece, which had no power yet, and went to the basement. In the dim and damp room, she lit candles, sprinkled pure water and essential oils, placed a small mirror inlaid with gold foil, which was extremely gorgeous, and built a simple altar.
Then, she placed the iron talisman in the center of the altar, closed her eyes, lowered her head and chanted in ancient Hermetic language:
"The queen feared by pirates, the master of the spirit ship, the nightmare of thousands of ships, the embodiment of pain and despair, the golden Angelica Thatch..."
————
In the captain's cabin of the Dawn, the three people whose conversation had come to an end were enjoying exquisite cream cakes and coffee with lots of sugar and milk, feeling the style of Intis two hundred years ago.
Although Angel's need for food has decreased since his advancement to Sequence 3, he still lacks resistance to delicious desserts.
What's more, even Anne, whose original form was a ship and who had become an angel, happily accepted a portion of refreshments, so she enjoyed it with peace of mind.
Just as Angel finished his late afternoon tea and was about to leave, Bernadette suddenly said:
"If you plan to advance to Sequence 2, then from now on, you must prepare your own honorific name and spread it to a certain extent."
"My own honorific name?"
Angel asked back in confusion, but he had some guesses in his heart.
She thought of the portion of Roselle's diary that Mr. Fool had translated as a thank you for her collection of the Card of Blasphemy, the relationship between the "gods" and the "anchors," and the potential madness she would face after being promoted to Sequence 2.
Could the "Honorable Name" be related to this matter? Believers who can chant the Honorable Name and offer devout faith are not only needed by the gods, but also by Sequence 2 angels?
Thinking of this, Angel was about to say something when he suddenly heard a vague and ethereal calling voice in his ears.
Someone is chanting her name!
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