264 Authority of the Bell (2/2)
”I promise.” The Shaman nodded. He had no way to refuse these conditions.
Ye Qingxuan left and forcefully slammed the door.
-
Boom!
The room was silent again.
The Shaman looked in the direction Ye Qingxuan had left with bitterness and helplessness. He understood the youth. Or rather, he deeply agreed. Anyone would be furious when they realize they had been betrayed. It was human.
After a long time, Ghosthand entered. He put a letter with the double snake watermark into the Shaman’s hands.
”These are the results from the Trader. You don’t seem to have good luck.”
The Shaman opened the letter and closed it after a long time. He asked, ”Is Hermes sure?”
”Yes, I’ve confirmed it repeatedly with him,” Ghosthand said. ”You weren’t attacked last night by a man or dark musician, but the result that dark musicians dream of. It’s a demon that had reached the Distortion level after completing the natural catastrophe’s transformation.”
There was a scribbled picture on the letter as if someone had drawn it with a finger sticky with sauce. However, it was extremely realistic and menacing. In the messy ketchup drawing, the black eagle had hundreds of wings and three eyes. It was awesome as if it would burst through the paper. It was the eagle mother—Kehlsteinhaus. It had already sent its children into Avalon.
-
In the dark night, a giant eagle descended from the sky. After landing, the bones scraped, the feathers changed, and it transformed into an old man with a black robe. His face was still sinister, like an eagle, and inhumanly cold. He looked at the man on the long bench.
”Well met. I am the head of the parliament,” the man said. ”You can call me Robin.”
The eagle demon looked down at him as if sizing him up. After a while, he nodded curtly. ”Malpas. In the human world, just call me Malpas.”
The robin nodded.
Malpas’s voice was monotonous but he was clearly displeased. ”I thought the White Raven would come meet me.”
”The White Raven? I haven’t seen him in a long time.” The Robin glanced and pointed at himself. ”You must know that I’m in charge of things. I’m the only main priest of lord Hyakume. The others aren’t important.”
”You replaced him?” Malpas’s eyes were suspicious. ”I can’t see how you’re more powerful.”
”It’s just a replacement.” The Robin furrowed his brows. ”If you can find the White Raven, then go find him. Otherwise, let’s move on from meaningless matters.”
After pondering, Malpas nodded. He tossed a crystal eye into the Robin’s lap. ”As per Hyakume’s order, this is what my wings have brought back. According to him, you’ll be in charge of this mission. Not many have entered Avalon so you must use them carefully. We’ve already lost six men to the Ripper last night.”
”I know.” The Robin put the eye into his sleeve. ”Don’t worry. After all, the Ripper had killed believers of the lord. I’ve already asked the lord to place a mark on him.” With that, he opened his hand. There was a red mark on his palm—it was a distorted eyeball. ”Hyakume has the Ripper in his eye. He won’t live for long.”
”Since this is the lord’s decree, I will obey it.” Malpas lowered his eyes and asked, ”There’s also the Vengeful Spirit. He’s always in the way. Is there a punishment for him?”
”He’s just a clown. I can take care of him,” the Robin said lightly.
”I remember he defeated you twice.”
”I can take care of him.” The Robin’s voice grew sinister. ”I have my own thoughts. You needn’t worry or care.”
Malpas stared deeply into him. After a while, he understood something and nodded. ”As you wish. The hatred between humans is too much of a hassle.”
His body suddenly scattered a bit. The eagle head flickered back; he could barely maintain his human figure. Looking up, he saw the fleeting rainbow in the night sky. It was Avalon’s enchantment.
The rainbow hung in the air, sweeping in all directions. It would arrive soon. At that time, Malpas would be unable to hide his catastrophic power.
”It seems that I must go.” Malpas sighed and took a step back. He unfurled his strange gray wings. A feather with the length and sharpness of a blade fell and floated toward the Robin. It curled in the air until the feather transformed into a black iron bell. The fist-sized bell landed in the Robin’s hands. It was heavy yet cold to the touch, and he could vaguely hear an eagle’s cry.
”To call me, ring the bell.” The black shadow soared into the sky, yet the heavy voice seemed to hover in every inch of the sky, vibrating. ”I am omnipresent.”