431 A Drowning Man Shouldn’t Desperately Clutch at Straws (2/2)
”What puzzles me is that you aren't considering the two of your vamp—Uh, Sanguine's ancestor, the ancient goddess Lilith? As long as the ritual is correct and the offerings are appropriate, 'She' will help you dispel the psychological cue.”
Emlyn leaned back slightly and stared straight ahead, saying nothing for several seconds.
He seemed to instantly become sullen.
After a brief moment of silence, he said in a low voice, ”Before the Cataclysm, the ancestor had already rarely responded to prayers. Only certain special circumstances allowed us to get 'Her' help. This does not include the removal of a psychological cue.”
In the legends of the City of Silver, the ancient goddess, Lilith, who represented the moon had already had her authority taken back by the awakened Creator, or perhaps she had fallen in some battle among the gods earlier on… Then, who is the one occasionally responding to the Sanguines' pleas? The Primordial Moon? Klein deliberately pressed, ”Then, there's still the Primordial Moon to pray to. Many underground Beyonders have rituals that borrow 'His' power.”
This is mainly referring to the Shaman King and the corresponding biological creatures… Klein added inwardly.
Emlyn's lips quivered, but he didn't speak as there was an indescribable fear on his face.
After a long time, he solemnly said, ”I suspect that the Primordial Moon was impersonated by some evil god or a high-level devil. People who pray to 'Him' mostly experience change, turning cruel, crazy, and even filled with desire. And the remaining ones, with the Sanguine mainly, there is a higher chance of them losing control and becoming true monsters.
”There was once a powerful Sanguine that tried to pray due to some danger, but she ended up turning into nothing but a hunk of meat that only knows to mate and reproduce. She, together with bulls, rams, stallions, mice, and even plants and rocks, gave birth to one strange descendant after another. Each one of them developed their own Monster species. Thankfully, she was quickly eliminated along with her descendants.
… The Primordial Moon is that dangerous? There was no mention of it in the Book of Secrets. Had Shaman King Klarman's thoughts been corrupted? Fortunately, I only referenced, modified, and prayed to myself… Klein's heart raced in fright as a result of Emlyn White's description.
This made him acutely realize that the hidden existences other than the seven deities were indeed not that trustworthy.
Except me… He sighed.
At that moment, Emlyn smiled bitterly and said, ”If the negative effects brought by The Fool isn't that great, praying to 'Him' might be something to consider.”
The only effect is that you will pay a certain amount of money for it… In order to maintain his image, Klein could only pat Emlyn on the shoulder and draw a triangular Sacred Emblem on his chest.
”It's very dangerous to pray to a hidden existence that you don't know about. If you're considering that, you might as well choose a faith out of the seven deities you prefer. They won't affect your daily life and won't make you abandon your dolls.”
”If there's really no other way…” Emlyn suddenly found himself calmer than he had expected.
Klein didn't linger on. He pushed his way out into the aisle and walked out of the Harvest Church.
Looking out at the misty sky, he began to think about what to do next.
There was no doubt that his current focus was on saving money and finding the ingredients.
Little Sun's side needs to stabilize a little more. To prevent him from being suspected again, I'll use the method of ridding a Rampager's mental corruption as the promised payment… The Deep-sea Naga's hair can be entrusted to Mr. Hanged Man. I'll have to rely on myself for the Human-skinned Shadow's characteristic… There hasn't been any relevant information from Emlyn White and Eye of Wisdom, Mr. Stanton, for over a month. I'll have to try different channels… Yes, it's been quite long. It's likely that the High-Sequence Beyonder of the Rose School of Thought isn't monitoring the Bravehearts Bar that closely. I'll go visit it in the evening and see if I can contact Miss Sharron and Maric… Klein quickly had an idea.
In order to go to Bravehearts Bar, he had to first go to East Borough and change his worker's clothes in the one-bedroom apartment he also rented on Black Palm Street.
As he thought of this, he walked towards the carriage stop on the opposite side of the road.
…
West Borough, inside Grimm Cemetery.
Fors Wall, who was dressed in a black veiled hat, quietly walked beside Dorian Gray, a member of the Abraham family. She had accompanied him to place flowers on Lawrence, Aulisa, and company's graves.
While walking silently, her thoughts were completely focused on the Beyonder ingredient, the Spirit Eater's stomach pouch.
She knew that she had already digested the Apprentice potion and as long as she could get the Spirit Eater's stomach pouch, she would become a Trickmaster. However, she ultimately lacked the clues related to it, and The Sun, that she had the most expectations at being able to help her, didn't dare to hold a ritual or invite friends to hunt Spirit Eaters because of what had happened before.
In order to advance as quickly as possible and escape the curse of the full moon, she had even asked Mr. Fool for help, hoping that ”His” adorers could help her find the ingredients. In the process, she revealed that she had published her new book and was about to receive a fixed fee for the book, in order to prove that she had sufficient power to purchase it—she didn't fear that her real identity would be known by Mr. Fool, because she believed that Mr. Fool clearly knew it.
In the secluded, quiet, and cold environment, Fors and Dorian stopped at Lawrence's grave.
Looking at the photo taken after his death and reading the epitaph: ”he's a good teacher,” Dorian Gray remained silent for a long time before sighing.
”How ironic…”
”Why?” Fors asked in surprise.
She had heard Lawrence mention that he was a public school teacher in Constant City, Midseashire, and that was why she had used such an epitaph.
”This has nothing to do with you. It has to do with our family.” Dorian gave a self-deprecating laugh and bent down to put down the flowers.
After straightening his body, he looked straight ahead, and suddenly spoke out, ”Fors, do you want to become a Beyonder? The kind I described in my letter.”