1056 The Real "Devil" (1/2)

After getting a grasp of the situation, Klein looked at the full-body mirror in the room and asked, ”What's the king's secret?”

The surface of the mirror that seemed to lead to another world had aqueous light ripple before revealing a scene:

It was a ruin that was hidden deep in the darkness, covered in the dust of history. However, it was completely intact.

Does that mean that the king's secret is in the Blood Emperor's ruins... Arrodes doesn't dare to answer directly, or is this as much as it can see? After some deliberation, he said to the magic mirror, ”It's your turn to ask.”

The image in the full-body mirror didn't change at all. It only revealed silver words:

”Great Master, do you have any other questions?”

”Yes.” Without standing on ceremony, Klein nodded and asked, ”Where is Saintess of White, Katarina, presently?”

In the mirror, the silver words rapidly faded and disappeared, but the background didn't change at all. It was still the Blood Emperor ruins.

If not for the word's appearance and disappearance, I would've thought that this magic mirror ”crashed”... Katarina is hiding in the Blood Emperor's ruins? The real one? Klein nodded thoughtfully.

”It's your turn.”

Above the scene, silver words condensed once again:

”Benevolent Master, why don't you leave Backlund?”

That's a good question. I originally had such plans... I originally investigated the Great Smog of Backlund because of my outrage over the innocent deaths of the poor like Old Kohler, as well as being lost due to the shattering of my main goal. Later, I ended up with the identity as a Blessed of the Goddess. Later on, I tried to prevent a disaster from happening and prevent the people I know from suffering due to the ambitions of the powerful and to not drown because of the tides of the times. I was willing to bear some of the risks...

As for now, knowing that there might be a war that would sweep the entire world, and discovering that the advancement ritual of Scholar of Yore is practically ”tailor-made” for me, with signs of things being arranged, I've already come to a realization that I might not be able to escape even if I tried. Or should I say that I'm unlikely to escape my destiny even if I were to flee Backlund. In that case, I might as well take the initiative to face the risk head- on and see if I can figure out the truth and find a chance to survive, grasping my fate in my own hands... Klein's thoughts kept churning before they settled.

Following that, he calmly replied, ”Leaving can't really solve the problem.”

With that, he asked, ”Where is Trissy now?”

The full-body mirror finally changed the depicted scene. This time, it was pitch-black. Occasionally, thick objects would slip across the surface.

Arrodes also can't see Trissy's situation... Klein nodded slightly and said, ”It's your turn to ask.”

The mirror was filled with aqueous light and wisps of silver formed a sentence:

”Great Master, I have something to tell you. May I?”

”Go ahead,” Klein replied, somewhat curious.

The silver words changed into new words:

You have to be careful with what follows next!”

It even used an exclamation point... Arrodes noticed something unpleasant? After thinking for a few seconds, Klein said, ”What do you think can threaten me?”

”I don't know. I have a feeling...” Arrodes reorganized its words, turning them from silver to grayish-white. It was obvious that it meant to express its sadness and self-reproach.

Without waiting for a reply, new grayish-white words appeared in the mirror one after another:

”Great Master, I have another scene to show you. Is that okay?”

”Sure,” Klein spoke slowly.

The full-body mirror's surface produced ripples as the pitch-black darkness changed.

It became deeper and deeper, sparkling like diamonds.

This was a beautiful and vast night.

The scene that Arrodes displayed is directed at the Goddess who's intrinsically the stars, or it's the gaze cast from the cosmos? It seems like it doesn't dare to express it directly... Klein considered for a moment and didn't attempt to ask further.

”Let's end it here for today.”

”Alright!” The grayish-white words were once again dyed with silver as the speed at which they appeared had slowed down for some reason. ”Great Master, y-you haven't said that you would summon me, your loyal servant, Arrodes, again if you have other questions in the future...”

It's a mirror that needs to follow procedure... Klein said in amusement, ”Of course, I'll summon you again when I have other questions.”

Yes, Master! Goodbye, Master!” The silver words on the mirror returned to their normal speed, forming a hand that kept waving.

After everything returned to normal, Klein burned the paper with the summoning symbols and drew the curtains. He once again stared at the cold and dark sky.

Empress Borough, in a small Evernight cathedral.