1186 Opportunity and Danger Are Two Sides of the Same Coin (2/2)

There were many elves inside. They were either roasting fish or placing spices in the coagulated animal blood. Their choice of utensil was two tree branches to bring the food to their mouths. None of them minded the entrance of a stranger.

Alger then cast his gaze to the nine-staired stairs a hundred meters away.

On the steps, there was a coral throne inlaid with sapphires, emerald, and lustrous pearls. The Elf Queen, Queen of Calamity, was sitting there, looking down at Alger.

”Very good.” Cohinem nodded and threw out the exquisite gold wine glass.

The gentle but resilient wind held the wine cup in its embrace and, like tiny pixies in a line, carried the corresponding items towards Alger.

Alger reached out to receive it and looked down. He discovered that there was a blue liquid inside the golden cup. It was incorporeal, dreamy, and surreal.

”Drink it, and then head to the waters near the Symeem Island of the Rorsted Archipelago. Find this coral palace. The thing you want is inside.”

”If I don't drink this 'wine,' I won't be able to see that palace?” Alger asked thoughtfully.

Although he was facing an angel, he was still able to communicate rather calmly. This was because he met a mighty figure every week and was already used to this situation.

Queen of Calamity Cohinem nodded and said, ”That's right.”

”Will you leave a mark on me?” Alger asked cautiously.

”Yes,” Cohinem said coldly. ”So, before entering the coral palace and obtaining the corresponding items, you can't return to Pasu Island. You can't meet the angels under Leodero.”

The pontiff can't be met even if I want to… Alger heaved a sigh of relief inwardly before asking, ”After I get hold of that item, the effect of this 'wine' will disappear?”

Elf Queen Cohinem, replied without any change in expression, ”No, you need to directly consume that characteristic.

”When the time comes, this 'wine' will transform into a seal, allowing that characteristic to temporarily not invade your body. How you prepare the ritual and explain this to the Church of Storms will be up to you.”

Let the characteristic belong to me first before holding the ritual? This way, there might be a better way for the Church to accept it… Alger thought for a moment before raising his hand to bring the wine cup to his lips.

The ice-cold liquid slid down his throat and disappeared in a blink of an eye. The entire coral palace shattered as the light of dawn and the remnants of the gigantic green tree reappeared in front of Alger.

You didn't sign a contract or get me to swear an oath? Yes, drinking that cup of ”wine” is equivalent to making an agreement… Alger retracted his gaze and said to the surrounding sailors who were unaware, ”There's nothing here. Let's go deeper and take a look.”

…

In the ancient palace above the fog.

Klein also retracted his gaze from the crimson star representing The Hanged Man and nodded thoughtfully.

That's Siatas and Mobet's grave… I never expected that golden wine cup to have such an effect…

That is indeed Elf Queen Cohinem… How's ”Her” present condition? Half of it is in the Book of Calamity, while the other is hiding somewhere unknown. ”She” was using the golden wine cup or the characteristic to influence reality?

Mr. Hanged Man hasn't been contaminated for the time being. I'll wait for him to head to the Rorsted Archipelago before making another assessment.

As his true body had a limited amount of time left in the Historical Void, Klein didn't stay any longer, and he returned to the pitch-black wilderness. He carried the lantern that emitted a faint yellow light as he walked towards a certain location.

As he walked, he turned his head to look east, which was symbolic of where Chernobyl was. His footsteps slowed down involuntarily.

Once I gather sufficient information from the Dark Demonic Wolf's former hiding spots, I'll head east. I'll walk all the way until I reach the boundary and confirm the situation. Then, I'll consider the matter of the Miracle Invoker Beyonder characteristic… Amon probably wouldn't expect that I would suddenly leave… ”He” definitely knows the past of the Dark Demonic Wolf. It's impossible for ”Him” to do the same kinds of investigations that I'll be doing… Yes, but ”He” will definitely be tracking me… Klein exhaled slowly and sped up his pace.

A bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating the dark and red desolate plains. Raindrops began dripping down intermittently.

Klein dragged out a black umbrella from the Historical Void. With one hand holding an umbrella and the other holding the lantern, he proceeded alone.

…

About a week later, the Future was docked somewhere along the long Loen coastline.

Cattleya held a stack of tarot cards in her hand and said to the sailors—Nina, and company, ”I'll be staying in Loen for some time. All of you have to watch Frank and prevent him from doing his strange experiments.”