1204 Putting Life and Death Aside (2/2)
A promise to remove the curse? Dorian skipped over the Box of the Great Old Ones and ruminated on the extremely important part of the sentence.
After the first few letters, he had fully understood the true nature of the family's curse. It was both a sorrowful and helpless matter—a glimmer of hope that was brewed out of the pain.
Before this, who would have thought that the person who caused the descendants of the Abraham family to lose control would be their ancestor's cry for help?
This was like a cruel joke from fate.
Dorian didn't know if Mr. Door knew the consequences of ”His” actions, nor did he know how to describe his complicated feelings. However, he couldn't help but start searching for a way to make Mr. Door return and completely remove the family curse.
This was a path with very slim hope, but for the Abraham family, it was enough, because a light had finally appeared in the darkness.
After an unknown period of time, Dorian folded the letter and smiled bitterly to himself.
”Goodwill… Such goodwill is frightening…”
After he muttered to himself, he fell into silence again. His expression was gloomy and his heart seemed to be struggling.
Gong!
The sound of the wall clock rang punctually, snapping Dorian out of his daze.
His expression gradually became solemn, and he finally made a decision.
After making up his mind, Dorian felt much more relaxed. He even smiled.
He first burned Fors's letter before packing his bag and heading out to the steam locomotive station in Pritz Harbor.
He was going to Southville, but not to hide, but to make some preparations.
He planned on handing all his family's items and potion formulas to one of the family members who was staying there before returning to Pritz Harbor. With his identity as Dorian Gray, he would head to Backlund to meet his student, Fors, and the powerhouse who had shown his goodwill.
When the time came, he would consume a type of medicine in advance to allow himself to suffer a powerful curse that rooted itself in his Spirit Body. He would have to regularly consume another type of medicine to maintain his life. This way, even if he was controlled and unable to commit suicide, he would quickly die because he had no chance to take the medicine. With his Spirit Body dissipating, he wouldn't leak any key information.
For this ”journey,” Dorian had put life and death aside.
He was willing to sacrifice his life for that slim hope.
…
North Borough in Backlund, beneath Saint Samuel Cathedral.
Leonard, who had just had a discussion with the members of the Mandated Punishers, the Machinery Hivemind, and MI9, returned to his office and sat down.
At that moment, the slightly-aged voice of Pallez Zoroast resounded in his mind:
”They've finally found the exact location of the Jacob family's treasure trove and are about to enter.”
”Ah?” Leonard was momentarily stunned, unable to react.
Previously, at the gathering of the Hermits of Fate, he had sold the news of the Jacob family's treasure trove. As no one knew what was inside, no one was willing to offer a high price. And Leonard's main goal was not to trade, so he had only exchanged it for some rare spirits.
He immediately lowered his voice and said, ”Old Man, how do you know that?”
”Heh, it's a given that I sent out my avatar to monitor the area,” Pallez Zoroast replied unhappily. ”Are you underestimating an angel from the Marauder pathway?”
Leonard laughed dryly.
”Old Man, you've recovered quite well. You even have excess characteristics for an avatar.”
”I'm already at the level of a Sequence 2.” Pallez Zoroast scoffed. ”Next, don't go out. Just stay inside the cathedral to prevent any accidents from happening.”
”Are you worried that a trap lies within the treasure?” Leonard asked thoughtfully.
”How can a treasure left behind by a Marauder angel not have a trap?” Pallez Zoroast said with a scoff. ”I can't predict what will happen, but staying underground in the cathedral is definitely safe.”
Leonard nodded and suppressed his voice.
”Let's hope everything goes smoothly. Old Man, you promised me that if you can successfully obtain a Sequence 2 Beyonder characteristic, you will steal a Grade 1 Sealed Artifact from the items they obtained for me.”
It wasn't that he was concerned about whether he reaped anything out of it, but rather, it was to ease his sudden anxiety.
”Weren't you against 'stealing'?” After a mocking remark, Pallez fell silent, as if ”He” was focused on monitoring the situation at the Jacob family's treasure trove.
About an hour later, ”He” heaved a sigh of relief in Leonard's mind.
”Although there were many traps and accidents, they eventually reached the predetermined target. Heh heh, I only took that characteristic and a Sealed Artifact. The rest will be their payment.
”Don't be in a hurry to leave this place. Wait until I absorb that characteristic before leaving. When that happens, there won't be any problems.”
Leonard immediately relaxed and leaned back, crossing his legs as he read the newspaper leisurely.
In the evening, Pallez Zoroast finally spoke again.
”It's done.”
”His” voice contained plenty of emotions, but because it was too complicated, Leonard was unable to tell.
Seeing that nothing had happened and that Old Man might still need to digest, Leonard stood up and rubbed his temples. He left Saint Samuel Cathedral and returned to 7 Pinster Street.
As he passed through the porch, he suddenly saw a person sitting on the sofa.
The man was wearing a classic black robe and a pointed hat. He placed his right leg over his left and was leisurely reading a newspaper.
As if sensing Leonard's arrival, that person raised his head and adjusted the monocle on his right eye, revealing a teasing smile.