In the northern district of Backlund, the lights were dim, and it was quiet and peaceful.
After the Nighthawks patrol team had gone far away, Klein walked out from the shadows of the alley, recalling the information subtly revealed in Arrodes's aggrieved complaints, and sighed softly.
Whether it was Roselle, or that existence which Arrodes claimed would lead to terrifying consequences just by understanding it, they were too distant for him currently. After satisfying his curiosity, it was time to visit his potential allies.
His gaze swept over the attic behind the fence not far away. Klein snapped his fingers, and using Flaming Jump, he arrived inside a cozy bedroom. The "Slumber Charm" in his pocket simultaneously emitted a profound glow.
Meeting the gaze of the infant in the cradle, who, with wide, clear black and white eyes, was completely unaffected by the charm, sucking his thumb and observing him, Klein politely and cautiously spoke first:
"Excuse me, Mr. President."
The infant-like Will Auceptin hummed in response, and after adjusting to a more comfortable position, he continued with a hint of helplessness:
"It's not an interruption; I wasn't in the mood to rest today anyway…"
Klein's heart stirred slightly, and he tentatively added:
"Because of the Blood Moon this afternoon?"
Will Auceptin in the cradle replaced his answer with an expression that seemed to say, 'You can be taught,' then sighed and spoke softly:
"I have a very bad premonition. The day of the apocalypse might be brought forward. There isn't much time left for you, and for me."
Ignoring Klein's slightly changed expression, Will Auceptin extended his chubby hand and tossed over a paper crane that had been casually folded by his pillow, instructing:
"Write text on it. As long as you are still in Backlund, I will be able to sense it and pull you into a dream. Luck doesn't always favor you, so this can at least prevent you from attracting that Blasphemer."
"Leave now. I will provide some assistance when necessary…"
Having received the desired promise, even though he had some doubts, Klein still bowed slightly, then took a step back and disappeared into the suddenly appearing flames.
There were two other Tarot Club members in Backlund. Before coming, he had already located their addresses from Arrodes, and these were all forces he could leverage.
Witnessing Klein's disappearance, Will Auceptin looked out the window at the Crimson Moon, vaguely visible through the mist, and muttered softly with a resentful tone:
"Why was it so easy for that guy to accommodate the Uniqueness? Fate is truly unfair to me."
"Sigh… I hope I don't choose the wrong side this time. If he can become the Lord of the Mysteries and steal my period of weakness, perhaps I really have a chance before the apocalypse descends…"
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Across half of Backlund, in the South of the Bridge, inside an unmarked herbal shop.
Wearing a black robe in the style of a rural witch doctor, the plump owner lay on the table with a conflicted expression, staring at a jelly-like object in front of him, entirely crimson, resembling a heart.
A round-eyed owl perched on the nearby counter lowered its head, its wings spreading and then folding, its sharp voice echoing through the small shop:
"Foolish Darkwill, that's three hundred years of lifespan! Does being human really matter that much? Or are you worried about failing the advancement and turning into a hideous, ugly Vampire?"
"Also, don't always think about yourself. Where's my potion?"
The plump Apothecary Darkwill pushed away the chattering owl Harry and pouted:
"Stupid bird, what do you know…"
Although he said that, he still hadn't made up his mind. He carefully put away the "Vampire" Beyonder characteristic, his eyes involuntarily glancing towards the inner room, but unfortunately, due to the Wall of Spirituality, he couldn't hear anything.
Separated by a wall, in a spacious room that looked more like a warehouse, "Moon" Emlyn observed the young man opposite him with interest, a slight curl to his lips as he emphasized the last two words:
"I didn't expect Mr. 'Fate' to already be Sequence 5, but it won't be long before I can advance to Viscount."
Although it was their first offline meeting, having gone through several Tarot Club gatherings, Admi Sol had already grown accustomed to Mr. "Moon's" tsundere personality. He reined in the spiritual energy that was constantly escaping due to his recent advancement and explained with a smile:
"My past experiences were somewhat unique, so my potion digestion is different from ordinary people. It just so happened that my teacher successfully advanced to Sequence 3, which helped me complete the advancement ritual."
"As for coming to Backlund, this is the guidance of fate. The opportunity to obtain divinity is here. I hope Mr. Moon will take good care of me in the future."
A Marquis! Emlyn's eyes lit up, and he subconsciously applied the Sanguine's internal power hierarchy, then nodded with considerable reserve.
"As expected of the force favored by Mr. Fool, the Life School of Thought indeed has profound heritage. I just wonder if there are any Sanguine Count characteristics left…"
His thoughts couldn't help but wander. Before Emlyn could speak, his expression suddenly changed, and he and Admi Sol simultaneously turned to look at the full-length mirror on one side of the shelf.
Ripples spread across the mirror's surface, and an invisible wind swirled within the Wall of Spirituality. "Despair Nightingale" Pennetia, dressed in a simple white robe, stepped out of the mirror.
Klein, in the guise of the mad adventurer Gehrman Sparrow, followed closely behind. The aura of two demigods permeated the enclosed space.
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Amidst the boundless, dark golden mist, a primitive island shrouded in shadow suddenly appeared. The prayer star symbolizing Roselle fell from the sky, merging into the black mausoleum deep within the island.
Floating in this strange world, Bornova's face, unlike Bernadette's, showed undisguised astonishment on his first visit. Although the Gods had moved their Divine Kingdoms to the Astral World in the Fifth Epoch, high-ranking Angels of the various orthodox Churches were unafraid of corruption and qualified to travel to the Astral World.
Feeling the comprehensive suppression of his authority and spirituality by the surrounding order, Bornova even felt that this peculiar place, similar to a Divine Kingdom, was in some respects no less than the Divine Kingdom of the God of Steam and Machinery.
Aaron, who had accommodated the Uniqueness and truly become a King of Angels, appeared before Bornova and Bernadette holding the cracked "Wishing Divine Lamp." Behind him, the "Blue Avenger" that had been sacrificed into the Nation of Disorder earlier emerged.
"The Mother Goddess of Depravity's corruption within Roselle's body has only temporarily fallen into eternal slumber under the influence of the River of Eternal darkness. If it continues to remain in reality, this fragile balance might collapse with just one full Moon."
"Although I don't know why that one in the Abyss has been unresponsive, there's no reason to guard against a thief for a thousand days."
Noticing the two gazes simultaneously directed at him, Aaron toyed with the Wishing Divine Lamp in his hand and explained with a smile.
A surging tide of power simultaneously dispersed outwards. Rules were rewritten or forbidden, and the "Blue Avenger" suddenly disintegrated into a cluster of brilliant starlight.