Chapter 1039: Hope

A bolt of lightning streaked across the deep, dark sky, illuminating the

entirety of the City of Silver. However, it didn't last too long, and it

soon disappeared into the darkness, returning the world to its

pitch-black state.

After Derrick Berg opened his eyes, he immediately got off the bed and

dashed for the door.

He slowed down his pace as he walked, his expression clearly conflicted.

*How should I mention the Creator's relic to the Chief? Directly tell

the Chief that an item has caught my eye? No, no. Although, according to

Mr. Hanged Man, the Chief has a tacit understanding towards such

matters, I can't be too direct...* Derrick was always a

thin-skinned youth. Even when his parents were alive, he seldom made

requests for items.

He paused in place, seriously trying to recall the discussions with Miss

Justice, Mr. Hanged Man, and the rest of the Tarot Club members, hoping

to imitate them and find a reasonable excuse.

After simulating the possible developments all day, Derrick bit his lip

and decided to be direct.

Carrying Thunder God's Roar, he pulled open the door, entered the

streets, and headed for the twin towers that was north of the city.

Along the way, many City of Silver residents came out of their houses,

wearing smiles as they gathered at the training field.

This period of time was the harvesting season for Black-Faced Grass, a

"festival" for the City of Silver to offer sacrificial offerings to the

Creator. It was also one of the rare days when people could feel happy

deep down in a darkness with harsh survival conditions.

Seeing children who were skipping about and adults wearing Black-Faced

Grass amulets and rings while hearing their discussions and singing,

Derrick's heart calmed down as his footsteps grew firmer.

Coming to the spire of the twin towers, he passed the message and met

the Chief of the six-member council, Colin Iliad, in a particular room

at the top of the tower.

This Demon Hunter was messy and grizzled as always, having not put

effort into combing it. The wrinkles on his face were rather deep,

leaving behind either deep or distorted old scars. His light blue eyes

were deep with experience as though they could see through a person.

After Derrick saluted him, he nodded and said, "How's your grasp of the

Priest of Light potion?"

This was referring to the spirituality convergence and the corresponding

familiarity with the various theurgical spells.

Derrick answered in a frank manner, "Almost grasped it."

"Yes, there's no rush. The other members of the expedition team have yet

to make preparations. They still need a certain amount of time, just

like Lovia. She's gathering and searching for the ingredients needed for

her advancement." Colin Iliad gave a casual mention.

*Indeed, Elder Lovia will also participate in the expedition to the

Giant King's Court... She's trying to become a demigod?* Derrick

was taken aback as he asked without hiding anything, "Elder Lovia has

the subsequent potion formula?"

This was a problem that had plagued this Shepherd Elder all this time,

preventing her from becoming a demigod for years.

"Yes." Colin gave an affirmative answer, but he didn't provide an

explanation.

He instead asked, "Is there something this time?"

Derrick turned anxious when he heard this. He didn't make a request, but

rather directly said, "Your Excellency, I discovered a relic of the

Creator. It corresponds to the Sequence 4 Unshadowed of the Sun

pathway."

The tall and muscular Colin in a linen shirt narrowed his eyes as the

look in his eyes changed.

Those complex and indescribable emotions made Derrick freeze on the

spot, causing him to momentarily forget what he was about to say next.

Amidst an indescribable silence, Demon Hunter Colin said in a deep

voice, "Relic?"

Derrick's pupils constricted as he realized that he accidentally

mentioned something of great significance.

He had felt pained that the Creator had been eaten for a very long time,

knowing that "He" had completely fallen, never to return again. This

made him develop the illusion that it was common sense.

Faced with the Chief's question and gaze, Derrick fell silent,

momentarily at a loss for an explanation.

He hesitated for a few seconds and finally opened his mouth with great

difficulty.

"Yes, relic.

"The Kings betrayed the Lord..."

He subconsciously used the term the ecclesiastic at Afternoon Town had

used in referring to the Kings of Angels.

Colin looked at Derrick, his light blue eyes seemingly losing focus

temporarily.

This Demon Hunter remained silent for a long while, and after nearly a

minute did he calmly say, "Got it."

His voice subconsciously turned deeper. He didn't ask where the relic of

the Creator that Derrick had discovered, or what it looked like and what

its use was.

His eyes regained their depth as he didn't continue the topic. Instead,

he said, "You've already become a Sequence 5. You have the right to know

what holy Sealed Artifacts the City of Silver has. Once you're able to

converge your spirituality and fully grasp the theurgical spells, I'll

give you the corresponding information and take you to the place where

they're sealed.

"If you have an affinity with one of the holy Sealed Artifacts and can

reduce its negative effects, you can wield one."

The affinity he mentioned here referred to the similarity between

Derrick's psyche and the remnant High-Sequence Beyonder's psyche mark on

the Sealed Artifact. It could reduce the terrifying negative effects by

deceiving it to a certain degree.

In the City of Silver, there wasn't a lack of common Beyonder

characteristics and ingredients. Furthermore, everyone knew the acting

method. The only thing preventing them from advancing was the rituals.

At times, without a potion formula, it didn't stop a Sequence 8 from

advancing to Sequence 7, or Sequence 7 to 6. As long as one had advanced

correctly via consuming potions the previous time and had completely

digested it, if one was willing to take the risk, they could attempt to

directly consume a Beyonder characteristic to advance. The chances of

success weren't too low, but from Sequence 6 to 5, without the help of a

ritual, the chances of success were very low.

Therefore, in the City of Silver, there were a lot of Sequence 6

Beyonders, but Sequence 5 and up became rare. It was a level that earned

serious considerations.

*Why did the Chief suddenly mention this... He means that I can choose a

holy Sealed Artifact to exchange for the Creator's relic. I haven't even

mentioned this yet... Yes, I'll first offer the information to Mr. Fool

and see which item will please him...* Derrick was stunned for a

moment before he came to a realization. He nodded heavily.

"Yes, Your Excellency."

He didn't say anything else as he bade farewell and prepared to

participate in the harvest.

Demon Hunter Colin watched his figure disappear as he slowly walked to

the window and cast his gaze at the altar near the training field.

There were already many people gathered there. They were circling the

Creator's altar, and they were using ancient dances to please the deity.

Others were singing praises of the mighty existence.

They had obvious smiles on their faces, their eyes brimming with hope

and anticipation. It was as if the Creator would return if they held on

for a few more years, and all hardships would come to an end.

Such expectations had been repeatedly shattered in the past two to three

millennia, but it rose up, again and again, to support their hearts in

resisting the despair and burdens.

Colin Iliad stood by the window and watched intently.

Backlund, Böklund Street.

After returning from above the gray fog to the real world, Klein's heart

felt heavy.

Emperor Roselle's diary page allowed him to understand the secrets of

the Spectator. He understood how dangerous it would be for him to

continue investigating the king. Even with the Church of Evernight and

the Goddess's blessings, it wouldn't be completely safe.

*It mainly has to do with the Goddess's digesting of the Death pathway's

Uniqueness. "She" won't be able to descend for quite a long period of

time... I hope the Lord of Storms and the God of Steam and Machinery can

react in a timely manner at the critical moment... Regardless, with

Ma'am Arianna, Will Auceptin, and Pallez Zoroast, even against a King of

Angels, it isn't an outcome that spells certain doom. Even if I were to

die, "They" still have a chance of grabbing my corpse... The longer I

hold on, the higher the odds of my survival will increase...*

Klein relieved his stress by making a self-deprecating comment.

Previously, above the gray fog, he had already decided the focus of his

investigation. It was to pursue Saintess of White Katarina and Demoness

Trissy whose current Sequence was unknown. As for Hvin Rambis, as long

as he didn't take the initiative to contact Miss Justice, he wouldn't

try to seek him out; otherwise, he might encounter an accident he

couldn't fend off.

*On the one hand, I'm waiting for Miss Judgment's feedback, and on the

other hand, I should try to see if I can find Vice Admiral Ailment. By

using their blood connection, I can try to lock onto the Saintess of

White. This isn't too realistic. The three Churches will definitely come

up with this method, so the Demoness Sect will definitely counter

this... I'll later get Danitz to search for items related to Vice

Admiral Ailment, and I'll use the gray fog's ability to interfere and

screen... Yes, I'll also ask him about Anderson. This isn't too

pressing. The Unshadowed Crucifix is still being experimented

with...* Klein retracted his thoughts and got out of bed.

He had already used the gray fog's suppression to bind Unshadowed

Crucifix and the mystical item, Broken Finger, together. He wanted to

see if the Beyonder characteristic would be purged.

After resting at home for a while, Klein changed his clothes and went

out with his valet, Enuni. He planned on praying at Saint Samuel

Cathedral before visiting the Loen Charity Bursary Foundation.

This valet wasn't actually the Winner, but Qonas Kilgor. The real Winner had been turned into flesh with the Flower of Blood and

was hiding inside the Earl of The Fallen's stomach.

Backlund's weather these days was often gloomy. The gas lamps lining the

two sides of the road had yet to be lit up, but the houses on both sides

of the street had already been lit up.

Klein watched all of this expressionlessly. He rode his carriage from

Böklund Street to Phelps Street. He first headed to Saint Samuel

Cathedral to pray before he wore his top hat and cane and walked to the

Loen Charity Bursary Foundation.

As he approached the door, he heard a ringing sound. He saw Miss Audrey

riding a modified bicycle which didn't have a horizontal bar and was

rather exquisite. She had come out from an alley.

She was wearing a plain white dress and a pair of black leather shoes.

Her blonde hair was tied up as her green eyes were peeled on the road.

Sitting on the seat harness behind her was a golden retriever who could

maintain her stability no matter how much the bicycle shook.

Upon noticing the elegant gentleman with white sideburns, Audrey smiled

brightly and greeted in a cheery tone, "Good morning\~ Mr. Dantès."

"Good afternoon, Miss Audrey. You seem to be in a good mood?" Klein

watched as she hit the brakes and used her foot to support herself.

Audrey pursed her lips as her smile brightened a little.

"You're right. I am indeed in a good mood. After riding this for a

while, all my troubles have disappeared."