Chapter 879: Dual Purpose

Upon hearing Maric's question, Klein picked up the piece of paper with

the symbol that summoned Arrodes and shook it as he wiped away his

smile. He said in all seriousness, "Tell me the detailed process for

creating a Pharaoh mummy in the ancient Highlands Kingdom."

As he said that, the piece of paper was engulfed in scarlet-red flames,

turning to ash.

Maric glanced at Sharron and replied after some thought.

"First step, lay it down for three to five days and use some auxiliary

methods to make the Beyonder characteristic naturally seep out and not

become a Sealed Artifact from fusing with any parts of the Pharaoh's

body.

"Second step, hold a cleansing ritual. Place the corpse on an altar,

pray to the Chained God, and hope that half the deceased's spirit

remains in the body. This won't affect the return of the son of God, and

it can also allow the created mummy to maintain a long period of

spirituality.

"Third step, using Beyonder powers or actual technology, remove the

corpse's brain, innards, and bodily fluids, leaving only the heart.

"Fourth step, stuff the corpse with perfumes and medicine that's filled

with spirituality and completely dehydrate the body...

"Fifth step, stuff the perfumes and medicine inside again. Arrange some

preparations for a ritual on the corpse's surface, then wrap it up in

linen bandages before putting it into a sarcophagus.

"Sixth step, the organs which were handled in a similar manner as the

fourth step will be used as materials for the ritual. They will be

placed in the four corners of the sarcophagus. Likewise for the brain

and bodily fluids. The former will be stirred into mush, mixing with the

latter. And the sarcophagus will have some preserved circulatory tracts

that mimic the deceased state before death... This can gather

spirituality from the spirit world and the surroundings, making the

Pharaoh mummy an ingredient rich in spirituality even after more than a

millennium. It can be made into a rather powerful zombie..."

*Sounds like it has nothing to do with enhancing one's ability in that

area. I wonder how Apothecaries turn such rot into a miracle. Yes, there

seems to be a difference in the way Egyptian mummies are made on Earth.

The level of mysticism involved is a lot greater...* Klein

finished listening carefully and quickly analyzed if there was anything

that could be used as part of the plan.

*Regardless, Tutanssess II's mummy is something with extreme research

value. Unless it's necessary, no one is willing to destroy

it...* Klein fell into deep thought for a moment before looking

at Sharron who had returned onto her high stool. He asked with a solemn

expression, "What's the furthest distance you can travel with Mirror

Blink?"

Sharron sat there and answered without any hesitation, "300 meters."

*That's far enough, much better than my Flaming Jump. However, this is

expected. After all, a Wraith's main trait is to come and go without

detection, while Flaming Jump is just part of a magic show... Hmm, not

bad. This can be used...* Klein couldn't help but inwardly make

a poignant remark.

Although he once had a Wraith marionette, he didn't know the limits of

Mirror Blink, because before it could reach its limit, it would slip out

from his control radius. Once that happened, the marionette was

equivalent to a dead object. The blink would fail midway.

Klein asked a few more questions and formulated a general plan. After

looking at Sharron and Maric separately, he said with a steady tone, "We

still have a chance of snatching Tutanssess II's mummy away. There is a

risk, but it won't be high.

"Yes, that's on the condition that the two of you listen to my

instructions. Let me lead this operation. Of course, if you believe it's

unacceptable, you can choose to terminate the operation midway and

choose to return. That's your freedom. Just remember to pay me."

If this was in the past, Maric would've rejected the proposal without a

thought. He and Sharron were considered very experienced Mid-Sequence

Beyonders, so how could he listen to a newly-advanced Beyonder who had

once sought their protection before? But after the previous cooperation

effort, the intelligence, adaptability, and the mysterious items

Sherlock Moriarty possessed had left a deep impression on Maric. He

couldn't help but consider him as equals. When news of Gehrman Sparrow

continuously reached Backlund, he had been shocked, being even more

convinced that he was one of the strongest Beyonders below that of

High-Sequence Beyonders. In mysticism, this was a form of authority when

it came to Beyonder combat.

Since he possessed authority, it meant abiding by it!

He can still teleport... Maric recalled the way Sherlock

Moriarty appeared, and he had a strong sense of confidence bolstered

within him. Perhaps there was a chance of success.

He turned his head and looked at Sharron.

The two nodded in unison.

"Alright," Sharron responded, her blue eyes not showing any signs of

hesitation.

Klein immediately revealed a smile.

"I'll go into the specifics when we rendezvous at the scene."

Apart from defining the problems and obtaining a more accurate account

of the situation, his deliberate appearance using Traveling and

providing a "secret existence" to obtain intel was also to establish his

image. It boosted the way they viewed him, giving him the ability to be

in charge.

As a Marionettist, even without a marionette for the time being, he had

to control others to complete a targeted act!

To Klein, this operation was partly to help Sharron and Maric, but he

also had hopes of using this grand act and his directing of puppets to

further accelerate the digestion of his potion.

It had to be said that the immense pressure of Amon's appearance in

Backlund and his recent interaction with Spectators had allowed the

marionette-less him to greater understand the Marionettist principle he

had previously concluded. With his marionette as a lead, he could

control his enemies to put on a puppet act in real life.

His current idea was:

Even without a marionette, he could use his dominance, language, and the

settings he designed, or a combination of these factors, to control his

target, putting on a puppet act in real life.

Marionettists weren't only controlling Spirit Body Threads!

And what he did previously was merely a small attempt.

*Just like Amon, a simple appearance is enough to put many matters into

motion. It makes me and Pallez Zoroast appear to be waiting for "Him" to

signal with a wave of the conductor's baton...* Klein silently

sighed as he heard Sharron and Maric answer in unison, "Okay."

In the evening at Pritz Harbor, there were elegant gas street lamps made

of black metal. They illuminated the various streets with the light they

emitted.

At this moment, most of the ships had moored. Silence was the main tune

of the area.

At the top of a warehouse, there were many wooden crates circling an

area. Three figures suddenly appeared from the void. They were none

other than Sherlock Moriarty in his formal suit and top hat, Maric in

his white shirt and black vest, and Sharron who always wore a black

bonnet and regal dress.

With the help of Teleport, they directly traveled from Backlund all the

way here. There was quite a distance between them and the dock where the

ship that carried the Tutanssess II mummy was moored at.

Klein pressed down with his right hand as the bottom of his feet stepped

on the wood. He nimbly leaped above the crossbar and, like walking on

flat ground, quickly arrived by the wall.

There was a tiny air vent here.

He then took out the telescope provided by Sharron, and he looked at the

dock based on the intel.

All the building roofs were occupied by soldiers with steam backpacks

and thick-barreled rifles. They patrolled the area and were alert of

their surroundings, prepared to shoot at any trespassers who dared come

near. Only one warning was to be given.

Apart from them, there were a few exaggerated robot monsters parked

around the dock. They were entirely metal, and their height had exceeded

that of giants. At the top of them, cold machine guns could rotate, and

a steam chimney stood erect. The bottoms were grayish-white in color,

with many parts exposing rivets, nuts, and gears. They looked rather

crude.

In addition, in front of the robots was a very thick cannon. Situated

underneath it were two rows of metal wheels with rubber treads.

They were obviously manned, but Klein couldn't see who they were, making

it impossible to determine if they were Beyonders or not.

Close to these steel monsters, above the dock was a dark black metal

tower standing at a height of more than ten meters. It had a complicated

pulley system that seemed to lack any sophistication. Drooping down were

steel cables and a hook.

*On the surface, it doesn't seem too simple, but it can't be considered

a high-level military operation...* Klein retracted his gaze and

threw the telescope to the approaching Maric so that he could observe

the situation.

Before they started taking action, they had come to an agreement. It was

to not use Beyonder powers, relying on non-mysticism methods to spy on

their target to avoid sounding off any alarms. After all, it was very

likely that a demigod was lurking in the dock district.

Of course, Klein had adjusted the powers recorded inside Creeping

Hunger. He had matched Paper Angel with Hurricane instead of Lightning

Storm.

After Sharron was kept up to date with the situation, Klein, who was

standing by a wooden frame, revealed a seemingly relaxed smile.

"We only have one purpose today. It is to make an attempt if there's a

chance. If there isn't, we'd rather observe by the side and even

evacuate ahead of time.

"Any questions?"

"No," Sharron calmly replied. Maric shook his head, expressing the same

intent.

Klein nodded and looked at Maric.

"How many mirrors have you brought?"

"Nine." Maric showed his preparations as he pointed to his eyes. "These

also count."

"Alright." Klein pointed in a direction. "When I leave, you are to head

for Pritz Harbor. Along the way, throw these mirrors."

Maric gaped as though he wanted to ask why. But soon, he understood

Sherlock Moriarty's intentions and nodded seriously.

"I'll follow your instructions."

Klein smiled as he extended his hand in midair.

"I hope for a pleasant partnership."

Maric hesitated for a second before extending his right hand to struck

palms with him.

After doing this, the tense feelings in him felt relieved for some

reason.

Klein turned to Sharron, took out an iron cigar case, and passed it to

her.

"Take this. After receiving my cue, fly towards the lighthouse.

"Following that, silently count down from three before removing the wall

of spirituality.

"During this process, as well as after it's completed, you must not stop

flying. Try to fly as irregularly as possible, regardless of the methods

employed.

"When you see me create fireworks, immediately isolate the cigar case

with a wall of spirituality, and do a Mirror Blink in Maric's direction.

Use everything you have.

"After you meet up, flee all the way without waiting for me. I'll

teleport to you."

One of the core items in the operation tonight was Azik's copper

whistle!

*Stealing the Tutanssess II mummy is difficult, but I can get it to run

towards me!*