Chapter 931: New Method to Acquiring Intel

Glancing at Danitz's expression, Anderson continued as though he didn't

notice a thing.

"However, their brains appear to have been eaten by zombies. They were

fervent to the point of stupidity. They didn't adhere to my sense of

aesthetics. So after cheating them of their things, I quit.

"Eh, why's your face a little pale. You're even sweating. Did you get

heatstroke? As a hunter, shouldn't adapting to the environment be an

intrinsic ability?"

Danitz lifted his right hand and wiped his sweat. Cursing inwardly, he

forced a smile and said, "I've heard that once someone believes in an

evil god, it's almost impossible to escape the faith."

As he spoke, he raised his chin slightly, wearing a look as though he

was musing over the circumstances of his future death. It didn't cross

his mind that Gehrman Sparrow had just offended the Aurora Order and was

being targeted by the True Creator's believers. He also didn't make the

connection that he was believing in a suspected evil god, The Fool.

"Well said," Anderson replied with a smile that didn't have the

slightest hint of gloom. "It's not like I have any true faith. Back

then, the incantations I said were lines I modified from the God of

Knowledge and Wisdom. Since they don't really enjoy using their brains,

no---they don't even have that. As long as you superficially appear

devout, any random excuse can be used to fool them."

Without waiting for Danitz to develop the discussion further, he asked,

"Why are you suddenly asking about the Aurora Order?"

Danitz bit down on his roasted meat and slowly chewed and swallowed.

After a deliberate pause of twenty to thirty seconds, he said, "I just

recalled something. For some reason, Gehrman Sparrow has been identified

by the Aurora Order as a high-priority elimination target. Oh right,

there's also the Numinous Episcopate. And both you and me are known to

have relations with him."

"You want me to be careful against the Aurora Order and the Numinous

Episcopate?" Anderson nodded in enlightenment as he chuckled. "You've

recently mentioned something similar. Rose School of Thought, Church of

Storms, Loen military... Man, at times, I even feel that Gehrman Sparrow

is more suited to being a hunter than me."

Danitz could hardly retort as he nodded heavily in agreement.

Anderson thought for a moment when he suddenly changed topics out of the

blue:

"What do you plan on doing here in West Balam? Helping Gehrman Sparrow

with something?"

Upon hearing this question, Danitz fell silent for a second. He put down

the item in his hand and tidied his clothes in an unhurried manner.

"Investigate the faith of the different classes of West Balam."

This was determined after his discussion with Vice Admiral Iceberg

Edwina. In common parlance, it meant: Investigating the developments of

the various secret organizations and factions in West Balam.

Of course, this included some preliminary contact with the local ruling

forces, and to figure out if they had any desire to purchase firearms.

"Investigate the faith of the different classes of West Balam..."

Anderson repeated Danitz's words as he reflectively raised his right

hand to rub his temples as though he had a headache.

After the end of the Tarot Gathering, and warning Admiral of Stars to

take note of the Aurora Order's and Numinous Episcopate's

"investigations," with the best choice being seeking the Moses Ascetic

Order's help, Klein busily finished the three-party transaction between

The World, The Moon, and The Sun. He received 5,000 pounds in return.

After dinner, he bit on an unlit disguised smoke pipe as he read the

papers. Then, he saw Miss Messenger walk out of the void to deliver him

a letter.

Leonard's... Klein reached out to receive it and noticed that

Reinette Tinekerr didn't stay at all. She had rapidly returned to the

spirit world.

This also made him determine that Leonard Mitchell had already paid the

mailing fee; hence, he took out his other hand and unfolded the letter.

"Ince Zangwill has appeared in East Balam. He's suspected to have met

with Palenque Taciblius from the Numinous Episcopate's Artificial Death

faction..."

Ince Zangwill... Klein ruminated over the name as he slowly

leaned back into his reclining chair.

In the letter, Leonard wished that he could do some investigations in

secret to figure out Ince Zangwill's motives.

*But the problem is that 0-08 has the characteristic of "any mention of

it will be known." Knowing of it also means being known by it. Besides,

it's good at arranging coincidences, making people follow its directions

without even realizing it... Under such circumstances, it's very

difficult to avoid 0-08's notice while investigating Ince Zangwill. Not

only is there no chance of success, it's also easy to expose

myself...* As Klein thought, he made Enzo walk behind him and

begin massaging his shoulder.

He read Leonard Mitchell's letter again, hoping to find more clues and

incisive points for investigations from those few words.

*East Balam... Numinous Episcopate... Artificial Death... Palenque

Taciblius... Why is Ince Zangwill looking for them for? Trying to find

allies for the true mastermind behind the Great Smog of Backlund, that

royal family's faction?*

Artificial Death... Artificial Death...

As Klein thought, he suddenly recalled that there was a matter that no

one knew other than himself and Mr. Azik.

The Evernight Goddess had preliminary gained control of the Death

pathway's Uniqueness---in other words, Artificial Death. Presently,

"She" was usurping, digesting, and wielding the corresponding authority!

In other words, the Numinous Episcopate's Artificial Death faction's

target of belief was, in a way, the Evernight Goddess. After the

authority was fully transferred and seized, they were bound to suffer a

purge before slowly merging with the Church of Evernight. Or they might

continue their work, making contact with the other Numinous Episcopate

factions and other secret factions while unnoticeably cooperating with

the Nighthawks.

To Klein, this wasn't anything of importance. What was important was,

that in an ancient text he found before, it mentioned:

To artificially create Death, a number of Numinous Episcopate members

had to pray to the Uniqueness daily, as though it was a true deity. It

was an attempt to slowly awaken its sentience and allow it to come to

life.

Of course, this was only one part of the overall plan which wasn't

critical.

*Then, could it be possible that when Palenque Taciblius prayed to

Artificial Death, he had mentioned Ince Zangwill's motives and had

sought blessings?*

*But he will probably never imagine that Artificial Death has already

been controlled by the Evernight Goddess. Although it hasn't become part

of "Her" manifestation, it has already lost its "freedom."*

*From this angle, directly setting up a ritual to pray to the Goddess

might allow one to obtain Ince Zangwill's motives... That's quite

possible!* The more Klein thought about it, the more certain he

was that his seemingly ridiculous plan would succeed.

And as for the reason why this could become a reality:

It was because the enemy's "leader" was their "spy"!

After getting Enzo to stop massaging him, Klein slowly got up and paced

about, considering if he should make the attempt, and if so, how.

*Ince Zangwill is a traitor of the Church. He's an insult to all

Nighthawks. If there's a chance to wipe him out, the Goddess should be

very willing to see it happen. "She" wouldn't mind providing some

help...*

*But the Goddess is now in a critical stage of seizing the Artificial

Death's authority. "She" will not be able to provide answers for a long

period of time, and "She" can only provide feedback to normal

ritualistic magic. Besides, I also lack the corresponding

materials...*

*Also, I've been constantly warning myself to be on guard. I must not

fully trust and rely on the Goddess... On second thoughts, directly

praying to "Her" to obtain a revelation might not be too good. I hope to

maintain a safe distance...* Amidst his thoughts, Klein felt a

little hesitant.

He began letting his thoughts wander in a bid to find a more acceptable

plan.

Suddenly, he had a more ridiculous idea.

Directly pray to Artificial Death!

This actually posed no danger. This was because Artificial Death wasn't

able to respond to prayers and rituals. If there was any feedback, it

meant that it was essentially controlled by the Evernight Goddess. On

the other hand, Klein had the feather produced and left behind from the

Artificial Death Project. He also had Azik's copper whistle. He didn't

need to spend too much time to gather the ingredients needed to set up a

ritual for a revelation!

*In addition, there's a layer in between us. I'm not directly contacting

the Goddess. Perhaps, this might even help "Her" further seize

Artificial Death's authority.* Klein consoled himself as he

began busying himself.

He first used the sacrificial and bestowment ritual. He brought back the

two remaining feathers and some Full Moon Essence Oil, night vanilla

powder, and other items which he had not used in a while to the real

world. Then, he modified the sacrificial altar and completed the first

part of the preparations. After all, he was essentially praying to the

Evernight Goddess, he couldn't be bothered to head out to buy

ritualistic materials of the Death domain.

This was essentially the same as other normal ritualistic magic. With

great familiarity, Klein lit the candles, dripped some essential oils,

and drew the symbols for "human" and "concealment" on an artificial

goatskin. Then, in the thin fog that spread, he pressed Azik's copper

whistle over it.

Immediately after that, he placed the white feather stained with pale

yellow oil stains inside the silver bowl that had burning herbal powder.

He then watched it curl without any signs of it turning black.

After exhaling silently, Klein took a step back and chanted in Hermes:

"You are the essence of death;

"You are the lord of the dead;

"You are the final home to all living beings.

"I pray for your help; I pray for you to tell me the motives for Ince

Zangwill's contact with the Numinous Episcopate.

"..."

Just as he said those words, the three candlelight burgeoned as though

they brightened significantly but were tainted with a dark green. The

surroundings turned cold and creepy.

Klein closed his eyes and entered Cogitation for thirty seconds, feeling

uneasy. He walked in front of the altar, picked up the Full Moon Essence

Oil and dripped one drop onto each of the three candles.

After doing this, he took away Azik's copper whistle, grabbed the

artificial goatskin, and moved it close to the candlelight representing

"himself." When it ignited, he threw it into the silver bowl.

With a whoosh, the white feather which didn't show any signs of damage

soared with pale-white flames, covering the entire silver bowl and

obstructing Klein's vision.

About three seconds later, the fire subsided, leaving a mound of powder

in the silver bowl.

The powder moved without the help of any wind, forming one word after

another:

"Possessed by an evil spirit. Requires exorcism."