Chapter 985: Blessed of Concealment

Above the boundless grayish-white, inside the magnificent palace.

Just as Leonard Mitchell's figure appeared to the side of the long

bronze table, he subconsciously stood up and wanted to bow to Mr. Fool.

However, when he looked over, he found the seat empty. No one was

sitting there.

Doesn't Mr. Fool usually sit there? A thought flashed through Leonard's

mind as he cast his gaze to the other end of the long mottled table.

The World was sitting there silently as though he was fused with the

gray fog in an indistinct blur.

"... There's only the two of us. There's no need to deliberately use

Gehrman Sparrow's appearance," Leonard casually said to The World as he

sat back down.

After discovering Mr. Fool's absence, he instantly became relaxed. He

wasn't as reserved as he was in the previous Tarot Gathering---just

short of throwing his leg up on the table.

"It's a habit," Klein replied succinctly.

Leonard nodded in thought.

"I heard that Gehrman Sparrow's persona at sea is a cold, reserved,

refined, and polite person. Your current performance matches that

description very well. However, you wasn't like this in the past, Klein.

You have to remember that you're only acting. Do not be affected by your

persona as Gehrman Sparrow."

Hey, I pulled you up here to discuss Amon, not to have a chat! Why do

you show so little concern towards your grandpa's matters? Klein had

indeed made it a habit to use The World's persona in such situations.

But when this was pointed out by Leonard, he was a little embarrassed to

change back into his original appearance. He tersely acknowledged that

he would keep it in mind.

"Did Pallez Zoroast teach you about the part that 'you're only acting?"

"Yes," Leonard answered frankly.

This grandpa seems pretty good. He mentioned such crucial information to

Leonard... Compared to "Him," the rat demigod from before was really up

to no good. She didn't teach Hazel any of the most common knowledge.

Even if she did, she distorted some of it. Heh heh, no matter how

unaffiliated you are, how could they not know anything at the level of a

demigod? Even that half-crazy sea serpent, Kalvetua, knew how to respond

to rituals or obtain sacrificial items. It even knew some theurgy and

how to perform bestowments... Klein established a first impression of

Pallez Zoroast.

However, he wasn't hasty to make a judgment. After all, fishing was an

activity that required bait. Just one instance didn't prove much. Seeing

Klein being silent, Leonard cut the small talk and got down to business.

"Where did you discover traces of Blasphemer Amon?"

Klein went straight to the point.

"I was pursuing a demigod of the Marauder pathway who was on the brink

of losing control. However, I ended up encountering Amon in the

outskirts of Backlund. All I could do was use Mr. Fool's powers to

directly escape."

"Amon's avatar really is still in Backlund..." Leonard sighed before he

asked in a rather curious and desultory manner, "Why were you pursuing a

Marauder pathway demigod who's on the brink of losing control?"

After he asked the question, he realized something and swiftly added,

"If it involves some plans of Mr. Fool, pretend as though I never

asked."

Why? Isn't dealing with Beyonders on the brink of losing control or

those who have lost control the duty of a Nighthawk? Klein sighed when

he heard Leonard's question.

It stirred up memories of his time in Tingen City.

In that short two plus months, he had handled many similar matters. It

included the Mandated Punisher of the Church of Storms who turned into a

monster, Hood Eugen's loss of control, and Old Neil's corruption by the

Hidden Sage. Although they were only a handful, they left a deep

impression on him. It drilled certain actions deep to the bone.

Therefore, after taking into account everything that he knew, and coming

to the conclusion that the Marauder pathway demigod was on the brink of

losing control after rabidly biting someone, he didn't hesitate and used

his illusion from downstairs. From that, he gained confirmation from

Hazel and didn't even wait a day or two to make preparations. All he did

was do a divination above the gray fog and came up with a rough plan

before taking action.

Such matters were emergencies for him!

In addition, Klein had long had the intention of getting rid of the

Marauder pathway demigod because the malintent she had shown when

dealing with Hazel was obvious. Furthermore, she had tried to entice

Miss Magician to seek out treasure that was in actual fact a trap. If he

wasn't a demigod back then, which meant a great difference in strength,

he would've taken action back then. Besides, he was also afraid that he

would trigger unnecessary accidents.

It was precisely because of this that he followed his predetermined plan

to eliminate her once he confirmed the Marauder pathway demigod's

condition.

The first stage of his plan was to lure the enemy out of Moose Manor to

prevent her from producing her incomplete Mythical Creature form before

dying, as that would've affected the ordinary people. The result was

pretty satisfactory. With himself as the bait, he achieved his goal, but

he failed to use the Air Cannon bombardment to finish the battle. This

made the Marauder pathway demigod flee into the woods and parasitize a

tree.

Klein actually had a second stage to his plan and had even prepared

contingencies in the event he failed to eliminate her. To his surprise,

Amon suddenly appeared, making him terminate all his plans and flee

without any hesitation. Klein's contingency was to let a marionette

escape the battlefield and write to the experimental demigod byproduct

of the Numinous Episcopate, Patrick Bryan, to get his help. This Undying

likely possessed the ability to traverse the spirit world after all. And

if there were any additional unforeseen circumstances, he could summon

Miss Messenger and make payment after the deed.

As his memories surfaced, Klein replied to Leonard with a sighing tone,

"A secret."

After pausing for a second, he asked, "Why didn't you find an

opportunity to inform the Church of Evernight about the arrival of

Amon's avatar in Backlund?"

Leonard hurriedly gave an explanation, indicating that if Amon's actual

body were to arrive, a deity's descent was almost certain. He also

explained that Amon could use the death of "His" avatar to see the

corresponding changes in destiny; thus, finding the source of the stir

and figuring out the activity range of the mastermind. It was also

Amon's style to circle about a superficial avatar but hide a dozen,

dozens, or hundreds of avatars. Amon's avatars could parasitize all

kinds of creatures with spirituality. If one wasn't a demigod, they

wouldn't even notice the parasite.

Towards the end, Leonard informed Klein in detail about the example Old

Man had raised of how Amon would steal one's destiny.

This sent a chill running down Klein's back, thankful that he hadn't

been rash in dealing with Amon. Otherwise, Mr. Fool might've been

replaced.

It's no wonder Leonard didn't report the matter... For Amon to appear so

openly, "He" is actually fishing. Furthermore, he has even more avatars

hiding in secret, and "He" can parasitize the microbes in the air...

This alone sends my scalp tingling. The creatures I can control at the

moment can't even reach that state. The smaller the creature, the harder

it is to see the Spirit Body Threads. It's quite a special case... Sigh,

I can't use the Church's power, unless it's done by someone who is

without any problems in every aspect... Klein commiserated as he gained

a deeper understanding of Amon's terror. It left him a deeper

impression.

From his point of view, Leonard was an excellent candidate to report the

matter to the Church of Evernight, but with Pallez Zoroast parasitizing

him, he didn't dare expose his existence to Amon.

In addition, The Hanged Man could also shoulder this responsibility, but

he was unable to provide the source of the news. This meant problems

that deserved deeper investigations into.

One choice after another flashed across Klein's mind. Finally, he paused

on himself-his identities as Klein Moretti and Gehrman Sparrow!

As a Blessed of Evernight, it's entirely reasonable for me to inform the

Church about Amon's appearance in Backlund. Amon won't be able to pick

faults with that.

And having involved myself with the battle with the Marauder pathway

demigod tonight, as the Bizarro Sorcerer who witnessed Amon and is now

in possession of the knowledge that the Angel of Time's avatar is here

in Backlund, it's also very normal and not something that will garner

Amon's suspicion. At the same time, as I'm a Blessed of Evernight, just

the loss of an avatar likely won't incur "His" full wrath for revenge.

After all, "He" might be facing a very possible trap-a deity's descent!

Having a backer really feels good... However, a price is always exacted

for what fate bestows... Klein quickly came to a conclusion over the

matter.

Then, he habitually changed his point of view and began considering this

matter from Amon's point of view.

Amon is definitely no stranger to Bizarro Sorcerers. "He" can determine

my pathway from my control of the marionettes and my swapping of

locations.

Since Amon allowed a Bizarro Sorcerer to flee, "He" must've made

preparations to be exposed. "He" might even be hoping to attract the

target "He" is looking for.

I was using Gehrman Sparrow's face, but that doesn't imply anything. A

Faceless's appearance is the least of one's concern... Hmm, then how

would Amon determine my identity? A powerhouse that lurks in the dark

and a demigod of the Seer pathway... As the Church of Evernight and the

Secret Order are in control of the formulas, ingredients, and a mermaid,

there are almost no unaffiliated Bizarro Sorcerers. The descendants of

the Antigonus family have all been wiped out. Therefore, a Bizarro

Sorcerer is either from the Secret Order or a secret proxy that the

Church of Evernight secretly nurtures...

Together with me being in Backlund, the answer is almost obvious...

Due to these reasons, Amon wouldn't find it difficult to determine that

the Church of Evernight is aware of "His" whereabouts and will begin an

operation to wipe "Him" out. My reporting of "Him" will be within

expectations. Not doing so would be abnormal...

Yes, "He" will definitely be hiding. Even if "He" replaces the identity

of that Marauder pathway demigod, "He" wouldn't come to Böklund Street

anytime soon!

Having made this judgment, Klein immediately felt a little more relieved

because it meant that he would have plenty of time to prepare!

"What ideas do you have?" Seeing Klein's prolonged silence after he

finished his description, Leonard couldn't help but ask.

Klein reined in his thoughts and asked without answering him, "What

suggestions does Pallez Zoroast have regarding this?"

"He' said that if you wish to deal with Amon's avatar in Backlund, you

have to first obtain the blessings of Concealment," Leonard replied

truthfully.

Blessings of Concealment... Pallez Zoroast is openly trying to test me.

Half the symbol behind The Fool's seat represents concealment... Using

Paper Angels and the Red Priest card, I can stir the powers of the

mysterious space above the gray fog, making it possible for me to

disrupt Amon's avatar. However, it's probably unable to prevent "Him"

from prying into fate itself... However, I still have another identity

as Evernight's Blessed, and another title of the Goddess is the Mother

of Concealment... Is eliminating Amon's avatar considered paying the

price or receiving a bestowment? Seems like both... Klein thought before

replying in a deep voice:

"Tell Pallez Zoroast that I'm a Blessed of Concealment. I will attempt

to pray for help."

He was referring to being the Blessed of the Mother of Concealment, but

it was certain that Pallez Zoroast would understand it as being The

Fool's Blessed.