Lord of Mysteries: Starting As A Reader

Chapter 1078: Friend

Just by looking at that crown mottled with rust and blood, Klein’s spiritual intuition was already shrieking in frenzied warning, telling him exactly what kind of terrifying thing it was."What... is that?" Klein pulled his gaze back, his tone heavy.

"It’s an item similar to the ’Calamity Seal,’ a Sealed Artifact formed from ’Conqueror’ Beyonder characteristics. Numbered ’0-33.’

It should have originally been in the Loen royal family’s collection, but during Monday night’s battle, it appeared in the hands of the ’Black Saintess.’"

Ebner gave only a short explanation, yet his tone was layered with meaning.

He had entered the confessional intending to pray to the Goddess for details about the outcome of that battle—but unexpectedly, Ms. Ariana, the "Servant of Secrecy," manifested directly and handed him this crown.

As for his inquiry? She told him to ask Princess Vera...

"’Conqueror’... Sequence 1?"

Even though Klein had mentally prepared himself somewhat, he still jolted in shock. A long moment passed before he steadied himself, considering the implications embedded in Ebner’s words.

"So the Loen royal family really is deeply connected to the Witch Sect?

"What exactly are they planning?"

Although Klein had heard of their collusion long ago from ’Vice Admiral of Ailment’ Tracy, and had even confirmed it during the affair involving "Mad Captain" Connors Victor, he did not expect the connection to be so deep—deep enough for a 0-grade Sealed Artifact to change hands.

"They’re trafficking slaves, creating the Great Smog... what are they trying to accomplish?" Klein couldn’t help pressing.

"These are matters for after you become a demigod... Knowing now won’t help you."reated friends with extraordinary sincerity... especially female friends.

"I still think something shady is going on. Even if Dwayne wants to enter high society, he doesn’t need to ’bribe’ a newly made viscount..."

Leonard looked at the villa at 160 Buckland Street and made up his mind.

"Tonight, I’m going into Dwayne’s dream to ask him directly!"

Pales didn’t reply.

He merely sighed silently.

He already knew the outcome: either this foolish boy would be tricked or return with nothing learned.

After all, besides Ebner, he had sensed an "ancient" aura on Dwayne Dantès as well.

And during the informational clash with the Cognizer, he had "stolen" part of the truth.

Combined with his long-standing knowledge that "Dwayne" was actually Dunn Smith...

He had basically deduced everything.

Foolish child... have you ever considered the possibility that your ’enemy’ might not even exist?

...

After leaving Buckland Street, Ebner didn’t immediately seek Princess Vera for details of Monday night’s battle.

Instead, he went first to Inspector Fassin’s home in the Cherwood Borough.

Since Aetris had received word from Anderson and gone adventuring again, and Inspector Fassin was—as usual—working overtime, the large house contained only Mrs. Fassin, several cleaning maids, and the infant Tolzna.

Mrs. Fassin was reading in the sitting room, while a drowsy maid watched over the baby in the bedroom.

Ebner’s figure appeared silently by the crib.

The sleepy maid quickly fell into a deep sleep.

Baby Tolzna floated into the air the moment she sensed him, scanning the surroundings before relaxing.

"You... why are you here?" she asked in surprise.

Then she realized it herself.

"So you recovered Danitte’s memories?"

"Yes... but a portion is missing."

Ebner nodded slightly.

"Do you know who erased them?"

Tolzna shook her tiny head.

"You should know—I only had a sliver of consciousness staying with you back then, and even that fragment’s memories were restored only after you sacrificed ’1-025’ in the ’Danitte Maze,’ letting the ’Right Hand of God’ return to my main body.

"So if your memory was tampered with, the part of me merged with you would not have escaped change."

So that’s how it is... Truly flawless.

Most likely my own handiwork.

Something I’m not allowed to know yet...

Ebner nodded thoughtfully and turned to leave.

But then Tolzna called out to stop him.

Ebner paused, turned back—without using Insight—confused.

Hanging in the air, Tolzna fixed her innocent infant eyes upon him, and said solemnly:

"Since you’ve recovered Danitte’s memories... then now I must say this:

"Thank you—my friend.

"Thank you for keeping your promise and saving me from the Mother Tree of Desire!"

Ebner froze for a moment—then slowly smiled.

Three hundred years of memories spent with that fragment of Tolzna’s consciousness resurfaced.

And the joy of helping a friend escape despair rekindled his certainty in his own existence.

He smiled brightly.

"You’re welcome. We’re friends!"

(End of Chapter)