Staring at the two new black spots that had appeared within the "Unknown Land," Ebner fell into deep thought.
These 'black marks,' in essence, aren't all that different from the crimson stars above the gray fog. Both serve as mediums for communication and connection—the only difference lies in their particular effects.
For example, unlike Klein, I can't pull the people represented by these black marks into the Unknown Land itself. But in return, I can do many things Klein couldn't…
As that thought passed through his mind, Ebner separated a "wise eye" from his consciousness and sent it into the Pure White Eye, making contact with the spot representing the "parasite," Florella Jacob.
"Praise be to You! Praise be to You! You are One and the All, the Unknown and the Omniscient, the Instant and the Eternal!"
Soon, an overwhelming chorus of devotion echoed in Ebner's ears. Clearly, Florella Jacob—her mind saturated with the name "Liu Bo"—had become his fanatic believer.
A true zealot who had surrendered her body and soul, willing to give everything for her god.
Her current state… honestly, it's quite similar to the 'Magic Mirror' and those two former pontiffs of the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun who once possessed Seyro Delien's identity!
They too were fervently worshipping 'me' just like Florella now does.
The only difference is that those two pontiffs were indirect in their faith—they worshiped that illusory sun behind the Pure White Eye, the one tainted by the Unknown. Their marks aren't black spots… they must exist within that 'sun' itself.
Judging from this, the level of corruption involved absolutely isn't any weaker than the True Creator's—at least an Old One-level existence. Terrifying…
And the source of that corruption, its true name, is actually 'Liu Bo'!
If that really is also 'me'…
Just thinking about it sends chills down my spine. No wonder Lilith and the Goddess don't want me to learn the truth of the Unknown Land yet!
Still, since when did I become this horrifying?
Ebner mocked himself wryly, then turned his attention to the fainter of the two marks—the one belonging to the "Man in Black" who had just spread the "knowledge of Liu Bo" before self-destructing.
Even though that man had severed the connection in time and refrained from reclaiming his Sequence 3 "Mentor of Deceit" Beyonder characteristic, his true body was still marked by the Unknown Land.
This faint spot isn't nearly as easy to use as Florella's. At most, I can determine his location, or glimpse his actions and fragments of his memory…
Of course, if I could delve deeper into the Unknown, mastering the space beyond the Pure White Eye, perhaps I could use that mark to 'reverse-pollute' him. But that's clearly beyond my reach right now.
Heh, but this also proves that the Man in Black's true body isn't an angel. If it were, such a shallow mark would've been easily severed. That's exactly how angels handle their contact with Outer God knowledge.
So even if Amon really fell for this Man in Black's scheme, as long as He doesn't allow the characteristic or memory to return to His main body, the worst that happens is that He learns the name 'Liu Bo' and receives a faint mark.
Unless He can't resist decoding and delving into knowledge about the Unknown Land and Liu Bo, it shouldn't be too serious for now.
But then comes the real question: what about those who know Liu Bo deeply—Lilith, the Goddess, Vera, Yaloran, and Cohinem? What about the "Two-Five Dragon"? How did they resist 'my' corruption?
The Goddess, who knows? But Lilith, Vera, Yaloran, and Cohinem clearly interacted closely with me—or rather, my past self—and even had descendants…
Even for true gods, being that close to an Old One shouldn't be completely free from contamination!
Though, perhaps with my permission, they weren't just spared from corruption—they may have even used the power of the Unknown Land to balance other pollutions within themselves…
But why did they trust me that much? That's literally putting their life and death in my hands! If I ever withdrew my permission, what would they do?
Hmm… The Goddess and Lilith surely have their contingencies. Maybe the "Brood Nest" and the "River of Eternal Darkness" are already under their control.
As for Vera, with the "Fog of Uncertainty," she might barely protect herself.
But Yaloran and Cohinem likely couldn't. Perhaps that's why Yaloran sought to draw closer to me, even placing her avatar into the Unknown Land—to deepen her bond with me, gambling that I'll always allow her freedom. An emotional investment?
Thinking about it now, maybe Yaloran and Cohinem split into two beings partly to cut off their connection to me. But judging by the result, it didn't succeed—so Cohinem also leaned toward my side.
Is this the subtle influence of the Unknown Land itself?
Yes, I think I understand now… The Goddess, Lilith, Vera, Yaloran, and Cohinem—they've all placed their bets on me as I am now, wagering with emotion as their stake.
They can't predict the personality of the "Unknown" me, or whether that version of me would exploit the link to corrupt them—turning them into soulless zealots like Florella.
It's just like how the members of the Tarot Club would rather choose Klein as the Lord of Mysteries than the True Creator.
As for the "Two-Five Dragon," he placed his illusory "All-Knowing Eye" into the Unknown—so in a way, he's gambling too!
Still, his intentions are probably more complicated… I'd wager he's invested on both sides—one in me as I am, one in the deeper Unknown version of me. No matter who wins, he profits.
But overall, he probably prefers that the present me prevails. After all, I'm easier to reason with.
Alright, I've thought these matters through for now…
But then what's with that "Pure White Angel" within the Unknown Land? And that illusory "sun"? Could it be that the Eternal Blazing Sun also placed His bet—on the Unknown me?
No… Something about that doesn't feel right.
After pondering for a while and finding no answer, Ebner decided to shelve the question for the time being. He raised his hand, summoning the "Mentor of Deceit" Beyonder characteristic left behind by the Man in Black's avatar.
It had fused with the man's shattered "vocal cords," forming a Sealed Artifact that endlessly sang hymns praising one of the Seven Gods.
But if one truly listened closely, they'd find the hymn was in fact an ode of praise—to "Liu Bo."
A Sealed Artifact that combines deceit with fanatic worship of me, huh? I suppose only I can safely hold this thing.
Or maybe Florella can too—she's already a fanatic. A little more chanting won't hurt her.
After muttering this, Ebner used the characteristic as a medium and began a Retrospection.
Now that he was a demigod, this ability was no longer limited to fixed scenes—it could extend into the domain of fate, allowing him to trace the "trajectory of destiny."
As the power activated, scenes from the Man in Black's avatar's past unfolded before his eyes.
This "Mentor of Deceit" avatar lived under a fixed identity and name: Mareid, Dean of the Philosophy Department at Backlund University—a pragmatic philosopher.
Of course, he also had a hidden identity: Vice President of the "Hermits of Fate."
After discovering that Fanny, a descendant of Emperor Roselle's eldest son Charles, was on close terms with Ebner, he began to pay special attention to the famed "Hero Detective." After all, one of Roselle's prophecies had hinted that the Emperor might return upon the birth of the Lawyer Pathway's descendant.
And Fanny was the only "Lawyer" among the Emperor's descendants in the past century.
Thus, during one of the Hermits of Fate's gatherings, after obtaining information about the Jacob family's Marauder demigod, he volunteered to become Emma's teacher, using a "contract" as a pretext to restrain the behavior of the Jacob family's "Parasite," Florella.
After all, Emma was both Fanny's best friend and Ebner's acquaintance.
And Florella, whose intellect had been damaged by once inhabiting a rat, never suspected a thing.
The Man in Black's avatar then used Emma's time at school to both monitor her and gradually erode Florella's psyche, implanting the mystical art Rhine–Solomon's Raven Noose within her mind.
After the failure of the Emperor's resurrection plan, his focus shifted entirely to that scheme.
He subtly altered Emma's personality through his abilities, amplifying her suppressed rebelliousness and "chūnibyō" tendencies.
With such a temperament, it was only a matter of time before she attracted Amon—and then he could spring his trap within a trap to give Amon an unforgettable lesson.
Unfortunately, he never lured Amon—only Ebner.
All his "layers within layers" and his final trump card, "Liu Bo," ended up entirely useless.
So that's how it is… Ebner nodded thoughtfully, now understanding this Man in Black avatar's past and his network of subordinates.
Among all the glimpses, one person particularly caught Ebner's attention—a woman.
She had red hair, black eyes, and striking features—a face both alluring and subtly Eastern in beauty. She resembled that socialite, Margaret, whom Ebner had met at a ball in Toscar when accompanying Helene.
And according to the intelligence later passed on by Seyro, that same Margaret was indeed a member of the "Men in Black"—specifically, Spade No. 12—and also the "Red Saintess" of the Demoness Sect!
What made Ebner especially take note, however, was how the Man in Black's avatar, Mareid, had addressed her:
Margaret Constantine.
(End of Chapter)