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."
Ebner glanced at him and repeated the line he'd said to Xio countless times.
Once you become a Trickmaster and your survival ability skyrockets, then you can charge head-first into trouble.
By then, you'll act in the light, and I'll act in the shadows. Perhaps the Loen Kingdom really can be overturned.
Hmm… Although he still didn't know what Vera—no, Tamara—was plotting, the fact she chose the identity of a Loen princess clearly meant she didn't come just to enjoy life.
Some ritual, perhaps?
She claimed not to be a potion-pathway Beyonder, but something resembling the Western Continent's "ordained" system… yet even that required rituals.
And such rituals likely involved the sovereign of a nation.
As thoughts raced, Ebner continued chatting with Klein until the carriage arrived near 160 Buckland Street. Only then did he bid farewell and step down.
As he was about to turn onto a nearby street, he suddenly looked back toward a corner alley. His lips curved slightly before he stepped directly into the spirit world.
All passersby ignored this—except for a single hidden gaze within the alley.
"…Old man… did he actually spot me?"
Leonard muttered to himself, turning slightly.
"Of course. You shouldn't challenge a Cognizer's intelligence and detection abilities," Pales sighed.
"And he noticed both you and me."
Even though Pales was weakened, he was still Sequence 1… yet in that brief clash of informational "decoding" and "insight," he had actually fallen behind…
"He may be a Cognizer, but he is not an ordinary Cognizer," Pales stressed again.
"But wasn't your old friend a vampire duke? How did he ascend the Reader pathway so quickly?
"At this speed, it's almost like watching a god revive!"
Leonard said incredulously.
"How should I know? Rhine has always been mysterious. Though he's affable and not arrogant, even as a mere Sequence 2 vampire duke he dared call His Majesty 'brother.'…
"And His Majesty didn't mind at all—in fact, he found it perfectly natural."
Pales recalled with a mix of awe and resignation.
"But someone at his level—why approach Dwayne Dantès? He's just a merchant who got lucky in arms deals." Leonard frowned.
He wasn't worried about Dwayne—
He was worried about Daly.
If Dwayne got dragged into something terrifying and implicated her…
Among the Beyonders who emerged from Tingen, only he and Daly remained.
He couldn't bear to see Daly—who had finally walked out of the shadows—fall into despair again.
Despair should be carried by me alone…
"Haven't you heard? Dwayne Dantès donated to Ebner Bryan's territory, Beldane.
Meeting privately is perfectly normal," Pales replied casually.
He trusted Rhine's character—Rhine treated 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)