Some pathways are interchangeable after Sequence 5? That's different from what the Nighthawks told me.
Isn't it a fact that you cannot change your pathway after you choose one? Wasn't it mentioned that diverging from your pathway would allow one to obtain strange, mysterious powers, but that person would certainly go insane and would never be able to advance?
To think that there are some hidden exceptions to this!
Klein didn't think that Emperor Roselle would spout nonsense about something like this. But he didn't assume that the information Roselle had received was correct. It was possible that he had been lied to or that he had misinterpreted the information.
In the future I'll need to verify this. Klein reminded himself. If what Roselle described here turns out to be correct, then the Sequence pathways go deeper than what I imagined...
The complete pathway possessed by the Nighthawks is Sleepless. They also possess a relatively complete path in the Corpse Collector, which they have up to Sequence 4. To think that those are interchangeable after Sequence 5... The other potion chains they have are even less complete, as some pathways only possess the first Sequence...
Similarly, the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery holds the complete pathway of the Savant and has a relatively complete pathway for the Mystery Pryer. These can also be interchanged at High Sequences...
I wonder which pathway is interchangeable with the Seer pathway. Could it be the Apprentice or Marauder that was mentioned by the Emperor?
Hmm, there's a high possibility that the first five Sequence pathways of the Seer pathway would each provide a separate ability, and that these abilities would be combined at Sequence 4. At that stage, there should be no way to interchange it with some other potion...
Klein placed his attention again onto the diary and noticed that although the two diary pages were connected, the content was not in chronological order. The dates belonged to two different periods. But this could also be a mistake made by whoever copied their content.
"9th April. The relationships between the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun, the Church of the Lord of Storms, and the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom are poor, and they see each other as enemies. The Church of the Evernight Goddess is at odds with the Church of the God of Combat from the Feysac Empire. These are all facts worth considering."
"13th April. I participated in an ancient organization's gathering. I never expected them to be members of this organization as well. It sure was frightening."
"To think that the second Blasphemy Slate was in the hands of this organization. This is the first time I'm seeing this legendary item!"
"Indeed, it was hiding an unimaginable secret, hehe. Perhaps there will come a day when I will create a Blasphemy Slate unique to me. No, a set of them, with each one hiding an ultimate secret!"
Hey Emperor, why didn't you specify the name of this ancient organization!? You're killing me! Perhaps—perhaps Roselle had a reason, or didn't dare to write down the name of the organization, even if he was using Chinese...
But with this page of the diary, Klein could finally confirm that Emperor Roselle had seen the second Blasphemy Slate. Furthermore, he created a set of cards after that; each card represented a pathway to godhood.
That could be the ultimate secret that matches each pathway to godhood. I wonder where that set of twenty-two cards is now.
Klein shifted his gaze away from the diary. "Actually, you didn't need to wait for me."
"It's our honor." Alger said.
Audrey thought before saying, "Mr. Fool, the open selection of government officials through examinations that you described previously has already garnered the support of the King and the Prime Minister. It will soon be passed by the House of Lords and the House of Commons and is predicted to be implemented early next year."
"It looks like the King and the Prime Minister still use their brains," Alger said.
Audrey then said, "Mr. Hanged Man, you got me to check on something for you previously. I've received an answer. The King has been convinced by the Prime Minister and won't seek revenge on the Feysac Empire at the East Balam Shore for the time being. I think you can now give me the extra payment that you promised me."
"Miss Justice, thank you for your answer. This eases my concerns over certain things. What kind of extra payment do you want? I'll consider it if it's within reason."
Audrey replied, "Clues to the Psychology Alchemists, or clues to the main ingredients of the potion Telepathist. Of course, that can wait until after The Sun hands the formula over to me."
"No problem," Alger said.
Two seats away from The Hanged Man, Derrick Berg was very confused, feeling that he only understood a few terms. A method of selecting officials through examination? A King and Prime Minister, House of Lords, House of Commons, East Balam Shore, Feysac Empire, Psychology Alchemists?
Feysac, the root of the word, came from Jotun. What connection could it have with the fallen Giant King's imperial household? Derrick looked at the others, feeling that they might not come from the same world. Could there be another city-state, or one that had formed a nation, somewhere far away from the City of Silver in the cursed lands?
Audrey then remembered something and said, "I recently came into contact with a Beyonder circle and found out about a powerful person named Mr. A. Do any of you know of this person's background and identity?"
Mr. A? I only know a Mr. Z... With such a similar code name, could he also be from the Aurora Order? Klein thought.
Alger said in a deliberative tone, "The Aurora Order is at odds with the Church of the Lord of Storms, the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun, and the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom, so members of these Churches understand the Aurora Order more than any other organization. And I happen to know something about them."
"The Aurora Order has five Saints and twenty-two Oracles. These Oracles use the alphabet as their code names, from Mr. A to Mr. X. They are Beyonders, with the weakest being Sequence 7 and the strongest Sequence 5. They are all adept at hiding themselves. Should an Oracle die, a new Oracle will take their place.
I cannot guarantee that the Mr. A you spoke of is the Mr. A from the Aurora Order, but there is a good possibility. As for the details of the Aurora Order, I have mentioned that to you before."
Audrey nodded, becoming even more cautious of Mr. A. "Thank you for your answer, Mr. Hanged Man. You need not make a payment anymore."
"No, I wish to ask for your help with the answer just now, as well as provide extra compensation," Alger said.
"What help?" Audrey asked.
Alger said, "I received intelligence that the pirate Qilangos, codenamed Rear Admiral Hurricane, has secretly gone onshore and infiltrated Backlund. I don't know what he's up to, but I hope that you can help me locate his whereabouts. As for whatever happens afterwards, you need not put yourself in danger."
"Rear Admiral Hurricane Qilangos? One of the seven great admiral pirates?" Audrey widened her eyes.
The thing she wanted to do the most after she became a Beyonder was, of course, to interact with the people that only existed in the fables of the nobles!
"Yes, he's a Sequence 6 Beyonder of the path of the Sailor, a Wind-blessed. He also has a miraculous item that could be classified as a Sealed Artifact. He's quite crafty and cruel, so don't attempt to deal with him," Alger warned and turned to Klein. "Mr. Fool, can I get your adorer to assist me at the critical moment? I would pay a price that interests you."
"That is built on the premise that my adorer happens to be in Backlund."
"Alright." Alger retracted his gaze, a little disappointed, but also a little expectant.