Chapter 85: Praying to the Hidden Sage
The Charnes Gate opened without warning, and a mass of black threads, like hair or seaweed, surged out from behind it, silently spreading towards Lu Ze.
Is this the power of the Sealed Artifacts behind the Charnes Gate?
Lu Ze looked at the black threads, and the images he had seen before naturally came to mind—these threads quietly filled the world behind the Door, suppressing those dangerous Sealed Artifacts, though he didn't know their origin.
In the fleeting moment of his distraction, these threads reached him with astonishing speed.
Not good!
Lu Ze's heart tightened. These threads, capable of suppressing even Sealed Artifacts, were extremely dangerous, especially at night!
Just as he was about to retreat and dodge, a tranquil and hidden aura surged over him, instantly slowing his movements. He watched helplessly as the threads completely enveloped his head.
Is this how it ends?
Lu Ze thought blankly.
He stood frozen, countless images from his past and present life flashed through his mind, finally settling on Cecilia's bright smiling face.
I wonder if Ms. M will spare her.
Lu Ze closed his eyes regretfully.
One second.
Two seconds.
Lu Ze suddenly realized.
Wait, nothing seems to be wrong?
Opening his eyes, the black threads were wrapped around his head, like a uniquely shaped hood. The threads subtly creeping, releasing a quiet and silent power, and something was changing imperceptibly.
Spiritual guidance made Lu Ze subconsciously look to the side of his face. He was surprised to find that the red blood aura that had originally entanglement him seemed to be suppressed by the black threads. It no longer dispersed but condensed into a ball. The eyes on it were dim, wrapped in layers of threads, and the ear also shrunk, its ear canal filled with threads.
Lu Ze's eyes widened at this scene.
This, this is...
Could it be that these threads sealed Ms. M's senses?
And I didn't explode, which means Ms. M didn't even notice!?
Lu Ze was shocked for a moment, then suddenly realized the current situation—he had temporarily escaped Ms. M's surveillance. Regardless of the principle of this black mass of threads, its purpose, or its consequences, at least at this moment, he had truly escaped Ms. M's monitoring!
I must do something!
This thought immediately filled his mind. This was an excellent opportunity; if he didn't seize it well, he would surely regret it.
What to do? Contact the captain?
No, the captain has already left after work. It's also impossible to use the electric bell to call down teammates upstairs and tell them the truth, because the electric bell is too far away, and the threads cannot reach it.
Write a letter to Azk?
No, the contact information is with Klein, and he can't even send a letter, nor does he have paper and pen.
Then what should he do?
Lu Ze anxiously thought quickly.
He can only stay put. What can be done, what might counteract Ms. M's influence.
Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Lu Ze.
He almost forgot that he had been a Secrets Supplicant for a long time. If there was one thing he was best at, wasn't it praying to great existences like gods?
Pray to the great existences; perhaps one of them will bestow a grace, providing an ability that can restrain Ms. M!
Thinking of this, he unhesitatingly took out candles, herbs, a ritual dagger, and other items from his embrace. He began to quickly set up the altar, systematically making all the necessary preparations. He didn't know how long the Charnes Gate would remain open, so he had to seize the time and complete the ritual quickly.
Although the black threads somewhat obstructed his vision, he still quickly prepared everything.
Lu Ze originally intended to use a silver dagger to create a spiritual wall, but considering that the wall might cut off the effect of the black threads, he ultimately gave up. He simply lit two candles, sprinkled herbs and essential oils, and then tried his best to appear devout, chanting the Evernight Goddess's honorific name in Hermes:
"The Evernight Goddess, more exalted than the Cosmos, more ancient than eternity."
Having learned from his last mistake, Lu Ze did not pray to the True Creator when it came to matters concerning Ms. M.
"You are the Lord of Crimson, You are the Mother of Concealment."
And Lu Ze's reason for turning to pray to the Evernight Goddess was simple: this was the Blackthorn Security Company's basement, the Nighthawks' headquarters in Tingen. Moreover, these threads from behind the Charnes Gate suddenly helped him control Ms. M's surveillance. It seemed like the Evernight Goddess was helping him.
Given this, what reason did he have not to pray to the Evernight Goddess?
"You are the Empress of Calamity, the Lord of Slumber and Silence!"
A hidden and tranquil power converged in the unseen, and Lu Ze could feel the Goddess's influence descending. With an excited heart, he continued to chant the incantation:
"I pray to You;"
"I pray for You to bestow upon me the power to change the current situation;"
"Bestow upon me the power to save Your innocent believers, the power to restrain the evil enemy."
Lu Ze prayed to the Goddess for a way to rescue his sister and defeat Ms. M. If he were under Ms. M's gaze, he wouldn't dare to say such a prayer. According to the ritual process, the Goddess should now bestow a divine revelation upon him. So, he waited with anticipation.
However, nothing happened.
Lu Ze looked up, a little surprised.
There was nothing wrong with the ritual, and the Goddess's power had indeed descended, but she simply watched Lu Ze and did not respond to his prayer.
Why?
Lu Ze stared blankly as the candle flames extinguished themselves without any wind, signifying that the Goddess had departed.
What is this? Giving me hope but not providing further assistance?
Is it because I am not devout enough?
Or is it that...
In Lu Ze's heart, there was actually another understanding.
Perhaps the Goddess is merely a shrewd investor who, after taking a liking to certain individuals, is willing to offer assistance. However, this assistance is limited; you must prove your worth and show the other party that you have potential for advancement before there can be further cooperation.
At this moment, Lu Ze suddenly re-realized the most important rule he had summarized for a Secrets Supplicant—They are not benevolent.
The black threads before his eyes gradually thinned, and Lu Ze knew that his time was running out.
What to do? Let this precious opportunity go to waste?
He stood silently in place. After a moment, he gritted his teeth, raised the silver dagger, and pressed it against the back of his hand. Immediately after, he unhesitatingly cut open the skin on the back of his hand, and with the blood that flowed out, he carved an eye pattern without eyelashes onto it.
To hell with it, I'm going all out!
Lu Ze closed his eyes and, using the more effective and dangerous Ancient Hermes Language, loudly chanted:
"The embodiment of spirit and numbers,
The source of all knowledge,
The Hidden Sage above the wilderness."
He was going to pray to the Hidden Sage for power!
That's right, since the Evernight Goddess was only willing to offer a little help, the rest could only be done by himself. Among the great existences Lu Ze could pray to, whose honorific names he knew, and who had a sufficiently high level of mystery, only the Hidden Sage remained.
Although because of Old Neil's matter, he had committed some blasphemous acts. But as far as Lu Ze knew, this peculiar existence didn't care about such things; all he wanted was to spread knowledge to his believers.
As Lu Ze finished chanting the Hidden Sage's honorific name, a mysterious power suddenly descended.