After learning that the so-called "Nightmare Apostle" was most likely just an alternate identity of a "Whisperer," while "Lion" Leon was confident that this mistress of Roselle wouldn't make a move, Ebner still didn't dare to believe it entirely.
After all, that Miss Yalubeth Belia was a Sequence 3 demigod. If she did join the attack, aside from merging with the Bone Dragon to tank for five seconds, he'd probably have no choice but to threaten her with "Lilith's Tear."
So, after thinking it over, Ebner began setting up a ritual in the carriage. As "Lion" Leon watched him with an expression shifting from horror to deep unease, Ebner prayed one by one to the Earth Mother, the Evernight Goddess, and the God of Knowledge and Wisdom.
Soon, he received responses.
The Earth Mother gave him a true name—one that pointed to Cullen's mother, Lady Helen.
The Evernight Goddess directly bestowed upon him a talisman. Engraved on it was a vertical eye formed from a myriad of symbols, radiating a sinister and mysterious aura.
As for the God of Knowledge and Wisdom, He didn't respond directly, but Ebner clearly felt a temporary enhancement in his simulation ability. For a short time, he should be able to use demigod-level powers.
Lilith must believe that, with my proficiency in ritual magic, as long as Lady Helen isn't too far away, constructing a summoning ritual to call her forth shouldn't be difficult.
The talisman from the Evernight Goddess bears symbols that represent Antigonus… So that's what it is—the talisman is essentially a 'Spirit Worm,' and its effect is to summon a 'Historical Projection.' I can pull someone or something from a gap in history to fight for ten seconds…
Don't tell me the Goddess ripped this straight off Antigonus herself?
As for the God of Knowledge and Wisdom, His method isn't hard to guess—it's the power of authority, a true god's influence over the abilities of lower-ranked Beyonders within His pathway… Just like how the ancient Death God, the Phoenix Ancestor Gregali, gave every 'Gatekeeper' the ability to open the Gates of the Underworld…
Another example is from the original work, when the Giant King's Court fought against the Dark Angel Evil Spirit. That time, Amon also used the authority of uniqueness to significantly boost Klein's 'Error' pathway abilities replicated through the 'Staff of the Stars,' reaching the level of Parvis taking action himself.
In short, Lilith's help is region-limited, the Goddess's talisman is single-use, and the favor from the God of Knowledge and Wisdom is time-limited… Each has its own restrictions, but for dealing with a declining demon family, it should be more than enough!
While Ebner was deep in thought, "Lion" Leon beside him was so stunned he almost dropped his eyeballs. He stared blankly at Ebner for a long while before murmuring:
"How the hell have you not been struck down by divine punishment?
"Even back when Roselle was heavily favored by the gods, he only dared to make such requests to the God of Steam and Machinery…"
Compared to how Mr. Fool later went straight into a church to demand a Sequence 2 trait, what I'm doing is practically nothing.
Ebner grumbled inwardly but didn't say much else. Truthfully, he'd even wanted to pray to Mr. Fool for an "Angel's Blessing" to gain immunity to "Desire" or "Whisper" damage, but after considering it, he gave up. After all, the "Pure White Eye" already had similar functions, and Mr. Fool had also said that his name must not be revealed without permission.
"With the blessings of the gods, I'm better prepared than ever. The odds of turning the tables on those demons are now much higher…" As he spoke, Ebner took out a few cards sealed with mystical items and handed them to "Lion" Leon, giving detailed instructions: "If any demons attack Helene, Fors, or Fanny later, give these cards to them. Let them fight for themselves, and you just stay nearby to keep them safe—don't step in personally.
"After all, if your demigod identity is exposed, the other 'Apostles of Desire' might call off tonight's attack. And then we'd be stuck on constant alert, which would be far more troublesome."
Is the important part the divine blessings? The truly terrifying thing is that the gods even responded to you at all! Three gods watching over you… If something actually happened to you, I wouldn't be surprised if an angel descended from the heavens. Leon complained mentally, but on the surface, he accepted the cards, glanced at them, and nodded affirmatively: "These are a lot like the 'Duel Cards' Roselle used to make."
Of course they are. I'm guessing Roselle's idea came from the Catastrophe Seal, which in turn clearly got this tech from somewhere else—probably from the 'Wanderer' Alvin Abraham.
Thinking that, Ebner didn't pick up Leon's comment but began explaining each card's function in detail:
"This card contains a 'String Puppet.' It can manipulate spiritual threads. While it can't turn people into secret puppets like a 'Marionettist,' it can at least slow down an enemy's movements… Give this to Fors. She's not experienced in real combat, so she'd do better as a control-type in the back line. Oh, and make sure to give her a 'Psychological Invisibility' as well…
"This card holds the 'Hand of Wisdom' gloves—temporarily lend these to Helene. She's been in actual battles before and has a relatively strong will. As a 'Pyromaniac,' her direct combat ability isn't weak, and with the gloves—imbued with most of a 'Briber's' abilities—no ordinary demon should be able to take her down quickly.
"Fanny already has a lot of mystical items, and those mechanical dolls in her backpack are extremely powerful. Her only real weakness is that she hasn't suffered much hardship, so her willpower is lacking and she's vulnerable to spiritual invasion by 'corruption'… That's why this card, which contains the 'Ring of Light,' should go to her. Use the divine light to neutralize the effects of corrupted powers.
"Oh, and don't hand these cards out until a real attack begins. Otherwise, they'll definitely get suspicious. If they don't act convincingly enough, the demons might notice I'm prepared, which would ruin the plan."
"Lion" Leon silently nodded his big head, indicating that he had memorized everything.
If it had been before, he wouldn't have followed orders so obediently. He would've definitely bargained with Ebner first...
But now, with Ebner clearly favored by three gods, his status in Leon's mind had risen dramatically. He was no longer just the emperor's "prophesied one" or someone vaguely connected to the "Catastrophe Seal."
—This had also been one of Ebner's goals in praying right in front of him.
Once the man and lion finalized their preliminary plan, they each dispelled their own occult influences. On the other side of the carriage, the three ladies who had been chatting resumed awareness of Ebner and the orange cat's presence.
They didn't notice anything unusual at all.
…..
The "Gentle Words" hot spring inn was situated on a small hill on the northern outskirts of Linn City. Though a bit removed from the urban center, it had convenient transportation and featured high-end facilities and services. It was also relatively well-known in the surrounding areas…
As soon as Ebner, the three ladies, and the cat stepped out of the carriage, a staff member approached them with umbrellas, smiling warmly as he led them into the hot spring inn.
Because of the storm, there weren't many guests. According to Ebner's senses, aside from their group, the entire inn only had about twenty people total—staff and guests combined.
Heh, are they all demons in disguise? Based on the Mirror of Desires' feedback, there's one "Apostle of Desire," three "Demons," seven "Serial Killers," and the rest are all "Criminals."
That Apostle of Desire is most likely the "Marionettist" Cecia. She's an elder of the Belia family. The others must be elite forces she's trained.
Tch, as expected of a former angelic family. Even in decline, their foundation is still terrifyingly strong!
And this is just the power that a single elder can mobilize!
As he inwardly marveled, Ebner booked two rooms with hot spring pools, which cost him a total of ten pounds.
He didn't mind—after all, he was about to earn much more shortly.
He then smiled and nodded at the three ladies, motioning for them to rest well, before heading straight into the private room he had booked for himself.
Once inside, Ebner shut the door and activated the "Pure White Eye" to inspect the space. He found nothing suspicious—no unusual arrangements, no surveillance.
They know I'm a Beyonder of the "Reader" pathway and figured the traces of a ritual might not escape my notice. So, to avoid alerting me, they gave up on surveillance altogether?
Hmm, but the perception of "desire" is one of the Apostle of Desire's core abilities. That Marionettist is probably monitoring my condition indirectly through that power.
Still, this actually saves me a lot of trouble.
After pondering briefly, Ebner took out the mutated Tudor emblem and began setting up a ritual. In this room, he altered, added to, and manipulated certain rules to construct a special environment.
During the process, he also incorporated part of the principle behind "Ivans' Veil of Secrecy," which ensured that the demons outside wouldn't notice anything abnormal.
Next, he erected a sacrificial altar, inscribed a series of complex symbols, and finally placed the profane card obtained from the Land of Night— the "Door" card—at the center of the altar.
The ritual was based on the principle of a "Teleportation Altar." Combined with the mysterious power imbued in the "Door" card by the "Emperor of Knowledge," it had a certain chance of opening a teleportation channel, allowing Lady Helen to descend in person.
Of course, the distance couldn't be too great, and it also required Helen's cooperation.
With most other Sequence demigods, this method might have little chance of success—but Helen was a "Summoning Grandmaster." She definitely had ways to stabilize the "door," making success much more likely.
After confirming there were no problems with the ritual setup, Ebner began reciting the summoning incantation he had designed:
"O favored of the earth, descendant of the Blood Clan, summoning grandmaster beneath the silver moon, Helen Cullenedia of the Observer family…
"I!
"I call upon you in my name,"And beseech your descent!"
The howling wind surged and swirled, and the flames atop the altar's candles flared violently, tinged with a distinct silver-white hue.
Soon, directly above the "Door" card, a circle of illusory flame abruptly took shape.
Moments later, a beautiful lady stepped gracefully out from within the fiery ring.
(End of Chapter)