Lord of the Mysteries

The color of fresh blood was reflected in Klein’s eyes as they intently locked onto the flowing liquid.

Just then, there was a light cough from within the house. Old Neil spoke with a raspy voice, “Dunn, why are you here?”

Dunn’s gray eyes were extremely deep. His mellow voice replied calmly, “I heard that you’re sick, so we came to visit.”

There was a sudden silence in the house. A few seconds later, Old Neil roared in anger and terror, “No! You’re lying!”

Without waiting for Klein and company to say a word, his tone suddenly became weak.

“Yes, I know my condition isn’t quite right.”

Old Neil… Klein closed his eyes, but the bloody liquid that was seeping through the gap of the door didn’t cease.

Then, Old Neil raised his voice and said, “All this time, I’ve never hurt anyone, nor have I thought of hurting anyone! I never—I never betrayed the secrets of the Nighthawks, one even one! At the most—at the most, I’ve made claims for undeserving expenses. I really haven’t committed any evil!”

“Klein!” He suddenly shouted like he usually did. “I told you about the maxim of the Mystery Pryers, ‘Do as you wish, but do no harm.’ I still live by this saying. I’d rather be patient—I’d rather endure than do things that will harm others…”

With that said, he pleaded sincerely, in fear, “Dunn, Royale, Klein, go back. Go back. Wait till tomorrow—by tomorrow, I’ll be back to normal. I swear—I swear to the Goddess, I wouldn’t harm anyone. Really!”

Dunn closed his eyes and asked extremely gently, “What do you plan on doing? What have you been trying to do all this while?”

“Me?” Old Neil was confused at first before he described with a tone filled with hope, “I’m trying to resurrect Celeste. Dunn, I found a way, I’m on the right track!

“You should have heard about it. Back then, I made a mistake during the ritualistic magic to treat her illness, so I failed. I failed to save her. I now know it was because I had yet to master mysticism. But now, I now have enough knowledge and experience to complete everything! It’s regrettable that I wasn’t inspired by the maxim of the Mystery Pryers and Daly’s example. I missed the best opportunity. If-if I was a High-Sequence Beyonder, all of this would become extremely easy.” As he spoke, Old Neil’s voice sounded tearful, “No, I cannot give up again… Dunn, go back. Go back, please. I beg of you.”

Klein clenched his teeth as he heard the Captain ask emotionally, “How do you plan on resurrecting Celeste?”

Old Neil instantly became very excited.

“I’ll use the ‘Alchemical Life’ method to create an immortal body for her. Dunn, you might not know of it, but Sequence 4 Beyonders from the Church of Mother Earth are good at this. The corresponding Sequence in the Savant pathway can barely do it as well. Yes, I will complete it with the aid of God’s favor.

“Then, I’ll summon her spirit from the spirit world and pray for God’s help to combine her spirit and body together.

a

corner of his lips forcefully and said, “Yes, it’s a great idea. Old

off the hook?” Old Neil pleaded, “Go back, just go back. I’ll return to normal tomorrow, really. Dunn, I swear I’ll never steal your coffee beans again. Klein, Royale, I swear I won’t make you help me

vision, Dunn lowered his head before lifting it up again. “Old Neil, you’re misunderstanding. We’re here to visit you. You are our teammate. You’re sick, and you aren’t well. We definitely needed to visit you. Open the door. Let us see you, so that we can be certain. If you’re really okay, we’ll return immediately. As you know, there are especially many missions recently. We have to monitor the asylum while we

saying, “There’s really nothing

that flowed out through the gap under the door went down the stairs, towards the stone path,

missions together. I’m really concerned and worried for you. I have to see you with my own eyes before I’ll be at ease,” Dunn said

“There’s really nothing wrong

wiped his

he saw that the carpet in the lobby was

realize that the living room’s floor, ceiling, round table, piano, and chairs were

to the ceiling by a thick liquid. His forehead and cheeks

keys were dancing on their own, playing a

Old Neil said with a radiant smile. “Royale, Klein,

he opened his mouth, Klein saw the same thick, hairy, and bloody

eyes shimmered as he chatted

you learn the Alchemical

excitedly, “I heard it. I tried the first part, and confirmed its authenticity! It’s a gift from God! He kept describing it in my ears.

halt. More than ten seconds later, he continued in fear and in apparent loss, “He

the Moses Ascetic Order believes in? The god that was resurrected, bringing about evil and corruption… The Moses Ascetic Order has the complete Mystery Pryer Sequence… Klein’s

Old Neil seemed to finally awaken. He looked

six eyes looked towards Dunn, and he said with a bitter smile, “So it turns out—it turns out that I’ve

and the others to reply, Old Neil suddenly

me go. I’ll go deep into the mountains and won’t appear again. I’ll never harm anyone. I’ll only attempt

then, Klein felt something illusory

a dark glow and

me into a

can see through all

the ceiling, floor, and walls started squirming, like a giant opening its mouth

fumble for his revolver; instead, he extended his hand into his pocket and planned to use his

him. The sticky, bloody liquid suddenly turned placid

Neil lost his coldness, hatred, desire, and all other expressions. He became quiet