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 great

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

“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 with my

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,

really nothing serious about my condition, really. I’ll

out through the gap under the door went

missions together. I’m really concerned

Old Neil pouted. “There’s really nothing wrong

creak, the door opened slowly. Klein quickly wiped his eyes and allowed his sight to return

carpet in the lobby was red and sticky, covered in

realize that the living room’s floor, ceiling, round table, piano, and chairs were all covered in the same disgusting, sticky and

by a thick liquid. His forehead and cheeks each had a

on their own,

Old Neil said with a radiant

Klein saw the

as he chatted

Neil, where did you learn the Alchemical Life and

It’s a gift from God! He kept describing it in my ears. He kept describing, He is—He

voice came to a halt. More than ten seconds later, he continued in fear

Hidden Sage? Isn’t that the non-anthropomorphic god that the Moses Ascetic Order believes in? The god that was resurrected, bringing about

to finally awaken. He looked around vacantly and observed

and he said with a bitter smile, “So it turns out—it turns out that I’ve already

and the others to reply, Old Neil suddenly revealed a smile, one of groveling,

the mountains and won’t appear again. I’ll never harm anyone. I’ll only attempt my ritual quietly, really. Let me go,

something illusory shatter before

dark glow

pulling me into a

useless! My eyes can

walls started squirming, like a giant opening its mouth to swallow Klein and company. Old Neil’s head grew blurry

instead, he extended his hand into

him. The sticky, bloody liquid suddenly turned placid like

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