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Was this a success? Aaron didn't sense any other changes in Sharron, but seeing the corruption clinging to Maric's Spirit Body, which had transformed into a "Wraith" under his True Vision, he still raised the "Sun Chaser Scepter" in his hand.
Warm, pure light merged into the prayer light spot, enveloping Maric in the Spirit World. Wisps of black mist burned away in the light, and Maric's state, which was on the verge of losing control, gradually stabilized.
However, for a "Wraith" whose spirit and flesh were one, the high-level power of the Sun Pathway was itself a great harm, but compared to losing control and becoming some kind of mutated Spirit World Monster, these injuries were nothing.
Watching Maric, who had left the Spirit World with many burn marks on his body but no longer had madness in his eyes, Sharron's taut nerves finally relaxed.
Even though Reinette Tinekerr did not respond to her prayer, the demigod-level spiritual intuition made Sharron believe that her teacher had truly revived, possibly unable to respond immediately for some reason.
Before Sharron could speak, a chilling wind blew from somewhere unknown, and a soul-shaking tremor followed, a feeling that felt somewhat familiar to her.
Above the dark gold mist, Aaron, with his True Vision, saw more. The ritual Sharron had set up earlier had sensed more than just Reinette Tinekerr; an uninvited guest had arrived.
The "Sun Chaser Scepter" in his hand was raised and then lowered. Aaron also didn't want to make a big fuss at this time. The "Ring of Mysteries" flickered with a faint glow, and a gray-blue "Gate of Exile" with seven brass keyholes quietly appeared behind Sharron and Maric.
For high-level Spirit World creatures, ordinary teleportation or Spirit World travel would be tracked. Only the "Gate of Exile," recorded in the Grade 0 Sealed Artifact "Crown of Stars," was the best way to escape.
Less than a minute after their figures disappeared behind the "Gate of Exile," a huge, festering arm, oozing yellow-green liquid and wrapped in corpse oil bandages, broke through the Spirit World and extended out.
In the almost congealed aura around it, the chilling wind raged. The few living beings in the barren mountains instantly stiffened as if their souls had been drawn out.
Their lifeless bodies then rapidly festered into yellow-green pus, leaving only corroded white bones.
Using the prayer light spot that had not yet shattered and disappeared, Aaron watched as the "Angel," who had no rationality and acted more on instinct, retreated back into the Spirit World after losing the sensation of a certain aura.
Regardless of whether it was for Aaron or Astolfo, this "Angel" in the Spirit World was something that had to be dealt with, but it wasn't suitable for now. Not to mention that adequate preparations hadn't been made, the location alone was not suitable.
Although this barren mountain range was far from Backlund, it was still within Loen territory. An Angel-level confrontation could easily attract unnecessary trouble, adding variables to future plans.
Thinking this, Aaron stopped looking at the shattered prayer scene and instead scanned the sea near Mid-Range Island. Having gained nothing, he didn't plan to continue waiting for a rabbit to stumble into his trap.
In the luxurious villa at the Mid-Range Island port, Aaron drew the symbol for summoning Arrodes on the mirror Anderson had just bought and pressed the gold coin obtained from his transaction with Klein onto the mirror.
As the aura contained within that gold coin dissipated, familiar fawning words immediately rippled across the mirror's surface:
"Long time no see, Great Duke Aaron. Humble Arrodes greets you. Do you have a question you wish to test me with?"
After so long, your flattery is as always... Aaron, who knew Arrodes's rules, nodded slightly: "Yes!"
The pale gold letters reorganized:
"Alright, according to the rules, you may now ask me a question."
Without hesitation, Aaron asked directly:
"I want to know the current location of Larr Cronos of the Iron and Blood Cross Order."
Larr Cronos was the "Iron-Blooded Knight" who had been chasing Anderson from the Fog Sea all the way to the Berserk Sea. Since Bayer Baile was already in place, Aaron planned to save time and take the initiative.
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Berserk Sea, Hakata Port. This place was off the main shipping routes and did not belong to any country; it was a free city for pirates.
Unlike the almost unplanned buildings on the island, in a vast underground palace near the western side of the island, the arrogant Larr Cronos stood impatiently in front of a mural carved with an Iron and Blood Cross, sternly asking his subordinate who was prostrating at his feet:
"I don't care what your reason is, find out as quickly as possible what that traitorous bastard was doing before!"
Ever since Anderson escaped from his grasp last time, Larr Cronos truly put away his cat-and-mouse playful attitude. The existence of such a high-level charm either meant that Anderson had joined another organization a long time ago and rejoined the Iron and Blood Cross Order at that organization's behest.
Or it meant that this traitorous bastard joined another organization after escaping Intis and during the chase.
Larr Cronos leaned more towards the former possibility; this disloyalty to faith was the source of his anger. But no matter which, it indicated that this guy was very likely a decoy now.
The Iron and Blood Cross Order's scout had sent news of Anderson's appearance on Mid-Range Island earlier that morning. Larr Cronos would wait for more detailed intelligence on Anderson before deciding whether to request reinforcements.
Under the pressure of the "Iron-Blooded Knight," the young man dressed as an Intis noble trembled and walked out of the underground palace.
Looking at the empty hall, Larr Cronos was in a very bad mood. As a high-ranking member of the Iron and Blood Cross Order, he believed in the True Creator.
He acted ostentatiously, adhering to the creed of Beyonder existence ruling everything, with no intention of hiding. Yet, in this ocean far from the churches on the mainland, a significant stronghold of the mighty Iron and Blood Cross Order still had to be built underground, shaming his Pride.
Thinking this, Larr Cronos's gaze moved from the creation myth reliefs carved on the palace walls and he frowned, looking towards the entrance, asking in an irritable tone:
"Zelens, why are you back again? It seems I gave you too much time. One day, if you don't get the intelligence I want within one day, I'll throw you into the sea to feed the fish!"
Listening to the roar of the "Iron-Blooded Knight," Zelens, with his head bowed, did not respond but approached quickly. Only when Larr Cronos realized something was wrong did he raise his head, revealing the dark green symbol in his eyes.
The solid ground shattered. Bayer Baile, who had used the Death Mask to change his form and disguise himself as Zelens to approach, condensed a "Sword of Dawn" in mid-air and slashed down.
"Demon Hunter" and "Iron-Blooded Knight" could be considered two of the most physically strong among all Sequence demigods. Iron permeated Larr Cronos's body, forming armor on his skin, and he condensed a fiery spear in his hand, thrusting it at the despicable sneak attacker, using the force to retreat.
As a stronghold of the Iron and Blood Cross Order, Hakata Port had many hidden scouts disguised as pirates, and even Beyonder teams. Although they were not an army, they could still be mobilized by the "Iron-Blooded Knight" to share damage, though not as obviously as an army.
The clang of steel echoed in the empty underground palace. A four-meter tall "Giant" with a dark green, gnarled body, adorned with various mysterious and complex patterns, symbols, and markings, left a series of deep pits on the ground.
Its head showed no obvious change, only swelling considerably, while a vertical, dark slit like an eye opened from its forehead to its nose.
Intis and the Feysac Empire to the north shared a long border. Due to the Iron and Blood Cross Order's flamboyant style, they also had many conflicts with the Church of the God of Combat. Larr Cronos had already recognized that the Giant before him was using an incomplete Mythical Creature form.
Muttering a curse to himself, he was only flamboyant in his actions, not truly stupid. Most Saints, unless pushed to a desperate situation, would only consider completely transforming into an incomplete Mythical Creature, rather than just transforming a part of their body.
Because for them, this was also dancing on the edge of a knife, very easily leading to loss of control, and must be handled with extreme caution.
But this was not absolute; there were always two exceptions: one was the minority who indulged their desires and flaunted their malice, and the other was those with extremely firm wills and resilient spirits.
The former, once they revealed their Mythical Creature form, would essentially lose control and never be able to change back. The latter, however, could use the Mythical Creature form as a relatively conventional combat method, unafraid of the impact of losing control and tendencies towards madness.
This guy in front of him was clearly the latter. In other words, he couldn't defeat this Lunatic right now. A strategic retreat was the optimal solution.
The dissipating fiery spear in his hand condensed again. Although he wasn't entirely clear why this guy was provoking the Iron and Blood Cross Order, a "Demon Hunter" had no ability to fly. As long as he escaped this underground palace that confined him, he would also be able to flee.
Using his connection with the Iron and Blood Cross Order members on the island, the flames around Larr Cronos suddenly expanded, charging towards the Giant.
He intended to take the initiative and endure an attack, prepared to be injured, and use the force to break through the palace ceiling and escape underground. The Demon Hunter, unable to unleash a second strike in a short time, would only be able to watch him escape.
A melodious song echoed throughout Hakata Port. The consciousness of all living beings below demigod level throughout the port became dazed and lost, and their connection with the "Iron-Blooded Knight" was instantly disrupted.
Larr Cronos's blazing Iron and Blood flames dimmed considerably. The melodious song not only cut off his ability to borrow power from the outside but also continuously stimulated his Spirit Body.
Bayer Baile's mouth curved upward. Holding two "Swords of Dawn," he simply stomped his right foot forward, and his entire body leaped up amidst the shaking of the ground, lunging towards the fiery spear flying at him.
Inside and on the surface of his giant-like body, dawn-like light burst forth, dispelling the already much-dimmed Iron and Blood flames. Silver illusory greatswords split open one glowing silver crack after another on Larr Cronos's steel-like body.
Though heavily wounded, Larr Cronos was indeed sent flying towards the palace ceiling as he wished, but seeing the mocking smile on the Giant's face, his sense of unease did not diminish in the slightest.
"Imprisonment!"
Cold Ancient Hermes words sounded in his ears. A layer of extremely viscous transparent liquid appeared on the ceiling, walls, and even the ground, forming a transparent barrier that even spirit bodies could not pass through.
Larr Cronos, who was repelled back to the ground, was filled with despair. Another demigod!
Watching the mocking Giant charge towards him, despair turned into madness. His Pride would not allow him to kneel here and wait for death. Even if he died, he would drag one down with him. He directly gave up suppressing his divinity and cast an incomplete Mythical Creature form.
Standing atop Hakata Port's clock tower, Siatas sensed the battle underground and asked with some concern:
"Duke Aaron, do we not need to intervene? That 'Iron-Blooded Knight' has gone mad."
Aaron calmly shook his head. With the aid of the "Death Mask," and his and Siatas's weakening of the "Iron-Blooded Knight," the outcome of the battle was already decided. Injuries were irrelevant; this was something Bayer Baile had to experience.
The ritual for advancing to Sequence 3 "Silver Knight" required the remains of six powerful creatures hunted personally to set up the ritual.
The essence of the ritual was that each hunt for a powerful creature was a baptismal battle infused with intense spirit, leaving a deep imprint on the "Demon Hunter's" life.
By utilizing these imprints left by intense spirits, one could accurately position oneself after consuming the potion during advancement, preventing getting lost in pain and madness.
This was the "Anchor," the anchor unique to the "Silver Knight"!
This required that during the hunting process, others could at most provide some assistance and not overstep, otherwise the final advancement ritual would certainly have problems.
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At the same time, in a certain sea area of the distant Rorsted Archipelago, on the "Future."
"Admiral of Stars" Cattleya stood by the captain's cabin window, looking at the fishing village near the port where the "Future" had previously been docked.
No one would have thought that this would be an important stronghold of the Moses Ascetic Order.
The "Future" came here both to hand over the recent gains and because Cattleya wanted to apply for the Moses Ascetic Order's help to advance to Sequence 4 "Mysticologist."
This was also stimulated by Frank. No one could understand the pressure of being caught up by one's own crew member, especially a dangerous guy like Frank. Cattleya felt that if this continued, one day the "Future" would turn into the "Mushroom."
The application result was, as expected, a failure. Although she was one of the ten pillars of the Moses Ascetic Order, Cattleya came from the "Dawn" and was less influenced by the "Hidden Sage," so she was not very trusted within the Moses Ascetic Order.
Sighing with a hint of melancholy, her gaze fell upon Frank, who was leaning against the side of the ship and chewing on mushrooms.
After thinking for a moment, Cattleya called out in her usual tone:
"Frank."
Frank, who was chewing with his sleeves rolled up, immediately snapped out of his contemplation:
"Captain, is there something?"
Cattleya said solemnly:
"The Moses Ascetic Order has issued a mission, so you must not leave the fleet without authorization for a while. The matter of going to the Arctic Sea is temporarily put on hold!"
Frank was stunned for a moment, then showed a pure smile. With the warning from Mr. Attendant, he was no longer so anxious: "Okay!"
I hope you truly understood... Seeing Frank's smile, Cattleya's emotions were quite complex. She turned and returned to the captain's cabin; there were some things she needed to write to inform Her Majesty the Queen.
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