As Adrian suppressed HIS aura to its minimum, vanishing abruptly now would only spell trouble for Stelle.
Huohuo piped up again: "Mr. Tail?"
"Eh? That weird vibe's gone... Haha, why's this lord still pretending? This lord ain't some pampered pet for humans."
"Mr.... Tail?"
It was Guinaifen's first encounter with an [Aurumaton]—how come it looked so cartoony 3D?
"This lord's an Aurumaton—y'know, the ghosties you imagined. Got it? Now scram."
"Eh! A ghost!" Guinaifen sucked in a sharp breath; Adrian promptly donned earmuffs.
"No way—Aurumatons this aggressive?"
Stelle's face fell. What manners—good thing March 7th wasn't here, or they'd bicker for sure.
"Oh dear, such an odd little miss. She came to film spectral spooks, yet screams at the sight..." Hanya couldn't fathom it; outworlders needed mental tuning.
"Deep breaths! Little Guizi, calm! Deep breaths! Hey, mind if I chat more with this... Mr. Tail?"
Guinaifen snatched Adrian's milk tea, chugging to steady herself.
"Scram—this lord's got no time for your bull."
"Tch, what a nasty ghost."
Hearing Stelle's jab, the tail bristled: "Yah! Told ya this lord ain't a ghost—keep yapping, and I'll gobble you both!"
The tail ignored Adrian entirely, as if HIS presence had been erased from its world.
"No need to fear, folks—it's just talk. Mr. Tail's a vegetarian." Huohuo soothed.
"Judge ma'am, if I may—this fireball thing... What is it? How do we guard against it snapping? And... why carry something like that?"
"You've seen what you needed. Judges have duties. Huohuo, see them out."
"Sis, don't get mad. You rarely deal with folks on missions—leave this to Hanya. If I explain, they'll go willingly."
"Fyxestroll Garden's anomalies draw eyes inevitably—can't fend 'em all off. Rough 'em up today without cause, and if they return unsatisfied? We might not get lucky again."
Stelle caught the hint—sisters, huh? No wonder gray-white-haired Hanya softened her tone.
"Leave it to me, sis." Hanya's voice flipped instantly, turning to the trio: "You've heard of the Artisanship Commission's [Creation Crucible] breach?"
"Sealed [Aurumaton] horrors escaped, nesting here—the Ten-Lords Commission's tasked with recapture. Urging you out? For your safety."
"Hey, your tone shift's way too obvious!" Stelle couldn't resist snarking—no acting chops.
Hanya ignored the cheek, pressing on: "Doubts? Ask away—Hanya'll sate your curiosity as best she can."
"But once done, keep it secret. Leave Fyxestroll Garden quietly—don't return."
A creepy dump like Fyxestroll Garden? Sans thrill-seekers like Guinaifen the stunt-streamer, who'd wander here anyway?
Of course, couldn't rule out [Eternity Church] types. Per Stelle's intel, the Knights hadn't fully pulled out yet.
Gettin' too comfy on the Luofu—they'd assimilate into locals soon.
Plus, the pitch-black gloom was prime for pondering [ETERNITY]! No interruptions, pure chill—save for the dark, specs maxed.
"This judge ma'am's so reasonable—thanks! Swear: Questions done, we're gone."
"As Causal Hall recorder, Hanya's no omniscient, but she'll try. Fire away."
"What's an Aurumaton, really?"
"By Diviner's taxonomy: Extraterrestrial energy parasites, manifesting as aberrant flames—the [Starfire Essence]."
"Metaphor? Like moths chasing heat. But this [heat] ain't fire—it's the thoughts of sentient life."
Aurumatons were dangerous: They loved latching onto sapients, siphoning experiences, savoring emotions.
Gradually rooting in the host's nerves, exploiting desires and flaws to spawn delusions—like puppeteering a chess piece.
The host obeys the Aurumaton unquestioningly—this is [possession].
At that stage, the host's mind held not their old self, but a similar-yet-alien Aurumaton.
The body soon withers, fuel for the flames—like spent logs in a blaze.
"Dangerous stuff?" Stelle jabbed at the tail.
"Hey, watch it, missy! This lord's the riskiest breed!"
"Mr. Tail... is subdued on my tail by Lady Hanya—no harm to others."
"The headache? Aurumatons lack flesh—can't just kill 'em. Till the [Creation Crucible]'s fixed, the Ten-Lords plans a [Binding Evil Array] in this ruin to cage 'em."
"As you see, the [Binding Evil Array]'s unfinished—escaped Aurumatons at large. Still perilous—leave now."
Progress dragged—Hanya hated overtime! Should've roped in Church knights.
Mm, what was that hymn line...?
Silent genesis, I call—crave THY miracle's descent! Praise the [ETERNITY] god tearing heat-death's endless night!
She forgot the rest—who'd memorize that junk? ...But Hanya'd heard: Recite part of the [ETERNITY] hymn, and Church salvation comes.
Luck out? Summon Ite THEMSELVES.
Drawing the [ETERNITY] Aeon... Best as fantasy.
Beep beep~
Meanwhile, a faint, peculiar high-frequency wave whisked from an overlooked nook, at a special pitch.
"Aurumatons not fully recaptured... So other Luofu hauntings might tie in too? Ma'am, I'm plugged in—maybe I can help!"
"Thanks, but no need." Hanya politely declined Guinaifen's zeal.
"Ghosts, Aurumatons, possession...? Feels like someone's jammed a rod in my brain and stirred."
"But y'know, it's no different from urban legend spooks."
"[Energy parasites]? Sounds like pests or blight... there's zero mystery, zero terror?"