Chapter 119: Not of the Secrets Supplicant Pathway
"Madam M... she isn't a Shepherd."
Dunn's casually spoken sentence left Lu Ze completely stunned. His mind went blank, and a dizzying buzzing sound echoed in his head for a moment before gradually fading.
Not just him, but even Leonard and Secca looked somewhat taken aback upon hearing this.
"Captain, are you joking?"
Lu Ze forced a smile. "Don't tease me."
Madam M had used so many Beyonder abilities right in front of him, and her Flesh and Blood Magic was so powerful—how could she not be a Shepherd? Could it be a double... No, his spiritual intuition clearly told him that the person he killed was definitely the same Madam M he had met in Enmat Port!
"Under the current circumstances, I'm in no mood for jokes."
Dunn said with deep eyes, "Madam M isn't even of the Secrets Supplicant Pathway... judging by the characteristics she left behind, she should be a Sequence 6 of the Spectator Pathway, a Hypnotist."
She wasn't even of the Secrets Supplicant Sequence, and she was only a Sequence 6...
Lu Ze couldn't help but be dazed. After a long while, he spoke hesitantly.
"Then why could she use Beyonder abilities from other Pathways?"
"Because of this Beyonder item."
Dunn took something from his pocket and showed it to him. It was a large rose ring, shimmering with a crimson glow under the gas lamp.
It was the one Madam M wore on her hand!
Lu Ze recalled that from Enmat Port to Tingen, that woman had always worn this exquisite ring on her finger. Because the ring was shaped like a rose, Lu Ze had always thought it was an ornament related to the faith of the True Creator; he hadn't expected it to be a Beyonder item!
Lu Ze's head was buzzing, and he vaguely heard Dunn's voice coming through blurredly:
"We did some preliminary tests on this ring and found it has the abilities of 'Graze' and 'Flesh and Blood Magic.' It has grazed at least one 'Demoness,' one 'Magician,' and one 'Pyromaniac'... Well, does that match your experience during the battle?"
Lu Ze nodded blankly.
The person he was certain was a Shepherd not only wasn't a Shepherd, but was even from a different Sequence... Her disguise was truly deep. Thinking back, when faced with Edward's questioning in Enmat Port, Madam M only said she wasn't a Rose Bishop; she never actually said she was a Shepherd.
No wonder her 'Mental Manipulation' ability was significantly stronger than her other abilities—because that was her own power!
So it turns out Beyonders who aren't of the Secrets Supplicant Pathway can also become believers of the True Creator, and even climb to the high position of an Oracle...
Lu Ze figured some things out, but the greatest confusion remained unresolved.
?
What exactly was the purpose behind Madam M's actions?
"Now that she's dead and even her characteristics have been cleanly extracted, this mystery will likely follow her to hell and never be solved... Lu Ze, are you listening? Lu Ze!"
"I'm here!"
He jolted and shouted quickly.
Looking up, Dunn was watching him. "In any case, things have come to this, and I will report truthfully to the Holy Cathedral. Regarding your forced advancement to 'Listener' due to threats,"
"your unauthorized actions in hunting down Madam Sharon, and what happened tonight... as for how the Holy Cathedral will handle it, I cannot guarantee."
As he spoke the last sentence, his expression dimmed slightly.
"That you've reached this point is also due to my lack of ability as a Captain for not discovering it in time. I should apologize to you..."
"Don't dwell on it too much, Captain."
Lu Ze stopped Dunn. "Even though I've advanced to Sequence 8, I'm fine so far; it's not as serious as you said."
Dunn had said that anyone who advanced to 'Listener' would inevitably slide into the Abyss of corruption and become a complete servant and fanatic of the True Creator. However, because of the existence of that tide, although Lu Ze could often hear voices, he was immune to the massive corruption they brought and could maintain mental stability.
Dunn shook his head.
"It's not like that... after all, you've only just advanced... although you look the same on the surface, somewhere in your heart has been subtly changed. From now on, it's hard to say if you can still be one of us."
Captain, why won't you believe me...
Lu Ze was speechless.
He really wanted to argue, but Dunn had already subjectively decided that his cognition had changed. No matter what he said, he couldn't change Dunn's mind. It was like running into the street to explain to a passerby that you aren't crazy; the more you explain, the more they think something is wrong with you.
"Captain, I have an idea."
Leonard, who had been quietly watching their exchange, suddenly spoke up. "Why not just have him curse the True Creator?"
The several people underground were stunned at the same time.
What was this guy Leonard saying... Wait, that seems right. Even the most deeply hidden cultist wouldn't be able to spew filth at the evil god they worship...
Lu Ze was first shocked by Leonard's level of unreliability, but then he realized the feasibility of this method.
So he cleared his throat and said to the looking Dunn:
"The True Creator is just a rambling Lunatic who hangs upside down all day; his head's been congested for too long and he's turned into an idiot."
The underground went silent instantly, and everyone's eyes widened.
Why are they looking at me like that... Lu Ze felt a bit uneasy for a moment.
"Hahahaha!"
Leonard was the first to burst out laughing, followed by Secca, who covered her mouth and bent over. Even the steady Dunn had a rare smile on his face.
"Haha! Head congested! Lu Ze, how did you think of such a thing!"
Leonard laughed without any poise. "I can't take it, I'm going to tell everyone this line!"
The Nighthawks had always maintained an extremely vigilant and wary attitude toward evil gods. Lu Ze's sudden insult to the True Creator from such a bizarre angle was something they hadn't expected. The empty underground space was suddenly filled with a joyful atmosphere.
"Alright, I believe you."
Once everyone calmed down, Dunn's face also relaxed quite a bit. "I will report this part to the Holy Cathedral as well; it should earn you some points."
"Okay, Captain."
Lu Ze nodded. "Also, how is Cecilia?"
His younger sister had been kept upstairs by the Nighthawks, and they had been separated for a while; he was a bit worried.
"She keeps insisting that she was the mastermind and wants to take the blame for you."
Dunn said.
Why is she being foolish again...
Lu Ze was both helpless and moved. "Captain, she was dragged into this by me. Don't be hard on her."
"Yes, I know Cecilia is who you're most concerned about."
Dunn said in a low voice, "I will do everything I can to help her."
"Thank you, Captain."
Lu Ze breathed a sigh of relief and leaned back against the chair.
Forget it, whatever Madam M's purpose was, at least he had protected Cecilia; his efforts hadn't been in vain. As for how the Holy Cathedral would deal with him, he'd let them do as they pleased.