By the time Lex returned to the beach, the sun was almost touching the horizon. He handed the turkey to Edward and the others to process, then went back to the simple hut to get a candle and some spiritual powder. Under the pretense of needing to use the restroom, he slipped away to a place where Quincy and the others couldn't see him.
After setting up a simple altar, Lex took out a copper penny and summoned the spirit world treasure chest.
Considering that the eerie mountain cave ruins might contain ghouls or specters, Lex cleared his throat and said to the red and white painted treasure chest: "Please give me the Devil May Cry, magic ring, and Shadow Gauntlets."
Amidst a burst of ethereal laughter, the spirit world treasure chest 'spit out' the items he needed from its seemingly Universe-sized interior, one by one, into Lex's hands.
Lex dared not take out too many things, fearing his companions would notice. After ending the summoning, he busily performed the sacrifice.
"Fool who does not belong to this era;"
"You are the mysterious Ruler Above the Gray Mist;"
"You are the King of Yellow and Black who controls good fortune."
"Your faithful servant implores your gaze;"
"Implores you to accept his offering;"
"Implores you to open the door to your Kingdom."
...
The ancient incantation echoed within the spiritual wall Lex had just erected. As before, a wind began to blow, and natural forces vibrated within this space.
Lex endured the pain of his skin being scraped by the strong wind. He took out the bottle containing spiritual powder, poured some out, and sprinkled it into the wind.
With a whooshing sound, the fierce wind surged, but it was not as intense as before, and it gradually took on various colors. Amidst constant collisions and Fusion, the candle flame symbolizing Fool suddenly expanded, tearing open a normal-sized illusory door, its surface inscribed with ancient symbols.
A moment later, the illusory door, formed of wind and light, slowly opened. Within the door was profound darkness, with countless indescribable, almost formless shadows moving through it. Streaks of clear brilliance, containing vast knowledge, flashed by in an instant. And in the deepest part of that world, above all things, within the dense Gray Mist, an ancient palace overlooking the real world gradually became clear.
Lex picked up the prepared Shadow Gauntlets and respectfully presented them before the illusory door. A sudden suction emerged from the door, and the gauntlets disappeared.
To show respect, Lex did not look up. Only when the door vanished, the strong wind ceased, and the candle flame returned to its original state, did he exhale and dismantle the spiritual wall.
"Miss Justice should receive my 'delivery' very soon, right?"
Lex thought to himself, not daring to speak aloud, fearing someone might be 'eavesdropping.'
...
Tuesday morning.
In Backlund, on the outskirts of Queen's Borough, there was a vast but Spectator-less racecourse.
At this moment, Audrey, dressed today in white trousers and knee-high black boots, with a lady's shirt and a tailored black riding jacket, was leading a bay mare. She deliberately walked towards a corner, pretending to discuss matters with Viscount Glaint.
Behind her followed the golden retriever Susie, who carried a small leather bag on her back.
Xio disguised as Viscount Glaint's attendant, looked at Audrey's long, straight legs, then at herself, and then nonchalantly stood on her tiptoes.
"Pure horsemanship is meaningless. Only when combined with hunting does it possess vitality. Of course, I'm referring to male horsemanship. A beautiful Miss riding a horse is a sight to behold no matter what she does."
Glaint observed Audrey, smiling as he spoke.
Audrey returned a faint smile and exchanged pleasantries with the young Viscount for a moment. The latter very tactfully stepped back, leaving the space to Audrey, Xio and Fors.
"Respected Miss Audrey, what brings you to us this time?"
Xio was a little excited, as she had recently earned a good deal of money from the rich and beautiful Miss. She had already fallen in love with the smell of ink on banknotes.
"This time, it's a simple commission."
Audrey held her gloves and gestured with her eyes forXio and Fors to open the small bag on Susie's back.
The always proactive Miss Arbiter immediately stepped forward and took a stack of papers from the golden retriever's bag.
After commissioning the two Young Misses to investigate the fraudster Lanrus, Audrey took out a black fingerless glove, which had a mysterious symbol on it.
"Xio put this on."
The one-and-a-half-meter Miss ruffled her messy blonde hair and took the glove: "This is?"
Audrey showed a sweet smile: "Shadow Gauntlets, a magical item. Its effects and negative side effects are..."
After listening to Audrey's explanation,Xio felt that this was a very practical item. She particularly liked its burst power in dark and shadowy environments.
She was often active in the East District, often at night. That area of the East District offered far too many conditions suitable for the Shadow Gauntlets' burst, not to mention how dim it could get at night.
With it, I can better carry out my 'Arbitration'!
But...
"This is for you to borrow."
Audrey seemed to readXio 's thoughts and spoke before she could open her mouth.
"If you find it useful, after two, no, three commissions, it will be yours."
So that's how it is.
Xio let go of the stone in her heart. She didn't want to accept favors for nothing. Although she wasn't tall, her self-esteem was very strong.
"Okay."
The proactiveXio immediately put on the glove and found that the previously somewhat loose glove fit perfectly once worn.
"Also, you two should no longer attend Mr. A's gatherings. That gathering carries a certain danger." Audrey remembered the Aurora Order matter and added a warning.
No longer attend Mr. A's gatherings?
That mysterious person I met at the gathering before has not contacted me, but if he wanted to find me, it shouldn't be difficult.
Is Miss Audrey worried that Mr. A is connected to the Aurora Order? After all, we commissioned him to assassinate the Intis Ambassador, but it was the Aurora Order that took it upon themselves to handle the matter.
Xio glanced at her friend beside her and nodded: "We understand."
Fors tidied her long, curly hair, glanced at the listening Viscount Glaint, and said to Audrey:
"I recently joined a new gathering of Beyonder. It's said that 'Spectator' and 'Telepathist' potion formulas have appeared there before. I suspect there are members of the Psychological Alchemists among the gathering's participants."
"When there's another gathering, I'll apply to bring you along."
"Okay." Audrey responded with delight.
On the same morning.
On the desolate island far out at Sea, Lex stood before the hidden cave, took a deep breath, tightened his grip on the 'Devil May Cry', and strode inside.