Mystery: Good Witch

Chapter 1235 I'm Here to Negotiate Conditions (Two in One)

In the prayer hall of the Church of the Fool, devout believers sit on the benches, curious tourists watch the murals on both sides, and several servants walk among the believers, busy with their own affairs.

Except that the belief of "The Fool" is unheard of in both the northern and southern continents and is only popular in a few places in the Rorsted Archipelago, there is not much difference between this place and other churches of the Orthodox Church.

The old man in black robes swept his eyes across the exquisite murals on both sides, pausing at the largest one that depicted the deeds of the Fool's Followers leading believers out of darkness. He focused on the blonde female angel holding a blood-stained flag and the man in a windbreaker wearing a top hat and holding a lantern.

"The Forsaken Land of Gods... As expected, he used the characteristics of the 'Miracle Worker'..."

The old man said silently, retracted his gaze, walked to the altar, and stood in front of the bishop who was burly and looked like a half-giant.

"Praise the fool."

The bishop, with a rugged face, broad shoulders and thick legs, who looked like he had walked out of a mural, spoke in a loud voice with his hand on his chest.

He did not immediately preach the Fool's teachings, nor did he talk to the stranger too enthusiastically, maintaining considerable restraint, which was completely different from the clergy of other churches.

The white-bearded old man nodded, and his black eyes reflected the spiritual lines extending from the other person's body. They corresponded to different parts and scattered to infinity, appearing very naturally.

But in the eyes of a "mysterious waiter", this is somewhat of an attempt to cover up the truth.

Not only the bishop, but everyone in the church, including many passengers who came to Yharnam on the steam train with the old man, all had spiritual threads that seemed natural and relaxed, but with traces of manipulation that could not be concealed.

The old man's white-bearded mouth curled up slightly, raised his head and looked at the holy emblem representing "The Fool" above the altar, and said:

"Fool, I'm here to negotiate terms."

At this moment, everyone in the church stopped what they were doing and turned to look at him.

----

Bidding farewell to the Kingdom of the Fool, Angel returned to her spacious and cool coffin amidst the flickering crimson light. She pushed open the half-closed coffin board and climbed out of the specially designed bed in the "coffin suite", feeling a sense of fulfillment as if her curiosity had been satisfied.

I have ridden in the coffin carriage, lain on the coffin bed, and tried all the snacks on the must-eat list. It is time for my trip to West Balam to end... She muttered, sitting leisurely on the single sofa, waiting for a guest who would come from the spirit world at high speed.

In a few seconds, the carpet in front of her, the coffee table and the ceiling above her head became bright in color, and a tall figure walked out of the spirit world. It was the "Pale Queen" Sia Palenque Eggers, whom Angel had met a few days ago.

He was still wearing the white robe of Balam style, which was in sharp contrast with his wheat-colored skin. He wore the bone crown on his head, with an arrogant expression and cold eyes.

"You'd better take off that 'Pale Crown' first."

Angel reminded before the other party could speak.

Xia was stunned, then reached out to tilt the bone crown on her head, and her expression immediately softened.

"Sorry, this is one of the side effects of the seal," He said with a smile, sitting on the chair opposite Angel, "I received a report from Team Pena. Is the Dream Festival over?"

"It's just that this year's one is over. At the same time next year, that special dream will open as scheduled."

Angel replied, and took the opportunity to inform the leader of the "Spirit Cult" of the situation of the "Dream Festival", but concealed the relevant information of the "Demon King" Fabuti, and only said that a "divine evil" characteristic was sealed in the depths of the dream by the power of the Styx, and all other abnormalities were side effects of the seal.

"The extraordinary characteristics of the evil god... No wonder the residents of Tizamo Town are so restrained most of the time and indulge themselves during the Dream Festival... It turns out that the 'God of Death' really was involved in the seal."

After listening to Angel's narration, Xia said thoughtfully, and then asked:
"Is it possible to extract that extraordinary characteristic?"

Angel shook his head and said:

"The most correct way to deal with the 'Evil God' is to let it continue to sleep in the dream. You should know that the only difference between the 'Bound God' and the great existence behind him is this characteristic, right?"

Thinking that even if she possessed the "Pale Crown", she would not be able to deal with the "Evil God" Sua and the "Bound God" at the same time, Xia's eyes dimmed. She realized that even if she found out the truth of the Dream Festival, the power within it could not be used by her.

But He quickly adjusted His mindset and continued to ask:

"Have you ever seen a mask made of gold in your dream?"

"The corpse of the 'evil god' was wearing a golden mask covered with oil paint on its face." Angel immediately replied, and roughly described the shape of the mask and the pattern painted on the surface, causing Xia to straighten up. Her expression changed slightly, and she explained in a slightly excited tone:
"That golden mask was made for the descendants of the Eggers family by the God of Death before his death. It can protect the user from the aura of death and temporarily transform them into undead creatures, helping those Eggers who have not yet become angels to enter and exit the underworld."

No wonder Fabuti's clone had to wear that mask. Otherwise, even if the "divine evil" was equivalent to half an undead creature, it would be difficult to survive under the continuous impact of the breath of death... That mask should not have extraordinary properties. It is just an item similar to Mr. Azik's copper whistle. Maybe it even has a bit of Salinger's breath and can drive some special spiritual creatures... Angel thought about it and reminded:

"That mask can't be taken off either."

"But you can put new ones in."

Xia said with a smile, and with a wave of her hand, a golden mask that was exactly the same as the one on Fabuti's clone's face, except that the oil color on the surface was not as deep, appeared in his palm.

"During the Dream Festival next year, please help put it into the dream."

How many of these things did Salinger make... Angel was stunned, realizing that the other party wanted to use the power of the "Styx", the River of Eternal Darkness, to impregnate this golden mask, giving it a certain degree of source quality, replacing the golden mask that had been worn by the "evil god" for thousands of years.

This can also be regarded as a supplement to helping the other party solve the "Dream Festival" problem, so Angel did not refuse, but sent the mask into his mirror space and said immediately:

"The goddess also hinted at your other condition..."

She told Shia Eggers the conditions under which the Goddess of Night would protect the Eggers family and allow them to restore the original territory of the Balam Empire, including that the monarchy would not be allowed to appear again and that Eggers' bloodline descendants could only maintain Sequence 2 at most.

Of course, after handing over the "Pale Crown", the Eggers family no longer met the requirements for advancement to Sequence 1.

These conditions, which were not considered harsh, seemed to have been anticipated by the royal faction of the "Spiritual Cult", and Xia agreed without hesitation. This meant that the "Spiritual Cult", the largest force left by the Goddess of Death, would belong to the Goddess of Night from now on.

With Feysac defeated and the "Church of the God of War" surrendered, the goddess has completely mastered the power of the three paths. Now she is in contact with the "Underworld Man" and has the opportunity to obtain the source power... Angel was impressed by the foresight of this god who had been lurking beside the ancient god since the Second Era and had long been calculating how to deal with the "God of War".

Quickly gathering her thoughts, she looked at the crooked bone crown on Xia's head and reminded her:
"Now it's your turn to deliver on your promise."

The "Pale Queen" turned a little paler, held the crown with both hands, paused for a few seconds, and then took it off.

In an instant, a breath that could freeze one's soul emanated from Xia's hand. All the lights in the windowless room became dim, and the carpet, walls, and ceiling began to weather and become mottled. In an instant, they became so old that they seemed to have gone through a hundred years.

This is the case with the suppression of a "Death Archon". Otherwise, the overflowing power of this level 0 seal alone would be enough to kill everyone in the hotel.

Angel immediately took the bone crown with a cold and smooth surface, and used the seal belonging to the underworld man in the "Secret Holy Emblem" on his wrist to fight against the power of death, and gathered it inside the crown so that it would no longer affect the surroundings.

“This crown can drive all the dead souls and spirits, as well as most of the spiritual creatures; it can open up a temporary underworld around it, causing all the creatures trapped in it to die immediately; it can also create a death mark, and once touched by the mark, they will return to the Styx, even angels are no exception.

"This kind of destined death will affect clones, substitutes, and other targets that cannot be destroyed by conventional means, unless they have taken preventive measures in advance and are completely separated from the original body, so that their fates are no longer connected.

"You've also seen its negative effects. Regardless of whether or not its power is used, it will affect the user's mind when worn, making the user cold, aloof, and gradually stiffening the body. And after using it, a saint's life is required as a sacrifice, even those who can be resurrected will do.

"If no one is wearing it or it is not sealed, the Pale Crown will constantly cause the concept of death to the surroundings. For objects, it will be weathering and corruption, and for living beings, it will be aging and death."

It's a bit like "Creeping Hunger", but the price of specifying a saint is too high. I wonder if "The Underworld Man" can make it more obedient. Well, I'll communicate with this crown in the City of Disaster later... The sealing method can be studied by Amon, and the negative effects of other level 0 seals can be used to restrain and offset each other... Angel instantly thought of the seal number for the "Pale Crown", and then realized that this item did not really belong to him yet, and he had to give it to the goddess first.

Pursing her lips, she picked up the bone crown and put it on her head.

The icy breath that could freeze the soul instantly filled Angel's body, but she did not feel death coming. Instead, it had the effect of making her mind clearer.

"Humph, you actually handed over this sealed object with only two conditions. Don't you know how to gain more benefits for yourself? As long as the request is not too excessive, I think the goddess will agree."

She looked at the "Pale Queen" in front of her and couldn't help but sneer. She leaned back slightly, put her right foot on her left knee, and her tone became more and more unfriendly.

"If it were me, I would at least ask the goddess to promise not to interfere with the operation of the 'Spiritual Cult' and keep the faith of the Path of Death in my own hands. This way, I might have a chance to become the Pope, or even go one step further and take back the Sequence 1 characteristics that belong to the Eggers family..."

Xia stared at Angel's obvious change of attitude in amazement. She wanted to argue a little, but she lowered her head under the powerful aura and pressure from the other party and explained:
"I know I can't fight against the Church of Evernight, so I just go with the flow... This is cooperation, not surrender..."

As she spoke, her drooping eyes rested on Angel's swaying right foot. She felt her cheeks getting a little hot, and the rest of the words suddenly became difficult to utter.

No, what's wrong with me... Angel was also stunned, realizing that he was not only teaching Xia Eggers a lesson, but was also quite disrespectful to the goddess. He hurriedly took off the "Pale Crown", and the illusion that he had become sober and smarter slowly disappeared.

It should be the conquering power of the "Hunter", the instigation of the "Witch" and the suppression of the "Death God" on the lower levels that took effect at the same time, and almost made an angel surrender to me... This "Pale Crown" has a great influence on thinking... Fortunately, the intuition for the battle is still there, and Angel immediately analyzed the reasons for his attitude change and Xia's shock.

She was too embarrassed to explain, so she had to change the subject and asked:

"Where is Mr. Azik? Didn't he go with you to the Highland Kingdom to look for traces left by the 'God of Death'?"

Xia also got rid of the urge to bow her head in submission and hold up the other's toes, and said softly:
"Azik Eggers stayed in the city of Lacre to investigate the special death customs there. The worship of the 'God of Death' there gave rise to a special skull blessing festival, and there is also an independent kingdom of the dead that belongs to the dead. He thought this was related to what he was looking for, so he stayed in the city temporarily and said he would inform you if there was any progress."

The Blessing Festival... Could it be some special seal like the Dream Festival?
Angel muttered, and seeing that Xia was fidgeting uncomfortably, he said directly:
"That's it, then. I'll hand the Pale Crown over to the goddess, and the Spiritual Cult must also be careful recently. The goddess's protection doesn't mean you can challenge the angels of other Orthodox churches at will."

Xia nodded, stood up and walked towards the colorful spirit world, while saying in a sighing tone:

"I hope your goddess can keep her promise."

“He may hide some things, but He never deceives.”

Angel pointed at the stars on his chest and said piously.

After the somewhat lost "Archon of Death" left, Angel immediately returned to the mirror world, hid the "Pale Crown" in it, and then looked in the direction representing the sky. His eyes penetrated the spider-web-like passage in the mirror, as if they fell on a gray fog.

Just now, Klein the Fool called her urgently.

----

"Fool, I'm here to negotiate terms."

Zaratul took off his hood, revealing his old face and white beard, and spoke in a relaxed tone as if he was talking to a good friend.

Seeing the expression that everything was under control, Klein's eyes twitched above the gray fog. He almost wanted to take out the "Star Staff" and strike the fragile "Fortune Teller" archangel to death with a lightning strike.

Of course, this can only destroy a historical pore image and pose no threat to Zaratul himself hiding in the dark.

From the moment the old man miraculously appeared on the steam train heading to Yharnam, Klein, who was aware of all the movements in the Secret City, discovered him and confirmed that he was the "Secret Servant" Zaratul, who had not appeared in almost a year and seemed to be dead.

He walked casually with the tourists who came to visit Yanan City to the city center, walked into the "Fool" Church, and said the words just now.

Negotiate terms... What is there for us to discuss? Let me give up Sefirah Castle and be a happy Sequence 2? Who did He learn this from, Amon?

The real body had long been hidden in the historical mist before the First Era, while the spirit rose into the gray fog. Klein, who used his secret doll to observe reality, was not afraid of any conspiracy from the other party.

As a "miracle worker", with the help of source essence, he can exert power that is no less than Zaratul. Even if the other party tries to use wishes to destroy Yharnam City, Klein will easily stop him. Even if a meteorite is summoned, Angel can take over the disaster and eliminate it.

Just as he had thought when he set up this battlefield, no one could do anything to him unless the true God came.

While fantasizing wildly, Klein clicked on the crimson star belonging to the "Queen" Angel and informed her of Zaratul's attack, in case the archangel really launched an attack recklessly and made it difficult for him to deal with it.

He himself had already put on the curtain formed by the "Mysterious Servant" attribute, holding another Sequence 1 attribute in his hand, and his spirit contained the "Fool" card, entering the strongest combat state.

This is called despising the enemy strategically and respecting the enemy tactically... He muttered, using the spirit worm that remained in reality to control the secret bishop facing Zaratul, and said in a deep voice:
"What terms do you want to negotiate?"

Since there is no point in killing a historical image before Angel arrives, it is better to listen to what the other party wants to say.

In the Church of the Fool, Zaratul finally got a response. He lowered his hands and tilted his head slightly upward. It was unclear whether he was looking at the half-giant bishop who was a head taller than him or the holy emblem on the wall behind him. He spoke:

"I brought a proposal for reconciliation, a solution that would allow both of us to stop fighting."

Dispute? Aren't you the one who's hunting me down unilaterally? Klein in the gray fog laughed when he heard this.

"Hehe," a female believer dressed as a maid sitting on a bench behind Zaratul laughed, "Isn't it a little late to talk about this now?"

Hearing this, Zaratul also smiled, and his wrinkled face relaxed.

"I don't think it's too late. Although I once tried to capture you and get Sefirah Castle, I didn't really cause any damage to you. At least I haven't attacked your relatives and friends yet."

Hearing this, Klein frowned.

Apart from the fight for extraordinary characteristics and source essence, there was really no reason for him and Zaratul to fight to the death. He had resolved many of the opponent's attacks, and the Fulgrim's Dog that had blocked the opponent in the mist of history last time had not suffered any casualties. It could not be said that there was any deep hatred between them.

Of course, the fight for Beyonder Characteristics is a life-and-death struggle.

"So, you plan to give up the fight for Sefirah Castle and hand over the Beyonder's extraordinary characteristics?"

A white dove flew into the church and landed at Zaratul's feet, speaking in human language, full of ridicule.

To his surprise, Zaratul nodded slowly.

His old voice also echoed in the church prayer room, and was heard clearly by every secret doll:

"Indeed, but not now, but when you need this last copy of 'The Secret Server'.

“As a token of my cooperation, I can tell you an important piece of news.

"'Time Worm' Amon and his brother may have already joined the 'Old Ones' outside the barrier and are plotting against you."

PS: Two-in-one, no more today...

(End of this chapter)