Lord of Mysteries: Starting As A Reader

Due to the lack of mirror-world traversal abilities, the number of Beyonders gathered around Prince Mountbatten was far fewer than that of the Rose School. Including Xio, there were only six.

The other members were either still wandering within the maze or had already been killed by the Rose School.

Among the six, three were Sequence 5 powerhouses: Priest of Light Irwin, the Prince's direct subordinate and Reaper Myron, and Baron Larry, a Disciplinary Paladin who originally served as the captain of a bait team.

With the temporary leadership of the Ocean Songster Prince Mountbatten, they barely managed to match the Rose School in high-end combat power.

Unfortunately, the remaining three Beyonders included only Xio at Sequence 6, while the other two were Sequence 7 members directly under the Prince's command: Seafarer Cade and the sharp-minded black-haired young man Bass.

Upon stepping into the grand hall at the maze's deepest point, their group was immediately encircled by the Rose School members. Had Prince Mountbatten not been holding up a puppet, his finger pressed against a badge on it, the Rose Schoolers would have attacked right away.

Prince Mountbatten swept his gaze over the enemies, feeling heavy-hearted but maintaining a composed demeanor as he spoke, "Chief Fate, I'll say it again—fighting before seeing the treasure is extremely foolish."

"You think you're in any position to negotiate?" Chief Fate rubbed his bald head, sneering.

Having vented his earlier rage, he was now in a more level-headed state to handle matters.

"Why not? If I release the seal on '1-025,' it will kill everyone here," Prince Mountbatten stated in a tone laden with subtle menace.

"If it means denying you access to the treasure, offering myself to the gods would be worth it!" Chief Fate spoke defiantly but had clearly softened his stance.

He knew full well that he could indeed resort to such a desperate move, but his fellow Sequence 5 members likely lacked the same unwavering faith.

Prince Mountbatten recognized his shift in tone but chose not to point it out, chuckling, "I believe in your resolve... but wouldn't it be better to hold onto that resolve until after we've seen the treasure?

"What if there's nothing inside, and it's just a trap laid by Master Daniel? Dying now would only let him have the last laugh."

Seeing that the Prince had extended an olive branch, Chief Fate feigned hesitation before signaling to Tracy and the pustule-faced youth beside him, instructing them to clear a path to the first platform. "The seal's up there."

Prince Mountbatten guarded the rear with "1-025" in hand, leading his subordinates up the steps to an invisible barrier.

Priest of Light Irwin stepped forward, examined it briefly, and turned back, reporting, "Prince, it's just as the records describe. Place '1-025' on the stone platform to the left, and the barrier will be lifted."

As a Priest of Light, Irwin had only a rudimentary understanding of rituals, but even that made him more reliable than the Reaper, Ocean Songster, or Disciplinary Paladin in such matters.

The black-haired, curly-headed young man Bass glanced at the barrier, a faint smile curling his lips before quickly fading. He lowered his head without saying anything.

Prince Mountbatten cautiously approached the barrier, holding "1-025" in one hand while flipping a coin with the other, seemingly confirming something.

Afterward, he vibrated the air in a particular way, transmitting his voice exclusively to his companions, ensuring that the outsiders heard nothing: "Once the seal is lifted, the Rose School will likely attack immediately. Be prepared.

"Additionally, the information we have suggests that the maze will collapse shortly after the seal is broken. The previously blocked passages connecting to reality will reopen. So, whoever gets the ship ticket must immediately use a mirror to return to reality.

"Rest assured, Master Daniel probably left a safe way out for the treasure's inheritor. You'll likely reappear far from Loen or the Southern Continent, but it shouldn't be too dangerous.

"Afterward, regardless of where you end up, regroup at Pritz Harbor. Alternatively, return directly to MI9 headquarters in Backlund."

This last remark was directed at Baron Larry and Xio.

The group had no objections. Xio nodded and discreetly scanned the area, but she couldn't spot Ebner.

—Because of concerns about any mind-reading Beyonders in the group, Ebner hadn't disclosed his plan to her.

Xio had only gleaned from the information Ebner sent via The Fool that he was likely hiding nearby.

After briefing everyone, Prince Mountbatten prepared to place "1-025" on a stone platform to the left.

There were similar stone platforms on both the left and right across all three platforms, but the right-side ones held ornate decorations, while the left remained empty.

"Your Highness, lifting the seal might be dangerous. Let me handle it." Seafarer Cade suddenly suggested, "I'm also a Sailor-pathway Beyonder and can undo the seal on '1-025' anytime if they make a sudden move."

He spoke loudly, deliberately letting the Rose School members hear. They responded with sneers but no action.

Prince Mountbatten glanced at his aide, hesitated briefly, and then nodded, "Very well."

Carefully, he handed "1-025" to Cade.

At the same time, Chief Fate whispered to his team, "The moment the seal lifts, attack immediately. Don't let them near the third platform."

"Understood," the pustule-faced red-eyed youth and the cold, deathly old man replied succinctly.

The Wraith controlling Tracy's scantily clad body asked in surprise, "What if they unleash '1-025'?"

"Is your brain filled with nothing but women? Once the seal lifts, the treasure will be right in front of us. They'll definitely want something from inside. Why would they start by mutually destroying everyone?"

Chief Fate cursed under his breath before falling silent, appearing relaxed but fully prepared to strike.

...

On the second platform, within the seal arranged by Ebner, he and his companions, along with the lion, remained hidden by the ritual, waiting for the chaos of battle to seize "1-025" and unlock the true seal of the grand hall.

As the Seafarer took a deep breath and placed the puppet on the stone platform, Ebner swiftly adjusted the ritual, voluntarily lifting the seal he'd set on the first platform.

Immediately, the Scarlet Scholar leaped into the air, transforming into a full moon. All the werewolves and undead on the scene howled with extreme malice and charged toward the first platform at unprecedented speed, swiftly blocking Prince Mountbatten and his team's attempt to seize the treasure.

Meanwhile, a zombie and a werewolf also surrounded Xio. These creatures were far stronger than their previous counterparts, not only faster and more powerful but also instinctively wielding strange and formidable spells.

Fortunately, Xio's powerful items proved helpful. She immediately "prohibited" the casting of dark spells. With the strength and speed granted by the Golden Mask, she engaged in combat while inching toward the Seafarer holding "1-025."

Baron Larry had promptly created a "barrier" using his Disciplinary Paladin abilities to protect the Seafarer, likely because "1-025" might serve as a last-resort doomsday weapon. This made him relatively safe, though unable to escape.

"Distortion!" A sudden unfamiliar voice rang out, and a passage instantly opened through the Seafarer's barrier. A man in a red cloak, blue robe, and long boots appeared midair.

He reached through the passage, snatching "1-025" into his gloved left hand. Discreetly signaling Xio, he pulled out a greatsword from behind his back and plunged it downward into the air.

A storm of light erupted violently. Prepared, Xio narrowly dodged by rolling.

However, the werewolf and zombie pursuing her weren't as lucky, their faces blasted by the storm of light.

The sudden development shocked both the Rose School and Loen Beyonders. Yet locked in fierce combat, neither side dared to cease fighting lest they be killed by their opponents.

Simultaneously, Vice Admiral Iceberg Edwina revealed herself. She took out a palm-sized brass mirror, capturing Tracy's reflection.

Edwina reached into the mirror, gripping the reflection of the Wraith, and forcefully yanked it out from Tracy's body!

Tracy shrieked shrilly, her eyes clearing from their daze as confusion settled over her.

Edwina began singing Roselle's Ode to Joy, releasing purifying light that spread across the area. The light caused the werewolves, undead, vampires, and Wraiths to howl in agony.

Vice Admiral of Ailment Tracy regained her clarity. After casting a grateful glance at Edwina, frost coated her pretty face as she directed a torrent of black flames at the Wraith who had possessed her.

As Xio evaded the storm of light, she snapped out of her "daze," raising her hand to proclaim, "Flying is prohibited here!"

Ebner feigned a stumble as the winds ceased but quickly simulated a gliding motion, diving toward the second platform while holding "1-025."

Chief Fate and Prince Mountbatten were engaged in a fierce duel, both using semi-divine trump cards, rendering them unable to intervene.

Baron Larry was entangled with two moon-enhanced undead, appearing extremely haggard and incapable of providing assistance.

Another Wraith, forced to flee by Tracy's killing intent, found himself unable to spare attention elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Jane confronted the cold-blooded old man, raising her ring-clad hand to unleash Necrotic Speech upon him.

Only Reaper Myron, having killed a werewolf and gravely wounded a zombie, was freed up to act. He raised his revolver, targeting Ebner with a "fatal shot."

With a sharp crack, the red heart-shaped necklace around Ebner's neck shattered, and his figure instantly appeared beside a candlestick near the stairs leading to the second platform.

It was the Heart of Flames necklace gifted by Fanny, capable of teleporting the wearer to the nearest fire source when facing a fatal attack.

Xio, having just arrived at his landing point, exchanged a glance with Ebner before both immediately split apart. Xio, dagger in hand, lunged toward Ebner, blocking the Reaper's line of fire.

Myron intended to reposition for another fatal shot, but Edwina intercepted him.

On the other side, Ebner launched successive "killing moves," but Xio deftly evaded them. They fought their way to the stone platform on the second tier.

Suddenly, Ebner feigned a "Fire Raven" misfire, destroying the concealed ritual near the lion, revealing its massive form.

Seeing the beast, Xio's eyes widened as she leaped back in apparent shock.

The lion, yawning lazily, cast her a bemused glance.

Seizing the opportunity, Ebner placed "1-025" on the stone platform.

Instantly, the puppet's eyes snapped open, its body crawling with black and crimson spots before disappearing amidst the grand hall's violent tremors.

Before Ebner's eyes, a familiar symbol appeared—the very same one the Demoness of Affliction Rae had drawn in the carriage before her death.