Lord of Mysteries: Starting As A Reader

"It actually came straight in..." Ebner looked at the "beautiful" woman with silver eyes that lacked spiritual essence, standing before him, recalling the scene he had just encountered while Spirit World Traveling.

Ebner had originally intended to "travel" to his villa at 28 Ginster Street, but upon entering the area symbolizing Backlund, he suddenly noticed an extremely conspicuous "coordinate" appear before him.

Through simple "analysis," Ebner realized this "coordinate" likely belonged to the original Duke Rhine Kaldredia, now Rhine, the Beauty Goddess.

Ebner guessed it was probably because She was once the master of the Eye of Pure White that She became his "coordinate" in the Spirit World.

However, Rhine's body had always been kept in the underground of Harvest Church, sealed there as Lilith's vessel for divine descent.

And a true god's church generally couldn't be "teleported into," much less the underground area containing sealed artifacts...

This was why Ebner was greatly surprised after directly entering; such treatment was probably not even available to the Archbishops of the Earth Mother Church.

Am I receiving a little too much favor? I'm a bit scared...

Just as he thought this, Ebner saw the Beauty Goddess's silver eyes become lively, and then her entire being "came alive."

"Do you have any more questions? Speaking of which, the previous 'projection' time was limited, and some things truly couldn't be said..." Lilith, having descended upon the Beauty Goddess's body, looked Ebner over and said with a smile.

She merely emphasized the word "limited."

I want to ask about those transmigrators, but you won't tell me... Ebner complained inwardly, then first habitually made the Earth Mother's holy emblem gesture, praised her, and only then organized his words:

"I actually came to you for help...

"In the Dream Labyrinth Tower, I used the 'Desolation' power you bestowed to kill the Aurora Order's Saint of Shadow. However, his own characteristic mixed with those of the Telepathist, Solar High Priest, Briber, Demoness of Affliction, Mysticism Magister, Guardian, Reaper, and Classical Alchemist characteristics he had herded. This caused a mutation, forming a highly debilitating and 'polluted' flask."

"I wish to ask for your assistance in separating the characteristics."

After speaking, he took out a card, removed its seal, and revealed the metal flask with a noticeable dent on its surface.

Ebner had originally planned to have The Fool cooperate with his "Disintegration" spell to complete the separation after the "showdown"... But since the previous "showdown" was only half-done, it wasn't appropriate to ask The Fool for help, so he had to ask Lilith.

Lilith, the Beauty Goddess, took the flask, studied it carefully for a few minutes, and finally shook her head: "Although I can separate these characteristics by forcefully crushing the flask and then allowing them to recombine...

"But in that case, the pollution within the flask will inevitably spread, creating a considerable commotion that will attract the attention of many beings..."

Ebner heard this and said with some disappointment: "Is there no other way?"

"Naturally, there is... Just 'sacrifice' it to the Divine Kingdom, and the Earth Mother can handle it." Lilith brushed a strand of silver hair from her temple with her hand, smiling as she continued, "However, in that case, some payment will be required...

"Hmm, I wonder if you're willing to part with that Classical Alchemist characteristic?"

Classical Alchemist... This must be for the Earth Mother Church to reclaim Beyonder characteristics of its own pathway, right? This price isn't too high; anyway, I don't need that characteristic.

While calculating inwardly, Ebner answered without hesitation: "I believe it would also be very happy to return to the glory of the Mother."

—The Classical Alchemist characteristic herded by the Saint of Shadow most likely came from the Earth Mother Church.

"Very good... I imagine Chloe will thank you." After Lilith finished speaking, she casually pulled open a Summoning Gate and threw the flask inside.

As a true god's avatar, and as the higher-level Beauty Goddess of the Summoner pathway, Lilith did not require a ritual to "sacrifice" to the Earth Mother.

It wasn't until the Beauty Goddess before him completed her action, and Ebner, whose gaze had been drawn by the "beauty" emanating from her every move, finally came back to his senses, that he curiously asked: "What does this have to do with Chloe? Does she want to prepare demigod materials for Judy in advance?"

But Judy only recently advanced to Druid, and she's still very far from fully digesting it. Even if she knows the acting method, it will be at least a year before she can try.

"Preparing demigod materials for her daughter is just one aspect... More importantly, Chloe's mother was actually herded by the Saint of Shadow," Lilith explained briefly.

—Chloe came from the Castiya family, the royal family of the Feysac Kingdom. Her father was a duke with real power, and her mother was an archbishop of the Earth Mother Church. Their marriage was considered a political alliance.

Lilith, as Lamia, knew Chloe's mother when she joined the Church's special team, so she was quite familiar with these past events.

So there were these internal reasons... Ebner nodded slightly, no longer feeling so pained about giving up a demigod characteristic, as it would ultimately go to someone he knew.

While waiting for the deity to act, Lilith's silver eyes shifted slightly, and she raised a new topic, saying with a smile: "Actually, even if you hadn't come today, I would have sent someone to summon you..."

"Well, to be precise, I have two missions for you."

Missions... Ebner, who owed Lilith too many favors, suddenly felt a little relieved and promptly stated: "Please command."

"These two missions, one is short-term, and one is long-term.

"The short-term one requires you to investigate the hidden secrets of the Deline family in Intis.

"I previously replaced the personality of the Deline family's Black Knight with that of the former Pope of the Eternal Blazing Sun, and I also arranged for him to assist you in the investigation." Lilith's smile faded as she spoke.

The Deline family? Could this family, which has been hedging its bets and flip-flopping between Adam, the True Creator, the Eternal Blazing Sun, and the Mother Tree of Desire, still be hiding deeper secrets?

As Ebner pondered, Lilith continued: "As for the long-term mission... you need to find the portion of the Queen of Calamity's soul from the 'Book of Calamity' that Roselle hid.

"Of course, the key point isn't her soul, but the item she took from the 'Book of Calamity.'"

Having said that, Lilith suddenly opened a Summoning Gate again and pulled out a spectral demon wolf ghost, ethereal in form, with eight legs and covered in dark, short fur.

This demon wolf ghost appeared quite normal in size, only slightly larger than a husky. As soon as it appeared, it ran to Lilith's feet, frolicking.

Lilith stroked its head, and after it revealed an expression of enjoyment, she added: "I always give rewards before assigning tasks.

"You don't have a messenger yet, do you? You can contract with this deceased demon wolf, which I control.

"It is the third child of 'King of Demonic Wolves' Flegrea...

"You should know that in the Second Epoch, Flegrea, the Mutated King, and I perished together.

"This demon wolf, during its life, was a demigod of the mixed pathways of Corpse Collector and Seer. After losing the 'King of Demonic Wolves' protection, it was quickly killed, and its soul was turned into a spirit by Salinger, who later became the Death deity, becoming His dependents.

"After the Pale Disaster, when Death perished, it naturally came to me.

"Although it doesn't have much sentience now, it's qualified as a messenger."

Though she says that, if I use a demon wolf spirit as a messenger, will the Evernight Goddess consider me disrespectful...? Ebner thought this after listening to Lilith's introduction and reaching out to stroke the demon wolf's head.

But what exactly is that "thing" taken from the 'Book of Calamity'? Why is Lilith so concerned about it?