Lord of Mysteries: Starting As A Reader

Arriving at the ancient palace above the gray fog again, Ebner and Xio had just sat down when they saw Mr. Fool tapping the edge of the long table with his fingers. A series of images displaying the slave trader Capim's vile deeds began to appear before them.

There were countless images of newly captured girls crying and screaming in underground prisons.

Scenes of numb, half-naked girls offering drinks to the deputy director of the police department, members of the House of Commons, and other so-called "big shots" colluding with Capim filled the air.

Some showed them being beaten, scolded or dragged to secluded places where they were tortured.

Later, four Beyonders—Harras, Belize, Katy, and Parker—appeared one after another, demonstrating their respective abilities.

After witnessing these scenes, Xio, who had a strong sense of justice, abruptly stood up, her face filled with anger. Even Ebner, who had already been aware of this "plot," felt a deep disgust in his heart.

The written words in the book were nowhere near as impactful as these images… he thought. I have to invest more in this matter. It would be best if we could wipe out every single one of those bastards.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Fool… Please excuse my loss of composure" Xio took a deep breath, sat down again, and apologized sincerely.

"It doesn't matter. Things like this are bound to make people angry. I understand," Klein the Fool replied calmly.

He tapped the edge of the table again, and the haunting images gradually disappeared.

"As far as I know, Capim is a wealthy man rumored to be involved in multiple cases of missing girls. He is suspected of being a human trafficker and engaging in the slave trade in private… But because there is no clear evidence, he remains free…"

After calming herself, Xio began to analyze the situation.

"The underground seal seems to involve the ability of a Sequence 6 Judge from the Arbiter Pathways… but the strength is far greater than that of an ordinary Judge. Either Harras is a Disciplinary Paladin, or he borrowed power from a ritual or an extraordinary item.

"Logically, Capim shouldn't have been able to gain the protection of such an extraordinary figure… He shouldn't even have had the opportunity to meet them…

"Unless…"

At this point, Xio paused, her expression turning grim. If it were just a simple Sequence 5 Beyonder, she could report it to MI9 through Her Highness Vera and mobilize resources to rescue Daisy and the other girls.

But the Beyonders in Capim's villa belonged to the Arbiter Pathways. In Backlund, Mid-Sequence Beyonders from this path were typically either military personnel or descendants of nobles granted formulas by the king. In reality, most of the latter also served in the military.

It was hard for Xio not to suspect that Harras and his group were actually peripheral members of MI9—just like she herself had been at the start.

If I report this to MI9 or even the church, news will inevitably leak given MI9's intelligence network… Daisy and the others might be silenced before we can act!

I trust Her Highness Vera isn't one of them… but her influence within MI9 is limited. The number of people she can mobilize is very small.

But I can't just storm the place myself, even with Hazel's help… Hazel's metal arm is powerful, but she lacks practical combat experience. Instead of assisting me, she might end up becoming a burden.

Her thoughts raced, and Xio turned to Ebner once again, hoping he could devise a solution.

At the same time, after confirming from Miss Judgment's analysis that Harras was indeed a Beyonder from the Arbiter Pathways, Klein the Fool subtly shifted his gaze to Tower.

Mr. Tower, it's all up to how well you play your part… If this doesn't work out, I might need to have The World conveniently "log in," stumble across you two, and offer some advice.

Ebner didn't disappoint either Miss Judgment or Mr. Fool. After a brief pause, he respectfully asked Mr. Fool at the head of the table, "I wonder if your followers have the time to intervene in this matter and rescue those innocent girls? I can offer appropriate compensation… and provide assistance if necessary."

For example, some of the extraordinary items I own can be loaned out temporarily. Consider it an additional investment.

Hearing this, Xio opened her mouth as if to say she would pay the reward, but no words came out.

I already owe so many debts… I can't possibly buy more on credit…

As for the debt to Ebner? Well, I already owe him so much. I'll just have to repay it slowly in the future…

We have a good understanding, Mr. Tower! Klein thought to himself with admiration. Or rather, you are exceptionally skilled at utilizing The Fool's abilities.

Outwardly, his expression remained calm and emotionless as he said, "I can make the request for you."

"Thank you for your help, Mr. Fool." Xio and Ebner stood and saluted respectfully.

Mr. Fool nodded slightly, acknowledging their gratitude, before sending them out of the gray fog.

This wasn't an act. Klein had genuinely run out of time—he had already been in Lawyer Jurgen's bathroom for over twenty minutes. If he stayed any longer, the man might actually knock on the door to check on him.

...

A few minutes later, after leaving Lawyer Jurgen's house and putting on some simple makeup, Klein called a taxi and rushed to Capim's villa with a dungeon – the address was obtained through "divination."

Sitting in the carriage, he summoned the members of Judgment and Tower for the third time in the gray fog.

As soon as Xio regained her sight, she saw a figure wearing a pitch-black crown and covered in dense armor standing respectfully in front of Mr. Fool. It was obviously a follower who was willing to take over the task of saving people.

He looked very mysterious and powerful, giving people a strong sense of oppression... Could he be a saint? He was indeed the follower of Mr. Fool.

Feeling the mysterious aura of the "Follower", Xio became more respectful and also breathed a sigh of relief: With such a powerful figure willing to help, Daisy and the other girls can definitely be rescued... I just don't know what kind of reward he wants, I hope it's not too much.

At this time, after asking Mr. Fool for instructions, the armored figure turned around and looked at Ebner and Xio, then asked in a voice full of majesty and oppression, "You are the one who needs a commission?"

It gives me a feeling that he is very similar to Nast, the "King of the Five Seas"... What a good actor! Did Klein use his spirit to contain the "Card of Blasphemy" to pretend to be the "Black Emperor", and then let the "World" dummy sit there as the "Fool"?

Guessing this in his heart, Ebner nodded calmly on behalf of Xio and said, "Yes, Your Excellency, we need your help... I wonder what reward we have to pay you to accept our request?"

The armored Favored One smiled and said, "I heard from Mr. Fool that you are very knowledgeable… So, as long as you answer three questions of mine, I will help you."

Klein's questions during this period shouldn't be difficult to answer... and this can also be considered a role play, right? Ebner thought about it, and then he had a clear idea in his mind. He said confidently, "Please ask."

"The first question is, besides shattering the Beyonder characteristics, is there any other way to remove the mental pollution within the characteristics?" Klein asked in a deep voice.

Eh? Klein got the method of shattering the characteristics from the little "Sun" after several Tarot meetings, right? What happened to the "butterfly effect" that allowed him to know in advance? Could it be my fault?

Although he was surprised, Ebner did not hesitate to answer: "You can also use the magical items of the Marauder Pathway to steal the pollution in the extraordinary characteristics, and then mix the extraordinary characteristics into a potion before the theft fails. In this way, the mental pollution will not return, but will dissipate directly."

This... is indeed something I had not thought of before... The Sealed Artifact "Blood Vessel Thief" behind the Chanis Gate in Tingen City can steal the target's extraordinary abilities, and considering mental pollution as one of them, there is no logical problem...

But the problem is that the mental pollution in the "All-Black Eye" is not from ordinary Beyonders, but from the evil god... Whether it is a Beyonder with the ability to steal or a magical item with similar properties, it is difficult to withstand such mental pollution. The former will 100% lose control on the spot, and the latter will be directly polluted...

Well, theoretically, sacrificing a similar magical item could achieve the goal, but the timing must be just right and there can't be any mistakes, otherwise both will be contaminated.

Klein quickly analyzed the feasibility of this method and admired it in his heart: It is worthy of being called the "Tower" of "erudition". The problem that has been bothering me has been solved so easily.

He quickly came to his senses, nodded with satisfaction, and then asked again: "Second question, how do we find Viscount Cullen of the vampire clan?"

Klein wasn't actually sure whether Ebner knew Cullen, but the fact that he could produce a high-level vampire tome like "Blood Feast," even if it was only half a copy, showed that he had a close relationship with the vampires... What if he just happened to know Cullen's sisters?

Cullen? What do you want to do with him? You probably only saw his name in Roselle's diary, right? But those diaries have nothing to do with you...

After hearing the question, Ebner became more and more confused. He felt that something seemed to have happened to Klein that he had not seen in the original book.

Without Cullen's consent, Ebner couldn't tell Klein about the ritual to summon Silica, so after thinking for a moment, he carefully replied,

"You can go to Mr. Azik Eggers for this matter. His daughter has a good relationship with Cullen...

"I remember that one of Mr. Fool's followers had asked me to investigate Azik before. Maybe I know that gentleman... You can go and ask him for help to introduce me."

Mr. Azik? His daughter has a good relationship with Viscount Cullen? Could it be that the lady has become a great figure above the demigod, so she is still alive today? And she has found her father?

Upon hearing this, Klein was puzzled, but he was also sincerely happy that Mr. Azik was able to find his relatives... After all, loneliness is not pleasant.

(End of chapter)