Lord of Mysteries: Starting As A Reader-Chapter 1260: Behind the Scenes and the Invitation

At this moment, Ebner had no mind to deal with Medici’s "questioning." He directly activated the Pure White Eye and observed the "Rivers of Fate" of the guests. After confirming that they would not encounter any major calamities, he finally let out a sigh of relief.

This indicated that the matter Amon mentioned—the descent of the True Creator’s power—would not truly threaten the safety of these guests.

Of course, it might also be because I’m here... Ebner muttered inwardly, then turned his thoughts:

If the two men who had been following behind Viscount Lavran earlier really were Botis, the Secret Saint of the Aurora Order, and the Monster pathway angel who had been schemed into Amon’s hands by Botis...

Then the one praying for the descent of the True Creator’s power must be one of them—or both! Because they certainly wouldn’t be willing to remain under Amon’s control. Trying to rely on their Lord’s power to escape would be perfectly normal.

The only question is what method they’re using to summon the True Creator, and what Amon’s purpose is in allowing this to happen so freely...

Mm, earlier I guessed that Amon controlled that Prophet in order to use the uniqueness of that pathway to locate the holder of Sefirah Castle...

Now that Klein’s absence has yielded no results, Amon has moved on to a follow-up plan? For example, using the incident of the True Creator’s power descending to force the possible Fool present to take action? After all, Amon must have investigated the organization related to the Fool and surely made a certain psychological profile of Klein’s personality.

As his thoughts turned, Ebner could not help but sigh inwardly:

This really is something Amon would do...

But His mind is unfathomable. No one can be sure what other schemes He still has...

After sighing, Ebner decided he would no longer remain merely a spectator watching the show, but would instead take the initiative and try to seize some control.

After all, Amon’s plans might be too dangerous. Once the "entertainment" exceeded a certain limit, it would turn into tragedy.

He had never expected Amon to dare play this big in Backlund.

Of course, the situation might not be as serious as I imagine. But at the very least, I have to figure out what Amon intends to do...

Just as Ebner thought this, he saw that Josena, the Saintess of Purple’s avatar, had already been escorted back by the gentleman who had danced with her. He thus took the opportunity to end his conversation with Medici and, holding his wine glass, went to find his next target.

Seeing Ebner speaking with Medici, the Saintess of Purple was not particularly surprised. After all, in her eyes, the current "Medici" was merely a leader of the Artificial Death faction of the Numinous Episcopate.

And since the Numinous Episcopate had a certain tacit understanding with Viscount Beldan, it was only natural that the two knew each other.

Still, she coquettishly complained to Medici, "Why didn’t you introduce me to Viscount Beldan?"

Seeing the demoness before him appearing as if she were ready to throw herself at Ebner, Medici’s thoughts stirred, and he inexplicably guessed:

This guy is so attractive to demonesses... Could it be that Trunsoest has come back to life again?!

...

On the other side, as a new dance was about to begin, Ebner handed his wine glass to a nearby attendant. After glancing toward where the Saintess of Black, Medea, was located, he walked over slowly and bowed with a smile.

"Miss, may I have the honor of inviting you to dance?"

Seeing that it was Ebner, Medea immediately smiled, placed her champagne glass onto the attendant’s tray, and replied politely, "The honor is mine as well."

At this moment, seven or eight men had already gathered around her hoping to invite her to dance. But after seeing Ebner, none of them dared step forward.

—Since this was the coming-of-age ceremony of an illegitimate daughter, most nobles had refused the invitation. There were very few genuine nobles like Ebner at the ball.

Thus, under many envious and jealous gazes, Ebner and the Saintess of Black stepped into the dance floor and began dancing to the cheerful music.

"I truly didn’t expect you would invite me to dance," the Saintess of Black, Medea, said first as she followed the rhythm.

"Mm, I have two matters that require your cooperation," Ebner said while holding her and stepping diagonally.

"Please go ahead," Medea replied with a smile.

"First, I want to know why you came to this ball," Ebner whispered near her ear as they turned lightly.

"What reason would there be? I’m a well-known socialite in Backlund. Appearing at such occasions is only natural, isn’t it?" Medea first responded with a rhetorical question, then blinked and added thoughtfully, "Besides that, it’s also the instinct of a Demoness of Disaster... There is a strong ominous aura within the viscount’s mansion, attracting demonesses like me."

So it really is like this... The calamity lies with the viscount’s mansion itself, not the guests... That means Viscount Lavran, or someone in his family, must have a major problem!

Mm, and this problem doesn’t include Amon!

As his thoughts raced, Ebner used the movement of the dance to draw close again and spoke of the second matter he needed her help with:

"Later, go and chat separately with Viscount Lavran and the two men he brought. Try to figure out their backgrounds."

"No problem... That’s what I’m best at!" Medea smiled slightly, then added, "If I complete the task, what reward will you give me?"

Heh, she thinks I’m easy to talk to and already dares to bargain? Ebner shot her a sideways glance but did not refuse her request for a reward.

After all, even an emperor does not starve his soldiers.

Appropriate rewards help motivate employees.

As for what the Saintess of Black wanted, Ebner had a good idea. He believed he could afford that price.

...

In the basement of Viscount Lavran’s mansion, the viscountess was kneeling beside a blood pool shaped like a full moon, continuously praying. Around her, her son, daughter-in-law, and over a dozen household servants were also kneeling.

When the ritual reached a critical moment, the viscountess removed all her clothing and stepped directly into the blood pool, letting the foul-smelling blood soak her entire body.

After quite some time, the disgusting blood was completely absorbed by her body. Only then did she wrap herself in a bath towel, step out of the pool, and say to her still-kneeling son and daughter-in-law:

"Unfortunately, tomorrow night is the full moon—the best time to sacrifice to the god... That lets those people upstairs celebrating that bastard girl’s coming-of-age ceremony off too easily.

"But the ball was scheduled long ago. Changing the time rashly would only arouse suspicion."

Her son sneered. "The god doesn’t need that many sacrifices—especially in Backlund. Such a large-scale ritual would definitely bring unnecessary trouble.

"As for that wild girl, there’s something wrong with her too. She should be a Beyonder... Once we sacrifice Father and the uncles to the god tomorrow, we can pin everything on that unknown bastard. She probably won’t withstand a Church investigation and will only flee... By then, there won’t be much suspicion on us."

Viscountess Lavran smiled. "Yes..."

Clap! Clap! Clap!

But just as she spoke, a round of applause suddenly echoed. The viscountess and her son and daughter-in-law immediately looked toward the source.

They saw the man who had been following behind Viscount Lavran earlier—the one suspected to be Butis, the Secret Saint—clapping with shining eyes as he stared at them.

"Who would have thought that Viscount Lavran himself—the one who once had ties with believers of the Primordial Moon and even fathered an illegitimate daughter—has no problem at all, while his wife and son are the ones with issues?"

As he spoke, he greedily swept his gaze over everyone present, especially the viscountess’s body, and grinned.

"A soul that has ’fallen’ to this extent is truly the best sacrifice for the Lord!

"You should feel honored. Being able to throw yourselves into the Lord’s embrace is the greatest salvation you can receive!"

...

Meanwhile, after finishing his dance with the Saintess of Black, Ebner picked up another glass of red wine. While greeting acquaintances along the way, he gradually approached Miss Angie Lavran—the avatar of Amon.

He took a deep breath. While lamenting that his reputation would probably be completely ruined, he also spoke his invitation:

"Miss Lavran, would you like to go to the backyard with me for some fresh air?"

Amon glanced at him. A mysterious smile appeared on her face as she stood up and said:

"Alright!"

(End of Chapter)