Endless Debt

After another round of questioning, Carnegie let the two go, while Bologue subtly tried to extract information from him.

Such as why the Ninth Group, which is specifically responsible for such events, was a step too late. If Bologue hadn't keenly discovered this place, the cultists would have already completed the ritual.

The terrifying feeling Bologue experienced when facing the woman made it unimaginable what anomalies would occur once the ritual was completed.

Furthermore, why was the Order Bureau so cautious about the Scarlet Rot sect appearing in the Great Rift? Their level of response was even more intense than the King's Secret Sword.

If Palmer hadn't called out quickly, judging from the murderous aura of the Ninth Group, they seemed truly prepared to kill without hesitation.

Carnegie, being an old fox, dodged Bologue's questions one by one, not forgetting to warn him harshly.

Now, the Ninth Group and the Logistics Department were handling the scene and the follow-up matters, while Bologue and Palmer, as key witnesses, needed to write a report related to the event after returning to the Field Operations Department.

From Carnegie's reaction, it seemed the reason the two were let go so easily was because of their status as Debtors and members of the Special Operations Group.

"Don't mind it, the Devil's temptation is a headache for every organization," Palmer explained.

"Even the Clarks will secretly conduct a large search to see if anyone has sold their soul to the Devil, thus falling into becoming a Demon... Of course, worse still is like the Scarlet Rot sect, protected by the Devil through Contractors, becoming its faithful slaves."

The Devil does not directly influence the world, but the promises of beauty it offers can drag more people into madness.

The identity of a Debtor is between black and white, like being caught between dawn and dusk. This uniqueness is what allows people like Bologue and Palmer to have a place within the Order Bureau.

"What if you hadn't become a Debtor back then and had simply traded your entire soul, falling into becoming a Demon?" Bologue asked curiously.

"Ah... then I'd probably already be dead, right?" Palmer replied earnestly.

"You should also feel it from these maniacs of the Scarlet Rot sect, how difficult it is to gain the Devil's favor. For this, some people fall into becoming a Demon, and some offer their soul to the Devil through Contractors to gain protection.

But this is like dogs begging for food, utterly vile."

Palmer's words took a turn again, taking on a ghastly sense of pride.

"Debtors are different. We are favored by the Devil, regarded as their deputies in the human world."

"One seeks actively, the other receives blessings passively?" Bologue commented.

"Something like that, so the identity of a Debtor is quite special," Palmer's tone grew strange, uncertain whether it was joy or sadness, "That's what the old folks in my family always say."

"Although Palmer is getting closer to the Devil, this proves that this heir is truly remarkable! Even the Devil likes him!"

Palmer lowered his voice, pretending to be old.

In the past, hearing this might have surprised Bologue a bit, but as he grew more aware of the Clarks, he no longer attached any mysterious awe to the family that could nurture someone as peculiar as Palmer.

Participating in the Dawn War against the Night Race, maintaining world stability while eyeing a hefty profit, Palmer's strange decision-making and the ghastly coming-of-age ceremony…

The two walked to the edge of Qiushang Town, below the massive cliff rolled the Sea of Mist. Corridors extended into the mist before them, and massive, tumor-like buildings clung to the steep cliff face.

Bologue did not immediately climb the long ladder but stood at the cliff's edge, pondering.

The Ninth Group was a shield against the Devil, minimizing the influence of the Devil and its followers on reality, while the Special Operations Group resembled a Sharp Sword, with these Debtors delivering deadly backstabs to the Devil when necessary.

In fact, ever since his meeting with Nesanel ended, Bologue had been pondering; Nesanel must be plotting something, a conspiracy hidden in the Land of Extreme Darkness against all Devils.

Or perhaps Nesanel isn't the planner, but merely the executor of the conspiracy. The true planner might be that mysterious, never-seen Director of the Order Bureau.

Bologue recalled Nesanel's words. Initially, he wasn't assured by Bologue, but because his friend trusted him, Nesanel decided to observe him for a while.

Who could be called a friend by Nesanel and be trusted by him, besides the Director of the Order Bureau? Bologue couldn't imagine anyone else with such power and qualification.

What exactly are they trying to do?

Besides, another thought troubling Bologue was the information he obtained from Belli's booklet.

The booklet was filled with eerie prayers, something akin to the doctrine of the Scarlet Rot sect.

This world has not just one Devil, and those groups that worship different Devils should also be distinct.

Looking into the misty haze, dark silhouettes walked the aerial corridors; some advanced, some conversed, and others threw gold coins into the deep mist below, praying softly.

Tyrant.

A shock seemed to run through Bologue's body, tightening every muscle. Although nothing had happened, his heart pounded more violently, roaring as it pumped blood throughout his body.

Bologue suddenly realized, if the Scarlet Rot sect worships their Devil through blood and flesh, then the act of residents at the Forked Crossroad paying taxes to the Tyrant, could it be seen as another form of sacrifice?

Just like human preferences, some demons prefer flesh and blood, while others appreciate values, whether humble or noble.

If my thoughts are correct, the entire Wandering Fork in the road is Tyrant's territory, filled with his believers, and this land spans the Great Rift, under the watchful eyes of the Order Bureau.

"Palmer, do you remember the description of demons?" Bologue asked abruptly.

"I remember, what's up?"

Palmer couldn't figure out what Bologue was thinking. After spending time together, Bologue got used to Palmer's misfortune, and Palmer got used to Bologue's slightly neurotic style.

Sometimes Bologue would stand silently aside, seemingly deep in thought, or just daydreaming, and sometimes he would suddenly break the silence and say something completely illogical.

Like now.

"Demon forms are ever-changing, and their ways of forming pacts with humans vary wildly," Bologue murmured, "so worshiping a demon doesn't necessarily have to appear in the form of a sect."

Reaching out to touch the cross on his chest, Bologue didn't continue thinking and instead said to Palmer.

"Let's go, don't keep Teda waiting too long."

The two climbed onto the aerial corridor, heading towards Teda's secret alchemy workshop.

Today is the day they officially move into the alchemy workshop, and there are many tasks to do, like installing equipment and organizing supplies. According to Geoffrey, the Logistics Department has already shipped the supplies over in advance, just waiting for them and Teda to connect.

If it weren't for the events encountered today in Qiushang Town, the two should already be in the alchemy workshop by now, but such is life, with surprises catching one off guard.

"Speaking of which, Palmer, the demon that made you a debtor back then, is the one worshiped by the Corrupt Apes sect, right?" Bologue asked.

"Yeah, why are you asking?" Palmer appeared very calm.

"Nothing... nothing."

Bologue didn't say more, after all he couldn't just tell Palmer...

"Hey, Palmer, if you'd returned a bit earlier, you'd have met an old acquaintance. Who's the old acquaintance, you ask?

Well...

In terms of relations, she should be considered your creditor?"

That can't be right, it sounds too bizarre.

The conversation ended, now it's work time, both are busy with many things to do.

Currently, their situation seems odd, even though Lebius isn't rushing them to achieve anything remarkable, or to bring order to the Great Rift, yet secretly, it's chaotic here with various messy forces leaving traces, accompanying them.

What does Bologue have? A misfortunate partner, and then?

Nothing, nothing at all.

Even if Bologue wants to kick the Tyrant aside and become the sovereign here, he needs some time to keep accumulating, until the opportunity matures.

"By the way, at Teda's place, we should be able to arm ourselves with quite a bit of alchemy equipment, right?"

Palmer had apparently forgotten the recent thrills, turning instead towards imagining a bright future.

"Palmer, do you ever understand what stress is?" Bologue couldn't help but ask, "The Corrupt Apes sect appeared in the Great Rift, now we have one more potential enemy."

"What can thinking about it now solve? Can we make those guys drop dead, or can you and I leap over the Triple Law and rise to Prayer Believers?"

Palmer's tone suddenly became philosophical.

"Nothing can change except increasing anxiety, right? You're suffering from severe mental exhaustion, partner!" Palmer said, patting Bologue's shoulder with a heartbroken look.

"Then what will you do when the problem arises?" Bologue retorted.

Palmer paused for a second or two, then said, "I'm actually quite lucky."

"Are you sure?"

Bologue chuckled, Palmer actually relies on his "blessing," that's ridiculous.

"Even if my luck runs out, but... isn't there still you?"

Palmer spoke solemnly, his gaze unwavering as he looked at Bologue, then spoke in a deep voice.

"That's when you come into play, expert!"