Lord of Mysteries: Starting As A Reader

In a cemetery on the outskirts of Lenburg, the gravestones differed from the typical rectangular slabs or crosses found elsewhere on the continent. These were shaped like open books, with the "pages" inscribed with the life stories and epitaphs of those buried beneath.

The stone material used for these "book-like" gravestones was particularly smooth, and under direct sunlight, they gleamed as brightly as mirrored surfaces—something the locals revered as the "light of wisdom."

At this moment, within the "wisdom light" cast by one of the gravestones, a figure emerged. She wore a hunter's hat and a tailored rider's shirt, a standard "female pirate" outfit.

It was none other than Vice Admiral Iceberg, Edwina, who had just escaped from the mirrored world of the Daniel Labyrinth.

After surveying her surroundings carefully, she quickly recognized where she was. Almost instinctively, she glanced back at the epitaph on the "book-shaped" gravestone behind her:

"His body rests here; his heart forever follows the Emperor."

This was the gravestone of Edwards, one of Emperor Roselle's former four knights.

"Great-grandfather..." Edwina murmured softly. Though puzzled as to why she had ended up here, she didn't dwell on it. Instead, she respectfully bowed and used mysticism to conjure a bouquet of fresh flowers, which she placed in front of the grave.

After completing this ritual, she attempted to contact Ebner using the "Roselle Dream Technique," but to no avail.

"Over 500 nautical miles away?"

Her face remained calm, though a fleeting hint of concern flickered in her pale blue eyes before vanishing.

At that moment, she sensed something and turned toward the cemetery entrance.

A woman in her thirties with black hair, blue eyes, a black dress, and matching long boots approached in mere seconds, stopping in front of Edwina.

"I foresaw you'd be at the cemetery today, so I came to see you," the elegant woman said with a polished smile after sizing up Edwina.

"Professor Isabella." Edwina recognized her former university mentor and spiritual guide—a Sequence 4 saint in the Reader pathway.

This "Prophet" had once designed an experiment that synthesized an organic substance using only inorganic materials, without any Beyonder powers, shattering conventional scientific understanding.

Her groundbreaking research had caused a global academic uproar, ultimately earning her a professorship at Lenburg University and the founding of a new academic discipline—complete with doctoral programs.

Incidentally, the educational system at Lenburg University had originally been designed by Master Daniel. However, due to limited and less specialized disciplines back then, it wasn't implemented until the academic boom of Roselle's era.

"Is there something I can help you with, Professor?" Edwina asked politely after exchanging greetings.

Though Isabella had guided her in mysticism, their research areas differed significantly, and their relationship remained strictly that of a graduate student and mentor. It was unusual for Isabella to personally seek her out.

"I have some questions, and I foresaw that you know the answers." Isabella wasted no time getting to the point.

"What is it?" Edwina's tone was composed, neither agreeing nor declining.

"This isn't the right place for a conversation. Come to my research institute," Isabella suggested with a smile after glancing around.

Lenburg University was also in the suburbs—not exactly close to the cemetery but not too far, either.

Recalling Ebner's request to collect "Wisdom Spring Water" from Lenburg, Edwina realized that accompanying her mentor would be convenient. She nodded lightly and said, "Alright."

As for the Golden Dream, still sailing near the southern continent, Edwina wasn't particularly worried. She had informed the crew she would be gone for four or five days, and only three had passed so far.

...

Vice Admiral Ailment Tracy emerged from a full-length mirror.

She had been chasing the Wraith who had once possessed her, but as the grand hall began to quake, he had leaped into a mirror on the roof. Tracy had immediately followed.

However, her adversary, far more familiar with the mirrored world, bypassed the designated "exit" and used "mirror jumping" to open other "doors."

No matter how unwilling Tracy was, she had to abandon the pursuit. Lacking demigod-level abilities, she risked getting lost in the mirrored world and potentially ending up in perilous places—such as the Abyss.

Seething with anger and frustration, Tracy stepped through the "exit" and found herself in a subtly luxurious solarium.

She surveyed the room carefully, trying to determine her location when a low male voice came from behind:

"Madam, who are you? And how did you enter my room?"

Tracy turned and saw a well-dressed young man whose simple attire complemented his refined demeanor. Beside him stood an impeccably groomed, stern-faced butler.

Instinctively, Tracy considered subduing the two, but the butler exuded a terrifying aura as soon as the thought crossed her mind. Her spirituality sounded urgent warnings—this man was not to be trifled with.

She narrowed her eyes, calculating her next move as tension thickened in the air.

The young man eventually broke the silence, speaking calmly, "Madam, it seems you need assistance. Considering the chilly weather, perhaps some warm clothing would suit you better."

The young man finally broke the silence, speaking calmly, "Madam, it seems you need assistance... Given the cold weather recently, perhaps you might need warmer clothing."

Hearing his words, Tracy finally noticed that her attire was indeed rather "revealing," but she paid it no mind. Instead, she cast a discreet glance at the young man.

He was a noble youth with a rounded face and narrow eyes, radiating youthful energy.

The style of his clothing, his speech patterns, and even the weather—all these details indicated that she was now in the Loen Kingdom, possibly near Backlund.

With this thought in mind, Tracy noted how the young man deliberately averted his gaze from her body. Knowing well the effect of her "charm," she concluded that he must be a well-mannered and upright gentleman, possibly someone she could communicate with rather than fight.

Feeling both physically and mentally exhausted, Tracy deliberated for a moment before asking, "Excuse me... where is this place?"

"This is Red Rose Manor," the young man replied, his expression showing surprise, though he maintained his polite demeanor.

....

In the southern continent, Saintess of White Katarina had left the Daniel Lake area as soon as the battle between the Rose School and Loen's demigods erupted. Following the trail of her "bloodline" connection, she searched for Tracy's whereabouts.

Suddenly, her rapidly moving figure halted. She reached her hand into the surface of a nearby well.

Moments later, she pulled a man out of the water—none other than the middle-aged Wraith who had been fleeing from Tracy.

Katarina immediately recognized the man entangled in her web-like threads as one of the Rose School's Beyonders who had entered the labyrinth.

Although she hadn't witnessed the events firsthand, the heavy scent of her daughter's presence lingering on him allowed the Demoness of Unaging to surmise what had transpired.

With a knowing glint in her eyes, she pulled the Wraith closer and smiled sweetly, "Tell me everything that happened in the labyrinth... I wouldn't mind letting you experience the ultimate pleasure."

As she spoke, her nearly transparent white robe, slit high on both sides, slid off, revealing a captivating figure that left the Wraith parched and breathless.

A lecher by nature, he couldn't resist the dignified yet seductive allure of the mature saintess. Under her coaxing, he soon spilled every secret.

Moments later, Katarina glanced at the man now engulfed in black flames, his face twisted into a bizarre mix of ecstasy and despair. She murmured to herself:

"So the Loen military took the treasure? What exactly was inside that box?

"Baron Larry... Prince Mountbatten...

"There should still be time to find out before they reach Backlund.

"Could it really be the Ghost Empire's ticket?

"As far as I know... that final relic of the Trunsoest Empire was built by sacrificing a Demoness of Catastrophe.

"The core might very well be... Her characteristic."

.....

Backlund, West Borough, Intis Embassy

Bianca, the Witch, maintained her outward composure but was inwardly filled with dejection.

Since Mr. Tand left the embassy on Tuesday night, he hadn't returned.

Initially, no one thought much of it. The Secret Puppet Master was known for his solitary nature and had few friends. Bianca, having recently pledged herself to him, was the only one truly concerned.

That same night, a battle had erupted in the southern district between the Aurora Order and the Mandated Punishers. There was no telling whether Tand had been involved.

After four days of nail-biting anxiety, the Punishers finally visited the embassy to report his death. They honored him for heroically assisting the official task force during the clash with the Aurora Order.

Bianca could no longer deny reality.

"Another one gone..." she sighed. Many within the embassy had already noticed her allegiance to Tand, and their gazes now carried an odd mixture of wariness and sympathy.

After all, she had gone through five "masters" since being initiated into her first secret organization as a Seeress.

Just as Bianca was resigning herself to despair, the special envoy's secretary appeared before her, handing her a mission:

"Get close to Loen's Baron Larry and find out what he obtained.

"If you succeed, you'll be granted the life you desire."

Holding the directive, Bianca hesitated. She opened her mouth to protest that the task was impossible—her identity wasn't secret, and openly approaching a baron would be tantamount to announcing her ulterior motives.

But the secretary then handed her a set of identity documents and a "mask."

Looking at the items, Bianca struggled intensely before deciding to gamble once more for her future.

.....

In a secluded mountain hot spring near Indo Port, Feysac Empire, Ebner and Xio, still wielding her dagger, surfaced from the water in a rather peculiar position.