Lord of Mysteries: Starting As A Reader

"Who… are you?"

The voice paused for a moment before adding, "You feel a lot like 'Daniel'."

"Why don't you think I am him?" The strange-looking man smiled playfully.

"The essence is different… even though you're deliberately imitating his mannerisms… and that particular feeling," the voice gradually became more fluent and coherent.

"As expected of a 'Prisoner'—so perceptive." The man first offered a word of praise before speaking seriously, "You don't need to know who I am. Just understand that I represent the will of the Earth Mother in this conversation."

"Alright." The voice responded without hesitation and wisely refrained from further questioning.

"So, what's your choice?" The strange man ran a hand through his silver hair and asked.

"I made my choice a long time ago… didn't I? After all, the current 'The Fool' can't protect me," the voice said after a few seconds of silence.

"Very wise. From now on, you are His 'Spirit Angel.'" The man nodded in satisfaction.

"Spirit… it's been a long time since I've used that name," the voice sighed.

At that moment, the strange man seemed to recall something, a mischievous smile forming on his face. "Oh, right. Since you borrowed the power of that one outside the barrier while transferring the spirit containing the Uniqueness—and the fetus you later possessed was already pre-arranged by that one—even though the Mother Goddess cut off His 'gaze' in time and 'concealed' your location, you've still been tainted by His Yin energy."

"So?" the voice asked calmly.

"So, you'll be reborn as a female, and you won't be able to adjust it yourself. Perhaps we should call you the 'Spirit Maiden Angel' in the future," the strange man chuckled.

"Gender doesn't matter to us, does it?" The voice fell silent for a moment before replying cryptically.

"Oh? Seems like you've figured out who I am," the man raised an eyebrow.

"So you actually became His angel… It seems that betrayal back then was more complicated than it appeared," the voice grew softer, eventually fading until a single word was forced out with difficulty, "The Hidden…"

The man's gaze pierced through the floor, catching sight of the bearded young man upstairs conversing with Priestess Hazel, faint traces of a "blessing" lingering around him. Without continuing the conversation, the strange man placed a "wheat ear" on Mrs. Fassin's stomach.

At that moment, a sudden "solar eclipse" darkened the sky over Backlund. The daylight abruptly vanished, and a "blood moon" hung ominously overhead.

The strange man's eyes turned a brilliant "silver-white," as though connected to some distant place, gaining a form of protection that left him unaffected by the eerie phenomenon.

...

In the Harvest Church prayer hall, Klein had just finished arranging a time with Miss Hazel to "observe" a fraudster when he was stunned to find the church darkening. Blood-red light poured through the windows, casting a horror-movie atmosphere over the space.

Klein, Hazel, and even Aetris all moved toward the window, peering outside. The sun had vanished without anyone noticing, replaced by a blood-red moon hanging ominously in the sky.

Another "blood moon"... and in broad daylight? Why is this happening?

Klein had no time to ponder. With a hurried apology to Bishop Utravsky and Miss Hazel, he dashed out of the church, heading toward the restroom of a nearby restaurant.

After all, if he delayed any longer, Miss Magician wouldn't be able to hold out.

...

Bayam, Fragrance Manor—Ebner and Xio returned via the "Teleportation Ritual." Under Ebner's cover, Xio quietly slipped out of the manor, heading toward the MI9 station in the Rorsted Archipelago.

Meanwhile, Ebner emerged from the basement with a whip in hand, instructing the servants to prepare lunch for him.

—The whip was a custom-crafted Beyonder item intended for "Fat Pharmacist" Darkwill in exchange for his cultivated Dragon Blood Five-Color Flower.

Of course, the whip had long been completed; he just hadn't brought it out until now. After spending several days in the basement, there was no need to explain himself to the servants, but he did need a plausible excuse for any potential investigators.

Only the household's red-uniformed maid found it odd since she hadn't been summoned to "stoke the fire" these past few days.

Just as Ebner was about to enjoy a relaxing bath and listen to the red maid's report over a fine meal, the sky suddenly darkened. Blood-red moonlight poured into the room, spreading a sense of unease. Even the servants and Helene were visibly frightened.

Frowning, Ebner simulated the "Sun Halo," bringing "courage" to the servants and purging the subtle "spiritual erosion" caused by the "Blood Moon."

—Whenever the "Blood Moon" appeared, spirituality surged, granting a significant boost to forces from the Spirit World and Hell. Negative emotions in living beings also erupted, with the effects more pronounced for higher-sequence Beyonders.

Helene, having shaken off the emotional turmoil, quickly moved to stand behind him, as if only his presence could provide a sense of security.

Although the servants were calmed by the courage instilled by the "Sun Halo," they remained uneasy, continuously praying to their respective gods.

After all, celestial phenomena in this world were not merely natural occurrences but carried either vague or explicit "symbolism."

And a "solar eclipse" was almost always associated with "disaster." How could they not be afraid?

Unlike the anxious servants, Ebner's thoughts went in a different direction:

"Why is the 'Primordial Moon' having another fit of impotent rage? Who provoked Her this time?"

...

In a three-story house on William Street, Bayam, Xio identified herself with a coded phrase and underwent a brief interrogation under the watchful gaze of a high-sequence Beyonder.

Thanks to having previously sought protection from The Fool, she passed the inquiry smoothly. After all, she genuinely hadn't obtained anything from that labyrinth. On the contrary, her efforts had prevented the ambush laid by the "Doctor Strange" from succeeding.

Bayam's intelligence branch had already received information about the incident through emergency communication channels, so Xio was primarily asked about one thing:

"Do you know where Baron Larry is?"

Since she truly had no idea, her response was firm and confident.

After the routine questioning, she was informed to remain on standby in Bayam, as the mission was not yet fully concluded.

"Would you like us to arrange accommodations?" a clerical staff member from the Mandated Punishers politely asked as she exited the office.

"No need. I have a friend in Bayam I can stay with," Xio replied after a moment of thought.

This was something she and Ebner had agreed on beforehand.

Their friendship was widely known, and it was no secret that the "Hero Detective" was currently vacationing in Bayam. If she didn't stay with Ebner, it might actually arouse suspicion.

However, after leaving the Mandated Punishers' station and walking only two streets, Xio found herself completely lost...

Looking around in bewilderment, she suddenly remembered that the side effect of the dagger loaned to her by Princess Vera had begun to manifest...

And just at that moment, the "Blood Moon" descended.