章 342: The Wishing Lamp
Klein had "The World" ask about the "Wishing Lamp" partly because its name resembled an item from a fairy tale he'd read in his past life. While it was possible that Roselle named it, there was also a chance the item itself might have crossed over into this world, just like he had.
Furthermore, from the story of Roselle wishing to become an angel for a day, Klein had discerned the immense power of this mystical item. In his heart, he harbored a glimmer of hope, wondering if it could truly grant any wish… such as reviving a certain someone… or perhaps… sending him home.
Meanwhile, Ebner, having anticipated Klein's question, was prepared. He scanned the other members of the Tarot Club and began:
"The Wishing Lamp is a Sealed Artifact combining the traits of a 'Miracle Invoker' with an unknown source of mystical power. It likely originates from the First Epoch and, though it has never been held by the seven major Churches, it has an official 'Level-0 Sealed Artifact' designation:
"It is 0-05."
A Miracle Invoker?! Another Miracle Invoker… And the name 'Wishing Lamp'… could it be that Miracle Invokers create 'miracles' through granting wishes?
As his thoughts raced, Klein recalled the phrase in Zaratul's journal: "Resurrection is a miracle," prompting him to speculate: perhaps a Miracle Invoker's ability allows them to fulfill others' wishes in the name of "miracles," with "resurrection" being merely one among many possibilities!
Could it be that my prior resurrections were made possible by tapping into this power, into these miracles…?
This Gray Fog is indeed deeply connected to the Seer Pathway…
If the "fortune ritual" I performed before crossing over led me here, then perhaps this place is one of the reasons I ended up in this world.
Could it be that I made a wish unknowingly, one that connected me to it? If I eventually advance to Miracle Invoker, or if I further master this space… could I wish myself back home?
Klein made an effort to rein in his excitement, ensuring the Fool didn't reveal any suspicious reactions.
At the same time, he grew increasingly wary of Zaratul, the leader of the Secret Order—a powerful being on the Seer Pathway who had long since reached Sequence 2 as a Miracle Invoker!
Certain events and mysteries seemed likely to trace back to his shadow…
More importantly, the "Law of Beyonder Characteristics Convergence" meant that Klein himself, bound to the Gray Fog, might inevitably encounter Zaratul one day.
While Klein's mind whirled with thoughts, Justice, Audrey, asked with a touch of curiosity, "A Miracle Invoker? Which pathway and sequence is this?"
Audrey didn't expect Mr. Tower to reveal the information freely, as it likely pertained to high-level knowledge. So, she turned expectantly toward Mr. Fool, hoping this esteemed being would indulge her curiosity.
This is one I can answer! Klein, perceptive as ever, picked up on Justice's unspoken question. He tapped his finger lightly against the table's ancient edge and responded with a faint smile:
"The Miracle Invoker is Sequence 2 of the Seer Pathway.
"As for the Wishing Lamp, it has abilities far more interesting than that of an ordinary Miracle Invoker… for instance, it can grant the wisher temporary angelhood."
This last part was Klein's educated guess, based on the contents of Roselle's journal, and he felt confident about it.
Had Miracle Invokers been able to make anyone an angel for a day, Roselle wouldn't have chosen to use the Wishing Lamp but would have approached Zaratul. Being a Level-0 Sealed Artifact, the lamp undoubtedly came with formidable side effects.
Of course, even if this was incorrect, it would be of little consequence; after all, the Wishing Lamp could indeed grant someone angelhood for a day. Why it was "interesting" was open to personal interpretation—it was hardly the Fool's concern to clarify.
The ability to wish to become an angel?! Justice, the Hanged Man, Sun, Judgment—all four turned in astonishment to gaze at the mysterious figure at the head of the table, their eyes brimming with disbelief. This defied all their knowledge of mysticism and the potion system.
A second later, The World also looked up in "surprise" and murmured, "So the rumors were true…"
"What sort of rumor?" Justice asked, her curiosity regarding the Wishing Lamp now almost impossible to restrain. "World, would you be willing to share? I'm willing to pay any price you find satisfactory."
"There's no need… the information I have is limited and not particularly valuable." World hesitated for a moment before shaking his head and, in a raspy voice, continued, "Since receiving the task from Mr. Fool to investigate the Sauron family, I've made some discoveries. One of them was that Roselle personally killed the last hidden angel of the Sauron family.
"At that time, Roselle was not yet an angel; he used the Wishing Lamp to become the Civilization Enlightener for a day!
"I had doubts about the veracity of this rumor, which is why I sought more information on the Wishing Lamp."
He then glanced at Ebner and, respectfully looking up toward Mr. Fool, asked with apparent curiosity, "Can this Sealed Artifact really grant any wish? Are there no restrictions?"
Once more, everyone's attention shifted back to the figure at the head of the table. The powerful, enigmatic being merely smiled and said, "Some matters are not for you to know at this time."
Mr. Fool, you play this game well… prompting The World to make this statement helps to show he's truly carrying out the Fool's tasks, much like the dual-role scene you crafted during the last Tarot gathering to dispel suspicion.
But your last statement actually hit the mark—the Wishing Lamp is indeed not something they should know too much about right now. After all, although sealed within the lamp, it's still an Outer Deity in essence… And based on Xio's encounter in East Chester County, it seems the Uncertain Mist has already begun to manifest. Simply learning of the lamp's existence could draw it toward us…
Is Mr. Fool forcefully changing the topic? Is it because he's running low on spiritual energy, or could it be that his intuitive senses have detected something, leading him to instinctively act, much like he did when he first encountered Megose and refrained from activating Spirit Vision?
Contemplating these questions, Ebner merely added, "Specifics aren't clear, but wishes granted by the Wishing Lamp tend to be realized in a profoundly twisted manner or come with terrifying consequences," as his response to World.
This answer didn't surprise the Tarot members, given that they were all aware that Sealed Artifacts represented extreme danger. Even Justice wasn't naive enough to believe that wishing would come without a cost.
However, reflecting on Mr. Fool's words, both Hanged Man and Justice concluded that the lamp likely held an even deeper secret and was far more than simply a Sequence 2 artifact.
A lamp that grants any wish, like something straight out of a fairy tale… too bad I'm not qualified to know its secrets. Justice's exquisite face, hidden behind the gray fog, was tinged with both yearning and disappointment.
Perhaps 0-05 involves conflicts at the level of True Deities… The Hanged Man mused, deciding to look into any church documents about this Sealed Artifact once he returned to Bayam.
The Wishing Lamp… I feel like I've heard of it somewhere… Judgment, Xio, gave Ebner a thoughtful look, suspecting that his final statement might not be entirely truthful—he probably knew a lot more about the lamp.
However, she didn't plan to ask further; if Ebner hadn't shared here, he must have had his reasons…
Besides, Mr. Fool said it wasn't knowledge I'm supposed to have right now.
Sun, meanwhile, was content simply to memorize the information.
As everyone drifted into contemplation, they were suddenly brought back to the present by the sound of a soft tap on the table.
Shrouded in the thick gray fog, Klein hid his exhaustion as he spoke with a gentle smile:
"This gathering will end here."
"Your will is our wish." Justice rose immediately, lifting her dress in a respectful curtsy, and the Hanged Man, Tower, Sun, Judgment, and World each responded in kind.
Klein waved a hand, severing their connections, watching quietly as Justice, Tower, and the other indistinct figures dissolved into light.
Once World, too, had bowed and reverted into an all-black eye, Klein sat in contemplation for a while before removing the pendulum at his cuff.
He intoned, "Inquiring about the Wishing Lamp's knowledge is dangerous."
After silently repeating this phrase seven times, Klein opened his eyes to find the yellow crystal pendant utterly still.
A failed divination? Klein's brow furrowed.
This had happened before, and it was an indication that either preconditions were insufficient or that the matter involved a True Deity…
The Wishing Lamp is of the essence of a True Deity?
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