บท 199: Shepherd
The first Baron Lamud? That's the identity Mr. Azik used in his life, right? Klein should've already explored Lamud Town at this time. Is he trying to help the spawn of Death regain more memories?
Yes, accepting this commission should be considered a relatively complete Knowledge Keeper act… And the one who wants this "knowledge" is the Death Consul. Once he really remembers something, the feedback I receive shouldn't be small…
As for Xio's inspection? Heh heh, do I not know that the Tarot Club's recruitment criteria are purely voluntary? Isn't the so-called "examination target" the same as a "tool person"?
As his thoughts raced, Ebner made a decision. He looked at Mr. Fool and said respectfully, "I'm willing to accept this mission."
"Very good." Klein nodded in satisfaction before looking at Derrick. He asked gently, "What do you think?"
In fact, this request had nothing to do with The Sun, but he was after all the party involved in this transaction. Out of respect, Klein felt that he shouldn't exclude him.
"I have no objections." Seeing that he could obtain the starting Sequence of the Sun pathway on the spot, Derrick immediately nodded without any hesitation.
Upon seeing this, The Fool Klein pressed his hand forward in a good mood. He conjured two Bard formulas and "passed them" to Tower and The Sun.
"Tower" took a casual glance and stopped paying attention.
And The Sun first frowned before relaxing.
Yes, the names of the materials in the Forsaken Land of the Gods must still be ancient… Thankfully, this formula of mine was obtained directly from the Eternal Blazing Sun. It has an ancient name and various substitutes… Klein thought with some relief.
After the transaction ended, Ebner looked at Justice Audrey across him and said apologetically, "Miss Justice, the gifts you gave last time only chose a feathered hat… I'm sorry, but I forgot to return the rest of the jewelry to you when I got busy…"
Audrey waved her hand and said with a smile, "Those accessories aren't worth much. There's no need for you to return them to me. That would be too troublesome for Mr. Fool… In that case, if you can answer a question of mine, then those accessories will be my thank you gift."
"What question?" Ebner asked with a smile. He could roughly guess what Audrey wanted to ask.
"I recently came into contact with some Beyonder circles and learned of an expert named Mr. A, Mr. Tower. Do you know his background and true identity?" Audrey asked in anticipation.
Mr. A? I only know Mr. Z… Could such a similar code name be from the Aurora Order? Klein made a guess, but he didn't answer.
He had to maintain his image and try his best not to give an answer that he wasn't too sure of. If he really faced such a situation, his description would be ambiguous, like a charlatan.
As expected, she asked tha5… Ebner thought to himself. He deliberated over his words before saying,
"The Aurora Order has five Saints and twenty-two Oracles. These Oracles use letters as their code names and call themselves Mr. A and Mr. X… They are at least Sequence 7 Beyonders, and the strongest are Sequence 5. They are quite good at concealing themselves… A dead Oracle will be replaced by a new Oracle.
"I heard that they're passionate about hosting Beyonder gatherings in big cities, such as Mr. Z from Enmat Harbor or Mr. A from Backlund.
"According to what I know, Mr. A is a Sequence 5 Shepherd. He Grazed many powerful Beyonders and has many means. He's indeed very powerful."
Just as he said that Derrick, who was listening quietly, blurted out in surprise,
"Shepherd?"
Seeing that everyone's eyes were on him, Derrick immediately panicked and hurriedly explained,
"I just didn't expect that there would be Beyonders of this Sequence in your world… This is a Sequence pathway that our City of Silver found in cities that were destroyed by the Things of Darkness. It's only a Sequence 5 Shepherd. However, after Elder Lovia became a Shepherd, she became very powerful, very strange, and very terrifying. It's said that she had once fought against an evil spirit at the level of a High-Sequence Beyonder and wasn't injured. Therefore, when there was an empty seat in the six-member council, she made an exception and became an Elder."
When Klein heard this, he sighed inwardly. The Sun, you are indeed still a child. Although this information isn't very useful to The Hanged Man and Justice, it can be packaged to exchange for something valuable. You actually said it out loud! You said it out loud…
Audrey asked out of curiosity, "Which Sequence pathway is the Shepherd from? What Sequence is it?"
"It's from the Secrets Suppliant pathway, 5." Klein seized the opportunity and clicked without leaving a trace.
Secrets Suppliant… The Aurora Order's pathway… The Sun said that the City of Silver found the potion formula for this Sequence in a city that had been destroyed by the object of darkness…
The True Creator's "sanctuary" was indeed in the Forsaken Land of the Gods, right? Even if it wasn't there, there was at least a huge connection!
Alger immediately solved a mystery in his heart and didn't say a word.
"Mr. Tower, can you give a detailed introduction of Shepherd's powers? I can pay for it." Audrey looked at Ebner, who was diagonally across the table and asked.
"There's no need for that, Miss Justice. The value of your jewelry can match this knowledge." Ebner shook his head and smiled. "Do you wish to apply for a private exchange?"
Ebner had once roughly estimated the price of those accessories. Since one of the head accessories was made by a famous designer, it could be sold for at least 200 pounds. If it was auctioned, the price would probably be even higher.
Therefore, Ebner was too embarrassed to ask Miss Justice for money.
Audrey thought for a moment and felt that there was no need to be so petty. She replied with a faint smile, "Just say it."
"The core ability of a Shepherd is Grazing. It can devour the souls of others, including wraiths and evil spirits, and use a unique method to control these souls. It's like shepherding sheep for a deity.
How much ability a Shepherd has depends on how many Beyonder souls they has devoured… Of course, this isn't without limitations.
"At the level of Sequence 5, Shepherd can only choose the three powers that can control the soul. Furthermore, it can Graze seven souls."
Audrey's face turned pale when she heard that. Although she was hidden by the gray fog and not discovered by others, she couldn't help but sigh. "This… This is too evil! Compared to the Mystic Skill Guide corresponding to the Morning Star of Corruption, it can also use powers from other pathways. The ability of a Shepherd is too evil!"
So that's what a Shepherd means… The Sequence pathway controlled by the Aurora Order is as strange as ever… It's no wonder they believe in the True Creator. No, the Fallen Creator… Klein was instantly enlightened, but he didn't nod, acting as though he had known all along.
As for Alger, he spat out a word. "Creeping Hunger!"
So Creeping Hunger was the means of a Shepherd. It was no wonder Qilangos could become a pirate admiral with it.
Thinking of this pirate admiral, Alger's heart stirred. Seeing that the others had no intention of continuing the transaction or sharing, he looked at Miss Justice and organized his words before asking, "Do you still need the Rainbow Salamander's complete pituitary gland?"
"Of course!" Audrey snapped out of her disgust for the Shepherd and nodded without hesitation.
"I might be able to get it, but you have to complete one of my requests," Alger said after some thought.
He actually wished to entrust the mission to Tower, but he had just accepted Mr. Fool's mission, so he probably didn't have the time… Besides, he didn't have anything that could move Tower at the moment.
"What commission?" Audrey asked in puzzlement.
Alger thought for a few seconds and said,
"I received news that the great pirate, Qilangos, known as Vice Admiral Hurricane, has secretly come ashore and infiltrated Backlund. I don't know what he's up to, but I hope you can help me find his whereabouts. As for the rest, there's no need for you to take the risk."
"Vice Admiral Hurricane Qilangos? One of… No, one of the six pirate admirals?" Audrey's eyes widened as she repeated in surprise.
"Yes, he's a Sequence 6 Wind-blessed of the Sailor pathway. At the same time, he possesses a mystical item called Creeping Hunger. I only learned that it's a Sealed Artifact with the Shepherd characteristic from Mr. Tower's introduction… In addition, Qilangos is rather cunning and cruel. Don't try to deal with him," Alger solemnly introduced.
Having said that, he suddenly turned his head and looked at Klein.
"Mr. Fool, can I request your Blessed to provide help at the critical moment? I will pay the price of your interest."
My Blessed is only myself… Klein vented his frustrations as he smiled.
"The premise is that my Blessed happens to be in Backlund."
"Alright." Alger retracted his gaze in disappointment and anticipation.
"Mr. Hanged Man, I'm willing to accept this request… Can you describe in detail the characteristics and habits of Creeping Hunger and Vice Admiral Hurricane?" Audrey appeared rather confident.
This made Ebner glance at her, and he couldn't help but guess inwardly. Miss, don't tell me the source of your confidence is Xio? She's only a Sequence 8. Is it really appropriate to give her such a dangerous mission?
"Very good. If you succeed, then the Rainbow Salamander's complete pituitary gland will be yours," Alger first promised. Then, he informed Audrey about how Creeping Hunger ate a person's soul and flesh every other day, as well as the Beyonders who might have Grazed several pathways.
Following that, with Klein's permission and help, Alger conjured Qilangos's portrait.
"Alright, I'll arrange for someone to find him," Audrey pursed her lips and replied with a smile.
After discussing the matters that needed to be discussed and sharing the information that needed to be shared, Klein saw that no one said a word, so he smiled and announced the end of today's gathering.
…
After returning to reality, Ebner immediately set up an altar and held a bestowment ritual. He obtained 1,800 pounds from The Hanged Man buying the formula.
After activating the Eye of Pure White to verify the authenticity, Ebner placed the bundle of cash into the safe in the bedroom.
After doing all of this, he retracted his spirituality seal and began to seriously consider how Mr. Fool's mission should be completed.
Although the original novel also had an introduction to Mr. Azik's life, it was very brief. It's impossible to directly report it…
"As for the era when Azik was active as the first Baron Lamud, it was probably in the final Chaotic Era at the end of the Fourth Epoch. It has been at least 1,300 years since today… After all, this year is only 1349 of the Fifth Epoch.
"Where should I start?
Perhaps there will be corresponding clues in the royal family's library… But even ordinary people can't enter that place…
"Perhaps… I can disguise myself as someone with sufficient identity?"
Thinking of this, Ebner stood up and took out a mask with complicated patterns that looked like a clown's face from his warehouse.
"The Clown Mask should be able to redesign my appearance."
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