East Chester County was still cold in January, with snow often piling up. The branches and leaves of the trees were withered, with beasts hiding themselves, making it appear lifeless.
Audrey led Susie around the ancient tower several times while surrounded by her attendants and maidservants, but they found nothing.
There were only piles of gray bricks and rotten wood, and in the gaps, there were weeds and the corpses of tiny critters.
Audrey had thought she could find some murals on the wreckage of the walls, allowing her to decipher the origins of the ancient tower and use the appearance of wild beasts to secretly practice her Beyonder skills such as Awe, Frenzy, Placate, but she was only left very disappointed.
Unwilling to resign herself to this, she asked the attendants and maidservants around her when she had traveled half the distance, “Are there any legends of monsters nearby?”
Half of the attendants had followed her from Backlund to the family castle before coming to this manor. The other half were locals and were usually busy in the manor. There was no doubt that Audrey was asking the latter.
The reason why she had come to this manor was because, historically, there was a folk tradition of worshiping dragons in the surrounding areas.
A young attendant secretly shot a glance at his noble and beautiful mistress. He mustered his courage, took two steps forward, and bowed while saying, “Deep in this forest, there are many fearsome wild beasts. Every year, hunters die there, but no one has ever encountered a monster before.
“It’s just like the situation described in an old folk song that goes around this place…”
He recounted the folksong and the general meaning was:
“Monsters are in your dreams;
“Dragons are in your dreams;
“The great imagined palace, floating in the air, is also in your dreams;
“There is the place where you will have everything, all the way until you wake up.”
According to the information about dragons that she’d bought from Little Sun, the Dragon of Imagination, Ankewelt, had actually imagined a floating city with massive temple pillars supporting a towering palace complex. The name of the city was Liveseyd, meaning the City of Miracles.
Entering the room, she glanced at Susie, suddenly having the urge to show off.
Susie opened her mouth, momentarily at a loss for words because she didn’t know anything about poetry.
She gave it some serious thought and said, “Audrey, I’m only a dog.”
…
In a forest in Blue Mountain Island.
Because of his agitation and excitement, Kalat didn’t sleep at all. Sitting on the wheelchair, he inspected his surroundings, as if he had found a reason to live apart from revenge.
After making a full circle, he returned to the altar to pray once again.
He remembered the contents of the “Ten Commandments” very clearly. He knew that he couldn’t use Sea God’s name in vain, so he planned to use the relatively vague “God” as a replacement during his prayers.
When he approached the altar, his gaze suddenly turned into a stare because the items placed on it all had an unusual aura. For example, a dagger didn’t reflect any crimson moonlight but released silver lightning. A leaf had become increasingly greener, making him feel that it was easier to breathe from a mere glance.
Up to this point, he no longer had any doubts regarding the transformation of Sea God. The sacrilegious thoughts hidden deep within him were completely dispelled.
Soon, he returned to his wheelchair and headed for the residence of the High Priest, Edmonton, and the others.
He couldn’t wait to tell his companions about what had just happened, to share with them the grace of God.
…
At a quarter past eleven in the evening.
Klein sat in his chair and watched with a blank expression as Danitz held the Soulfall Ritual, memorizing all the details while he did it.
The moment Klein finished organizing his thoughts, the various items on the altar began to float up, with the exception of the three candles.
Danitz shuddered uncontrollably, his expression turning cold.
Very soon, he let out the female voice of Vice Admiral Iceberg.
“Good evening.”
He hesitated for a moment and said, “I have a way to find Admiral of Blood.”
“What?” Edwina Edwards, whose spirit had possessed Danitz, already had her tone return to normal—one that usually lacked emotion.
Klein said simply, “They use the latest wireless telegraphy technology. I received the frequencies and passcodes from White Shark.”
“Wireless, telegraphy… You know such things?” Edwina appeared surprised to learn that Gehrman Sparrow, who was an expert in mysticism, would also have some general knowledge of radio communication technology.
Klein politely smiled.
“A little.”
Edwina was silent for two seconds, then she asked through Danitz, “Have they discovered that?”
“Perhaps.
“But we can try.”
Edwina said thoughtfully, “I’ll have Danitz help with the surveillance.”
When the Soulfall Ritual was over, Danitz watched Gehrman Sparrow take out a sizable piece of machinery and its corresponding accessories, with mixed emotions.
“What is this?” he asked in astonishment.
Klein said flatly, “Radio transceiver.”
Danitz turned agape as he finally forced his question out.
“Where did you get it?”
Klein glanced at him.
“Outside”
As he spoke, he tossed the manual and information on the frequencies and passcodes to Danitz and went back to his bedroom to sleep.
After much reading and experimenting, he finally mastered the usage of the radio transceiver and settled back into his reclining chair. He was soon snoring away.
Without knowing how long he slept, he was suddenly awoken, astonished to hear rhythmic clicks.
He saw the radio transceiver in the dim room working on its own, spitting out illusory sheets of white paper under the serene moonlight.
This scene reminded him of the horror stories that pirates often spoke off when they were bragging!
As he approached the radio transceiver, he saw several lines of ancient Feysac on the illusory sheet of paper.
“Hello.
“I sense a familiar but unique aura, but it’s about to dissipate.”
“… Hello.” Danitz attempted a response. “Who are you?”
The radio transceiver produced its clickety-clack again, spitting out a piece of white paper.
“My name is Arrodes.
“In exchange, you have to answer one of my questions.”
