“You… want to save the world?”
Moonlight illuminated the City, and the carriage slowly advanced through the night of Tobesk. Xia De looked at the hand.
“No, I just want to ensure the world won’t be destroyed because of this. It sounds ridiculous, not something a Three-Ring Arcanist like me should be concerned with, but I saw it. I saw that the world’s survival will depend on The Chosen who ultimately stand before the door. Whether all Thirteen Ring are present, or only some, or even just one, it will lead to different outcomes. The optimal choice, only when I meet them, will I know.”
Xia De met the purple eyes for a moment, then reached out and took the woman’s hand. A smile appeared at the corner of her lips, but when she tried to pull her hand back, she found that Xia De did not let go. Of course, he didn’t mean to take advantage; Xia De’s voice was low and deep:
“Such a world-spanning event, even if I don’t want to participate, I will be affected sooner or later. I am willing to witness and search for the Thirteen Chosen with you, to guide or help them. But as the basis for cooperation, I think we should first establish trust between us.”
The path of Twelve Divinity Ascension he wanted to take required the absorption of Divinity, which would inevitably involve dealing with dangerous relics left by Evil Gods or Old Gods. Therefore, actively approaching the Thirteen Chosen, who were destined to be troubled, would actually benefit Xia De in his continued search for Divinity.
He tightly grasped the Diviner’s soft hand, looking into Miss Annette’s purple eyes:
“I can understand the meaning of any text, any text. But I can understand it and hear it, but I cannot speak or write it.”
Miss Annette’s eyes flickered:
“So that’s how it is. As for me, by paying a very severe price, I can make almost flawless prophecies. So far, I’ve only made one major mistake. I originally thought our group would only have four people, but you appeared. You are only a Ring Arcanist, but I still invited you for this reason: you are the only person in this world who is absolutely not The Chosen. I don’t have to worry about you knowing too many secrets of The Chosen from me, thereby disrupting my observation of the future.”
Xia De nodded gently, then released the Diviner’s hand. The latter flexed her wrist and teased:
“Is that how you treat all ladies?”
“My apologies, that was a bit rough. But let’s get back to Miss Bei Ya Si’s topic. Since we’re going to cooperate, you should tell me some information.”
Xia De said, he didn’t explain why he understood all languages, and Miss Annette didn’t mention why she could make accurate prophecies. This was a kind of tacit understanding.
“Iluna Bayas, a Two-Ring Sorceress of the Sun Church. She is the first of The Chosen in the whispering chapters prophecy, representing the power of Balance. Regarding her identity, for now, only the Sun Church and you and I know. Of course, I know this secret because of my prophecy.”
“Balance?”
Xia De pondered the meaning of the word, while Mia had already curled up beside him, asleep.
Then he asked again:
“So, how many other people know about the whispering chapters and The Chosen?”
“The complete content of the whispering chapters is not in anyone’s hands. The Five Gods Church and the Three Miracle Academies definitely know, and some ancient organizations, such as the ‘Blood Spirit School’ and the ‘Prophet Association’ I belong to, definitely know as well.
The Witch Emperor’s relic on which the chapters are written is controlled by different forces. The Sun Church knows the most about the first of The Chosen, and even more coincidentally, Bei Ya Si actually voluntarily joined a Ring Arcanist team of the Sun Church before the Church found her. Perhaps the Sun God truly blesses his believers.”
Xia De nodded, letting out a long breath:
“So what’s the plan now? You’re going to contact the first of The Chosen, Miss Bei Ya Si. What specific actions will you take? Do you need my help?”
Miss Annette smiled:
“Detective, I don’t need your help for now. Actually, we’ve already made contact. Iluna Bayas and I created a chance encounter. When she was going to the market outside the City, I disguised myself as an ordinary Prophet and helped her solve some doubts. I think she will come to me again soon, and I will help her as a ‘Mysterious Prophet’ until she confirms that I am a Ring Arcanist. Only then will I reveal my identity and proceed with cooperation.”
“That’s a good plan.”
Xia De praised, this way it established a connection between them and also made Miss Bei Ya Si revere Miss Annette.
“Once I reveal my identity to her, I’ll introduce you two. Detective, you absolutely must not interfere with this matter. My plan is already very detailed. And you are still too… not powerful enough. Your main job now is to improve your own strength. Once you have power that you can control, I will probably need your help with many things.”
This arrangement made a lot of sense. There was no need for Xia De to participate in Miss Annette’s already complete plan, and he indeed still needed time to learn. Although the Lakeview Manor incident was theoretically resolved by him, in reality, it was just unrepeatable good luck. Miss Annette’s plan would inevitably involve conflicts between Ring Arcanists, and Xia De was not yet suitable to rashly join in.
“What if she contacts me first?”
Xia De retorted. Miss Annette clearly didn’t believe such a thing would happen, but she still replied:
“Then play your role as an ordinary Detective. Before my plan is complete, do not let Miss Bei Ya Si know that you are a Ring Arcanist. This will disrupt my clever plan and increase your danger. Also, speaking of which, can you still use that power of the Thirteen Ring Sorcerer? You don’t have to answer if it’s inconvenient.”
Xia De knew that the other party wasn’t prying into his secrets, but rather wanted to understand both their trump cards.
He nodded:
“Yes, but the conditions are harsh, and it’s very dangerous.”
But also very powerful, even comparable to a god.
Miss Annette nodded slightly, understanding:
“That’s good. This way, at least the worst-case scenario can be avoided. But there’s no need to worry; contact with the first of The Chosen will primarily be handled by me. I’m not just an ordinary Three-Ring Arcanist either.”
“I hope so.”
“One more thing. My apologies.”
She looked at Xia De.
“What?”
Xia De asked, puzzled.
“It was I who led you to the third floor of the Lakeview Manor mansion and promised not to put you in danger, but in the end, you were forced to face an Evil God. Although I could use the excuse that I didn’t expect it, I won’t do that. I apologize for putting you in danger. That was my biggest mistake at Lakeview Manor. Detective, I will find an opportunity to compensate you.”
“That matter? No need to worry about it, I went with you voluntarily. And if it weren’t for that, I… who can foresee everything? Your prophecies require a price, it’s impossible to divine for every single thing, especially when it involves a deity.”
Xia De said, listening to the voice of the brown-haired female Diviner, holding the sleeping Mia, and looking out the carriage window.
The City, shrouded in thin mist, entered peaceful slumber. Under the silent night sky, three moons illuminated the earth, unchanging for thousands of years, yet unable to illuminate every shadow.
The Chosen, the Witch Emperor’s great prophecy—these were the protagonists of an era of change. The Outsider didn’t know what role he would play in the unfolding story, nor what the future held.
But all in all, he understood some things, learned some things, and made friends. At this moment, seeing this peaceful night, he truly felt that he had arrived here.
“Say something.”
He said in his heart.
【What do you want to hear?】
“It doesn’t matter, just say anything.”
He looked at the night view of this steam City, and heard the woman’s soft chuckle amidst the clip-clop of hooves:
【sixth epoch, common era 1853, summer. In the wind blowing through the City, you officially understood this world. After the Blood Feast welcoming you ends, the first protagonist of the story is about to appear. When the golden scales symbolizing Balance begin to tilt, someone must add weights. You have foreseen a magnificent epic, foreseen the steam era amidst great changes. Forced to be drawn into it, traversing the long scroll of time to the rhythm of hooves, will you take action?】
The Outsider tilted his head and looked out the window at the bright Moonlight. Miss Annette’s purple eyes looked at Xia De, and the orange cat, feigning sleep with narrowed eyes, looked at Miss Annette. Moonlight shone through the carriage window onto the orange cat.
It was truly a peaceful night.