526 Resolution

526 Resolution

Batna exclaimed in surprise, Your blindfolded walk that day was quite effective...

The destination was Demon Warlock Burmans next target!

Without waiting for Lumians response, the adventurer mumbled to himself in puzzlement, Are you a Blessed of luck?

No, a Blessed of calamity... Lumian replied inwardly.

As thoughts raced, Batna suddenly formulated a new hypothesis.

Could this be Demon Warlock Burman himself?

He had investigated the explosion scene, returning to flaunt his prowess at the crime scene and blindfolded himself to randomly choose the next victim!

Such an explanation seemed far more plausible than being blessed with luck!

Lumian glanced at Batnas Batnas tense expression and smiled.

Dont tell me you think Im Burman? How long have I been in Port Farim?

Thats exactly it. Something happened the night you first arrived in Port Farim... Batna didnt dare vocalize it.

When the Quartier des Black Pearls exploded, I was still praying in the cathedral, Lumian said with amusement, providing an alibi.

Batna pondered for a moment and relaxed, but confusion still lingered on his face.

Lumian sighed and inquired, Yesterday, I didnt expect to encounter anything related to the Demon Warlock while walking blindfolded. I just found it fun.

He spoke the truth.

However, he couldnt shake the suspicion that the corruption caused by 0-01 might be more severe than he had imagined.

Of course, he couldnt rule out the possibility that Trier, a seal from the Fourth Epoch, had effectively suppressed the preexisting issues within him.

The excuse of finding it fun barely convinced Batna. He felt that Louis Berry was undoubtedly such a person.

Yet, the other party would sporadically set traps just for the amusement of it. Anyone treating him as an idiot would end up becoming one!

Perhaps I was truly blessed by luck yesterday, Lumian concluded.

He then recounted his hypothesis about the Demon Warlocks connection with Fidel and expressed regret, Unfortunately, I didnt believe Im that lucky.

Lumians reasoning convinced Batna that Demon Warlock Burmans continuous evasion and access to resources stemmed from his close symbiotic relationship with Fidel, a prominent merchant. The subsequent tragedy likely resulted from the pressure exerted by the official Beyonders investigation, leading to internal strife.

This ruled out the possibility that Louis Berry was a Demon Warlock. He had just arrived in Port Farim a few days ago, and Burman had been here for a long time.

What a shame... Batna sighed. If I had sold the clues about the Demon Warlocks close connection to Fidel to the authorities beforehand, I couldve bagged a hefty bounty.

It wouldve been at least 5,000 verl dor!

Batna shook his head.

No, without evidence, the authorities wont buy it. Cant tell them we stumbled on clues blindfolded, blessed by luck. Theyd just cuff us for being fraudsters.

A chuckle slipped from Lumians lips.

Cant you fabricate some evidence to back the clues?

Say you spotted someone suspicious at Fidels back door, maybe the Demon Warlock. Let the official Beyonders confirm it themselves. Theyll uncover the truth in due time.

T-Thatd work? Batnas mouth hung slightly agape.

Why not? Lumian grinned. If you truly found the Demon Warlock, tell them not to sweat the details. Just ask if the clues are legit and if they helped capture the Demon Warlock. If they miss Burman, its a small scam at worst. Few days of hard labor for you.

Official Beyonders can take tips from adventurers without solid certainty, right? Theyd miss genuine info otherwise.

Lumians words left Batna silent momentarily before he blurted out, Dont tell me youve got Islander blood?

Deception seemed to be his forte.

Lumian casually replied, Knew an Islander in Trier, quite the con artist with rich experience and techniques.

With a flicker of interest, Lumian raised his left hand, pinching his left eye socket.

Glancing at Batna, he asked, How long have you been adventuring? Why still so green?

Over a year, Batna defended himself. Its just that I stick to the rules with authorities. Im more adaptable when dealing with pirates and others.

Adventurers slipping clues to authorities also dabble in deceit, right? Lumian grinned. They scam if they can.

He suspected Batnas strict adherence to rules came from a well-bred background, a notion confirmed by the other partys attire and appearance.

Observing Batnas silence, Lumian finished his remaining salted coffee and glanced back at the lively open-air market.

Try not to go to the morgue, cemetery, or other places for the time being.

Just as Batna was about to ask why, he instantly grasped the advices true meaning.

Without Fidel to provide resources, the Demon Warlock might feel compelled to take action!

At noon, Lumian returned to Room 5 of the Flying Birds first-class cabin. He noticed the master bedroom had undergone a transformation with a change in carpet, bed, wardrobe, desk, and other furniture, replaced by various ornaments. However, the distortions and cracks in the metal walls had only been partially repaired, not fully restored.

Before long, his messenger, Penitent Baynfel, emerged from the void and handed him a letter.

Franca:

Based on your latest account and my discussion with 007 last night, I suspect that Demon Warlock Burman had been compelled to switch Sequences.

He was originally a Warlock, but to revive his wife, he switched to the neighboring Death pathway. He went half-mad, becoming half-human and half-monster.

Though this could be explained as a Warlock receiving an evil gods boon, your situation doesnt align. No cases of Beyonder powers from two pathways fusing and mutating have been documented. This was evident in your clash with Burman. The Eye of Illusory you mentioned has the Eye of Mystery Prying, revealing the side of reality, but it also displays the Death pathways suppression of the Spirit Body or even enslavement.

As far as I know, the Death pathway gains an Eye of Death ability at Sequence 8 Gravedigger. Did it fuse with the Eye of Mystery Prying, forming that distinctive Eye of Illusory?

As Lumian read, he suddenly recalled the appearance of the Eye of Illusory.

Embedded vertically in his forehead, illusory and blurry, a deep purple bordering on black, with numerous pale-white patternsundeniably a fusion of the Eye of Mystery Prying and the Death pathways abilities.

Lumians gaze shifted downward as he continued reading.

White feather-like fur, decaying wounds, control over various undead creatures, unstable emotional states, and extreme actionsall indirectly confirming my hypothesis...

The origins of the old blood are rather peculiar. Ive conducted Magic Mirror Divination several times and consulted various entities, but all Ive gleaned is that it stems from the depths of the spirit world. No further information. It seems the irreversible half-mad Burman had some other fortuitous encounter.

Unstable emotions... Extreme actions... irreversible half-madness... Lumian mulled over the descriptions and let out an inaudible sigh.

How determined and desperate must Burman have been when he chose to consume the Death pathway potion?

Wild Beyonders didnt know they could switch to neighboring pathways at a specific Sequence. They believed once a divine pathway was chosen, it couldnt be altered. Forced consumption of potions from other pathways led to madness or death.

Moreover, Mystery Pryer and Death werent adjacent pathways that allowed switching.

Burman wouldnt have drunk the Death pathway potion without a resolve bordering on death, all to revive his wife, even at the cost of his sanity.

Lumian sensed he might have made the same choice in such a situation, hence his conflicting emotions.

Francas letter ended with reassurance: Dont fret over the aftermath. Burmans mental state will soon cause him to resurface without Fidels support and restraint. He might succeed once or twice in gathering materials for experiments, but it wont last. Official Beyonders will eliminate him within weeks or even days.

Lumian glanced at Penitent Baynfel, yet to depart.

Help me deliver my reply to the sender.

Swiftly, he penned a line: Ill kill Burman as soon as possible.

Before long, Penitent Baynfel returned with Francas reply: Why?

Lumian wrote on the same piece of paper: I wish to punish him for his crimes...

He paused for a moment before continuing, And end his pain.

Folding the letter into a square, Lumian handed it to Baynfel and glanced at the messenger.

Dont you find it troublesome to send letters back and forth?

It wasnt concern but puzzlement.

After delivering the letter, Penitent Baynfel didnt leave immediately. Instead, he waited for a potential reply.

This time, Baynfel didnt remain silent. He replied in a deep voice, Being busy makes me feel better. Its better to have something to do than always watch the darkness.

Lumian listened quietly without responding, watching Penitent Baynfel turn and walk into the void.

He empathized with those words.

Franca didnt stop Lumian. Her reply was concise and forceful: Be careful!

Phew... Lumian exhaled and walked to the living room window, casting his gaze at Port Farim bathed in the blazing sunlight and the distant Andatna volcano.