10 Seeking Help

"Not far from the subway station is the Holy Wind Cathedral. Let's go there!" Xio barely recovered from her previous emotional loss as she said to Ebner while running.

Ebner nodded when he heard that. Although the two of them weren't believers of the Lord of Storms, it was obvious that the tyrant posed a greater threat to the evil. Now that the enemy was in the dark and they were out in the open, running to the cathedral was the best choice. As for why the railway from East Borough to St. George Borough would pass by the Holy Wind Cathedral in Cherwood Borough? It was common knowledge to circle the subway lines!

As the two of them ran, the others on the platform thought it was strange, but they didn't think much of it, treating it as an urgent matter. Only a man wearing a baseball cap near the duty room, squatting on the ground with his hand covering his head, looked at Xio's departing back with a ferocious expression. He looked like he was in pain, large beads of sweat rolling down his cheeks. Beside his hand was a badge with a large crack. But strangely, no one around him noticed his abnormality.

This subway station was less than a hundred meters away from Holy Wind Cathedral. After exiting the station, Ebner saw the headquarters of the Church of Storms from more than a thousand years ago. They quickly walked to the cathedral's yard wall and couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief. Here, unless the Beyonder who had plotted against Xio had lost his mind, he wouldn't attack again. After all, even if they were to launch an attack here, they had to consider whether they would be struck to ashes by a bolt of lightning from the Tyrant.

Ebner and Xio didn't enter the cathedral. After all, they weren't believers of the Storm, and they were also Beyonders of the Wild. If they were exposed, they might be captured by the Mandated Punishers.

The two of them leaned against the church's wall and rested for a moment before Xio said, "Thank you, Ebner. Without your help, I might have lost control of my emotions and become a monster…" After what had happened, she felt more gratitude and trust for Ebner.

Ebner waved his hand to indicate that he didn't need to be bothered. Then he asked, "Xio, who exactly did you provoke? How did you fall under the curse?"

"I'm sorry for implicating you!" Xio lowered her head and apologized before replying as she recalled, "After listening to your analysis the other day, I've been investigating that consultant named 'Hickok.' After asking many of Lawson's original subordinates, I realized that there was indeed something wrong with that person. Not only was he very good at convincing others and eliminating dissidents, but he also constantly instigated Lawson to use a trap contract to lend money, causing many people to lose their families… In addition, he's also related to many slave traders and is passionate about abducting the families of those bankrupt families…"

From the sound of it, that Hickok doesn't seem like a Swindler anymore. Instead, he's more like an Instigator of the Demoness pathway. After all, the acting of a swindler has to be done by oneself. It shouldn't be a rule to act by swindling others… However, he's actually related to a slave trafficker. Perhaps he was the one who got the mother of my body… Wait a minute! Ebner was pondering with his fingers on his chin when his pupils suddenly constricted. It was as if a bolt of lightning had flashed in his mind, allowing him to connect the plot of the novel with the situation before him. He instantly understood many things!

If that Hickok is really an instigator, then he should belong to the Demoness Sect. And in the novels, the Demoness Sect is working with the Loen royal family, constantly selling human mouths to provide sacrifices to the emperor who wants to become a god… Could it be that George III made this arrangement in order to become the Black Emperor? Although Klein had managed to pull out a slave merchant, Capim, how could there be only one subordinate involved in such a huge scheme to become a god? Hmm, it's impossible that such a small gang of loan sharks was personally set up by the upper echelons. It should've been done in passing by the peripheral organizations…

After figuring this out, Ebner's expression turned a little ugly. After all, this matter involved a very high level, and it wasn't something a mere Sequence 9 like him could interfere with. The only good news was that Hickok was most likely just a small fry. He shouldn't be able to provoke any powerful figures.

"Have you thought of anything?" Xio asked worriedly, seeing the change in Ebner's expression.

Ebner looked at Xio. Back then, Xio had accidentally injured Lawson in this case and sent him to prison. From the looks of it, it was very likely that a Beyonder had interfered with her. Otherwise, this lady wouldn't have dealt such a heavy blow to an ordinary person. And now, because of his reminder, Xio had discovered a deeper secret, which led to her being cursed.

In a sense, it's because of my meddling that she's in danger… With this in mind, Ebner felt a little guilty. He hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should tell her the truth. After all, seriously speaking, she was actually one of the victims of George III's attempt to become a god. However, he quickly decided to hide it for the time being. The reason was simple. He had no way of explaining the source of the information, so his inference was too fake.

"I think Hickok might be an Instigator and not the Swindler I previously guessed… He might be someone from the Demoness Sect or the Knowledge Union." Ebner deliberated before revealing some information. He then changed the topic and said, "The key isn't this, but how to deal with the cursed mark on you! If you don't purify it, the attacker will use it to make you lose control again!"

Xio frowned when she heard that and asked, "You were the one who helped me resolve the curse eruption… Ebner, can you tell what kind of curse it is? Also, what's with your white pupils?"

"That's because I used a Beyonder item." Ebner first made a vague comment before analyzing. "By making people lose control through emotions, this curse most likely comes from the Abyss pathway. Furthermore, it should be a Sealed Artifact!"

He had already figured it out on the way here. The reason why the White Eye could help Xio return to normal wasn't because it had the ability to crack the curse on its own accord, but because when Xio looked at him, the caster had wanted to use his vision to spread the curse on him, but he ended up being tragically suppressed by the White Eye's level. Not only was the curse's power instantly destroyed, but it had also retaliated through the connection! This was why the two of them hadn't suffered any subsequent attacks at the subway station.

And to determine that it was the effects of a Sealed Artifact and not a Beyonder from the Abyss pathway, it was because a Low-Sequence spell cast wouldn't be too far away. If that person were to suffer such a high-level backlash, he would probably lose control on the spot even if he didn't die. Furthermore, there weren't any abnormalities in the subway platform or carriage back then, which meant that he was definitely separated by a layer. He had only been hit by the Sealed Artifact's backlash. But even so, that person wouldn't feel good.

As for the fact that the attacker was a Mid- or High-Sequence Beyonder, Ebner didn't even think about it. How could such a powerhouse be so troublesome to deal with two Sequence 9s? They probably wouldn't even know that they had been attacked until they died.

"Abyss pathway?" Xio felt that her knowledge was truly lacking.

"It's also known as the Demon Sequence. They are best at playing with emotions and tempting others to fall." Ebner explained briefly.

Xio nodded and didn't ask Ebner how he had determined that it was a Sealed Artifact. She only asked awkwardly, "Then how do we completely remove it?"

If The Fool were to come now, all you need to do is pray to him, and he will use the Paper Angel to help you resolve it… Unfortunately, The Fool will take another month to arrive. Now, all you can do is find Beyonders or items from the Sun pathway to think of a solution.

While thinking, Ebner combined the knowledge from the novel and the mageweath he just saw and suggested, "This shouldn't be a particularly high-level curse. We just need someone to perform an exorcism ritual."

"Exorcism… Do you know it?" Xio blinked and asked.

How could a newbie like me, who had just transmigrated for four days, know this? As he lampooned inwardly, Ebner maintained a calm expression and asked, "Do you know any Beyonder circles?" For example, the one who would send warmth to Klein in the future.

"But there won't be any Beyonder gatherings in a week or two…" Xio lowered her head in dejection. Experienced as she was, she could guess that the cursed person had suffered a backlash. It was unlikely that he would launch another attack in a short period of time, but it might only be a day or two. It definitely wouldn't be a week or two.

Considering that it was his' trouble 'that had led her into this situation, Ebner had the intention to help her again. He thought for a moment and said, "I know someone. He has a mystical item that might be able to help you, but I can't guarantee that I can contact him. I can only say that I'll give it a try."

"Thank you, Ebner! This had nothing to do with you…" Xio recovered a little when she heard that, and she thanked Ebner even more.

"You're welcome. Let's go!" After Ebner said that, he called a rental carriage on the street and instructed the driver to go to Iron Gate Street in the bridge area.

Seated in the carriage, Xio looked at Ebner beside her and asked hesitantly, "Are you going to the shooting club on Riverside Street to practice shooting today?"

"I can't go today. I can only wait until tomorrow. I hope that Mr. Dif will forgive me," Ebner replied with a bitter smile.

Xio deliberated over her tone when she heard that. "Actually, if you want to practice shooting, you don't have to pay to go there. I know a place that's secluded and free. Besides, my marksmanship is very good, so I can be your coach. Of course, I can provide you with practice bullets." She felt that she owed him a favor and wanted to compensate him.

Ebner's eyes lit up when he heard that. He felt that Xio's suggestion was very convincing. He looked at Xio's knight training suit and immediately had a new idea. He asked, "Then, Xio, how's your combat skills?"

Xio replied in confusion, "I've received complete knight training since I was young!"

"How about this? I'll hire you to be my firearms and combat coach. How about you compensate me with the information and deduction fees you owe me?" Ebner said shamelessly.

"It's a deal then!" Xio heaved a sigh of relief when she heard that. She didn't like the feeling of owing others. It was best if she could repay him this way.

As they spoke, the carriage had reached Iron Gate Street, and Ebner led Xio easily to find Kaspars in the Bravehearts Bar.

The other party looked at Ebner and Xio strangely and asked, "Why are you back so quickly? What happened this time?"

"I would like to ask you to pass a message to the old gentleman who organized the gathering. Tell him that I've completed the study mission he set up, and I wish to ask him to bring the Sun Brooch to help! The reward is a secret knowledge regarding the Fourth Epoch. Yes, it's best if it's tonight!"