Request and Summary

As for what he needed the help of the two ladies, Emna had long made plans. Therefore, he smiled and said,

"There are two things that require your help… Yes, don't worry. It's not too much trouble, nor will it be overboard."

"What exactly is it?" Emma first pressed, then a hint of ridicule flashed in her eyes. She tensed up her face and pretended to be serious as she said, "Even if I have to propose to Fani, I'll try my best to help you."

What the hell… Ebner's face was blank, and he almost fell from the tree. After a long while, he said helplessly, "Miss Emma, stop joking."

Not only was this lady scheming, but she also seemed to be a little scheming and liked to tease people.

"Isn't that the case? Some of the Backlund newspapers have tried hard to describe the romance of the Hero Detective!" Emma fiddled with a mechanical device by her ear before covering her mouth and laughing.

If I really am as amorous as the papers say, would you and Miss Fani still wish to return to the hotel last night?

Ebner retorted inwardly, but on the surface, he didn't continue with the topic. He forcefully changed the topic and said,

"First, I need a protective Beyonder item at Sequence 6. It can be used for at least two years, and the smaller the negative effects, the better… Of course, I'll pay for it. All you have to do is provide suitable items."

Upon hearing this request, Ema wiped away her smile and said thoughtfully, "Was it the 'mechanical doll' from last night that allowed you to infer that there was an Artisan backing Fani?"

Not only that, she had sold many Beyonder weapons at her teacher's gathering. She was long known as an Artisan proxy; otherwise, I wouldn't have taken the opportunity to make this request.

Despite having such thoughts, Ebner wasn't foolish enough to say what was on his mind. He only nodded and said, "Not only the mechanical dolls but there's also her backpack… I even feel that she might have an archbishop of the Church of Steam backing her."

"Ebner, your reasoning skills are indeed impressive. This is very close to the truth…"

Emma first sighed with emotion, then she pressed her fingers against the mechanical device by her ear, as if she was listening to something. Then, she continued with a smile, "Fani has already agreed. She said that she would help you find an item that meets the requirements as soon as possible… And you don't have to pay for it. This is to repay her for saving my life."

How embarrassed would that be? Although that was on his mind, he appeared amiable on the surface. He nodded without any reservations and smiled. "I'll wait for her good news then."

Emma was stunned for a moment, then she laughed and said, "Ebner, you really are different… Well, at least you're different from most gentlemen. If it were anyone else, even if they were willing, they would've hypocritically declined a few times, right?"

However, she wasn't disgusted by the ungentlemanly behavior of Ebner… To be precise, she was also such a person, out of place with the other noble ladies like her.

That's because you don't know Mr. Fool…

Ebner lampooned inwardly before mentioning his second request.

"The second thing is that I would like to trouble Miss Emma to help me read some information in the royal family's library…"

Upon hearing that, Emma frowned and asked, "Ebner, how can you be so sure that I'm qualified to enter the royal library? Do you know my identity?"

"I know a little… I'm friends with Miss Hazel," Ebner said in a rather vague manner.

"A friend who cut off her arm?" Miss Emma couldn't help but lampoon. Then, she said in disbelief, "Hazel actually mentioned me in front of you? I guess there must be nothing nice about it."

Lady, you sure are well-informed… Although it's not a secret that I severed Hazel's arm, there probably aren't many people who know the inside story…

Where did your information come from? The Psychology Alchemists? Or the Hermits of Fate?

However, from her personality and habits, she doesn't seem like a member of the Psychology Alchemists… And most importantly, she's not a Spectator.

Just as Ebner was making a guess, Miss Emma saw that he didn't reply and asked,

"What do you want me to read in the royal library?"

"Help me investigate the Lamud family's historical documents, as well as the secrets sealed by the royal family… Yes, this family obtained their aristocratic title through battle achievements at the end of the Fourth Epoch. They completely declined during the Battle of the Violated Oath." As Ebner spoke, he mentioned some of the information he had previously found to Ema, leaving only Mr. Azik's part in the conversation.

However, Emma's eyes grew brighter as she listened. When Ebner was done, she said in excitement, "Just listening to your description makes me feel that this family might be hiding some secrets. I can't wait to find out… In short, I agree with your request. I'm very interested in this matter now!"

After discussing the matter of repaying the debt, the topic naturally shifted to the transaction they hadn't completed the night before.

After some thought, Ebner felt that it wouldn't be a big problem telling the baronet the reason for building the mausoleum. After all, apart from the specific building and time needed for the so-called "awakening" ritual, the most important factor was still the descendants of the baronet. It would be useless even if the lady in front of him wanted to imitate her.

After hearing Ebner's recount, Miss Emma said in enlightenment, "So that's how it is. It's no wonder that someone would keep following a blueprint of a building for more than a thousand years… They should be the descendants of some existence… Is this a contingency plan of that existence's resurrection?"

Revival? That doesn't seem like it either. After all, the ritual was only a "door" that led to the Underworld. It didn't have the ability to revive…

Furthermore, there's a high chance that Jane has already entered that real mausoleum… No, Roselle might've entered earlier, but I haven't heard of any high-level existences of the Death pathway being resurrected as a result…

Of course, Ebner wouldn't tell Emma about this. He just added, "That baron must've encountered something unexpected while constructing the underground mausoleum. That's why he sealed himself up…"

Emma nodded thoughtfully and guessed, "It's very likely that there's something wrong with the ritual itself, making him hear or see information about high-level existences. Then, he's on the verge of losing control, so he has no choice but to seal himself."

And the truth is much more serious than you can imagine!

Just as Ebner was sighing to himself, he suddenly felt that the speed at which the Knowledge Keeper potion was being digested had greatly improved.

Is this knowledge I provided to Emma very helpful to her? Is this why the feedback I received speeding up her digestion?

As he thought of this, he stole a glance at Miss Emma who was on a tree branch opposite him. He realized that her face was filled with an obvious pleasant surprise.

Pleasant surprise? Did my words bring her a pleasant surprise? Could it be that her Cryptologist potion has also been partially digested as a result?

According to my previous analysis, "conservation" should be to tell suitable knowledge to someone who needs it, and to keep the "inappropriate" knowledge from them.

Emma has clearly "decrypted" my unconfirmed words and obtained some of the truth, so she has "digested" it…

And because of this knowledge, I received feedback from her?

Although I can't be sure, it's very likely… From the looks of it, not only are the Knowledge Keeper and Cryptologist similar in abilities, but they might also be able to work together when it comes to digesting potions…

After letting his imagination run wild, Ebner looked at the time and realized that it was already getting late. He ended his conversation with Miss Emma and jumped down from the tree.

No matter what, he had to take some time to get some prey back to complete his mission.

…

In a factory in the dock area, Mysticism Magister Stuart was describing to an old man with a black bonnet and abnormally stern silver eyes what he felt when he "retraced" the scene.

The elder was wearing a long robe embroidered with the symbol of Storm. He was none other than the Cardinal of the Church of Storms, the Archbishop of the Backlund diocese, Spellsinger of God, Ace Snake.

"Corruption… Full of malice…" Snake ruminated over the words described by Stuart and frowned.

It's normal for 1-025 to have malicious intent, but the aura of "degeneration"? Could it be that the cursed item believes in some evil god? Or was it corrupted by some evil god?

At this moment, an illusory door suddenly tore open in the air outside the factory. It was covered in complicated symbols.

The door opened silently, and a handsome man in a starched suit walked out. He was in his forties, mature and elegant.

He used his golden eyes to scan the hole in the top floor of the workshop before landing on the ground. He asked, "Did 1-025 appear here previously? Or did Mahmosi still not return to the Southern Continent?"

"Why are you here?" Snake asked in a deep voice.

"This is Backlund. A Grade 1 Sealed Artifact can even destroy most of the city. How can I not come? Besides, I think you need our military's help," the handsome man said with a smile.

Ace Snake didn't say a word when he heard that. He turned his gaze back to the outside of the workshop.

This was because an elder wearing a white priest robe and a clerical cap had walked in. His face was unusually kind, and his expression was calm and gentle.

And behind the elder were several members of the Machinery Hivemind. One of the men with a cut face held a silver mirror with ancient patterns.