Chapter 498: Zaratul, Pallez, and Amon
Chapter 498: Zaratul, Pallez, and Amon
"You want to seal me within the history of the Fourth Epoch?
How naive."
Zaratul returned to the history of the Fourth Epoch, a mocking smile playing on his lips as he watched the slowly but clearly approaching historical mist.
"Only a Sequence 0 Fool could completely seal themselves within history. This historical mist alone doesn't have that capability."
What he feared was not the mist itself, but the stars hidden beyond it.
Even if the stars had their own followers, the strongest among them couldn't surpass Sequence 2. To think they could seal someone as adept at manipulating history as himself was laughable.
"If you want to seal me, go ahead."
Zaratul's thoughts turned quickly as he devised a plan. Since the stars wanted to block his path, he wouldn't take unnecessary risks. Instead, he would let them seal that part of history while he sent a clone and a puppet to bypass the historical mist and head to the Forsaken Land of the Gods in the real world to secretly investigate the final extraordinary characteristic of the Secret Servant.
In this way, the seal from the stars would indirectly become his first layer of protection.
Having made up his mind, Zaratul quickly split off a Sequence 2 clone and a Sequence 3 Silent Disciple puppet.
Under his cover, the clone and puppet successfully bypassed the historical mist and returned to the real world.
It was night when Zaratul's clone changed his appearance and attire, a process that took only an instant. The stars in the sky and the crimson moon made him uneasy. He walked along the road, never looking up at the sky.
"Is it my imagination, or has the power of the stars strengthened since I last left?"
When he encountered a group of Yellow-robed Monks praying to the King in Yellow, this feeling grew even stronger.
Upon his return to the real world, Zaratul learned through his secret channels about the current state of the Secret Order.
The infiltration by the Yellow-robed Monks had left the Secret Order in shambles.
However, he also learned an important piece of information: Amon's true body was not in the Forsaken Land of the Gods!
He had been driven out by a mysterious figure.
"This is a good opportunity, but Amon is cunning. This could be a deliberate ploy to mislead me and Pallez."
Zaratul didn't head to the Forsaken Land immediately. Instead, he decided to verify the information first before secretly making his way there.
To find out if Amon's true body was in the Forsaken Land, there was a simple method: spread a rumor about Pallez.
Even though he didn't know where Pallez was hiding, spreading a believable rumor wasn't difficult.
The best place to deceive Amon would be somewhere with the secrecy provided by the night.
Backlund was a good choice, as it also housed the followers of the stars.
"Last time, my little diviner who entered the misty town should also be in Backlund."
"Heh, let's spread the word that Pallez Zoroast is hiding in Backlund."
With this plan in mind, Zaratul glanced at his puppet and assigned him the task.
He then headed to the vicinity of the Forsaken Land, waiting for the right moment to enter.
---
Backlund
The news that Pallez Zoroast was hiding in Backlund soon reached the Church of the Night.
When Leonard heard this from Archbishop Anthony at St. Samuel's Cathedral, he was stunned.
"Didn't the old man say he was well hidden? How did someone guess his location so suddenly?"
After leaving the cathedral, Leonard tried multiple times to discuss a plan with the old man but received no response.
"It seems we can't avoid this." After a long silence, Pallez's voice finally spoke within Leonard, tinged with resignation.
"Old man, don't worry. The rumor came from the Rose School of Thought, and its truth is uncertain. Besides, why would Amon come to Backlund so easily?" Leonard tried to comfort him, though he was equally anxious.
"You don't understand. The truth of the rumor doesn't matter; it's the symbolic significance that's important." Pallez sighed. "Amon will come, and it will be his true body. The only question is when."
"Symbolic significance?"
"At this point in time, such a rumor symbolizes a change in my fate."
Perhaps sensing Leonard's confusion, Pallez gave a simple example.
"Imagine a random person walking down the street, not interacting with anyone or doing anything. Suddenly, someone shouts, 'That person is a thief!'
"Do you think the person's fate will change, even if just a little?"
"That's so unfair!" Leonard cursed. "Why would the Rose School of Thought spread such a rumor?"
"It's not the Rose School of Thought." Pallez was certain. "It could be Adam or some other old entity trying to use me to attract Amon's attention or to bait him."
"If it's Adam, I won't escape Amon's grasp." Pallez said worriedly.
"Is there a difference?"
"Heh, he claims to see the tides of the era. Perhaps he has seen my fate in future history and is using the Rose School of Thought to spread this rumor now."
"These brothers are so troublesome!" Leonard complained, feeling a headache.
"They've always been envied and hated."
"So, old man, are you planning to leave Backlund?"
"What are you thinking? If I leave Backlund now, Amon will catch me immediately. You don't think Amon will get this news later than your Church of the Night, do you?"
Leonard had to agree. "So, what should we do now? I don't want you to become Amon's meal."
"What else can we do? Find a powerful backer."
"Isn't the Goddess enough to protect you?"
"If you were a recognized follower of the Night Goddess, perhaps she could save me."
Leonard fell silent, feeling guilty for dragging Pallez into this.
"Don't trust the mercy of gods. Remember that." Pallez advised.
"Old man, who do you plan to seek help from?"
"The Stars and the Fool." Pallez answered decisively. "We worked together against Amon last time, so at least they don't like him."
"But why would they help you?"
"That's a good question."
Feeling like he had stabbed Pallez in the heart, Leonard chose to stay silent for the rest of the journey.
---
In the study of the Queen's District, Hastur personally received Leonard. After hearing Leonard's account, Hastur's first reaction was that Zaratul was behind the rumor.
He had seen Zaratul secretly send a clone and a puppet to bypass the historical mist set by the Stars' Vessel and return to the real world.
At that time, the Stars' Vessel needed to block the portal to the Fourth Epoch's history and couldn't deal with the clone and puppet, so Hastur let them leave.
Now it seemed that Pallez was caught in the crossfire.
But Hastur wouldn't reveal this to Pallez. Pallez needed the help of the Stars and the Fool, and this could also help him bait Amon.
"If you stay in St. Samuel's Cathedral, can Amon still find you easily?" Hastur asked, not immediately agreeing to help.
"If the Night Goddess is willing to protect me, Amon will have a hard time finding me."
Given the gravity of the situation, Pallez spoke directly to Hastur instead of using Leonard as a medium.
"It seems you've been abandoned." Hastur remarked, glancing at Leonard. "No wonder Zaratul's important clone could leave the Night Goddess's misty town last time."
"Zaratul..." Pallez muttered, his tone turning cold. "It must be that bastard using my information to attract Amon's attention!"
"He wants to enter the Forsaken Land!"
"Impatient to find the last extraordinary characteristic of the Secret Servant. It seems he's under a lot of pressure too."
With Hastur's hint, Pallez quickly pieced together the truth.
"Amon isn't someone who can be easily tricked, right?" Leonard's eyes brightened.
"No, Amon will give Zaratul a chance to enter the Forsaken Land."
Leonard's eyes dimmed again.
"The tide has turned. It seems I can't escape this fate."
Seeing the bigger picture, Pallez felt the future was inevitable.
Zaratul, Adam, and Amon working together, whether intentionally or not, had set the stage.
Staying in Backlund might offer a slim hope, but any other path led to being devoured by Amon.
"Old man, don't be so pessimistic. The Fool and the Stars can still help you, right?" Leonard urged.
"You don't understand. The symbolic significance is more accurate than the actual events. I've already seen my future."
Facing Pallez's almost despairing tone, Hastur smiled. "Do you know what Backlund is also called?"
"It's called the City of Hope."