Demoness of Afflictions

"What happened… that night? What did Leonardo have to do with you, Father?"

Ebner wasn't too interested in the incident of Bishop Utravsky being ambushed that night, but since this matter was connected to Dr. Leonardo, he had to figure it out.

Although he had cleaned up the traces when he left the doctor's house, who knew if the other party had more powerful reconnaissance or divination methods? This matter involved a high-level existence, so he couldn't help but be cautious.

Not to mention, Sheriff Fassin knew about the investigation at Dr. Leonardo's house. If someone really wanted to investigate, they would find out sooner or later.

Upon hearing this, Bishop Utravsky sighed and slowly said,

"Sigh, Leonardo is a believer of the Mother Goddess. More than ten years ago, when the previous Backlund diocese bishop was still around, he devoutly believed in the Mother Goddess."

"He's a Sequence 8 Doctor. After I came to Backlund, he helped me a lot. He even used his influence here to introduce me to many potential believers."

"More than a year ago, he said that he bought the potion formula for Harvest Sacrifice at a Beyonder gathering and successfully advanced to Sequence 7."

"At that time, my mental state wasn't very stable, so I didn't delve too deeply into what he said. Now that I think about it, there were signs then…"

"Last Saturday, he suddenly sent me a letter. He said that his devotion had finally moved Mother, that he had listened to the teachings and received divine revelation. The formula he received a year ago was actually a reward."

"At that time, I felt that something was wrong and wanted to go to his door to stop him. But on the way, I realized that some of the defensive rituals I had set up in the church were triggered."

"I hurriedly returned and found a figure sneaking out from the shadows of the cathedral. I hurriedly chased after him, but I stepped into the trap that he had carefully prepared.

"The other party knew my symptoms very well. He had prearranged a black magic ritual that affected my psyche and led me to degenerate… You know what happened after that. I did my best to break the trap and snatch away the other party's Sealed Artifact mask. However, due to the remnant powers of degeneration, my psyche worsened. Finally, with the blessings of Mother Goddess, I met you who happened to pass by."

After listening to the priest, Ebner nodded thoughtfully and asked, "Father, was it a Demoness who set up a trap to ambush you?"

"Demoness of Pleasure," Bishop Utravsky said with certainty.

"Did you see her true appearance?" Ebner frowned as a strange thought suddenly arose in his mind. This giant priest seemed to be very familiar with the Demoness?

Bishop Utravsky was prepared for Ebner's question. He handed him a sketch of a person that had been drawn with a ritual.

"Ma'am Ray… It's really her." After receiving it, Ebner immediately recognized the Demoness of Pleasure, who had previously planned on finding trouble with Xio.

"What Sealed Artifact did she steal? Is it convenient to tell me?" Ebner pressed again. Although he had some guesses previously, he still needed to confirm them.

"It's a Sealed Artifact formed from a syringe and container. When I obtained it, I didn't know its name, nor did I think of naming it after it. It can allow the user to draw out a tube of his blood first, and at the critical moment, it can be infused back. This way, the fatigue will disappear, and the illness and injuries will be reduced. The strength, speed, balance, and other aspects will be temporarily enhanced." Bishop Utravsky didn't hide anything as he answered in detail.

As expected, it's this Sealed Artifact… Ebner nodded secretly. Then, after some thought, he looked up at Bishop Utravsky and said, "Do you think this Sealed Artifact is needed for the Demoness of Afflictions advancement ritual? Pain… I guess I have to experience pain myself before giving others pain and illness."

Upon hearing this, Bishop Utravsky thought for a moment before shaking his head. "The Sealed Artifact's effects aren't enough…"

That's not enough… Father, why are you so familiar with the advancement ritual of a Demoness Sequence 5?! Has this ever happened before?

Ebner lampooned and suddenly had an idea. He thought of the lady with the complicated tattoo on her back and Mr. Leonardo kissing her. He asked again,

"Then, what about a Harvest Priest that has been corrupted by a high-level existence and has mutated vitality and strange powers?"

Upon hearing this, Bishop Utravsky, who had his eyes lowered, widened his dark blue eyes, and his expression turned serious. After a long while, he said, "It should meet the requirements of the ritual… However, there might be some problems with the advancement of the Demoness of Agony… I have to report this to the Holy Cathedral."

How many Demonesses were normal? There was probably something wrong with every one of them! Even Vice Admiral Ailment… Tracy, who was still a Young Lady Ailment, was only slightly more human.

As for corruption, that was even less of an issue. Although he couldn't recall the source of the corruption, such indirect corruption was likely similar to the Rose School of Thought's indulgent faction. It was just that their beliefs and personalities were distorted.

Compared to the priest's nervousness, Ebner heaved a sigh of relief. This was because there was at most a newly promoted Demoness of Afflictions behind this matter. This Demoness of Agony was very likely to be Ma'am Ray whom he wanted to deal with.

Thanks to Teacher's arrangements and guidance, this Demoness currently doesn't have any help other than relying on some members of MI9. Furthermore, she's currently on the wanted list of the three Churches, especially the Church of the Lord of Storms. She doesn't dare to easily reveal herself, so she won't be able to quickly find out what I previously investigated…

At the same time, Ebner was once again determined to get rid of this demoness. If she were allowed to continue growing, she would definitely find out what her teacher and herself had done to harm the world, not to mention how corrupted and twisted her personality would be.

After Ebner regained his senses, he saw that Bishop Utravsky was already busy contacting the Holy Cathedral in a special way, so he tactfully bade farewell and left.

As for the matter of outsourcing this case to the Church of Earth Mother, there was actually a tacit understanding. Ebner had read the original novel and knew that the Church of Earth Mother had a complete set of processing mechanisms for the so-called "divine revelation". Since the priest had already reported it to the Holy Cathedral, even if that Dr. Leonardo was still alive, his future fate was most likely to be imprisoned under the cathedral.

But as Ebner started out the door, something occurred to him and he turned back inside the church.

Bishop Utravsky, who had just contacted the Holy Cathedral, didn't show any surprise when he saw him return. He calmly asked, "Child, is there anything else?"

"I'm trying to ask if those pregnant women who are pregnant because of Leonardo… and the baby they're carrying will have any problems?" Ebner thought about how nervous Sergeant Fassin was about having a second child and wished he had a good answer.

Perhaps because he had unsealed the gold coin and was rather lucky, Bishop Utravsky replied calmly, "Most of it doesn't matter. That's the power of the Mother Goddess's normal domain. Only pregnant women who are pregnant because of that bottle of perfume are more difficult. After the perfume is purified by the Mother Goddess, it will lose the augmentation of the strange power, and it might result in miscarriage. It will require the help of a physician or apothecary to have a chance of preserving the fetus."

I heard that Sergeant Fassin's wife was in a bad condition. It could be because of that bottle of perfume… Ebner thought for a moment and thought that he might be able to introduce the sergeant to Darkwill… Of course, he had to get the chubby Apothecary's approval first.

After receiving the answer he wanted, Ebner bade the priest farewell once again and left the Harvest Church in satisfaction.

He quickly took the subway back to the rented apartment in East Borough. Then, he sealed the room with his spirituality, preparing to pray to Mr. Fool.

…

Tingen City, inside a terrace house at 2 Daffodil Street.

Klein, who had just returned home from combat training, felt sore all over. He sat on the sofa in a very inelegant manner and casually picked up today's newspaper.

Then, he immediately saw Lanevus's wanted poster.

"He actually swindled more than ten thousand pounds… How detestable!" Klein condemned angrily before seriously memorizing the appearance of the great swindler who was wanted by the three Churches.

He had a full forehead, black hair, and brown eyes. He wore glasses that were almost round, and the corners of his mouth were slightly raised. He seemed to be mocking everyone…

Apart from the pair of glasses, Lanevus didn't have any obvious characteristics. He was very ordinary. Klein lampooned inwardly. Just as he was about to flip open the second page of the newspaper, his spirituality suddenly stirred as though he heard an illusory voice.

Someone is praying to me? Who is it? The Tower or The Hanged Man? Is he preparing to take leave on Tuesday?

Klein walked into the bathroom with a belly full of question marks. Then, he took four steps counterclockwise and boarded the gray fog amidst his screams and murmurs.

The moment he entered the towering temple, Klein saw a familiar crimson star contracting and expanding. It wasn't large, but it was persistent.

"Is it Tower praying?" Klein pondered for a moment before carefully spreading his spirituality towards the dark red.

The moment the two came into contact, his mind buzzed as he saw a blurry and distorted scene. He heard an illusory and overlapping prayer:

"The Fool that doesn't belong to this era;

"You are the mysterious ruler above the gray fog;

"You are the King of Yellow and Black who wields good luck."

"I pray for your help."

"I pray for your blessing."

"I beg you to listen to my description of the Sealed Artifact, Clown Mask…"

Klein watched this scene with his mouth agape as he muttered to himself, "What's going on? Is this promotion?"