Deep within the black hills stretching for a hundred miles, bordering the Hornacis mountain range and the central plateau of the Northern Continent, a dense, negative force surged.
Aaron and Astolfo stepped out from the depths of the vibrant Spirit World, and immediately, a patch of red scales materialized before them in the void, shimmering under the moonlight.
After absorbing the immense Yin power, they reformed into a colossal, ethereal gate formed by a pair of gigantic bat wings, inscribed with numerous mysterious symbols.
Without much hindrance, Aaron smoothly entered the "Moon Country" and saw the three Sanguine Dukes awaiting him, as well as Alvin Gallows, who was recovering in the "Specter Empire."
The leader of the Royal Guards, His crimson pupils flickered violently. As an Ancient Bane of the same Pathway, He was all too familiar with the aura of an Abomination. The thorny wasteland, born from the demise of the Mutant King not far away, also began to stir restlessly.
Sensing the various anomalies He had caused, Astolfo quickly suppressed the curse aura that was unconsciously emanating from Him, restraining His madness and desires. Aside from the pressure originating from His spiritual level, He hardly seemed like an Abomination at all.
The Angels present, more or less, knew some of Astolfo's background, so Aaron did not introduce Him further. He quickly informed the Sanguine Dukes about the intelligence that Barranca, the "King of Curses," had seemingly forcefully advanced to Beauty Goddess.
As a blood descendant of Auernia, Duke "Crescent Moon" Jorna, who became an Angel in the Fifth Epoch, reacted most intensely. The other two ancient Sanguine also felt an indescribable anger and humiliation.
Looking at the reactions of the three Sanguine, Aaron and Astolfo exchanged glances, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes, and immediately asked in a deep voice:
"You had no premonition at all?"
As an Angel of the Moon Pathway, a Sequence 1 was born in their own Pathway, yet they were completely unaware!
Was this a special case of forced advancement across Pathways, or did the Mother Tree of Desire or the Mother Goddess of Depravity intervene?
Although there was no concrete evidence, Aaron still leaned towards the latter possibility. If not for using the curse against Astolfo to glimpse the distorted Beauty Goddess in reverse, He might have been ambushed at an unknown time.
Liana, the "Purple Moon," the most ancient of them, who had followed Lilith and survived the Great Cataclysm to this day, shook Her head with a cold expression, evidently already aware of what this implied.
Astolfo, standing behind Aaron, suddenly tilted His head slightly, as if sensing something, and whispered in a hoarse voice:
"That Manipulator has already fallen!"
"That quickly?" Aaron nodded slightly, not surprised by this outcome, just a little surprised by Astolfo's efficiency.
For Him now, describing a Sequence 4 demigod as a somewhat stronger ant might be an exaggeration, but in reality, it was not far off.
Aaron was unsure whether Hvin Rambis's constant use of virtual personalities against Audrey was due to the "Pride" mask corroding Him too severely, or if it was Adam's inducement.
But now, He had the confidence to overturn the table, so He didn't care about these things.
Dismissing this trivial matter from His mind, seeing the three Sanguine Dukes opposite Him fall into a strange silence, Aaron wisely did not press further.
After roughly understanding the abilities of the Beauty Goddess as recorded by the Sanguine, He then left the Moon Country with Alvin Gallows and Astolfo.
"You two go to the Abyss of Ferrying in the Southern Continent first. Your former Blessed, Reinette Tinekerr, and the Temperance Faction that has been secretly developing during this time, are now both in the 'City of the Dead.'"
Sensing Astolfo's surprise, and remembering that this Abomination had been dormant ever since the great battle at the War of the Gods Ruins, Aaron briefly explained the current ownership of the former Numinous Episcopate altar.
After informing them of the correct way to enter Manuel, Aaron nodded and then entered the Spirit World first, heading south of the Central Plateau, towards Feynapotter City, the capital of the Feynapotter Kingdom.
Going directly to the Astral World to find the Earth Mother's Divine Kingdom was indeed the most convenient option, but the previous impact of the Mother Tree of Desire on the Astral World undoubtedly made the Gods' monitoring of the Astral World even stricter.
In contrast, going directly to the Church of the Earth Mother Headquarters was the safest choice.
Before even approaching the corresponding Spirit World area, Aaron voluntarily stopped, His expression somewhat surprised as He looked ahead. Verdant green vines snaked through colorful patches.
At the center of the dense vitality, a slender figure emerged, wearing a triple crown, exuding a distinctly withered and desolate aura, and with Her face obscured by a light veil.
Even without seeing Her face, this attire instantly reminded Aaron of the Pontiff He had seen in the Church of Life, the Church of the Earth Mother Headquarters: Matriarch Roland!
The verdant, pupil-less eyes subtly shifted, and this Angel, who seemed to be specifically waiting there, spoke first:
"The Mother Goddess has sent down an oracle. She is already aware of the matter concerning the Beauty Goddess!"
"She neither reminded me to pay attention to anything, nor made any further arrangements…." Aaron was stunned for a moment. After confirming again that this was the only part of the conveyed oracle, His brows furrowed involuntarily.
Looking at the contemplative Aaron, Matriarch Roland calmly added:
"I have already clarified the situation you inquired about earlier. The Great Bishop of the Church of the God of Combat and the Hand of Order from the Castiya family did not reach a consensus on the distribution of benefits, and therefore did not sign a contract."
Suppressing the chaotic thoughts in His mind, a smile involuntarily appeared on Aaron's face. This was an unexpected gain!
Without the help of the Castiya family, to completely resolve the Pirate Kingdom, which had several Angels, the Church of the God of Combat would probably have to use the Trunsoest Brass Book.
Compared to a complete Hand of Order, although the Trunsoest Brass Book's rank was higher, for Him, who controlled the Nation of Disorder, the latter was easier to deal with. In other words, the time required to suppress and withdraw from the battlefield would be shorter.
After all, this was equivalent to snatching something under the God of Combat's gaze. With that fellow's fiery temper, if He discovered His true target was the Trunsoest Brass Book, He would definitely descend.
Matriarch Roland, who had severely backstabbed the Church of the God of Combat, removed the isolation around Her, did not linger, and quickly departed the Spirit World.
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A steam train, spewing thick smoke and sparks, sped along accompanied by occasional whistles. In the middle of the train, in a specially modified, more comfortable and luxurious carriage, Audrey quietly gazed out the window.
Due to the tense situation, all airships native to the Northern Continent, except for the one exclusively for the royal family, were deployed along the border. Even with the Church of Evernight intervening, only one modified steam train was added.
Currently, outside the train window was a city simultaneously traversed by the Khoy River and the Tussock River. It was Tingen City, known as the City of Universities, and also the upcoming supply point.
And after Tingen City was replenished with sufficient fuel and food, this exclusive steam train would no longer stop, heading directly to Stone City in East Chester County.