Chapter 300: Rose School of Thought

Mr. Fool's Church? Lu Mian was both surprised and not so surprised by this answer.

He hadn't expected the Fool's Church to have a large number of Beyonders from the "Prisoner" pathway, but he felt that according to the descriptions in the scriptures, it wouldn't be strange to see people from any pathway appear.

Franca wore a smile and explained in detail:

"Actually, the 'Prisoner' pathway Beyonders of the 'Rose School of Thought' and those of Mr. Fool's Church were originally one family."

"They split up later?" Lu Mian tried to guess.

Franca gave a hum:

"The 'Rose School of Thought' is a very ancient organization. Its history spans over two thousand years, and it can even be traced back to before the Fourth Epoch, to before that Great Cataclysm."

A history of over two thousand years... Lu Mian was stunned for a moment.

When he learned that the "Iron and Blood Cross Order" was established two or three hundred years ago, he had smelled the scent of history and considered it ancient. But compared to the "Rose School of Thought," the "Iron and Blood Cross Order" was as young as a child who hadn't yet received compulsory education.

Franca continued:

"The 'Rose School of Thought' was originally an orthodox organization in the Southern Continent, ruling the Pas Valley and the Star Highlands in the form of a theocracy, until the nations of the Northern Continent invaded.

"They lost their kingdom and went underground, becoming secretive. On one hand, they resisted the colonists, attempting to drive them out of the Southern Continent; on the other hand, they frequently carried out terrorist incidents in the Northern Continent. Hehe, this didn't really have any effect on their resistance against the colonists; instead, it made the people of various countries hate them. Of course, their main purpose might not have been this; perhaps it was purely for blood sacrifices, for certain rituals."

"How did they split up later?" Lu Mian was more concerned about this question.

Franca walked two steps in the living room with a relaxed posture:

"There had been ideological differences within the 'Rose School of Thought' for a very long time. They all believed that will originates from various desires and can change reality to accomplish all sorts of incredible things, but they had different views on how to treat desire:

"Some believed in constantly indulging and burning desire, fanatically holding bloody or primitive sacrifices to increase their own will. Others started from the name of the potion, feeling that desire should be suppressed in the heart, constantly accumulated, and only erupted at critical moments to set off terrifying giant waves.

"Therefore, one side is called the 'Indulgence Faction,' and the other is the 'Temperance Faction.'"

"Prisoner"... After Lu Mian silently repeated the name of this Sequence 9 potion, he said thoughtfully:

"I think the 'Temperance Faction' is right."

"Anyone with a normal brain thinks so. After all, the body is the cage of the heart, the world is the cage of the body; madness must be bound, and desire needs to be suppressed," Franca said with a mocking tone. "But there are always people with abnormal brains. Indulging to the end, only madness will remain, and even their meager intelligence won't be preserved."

No wonder the "Werewolf" had that kind of performance... It seems he really is a member of the "Rose School of Thought"... If the brains of other members of the "Rose School of Thought" are similar to his, that actually proves they are powerful. After all, in the absence of intelligence, the only prerequisite for surviving to the present and maintaining basic vitality is that their strength is strong enough... Lu Mian turned over several thoughts, half-sarcastic and half-alert.

Franca looked at the gradually brightening sunlight outside the window and said:

"Initially, the 'Indulgence Faction' and the 'Temperance Faction' could barely coexist. You don't bother me, I don't interfere with you, and it doesn't affect those you protect. But later, the 'Indulgence Faction' began to claim that the 'God of Binding' worshipped by both factions was the incarnation of a certain evil god."

A certain evil god... indulging desire... Lu Mian suddenly frowned and asked as if seeking confirmation:

"The 'Mother Tree of Desire'?"

"Yes," Franca laughed. "Your acquaintance, no, your acquaintance-god."

No, I don't want to be acquainted with Her at all... The "Rose School of Thought" actually also worships the "Mother Tree of Desire." The reason that "Werewolf" investigated the Savare Party's intelligence seems more complicated than I speculated... Do the people of the "Blessing Society" have no connection with the "Rose School of Thought," or did they not share information in this regard? Lu Mian fell into deep thought.

Franca sighed sincerely:

"Those abilities involving desire are actually quite useful, but why can't they be used on the right path?"

"Who told you that's an evil god?" Lu Mian replied and warned his companion, "You'd better not think about trying it."

Franca laughed sheepishly:

"I can still distinguish which things can be tried and which cannot. I know more about the harm of evil gods than you do.

"Hmm, later on, the 'Indulgence Faction' raided the 'Temperance Faction' and severely damaged them. The remaining members of the 'Temperance Faction' fled in a sorry state and were hunted down for a long time until they received the protection of Mr. Fool.

"I heard that Lady Sharon of Mr. Fool's Church was once a member of the 'Temperance Faction,' and the 'Holy Spirit Angel' beside Mr. Fool's divine throne is also..."

To be able to make the "Temperance Faction" led by an angel be hunted down and flee in a sorry state, the strength of the "Indulgence Faction" is terrifyingly strong. They definitely have angels, and more than one... And Mr. Fool's Church can protect the "Temperance Faction"... After listening, Lu Mian had a rough grasp of the history of the "Rose School of Thought," had more confidence in the strength of the Fool's Church, and matched some names on the scriptures with big figures in reality.

At the same time, he also understood why the other holder of a Minor Arcana card, the "Knight of Swords," wanted to blow up the weapon warehouse of the "Rose School of Thought."

"Hehe, shouldn't it be called the 'Rose School of Thought' now? Wouldn't it be better to just call it the 'Indulgence School of Thought'?" Lu Mian mocked.

Franca responded amusingly:

"That sounds terrible, doesn't it? Do you think every secret organization is like the 'Iron and Blood Cross Order' and doesn't care about these things?"

The two had just chatted to this point when they heard the familiar footsteps of Jenna.

After Jenna opened the door, she was somewhat surprised to see Lu Mian there too.

"He encountered some things last night," Franca blurted out an explanation.

"What happened?" Jenna looked Lu Mian up and down but didn't find any signs of him being injured.

Franca briefly talked about the "Werewolf" and the "Rose School of Thought," omitting the part where she and Lu Mian had a deep relationship with the Fool's Church.

The more Jenna listened, the more frightened she became, feeling that as a Sequence 9, she was really nothing in the occult world.

This made her desire to become an "Instigator" as soon as possible even stronger.

After finishing the discussion, Franca added:

"I'll briefly talk about the situation of 'Zombies' and 'Wraiths' so that you don't rush in without knowing anything, or notice abnormalities without knowing there's a problem.

"The biggest change of a 'Zombie' compared to a 'Werewolf' is that the body is as hard as steel, unafraid of fire, bullets, and shells. You must hit the same spot more than five times in a row to have a chance to break their defense. And as 'Zombies,' they have no life-threatening danger as long as their heads aren't shattered.

"They also master some rot, frost, and death-type spells, capable of awakening ghosts and corpses to drive them.

"'Wraiths' can freely transform into ghosts, no longer having a physical body, so they aren't afraid of corresponding damage. Their spellcasting abilities are significantly improved, and they can forcibly possess you, controlling your bodies to make you kill yourselves.

"After entering the 'Wraith' state, they can also travel between different mirrors, using them to hide themselves. Even if you open your 'Spirit Vision,' there is almost no hope of seeing them directly.

"If you encounter similar haunting events, don't be careless; you must consider the possibility of involving a real 'Wraith'."

Lu Mian listened attentively and thought:

"Facing 'Zombies' and 'Wraiths,' are attacks targeting the spirit more effective?"

"Yes, I recommend abilities in the 'Sun' domain," Franca said with a soft laugh. "But I suggest that after you encounter similar enemies, run if you can, and if you can't, ask for help immediately."

Lu Mian never felt that shouting "help" was shameful. While expressing agreement, he proposed a new idea:

"They are all members of the 'Indulgence Faction.' Wouldn't it be better to use abilities that affect desire to deal with them?"

If so, the magical artifact made of "Shadow Branches" would come in handy.

—Lu Mian hadn't contacted Lady "Magician" yet, intending to wait until Mr. K gave the reward before deciding which domain's Beyonder characteristic to combine with the "Shadow Branches."

"Theoretically, yes, but it might produce the opposite effect," Franca specifically warned.

After exchanging questions about the "Rose School of Thought," Jenna talked about being recruited as an informant and providing intelligence on the Deep Valley Monastery.

Franca was sincerely happy for her:

"Not bad, this way you also have a fixed resource channel. But the official side is very strict about key items; you can't completely rely on them."

Lu Mian didn't expect Valentine to come to the Market District too, and he felt a certain worry about his lack of necessary disguise—the "Spectator Glasses" could only be used at critical moments.

He pondered for a moment and said to Jenna:

"Showing more of your piety to the 'Eternal Blazing Sun' in front of the 'Purifiers' will have unexpected gains."

"You seem to be very experienced," Jenna's eyes turned, feeling that this person, Charles, still had many secrets.

…………

After leaving 3 White Coat Street, Lu Mian walked back to the Wind Dance Hall as if taking a stroll.

The more he came into contact with those secret organizations, the more he felt the poverty of his occult knowledge.

After Lu Mian drank a glass of absinthe to refresh himself, he sat in his own office.

He had just intended to change to a more comfortable posture when he saw dots of starlight seeping out in front of him, forming a brilliant and dreamy gate.

The gate opened, and Lady "Magician" walked out. Today, she was wearing a cream-colored shirt, a brownish-yellow long skirt, and dark brown leather boots.

What's the matter? Lu Mian stood up at once.

Lady "Magician" smiled and said:

"The friend I mentioned earlier who helps you interpret symbolic elements has finished recent work and has a short vacation. I'm taking you to see him now."

Lu Mian responded with extreme joy:

"Okay!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 301 =====