Chapter 891: The Witch Cult

Facing Lu Mi's question, the "Magician" lady hesitated for several seconds before speaking.

"Whether investigating the state of the 'Primordial Witch,' exploring the deepest secrets of the special mirror world, uncovering the nature of the self within mirrors, or deciphering the secret of the 'Eternal Witch's' resurrection and rebirth, none of these can be done without the Witch Cult.

"These are equally important to you now.

"Therefore, my suggestion is to let 'Holy Grail Two' continue contacting the Witch Cult, while you remain hidden in the shadows, ready to prevent any accidents.

"The Witch Cult has likely already suspected the origin and intentions of 'Holy Grail Two,' but I'm uncertain what measures they'll take—if they intend to use 'Holy Grail Two' to accomplish certain goals, we can exploit this arrangement to spy on the secrets of the Witch Cult and the special mirror world, while also acquiring subsequent resources of the 'Witch' Path; if they plan to eliminate the threat and dispose of 'Holy Grail Two,' you must act immediately, rescue 'Holy Grail Two' without delay, and the Witch Cult's mission ends there.

"This is indeed a matter of considerable risk—both 'Holy Grail Two' and you have the right to refuse."

Lu Mi listened intently, then smiled slightly:

I believe the Witch Cult won't do anything to Flanca for now—more likely, they intend to use her. Otherwise, during the divine descent in the underground necropolis of Morola, Zhu Li wouldn't have thrown me out of the special mirror world. And after I achieved my goal, obtained the 'Black Tear,' and returned from Morola, the 'Black Witch' wouldn't have been so easily brushed off by Flanca.

The "Magician" lady gave a barely perceptible nod:

"If this isn't the arrangement of that one, it means the 'Primordial Witch' also wishes for a remarkable individual—hidden with the hope of Tu Duo's resurrection and closer than Her to the apex forces of the two Catastrophe Paths—to grow according to what is currently believed to be the most correct path, to fulfill a purpose vital and critical to Her."

Lu Mi curled his lips in self-deprecation:

"One way to oppose a true god's arrangement is to place yourself within the plans of another or several true gods, whether those plans are good or bad."

"It's the same principle as balancing contamination," the "Magician" lady shook her head and smiled. "But remember, before the 'Fool' awakens, no true god can rival that one in arranging this matter—not even if several Sequence 0 true gods unite. Of course, this can still interfere with and influence that one's arrangements, giving you a chance to detect anomalies in time or even ahead of time."

Lu Mi nodded solemnly:

Regardless of whether Flanca continues the Witch Cult's mission, I will follow up on this matter. Lady, can you tell me more about the Witch Cult? The 'Black Witch' only reveals a tiny fraction to Flanca each time.

The "Magician" lady spoke with a tone of approval:

"You've truly developed the capability and mindset to independently manage a domain. If the 'Fool' awakens, you are fully qualified to draw a Major Arcana card."

"From now on, matters concerning the Witch Cult fall under your responsibility. If you need assistance or wish to mobilize resources from other Major Arcana cards, feel free to seek me or the 'Judgment' at any time."

"Well, because the 'Eternal Witch' can resurrect and be reborn, she is extremely difficult to kill permanently, remains eternally youthful, and can live for countless years—longer than the lifespans of many Path angels. So, excluding Sequence 4's 'Despair Witch,' if we consider only the accumulated, currently living Sequence 3 and Sequence 2 remarkable individuals, the Witch Cult has more members than any single true god's church."

"In this regard, only the bloodline race, whose lifespan is similarly long, can rival them—but even they fall slightly short."

Of course, the higher-tier forces of true god churches are largely contained within Class '0' and Class '1' sealed artifacts and holy relics. In the event of major disasters, these artifacts and relics can, to some extent, function as the corresponding higher beings, and many can be smoothly converted into remarkable traits that rapidly strengthen reserve forces.

Lu Mi recalled and said:

"According to the 'Black Witch,' at Sequence 3, one can name oneself by color—there are thirteen such 'Color Witches' in total."

"Among them, four are angels—Sequence 2 angels. In this regard, the Witch Cult falls short of true god churches, because their high-ranking members must be 'Witches'; no angels from other Paths are allowed. True god churches, however, can create Sequence 1 archangels by using Class '0' sealed artifacts or other Path Sequence 1 remarkable traits," the "Magician" lady elaborated.

"Why can't there be a Sequence 1 'Witch'?" Lu Mi asked, puzzled.

The "Magician" lady chuckled:

"What I'm about to reveal is one of the most esoteric truths of the highest level of the Divine Path."

"Each Path possesses its own unique singularity; occupying and accommodating singularity is key to becoming a true god—but not the only condition. A true Sequence 0 also requires the support of all three Sequence 1 remarkable traits of the Path. Thus, with the 'Primordial Witch' as Sequence 0, there cannot be a Sequence 1 'Doom Witch'—only a Sequence 2 'Catastrophe Witch.'

"Similarly, true god churches cannot have archangels corresponding to their own deity's Sequence 1—except for certain Paths with special abilities."

Lu Mi suddenly understood, then asked sharply:

"I cannot ascend to Sequence 1 of the 'Witch' Path and become the 'Doom Witch' unless the 'Primordial Witch' perishes first?"

"Yes," the "Magician" lady specifically warned, "There is only one remaining Sequence 1 remarkable trait of the 'Hunter' Path. The 'Red Angel' has already claimed two—that's why He can reclaim His title as King of Angels."

"What defines a King of Angels? Is it possessing multiple Sequence 1 remarkable traits or accommodating singularity?" Lu Mi had previously understood the concept of King of Angels, but today he grasped its true meaning for the first time.

The "Magician" lady nodded:

"Yes—whether possessing two Sequence 1 remarkable traits, three Sequence 1 remarkable traits, accommodating singularity, singularity plus one Sequence 1 trait, or singularity plus two Sequence 1 traits, all are Kings of Angels.

Only my master, Mr. 'Door,' is a King of Angels formed by singularity plus three Sequence 1 remarkable traits. But He used His sealing authority to resist the tendency toward aggregation. Without this, placing three Sequence 1 traits and singularity within a single remarkable individual would cause them to instantly coalesce—the host would either immediately ascend to godhood, go berserk, or die outright.

No wonder Mr. 'Door' was the top noble of the Tu Duo Empire… Lu Mi, unable to hide his concern, asked:

"Where is the last remaining Sequence 1 remarkable trait of the 'Hunter' Path?"

Has the 'Red Angel' Medici almost secured it?

"Rumors say it's with the 'Primordial Witch,'" the "Magician" lady did not conceal this intelligence. "And according to legend, it was the 'Black Witch' Clarice who delivered that Sequence 1 remarkable trait to the 'Primordial Witch.'"

Lu Mi nodded thoughtfully.

The "Magician" lady continued her introduction of the Witch Cult:

"Besides the 'Gray Witch' Judith, the Witch Cult has three Sequence 2 'Catastrophe Witches': the 'Yellow Witch,' the 'Blue Witch,' and the 'Purple Witch.'

"There are currently nine Sequence 3 'Eternal Witches.' Besides the 'Black Witch' and the 'Blue Witch' you know, there are also White, Crimson, Silver, Green, Gold, Brown, and Orange…"

After listening, Lu Mi keenly noticed a problem:

"Trill, within the special mirror world, should be one of the most important regions in the Witch Cult's eyes—yet they haven't assigned a 'Catastrophe Witch' to oversee it; all affairs are entrusted solely to the 'Black Witch'…"

That's unusual.

Or perhaps one of the 'Yellow,' 'Blue,' or 'Purple' 'Catastrophe Witches' is hiding in Trill?

"Moreover, it's only the Sequence 3 'Black Witch' who is entrusted with safeguarding the Sequence 1 remarkable trait of the 'Hunter' Path and delivering it to the 'Primordial Witch' through sacrifices—never a 'Catastrophe Witch.' Didn't the Witch Cult worry at the time that the 'Black Witch' lacked the rank and power to handle such a task without mishap?" the "Magician" lady reminded Lu Mi of another overlooked detail.

After further exchanging information on the Witch Cult, the "Magician" lady glanced at the completely darkened sky and said:

Tomorrow, Mr. 'Sun' will send someone to take you to the Twin Towers to review the Silver City's records on Oumibela's remains and to interact with that Class '0' sealed artifact.

"Afterward, when you return to Trill is up to you."

"Yes, 'Magician' lady," Lu Mi replied, watching the Major Arcana holder dissolve into specks of starlight and vanish before his eyes.

…………

Night.

Flanca paced in the living room, muttering to herself:

"Why hasn't Lu Mi returned yet?"

It's just a report and intelligence exchange with the 'Magician' lady, right?

It's been so long already!

Jianna was also worried; she walked to the window and gazed out at the street.

Suddenly, her gaze froze.

"There," she pointed to the top of the bell tower attached to the 'Fool' Church.

Flanca hurried over and saw, on the tower's edge—where no railing existed—a woman seated, draped in a black cloak, with a few strands of black hair falling, her features delicate and refined, her face both majestic and radiant.

It was Lu Mi.

At that moment, Lu Mi sat there, legs dangling over the edge, his gaze quietly fixed below.

Flanca and Jianna exchanged glances, then swiftly made their way to the 'Fool' Church and climbed the bell tower.

Seeing Lu Mi's back, they did not immediately ask questions; instead, they remained silent, each stepping to one side, following his line of sight to observe what he was intently watching.

There were massive buildings glowing with dim yellow lights in the dark night, various mushrooms faintly visible in the glow of streetlamps, giant and half-giant silhouettes behind glass windows, raised wine cups, curling wisps of smoke, songs from the nearby square, noise spilling from taverns, and faint laughter and merriment from within different homes.

ps: Thank you to sfqk for the Silver Alliance donation~

(End of Chapter)