After all, Old Ba never talks to you about power, wealth, or influence. He only spreads fear equally to everyone. Today, the power structure in the Imperial Capital is approaching stability, and two factions are engaged in a silent game of strategy. What they fear most is someone suddenly appearing out of nowhere to overturn the table.
The unknown witch who stole the forbidden book has great potential in this regard.
"If you want to know about the witch, I have an idea... Generally speaking, I don’t recommend anyone do this, because anyone who does will, in fact, become a follower of the Evil God."
Lindong scrutinized Ethan, feeling that his actions had long surpassed the limits of an Evil God’s follower. "Before the Red King was defeated, his rule lasted for nearly a hundred years. During this century, a corresponding civilization system emerged, including a method of praying to the Evil God compiled by Bloody Priestess Mary. To this day, it’s still a means for humans to communicate with the Evil God."
"’When you’re in despair, pray to the Great Heavenly Father, and He shall answer your call.’ This quote is from the evil scriptures, but in reality, it’s not the Evil God Bajatos who responds to the prayers, but the demons."
With the passage of time, transactions between humans and demons have formed a fairly mature industry chain. "The currency in human hands is their souls, and they can exchange their lifespan for wishes. When they decide to trade with demons, they summon the Apostle of the Evil God through this means. Generally, this ritual can’t summon the Evil God, but we can exploit its loopholes."
"If the Evil God you’re praying to doesn’t have an Apostle, He will personally respond to your prayer."
Ethan immediately thought of this name, a newly awakened Old God, forgotten by humans, and likely without any emissary yet.
Prayers to the Evil God will be directly heard by Them.
"I’ll go prepare the spell materials, and you wait for me near the warehouse on the mountain."
Leaving the town took Ethan quite some effort. Although the porcelain doll of the Choir was in the inn and hadn’t gone out, the various metal cats and dogs she brought along patrolled around the town. This is a form of unrecorded magical technology, seemingly also a source of confidence for the church.
As one of the founding contributors since the establishment of the Empire, their influence in the Imperial Capital is deeply rooted, and they should have mastered a lot of "ancient technology" that has been lost to time.
These magical creations didn’t interact with the town’s residents, and since they didn’t take the initiative to attack, the residents could endure their fear and maintain a sufficient distance, living in peace without conflict.
Lindong was gone for a long time. When the sky was completely dark, she brought the collected spell materials up the mountain.
A goat’s skull, a blood-stained church relic, and four red candles.
She drew a circular array on the ground, placed the red candles at the four corners of the array, set the goat skull in the center, and placed the blood-stained relic on top of the skull.
According to the Empire’s laws, anyone arranging such an array, regardless of the reason, would be considered an Evil God’s follower and burned to death.
She chanted an obscure incantation and said, "Now, use your Fireball Skill to ignite the relic."
The blood-stained relic ignited and turned to ashes in the blink of an eye. The burning flame conveyed into the skull’s eye sockets, and Lindong continued, "Close your eyes and imagine the name of an Evil God."
Ethan smelled a burnt odor and heard crackling sounds.
When he opened his eyes, a person wearing black pants and a double-breasted military uniform appeared in the center of the array.
Kane’s appearance had changed again, his hair meticulously groomed, shiny and black, and his demeanor was more mature than the last time they met, no longer displaying a reckless attitude.
He looked a bit puzzled, "Partner? I was watching a performance in the theater in Dark Furnace City, and it was at the most exciting part."
Ethan had anticipated this, offering a jar of warm Beast God stew with oat bread as the main course. After all, inviting someone over to gather information required some courtesy.
Kane seemed very pleased with this, a smile appearing on his face, "How did you know I hadn’t had time to eat?"
"What’s up with your outfit?"
Ethan couldn’t shake the feeling that the uniform looked somewhat familiar.
"It’s the latest trend in Dark Furnace City, modified based on the Kingdom Army’s uniform. The upper class loves wearing it , all thanks to you. With the Chief Priest and Count Jialan dead, people are anxious every day. During such times, all it takes is a little spark..."
Kane snapped his fingers, without elaborating further, and said, "You didn’t look for me just to treat me to a meal. Let me guess... is it about another God-chosen one?"
"She instigated a plague and a war in Ximu Town."
"A common competitive tactic, but not entirely directed at you. Instead of suppressing opponents, she seems more interested in Goxia’s followers."
"Because if she dies, the Golden Fleet will come over."
Kane said with interest, "What will happen next? Indiscriminate bombardments, flattening the entire Ximu Town, of course, you won’t just watch it happen. The royal family will lose their most important war weapon... then, what comes next won’t just be a gang of thieves."
"Sounds like your follower."
"I do fancy her, but her faith seems a bit dispersed. You know, I’m a person who values exclusivity."