Eldritch Horror Theatre

”I’ve never seen a transcendent item like this. To think it can even conceal the aura of divinity.”

In the spacious living room, Wehle scrutinized the mask on Fu Qian’s face, speaking with genuine astonishment.

”But logically, with an item like this, how could you still be—”

”Targeted by the Night Watchers, right? You can ask directly instead of beating around the bush.”

Fu Qian snorted.

”I’ve lived for almost two hundred years. A few special collectibles aren’t worth making a fuss over, are they?”

”And believe me, if I could wear this thing constantly without any side effects, very few people would ever see my face again.”

Fu Qian’s semi-transparent fingers lightly traced the mask.

”It originally belonged to a true Demigod. Just because it’s on my face now doesn’t mean its original owner’s consciousness has been completely eradicated.”

”On the contrary, wearing it for too long will cause me to be unknowingly corrupted by their will.””You wouldn’t want me to suddenly attack you without warning, would you?”

”And you, Marco.”

Fu Qian shot a cold glance at the uncanny man.

”Trust me, if that happens, I’ll turn you into a puppet before my will completely spirals out of control.”

...

Fu Qian’s current appearance, coupled with this threat, was undeniably murderous. The deterrent effect was ideal.

Hearing this, his old rival Marco actually remained stubbornly silent.

”Rest assured, I believe Crow Feather’s side will soon find a way to cure the Divine Blood Curse.”

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Wehle coughed lightly and took over the conversation.

”Will he personally treat me?”

Fu Qian asked directly, his tone lacking any discernible anticipation.

”We’ll only know after confirming with him.”

Wehle shook his head.

”Furthermore, the treatment might not require his personal touch. Don’t forget that the original Divine Blood Curse itself was nothing more than a Talisman.”

”I’m not surprised.”

Fu Qian snorted, offering a cold appraisal.

It seemed that, just as Camus had said, this Crow Feather was truly a mysterious figure.

He had organized this very operation, yet even Wehle, who acted as a sort of spokesperson, wasn’t certain he would actually show up.

...

”So how long do we have to wait for the others?”

There was no point in dwelling on it, so Fu Qian switched to another question.

”We don’t need to.”

This time, Wehle’s answer was quite firm.

”We don’t need to?”

Marco was visibly surprised and immediately interjected. It was clear this was his first time hearing of Wehle’s arrangement as well.

”Don’t tell me the people in this room are our entire crew?”

He raised his hand and pointed at Fu Qian.

”Not to mention we can’t even be sure if this guy still has any Combat Power.”

”Not exactly. I’ve already made advance arrangements for a portion of our personnel.”

Wehle smiled faintly.

”Today was primarily about waiting for you two. Considering your strength, I need to assign you special tasks.”

”Of course, Camus’s situation was indeed unexpected. I will figure out a way to resolve it as quickly as possible.”

”Our strength... so how many Demigods in total will be participating in this operation?”

Marco wasn’t so easily fooled and pressed the issue directly.

”There will be two Demigods.”

Wehle hesitated briefly before answering his question head-on.

”Are you joking? Don’t tell me it’s just you and Crow Feather?”

For a moment, Marco’s expression turned feral, his tone brimming with resistance.

”Here in Dunis, even disregarding the factions on good terms with the Night Watchers, their chief Chelfus is a Demigod himself. There are also several Quasi-Demigods, and now we have to account for that mysterious Demigod who injured Camus.”

”With them clearly on guard, this is simply a suicide mission!”

”Don’t panic.”

Wehle looked at the genuinely anxious Marco and pointed to the side.

”The Demigods are indeed just me and Crow Feather, but we have another helper...”

Another helper...

Marco followed Wehle’s gesture. A moment later, he spotted a tall figure draped in a robe.

This figure, who had appeared completely without a sound, walked right up to the three of them and pulled back his hood.

White-gold hair, a majestic countenance, and eyes that were clear and pure.

It was actually an acquaintance: Ariel.

’They even brought in a Divine Emissary? This operation was truly turning into something to look forward to!’

Fu Qian clicked his tongue in silent marvel.

Naturally, he was deeply impressed by this man—the highest combat power he had encountered so far.

And considering Ariel’s role as a tool of the Origin Council, it wasn’t surprising for him to appear in this kind of situation.

Although his mental state was somewhat unstable, his combat power was the real deal.

Especially since he could allow a True God to undergo a Descent upon himself with almost no side effects.

Fu Qian remembered the sun that had appeared before his eyes back then.

Ariel had likely arrived much earlier, simply waiting there without revealing himself.

Fortunately, as a professional seeking to avoid suspicion, Fu Qian had decisively reined in his perception upon entering, so he hadn’t triggered any unexpected reactions.

”Ariel!”

Having now gotten a clear look at the newcomer, Marco cried out in shock.

As a legendary Tier 2, Ariel was essentially two whole dimensions higher than Marco, causing the uncouth man’s imposing aura to instantly deflate.

”It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”

Ariel maintained his confident, composed demeanor, smiling as he greeted the two of them.

”Hello!”

Faced with a greeting from a Divine Emissary, Marco looked almost terrified, responding with solemn rigidity.

”Hello...”

Fu Qian’s posture was vastly different, his tone audibly perfunctory.

It wasn’t some rebellious streak acting up. Rather, for someone playing the role of a heavily injured man on the verge of losing control, being too affable would actually seem abnormal.

”Mr. Camus, I heard the questions you asked just now.”

Faced with Fu Qian’s dismissive greeting, Ariel’s expression remained unchanged, looking as though he didn’t mind at all.

”Unfortunately, due to my ability type, I currently have no way to help out.”

”It’s fine. I’ll just keep my expectations on Mr. Wehle’s end.”

’The Pope-Bestowed Mask is certainly effective!’

Fu Qian offered polite words on the surface, but his mind was on something else entirely.

What he had actually been concerned about was whether Ariel could pierce through the mask’s concealment and discover the real issue with his body.

The facts proved that the mask’s effects were truly powerful. Even a Divine Emissary, sitting a full tier higher, failed to spot any anomalies.

...

”So what exactly is the objective of our operation this time?”

After Ariel’s appearance, it was clear that Marco no longer harbored any doubts about their combat power.

But at the same time, he quickly realized another issue.

An operation that required the participation of a Divine Emissary and had gathered as much manpower as possible—no matter how he looked at it, it was a bit terrifying!

”The objective is very simple!”

Wehle looked back at Ariel.

”We are going to hunt Hamadus, the God of Clamor.”