The Cycle of Fate

Chapter 162: "Pleasure"

"Only death is eternal?

Lumian and Jenna didn't quite understand what they saw and heard, so they both turned their gaze to Franca.

Franca watched as Salient finished his ritual and prayer, leaving the basement door. The scene in the mirror returned to darkness, ending the divination. She pondered for a moment before saying, "It seems like he's from the 'Spirit Order.'"

"Spirit Order?" Lumian had seen the name of this secret organization in Aurore's witchcraft notes. He knew its origins were tied to the royal family of the Southern Continent's Bayam Empire and followers of the ancient "Death God." Their goal seemed to be to awaken or resurrect the Death God and expel the colonizers to restore the Bayam Empire.

Since Aurore's knowledge of the Spirit Order was quite broad but lacked detailed information on famous figures or prayer methods, Lumian didn't know much more.

"Spirit Order?" Jenna didn't hide her lack of knowledge on the subject.

Franca gave a brief explanation of the Spirit Order, which was mostly consistent with what Lumian knew.

In conclusion, she said, "On the Southern Continent, the Spirit Order holds a position similar to the 'Rosicrucians,' but they rarely perform blood sacrifices or cause terror. My impression of them isn't too bad. Of course, any secret organization involving faith will inevitably hold rituals, and the Spirit Order, trying to revive the Death God, is no exception. Such rituals always require sacrifices.

"Well, the current leader of the Spirit Order is a demigod known as the 'Pale Queen.'"

"The Pale Queen?" If the Spirit Order's power is comparable to the Rosicrucians, the Pale Queen is likely an angel... Lumian rubbed his temples, too exhausted to think further.

Jenna, however, looked curiously in the direction of the Highland Elixirs shop and asked, "That shopkeeper is Intisian. Why would he join the Spirit Order?"

The Spirit Order's philosophy is to expel colonizers and restore the Bayam Empire, and Intis is one of the colonizers occupying Western Bayam.

If Salient were someone like Jenna, a commoner living in Trier with no clear grasp of colonial benefits, his sympathy might explain joining the Spirit Order. However, Salient had lived in the Southern Continent for over a decade, reaping numerous benefits from his Intisian identity, so opposing a system that favored him seemed baffling.

Franca mumbled, "Who knows? There could be many reasons—perhaps he was captured and forced to convert, or controlled by occult forces. Maybe he was enticed by benefits and gradually got in too deep, eventually becoming a devout believer. Or maybe he was once saved by a 'Death God' follower and slowly changed his perspective.

"Whatever the case, having a true Northerner run a secret elixirs shop in the Star Highlands, selling mummies and acting as a spy, is pretty clever. It makes him less suspicious."

Noticing Lumian's exhausted state, Franca stopped talking and quickly found a nearby inn where they booked a room.

When Lumian awoke from his deep sleep, sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating Franca and Jenna sitting at the table. High white clouds floated in a clear blue sky.

Franca and Jenna were each enjoying their food—Franca was biting into a corn tortilla wrapped around spiced beef and lamb, while Jenna used a fork to dig into roasted onions, potatoes, corn, and various meats. In front of each sat a cup of sweet corn-scented drink.

"You seem to be having a good time," Lumian laughed as he sat up.

With her mouth full, Franca mumbled, "We don't often come to the Star Highlands, and our business here is done, so of course we're going to relax a bit.