Extraordinary Voyage-Chapter 856 - 734: Divination and Assault
There are matters of varying urgency, and now is not the time to consider one's wedding. As long as the presence lurking behind the scenes remains, one shouldn't hope to live a peaceful life.
Aiven believes that as soon as the other side sees the cholera management plan from his side, even before it proves effective, there's a chance the adversary will make another move, causing the duchy officials to struggle in vain.
Unlike past enemies who straightforwardly fought head-on, this time he is facing a complete conspirator, a coiled snake waiting for the right moment, with schemes and plots as the most lethal venom from its mouth.
The previous slave revolts and widespread plague can be resolved using the technical reserves in his hands. But with such a large target as the duchy on display, how could it be flawless?
There's bound to be a point where defenses will miss.
The only one-time solution is to drag it out and... scatter its ashes to the wind!
Unable to hold a welcome banquet for Milan and Apsuya, Aiven straightforwardly explained the current situation to him.
Then, with a slight frown and uncertainty, he said:
"Our opponent is highly likely to be a Tier 4 Named Demon backed by a demigod. With your current ability, can you find traces of such level existence?
It's like when Hawkins attacked the Tyrone Kingdom last time; indirect divination may not necessarily work."
Snap—!
Milan confidently smiled and snapped his fingers:
"Couldn't do it in the past, but now it's a piece of cake. However, when my dad arrives on the New Continent, my noble title proof and medal better be thrown in the face of that old relic."
After hearing him say, with a domineering "I want all her information in three minutes," Aiven unhesitatingly pounded his chest, promising:
"Once we take care of this guy, a count title is nothing."
He's well aware that Milan generally has no obsession with military rank, titles, or power. His eldest brother enjoys the family's resources, rising through the ranks of the Kingdom Military, so the Snite Clan's responsibility for prosperity naturally doesn't fall on him.
Unburdened, Milan used to excel in eating, drinking, and entertainment, but now, as a man with offspring, things are indeed different.
Moreover, though he himself might not care, the "Mestizo" identity is something he and Apsuya's child will bear for life.
"Mestizo" originally comes from the Hilus language, generally referring to mixed-race descendants of the white-skinned Nimansite People of the Old Continent and the brown-skinned Atrean or black-skinned Anuma people of the New Continent.
On the Old Continent, Mestizos might be rare, but on the New Continent, which has been colonized for centuries, they are widespread, and their circumstances vary based on the country.
The most typical is Hilus, which initially adopted an extremely brutal genocide policy.
A large number of male aboriginals were driven into plantations and mines for exhausting manual labor, becoming consumables, and soon dying from disease and exhaustion.
As time passed and the aboriginal number sharply decreased, dropping from tens of millions to over eight million in less than a hundred years, the social status of mixed-race individuals naturally wasn't high.
As for those born in noble families of the Old Continent, they almost have no inheritance rights and cannot gain upper-class recognition, at best being marginal figures.
As a Prophet, Milan, knowing the child in Apsuya's womb is a boy, is certain it will be a boy, with potentially higher expectations for future achievements than a girl.
This title is not for him, but to provide the child with the best starting point within the duchy that encourages ethnic integration. Yes, a "starting point" others might never reach, even if they worked hard all their life.
Meanwhile, it also shows any Vice Admiral expecting them to return to their homeland, his and Apsuya's commitment to stay on the New Continent.
"Alright, let's get to it!"
Feeling pumped, Milan started pulling items out of his Magic Pocket without further ado, throwing a quick setup: seven candles, a jug of holly leaf oil, a piece of incense, three white crystal ornaments, a complete set of silver tools...
With swift actions, he built a witchcraft orbit for divination right in "Between the Thrones," placing the Clock Tower School's legacy magic book, "Echoes of Space-Time," at the center.
Whoosh—
As the Spiritual Wind gradually filled "Between the Thrones," Milan rolled up his sleeves, revealing golden witchcraft engravings on his arms, proudly explaining to Aiven:
"This time, I even went back to the 'Prophetic School.' My school branch isn't without foundation. Today, I'll show you a great thing I found in the school's oldest documents, also from the 'Clock Tower' legacy."
He raised his arms, each engraved with a part of the orbit, and slowly brought them together in front of him.
"Hehe, let's see where my noble title medal is!"
act—
An ethereal chanting voice started, with the golden engravings on Milan's arms beginning to flow like liquid gold, gradually forming a pattern resembling both a reptilian scale and an hourglass.
[Witchcraft Engraving: Quicksand Scale]
Tick-tock... Tick-tock...
It suddenly felt connected to a vast, unfathomable existence, and a pleasing ticking sound arose around them.
Regardless, the mysterious source of the "Clock Tower School" had completed [Truth Embodiment], far stronger than the semi-finished [Life Tree] and [Eye of All-Seeing].
Right now, Milan was borrowing the power of the [Clock Tower] through the engravings on his arms.
He used indirect divination, not directly divining where the adversary hid, but where lying in wait would be most beneficial to them. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖
Even if backed by a demigod, Milan's extraordinary level might be a bit low, yet with the [Clock Tower]'s Tier 5 power, he could effectively minimize interference.
They are professionals after all.
Aiven stepped forward, placing his hand on Milan's shoulder, lending him a hand with the power of the [World's Favor] on him.
Then.
Milan's eyes seemed to transform into a hazy expanse, reminiscent of swirling sands. Scenes flashed by rapidly, and after a few minutes, he unconsciously struggled to open his mouth, uttering a time and place like a sleepspeaker:
"The second night from now, between 9 PM and 12 AM, City in the Dried-up Lake, the highest building."
Standing behind him, Aiven felt a stirring in his heart, quickly connecting the dots and confirming the location from the divination.
...
The night was deep.
In Huarez City, within the "Broken Star Sea Coast Zone."
Built with basalt and gray sandy stones, the cathedral towered majestically, standing as the leading Saint Seville Cathedral in the New Continent.
An energetic silver-haired elder, clad in a simple black clerical robe, was diligently writing in his room, preparing for the city's first grand mass organized by the "Black Iron Cross Church" tomorrow.
Converting millions of Hilus people who originally believed in the "Eternal Flame" wasn't as simple as changing the owner of the cathedral. Even if they agreed to convert outwardly, their spiritual world could only be reshaped subtly over time.
Bishop Ralph, who had no children, dedicated his life to the Goddess. After retiring from his homeland, he voluntarily came to the New Continent to shepherd Her lambs. Despite the heavy workload, he found joy in it.
Having once guarded the first church "Glory Church" built by Phaletis in the New Continent, he continued to shine after establishing the Galliot Duchy here.
As the highest-ranking Holy Professional in the New Continent, Bishop Ralph held an exceptional position in the hearts of many followers of the "Queen and Goddess of Navigation."
At this time.
He was working overtime, contentedly nibbling on bread and sipping clear water, unchanged from when he shared cookies with the children, setting a good example for his priests.
Knock, knock, knock...
Suddenly, a knock on the door resounded abruptly.
"Come in."
A young priest in a black robe entered, saluting before slowly approaching the Bishop's desk.
"Reid, why are you still awake? Don't be nervous. Tomorrow at the grand mass, just stay by my side. If there's anything amiss, I'll promptly correct you.
That's how every priest of the Goddess starts."
The elder Bishop lifted his head, gazing lovingly at the student he personally nurtured, warmly encouraging.
"Bishop, you should demonstrate... personally!"
The priest suddenly widened his eyes, staring directly at Ralph with an open mouth.
Bzz bzz bzz...
Countless fat flies and maggots erupted like a fountain, surging toward the elder Bishop.
Ralph's face changed drastically as he grabbed the black iron cross beside him.
A golden halo exploded forth.
[Divine Skill: Royal Authority: Command!]
A powerful divine skill extending from the Goddess' [Royal Authority], commanding hostile units absolutely for a short time (primarily living organisms, with the Archbishop level capable of commanding non-living entities to react), calculated based on the power comparison between the two sides.
But in front of a Demigod beloved, simultaneously possessing divine art and the Tier 4 Extraordinary power of a Named Demon, a civil Bishop caught off guard was too weak, the halo being quickly suppressed.
From within the young priest's body, a multitude of small voices sneered:
"You're no match for me. Merge with me!"
Though.
The slave rebellion was quashing because of some utter capabilities possessed by the adversary, cholera was also rapidly controlled two days ago, but to this conspirator, this fledgling nation still held too many weaknesses to be manipulated.
Once occupying this Holy Professional's body, erasing his memories from tonight.
Transforming him into a breeding ground for maggots during tomorrow's grand mass, causing the city's believers' mental stability to crumble, could deeply shake the already unstable faith.
"Let me think, after playing this belief collapse game tomorrow, how about treating that young king gracefully in the morning by realizing his wife has turned into a pile of wriggling maggots?
What kind of expression will he have? I'm truly looking forward to it, hahaha...."
Bzz...
The giant buzzing filled the room, a massive fly's shadow loomed behind him, entrenching the entire room without letting any sound escape.
