Treatise Of A Failed Knight-Chapter 276: Higher Divination

One more week has passed.

We are already approaching the middle of March, but there’s still very little to show for the time spent investigating.

It has officially been two months since Seraphina’s abduction.

Time has been flying like crazy.

Seth and I have been hard at work, deciphering the Secret Files, but there’s nothing in there about the Cult we are after.

In order to try my luck, I’ve had Freya use Divination to try to find the culprit.

Unfortunately, her Divination has failed every single time she has tried. Whether this means we’re dealing with a Leviathan or simply someone that has immensely sophisticated Anti Divination remains a mystery.

However, the more time I spend on this seemingly pointless chase, the more I feel a sense of familiarity with this despairing feeling.

It reminds me of the times I spent chasing after Zarius.

Even in the absence of all other evidence, this feeling alone is enough to inform me that this matter is definitely tied to a Leviathan.

’We’re almost done with the church files, and from what little there is left... I don’t think we’ll be able to find anything substantial.’

A deep sigh leaves my lips as I stare at Seth, who stands a few meters from me.

As always, he is diligently engrossed in the information locked within these documents. I have come to discover that Seth is more interested in the secret files than even I am.

That makes sense, since he has known only this place for most of his life.

’I also couldn’t find much information on Leviathans. It’s just the surface level things like them being mystical deities, and how they move the world. Perhaps the knowledge of Leviathans isn’t stored in physical documents but is passed orally.’

Since this is the situation, I have lost all interest in this place.

It’s better to explore another alternative.

I already have an idea.

Normally, when a human being practices Divination, they can see through the world by tapping into the Aego.

They temporarily reach the domain of Leviathans, and can peek into the events of the world through the frames of existence—but only if they are permitted to by the Leviathans whose machinations flow within the world.

Seekers especially control what Diviners witness, and it is trite that the Divination of mortals cannot peer into the affairs of higher beings like Leviathans.

The only exception of this is in my case.

But this only likely means that a Leviathan of higher caliber must have allowed the Divination to take place.

My biggest guess?

Lady Anastasia has been helping me out.

Unfortunately, it appears my special gift is no longer working in this case. Freya is unable to see into the affairs of this Leviathan, which either means Lady Anastasia is refusing to help, or the Rank of this Leviathan is too high.

It could also mean that the Leviathan is using some special method to block Divination.

In essence, they are using Anti Divination.

This got me thinking...

If a Leviathan can use Anti Divination, what is stopping a Leviathan from using Divination?

’I have no affinity for Divination, but I know someone who should...’ My thoughts return to a certain place isolated from the rest of the world.

The Vey’lithar Sanctuary.

And the guardian of that place, at the peak of Rank 1, a Witness Seeker...

... Ciel.

’With her Divination, we could be able to breach the opposition’s defenses and learn something.’ With that thought in mind, I return to Seth’s side and inform him to wrap things up.

Our twelve-hour window for today is almost over anyway.

Once the secret Sentinels arrive, I activate Frontflow and use the opportunity to leave before they become accustomed to the atmosphere of the hidden place.

After returning to Seth’s residence, I inform him of my plan to abandon the church investigation and to seek an alternative.

"But... we are almost done!" Naturally, Seth pushes back on my early abandonment of this plan.

However, I find his retort rather weak.

He must be well aware that the chances of finding a lead to the Cult is very slim, but he still wishes to proceed due to his search for the hidden truths of the church.

As much as I wish to indulge him, I have more important things to worry about.

Seth needs me to access the hidden room.

So, he wants me to believe that there is still a chance we can find the Cult.

Unfortunately, Seth isn’t a very good liar.

In fact, I don’t think he has ever intentionally tried to deceive me before. Even his lies about the true motivation behind his cooperation in this investigation is likely the result of him deceiving himself.

He wishes to believe he is being selfless and altruistic when he simply wishes to satisfy his curiosity regarding Father Gerome.

By deceiving himself first, he has simply told me what he perceives as true.

Thus, Seth has yet to lie to me.

He won’t start now.

"When I return, I’ll give you access to the rest of the church files. For now, I have to make this new route my priority.’

Of course, I don’t inform him of the details, which would include Ciel and the Vey’lithars.

I simply let him know I have an ally who could possibly help me Divine the situation due to their existence as a Leviathan.

After I made my case and demolished his, Seth had no choice but to agree.

Thus, I left the church that very night and have now begun making my way to the Vey’lithar Sanctuary.

******

"I see. What you are referring to is something called Higher Divination."

Ciel calmly retorts after I express my idea.

It turns out the principle I thought of is actually a well-established method among Leviathans—particularly Seekers.

It is a concept that Ciel is rather familiar with.

"I already informed you of the relationship between Diviners and Seekers, correct?"

I nod my head.

"Well, Higher Divination relies on the relationship between Seekers—usually one of a lower rank appealing to one of a higher Rank."

"I don’t... understand."

"A Diviner cannot freely witness the Frames of Existence on their own because they do not have full access to the Temporal Layers of Existence, which Leviathans do through the manipulation of Aego." Ciel begins her explanation with a solemn tone. "They are simply very sensitive to Aego and that sensitivity can be properly exploited through the act of Divination Rituals."

"But since Leviathans constantly monitor the world, anything a human wishes to Divine is likely within the jurisdiction or view of a Seeker, thus without the permission of the Leviathan, the Divination will fail." I complete Ciel’s line of thought before she can even finish.

"You’ve already explained this to me before."

"But what I haven’t explained is that Seekers can also appeal to higher-ranked Seekers through Divination. The principle remains the same."

"How so? You have access to Aego and the Temporal Layers of Existence as a Leviathan."

"Only the first four." Ciel smiles. "At Rank 1, my limit is the Day Layer. Thus, if I wish to Divine on a matter far away from me, beyond my normal jurisdiction, I could appeal to a Seeker with that authority."

"I see..."

I understand what Ciel is saying now.

A junior seeking the assistance of a senior... that is the true nature of Higher Divination.

"But what is the guarantee that the Leviathan will help? From what I can see, Leviathans only care about benefits. Do we offer something in return, or—"

Ciel vehemently shakes her head.

"What can we offer a Leviathan much more powerful than we are? The truth is that there is no guarantee that Higher Divination will work, but even when it does work, it isn’t because the Leviathan is feeling generous, but because answering your plea will somehow be beneficial to them."

"Ah..."

"Leviathans move the world. Higher Ranked Leviathans also manipulate the affairs of those lower in Rank. It is very likely that the outcomes we desire through the Higher Divination will yield a preferable result to the Leviathan we appeal to, thus they will answer our plea so we can move in the direction which we desire."

I shudder in both fear and realization.

This is absurd.

Just how powerful are these Leviathans high above? Sometimes I ruminate deeply on this question, but no satisfactory answer emerges.

Even now, I cannot comprehend it.

My only benchark is Lady Anastasia, and I have no clue of her Rank or powers.

Everything is shrouded in mystery.

What is real?

What can be trusted?

Even something as innocent as a request answered is only an avenue for the Leviathans to control pieces on the board in a direction which they desire.

In fact—

"Is it not possible to be led astray by the revelations of the high-ranked Leviathan? If they wish for us to move a certain way, they could feed us wrong information that will favor them and not us."

"That is well within the realm of possibility. It is also very easy for them to investigate the Diviner who seeks their assistance."

"What?" My eye widens. "You mean—?"

"Yes. The moment I use Higher Divination, I expose my Existence to the unknown powers of the world. In this moment of vulnerability, it is very easy for beings such as them to investigate my location, my identity, and much more. Once they are aware of my identity, they can also find me whenever they desire."

"That’s... very dangerous."

Frightening, even!

Should Leviathans be considered benevolent patrons? Is it likely that there are well-meaning beings among the deities of old?

Perhaps...

But the higher the rank, the more Apotheoses these Leviathans must have experienced.

They are not ordinary people.

Their views of the world and perspective on life is unfathomable. Their schemes are complex and woven through fogs of mystery.

Neither I nor Ciel can comprehend them.

That makes them scary.

Exposing our identities to beings such as them is a wild gamble that could backfire on us.

They would know all about us, but we won’t even have a clue who they are. Their eyes will continue to rest on our Existence, and we would be unable to escape their gaze.

Such a frightening thing... I wish I never knew about it!

"There’s no need to be too terrified, Javier..."

Ciel must have noticed my trepidation, as she places a hand on my shoulder and comforts me with a well-meaning smile.

"The truth is that we are constantly being observed by all kinds of Leviathans. If these beings wish to destroy us, there is nothing we can do about it. At first the terror of helplessness can be terrifying, but it can also be liberating. Knowing the fate of your survival is not largely in your hands prevents you from having needless worries."

"H-how... does one live with this realization?" I ask Ciel solemnly.

She smiles.

"With hope."

"With... hope, huh?"

She nods.

"Most would call it irrational to cling onto hope when the odds are clearly stacked against you. It is considered useless to hope for victory against a more powerful foe, and when faced with the cruelty of the world, it is juvenile to strive for a more ideal outcome. The world is twisted and broken in all sorts of ways, and it is either childish foolishness or blatant madness to believe you can change it. However..."

In this moment, her smile broadens.

Her beauty intensifies.

Warmth fills her countenance, and it spreads to every facet of my body.

"Is it also not an irrational thing to live? To plan for the future is in itself irrational since we do not know what it holds. Unless one is a Leviathan—a Seeker—it is impossible to guess how your next moment will turn out, yet we all possess dreams, do we not? The poor and downtrodden, the wealthy and spoiled, the sick, the healthy, the miserable, and the powerful. Everyone has hopes in their hearts whether they like it or not. Against the impossible odds of life and the uncertainties that lurk in the shadows... we have this irrational belief that we will experience triumph and rise above those hidden dangers. Is that not what we all do?"

"I see..."

Ciel is correct.

To live in itself is to hope.

So to view hope as an irrational thing that should not be aspired towards, is to see living itself as undesirable.

As humans, we fight against the odds of inevitability and uncertainties.

This does not change as a Leviathan.

The powers and mysteries of the world above hang over our heads as a chaotic mix of all kinds of fears.

But we must persevere and continue to march forward.

Because that is what it means to live.

"Ciel, this is selfish of me to ask... but is it possible for you to help me with this Higher Divination? There is a matter which I sincerely desire to uncover."

Ciel smiles at me and nods slowly.

"I already knew you would ask me about this, and I made my decision even before you appeared here."

"...."

I remain silent and stare at her, waiting for an answer.

Then, it comes.

"Of course. I will help you, Javier."