Lord of the Mysteries: The New Black Emperor

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Hobert's spirituality had, of course, already sensed Tamara's presence, and he wasn't surprised that Tamara knew about the Solomon family gathering.

After all, "King of the Five Seas" Nast was killed by Erebus, and it was easy to see from Erebus's behavior that he had obtained some of Nast's memories.

Tamara must have learned about the Solomon family gathering from Erebus and was preparing to come here to receive this Beyonder characteristic.

Although Tamara had already advanced to Sequence 1, Hobert was not afraid of this fellow.

And Tamara was also very clear that Hobert could borrow the power of the "Nation of Disorder." She had no confidence in killing Hobert, so even after advancing, she had never gone to find Hobert to cause trouble.

Now that they suddenly encountered each other, Tamara hesitated for a moment whether to attack.

Hobert knew that he couldn't keep Tamara, and he didn't intend to take the initiative to attack.

So the two people confronted each other for a few seconds. Finally, Tamara's eyes narrowed, and she raised her hand slightly, preparing to launch a tentative offensive.

Hobert also immediately responded. He tossed the stone key into the air, grabbed left and right with both hands, and summoned the "Hundred Eyed Devil Monarch" and the "Holy Infant King" from the "Nation of Disorder."

At the same time, the space around Hobert immediately fell into a "chaotic" vortex. He felt that his spirit and body were about to be crushed by the chaotic vortex.

All the eyes on the whites of the "Hundred Eyed Devil Monarch" widened, "reproducing" a tall figure wearing dilapidated armor, holding a giant sword, and exuding the light of dusk.

That huge figure raised the giant sword and stabbed forward, a silver-white light flashed, piercing the chaotic vortex in front of it.

The baby in the "Holy Infant King's" womb suddenly opened its eyes and glanced at Tamara.

Tamara's shadow immediately stood up from the ground, holding a black giant sword, and slashed at Tamara.

Hobert hid behind these two angel-level tool people, prolonging the ability, allowing the aura of dusk and decay to affect Tamara.

At the same time, Hobert "magnified" the attack power of Tamara's shadow.

Pa da ~

The stone key that Hobert had just thrown out finally landed on the ground.

Tamara grabbed the black giant sword that was slashing over, and the shadow returned to its original appearance, lying obediently on the ground.

She used the "Exploit" ability to prematurely end the "Holy Infant King's" ability, making her shadow return to normal.

Immediately afterwards, Tamara stretched out a hand towards the "Hundred Eyed Devil Monarch." The "Hundred Eyed Devil Monarch" immediately fell into a state of "Frenzy," slowly turning its head and looking at Hobert.

Hobert immediately realized that this fellow was going to attack him!

He quickly "magnified" his control over the power of the "Nation of Disorder." This tool person slowly turned back again. Although it didn't intend to attack Hobert, it was also passively slacking off and unwilling to continue fighting.

This made Hobert realize that when "Frenzy" reached the Sequence 1 level, it would not only cause the target to fall into a state where it was difficult to form coherent thoughts, but it would also cause reactions such as betrayal and passive slacking.

Hobert stretched out a hand and took the "0-73" Death Domain from the "Nation of Disorder."

Tamara's spirit sensed a trace of coldness. In the next instant, the surrounding scene suddenly changed. The original stone table and stone bench turned into piles of skeletons and resentful souls.

They launched round after round of attacks on Tamara's spirit.

For Tamara, this level of attack was almost like a tickle, but being in such an environment still made Tamara feel a little stiff.

At the same time, the "Holy Infant King" also launched a "corruption" attack on Tamara, which immediately made Tamara feel that her body had produced some very depraved thoughts that were contrary to her thinking.

Tamara immediately raised a hand and "modified" the surrounding environment and the "Holy Infant King's" hostile target, temporarily making these two abilities treat Hobert as the enemy.

Hobert immediately "distorted" the attacks of the "Holy Infant King" and the undead, and sent these attacks back to Tamara.

The fight between High-Sequence "Lawyer" pathway Beyonders is like playing tennis, able to "hit back and forth" extraordinary attacks.

At the same time, Hobert took out the "Sun Scepter" from the "Nation of Disorder." A sacred golden light shone on Tamara, and the surrounding "Death Domain" trembled for it, which made Tamara's spirit simultaneously placed in scorching and cold conditions.

Tamara stared at Hobert, and suddenly "modified" her position, leaving the battlefield.

The brief exchange between the two angels allowed them to have a certain understanding of each other.

Tamara realized that even though Hobert was a Sequence 2 of the same pathway, he had the protection of the "Nation of Disorder" and could not suppress him in terms of authority. Moreover, Hobert could summon at least two angel-level helpers at any time…

Even without these two helpers, Hobert had at least two Grade 0 Sealed Artifacts in his hand, and Tamara wouldn't even think about hurting him.

As for Hobert, even if he wore the Uniqueness in the "Nation of Disorder," he couldn't kill Tamara.

In the real world, even if he could summon angel-level tool people, even if he could use several Grade 0 Sealed Artifacts, he was still on the defensive in the battle with Tamara.

After all, the helpers he summoned were all at the Sequence 2 level, and the Sealed Artifacts in his hand were also at the Sequence 2 level. If the "Hundred Eyed Devil Monarch" and the "Holy Infant King" were normal Sequence 2s, it might have been possible to hurt Tamara.

But they had no problem completing the task of entangling a Sequence 2. When facing a Sequence 1, their use of Beyonder abilities and reaction speed were not enough. The biggest role might be to block bullets.

At the moment, Hobert sent the Sealed Artifacts and tool people back to the "Nation of Disorder." Looking at the stone room again, half of the Solomon family members were already dead or injured.

Apart from the two members who were smashed to death by stones and the one who was killed by Tamara, the others died from the aftermath of the battle between the two angels.

Some died from the attacks of the undead in the "Death Domain" just now, some died from the decaying influence "reproduced" by the "Hundred Eyed Devil Monarch," and some died from the scorching and purification of the spirit by the sacred light just now.

The battle ended, and they were about to escape, but Hobert released the pressure of an angel again, causing them to kneel on the ground again.

Hobert used the method of "distorting" space to make the stone key appear in his palm. He smiled and said to everyone: "Ryan Solomon has been killed by me. Now I will receive the Solomon family members.

"You either actively pledge allegiance to me, or pledge allegiance in the form of Beyonder characteristics. Choose for yourselves."

Bunier and the others didn't react for a long time. Why did this sound so familiar?

But soon, they all expressed their willingness to pledge allegiance to Hobert.

After all, the battle just now had made them realize that this Duke Hobert was an angel.

Many of them had seen Hobert's portrait in the newspaper, so they recognized this Duke of Loen.

If it was just a Sequence 3, they would still choose to fight, but with an angel, no matter how hard they fought, they would have no chance of winning.

Hobert glanced at the dozen or so Solomon family members: "You are quite sensible."

In fact, he would prefer to turn these people in front of him into Beyonder characteristics, which would be easier for him to control.

However, out of respect for Ryan Solomon, Hobert decided to give them another chance.

Although he hadn't dealt with Ryan many times, Hobert still respected this kind of opponent who had his own persistence.

Hobert grabbed at Bunier and the others, grabbing a trace of spirituality from each of them: "I give you half a month to bring all the Solomon family members to the Duke's mansion in Backlund to report.

"My subordinates have 'Seer' pathway Beyonders, who can easily divine whether all of you have arrived. If one person is missing, I will kill one of you.

"Others may be able to escape, but I have already preserved your spirituality. The dozen or so of you cannot escape."

Bunier was stunned for a moment before saying: "There are many family members that we can no longer contact."

"That's your problem," Hobert said. "Who told you not to contact them earlier?"

He didn't give Bunier and the others a chance to bargain: "Today is also counted as one day. If I were you, I wouldn't bargain here, but would quickly think of ways to contact family members."

After speaking, Hobert disappeared from the stone room.

After a few seconds, the Solomon family members seemed to react and fell into deep despair. It was just attending a family gathering. Why would it bring such a disaster to the family members?

Bunier sighed a long sigh, recalling a sentence said by the patriarch Ryan: We are in a very cruel extraordinary world. If we are greedy for comfort now, there will definitely be a catastrophe in the future!

… …

South Continent, Rockville City.

Today, the Balk family held a grand sacrificial ceremony in the wilderness. The altar was very large and solemn.

The tall Lawrence presided over the sacrifice. They first washed their hands with clean water, and then placed the Worships on the altar, which was the bloodstained crown.

The other family members all knelt under the altar, praying piously.

Lawrence first sat cross-legged under the altar, abandoning distracting thoughts in a meditative way, and then, under the gaze of the clansmen, went to the altar to light the candles, first chanting the honorific name of the "Creator," and then began to recite the prayer:

"Great 'Creator,' thank you for lifting the curse of the Balk family. You are our savior, we worship you! Praise you…"

When the honorific name of the "Creator" was uttered, everyone immediately felt the gaze from the gods.

The people under the altar buried their heads even lower, and they praised loudly: "You are our savior!"

"We worship you!"

"We praise you!"

After the prayers were recited, Lawrence began to offer sacrifices to the "Creator" amidst the sounds of gratitude.

In mid-air, the bronze sacrificial gate opened, and the "Creator" took the Worships.

Amidst everyone's thanks and reverence, the "Creator" withdrew their gaze.

Under Lawrence's guidance, further thanks and prayers were offered, concluding the main part of the ritual.

Next was the slaughter of a cow, its blood sprinkled on the altar, and the raw beef cut and distributed to the crowd.

This was a gift from the deity, and everyone would usually carefully cook the beef they received and share it with their families.

After the beef was distributed, the sacrificial ritual officially ended.

One inconspicuous female family member, Stephanie, waited for her father to receive the beef before returning to their tent.

She thought to herself: the sacrifices nowadays are far too simple. If you ignore that Grade 0 Sealed Artifact, they just kill a cow? Not to mention the Second Epoch, even sacrifices in the Third Epoch required the slaughter of a hundred spiritual creatures at the start of the ritual.

Just as Stephanie was thinking this, she suddenly saw a young man in formal Loen attire appear on the road ahead.

Stephanie, or rather, Auernia, noticed that the young man's face resembled her own from the past, immediately realizing that he was a descendant of Trunsoest.

The surrounding people immediately stepped forward to pay their respects, some calling him "Favored," others addressing him as "Duke."

Hobert glanced at Stephanie out of the corner of his eye, politely greeted everyone, found Lawrence, and after a few words in a low voice, disappeared.

Auernia had a bad premonition. Sure enough, that afternoon, Lawrence found her and took her to the Angel City headquarters.

Emerging from the Angel teleportation array, she was startled by the mountains of supplies piled up outside. Everywhere was bustling with activity and chaotic crowds. It felt like she had entered a noisy market until she entered the headquarters, which was somewhat less chaotic.

Arriving at the headquarters command room, she saw Hobert discussing something with several subordinates. They immediately stopped when someone entered.

Lawrence said, "Duke, this is Stephanie."

Hobert glanced at the plain-looking Stephanie, "You may leave. I have some things to discuss with this young lady."

Once only the two of them remained in the command room, Hobert poured her a cup of tea and cut straight to the chase, "What is an easy way to kill Trunsoest?"

Auernia did not show any surprise. When participating in today's sacrificial ritual, she had suspected that she might be noticed by the "Creator."

On the contrary, she would have found it strange if she hadn't been noticed.

Before the ritual, Auernia had considered many ways to avoid this sacrifice, but further reluctance to participate in the sacrificial ritual would also arouse suspicion.

So Auernia simply stopped avoiding it. According to the information she had gathered recently, the Sanguine had cooperated with the "Creator"'s forces, and she believed that the "Creator" would not kill her casually.

Immediately, Auernia sat down gracefully, without any excuses, "The easiest way is to ask a True God for help. They can kill Him very easily."

Hobert smiled, "Perhaps I should ask, do you possess a method to kill Trunsoest?"

Auernia said, "No."

Hobert pressed, "How can Trunsoest's summoning of the pathway's Uniqueness and Sequence 1 characteristic be eliminated?"

"Unless Trunsoest is completely dead, there is no way to completely eliminate it. You can only use some methods to weaken Trunsoest's influence on the Beyonder characteristics, such as shattering the Beyonder characteristics, or having a True God seal the Uniqueness."

Hobert slowly nodded, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "Can the power of the 'Nation of Disorder' corrupt the resurrected Trunsoest?"

Auernia asked in return, "Was He resurrected in a descendant of the Trunsoest family?"

"No, He was resurrected in an avatar of an Outer Deity." Hobert did not hide anything, "It is the Outer Deity who corrupted Trunsoest."

Auernia replied, "It will have an impact, but not a significant one."

Hobert sat opposite Auernia, staring at her as he asked the final question, "If I threaten Trunsoest with your life, will He make some compromises or concessions?"

"That depends on what kind of compromises and concessions." Auernia did not seem to feel the threat in Hobert's tone, and still smiled, "If it is something other than life and Beyonder characteristics, He might be able to make some compromises.

"But when it comes to life and His return to the Godhood, then don't expect Him… well, I think anyone would not compromise when faced with a similar choice."

Hobert considered Auernia's answer for a moment, and then said, "Thank you for your answer."

Then, He said, "Next, you will be judged and punished by the Duchy of South Balam…"

"Please wait a moment." Auernia thought she had misheard, "You want to judge me? And punish me? Do, do you even know who I am?"

Hobert pointed at Auernia, "No matter who you are, in my opinion, you killed a member of the Balk family, and you must receive the punishment you deserve."

Auernia was stunned. How did the world become so different?

Even if you don't consider that she was once the Queen of the Night, just considering the cooperative relationship with the Sanguine, she shouldn't be punished in such an exaggerated manner, right?

She thought for a moment before asking, "Is this the 'Creator's' intention?"

"You can think of it that way."

Auernia was still a little incredulous, "Just because a member of the Balk family died?"

"Isn't that enough reason to judge you?" Hobert asked, "I don't care whether you resurrect or not.

"But resurrecting by killing others… specifically, killing your own descendants, didn't you think that such an act would be judged?"

Auernia took a deep breath, "Young man, you are too naive. This is the Beyonder world! Many deities' methods of resurrection far exceed your imagination. Are you going to judge them all?"

Hobert said seriously, "If I have the corresponding power, if they are not my allies or people close to me, I will judge them one by one!"

"Your judgment is obviously unfair!"

"This is the Beyonder world!" Hobert reminded her with Auernia's words just now, "This world is inherently full of injustice. Why should I give this world fairness?"

"Lawyers" are so biased.

Auernia suddenly smiled, "The world really has changed."

She asked, "What after judging and punishing me?"

"If you die, I will bury you with the etiquette of an ordinary Balk family member. If you don't die, I will consider handing you over to the Sanguine." Hobert said calmly.

This once again exceeded Auernia's expectations, "You actually plan to hand me over to the Sanguine?"

She was a little confused now. Are the "Creator" and the Sanguine in a cooperative relationship? Or are they enemies?

If she returns to the Sanguine, wouldn't that create conflict between the two sides?

Hobert did not answer Auernia's question, but after dispelling the "tampering" of the surrounding environment, he called Angus in to take Auernia to be judged.

And told Angus that he could apply to use the "0-73" death domain to punish the target.

… …

Helen completely lost her temper after meeting Audrey.

Initially, Helen thought that she couldn't arouse the lord's desire because of Fors's good figure, but after seeing Audrey, Helen realized that Duke Hobert had been immune to beauty for a long time because he had known Audrey for a long time.

Audrey was clearly wearing an ordinary formal suit, but her temperament and appearance made the clothes look very expensive, making even the "witches" like Helen feel a little insecure.

Especially after learning that Audrey was not a Beyonder of the "witch" pathway, Helen was completely convinced.

After Audrey took her place, the negotiation team officially set off.

The negotiation location between the Duchy of South Balam and the Eternal Blazing Sun Church was finally chosen in Fort Feynapotter.

This was Upton's suggestion. Currently, "Earl's Light" is expanding its business in the Kingdom of Feynapotter, and for now, only Feynapotter can be considered a "neutral country."

Audrey followed Helen and other members of the "Venomous Thorns Army" and used "travel" to reach a summer resort in the northern part of Fort Feynapotter.

Because it was winter, there were no other guests in the summer resort except for the two negotiating parties.

After the defense of the Rockville City ended, Hobert ordered the "Earl's Light" in the Intis Republic to suspend all sales to the Eternal Blazing Sun Church.

The Eternal Blazing Sun Church then initiated this negotiation, hoping to continue to resume cooperation.

Considering that most of the business partners of the "Earl's Light" in the Intis Republic are believers of the Eternal Blazing Sun Church, and that the Church has been providing a certain degree of protection for the "Earl's Light," to a certain extent avoiding the Intis Republic's liquidation of the "Earl's Light."

That's why Hobert agreed to this negotiation.

The Eternal Blazing Sun Church also sent a demigod, but Audrey, who had already advanced to Sequence 5, easily interpreted from the "Unshadowed's" expressions and body movements that the Eternal Blazing Sun Church, in addition to hoping to continue to cooperate with the "Earl's Light," also had other purposes.

Audrey immediately recalled Hobert's guess, believing that the other purpose of the Eternal Blazing Sun Church should be to retrieve the Beyonder characteristics, including an "Unshadowed".

After Audrey's reminder clarified the other party's intentions, Helen very firmly stated that the Eternal Blazing Sun Church would publicly apologize to the victims of the battle in Rockville City.

It was difficult for a true God's Church to issue such a statement. After three days of negotiations, the Eternal Blazing Sun Church finally made some concessions, stating that they would publicly express their apology and continue to cooperate with the 'Earl's Light'.

Hobert agreed to return the obtained characteristic of the 'Bard' pathway, but the Eternal Blazing Sun Church would have to exchange it for twice the amount of equivalent sequence characteristics or sealed artifacts from the 'Lawyer' or 'Judge' pathways.

After Helen and the 'Unshadowed' each reported to their respective Angels, they immediately signed the relevant agreement, and this negotiation came to a satisfactory conclusion.

Audrey had just returned to Backlund when Hobert came to visit, congratulating Audrey on completing her first diplomatic mission to the Southern Balam Duchy.

The two of them chatted about the course of the negotiation while drinking afternoon tea.

Audrey asked somewhat strangely, "Hobert, why did both sides tacitly agree not to attack each other in the future?"

"This is both sides' consideration of the current situation." Hobert explained with a smile, "The Southern Balam Duchy will definitely expand southward in the near future, and conflicts with the Intis Republic will be unavoidable at that time.

"At the same time, conflicts with the Eternal Blazing Sun Church are inevitable, but the cooperation between the two sides in the Northern Continent must continue. The absence of any agreement on the future means that both sides have defaulted to a 'battle in the Southern Continent, cooperate in the Northern Continent' model."

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