Lord of Mysteries 2: Circle of Inevitability

”Yes,” Franca replied on behalf of Lumian, who had only gained enough reprieve from his injuries to avoid imminent death. She concisely recounted the whole situation.

”The one who attacked you came from Perleʼs painted self. Her true form departed to do something else?” Magician sought confirmation.

”That appears to be the case,” Lumian responded.

Magician exchanged glances with Judgment and Hermit, their eyes meeting without hiding their bewilderment.

After a short pause, Magician offered no explanation. Starlight gathered in her eyes, as if tracing a pattern.

A gentle rain fell, soaking Lumianʼs body and fully healing his wounds.

Nourished by the rain, Franca and the others felt their weariness melt away.

It closely resembles the power Madame Night used in the dream… Lumian drew a connection.

Magician nodded and instructed, ”Provide me the details in writing tomorrow.”

With that, she disappeared along with Judgment and Hermit.

As the darkness around them lifted, Lumian realized they had returned to the safe house in the administrative district, where Jenna had summoned Judgmentʼs messenger.

”Madam Magician and the others are perplexed that we were attacked by Perleʼs painting self,” Anthony remarked while putting away the blank painting collection, voicing his thoughts.

Lumian nodded and replied, ”Whatʼs perplexing shouldnʼt be Perle attacking us. Itʼs not unusual for an Overseer with an Under the Table transaction at the heart of it all to do something like that.”

”So what were they perplexed about?” Jenna and Franca couldnʼt figure out an answer.

Anthony tried to analyze the situation.

”Theyʼre not perplexed by Perleʼs attack itself, but why we were targeted by her painted self specifically.

”They seem to think we wouldnʼt be attacked by Perle directly. Whether she had such intentions or acted on them is irrelevant.”

Lumian and the others became lost in thought.

Abruptly, Franca exclaimed.

Looking at Lumian and the others, she slowly withdrew her hand from her Travelerʼs Bag in astonishment.

”Pride Armor is in here. Itʼs returned!”

”Did Madam Magician help locate it?” As this thought crossed Lumianʼs mind, he noticed Francaʼs actions.

He instantly shouted, ”Stop!”

He couldnʼt allow Franca to retrieve the Pride Armor!

This is a confined room, and Iʼm present!

Francaʼs expression froze, and she immediately stopped moving her elbow.

…

In the mirror world created by dark void tunnels, Overseer Perle continuously moved from mirror to mirror, searching for her final destination.

Her expression stayed calm, thrilled that the calamity had instead accelerated the vortexʼs formation.

On the other side of the dark, vacant tunnel, a vibrant ball of yarn quietly trailed her, leaving a concealed path.

…

The next morning, having sent the letter to Magician, Lumian reached Psychicʼs headquarters and met Mr. K in the basement.

Both their limbs had been restored.

Clad in an enormous hood and black robe, Mr. K disregarded this. In a grating voice, he told Lumian, ”Come with me somewhere.”

”For what purpose?” Lumianʼs demeanor toward Mr. K had become more at ease after their collaboration the previous night.

Mr. K nodded and explained, ”First, I wish to atone for this incident. Second, through the idol, I want to notify the Lord that youʼve grown and can serve as His envoy. He will make preparations when the moment is right. Have faith in the Lord, and trust Him completely.”

Just going to a location with the True Creatorʼs idol? Thatʼs okay… It would be problematic if I actually had to encounter a god… Lumian bowed his head humbly and said, ”It would be my honor.”

Mr. K came up to him, grasped his arm, and transported him into the spirit world via teleportation.

Traversing dense layers of colors and innumerable indescribable transparent beings, the pair arrived at a cathedral.

The cathedral seemed to be located in a deep valley. Its surface was a watery black, decorated with many human bones. The top resembled the Eternal Blazing Sun Churchʼs cathedral, forming a hemispherical shape.

Mr. K silently entered through the open door, his back slightly hunched.

Lumian followed closely behind.

Then, he saw the vast but dimly lit prayer hall and an enormous, pitch-black cross standing in the cathedralʼs depths.

A naked male idol hung upside down from the cross. Rust-

colored iron nails jutted out from various parts of its body, each nail stained with vivid red blood.

Is this the True Creatorʼs idol? Lumianʼs heart raced as he quickly averted his gaze.