In the form of a corpse
Lumian's heart sank as he heard this.
If Raymond's body was removed from the cycle due to the sacrifice, he would not be able to be resurrected with the help of the cycle. Once the anomaly in Cordu Village was resolved, he would be truly dead rather than missing.
Although Lumian was reluctant to admit that a silly guy like Raymond was his friend, they had known each other for nearly five years, played together, played pranks together, and experienced many things together. There was no way he could treat him as a stranger.
Looking back on the past, he found that apart from Aurore, Raymond was probably the person he had the most contact with.
Didn't Aurore always say "the dumber the person, the happier they are"? Why is this so? Lumian couldn't help but retort:
"Even if it becomes a corpse, the spirit still exists and it will trigger the cycle."
Aurore sighed softly:
“Perhaps the being being sacrificed is not interested in spirits, but only in flesh and blood
"Maybe she didn't want to trigger the cycle, so she only took the flesh and blood, not Raymond's soul, and left him in Cordu or destroyed him directly?"
In that case, Raymond's body would be equivalent to pure matter without spirituality and could leave the cycle without causing a restart.
Hearing his sister's question, Lumian instantly replayed what might have happened at that time in his mind:
After everyone left the water's edge, Raymond was swimming farther away when he was suddenly grabbed by an invisible force, his legs were covered, his mouth was dragged to the deep end of the river, and he drowned there.
Afterwards, his spirit remained at the bottom of the river or was destroyed, while his body floated to an unknown place and became a sacrifice...
Thinking of this, Lumian suddenly had an inspiration:
"Whether Raymond's spirit is left behind or destroyed, once the cycle restarts, he should appear as a ghost."
"That's logical." Aurore nodded as if thinking. "After dark, I'll hold a spiritual ceremony to see if I can find Raymond's spirit. Well, it would be best if I could use an item he often used as a medium."
Lumian responded without hesitation:
"After we explore the castle this afternoon, I'll go to Raymond's house. His parents are going to ask me about his whereabouts anyway."
By then, with the Hunter's skills and Lumian's alertness, it would not be difficult to get something that Raymond had used.
"Okay." Aurore did not object.
Lumian let out a breath and asked:
"Aurore, uh, sister, are you psychic?"
"As a 'secret peeper', I know a little bit about everything." Aurore laughed at herself. "How was the conversation with those three outsiders?"
Lumian hurriedly recounted his conversation with the mysterious lady and his discussions with Ryan, Leah, and Valentine in detail, of course, excluding the lady's prayer.
Aurore listened quietly and sighed:
"It is very dangerous to actively endure pollution, but in order to explore the ruins of dreams, unlock the secrets there, and find the key to breaking the cycle, I have no choice but to do this. I am sorry to have to trouble you..."
“Why should I feel wronged?” Lumian patted his chest. “I’m saving myself.”
Aurore nodded slightly:
"Gray amber can be made with my bottle of perfume, lilac is at home, and I also have musk and materials for making candles. The only thing left is tulip, which I have to find somewhere else.
"Well, I remember there was one in Mrs. Pualis's garden, but I don't know if it's blooming."
“It’s open.” Lumian was very sure.
In the last loop, when he and Auror went to the castle to borrow a carriage, they found that many flowers in the garden were in bloom, which did not fit the state of early spring in the mountains.
Aurore said, “Hmm.”
“You’re going to explore the castle this afternoon anyway, so you can pick a few while you’re at it.
"Afterwards, was it that lady who also sent these things to the Dream Ruins?"
“Yeah.” Lumian thought that should be the case.
Aurore thought for a moment and said:
"Before you leave this afternoon, I'll give you the 'Integrity Brooch'. Madam Puaris's castle is obviously very filthy, and there may even be undead involved. It can play a very important role."
"No need. You stay by my side to guard against Madam Puaris." Seeing that his sister was still trying to persuade him, Lumian hurriedly explained, "Valentine is a fanatical believer of the Eternal Sun. According to what you said, as a Beyonder, he should choose the Sun Path, which is more effective than the Integrity Brooch."
According to Aurore's observations over the past few years, fanatical believers of the Eternal Sun often choose the Sun Path.
The reverse is also true. Believers of the Eternal Sun who choose the "Sun" path tend to become more and more fanatical, unless they did not believe in this true God from the beginning.
"That's right." Aurore no longer insisted and instructed, "You can practice the simple method of opening the spiritual vision. Then, take a nap at noon to replenish your energy. I will teach you the ancient Hermetic language and Hermetic words required for the ceremony in the evening."
When Lumian heard his sister's words, he suddenly remembered a sentence she often said when she was rushing to finish her manuscript:
"Time is short and the task is heavy."
… …
3:20 p.m., on the side of the hill where the Administrator's Castle stands.
Lumian saw Mrs. Pualis, wearing a slightly fluffy gray-blue exquisite long dress, with her hair tied up in a mature and elegant bun, walking towards the village with her personal maid Cassie.
When their backs faded away, Lumian turned around and walked behind the hill.
Ryan, Leah and Valentine had been waiting here for a long time. They were still dressed the same as before and it was unclear what preparations they had made.
Lumian glanced at their empty hands and asked in surprise:
"No weapons?"
Lai En, who was only about 1.7 meters tall and wore a brown tweed jacket, light yellow trousers, black leather shoes, and a dark round hat, smiled and said:
"I don't need to carry my weapon."
Valentine, who was wearing a white waistcoat and a blue tweed jacket, then said:
"I don't need a weapon."
"This is my weapon." Leah, wearing a white pleatless cashmere tight skirt, a beige jacket, and Marseille boots, took out a pistol from somewhere.
The pistol was silver-white, small and exquisite. Leah took out the magazine and showed Lumian the different colored bullets with different patterns and symbols engraved inside. She introduced them casually:
“They have different extraordinary effects.”
With a snap, she put the magazine back in, hid the pistol, and then asked Lumian with a smile:
"What weapons did you bring?"
One of you doesn't need a weapon, one doesn't need to carry a weapon, and one of you has such a beautiful and powerful pistol, which makes me look stupid... Lumian turned silently and lifted the dark jacket on his back, revealing the iron-black axe tucked into his belt.
Without waiting for Lai En and the others to speak, he sighed and said:
"You guys really act like Beyonders, and I'm like a gangster ready for a fight."
Liya Dingdang laughed:
“You’re very good at making fun of yourself.”
“It’s better to laugh at yourself than to be laughed at by others.” Lumian pointed to the back of the steep hill. “Let’s climb up now. There’s no time to lose.”
"Okay." Leah, who was wearing a tight skirt, was the first to start climbing.
She was nimble and seemed to have excellent balance, and she easily climbed to the top of the hill with the help of a few bumps.
What’s even more exaggerated is that the four small silver bells on her body didn’t move at all and made no sound.
Lumian followed closely behind. Although he was not as elegant and nimble, he was able to use rocks, tree roots and other things as footholds to quickly climb up the hill that was previously insurmountable thanks to the strengthening of his body by the "Hunter" potion.
After he stood firm, he looked back and saw Ryan grabbing Valentine's shoulders and lifting him up.
Lai En leapt and landed directly on a protruding rock in the middle of the hill.
Then, he leaped again, bringing Valentine steadily to Lumian and Leah's side.
During the whole process, he seemed to be a bit bigger.
Lumian was a little stunned by this:
Although this hill is not high, isn't it too exaggerated to climb up with just two jumps
Anyway, the "Hunter" definitely can't do it!
He quickly came to his senses, looked at the dark castle with two towers and the garden that half surrounded it, and said to the three strangers:
"Let's go around to the back door."
"Wait a minute." Ryan stopped him and turned his gaze to Leah.
Leah said nothing and took two steps towards the back door of the castle-shaped building.
Her mouth moved, muttering something silently.
The next second, the four small silver bells tied to her veil and boots jingled.
The sound was not loud, but it was intense and rapid.
Liya turned around and said to Lumian and the others:
"This road is dangerous and the problem is very serious."
Then she took two steps towards the front door.
Ding ding dang dang, the ringing not only did not stop, but became more intense and urgent.
"You'll probably get into big trouble if you go through the front door." Leah's tone was very serious, but there was a faint smile on her face.
"What about climbing through the window?" Lai En asked.
Leah nodded, changed direction and walked towards the garden.
This time, although the bell was ringing, it was very soft and slow.
"This way is fine." Liya exhaled with a smile.
Lumian, who witnessed the whole process, seemed a little confused and didn't quite understand what these three foreigners were doing.
Is this what a Beyonder does? He recalled his sister's teachings and asked:
“Is divination dangerous?”
"Yes." Leah nodded and turned to Valentine and said, "I'll explore the way first, you get ready."
"Okay." Valentine responded seriously.
"What preparations?" Lumian was confused again and asked without understanding.
Leah smiled:
"Be prepared to use divine magic to create fire."
So, what is the purpose of creating fire? Before Lumian could ask, Leah had already walked into the garden and walked along the path to the side of the castle.
Soon she reached a window and gestured that there was no problem.
"Let's go." Lai En gave a simple reminder and quickly moved closer to Leah.
Lumian and Valentine followed him quickly.
When passing by some tulips, Lumian was about to reach out to pick them, but Ryan stopped him with his forearm.
He didn't ask Lumian why he did this, but just said gently:
“Don’t worry, wait until you come out and pick it.
"If picking flowers now brings about any unexpected events, our next operation will have to be cancelled."
That's right... Lumian fully absorbed the experience.
Soon they came to a row of windows on the side of the castle.
PS: Ask for monthly ticket~