"You...want to save the world?"
The moonlight illuminated the city. The carriage moved slowly forward in the darkness of Tobesk. Shad looked at the hand.
"No, I just want to make sure the world won't be destroyed because of this. This sounds ridiculous, and it's not something a three-ring warlock like me should care about, but I saw it. I saw that the survival of the world will depend on the chosen ones who finally stand in front of the door. If all thirteen people are there, or some of them are there, or even just one of them is there, it will lead to different results. The best choice, I can only know it when I meet them."
Xia De looked into the purple eyes for a moment, then reached out and held the woman's hand. The latter smiled, but when she wanted to pull her hand back, she found that Xia De did not let go. Of course, he did not intend to take advantage of her. Xia De's voice was very low:
"This is a major event that affects the entire world. Even if I don't want to get involved, I will be affected sooner or later. I am willing to go with you to witness and find the thirteen chosen ones, to guide or help them. But as the basis for cooperation, I think we should first establish trust between each other."
The path of sublimation of the twelve divinities that he was going to take required the absorption of divinity, which inevitably involved dealing with dangerous relics left over from evil gods or old gods. Therefore, taking the initiative to contact the thirteen chosen ones who were destined to be in trouble would actually help Shade continue his search for divinity.
He tightly grasped the fortune teller's soft hand and looked into Miss Annat's purple eyes:
"I can understand the meaning of any text, any text. But I can read and hear, but I can't speak or write."
Miss Anat's eyes flickered:
"I see. Then I can make predictions that are almost infallible at a great cost. So far, I have only made one major mistake. I originally thought that our group would only have four people, but you showed up. You only have one ring, but I still invited you for this reason. You are the only person in the world who is definitely not the Chosen One. I don't have to worry about you learning too many secrets of the Chosen One from me, thereby disrupting my observation of the future."
Xia De nodded slightly, then let go of the fortune teller's hand. The latter moved his wrist and said teasingly:
"Is this how you always treat ladies?"
"I'm sorry, that was a bit rude. But let's get back to the topic of Miss Bei Yasi. Since we want to cooperate, you should tell me some information."
As Shad was talking, he did not explain why he understood all languages, and Miss Annat did not mention why she could make accurate predictions. This was a tacit understanding.
"Iluna Beas, a second-ring sorceress of the Church of the Sun, is the first chosen one in the prophecy of the Whispering Poems and represents the power of balance. For now, only the Church of the Sun and you and I know about her identity. Of course, I know this secret because of my prophecy."
"balance?"
While Shad was trying to figure out the meaning of the word, Mia had already fallen asleep beside him.
Then he asked:
"So, how many people still know about the Whispering Poems and the Chosen One?"
"The complete contents of the Whispering Poems are not in anyone's hands. The Five Gods Church and the three thaumaturgical schools must know about it. Some ancient organizations, such as the Blood Spirit School and the Prophet's Association, to which I belong, must also know about it.
The witch's relic with poems written on it was controlled by different forces. The Sun Church knew the most about the first chosen one. What was even more coincidental was that Beas took the initiative to join the Sun Church's ring wizard team before the church found her. Maybe the Sun God really was protecting his believers. "
Xia De nodded and let out a long sigh:
"So what's the plan now? You are going to contact the first chosen one, Miss Bei Yasi. What specific actions do you need? Do you need my help?"
Miss Annat smiled:
"Detective, I don't need your help for now. In fact, we have already had contact. I created an encounter with Iluna Beias. When she went to the market outside the city, I pretended to be an ordinary prophet and helped her solve some doubts. I think she will come to me again soon, and I will help her as a 'mysterious prophet' until she confirms that I am a ring wizard. I will reveal my identity and cooperate with her."
“That’s a good plan.”
Shad praised that this would not only establish a connection between the two parties, but also make Miss Beas respect Miss Annat.
"I will introduce you to each other after I reveal my identity to her. Detective, you must not interfere in this matter. My plan is already very detailed. And you are too... weak. Your main task now is to improve your own strength. When you have the power that you can control, I will probably need your help in many things."
This arrangement made sense. Shad didn't need to get involved in Miss Annat's already complete plan, and he really needed time to learn. Although he theoretically solved the Lakeview Manor incident, in reality it was just luck that couldn't be replicated. Miss Annat's plan would definitely involve a fight between ring sorcerers, and Shad wasn't suitable to join in now.
"What if the other party takes the initiative to contact me?"
Xia De asked back. Miss Anat obviously didn't believe such a thing, but she still replied:
"Then play your role as an ordinary detective. Before my plan is completed, don't let Miss Bei Yasi know that you are a ring wizard. This will disrupt my clever plan and increase your danger. Also, speaking of it, can you still use the power of the thirteen-ring wizard? You don't have to answer if it's inconvenient."
Xia De knew that the other party was not trying to pry into his secrets, but wanted to know the two of them's cards.
He nodded:
"Yes, but the conditions are harsh and it is dangerous."
But it is also very powerful, even comparable to gods.
Miss Anat nodded slightly in understanding:
"That's good. This way, at least the worst situation can be avoided. But don't worry. I will be responsible for the contact with the first chosen one. I am not an ordinary three-ring warlock."
"I hope so."
"One more thing. Sorry."
She looked towards Shad.
"What?"
Xia De was puzzled.
"I took you to the third floor of Lakeview Manor and promised not to put you in danger, but in the end I forced you to face the evil god. Although I can use "I didn't expect it" as an excuse, I won't do it. I'm sorry for putting you in danger. This is the biggest mistake I made at Lakeview Manor. Detective, I will find a chance to make it up to you."
"Don't worry about that. I went with you voluntarily. And if it weren't for this, who could have predicted everything? Your predictions require a price. It's impossible to make divinations for everything, especially when it involves gods."
Shad said as he listened to the voice of the female fortune teller with short brown hair, holding the sleeping Mia and looking out of the window of the carriage.
The misty city fell into a peaceful sleep. Three moons appeared in the silent night sky, illuminating the earth as they had for thousands of years, but they were unable to illuminate every shadow.
The chosen one and the great prophecy of the Witch Emperor are the protagonists in the changing times. Outsiders do not know what role they will play in the next story, nor do they know what the future will be like.
But in short, he understood some things, knew some things, and also had his own friends. At this moment, seeing this quiet night, he really felt that he had come here.
"Say something."
He said in his heart.
What do you want to hear
"It doesn't matter, just say anything."
He looked at the night view of this steam-powered city and heard the woman's soft laughter amid the clatter of horse hooves:
The sixth era, the year 1853 of the Universal Calendar, summer. In the wind blowing through the city, you officially get to know this world. After the blood feast that greets you is over, the first protagonist of the story is about to appear. When the golden scales that symbolize balance begin to tilt, someone will always be responsible for adding weight. You foresaw the magnificent epic and the steam age of great change. Forced to be involved, traveling through the long scroll of time in the rhythm of horse hooves, will you take any action
The stranger tilted his head to look at the bright moon outside the window, Miss Annat's purple eyes looked at Shade, the orange cat squinted its eyes and pretended to be asleep looked at Miss Annat, and the moonlight shone on the orange cat through the car window.
It is such a quiet night.