Chapter 51

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Settling an IOU using magic?!

Is he trying to curse his debtor to death or create counterfeit notes?

I might not have a solution to the problem, but I can finish you instead?

...

All sorts of thoughts vied for space in Klein’s mind. Even the look he gave Old Neil was a little strange. He began seriously considering the possibility of calling the police, no—of informing the Nighthawks.

Old Neil peered at him and said, peeved, “In your eyes, I see ignorance, foolishness, and a weak, shameless lack of faith. Didn’t Dunn tell you the tenet of the Mystery Pryers? Do as you wish but do no harm! Although this principle originated from the secret and wicked Ascetic Order of Moss, Beyonders who choose the path of Mystery Pryers have proven its truth through their own lived experiences. As long as one strictly abides by it and shows the necessary reverence, the risk of losing control will be minimized—and the reverse has also been true. Your suspicion of me is an insult to Mystery Pryers!”

“I apologize,” Klein said immediately, admitting his fault. He had indeed forgotten what Dunn Smith once said about the maxim.

Old Neil was not truly angry. He soon chuckled and said, “A pity. Very few Beyonders choose to be Seers. There is no corresponding maxim to help you.”

But I have Emperor Roselle's diary... Yes, strictly abiding by the maxim is itself a way of “acting”...

As the thought suddenly occurred to him, Klein nodded in contemplation.

Old Neil did not continue with the rebuke. Instead, he removed the vases and other items from the round table and placed them in a corner. Next, he took out two candles from the chest—a red one and a black one. He explained, “If ordinary people attempt ritualistic magic, they must follow the results from astromancy or check the corresponding manuals to choose a suitable date and time—for example, the Sunday that represents the Goddess and the moon hours that She presides over. But for us Beyonders, especially those with expertise in this domain, there is no need for that. Our strong sense for the spiritual and powerful astral bodies are the most important part. Of course, if you are not confident about the ritualistic magic you are attempting, its best to choose a suitable date and time to increase the probability of success. Ah, right, you must also remember this one premise and strictly abide by it!”

Old Neil placed the two candles down and turned his body to look at Klein. In a very solemn voice, he said, “Low-rank Beyonders are not strong enough. Almost all the ritualistic magic they perform seeks help from external powers. Therefore, you can only consider orthodox deities like the Goddess or the Lord of Storms. Absolutely and under no circumstances should you attempt to communicate with unknown or unpredictable entities, even if people believe in them or the promises recorded in books seem enticing! Believe me, do not take any chances. If you only attempt it once, you will go down a slippery slope into the abyss with no return. Any work or resistance will only slow it down without changing its trajectory.”

“I’ll remember!” Klein said in a firm, deep voice, though inwardly he felt sheepish.

My luck-enhancement ritual seems to he asking for power from an unknown and unpredictable entity...

Furthermore, I have gained actual powers that even an experienced Beyonder like The Hanged Man finds unbelievable—capable of pulling people up above the gray fog. Well...at least I think he is an experienced Beyonder...

Thankfully, I haven't gone mad or exhibited any signs of losing control...

Worrying over this, Klein proactively changed the subject. “So the best option for Nighthawks is to seek the help of the Goddess?”

“No one will stop you if you pray to the Lord of Storms. However, He might not reply or would reply with malicious intent. That would cause our ritualistic magic to take an unpredictable turn.” With his joking response, Old Neil successfully dispelled Klein’s idea. There was no so-called “best” option; there was only one.

After his exhortations, Old Neil picked up the red candle and said, “Using candles made of moonflowers and crimson sandalwood in ritualistic magic points to the Goddess’s identity as the Master of Crimson.”

He pointed to the black candle and said, “Made of night vanilla and slumber flowers, representing the night.”

As he spoke, he placed the black candle on the top left of the round table while positioning the red candle on the top right.

“Why do we symbolize the Goddess with only two candles? She is also the Mother of Secrets, Queen of Calamity and Fear, and Lord of Repose and Silence.”

“That’s right. I was hoping you’d ask that,” Old Neil chuckled. “Before their fall, the Ascetic Order of Moss had a very good relationship with our church. Some of their beliefs and accomplishments in ritualistic magic have greatly influenced us.

“They believe that all objects are numeric and that every number has a spirituality. In ritualistic magic, zero represents the unknown and Chaos—symbolizing the state of the universe before it was born. One represents a beginning, the first Creator. Two represents the world and the various deities born of His body. Three represents contact between the gods and the material world, when all things came into being. Here, we use two candles to represent the Goddess, while the third candle is for ourselves. Which two candles and which two symbols to use would depend on the intended effects of the ritualistic magic.”

Three begets all things? All things stem from three?(8)

Klein could not help but recall certain concepts from his previous life.

Seeing Klein listen attentively, Old Neil took a third candle and said, “This is the candle that represents the ‘me.’ It’s a very ordinary candle with just a hint of mint added. Remember that plants like roses, lemons, mint, moonflower, night vanilla, and slumber flower are all loved and favored by the Goddess.

“On the other hand, the three candles also represent the body, spirituality, and divinity in every person.”

After finishing the description, Old Neil placed the third candle in the center of the round table. Next, he took out a bottle of concocted Full Moon Elixir, a large cauldron engraved with the Sacred Emblem of Darkness, a silver knife embellished with elaborate patterns, a cup of water, and a small plate of coarse salt.

“Beyonders whose expertise is not in ritualistic magic will also need a bell, a crystal ball, a silver cup, incense, and other supplementary items. However, Mystery Pryers and Seers have no need for those. These items are already sufficient.”

Old Neil placed the faux-goatskin parchment drawn with the IOU beside the cauldron at the end of the round table closest to them and used a special quill to hold down one corner of it. He then turned to Klein and said, “Ritualistic magic needs a clean spiritual environment where you will not be disturbed. We need to create that ourselves. The steps are to first enter into a trance, focus your mind, and use a supplementary item to guide your power outward— constructing it around us. For example, the Holy Night Powder I used at Ryer Bieber’s home and the silver ceremonial dagger I will be using now.

“Throughout the entire process, we must determine the appropriate symbolism and corresponding incantation based on the outcome we desire. Incantations are best performed in Hermes since ancient Hermes originated from nature. It’s akin to ancient Dragonese or ancient Elvish. Its effects are very direct, lacking the concealment and protection that other forms offer, which can easily put the caster in danger. This is also why it has been reformed over time. However, there’s no doubt that it is more effective.

“All right, I must focus on the ritualistic magic now. I won’t explain things any further. Pay close attention with your eyes and ears and remember any questions you might have. Ask me once everything is done.”

“Okay.” Klein took two steps back and fixed his gaze on Old Neil.

Old Neil’s eyes rapidly darkened as an invisible gust of wind began to swirl around him. He was silent for a moment. Then, proceeding in order from left to right and top to bottom, he used the friction between his psyche and the physical object to ignite the three candles in succession.

Next, he picked up the silver knife and jabbed it into the coarse salt while chanting the incantation in Hermes:

“I sanctify you, blade of pure silver!

“I cleanse and purify you, enabling you to serve me in this ritual!”

...

“In the name of the Evernight Goddess, the Master of Crimson...

“You have been sanctified!”

After those short but powerful words of ancient origin, Old Neil withdrew the silver knife and inserted it into the cup of clear water. Then he lifted it and pointed toward the space beyond the round table.

He aimed the tip of the blade at the periphery and took a step forward, slowly circling the table. With every step, Klein felt an invisible energy radiate from the silver knife. Filled with spirituality, it merged with the air and formed a completely sealed wall around the altar.

After completing one circuit around the table, the altar was entirely isolated from its surroundings.

Old Neil then stood before the round table and set the silver knife down. He picked up the vial of Full Moon Elixir and carefully dripped three drops onto each of the black, crimson, and ordinary candles.

Szzzzt!

A thin mist sizzled forth, and everything seemed to become shrouded in mystery.

Old Neil put down the glass vial and stared silently at the fauxgoatskin parchment for two minutes. Then he picked up the quill and drew a symbol of containment—a square encompassing all the content on the page—indicating that he had “contained” the debt.

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Following that, Old Neil drew a cross on the parchment, indicating that the IOU was canceled. Upon reaching this step, he picked up the parchment with one hand and tapped the center of his brow with the other to activate his spirit vision.

Another invisible, exuberant energy bloomed around him. He began chanting in a low voice:

“I ask for the power of the Evernight;

“I ask for the power of the Crimson;

“I ask for the Goddess’s loving grace,

“For the funds to pay this IOU.

“Night vanilla, herb of the crimson moon, please bestow your powers to my incantation!

“Moonflower, herb of the crimson moon, please bestow your powers to my incantation!”

...

Beside him, Klein was completely flabbergasted. A myriad of thoughts arose in him.

Does such an incantation really work?

Although it was recited and written in Hermes...

Isn’t this way too simple, basic, and down to earth?

Wouldn’t the Goddess be angry and multiply the debt severalfold?

At that moment, the candlelight suddenly flared!

After Old Neil finished his incantation, he closed his eyes for two minutes. Then he picked up the vial of Full Moon Elixir and dripped one drop onto each of the three candles again.

Next, he grabbed the parchment and held it close to the candle representing the “self.” Once the parchment ignited, he immediately threw it into the cauldron. Old Neil closed his eyes once more, as if to feel the IOU burning away.

After a while, he opened his eyes and looked toward the cauldron. The parchment had been completely incinerated, leaving only ash behind.

“Praise the Lady!” Old Neil declared as he tapped his chest in four spots, forming the shape of the crimson moon. Then he extinguished the candles in the opposite order from which he had lit them.

After finishing everything, he used the silver knife to rip apart the invisible wall around him. As a giant gust of wind swept over them, Old Neil heaved an obvious sigh of relief.

“All done.”

“That’s it?” Klein asked, stunned. “Your debt has been settled?How?”

“I don’t know, either. In any case, it will be settled in a reasonable manner,” Old Neil replied with a smile, spreading his palms in a shrug.

What...?

Klein was at a loss for words. What should he say or do?

Will this actually work?