CHAPTER 736: ZETHERION

"Well this is probably the best and absolute f*cking worst case scenario that I can think of." Rosalyn grumbled in front of the group. Her heel tapped against the ground repeatedly while she observed the map that she laid out on the table.

Red markings and notes of intel were spread everywhere.

Sightings of Church members, strong Hunters and even potential whereabouts of Apostles.

The Sun was pulling out all stops in order to surround the East.

As for the moon, they were still relatively passive, only sending over a bit of help rather than a whole force like the Sun.

"I’m glad we didn’t rush into leaving through the Abyss." Alice mumbled, seeing the sheer size of the reported numbers.

Had they tried to travel through the Abyss, a fight will no doubt break out turning all eyes towards them.

And in case it was a distraction, the moment a fight had broke out in the Abyss, the security in their realm tightened as well, making sure that nothing slipped through their notice.

"I can see why you would say this is the absolute worst case scenario. But how come it’s simultaneously the best?" Isolde asked curiously.

This kind of encirclement. . . even with Alice’s disguise skill felt difficult to break out of.

"It’s good because even with this kind of net, they’ve split their power on two fronts. Breaking through on one should be relatively easy, provided the information on Apostles are accurate." Rosalyn pointed at the note placed in the middle of the sea.

Right now, both Apostles were apparently just observing the situation, not making a single move.

They didn’t give out instructions nor did they make things hard for the common people. All they’re doing is sitting around.

Alice narrowed her gaze. She suspected that they’re probably around to look for hints of Divinity. For those who are familiar with Divinity, it was unlike the other three sources of energy.

Radiant and holy, that’s what it felt like. Something that’s hard to cover up or disguise.

"Moving as a big group, even if we’re disguised as merchants will be stupid. They’ll do an even more thorough examination. I suggest we split up into groups temporarily and regroup the moment we reach port.

"I know it’s a little. . . uncomfortable for you but Port Caethis is our best location. Not only does Alice have a connection with the Pirate King there, but we can also get some information from Tristan if things play out well." Rosalyn suggested, glancing towards Isolde.

With her connection to the Moon, there’s no doubt that this choice was going to be one that annoyed her.

"Do not worry. I’m sensible enough to know when to contain myself." Isolde reassured.

Nodding her head in relief, Rosalyn split them into three groups.

The first group was herself, Isolde and Jin.

The second group was Ria and Luke while the final group was Alice.

"Huh??? Why am I alone???" Alice pointed at herself in disbelief.

"Let me break it down for you then. First, Jin and Isolde have too much Eldritch energy in their body. At least with me, I’m able to disguise it to some extent since they’ll be more focused on the fact that I’m a Lord than these two.

"Ria and Luke have been travelling together for a while now, no one knows about them so they are clean.

"You, you’re the f*cking anomaly here. Travelling with anyone else would implicate them with you needing to reapply your disguise all the time. As amazing as it is, the disguise itself isn’t stable, energy still leaks out from time to time when you use the skill on someone else.

"Trust me when I say this but it’s 100 times easier for you to travel alone than it is for you to travel with any of us. Plus, you know the way to Caethis don’t you? Just be careful about using any spatial skills since the Apostles are on the lookout for those." Rosalyn warned.

Slumping in her chair, Alice let out a groan.

They just reunited and yet they’re separating again. Even if they’re reconvening in Caethis, Alice still didn’t want to leave the group.

"Stop complaining. If you didn’t kill the Apostle then maybe we wouldn’t have the Sun Church surrounding this place." Rosalyn knocked Alice on the head.

"Not my fault the Will made her my target. It’s either I die or she dies." She pouted.

She wasn’t intending on killing Kazira either. In fact, her choice for the sixth Sigil wasn’t anything remotely close to an Apostle.

Yet here she is, she Kazira as her sixth Sigil.

"Regardless, we can’t change the past. We’ll depart tonight so take this chance to get as much information from Cael’s library as you can. It’s a bigger than most libraries so finding your way around it is a little complicated.

"Take this token and it’ll help you find a way out if you ever get lost."

Rosalyn handed each of them a crimson dagger, far too small to be used as a weapon.

"You should be able to find some interesting stuff in their based on what you want to find. He’s been alive for a long time so he keeps most things well documented. Just make sure you don’t tear or damage any of them or else the security will go ape sh*t." She warned.

After saying that, she dispersed the group. She needed a bit of time for her own preparations so hide the fact that both Isolde and Jin were Eldritch in nature.

###

’Is there anything I should be looking for in the library?’ Alice asked curiously.

They were currently walking around the inside of Caelan’s library which Rosalyn mentioned.

As she had stated, what could’ve looked like a modest book room from the outside was in fact a boundless library of impossible sizes. A space that defied logic.

Countless columns of books stretched as far as the eye could see, some hanging upside down with gravity shifting in a multitude of ways.

Steps that spiralled overhead, pillars that arched and halls that looped back in on itself.

There seemed to be no sources of light yet a stable lamination filled the entire room.

Alice traced her fingers along the shelves, looking for books that she wanted to read.

Outside of the usual important stuff such as beast compendium, Abyss Bloods, artifacts and a list of famous alcohol, she wasn’t sure what else she should try and find.

Strangely, while she was in this space, the moment she wanted to find a certain book, a instinct would wash over her. Informing her where she could potentially find the information she needed.

And as for the security that Rosalyn mentioned. . .

"Honestly, calling it security is a little insulting don’t you think?"

’Agreed. But then again, he’s also strong as sh*t so it’s only to be expected that he managed to tame something like this.’ Alyss was of the same thought.

[Zetherion - ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦]

A nine star beast that hovered in the airspace above the library. Floating as though gravity didn’t exist. A large serpentine beast that kept its body coiled with strange shimmering silken strands of flesh on its body.

The strands shifted ever so often, turning from flesh to strange fractured geometry resembling that of glass. A prism of colours.

It has no eyes, only a crown of shifting yellow blobs in the flesh that would hover around the head before moving elsewhere on its body.

Around its head and tail, jelly fish like appendages drifted in the air as though it was underwater. Soft, ethereal and ghostly even.

And much like certain species that live in the sea, its colour would shift to match its surroundings, camouflaging it and making it difficult to spot the creature. Only the slight shifting of shadows would give away its position.

With this kind of beast as security, who would dare damage the books in here?

But since it was here as security, there wasn’t much need to be worried about it as long as they followed the rules.

[Details on the previous eras and historical sites should be rather useful.] Cayla suggested while Alice folded her arms.

Topic like history and stuff felt a little boring for her. She couldn’t quite put herself into the mindset of studying.

Of course, that’s not to say she’s looking down on the value of history. Since it is through history that one can learn.

But asking her to compile all that knowledge was. . .

Her mind was already full of beast, Abyss blood and Alcohol information. She didn’t have space for anything else.

[I think I might have a method for that. Since we partially unsealed the Eye, a lot of the previous functions that were impossible are now possible. Not to mention the fact that I’ve fully awakened and synchronised to you. Outside of what remains of Kaden’s seal, I’m basically back at full power.]

Of course, there was no need to mention the fact that Nyer still had the other half.

’What’s the plan then?’ Alice was curious about what Cayla wanted to do.

She knew that in the past, Cayla was able to move independently from Velouria. Then perhaps. . .

From Alice’s arm, strands of energy began to weave together. Little by little, a silhouette was formed before details began to materialise.

Silver hair that held a pinkish hue, purple eyes and with a simple white dress. Her hair was short with a single long strand at the top. Alice had to fight the urge to tug at it.

The front sides of her hair were longer than the rest, reaching her chest and framing her face.

But. . .

There was a slight problem.

". . ."

"Don’t you say a word." Cayla glared at Alice.

That problem being Cayla was only around knee height.

And Alice was already considered rather short. . .