CHAPTER 1289: CHAPTER 317 GREAT CALAMITY CURIO: KORNUNOS (TWO IN ONE)

Annan, Dmitry, and the two Popes departed from the airship together and headed toward the Hall of Purity.

Originally, Annan had not planned to bring Dmitry along.

But now, after Grandmother awakened, Dmitry quickly became her Pope... and according to Grandmother’s advice, Dmitry had better come along; otherwise, things would become very troublesome.

Although Annan did not quite understand why, he followed her advice without hesitation.

After Annan’s wedding concluded, he and Kafney departed immediately. However, the guests from various nations still needed to be hosted and entertained. Dmitry had been working until late last night, and by 9:30 in the morning, he still hadn’t woken up—only to be shaken out of bed straightaway by Annan.

While aboard the airship, Gregory VII, the "Light Forger," explained some crucial details to Annan.

One of the most critical points among them was... why Dmitry’s presence was indispensable for this journey.

"In truth, what people don’t know is... [The Sixth Aspect Future Book]’s holder is none other than ’The Silent Unspeakable.’"

Gregory VII solemnly stated: "And he has always carried it with him. Shortly, it will be Lord Peter who sends you into the future.

"Since Lord Peter is unable to speak, I will provide you with the necessary precautions. If there’s anything you still don’t understand, feel free to ask Mr. Radiance later for further clarification."

Following this, Gregory VII elaborated on the most significant taboo of [The Sixth Aspect Future Book]:

——That is, [The Sixth Aspect Future Book] cannot send other Great Calamity Curios into the future. These powerful artifacts are not confined to the First History; they are transcendent entities existing across timelines. Precisely because of this, Great Calamity Curios can influence The Worm... or more accurately, The Worm cannot interfere with the essence of Great Calamity Curios and is thus sealed away.

Due to the constraints imposed by [The Sixth Aspect Future Book], Annan would not be able to carry his most critical equipment, "Three Sirens," into the future.

This was the precise reason why Grandmother insisted Dmitry accompany him.

——It wasn’t that Dmitry’s opinion was particularly necessary or that the ritual wouldn’t work without him. Rather, the Empire needed a "gear rack" to ensure that Three Sirens could be safely transported back to Frost Speech Province after Annan’s departure.

Dmitry’s role was uniquely vital, bordering on irreplaceable—essentially acting as Annan’s stand-in driver.

After all, aside from the Winter clan, who possess the resilience of Winter’s Heart, or extraordinarily strong-willed Gold-tier individuals, anyone else exposed to Three Sirens’ sentience would find their minds shattered and dissolved.

This assessment doesn’t even factor in the hidden powers and inherent risks of Three Sirens itself... After all, it represents a trifecta of world-ending mechanisms—a force potent enough to annihilate the Old Empire instantaneously. Even as a temporary bearer, it must be someone trustworthy and reliable.

Thus, to avoid unnecessary complications, Dmitry was reluctantly dragged into this situation, forced to bear the staff he’d tried to escape from throughout half his life, only to ultimately fail in doing so.

Dmitry’s sentiment at this moment was undoubtedly complex.

But as soon as Annan landed, all the meticulously prepared arrangements commenced simultaneously.

When Annan and the other three arrived at the Hall of Purity, there were no guards or attendants at the entrance. The massive doors opened automatically, and the twelve True Gods had already gathered in full. Besides the three Popes, the remaining nine had also arrived.

However, the long table where the Popes usually sat had been overtaken by the twelve True Gods—each occupying a seat. The Popes stood respectfully behind the gods they served, forming two rows against the walls.

The narrowest seat at the center of the long table, which should have been reserved for the Pope, was instead left vacant for Annan.

Annan paused momentarily but sat down without a word of hesitation.

On his way past Grandmother, he silently held up the Three Sirens, now transformed into "Two Sirens," and extended it toward Dmitry.

Dmitry, who had just steadied himself, hesitated for about two to three seconds before reluctantly gripping the other end of the staff.

In the instant Dmitry grasped it, overwhelming emotions surged forth, practically drowning his consciousness.

Fortunately, Annan released his grip immediately. The upright staff Annan had been holding inverted to match the form Ivan the Grand Duke had wielded.

Soon, the unmanageable wave of emotions subsided sharply—as if a heavy arterial bleed had been clamped shut.

Annan didn’t look back as he walked over and sat at his designated position.

To his left sat the gods of January through June:

Benevolent and quiet, the Burial Grandma gazed at Annan like any ordinary old woman; The Mysterious Lady sighed lightly, resting her hand against her forehead; The Silent Lady remained expressionless; Yawen maintained a stern look while sketching something on his drawing board; The Silver Baron adjusted his single-framed glasses, offering a standard businesslike smile and sitting upright; The Red Knight removed her crimson helmet, revealing her cascading red hair.

To Annan’s right, the gray conference table was lined with the guardians of July through December:

The mischievous Haoyun resembled a seven-year-old, gleefully playing with dice in her hands; The boy with white hair and iridescent eyes gazed at Annan with hope-filled eyes; The Goddess of Cup, wearing a crimson low-cut gown, held her golden chalice in both hands, staring at the blood quietly bubbling within it; The Moth Mother sat quietly as though perched upon the page of a book, her presence faint and almost illusory; Grandmother sat sternly, tilting her head slightly to observe Annan.