In mysticism, the structure of the world can be divided into three parts: reality, the spirit world, and the astral world.
Among these, the real world goes without saying, and the spirit world is also of great significance to Beyonders, serving as the foundation for many ritual magic and beyonder abilities.
Only the [astral world], a concept that frequently appears as important content in mysticism, has never been described or explained in detail.
So it turns out the astral world is a place where concepts and symbols converge.
The divine kingdoms of the true gods might be located there.
Silas carefully read through the description the Queen gave in her letter.
Clearly, this big shot of the mystical world didn't seem to know much about that place either.
The wording in the letter was extremely cautious, repeatedly using terms like "allegedly" and "possibly."
According to "Red," the aura on his body was related to that place.
Could it be that the space where that illusory, pitch-black sea existed was the astral world?
Silas frowned in thought.
It didn't quite seem like it.
That sea didn't fit descriptions like "conceptualization" or "abstraction."
Moreover, according to the Queen, the astral world was related to the so-called true starry sky, so it should at least be in the sky, right?
He recalled the fog spreading over the sea.
That mist not only obscured the true Creator on the other side of the sea but also concealed the view above.
Perhaps, as he advanced further, he would be able to see what was above the great sea and confirm whether that was the so-called "astral world."
"Meow~"
Luna tugged at his sleeve, pulling Silas out of his contemplation. He picked up the cat and sat down in a chair in the room.
"Medici, what is the astral world?"
He stroked the cat's smooth fur and asked the evil spirit inside his body.
This guy had once been an Angel King under the Creator and should know about such matters.
"Heh heh."
As expected, Medici let out a scornful laugh.
"I didn't expect that just after reaching Sequence 4, you'd dare to inquire about the astral world.
Impressive, truly impressive."
Is he mocking me for overreaching?
Silas had long grown accustomed to the other party's malicious tone. He automatically ignored the malice and filtered out some useful information.
From the meaning in Medici's words, it seemed that Beyonders of lower sequences weren't suited to come into contact with knowledge about the astral world.
Why?
Could it be because that knowledge is harmful?
That seemed possible, because Medici was currently residing inside his body and likely didn't want anything to happen to him that would affect Him, so He was secretly dissuading him?
He speculated.
To verify this, Silas tried asking again, "What about the true starry sky? Are the stars we see in the sky now fake?"
"Do you really want to know?"
Medici clicked his tongue, his tone seemingly containing some dangerous implication.
"Never mind."
Just as I thought. Silas shook his head and wisely ended the topic.
After resting in the room for a moment, Silas picked up the black cat and left the inn, finding a lively bar called "Sweet Lemon."
As dusk fell, the bar was filled with noisy voices. At the entrance and inside the establishment stood some armed guards.
The walls were covered with various wanted posters.
With just a casual glance, he not only saw his own but also Anderson's grinning portrait that looked extremely punchable.
A bounty of 25,000 pounds, at the level of a pirate admiral.
Silas thought to himself.
According to Anderson, the owner of this bar was the founder of the "Free Adventurers Union."
Yes, that loose organization that helped adventurers exchange bounties.
Naturally, Anderson had disguised himself before landing on the island.
As for Silas, he used the "Spectator" pathway's "psychological invisibility" to lower people's attention toward him.
"Sir, what would you like to drink?"
It wasn't until he walked up to the bar and sat down that the bartender seemed to wake from a dream and notice him, asking in a hazy tone.
"Lemon water."
Silas said, "And a plate of fresh tuna."
To avoid seeing hallucinations after drinking, he had maintained the habit of not drinking alcohol to this day.
"That'll be 15 pence total."
The bartender said.
"Any recent news?"
Silas tossed a handful of coins onto the counter, then asked.
"A while back, the Blood Reverend plundered Toscarter Island and recruited the strongest hunter in the Fog Sea, Anderson, to form a pirate crew."
The bartender quickly prepared both items, handing a glass of lemon water to Silas and placing a plate of fresh fish before the black cat.
Luna was delighted to see the fish meat. She sat upright on the bar, eating and licking her lips.
He continued:
"There's also been recent news.
A powerful adventurer appeared over in the Rorsted Archipelago, named Gehrman Sparrow.
He killed the second mate of the 'Blood Admiral,' 'Steel' Maveti."
Gehrman. Oh right, that's Klein. He's doing pretty well too.
Silas nodded slightly, raised his glass and took a small sip, but frowned because the lemon water was mixed too sweet.
"By the way, where's your boss?"
Putting down his glass, he asked in a relaxed tone.
"Right upstairs, in the room at the very end of the hallway."
A faint golden glow flickered in the bartender's eyes as he carelessly divulged information about his boss.
"Thanks for your cooperation."
Silas said softly, picking up Luna who had finished her fish.
The guards didn't stop him at all, allowing him to walk up the stairs to the second floor. He soon arrived at that room and pushed the door open directly.
The room was carpeted with soft rugs, and the air carried the fragrance of cigars.
A middle-aged man with slicked-back hair half-reclined in an easy chair, smoking a cigar while reading a newspaper.
More than six bodyguards stood beside him, all Beyonders, with the highest among them reaching Sequence 7.
"Who!"
Silas had withdrawn his "psychological invisibility" after entering the room.
To the bodyguards, he had appeared suddenly, naturally causing them great alarm. In an instant, various weapons were aimed at him.
"Don't move."
Silas said indifferently.
The bodyguards stared blankly at the golden radiance in his eyes, then discovered with horror that they couldn't summon the slightest resistance!
With just one casual sentence, he had stripped them of all their fighting power!
"Good evening, esteemed sir."
The blonde man in the easy chair calmed everyone with his eyes, then looked at Silas with a smile and said, "I'm the owner here, Bilt Brando. What can I do for you?"
"There's something."
Silas said, "I heard that the 'Free Adventurers Union' was established by you."
"That's right, I established this organization to help adventurers."
Bilt Brando's eyes flickered slightly for a moment, then he acknowledged it with a smile.
"Good."
Silas nodded.
"I took out the 'Slaughterer' Kircheis and turned him in to your organization for the reward, but I was ambushed by your own people working with other groups.
I still haven't seen a single penny of that money."
Bilt's expression slowly shifted into shock.
"Don't tell me…"
"Alexander Gascoigne."
Silas said, "You still owe me 9,500 pounds, in cash."