Jin was still in the laboratory researching Resurrection Magic, completely unaware that the subordinate she had casually created had set an ambush for the Slane Theocracy's 'Black Scripture'—the First Seat, who held the code name as the head of the Six-Color Units. In a sense, the one Nigun killed this time was the strongest human in the Theocracy, because the even more powerful Zesshi Zetsumei was not human.
When Nigun, wearing a black overcoat and bearing the Astrea house emblem, returned to the Empire via a secret route and found her, she saw the spoils of war Nigun handed over. For a moment, her usually expressionless face showed clear signs of being at a loss and dumbfounded.
Because she hadn't paid attention to Nigun's side earlier, thinking his actions were simply suicidal, she had even prepared herself mentally to accept that Nigun would be beaten to death by the Theocracy. But she never imagined that Nigun would actually achieve this impossible task. He had truly seized the Theocracy's true artifact. She looked with a face of horror at Nigun, who stood there quietly awaiting his next command. Was this guy actually more capable than her? A mere Shadow Demon had done something that even she, his master, hadn't dared to imagine!
Alice was over there playing with several rings; they were all equipment from that First Seat of The Black Scripture.
Those rings were all magic equipment that could directly increase abilities. Among them were ones that could increase class levels, some with built-in healing skills, and others that could use low-tier teleportation magic. The effects were very good; even if they weren't artifacts, they were high-quality pieces of magic equipment. Not to mention the inner armor on the First Seat's body was a genuine artifact with extremely high attribute bonuses.
And the most valuable thing was, of course, the true artifact kept separately in an exquisite box—'beauty that topples cities and nations'. Although, after hearing about the equipping conditions for this artifact and knowing it had been worn by many people, Jin was incredibly repulsed by this garment.
However, looking at the effects, this thing truly lived up to its name as a true artifact, capable of negating all mental resistance to forcibly charm and control a target. Moreover, as long as the user met the conditions, the effect of this true artifact was not limited by range or number. Jin analyzed the effect of this true artifact through the Heavenly Eye in her Sword Saint State. For a moment, even she, who couldn't stand clothes worn by others, felt this equipment was truly powerful and could indeed become her killing move in a sense.
If she were to release her own charm attribute and pair it with this true artifact, the effect would likely be strong beyond imagination. But when she saw the style of this clothing and thought about how many people had worn it without even knowing if it had been washed, she closed the box with a complex expression.
Though she felt sorry for Nigun, she really couldn't convince herself to put on these clothes.
The issue of style was a minor one; although it wasn't very pretty and had some exposed areas, those weren't the key problems.
The fact that these clothes hadn't been washed for who-knows-how-many years was something she simply couldn't accept.
This was no longer a matter of being a clean freak; clothes that hadn't been washed for hundreds of years and were constantly worn by people—no one could accept that! Although the effect was indeed very strong. But this effect was actually quite special too; why was it specifically a charm effect? The equipment itself didn't even have many attribute bonuses. She really didn't know what the person who made this artifact back then was thinking; did they really want to rely on beauty to defeat enemies?
Nigun saw the complex emotions on his master's face and could even sense that his master seemed to feel some dislike toward this true artifact. For a moment, his heart felt apprehensive. Did the master look down on this artifact?
It seemed that winning his master's favor was truly not an easy task. But then again, although the effect of beauty that topples cities and nations was good, such crude equipment simply didn't match his master.
His master possessed beauty that truly 'toppled cities and nations'; why would she need to use this tasteless true artifact? It seemed he needed to be more diligent. He wondered if any of the true artifacts guarded by Zesshi Zetsumei for the Theocracy were suitable for his master; it seemed he still had to find a way to conquer the Slane Theocracy. However, to achieve this, the current quality of the cultists was still too poor; he had to improve their quality.
Jin looked at Nigun.
She sensed a Familiar magical reaction from him, and for a moment, the imagery from that dream surfaced again. Although it felt a bit absurd, that dream seemed to be something like a prophetic dream, because the magical reaction coming from Nigun now was clearly the same aura as when she activated Magic Twilight.
But what exactly was going on?
Even she only became tainted with that doomsday aura when using Magic Twilight, yet Nigun's basic mana was completely dyed in the colors of twilight, turning him into an existence akin to an apostle! Could it be that this world truly has a god of destruction who wants to possess her? Could the current Nigun
actually be influenced by that person's power? Otherwise, there was no way to explain why Nigun could master a power that she, his master, had not yet been able to grasp.
Because of this suspicion.
Tsukasa's voice sounded somewhat cold.
"What is going on with you?"
"Yes, your subordinate knows his mistake. Next time, I will surely offer you an even more valuable artifact!"
"..."
Tsukasa was stunned for a moment.
Then she became incredibly serious. Looking at Nigun's sincere expression, was this guy actually planning to go and rob the other artifacts from the Theocracy?
"No, that's not necessary. I am very satisfied. Where did the twilight aura on you come from? I don't recall you ever being able to use this series of magic."
"This is your Gift, Master."
"...Be more specific."
Nigun gave his master a strange look, not quite understanding what she meant. However, a Familiar like a Shadow Demon had no other defining trait than absolute loyalty. Even if the Contract between them and their master was broken, their absolute loyalty would never change. Thus, no matter how incompetent or foolish their master appeared, they would not take it to heart and would only prioritize their master's will.
"It is a skill called Blessing. Through the Blessing, I can obtain the authority of twilight and bestow the twilight factor upon other sapient beings. And the source of this power comes from you, Master."
Tsukasa's face was a complete question mark.
You've got to be kidding me.
How did she not know she had this ability?
Besides, this sounded quite similar to the 'witch factor' from the Sword Saint's world, but that was impossible. She had never been to that world. Although she did have the title of 'Witch' in her previous world, the effect of that title wasn't that impressive.
Moreover, after traveling to this world, the effects of the titles from that world no longer existed.
As for the Sword Saint bloodline? Setting aside whether she actually had it, she had never heard of a Witch being born from a Sword Saint's bloodline. After all, the witch factor of that world was the opposite of the world's Blessing, and the Sword Saint bloodline was like being a child of the world. How could it possibly possess something like a witch factor? Could a witch factor be taken by force? Furthermore, the witch factor should belong to the seven deadly sins system, so how did those seven deadly sins get involved with an ancestor like twilight?
Unsure if it was a witch factor, Tsukasa temporarily set the matter aside. Since it seemed she couldn't get more information out of Nigun, the problem likely lay with herself. However, there was one more thing she needed an answer for from Nigun: "Have you been building an evil cult behind my back?"
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"