“They're just the most ordinary amulets. The actual physical materials are things you brought yourself; what I prepared were only items to apply the effects. It shouldn't affect your ability to take them back with you. As for their effect...” Dr. Sven gave a playful wink. “They're meant for blessings. Just consider them souvenirs from the Third Age. Don't stuff them inside storage items—keep them on your person. Who knows, maybe they'll produce some special effect.”
If I weren't no match for you, I'd really give you a beating! Lynch twitched his lips and muttered, “Then couldn't you have made them a bit more refined? That way we could wear them as accessories on the outside. Making them so ugly means we don't even dare let anyone see them, or they'll think we have some kind of weird kink.”
Dr. Sven's expression froze, her eyes turning dangerous. “Do you have an issue with my craftsmanship?”
“No, no, not at all. This little thing looks... very unique.”
Lynch was a wise man who knew when to yield. Thus, the four divided their respective dolls right on the spot. Although the effects were unclear, they trusted Dr. Sven wouldn't harm them. For a ghoul who had read the 《Necronomicon》 to present these and maintain such a mysterious air about them, the effect couldn't be bad. Since it was free, they might as well take it to satisfy their curiosity.
“Allow me to keep the effect secret. Perhaps you'll never need to use them in your entire lives, but if an opportunity does arise, just take it as a pleasant surprise. Also... there's this.”
Dr. Sven pulled a strange box from her satchel and set it before the four of them. The box was made of stone—heavy and coarse, with ancient craftsmanship that looked old even for the Dark Age.
The four exchanged glances, all somewhat surprised. Lynch cautiously touched the box and gently pushed open the lid.
A sharp pain pricked between his eyebrows, sending his mind into a momentary daze as all sorts of wild, chaotic thoughts flooded his head. Fortunately, it lasted for only a fraction of a second before the anomaly vanished as quickly as it came, leaving Lynch's consciousness clear once more.
Hss, this thing isn't simple.
Lynch opened the lid completely to see what was inside.
It was a book roughly two fingers thick and 16mo in size.
The black cover was crafted from some unknown hide—shabby, stained, and ancient in appearance, yet surprisingly smooth to the touch. Inscribed upon the cover was a string of incomprehensible characters.
Looking at its edge, the pages were yellowed and long decayed, with tattered margins. Coming slightly closer, a stench of decay and death washed over them, sending a chill through their bodies.
Lynch took a deep breath, already realizing what this object was.
The 《Necronomicon》—legend had it that it was written by a madman, recording truths that came closest to the absolute reality of the world.
“Yes, it is the 《Necronomicon》. Care to open it and take a look?”
Are you trying to go mad, or do you want me to go mad? Lynch shook his head violently, shaking so fast it left an afterimage.
“What a pity. I've always kept this sealed away with my kin to guard, never intending to let anyone see it. But since you want it, I might as well hand it over to you.”
There was an eager look in their eyes, sorely tempted to open it and take a peek, but their reason stopped them at once. Only one hand had already reached out toward the ancient tome.
Slap.
Lynch slapped Judy's hand away with a sharp strike. This silly girl had already brought herself to such a state, yet she still didn't learn her lesson. Was she really not going to stop until she got herself killed one day?
Poor Judy pulled back her hand aggrievedly, her eyes turning somewhat resentful.
Ignoring her, Lynch forcibly suppressed the curiosity in his heart, closed the stone lid, pushed the box back, and shook his head.
“What we said earlier wasn't a lie—we really have no way of taking it with us.”
“Then that makes things quite troublesome,” Dr. Sven said with distress. “Normally, I leave it with my kin. If I die, they will look after it in the future, but I have no idea where they might place it. I'm not even sure if they will still exist by your era.”
The four frowned slightly, realizing her words were no mere excuse. This truly was a major problem with no apparent solution.
Must we give up on the deal with the Lord of a Billion Radiance? What a shame... Maybe there was a chance to get the Miracle of Light without any effort.
Unable to come up with a solution, they could only set the matter aside for now. If all else failed, they would just have to forfeit it. The matter at hand was far more important right now.
“The situation outside is going rather smoothly. Everything is expected to be wrapped up by six this evening, all thanks to your help. Terry is even considering whether to throw a banquet tonight to express our gratitude.”
Lynch felt the veins in his head throb. “Using refined flour?”
“Heh, that's right, though not from this year's harvest.” Dr. Sven chuckled softly. “Don't worry, I stopped him. If you weren't lying to me, then that banquet... heh. Besides, it's still too early to think about celebrating. At the very least, we must wait until all the medicine has been distributed. Given that man's madness, I don't believe he will ever accept defeat. As long as there's a sliver of opportunity, he'll keep going.”
This was precisely what the four were worried about. Lynch pressed, “You think he hasn't given up yet?”
“How could it be that easy?” the doctor replied without a second thought. “Right now, the only thing we can be certain of is that your countermeasure worked. The container isn't complete yet, so it isn't time to offer the sacrifices, which is why the plague outbreak was paused. But he could make his next move at any moment, so we must stay prepared at all times. In truth, the only way to truly guarantee a resolution is to thoroughly destroy the container for Mordiggian's resurrection. No, even that isn't completely foolproof. The safest way is to destroy its consciousness avatar and drive it entirely back into the Dreamlands.”
“Destroying the container is easy, but driving Mordiggian back isn't so simple,” Lynch sighed. “Without supreme power, forget about it. Mortals can't touch the Supreme at all.”
“Hmm? Why do you sound so experienced? You haven't done it before, have you?”
Lynch offered a subtle smile and shifted the topic. “In true history, you must have successfully destroyed little Jack's body and prevented Mordiggian's revival, otherwise there would be records in history. But if the container was destroyed, what would happen to Mordiggian's consciousness avatar?”
“I don't know, it would likely flee,” Dr. Sven mused. “It might escape into the Holy Well in the Holy City. That place is special enough to harbor its slumbering consciousness.”
“Oh, then I... huh?” Lynch suddenly choked up, his entire body freezing. He slowly turned his head to exchange a glance with Miss Diana, his voice dry as he said, “The Holy City you mentioned... wouldn't happen to be Zur-Baha-Sahr, would it?”
“You know of our Holy City too?”
“And the Holy Well you mentioned... wouldn't happen to refer to a massive cavern leading underground inside the temple at the center of Zur-Baha-Sahr?”
“I've never been there myself, but that's what legends say.” Dr. Sven then paused in surprise. “How do you know that?”
“Because in our era, this lady and I crawled in there and smashed that massive green light ball covered in tentacles with a single punch.”
Lynch felt a chill run down his spine and exhaled a breath of cold air. Could that evil god's avatar in Zur-Baha-Sahr have originated like this?
Was our entering the memory of this mystery relic really just a coincidence?
Lynch felt a bit dazed, but amidst the chaos, a sudden flash of insight struck him as he realized another matter:
“You said your kin had already developed dissatisfaction and even hatred toward Mordiggian over this matter. After you prevented its awakening, could it be that your kin held a grudge against it, pursued it all the way to your Holy City, and spent thousands of years warring against it?”
“Ah?”
The count's daughter let out an exclamation of surprise and stood up abruptly, her face full of astonishment.
Sure enough, in the world of mystery, there are only cause and effect—never coincidences.
Rate on N.U.
