Secrets: Priestess

Chapter 185 Ceremony
"Your Highness Arianna, does this Beyonder characteristic of mine come from a 'craftsman'?" Claire could confirm this through the feedback from her body and soul, but she still asked Arianna for confirmation.

"Yes, I got it from a 'craftsman'. There are very few Beyonder traits of this kind in the Church, and you are the only one with the 'craftsman' Beyonder trait." Arianna nodded.

The extraordinary characteristics left by the "Craftsman" are naturally easier to digest if they are played in the direction of "Craftsman", but the change in the sequence name itself represents the trend of the times.

"Mechanical Expert" is more representative of the connotation of potions in the current era than "Craftsman", which means that playing the role of "Mechanical Expert" can make it easier to digest potions and less likely to go crazy.

Having just regained her sanity from the brink of losing control, Claire chose a safer direction from the bottom of her heart and chose the role of "Mechanical Expert" for the next period of time.

"Also, whether it's the differential engine manuscript I obtained earlier, or the mechanics I accidentally obtained from the spirit world, it seems that they all say that I have a connection with machinery." If you look at the game panel, compared to the knowledge required for a "craftsman", Claire's mechanics is at least a master's level.

Having made up her mind, Claire even felt a little more relaxed physically.

This ease was not an illusion. On the bookshelf of the memory library deep in my consciousness, a book that was transformed from the idea of ​​"becoming a craftsman" turned to dust.

"Is this considered clearing out the garbage to free up space?" Claire complained in her heart.

"It seems you've decided on your future path." Arianna said, taking in Claire's changes.

The road ahead...

After hearing this description, Claire pondered for a moment and asked Arianna, "Your Highness Arianna, I happened to hear that Sequence 5 of the Universal Path is 'Astronomer'. Is there any problem with this sequence?"

Arianna asked, "There are quite a few 'astronomers' in the Church of Steam and Mechanics. They are the backbone of the Church of Steam and Mechanics. Why do you suspect there is a problem with this sequence?"

Claire pulled out the wheel that had transported her here and said, "Saint Anthony advised me not to use it during the day, but after examination, I learned that using this wheel during the day only grants some 'astronomical knowledge'. I guess the problem lies with astronomy."

"This sensitivity and caution will take you far," Arianna said calmly, "but I can't explain too much to you."

Arianna pointed at Claire's heart and said, "The danger brought by this knowledge is even more terrifying than this."

More terrifying than the pollution of the Hidden Sage?!

Claire was shocked. Is astronomy such a terrifying field in this world?
That's not right... If astronomy is so dangerous, how did the Church of Steam and Machinery grow and become so powerful? The strong people in their church were all promoted from "astronomers".

Claire asked Arianna truthfully.

But the answer she got did not reassure her.

"Normal research won't cause any contamination, but don't listen to any noises. Also, a certain amount of luck is required. Some people won't encounter any accidents until they completely digest the potion, but others might see something they shouldn't right after they start acting."

Relying on luck? Claire was stunned.

"Sharpness, caution, knowledge, and restraint can minimize the element of luck," Arianna added. "Whichever way we take it, we are fighting against madness."

Claire narrowed her eyes and said, quite convinced, "I understand."

"Of course... I've also heard that, uh, the Church of Steam and Mechanics has astronomy courses specifically designed to help 'astronomers' digest potions. While it can't completely replace the actual research required for role-playing, it can reduce a lot of risks."

This is the difference in treatment between wild and official ones.

When I become an "astronomer", I'll see if I can find a way to take a course...

Claire pondered to herself.

"As for the extraordinary characteristics of astronomers..." Arianna paused and looked into Claire's crimson eyes. "It seems you already know where it is. Don't worry, this roulette wheel is prepared for you. I'll tell you the names of the auxiliary materials. Please take note of them so you can prepare them in advance..."

With a photographic memory, Claire was able to ensure that she would not forget the names and dosages of these ingredients after just one hearing.

However, auxiliary materials above Sequence 5 have become more troublesome and difficult to collect.

Fortunately, Claire had developed a trading fair for extraordinary items. In addition, the church's merit system could also be used to exchange for some materials. Furthermore, through Tessa, Audrey, Xio, and others, materials could be purchased at the Tarot Club.

With this calculation, in the end, only one or two auxiliary materials are difficult to obtain.

After explaining the supplementary materials, Arianna continued, "But at this stage, if you want to successfully take the potion, you still need to complete the corresponding promotion ceremony."

"Promotion ceremony..."

Claire was familiar with this term. She had seen the formula for the Sequence 5 "Master of Secret Puppetry" potion from Klein's path. The promotion ceremony required taking it while listening to the mermaid's song.

Sequence 5 of the Criminal Path, "Apostle of Desire," requires completing a strict killing ritual.

Claire knew that the Ascension Ritual could reduce the chances of the user going insane, but comparing the two rituals she knew, the difficulty of each path was different.

The documents that Captain Claire Red Gloves had access to stated that the Church of Evernight had a large number of mermaids within its walls. If there really were "Faceless Men" in the church, the conditions for the promotion ceremony would be easily met.

But Backlund's slain demon dog was a living example of someone who wanted to become an "Apostle of Desire"—at least the killing ritual of thirteen people was too likely to attract the intervention of official Beyonders.

But overall, the higher the sequence, the more difficult the ceremony.

I just hope the astronomer's promotion ceremony isn't too perverted...

Amid Claire's nervousness and anticipation, Arianna said, "Perform or guide at least thirteen speeches. The more times you give, the more participants you have, the higher the recognition, and the wider the spread, the better the ceremony will be."

"A speech." Claire was thoughtful after hearing this ceremony: "Is the next word after 'general knowledge' 'dissemination'?"

This kind of ceremony was not easy, not to mention the difficulty of the speech itself. Especially since Claire was not an official Beyonder of the Church of Steam and Mechanicus, if she made the speech loud and impressive just for the sake of the ceremony, it would probably attract the attention of the Church of Steam and Mechanicus.

But it wasn't a pervert either... Claire breathed a sigh of relief.

"And... I'll give you this material as well." Just as Claire was lost in thought, Arianna handed her another Beyonder characteristic contained in a special container.

Claire took it in a daze. When she opened the container, she saw a black object that looked like a brilliant night sky.

The "Heart of the Goddess" in Claire's chest suddenly jumped when she saw the black object with tiny starbursts.

After the appraisal, Claire said with a guess, "Is this... a Requiem Master's Beyonder characteristic?"

Arianna looked at the nightmare doll on Claire's waist and said:

"Others believe you came to the Temple to advance to Requiem Master. Now that you're a Mechanical Expert, use your Requiem Master traits to enhance 3-0957's abilities. When you succeed, you can leave the Temple."

Claire understood Arianna's language, which allowed her to add the abilities of a "requiem master" to the nightmare doll. She remembered that the greatest feature of a requiem master was the ability to directly see and soothe spirits.

Having the Astronomer utilize the Beyonder properties of Sequence 6 to create magical items wasn't particularly difficult, but having the Nightmare Doll acquire the Requiem's ​​abilities proved incredibly challenging. It was like getting a perfect score on a test; there was no room for error. Arianna gave her final instructions, "I'm leaving the Sanctuary for a while. For the rest of your time, you'll complete this requirement while you receive training from the Red Gloves."

This is truly a sweet and difficult task.

Claire recalled that since she embarked on the Extraordinary Path, the Extraordinary characteristics she needed for each step had been arranged. Although there was a merit system within the church that could be exchanged for corresponding materials, this grace from the Goddess was real.

Claire couldn't help but say to Arianna, "Your Highness Arianna, I have another question for you."

"You talk." Arianna agreed, intending to leave.

Claire took a deep breath and asked in a deep voice, "If I hadn't chosen the 'Educator' path, would the Church still support me like this and prepare me for each stage of the Beyonder experience?"

Claire originally wanted to say "goddess", but after a quick thought, she ended up asking about "church".

Claire didn't expect Arianna to answer her question.

Arianna's expression didn't change noticeably. She said calmly, "You're not the only Beyonder cultivated by the Church through other paths."

But after she finished speaking, Arianna paused, and then for some unknown reason, the dark eyes of this "Secret Servant" became extremely deep, and the whole person stood there stiffly like a stone statue.

The strange feeling dissipated after a moment. Arianna, now regaining her composure, looked at Claire with the same calm tone, but a ripple of emotion flickered in her usually calm eyes. "The Lord said that if you choose the 'Diviner' path, you'll be treated better than you are now. Choosing the 'Hunter' path won't provide you with such support."

host?
The goddess is watching here?!
Claire thought in amazement.

However, it is reasonable that the communication between an angel and a person favored by God would attract the attention of the goddess...

Besides… the fact that this question actually attracted the attention of the gods also indirectly proves that the goddess cared about my choice. Furthermore, the goddess' attitude was very clear: the three paths were distinct, and the treatment after choosing was also completely different.

Based on this, it can be inferred that the "Fortune Teller" is of the greatest use to the Goddess, the "Generalist" is also valuable, and the "Hunter" is left to fend for himself.

All sorts of thoughts flashed through Claire's mind.

Now Claire is no longer the newbie in the supernatural realm she was at the beginning. Re-analyzing the three paths, "Hunter" is the most valuable to her at the beginning because it allows her to restore her male identity and this path does not have obvious problems.

Claire was very satisfied with the progress of the "Universalist" until today, but the problem was that she had to avoid the sight of the Steam and Mechanical Church and could not reveal her own sequence.

As for the "Fortune Teller", Claire did not find any obvious benefits or troubles from it.

"Then why didn't the church initially let me choose 'Fortune Teller' directly, but instead provided me with three options?" Claire continued to ask.

At the very beginning, no matter which path of potion the church provided, she would definitely not refuse to embark on the corresponding extraordinary path.

But the goddess gave her a certain degree of choice.

"I don't know either." Arianna shook her head.

From this we can see that the goddess did not talk about this.

So what kind of qualities do I possess?

All Claire knew on this trip was that the goddess had mentioned her as a "fool's follower." The rest was still unknown, and apparently even Arianna didn't know.

Seeing that there was no way to learn more, Claire sincerely expressed her gratitude to Arianna in front of her and said, "Praise the goddess, I have no other questions for now."

"The goddess protects you." Arianna responded devoutly, ending the conversation with Claire.

When Arianna finished speaking, Claire felt as if a curtain had been lifted from her.

As this "curtain" disappeared, Claire felt a sense of openness, a sense of difference from a narrow place to a vast place.

Did Arianna abolish the power of secrecy?
Was this significant sense of difference something Arianna deliberately hinting at to me?
At this moment, Arianna's figure disappeared in front of Claire.

It was as if she didn't know when the other party came, and at this moment Claire couldn't observe how the other party left.

Angel...

Claire felt a little envious.

After Arianna left, all the props disappeared.

If Claire hadn't confirmed that she had been promoted, and if she hadn't gained the "Requiem Master" trait, it would have seemed like a dream.

Claire gathered her emotions and tried to find a way to get to the cathedral. She looked around and realized it was still dark and the sun had not yet risen.

but……

Something is wrong!
"The time doesn't seem right." Claire immediately calculated the current time, which was around three in the morning.

She arrived here using the roulette wheel at five in the morning...

"That means at least a day has passed." Claire whispered.

Judging by the phases of the moon and the stars, one day has passed.

Without Arianna's isolating power, Claire once again felt the connection with the gray fog world.

"Now that I've been successfully promoted, I don't think The Fool will change much in the short term. Based on my previous experience, the gray fog's repulsion towards me should be reduced to a certain extent." Claire thought so and tried to look above the gray fog.

But to her astonishment, the gray fog's repulsion towards her not only did not weaken, but actually intensified!
How can it be?

That "fool" shouldn't have been promoted so quickly?

Soon, Claire realized that the gray fog's increasing repulsion towards her was actually due to a bookmark on the long bronze table.

Claire looked intently and saw the image of Emperor Roselle depicted on the bookmark.

"What is this?"

"When did this thing appear?"

(End of this chapter)