Subsequent investigation revealed that the ritual within the grand mansion was, at its core, a sealing ceremony. The builders had discovered a monstrous serpent in a sub-dinsion bordering the material world. They constructed a passage to that space, using the eerie painting as its entrance.
The victims, brought by the midnight carriage, were sacrifices ant to placate the serpent. By tonight, the required number of offerings had been t, allowing them to finally achieve their goal—just as the Church arrived on the scene.
This was the truth the Inherited Sage Church uncovered after the incident. Although there were casualties, the few who had inhaled the toxic fus and collapsed first were, surprisingly, completely unhard.
They had been standing at the forefront and thus had a clearer view of the events.
Upon returning to the Church, a comparison of the patterns on the serpent's body with local ancient legends confird its identity: it was Luxor the Gray-White Death Serpent, sealed during the 14th Epoch by the pseudo-god, the Mother of Spirit Serpents.
Followers of this pseudo-god are exceedingly rare. In the current epoch, they operate primarily on the continent's southern tip, making them difficult to locate on short notice.
However, the Church of All Things and Nature possessed more detailed records. By the ti Jenkins awoke at six in the morning, the whereabouts of the missing Scribes and the full story behind the incident were already becoming clear.
He had fought bravely against the great serpent the previous night, an act that had saved his companions. Afterward, he had discreetly used his Purification Candle to heal the Scribes affected by the toxic fus. These actions were why he was naturally included in the plans that followed.
Curiously, no one questioned his ability to resist the great serpent's psychic corruption. In fact, everyone seed to consider it perfectly normal.
After a night's rest and a quick breakfast, Jenkins went to find Elder Wood Broshier, the highest-ranking of the Church's Keepers of Secrets. It was Broshier who had presided over the ceremony in Nolan when Jenkins had been anointed a Saint.
Elder Broshier didn't keep a regular office; he typically remained in the sealing chamber deep beneath the church headquarters. This ti, however, Jenkins found him in a cloister behind the main temple complex, conversing with Mr. Gilbert. Jenkins knew him as well—Gilbert was the one who had led the support team on the night an ice emissary attacked the church in Nolan.
"Shouldn't you be resting a little longer?"
the old man asked, his eyes crinkling into a smile.
"I'm well-rested. I heard the Church has already uncovered the full story."
"Yes. Co, let's speak over here. We shouldn't block the path."
The three of them moved into a nearby prayer room. The chamber was windowless; its only decorations were a tal sacred emblem on the wall and gas lamps held aloft by sculpted angels.
"The Church of All Things and Nature provided us with significant help. That great serpent's origins are... complex. That's a separate matter we can discuss later. Legends about Luxor the Gray-White Death Serpent are widespread in the rural towns around Bel Diran. Ancient records tell of brave souls who challenged it, but without exception, all were swallowed whole. We believe the builders of Hausen Manor were after sothing the serpent had consud..."
He stroked his beard, motioning for Mr. Gilbert to continue:
"We can't be certain what, exactly. After all, over the years, there have been far too many such fools... that is to say, brave souls. However, last night Mr. Williams also reported a matter concerning the Mask of Kren's Treasure. That piece of information is extrely valuable, because clear records indicate that the serpent did, in fact, swallow one of those masks."
"Sothing like that was actually recorded? What incredible luck! Truly, the Sage's blessing is upon us!"
he murmured.
"You could call it the Sage's blessing, I suppose..."
Mr. Gilbert ran a hand through his hair, looking a bit embarrassed. "The person who attacked the serpent while wearing that mask... was one of our own Scribes, back in the 16th Epoch. The file docunting the event was sealed for specific reasons late in that era. It requires special clearance to access, which is why we've only just learned the details about this serpent ourselves."
All three n simultaneously found the walls of the room intensely interesting, a silent, mutual agreent to drop the subject.
"So, that group's goal was to offer living sacrifices to the serpent in exchange for the mask?"
Jenkins asked, a faint warmth spreading across his forehead. He'd been having this sensation frequently since arriving at the Church's headquarters in Bel Diran.
"Yes. We have our own sources, and we are almost certain of it."
Mr. Gilbert cleared his throat, adjusting the cufflink on his sleeve before adding:
"We moved on the two locations you provided last night. We captured the handler of the child who attacked you; he's connected to the organization seeking the mask. The circus has already left town, but we found and unearthed the bat skin you ntioned in the woods just outside the city. As for Mr. Dagger, he was exceptionally cautious. He fled his residence a re half-hour before our capture team arrived."
"And what of the Scribes who went missing last night? May the Sage protect them. I pray they're unhard."
"The truth is, ruins from previous epochs are scattered across the continent, so exposed, others buried deep. Divination using the mask you provided places Kren's Treasure deep underground, roughly three kiloters east of Bel Diran proper. The destination of last night's mass spatial transfer was also that very region."
"But... they don't have all the masks. I had two of them right here."
Jenkins had already turned over both masks, fully aware that carrying such things would bring him nothing but trouble.
"Saint Williatte, you're mistaken about one thing."
Elder Broshier shook his head. "You've likely been misled by local legends. While the seven masks are indeed key to acquiring the so-called treasure, they aren't needed to open the gate. The Church has so fragnted records on the matter, though tracking them down is a troubleso affair.
"However, the man we captured last night—based on your information—revealed a crucial clue. Opening the vault requires an ancient bronze key. That key is connected to a powerful being, and it was the very reason for last night's mass teleportation."
"So you're saying our Scribes, along with the unregistered Enchanters who were in that mansion, have all been transported to Kren's Treasure?"
Chocolate, who had been silent until now, perked up, suddenly very interested in the word 'treasure'.
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