Capítulo 1689: Chapter 1688: Angel Halo and the Return to Death
The black suitcase was placed on the coffee table by the Old Cleric. When opened, lying in the soft padded lining was surprisingly a thorn headdress made of silver-colored tal.
Although it’s called a headdress, its design is rely a round ring wrapped with a circle of tal thorns. Its craftsmanship is quite exquisite, but the silver tal is covered with reddish-brown rust, looking more like bloodstains. This makes this “Thorn Ring” seem less like it was made this week, and more like it was just dug up last week.
But Shard did not underestimate this item, as its rich Miracle Elent reveals the essence of an Alchemical Item, and it is actually a powerful Divine Item. Among the Divine Items he has encountered, only Sister Perry’s Sun Holy Emblem in Randall Valley was more powerful—an emblem that now belongs to Iluna.
“I call this item the ‘Angel’s Thorny Crown,’ and its use is quite simple.”
The Old Cleric said, picking up the round ring, and placing it on his head. The ring did not fall but floated above his head, the silver tal emitting a sacred white glow.
Behind Priest Augustus, a scorched, enormous wing shadow flashed by, greatly surprising both Shard and Mia, who was crouching on the windowsill.
“Its function is also simple—Sanctification. In other words, briefly assuming a ‘virtual angel’ identity. Oh, don’t look so shocked, this isn’t so mortal creating an angel, it’s fake, unreal, virtual.”
The Priest emphasized, then pointed to the round ring, urging Shard to look at the details carefully:
“Look, I’ve used it for less than two seconds, and cracks have already appeared. The effective ti of this item depends on your usage intensity. If you engage in high-intensity combat with the Thirteen Rings, it will be ruined in less than five seconds.”
He placed the round ring back into the suitcase, while the curious Mia imdiately jumped down from the windowsill and bounded onto the coffee table to inspect it.
Shard saw that the cat showed no intention of reaching out its paws to touch the thorns, so he did not stop her:
“Cleric, specifically, what capabilities can this give ? To be honest, I don’t actually know much about angels.”
He smiled apologetically, and the Priest patiently responded:
“The Death Angel is referred to as the ‘First Angel’ and ‘Prival Angel,’ which is why I can create this. The specific powers you can access depend on your Core Spirit Rune. As for the strength, it won’t reach the Thirteen Rings, I’m sure of that. This item’s enhancent might elevate you a rank or two at most. But the crucial thing isn’t the power; it’s the ‘identity.’ A brief angelic transformation ans you temporarily transcend mortal limitations, able to do things mortals cannot.”
“Such as?”
Shard inquired curiously; while Divinity burning is also a way of transcending mortals, it is more complete and powerful.
“Such as better utilizing your Spirit and Elents, casting spells with near-zero consumption, complete immortality, strong ntal resistance, influencing the world and nature without any cost. Generally, with this power, you could escape without anyone stopping you.”
The Cleric explained, although the specific situation still required Shard to explore.
“Then I’ll take it; you really are amazing, creating sothing like this.”
Shard praised but did not imdiately try it on.
Priest Augustus humbly shook his head:
“I can only make this one in the short term unless you find more remains I need. Also, that box of potions contains the ‘Weak Angel Potion’ I once gave you against Human Pus, as well as the ‘Golden Potion’ for the Mirror Demon in Flander Valley. Rember to keep them handy, to prevent any unexpected incidents.”
When Augustus originally made these potions, he said he couldn’t produce more anyti soon. But as Shard continually brought him critical items, his Magic Potion and Alchemical skills indeed improved.
“You have really helped a lot. Though this ti the enemy isn’t a demon…at least not for now, this is very useful. Oh, I also want to order so other things from you.”
Saying this, he picked up a pen and paper to write his shopping list while Priest Augustus listed the new items he could create for Shard to choose from. Due to the Sage Level Shield Emblem, Augustus now only charged Shard for material costs. Even though Shard insisted on paying more for craftsmanship, the Cleric firmly refused.
While Shard and the Cleric discussed the product list, the orange cat eagerly sniffed at the Thorn Ring. He was quite interested in it, but knowing Shard wouldn’t allow this, as Shard wasn’t paying attention, the considerate cat curled up beside Shard, finding the mont the happiest.
On this leisurely Tuesday morning, with no other matters at hand, after collecting Shard’s goods list, the Cleric inquired what Shard planned to do next.
Shard did not hide it:
“I need to visit True Death.”
“Oh?”
The Old Cleric was slightly surprised:
“What are you going there for? And how are you going to get there?”
“There’s a door on the third floor, and I can open a temporarily existing two-way door by sacrificing a ‘Heart of the Undead.’ I want to find a departed spirit to answer so of my doubts.”
The source of the ‘Heart of the Undead’ is Ston Osenfort, whose heart was thrown into the snow when the soul of the Worsent family dragged him into death. That heart now resides in Shard’s basent:
“This matter indeed doesn’t hold much importance, but…”
He pressed his mouth and held his left chest:
“Cleric, do you rember my group task last Thursday?”
“How could I forget?”
“After staring at the remains, my ntal state hasn’t felt quite right. Yesterday, after touching a relic, I understood more about my personality. But there’s still so confusion, so I wanted to ask soone with a similar experience.”
The Old Cleric nodded in understanding:
“Now I understand, then I’ll go with you. After all, there’s nothing much going on.”
The door opened in the Soul Graveyard through the sacrifice of the ‘Heart of the Undead’ didn’t specify that only Shard himself could enter, so not only could the Old Cleric accompany him, but he could also bring Mia, who followed at Shard’s feet as they walked towards the third floor.
Of course, although companions were allowed, only Shard could summon the spirit he wished to see in death during the use of this door—limited to spirits from the Sixth Era.
The Old Cleric made no comnt on the sudden appearance of an iron gate on the third floor of the Shard Family. After entering the Soul Graveyard with him, he looked at Shard, who held up the heart in his hand, and then, in the cetery shrouded in white mist, a stone gate appeared that resembled the Gate of Death beneath Midshire Fort.
The stone gate was pushed open laboriously by Shard, and cold moonlight from the Nether Moon spilled through the crack. When the doors were opened just enough, Shard didn’t exert himself to open it fully but instead tightly held Mia and slipped inside with the Cleric.
His shoes made no noise upon the shoal, and above was boundless darkness. Entering here via a special path, the chill of death didn’t invade their souls. Yet, looking at the distant dark waters, upon which countless pure white spirits walked towards the half-subrged Nether Moon, witnessing such a desolate scene, a few sighs rose within their hearts.
The Cleric stood by the door waiting for Shard, who took a few steps towards the shore, where gentle waves lapped. He softly called out:
“Miss Haila Osenfort.”
Ti and space froze, a place leading to the end, where even sound couldn’t travel far. He wasn’t sure if he needed to speak or if Miss Osenfort would even respond, so after calling, he patiently waited, while wondering, should Detective Sparrow be called out now, what expression would that detective have.
Mia lay curiously in Shard’s arms, quickly widening her beautiful amber eyes to look at the distant Nether Moon. The silver moonlight cast over both man and cat, with the cat’s eyes surprisingly turning silver-white.
Alas, Shard’s attention had already shifted to the woman spirit walking away with countless wandering spirits. Dressed in an archaic black long dress, face shrouded in a thin black veil, Haila Osenfort walked in from the direction of the Nether Moon.
She erged from the water to the shore, standing on the shoal composed of white gravel representing the true ‘boundary of life and death,’ just like Shard. If Shard willed, he could even bring this departed spirit back to the Material World, a blessing post-sacrifice, but he would evidently not do so.
“Good day, Mr. Hamilton.”
The veiled woman slightly bowed to Shard, her gesture very gentle. Shard didn’t rember having revealed his na, but it seed insignificant:
“I’m sorry for disturbing you in such a place. I have so matters I’d like to discuss, but it won’t take too long.”
He said apologetically, her black eyes looked at Shard from behind the veil, and she shook her head slightly:
“It’s okay, if I can assist you, I’m happy to do so.”
“Well, recently I’ve encountered so things, emotions, um, heart, um… no, my heart hasn’t turned to stone. Specifically speaking, similar to when I t you, that kind of detached, unemotional deanor. I realize, I too am sowhat indifferent.”
His words stumbled a bit as he was also unsure of what he genuinely sought to understand. He simply wanted to discuss his matters with a soul that could empathize with him:
“I’ve fully recovered from complete indifference, yet that experience left
sowhat worried. As I better understand my personality, comprehend myself more deeply, do I truly love everything around , genuinely love them? Yes, I’m sure I love them, but do I… Apologies, I don’t quite know how to articulate this.”
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