Chapter 1152: Deception

Inside an inn in the Backlund Bridge area.

Klein could no longer control anything except his own thoughts. He couldn't even turn his eyes.

He was well aware that this was likely a deep stage of "parasitism."

In this state, he could only watch ahead with overwhelming fear and despair, watching "Ennuni," who now wore a monocle and whose appearance had shifted into Amon's true form. The being smiled, took a step counterclockwise, opened its mouth, and intoned in perfectly accented Chinese:

"Fusheng Xuanhuang Xianzun."

… Did He steal my thought, or my Chinese language ability? It must be the former… Otherwise, He wouldn't be able to master this ritual… Klein watched, his pupils unable to dilate, an unprecedented anxiety burning within him.

Amon, wearing the monocle, seemed to sense his emotions. He turned his head, glanced at Klein, smiled, and took another step counterclockwise, muttering softly in Chinese:

"Fusheng Xuanhuang Tianjun."

Then, this "blasphemer" proceeded with the ritual with great skill. With every step, every muttered incantation, Klein's heart sank deeper into a dark swamp, as if he could never again see a single ray of dawn.

"...Fusheng Xuanhuang Tianzun."

Just as Amon took the final step and recited the final portion of the incantation, a vast expanse of grayish-white fog suddenly appeared before Klein's eyes, and a layered cascade of prayers echoed in his ears.

He didn't need to listen carefully. A stir of spirituality told him exactly what this meant:

Since his advancement to "Ancient Scholar," he had gained preliminary control over the "Sefirah Castle." No matter who it was, or whether they possessed the correct ritual and incantations, to enter Above the Gray Fog, they required his permission!

Refuse Him! Klein's heart leapt with joy as a clear thought surfaced.

But the moment he had this thought, it was gone. He stood there, a stone-carved statue.

His intention to refuse had been stolen by Amon.

"..." Klein felt despair once more, but the grayish-white fog before his eyes and the prayers in his ears did not disappear.

… Klein was stunned for a second, then understood what was happening:

I get it! I have to go Above the Gray Fog myself, manipulate the "Sefirah Castle," and issue the command to allow it! There is no option for tacit permission!

This thought was like a straw, and Klein grasped it without hesitation, lest he silently and coldly sink into the water, unseen by anyone.

Although he didn't yet know how to exploit this, his intuition told him that his only hope, however slim, might lie here.

At that moment, Amon stopped trying and fixed his gaze on Klein.

Clearly, He had failed to enter the "Sefirah Castle."

The "Angel of Time" adjusted the monocle on his right eye, his expression unchanging as he smirked:

"Dear Mr. Fool, your idea of saving yourself is quite amusing."

Amon used standard Loen, but every word seemed to harness the power of nature, creating explosion after explosion in Klein's mind.

… How can He be sure I'm "The Fool," and not a Blessed of "The Fool"? Klein's heart and body felt a chill of ice. The hope that had just surfaced sank back into the water.

"How am I so sure?" Amon clicked his tongue, pulled over the chair he had just been sitting on, and sat down. He then pointed at the round stool opposite him and said, "Sit down, make yourself at home."

The moment He finished speaking, Klein involuntarily stepped forward and sat down on the round stool.

Amon glanced around the room, raised his hand, and stole Klein's black silk top hat. He placed it on his own head, then, with a smirk, said:

"Did you think I didn't know that the ritual just now would ultimately fail?

"It hasn't been long since the 'Sefirah Castle' began to stir. How could I forget?

"I just wanted to see your reaction. Your unconscious despair and instinctive refusal were very interesting. If you weren't the one calling yourself 'The Fool,' how could you have had such a thought?

"Dear 'Mr. Fool', am I right?"

Throughout these four consecutive rhetorical questions, Amon's expression was quite delighted, like an old hunter who had caught a fox by its tail.

… I've been deceived… Klein finally realized why the other party wasn't disappointed at all.

He subconsciously wanted to deny it, but after a quick shift of thoughts, he simply opened his mouth and said calmly:

"Just kill me."

Oh… I can talk? Klein immediately tried to control his body, but to no avail.

The next second, he prepared to recite the Honorific Name of the "Goddess of the Night," but that thought was immediately lost.

The thin-faced "blasphemer" Amon pressed the monocle on his right eye, maintaining his previous lively state, and said:

"So you can be reborn in the 'Sefirah Castle'?"

… Talking to this guy… the more I say, the more mistakes I make… Klein kept his mouth shut and didn't speak again.

Seeing this, Amon shook his head with a smile:

"Don't be so scared. Actually, there is no irreconcilable conflict between us."

Uh… Klein, sitting on the stool like a puppet, was stunned for a moment and made no response.