At last, Dorian stopped beside that letter.
He bent down, stretched out his right hand, and with his fingers trembling slightly, pinched the edge of the paper and picked it up.
This time, Dorian read it very carefully, word by word from the beginning, sometimes enlightened, sometimes perplexed, sometimes doubtful, sometimes pained.
The letter from Fors was not long; he spent only three minutes reading it fully twice, then fell into a long silence.
Sunlight streamed in through the window, spilling onto the overturned table.
With his thumb and forefinger, he quickly rubbed the paper, and the letter burst into crimson flames.
Having done this, Dorian packed his things, changed his appearance with makeup, left the rented house, and went to another place using a prepared identity.
Once settled, he sat down at his desk, stared at a brass ornament, lost in thought.
As the sunlight grew thinner and dimmer, Dorian's eyelids flickered, and he let out a long, slow sigh.
He then unfolded a sheet of paper, picked up a pen, and while thinking, wrote: "...I am very glad to see that you have digested the 'Record Keeper' potion in just a few months. This means you truly have the potential to become a demigod...
...These are the Acting key points for 'Traveler' that I know, but you must remember that everyone's personality is different, and in the practice of Acting there will always be differences; you cannot completely copy. This is not to say that others' Acting key points are wrong, but they may cause great internal conflict and affect your mental state. Sometimes, making appropriate adjustments may slow down the digestion of the potion, but it will be more beneficial for you. You must remember that Acting is only a tool, not a master...
I look forward to the day you fully digest the 'Traveler' potion, and I will prepare the corresponding materials and a gift for you.
Regarding the matter of the Abraham family curse mentioned by that gentleman, I am very interested... I think you should have long noticed that I have some research in this area, otherwise you wouldn't keep asking me related questions...
I hope you can further investigate..."
After finishing the reply, Dorian Gray Abraham closed his eyes and quickly folded the paper.
............
January 1351: the New Year in
In the basement of a house in West Borough, several candles swayed with yellowish flames, illuminating the altar, chairs, and round table arranged around them.
At the edge of the light, in the darkest place, a human figure was faintly visible, sometimes shimmering, sometimes stretching, a thin layer with no thickness, like a living shadow.
Suddenly, the figure spoke in a low voice: "You arrived earlier than I expected."
Beside the candle, in the brightest area of the fire, a silhouette quickly took shape.
It was a man, draped in a mysterious black robe, with wavy brown hair that stood stiffly, and deep eyes that seemed to hold countless things.
He was one of the five saints of the
Bootis chuckled and said: "Distance is not a problem for me."
He then pulled up a chair, sat down, and said to the elongated shadow: "Have you investigated everything thoroughly? Any abnormalities?"
The nearly shadow-melded figure answered lowly: "No problems."
"Really?" Bootis instinctively questioned the certainty. "
The "Dark Saint" of the Aurora Order, Kisma, slowly shook his head: "The target is extremely cautious; it's definitely not deliberate exposure.
"If she hadn't been seeking a cursed object of an ancient malevolent spirit, we wouldn't have detected her possible connection with the Abraham family."
"Secret Saint" Bootis said thoughtfully: "A cursed object of an ancient malevolent spirit is one of the main ingredients for 'Record Keeper'. I recall the Abraham family indeed has a surplus Asman's Brain... Ha, not willing to directly provide the Beyonder characteristic of 'Record Keeper' and preferring to conduct tests—that is the Abraham style. In short, lacking trust."
"Dark Saint" Kisma did not echo Bootis's words and continued on his own: "Even when she was seeking the main ingredients for the 'Record Keeper' potion, we didn't initially notice any problem, because not every believer knows the relevant mystical knowledge. But she was also asking questions related to 'Apprentice' and the Abrahams.
"She is really cautious in this regard: the Beyonder circle for purchasing materials and the circle for asking questions are different; she handles different matters in different circles, and sometimes she hires other participants in the gatherings to ask questions on her behalf.
"If it weren't that several of those circles have our people, and we eventually consolidated the information, we wouldn't have noticed her."
"Secret Saint" Bootis nodded slightly, then changed the subject: "Why didn't you act directly? Why call me over?"
Darkness undulated within the shadow as it replied slowly: "The situation in Backlund is getting increasingly tense. The Nighthawks, Punishers, and Mechanical Heart teams are conducting rounds of sweeps. We are being watched very closely.
"If I handled this matter myself, if there were no accidents, fine; but once an accident occurs, I haven't grazed a 'Secretary' and may not be able to escape in time.
"Besides, aren't you the one most interested in the Abraham family?"
Bootis chortled: