Hearing footsteps from the basement, the three people in the living room upstairs immediately stood up.
Not long after, Xia De appeared from the stairwell with a serious expression. It was already six in the evening. Outside the living room window, Saint Delan Square was bathed in the autumn sunset, but Xia De had no time to admire the beautiful scenery.
Hugging the cat that ran over joyfully, Xia De motioned for everyone to sit down and talk:
"I did go to Middlesburg."
Xia De was very direct, and since he hadn't returned all afternoon, the Doctor, Dorothy, and Luvia pretty much knew what the outcome would be.
The four of them sat on the sofa, listening to Xia De recount his day's activities. The Nuns of the House of the Blind had said not to mention them to others, so Xia De concealed the identity of the Ring術士 who helped him, but no one cared about such details.
"A Level 0 relic?"
Everyone present knew this concept, and thus were even more terrified of such power.
"Doctor, this is just a guess by the local Ring術士s, but it's hard to say whether it's true or not."
"Even if it's not an inconceivable-grade relic, the Gap between life and death is definitely not a simple place."
Luvia frowned tightly:
"What's the next step?"
Whether it was an inconceivable-grade relic or not, it was not something they could solve.
"I'm going to find a High-Ring Sorcerer living in Tobesk in a bit; she might have some ideas."
Luvia and Dorothy both knew he was referring to Ms. Jialinna, and since this was to save Priest Augustus, Dorothy didn't say anything.
"Then I'll head back first and try to probe the academy's investigation progress. If they don't know about these circumstances yet, I'll figure out a way to reasonably relay the information. Xia De, you're really fast."
The Doctor sighed.
"My friend still has some influence in Middlesburg; I'll contact her again. The upcoming actions in Middlesburg might require the support of secular forces."
Dorothy said, and Xia De nodded. If he could have the cooperation of the police or even the army in an unfamiliar City, his subsequent actions would be much more convenient.
He was just curious how Leia still had influence in Middlesburg.
"Level 0 relic… I'll see if the Prophet Association has any relevant records."
Luvia closed her eyes:
"I hope the Priest can hold on until our help arrives, or that the academy can provide a solution."
Xia De tried to comfort her:
"My Ring術士 friend in Middlesburg is very generous; she opened up some confidential information about the missing people to me. Based on past experience, a low-Ring術士 like Priest Augustus can probably wander the border for about a week. If he still can't get out after a week…"
He pursed his lips and didn't continue.
Although the four of them were gathered, no one was in the mood to suggest going out for dinner together. So, after agreeing to meet again at Xia De's place tomorrow afternoon, everyone left individually.
Xia De, feeling quite distressed, had dinner with Mia, and finally, the carriage parked downstairs arrived.
It wasn't Ms. Jialinna; rather, the carriage was there to pick up Xia De and take him to the Duchess's estate in the suburbs.
Preoccupied with his thoughts, Xia De only realized he had forgotten to leave Mia at home after the carriage started. But he didn't want to waste any more time, so he held the cat and continued to ponder.
Mia, however, was quite displeased with this unexpected outing. Compared to going out with Xia De, she preferred to wait for him at home.
"Look who it is? Isn't this the rhode cards King of 1853?"
As soon as he entered the study in the manor, he heard the Great Witch teasingly say.
She was sitting on the sofa, holding a closed small book with a red hardcover. If Xia De wasn't mistaken, the title seemed to be "The Art of Power."
"Xia De, you're truly busy. You just finished the Great City Player, and haven't even collected your prize yet, so why are you interested in Middlesburg?"
The Great Witch beckoned, and the maids in the room went to prepare tea and snacks. Tifa stood behind Ms. Jialinna, smiling and nodding at Xia De.
"I've encountered a very troublesome matter."
Xia De said, troubled, then sat down with Mia in his arms. Because he needed to rescue Priest Augustus, he explained the current problems in as much detail as possible.
Ms. Jialinna remained expressionless throughout Xia De's narration. After he finished speaking, she hesitated for a moment before asking:
"The edge of life and death, the last area before death… Xia De, are you sure you really want to get involved in something like this? I don't think I need to tell you how dangerous this is."
"Priest Augustus is my friend; I can't just ignore him."
Xia De gave a firm answer, and the Great Witch shook her head:
"I knew you'd say that. So, let's first talk about the so-called 'boundary between life and death.' I don't think your current Knowledge extends to that level. How to describe it… It's not a physically existing location; there's no definite space to regulate the living and the dead. But because living people always believe that death and life should have a boundary, such a place appears, do you understand?"
Xia De, holding the cat, thought for a moment:
"I think I understand."
"Not just in Middlesburg, but similar phenomena can actually appear all over the world, though Middlesburg is the most severe. But fortunately, in the distant past, even further back than the fifth epoch, the transcendent beings of the material world sealed those bizarre death edges, or rather, life edges, all over the world. Even after the passage of time, the changes of epochs, and even the one under Sicar Mountain becoming a relic, this seal still exists."
"Since the seal exists, why did such a place suddenly open an exit in Middlesburg?"
"The reason is unknown, only that with the arrival of the sixth epoch, similar seals are becoming increasingly unstable. The material world hasn't changed, so it's likely that death itself has changed."
The Great Witch replied, and Xia De frowned in thought, unable to understand what "death has changed" meant.
"Besides basic Knowledge, I can also provide you with more practical help, but you'll have to pay the price yourself."
"I still have…"
"No, that's not what I mean. Do you think I lack the few coins in your pocket?"
She scoffed. The maids brought teacups for the two of them, and even prepared food for the cat in Xia De's arms. The "proud" cat didn't immediately leave Xia De, but waited until the maids left before jumping onto the coffee table.
Xia De didn't pay attention to it:
"Then you mean…"
"A Great Witch resides in Middlesburg. Yes, a Great Witch. Among the thirteen seats of the Witch Council, she is Ms. Qi Na Cassandra, ranked twelfth. She is 184 years old this year and looks to be in her fifties. Although she only has ten rings, she is skilled in demonology and Knowledge of Xenomorph creatures. She is also the oldest among the Great Witches currently alive."
This also meant that Ms. Cassandra was the earliest among the living Great Witches to join the Witch Council.
"We usually call her Grandma Cassandra. During the Darkness incident some time ago, most of the Witch Council's information regarding the Human Pus demon was also provided by her. But unlike Xi Wei, Xi Wei and I were good friends from a long time ago, so even if you are exposed to her, I can protect you. But I can't say what Grandma Cassandra's attitude is towards an existence like you."
"Cassandra?"
Xia De thought about it:
"I think I've heard that surname somewhere… Oh, I saw it on a lamppost!"
"Cassandra Auction House, primarily dealing in antique and art auctions. You should know the Ford Auction House in downtown Tobesk City, right? That's one of Cassandra Auction House's local branches. This can be considered one of the largest auction houses in the world, and unlike Xi Wei, who inherited her family's business, Grandma Cassandra achieved all of this through her own efforts; she had a good teacher…"
The Great Witch's golden eyes gazed at Xia De:
"Xia De, for various reasons, I cannot go to Middlesburg to help you. So if you want to get effective help from the local area, Grandma Cassandra is the best choice, but also a risky one. Regardless, I will try to gauge Grandma Cassandra's attitude towards an existence like you. If you want to see her, I can write you a letter of introduction and inform her in the Witch Council beforehand. It's best not to reveal that you can enter and exit the Witch Council."
"How does Ms. Cassandra view men?"
Xia De asked curiously, scratching Mia's chin.
"The Witches' attitudes towards men are generally consistent, but the underlying reasons differ. Xi Wei truly likes pretty girls and believes the Witch's curse is a reasonable price for power. I am…"
She glanced at Tifa:
"When I joined the Witch Council, Grandma Cassandra was already very old. I couldn't ask her such a question, but obviously, we are members of the handkerchief enthusiast association."
She said with a smile, and Xia De nodded in understanding:
"Besides seeking help from this Great Witch, are there any other organizations in Middlesburg that can provide me with support?"
"Besides the Witches, you can also seek help from the Spiritual Cultivation Order."
Xia De had promised to keep it a secret, so he didn't reveal anything about the House of the Blind earlier.
"Does the Spiritual Cultivation Order have a stronghold in Middlesburg?"
He pretended not to know anything, wanting Ms. Jialinna to talk about the House of the Blind.
"Not just a stronghold, the headquarters of the Spiritual Cultivation Order is in Middlesburg."
Ms. Jialinna said, shaking her finger. Xia De raised his eyebrows. Although somewhat surprised, he could understand why Ms. Michelle from the House of the Blind hadn't mentioned this. After all, he was just a stranger Ring術士 of unknown origin. Even if he gained some trust due to Priest Augustus, the other party obviously couldn't fully trust him immediately.
