Circle of Inevitability Chapter 605 - 605 Lingering Effects

605 Lingering Effects

Hearing the cries of a baby again? Is he pestered by the so-called Child of God? Lumian held Madam Magicians reply, unfinished, and adjusted his sitting posture with amusement. He gazed at the door and said, Come in.

Lugano turned the handle and cautiously pushed open the door, uncomfortably stopping in front of Lumian.

His actions and demeanor, combined with his thick eyebrows, large eyes, and square face, made him appear rather comical.

Isnt that evil Warlock, the old man n-named Prinpino, already dead? Why can I still hear the cries of a baby? Lugano inquired with concern, his tone reflecting it.

Having consulted the just-awakened Ludwig, he had received an answer that he hadnt heard the babys cries.

Lumian playfully shook the letter in his hand and chuckled.

There are two possibilities. One is that Prinpinos accomplices on the ship also possess the ritual to summon the Child of God. The other possibility is...

Lugano pressed impatiently, What is it?

Lumian glanced at the Doctor and grinned.

Perhaps the unborn Child of God has taken a liking to you and wants to choose you as his surrogate mother. Thus, even though Prinpino is already dead, hes unwilling to leave you and continues to linger by your side. Normally, he cant be seen or sensed.

Luganos scalp tingled as he listened. Ignoring the question of why he was a mother and not a father, he stammered, W-what should I do?

No rush. Lumian smiled.

Theres no need to hurry in such circumstances. Lugano felt like his internal organs might be devoured by the so-called Child of God at any moment, leaving only an empty cavity.

Of course, Lumian said in a relaxed state. Arent you still alive? Since youre not dead, it means the situation isnt very serious. You can take it slow. Theres no hurry.

That seems to be the case... Lugano, caught up in the conversation, nodded and asked in confusion, Must I die before the problem becomes serious enough for it to become urgent?

Lumian chuckled and said, No, it means theres zero need to rush.

If youre already dead, whats the hurry? Can I revive you?

In short, theres no need to rush? Lugano was taken aback.

Though he harbored doubts, his employers ability to crack jokes and play pranks reassured him.

Evidently, his employer didnt view the babys cries as a grave concern!

Only then did Lumian unveil his true speculation.

Theres a third possibility. The corruption you suffered upon contact with Enio wont dissipate so quickly, and its highly likely that it wont vanish naturally. Consequently, youll still form a connection with the unborn Child of God.

Then, how do I eliminate the corruption? Lugano accepted this explanation and believed that a solution existed.

Lumian didnt immediately respond to his question. He let Lugano stand in front of him as he perused the rest of Madam Magicians reply.

Considering your link to the Child of God and the evil gods angel sealed within you, encountering a member of the School of Gods Descent isnt a mere coincidence.

However, your interpreter and guide are of the Planter pathwaythat raises other issues. Its only natural for you to encounter matters connected to the Great Mother.

As for the problem, ponder it and inquire within yourself. I wont spoon-feed you the answer. Conspirers need to employ their brains more...

Observing this, Lumian looked up at Lugano without uttering a word. The Doctors body tensed, and a thin layer of sweat trickled down his back.

Isis there any other problem? Lugano stammered.

Lumian reclined in his chair and said contemplatively, Clearing corruption is an entirely separate course in mysticism. I need to grasp the specifics before providing an answer.

Having underscored the significance, he inquired, Have you encountered similar situations before? Like peculiar infant cries, mystical occurrences linked to births, sorcery entwined with mothers, and so forth.

Lugano dared not be careless, fearing that if the corruption wasnt rectified promptly, he might end up as an organless being.

He meticulously sifted through his experiences over the years. After a moment, he tentatively said, Theres something Im not sure if its relevant...

It was clear that he was reluctant to discuss the matter.

How am I supposed to know if its relevant if you dont tell me? Lumian didnt care about privacy.

After a brief pause, Lugano cleared his throat and said, Didnt I mention that I became a Beyonder by obtaining a friends relic?

Yes, did you murder that friend? Lumian inquired deliberately.

Lugano hastily shook his head.

No, he committed suicide.

Suicide? Lumian raised his eyebrows, finding this matter intriguing.

Lugano finally gathered the courage and spilled it out in one go, When I worked as a bounty hunter, I utilized the hidden mountain ranges in the Dariege mountain range for smuggling operations. I moved things back and forth, making a decent sum. I even aided some wanted criminals in escaping overseas. Tanko was one of them, but his escape wasnt from Intis to Feynapotter. Instead, he fled from Feynapotter to Intis.

Eventually, he discovered a secluded valley deep within the mountain range and built a field of his own. He cultivated crops, tended to livestock, and kept to himself. I regularly visited, supplying him with essentials like salt, sugar, fabric, and other goods. In return, Tanko imparted mystic knowledge.

I never imagined leading an ordinary life, with me out there adventuring and becoming a bounty hunter. Mysticism held a strong allure for me, and the teachings imparted by Tanko seemed invaluable at times.

Tanko could be an enigma. Sometimes, hed fall into brooding silence, his temper as hard and unyielding as stone, as if wrestling with inner demons. Other times, hed be buoyant and loquacious, curious about everything around him.

Every so often, hed confess to straying from the Mothers teachings, descending into the depths of darkness. Hed lament how he drifted further from his true self, suffering the consequences. Occasionally, hed voice suspicions about the Church, believing it to be deceptive, claiming the true Mother had departed long ago...

In that moment, Lugano couldnt help but draw parallels between Tankos cryptic musings and the philosophy of the School of Gods Descent, as recounted by Father Montserrat.

Was this encounter a foreshadowing, planted in the past? Lugano drew in a deep breath, sensing an ominous shiver down his spine.

He rushed out his words.

Last autumn, I revisited Tanko. We sipped his brew and discussed various things beyond the mountain.

Out of the blue, he spilled that he couldnt endure his decadent, sinful self any longer. The demon lurking deep within him was gaining control. Tanko wanted to end his life before it consumed him entirely. His dying wish? I deliver his stuff to Torres, the capital of Gaia Province, and hand it over to a Church of Earth Mother clergyman, preferably a Blessed.

I pretended to agree, talked him out of it, and thought he had abandoned the idea. But the next morning, I found him dead in the field where hed harvested grain. Golden wheat ears sprouted from his body. And, get this, he had several female reproductive organs.

I was freaked out. Felt like I was dealing with a monster.

Now, for us bounty hunters, a dead monster is a good monster. Its material for a paycheck.

Summoning courage, I went through Tankos things. Found a golden blob, like a grain seed, but half the size of a fist, next to him.

Based on Tankos mystic know-how, I suspected this blob was the root of his Beyonder powers.

After much internal wrestling, I debated whether to stick to our agreement and send this relic back to the Church. But in the end, greed got the better of me, and I devoured the blob.

Im a guilty man. Broke my promise. Hoping the Sun forgives me.

Lumian listened in silence, a chuckle escaping his lips.

You just ate it like that?

Lugano grinned sheepishly and explained, Yep, thats right. I only learned potion formulas after becoming a Beyonder and diving into mysticism. I didnt want a repeat of that experience, so I got obsessed with buying formulas.

Youre lucky. A few years earlier, and surviving that wouldve been tough. We mightve crossed paths in the Dariege mountain range, you as a monster and me as a monster hunter, Lumian recalled President Gandalfs research and mocked Lugano.

Internally, Lumian muttered, Emperor Roselle was right. The ignorant are fearless... Somethings obviously off with Tanko. He probably got tangled with the evil gods faith, corrupting the Beyonder characteristic he left behind. Eating it directly... no wonder you encountered the School of Gods Descent and heard baby cries. Easy to be corrupted and influenced, encountering patients like Enio.

Uneasy, Lugano asked, Was the Planter ingredient I consumed the root of the problem?

He had ingested it a year prior, and even advanced. Was there no resolution to the problem?

Lumian, seemingly avoiding Luganos beseeching gaze, feigned deep consideration as he perused the concluding segment of Madam Magicians response.

Ive pondered your earlier caution and have some theories, but presently, I cannot divulge them to you. I can only hint that Amon and the person behind Him must have orchestrated something beforehand to divert the Celestial Worthys attention from the pertinent issue.

In essence, this situation seems advantageous for you and the rest of us. For now, its best to feign ignorance and refrain from delving into it.

If troubled by infantile cries, seek aid from a clergyman of the Church of Earth Mother.

Wh... Did Madam Magician anticipate Luganos lingering effects in advance? It seems so. She could discern the root cause of Luganos plight... Lumian looked up, offering Lugano a reassuring smile.

The remedy to purge the corruption lies in seeking aid from Father Montserrat.

Thats it? After all my exposition? If theres truly no alternative, I wouldve taken my chances with the priest... Luganos lips twitched as he mustered a strained smile.

Very well, thank you, sir.