Lord of Mysteries: Starting As A Reader

Are those… Beyonder characteristics? Did he kill all the pursuers chasing me?!

As a daughter of the Sauron family, Helene immediately recognized the items Ebner was displaying. Her eyes widened in shock, and panic surged through her. Even though there wasn't the same spiritual pressure as before, she nearly lost control of herself again—though thankfully, she had already emptied her bladder earlier.

"Don't be afraid… I won't hurt you… But you know too much!

"If you were just an ordinary person or a low-sequence Beyonder, I might have ways to make you forget. But you're already a Sequence 7 Pyromaniac. I can't guarantee you won't recall anything in the future…"

Ebner watched as his intimidation worked, smiling as he put away the characteristics.

But to Helene, that smile was terrifyingly sinister. The words, "You know too much," nearly provoked her into a desperate reaction—only the protective barriers around her stopped her from acting rashly.

Taking a deep breath, Helene reminded herself that if the man wanted to kill her, he wouldn't bother talking so much. Calming herself slightly, she spoke proactively:

"Sir, I apologize for trespassing into your home and causing you trouble…

"What would you have me do to earn your forgiveness?"

That's the right attitude. My intimidation wasn't wasted after all… But every stick needs a carrot.

Thinking this, Ebner glanced at Helene, still sitting on the ground and trying to hide the stains on her trousers. With a smile, he said:

"Before we discuss terms, ma'am, I suggest you change out of those clothes. That ill-fitting men's suit doesn't look comfortable, does it?"

Saying so, he stepped out of the study and soon returned with a maid's uniform in hand.

He had already "suggested" a servant prepare it earlier. It wasn't that Ebner had any particular preferences; the manor had been unoccupied for a long time, and no female guests had visited recently. In the rush, a maid's outfit was the only women's clothing readily available.

Helene, however, didn't mind. During her time with Tracy, she had worn all kinds of outfits. Compared to those, a maid's dress was relatively dignified in her eyes.

Her cheeks flushed as she accepted the uniform. Despite Ebner briefly lifting the barrier to hand it over, she didn't dare attack. She had no confidence against this man, and provoking him would only spell disaster.

Restraint was a skill she had long mastered while under Tracy's watch.

After giving her the uniform, Ebner used a simulated Sunfire spell to evaporate the puddle on the floor. Then, utilizing Wind-blessed abilities, he condensed a water sphere out of thin air to clean the spot further, drying it again with a second burst of heat. Only then did he courteously leave the study to give Helene privacy to change.

Sunfire, water control… combined with the Painful Lash and whatever that intimidating aura was… That's at least four different pathways! And he didn't seem to use any Beyonder items…

With just these abilities, he's no weaker than Tracy! Could he be on the level of a pirate admiral? Is my luck really this bad?

Sighing, Helene skillfully changed into the maid's outfit. Standing up, she set the trousers ablaze with her fire abilities, ensuring they were entirely incinerated. She then gazed through the barrier at the window, lost in thought as crimson sunlight streamed into the room.

She didn't regret fleeing from Tracy. Though Tracy had never physically harmed her and often indulged her, the longing for freedom, memories of her homeland, and yearning for her family had cemented her decision to escape.

I just hope this man doesn't make excessive demands… Otherwise…

Helene's imagination was running wild when Ebner re-entered the room. This time, he carried some leftover desserts and drinks from the earlier dinner.

"Let's talk while you eat. I imagine you're hungry," Ebner said as he rearranged the protection ritual to encompass the entire study, enlarging the space she could move in.

Helene was indeed famished, though she had learned her lesson about drinks and avoided them entirely. Instead, she carefully inspected one of the desserts and, deeming it safe, began eating it in small bites.

Ebner waited patiently for her to finish before smiling and stating his condition:

"My request isn't too demanding. I only need you to stay in this manor until the New Year. After that, you're free to leave."

It was currently October 27th, leaving just over two months until New Year's Day. That would be enough time for him to completely digest the Polymath potion. By then, the movements of "Dr. Strange" and the "Hero Detective" would be sufficiently separated, ensuring no suspicion of their connection when his detective persona revealed its strength.

This man clearly has secrets he doesn't want exposed. What could they be? Judging from the trouble I brought him with those pirates and how he handled it, he's trying to hide his strength.

In that case, he might be telling the truth. And being confined here for two months isn't so bad. I'd have to lie low somewhere else anyway to avoid Tracy's pursuit.

After some thought, Helene asked cautiously:

"How can I be sure you'll release me after New Year's?"

Ebner was prepared for this. He lifted his hand, revealing a ring that exuded an aura of sanctity. With a smile, he said:

"I have the ability of a 'Notary.' I can notarize our contract.

"After all, I can't keep you locked in this study for two months. If one of my more curious servants finds out, they might alert the authorities.

"But with a notarized contract, you'll be free to move around the manor."

As someone from Intis, Helene was familiar with notarization. After a brief moment of thought, she asked,

"Which entity will witness the contract?"

A Notary could issue documents, but unless backed by a higher power, such contracts were meaningless. Typically, Sun Pathway Beyonders had their contracts naturally witnessed by the Eternal Blazing Sun, a deity also associated with contracts.

However, as Ebner relied on items to simulate his abilities, he couldn't take that shortcut and needed a ritual to invoke a higher entity.

"The God of Knowledge and Wisdom," Ebner replied with a smile.

Though The Fool wouldn't mind being a witness, Helene surely would.

Hearing that a legitimate deity would oversee the contract, Helene finally relaxed. If nothing else, it proved Ebner wasn't part of some malevolent organization. Instead, he likely had ties to the Church of Knowledge.

Tracy had once mentioned that the Iceberg Lieutenant hailed from Lenburg and worshipped the God of Knowledge and Wisdom. Rumor had it she could mimic others' abilities—a skill similar to what Ebner had displayed.

"I can agree to the contract…" Helene nodded, accepting the terms before cautiously asking,

"But under what identity will I stay here?

"And my hair… It's too conspicuous. What if Tracy's people recognize me?"

"That's easy to solve. Wear this," Ebner said, handing her a hat he had prepared earlier. Helene took it skeptically and tried it on, exclaiming in surprise,

"Who would bother crafting a hat that only changes hair color and style?!"

"…" Ebner pretended not to hear her comment and continued, "As for Tracy, she's left Bayam. Those pirates who came after you have been thoroughly dealt with. She won't be finding you anytime soon."

This was based on the latest information Ebner had received from The Fool via The Hanged Man.

"As for your identity at the manor…" Ebner glanced at her maid's outfit with a smile.

"You'll be my personal maid."

In the colonies, employing a personal maid wouldn't raise eyebrows, even if it might in Backlund. Besides, having a Red Priest pathway Beyonder as a maid was practically a tradition in this mysterious world.

(End of chapter)