As the capital of the Intis Republic, and the center of culture and art on the Northern Continent, Trier is one of the few metropolises that can rival Backlund and Saint Millom.
On the north bank of the Srenzo River, which cuts through Trier, the Cathedral of the God of Steam and Machinery Church stood tall with thick, iron-black chimneys, from which large amounts of light white mist billowed upwards like a forest, obscuring the morning light.
Jord Hawkins, a member of the Divine Council and the Archbishop of the Church of Steam and Machinery, with a solemn expression, passed through a pure copper door inlaid with gears; the sounds of hammering and forging instantly faded, but the heavy metallic scent grew even stronger.
"Praise be to You, great God of Steam and Machinery, You are the embodiment of essence, the protector of artisans, the radiance of technology..."
Accompanying the deep, indifferent prayers, the ethereal light on the hall walls pulsed, like seemingly thin projected scrolls, yet giving an extremely profound sensation.
Even though he was somewhat anxious, Jord Hawkins dared not speak again. He looked at the tall figure with long chestnut hair, back turned to him, beneath the altar directly ahead, and could only suppress his emotions, waiting for the solemn prayer to conclude.
His clasped hands released, Bonova Gustav drew the triangular holy emblem across his chest with his right hand, his azure eyes reflecting the triangular holy emblem of the God of Steam and Machinery on the altar.
His gaze slowly moved among the symbols of steam, gears, and levers within the stable triangle. He seemed to have lost all emotions, with no change in expression, as if he were merely a puppet:
"Is there a result from the investigation?"
Feeling an inexplicable suppression, Jord Hawkins took a deep breath, involuntarily lowered his head, and slowed his tone:
"Respected Saint Bonova, we have confirmed with the Eternal Blazing Sun Church and the Sauron family that the meteorological disaster in the southern suburbs of the Trier region and the lower reaches of the Srenzo River last night was caused by the fall of a Weather Warlock."
"The Eternal Blazing Sun Church believes that the fallen one was very likely the one from the Iron and Blood Cross Order, and it is temporarily impossible to identify which hidden organization made the move."
Holding his breath, Jord Hawkins waited for a response, somewhat nervously.
In just the past few months, first, Zaratul, the half-dead leader of the Secret Order who had been in that state for many years, suddenly returned. After a series of Blood Moons, an Angel inexplicably fell. He always had a premonition of an impending storm.
Bonova slowly turned around, his azure eyes, however, passed over Jord Hawkins, looking through the densely packed steam pipes into the distance, a subtle change appearing in his indifferent expression.
At the same time, metal parts with strange patterns flowed out from the ring on his right hand, instantly assembling into a palm-sized puppet. Ethereal light interwoven and finally disappeared into its glabella.
The oppressive atmosphere suddenly lightened. Jord Hawkins stared blankly at the puppet that had suddenly appeared in his hand for a few seconds, then subconsciously looked up at the empty altar in front of him.
A sudden whistle sounded in his ears, and the Archbishop's expression changed dramatically. He had just heard a similar sound last night; this was an alarm from a special Sealed Artifact stored beneath the Cathedral, targeting Angel-level powers.
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The long whistle echoed over Trier. Beyonders with higher spirituality felt it more clearly, while ordinary people busy with their early morning routines did not notice.
It was only when rays of sunlight shone upwards from a magnificent and elegant golden palace into the sky, condensing into a miniature Sun, that exclamations arose.
This "Sun" cast its light over the entire Trier region. Morning seemed to instantly turn into noon, and a translucent female figure, clad in a white robe with gold embroidery, emerged.
Her Sun-like pupils gazed northward, seemingly recognizing the arrival. A playful smile appeared on her sacred and beautiful face, but the Blazing White Spear in her hand remained vigilant.
Innumerable knowledge surged like a torrent, condensing at the edge of the Trier region into Bernadette, who wore a brown captain's coat, had long chestnut hair, and eyes like the azure sea.
She felt several auras locking onto her, but she acted as if she were merely passing by, not continuing to provocatively delve deeper into Trier. After only a few glances, she transformed back into a torrent of information and vanished.
The golden token containing Bonova's humanity became even more brilliant within the torrent of information. When Bernadette reappeared, she had already arrived at a certain isolated island in the Fog Sea, whose coordinates had been marked long ago.
Bernadette did not have to wait long. Bonova, capable of responding to prayers across the entire world, descended on his own accord. Two pairs of equally azure eyes met.
"Unauthorized, divinity weakened!"
A majestic voice interrupted the silent gaze between the siblings. Bonova's expression changed significantly, and he immediately felt his own divinity suppressed. His Beyonder abilities, derived from Arcane Scholar and Knowledge Magister, and even his divinity, were greatly restricted.
As an authorized individual, after Releaseing the "Concealment" state, Astolfo, who was not suppressed in any way, fully displayed the Abomination authority of a King of Angels, bit by bit opening Bonova's "humanity" that had been imprisoned by divinity.
Streaks of dim, colorless light, as if composed of countless illusory things, flowed across Bonova's body, and a grand will contained within them seemed to awaken.
Misty light surged from nothingness, manifesting around Bonova as one projected scroll after another, with a human-shaped outline of light and shadow appearing within them.
Seeing the main figure arrive, Aaron's figure materialized in the void, standing before Bernadette and Astolfo, and smiled as he slightly bowed towards the light and shadow:
"I apologize, this is the first time we officially meet, and it is under such circumstances, esteemed God of Steam and Machinery!"
The struggle on Bonova's face became more pronounced, but the will within the illusory scrolls formed by the misty light paid no heed. Infinite information transformed into complex light, making the figure appear even more real.
A grand, gender-neutral voice, indistinguishable as male or female, echoed throughout the special world enveloped by the embryonic Divine Kingdom the next moment:
"This is the power of the Nation of Disorder!"
"How did you do it?"
Although he wanted to reply with "Guess" like a certain ill-mannered Amon, to avoid interrupting negotiations, Aaron chuckled and responded:
"Everyone has their own secrets, but I can confirm that the seals on the Western Continent are intact, at least before the barrier breaks or a new Lord of the Mysteries is born."
Without delving further into the question, the will of the God of Steam and Machinery swept over Bernadette and Astolfo, pausing slightly on the latter. His majestic voice carried a hint of fluctuation:
"Without the help of an Outer Deity, you were actually able to break free from his pollution and reach this point..."