"In Darkness, the Miracles of Civilization Perish in Degeneration"
"There is!" Lilith smiled at Ebner and affirmed his suspicion.
There is? So my guess was correct! Every 'transmigrator' outside of the original novel must have been brought here by that 'unknown land'…
But what exactly is that place?
Seeing the confusion on Ebner's face, Lilith withdrew her smile and, just as she had during their first meeting in Eastchester, warned him again:
"Once you become a demigod, you'll naturally be able to sense that space… But before reaching the level of an angel, you should avoid entering it."
"Furthermore, before becoming a demigod, you may investigate those who share your origins, but do not dig too deep."
"For someone at your level, simply knowing certain things could trigger irreversible changes… and possibly bring significant danger."
Lilith's grave tone made it impossible for Ebner to press further. After a moment of contemplation, he cautiously asked, "Then, is the second half of The Feast of Blood something I am allowed to read?"
This was, after all, his main reason for coming to the Harvest Church. Additionally, through this question, he hoped to test whether the vampire duke who authored The Feast of Blood was also someone like him.
"Always trying to be clever," Lilith chuckled and shot him a knowing glance before countering, "You already know the conditions for borrowing The Feast of Blood, don't you?"
Ebner found himself briefly captivated by the unnatural beauty of Lilith's gaze, even though he was technically looking at a man's body. Snapping out of it, he cleared his throat and said, "I heard from Cullen that I need to provide certain ancient artifacts… I assume they must be items left behind by others like me?"
Could it be that the "Beauty Goddess" characteristic is in this vampire duke's body? While speaking, Ebner speculated inwardly.
"To be precise, they must be items imbued with spiritual imprints and marked with significant intent," Lilith corrected.
"Spiritual imprints… I currently possess The Book of the Dead, written by 'Death Consul' Vincent Miranda in the late Fourth Epoch, and Astrology and Elements, authored by a 'Wanderer' from the Abraham family over a thousand years ago… Would these be acceptable for exchange?"
However, Ebner did not mention the photograph of Lamia and a certain Castiya family "Adjudicator" that he had found beneath the hidden cliff in Bayam.
After all, based on the name Lamia, it was highly likely that she was merely one of Lilith's plant-based incarnations!
And since that photograph had simply been left behind in the underground chamber without being taken, it suggested that Lilith had no need for it.
Lilith gently shook her head, smiling. "I've obtained both of those books before… but later returned them."
"I do not accept duplicates."
So previous transmigrators have already tried to trade with these? Was it Daniel? Why do these transmigrator seniors love following Roselle's example and leaving no room for us later ones?
Sighing internally, Ebner thought for a moment, then took out both the "Cursed Tudor Emblem" and the "Magic Mirror."
Both items were related to transmigrators. Though valuable, now that he had the Bone Dragon for protection, Ebner was willing to part with one in exchange for knowledge.
Lilith didn't even glance at the "Magic Mirror," instead picking up the "Tudor Emblem" and idly playing with it.
Meanwhile, the "Magic Mirror" remained eerily quiet, showing no signs of mischief, as if deeply intimidated by Lilith's divine presence.
After a long pause, Lilith finally spoke, her tone carrying a trace of nostalgia. "It's been a long time since I've seen this artifact. So, you were the one who obtained it…"
Hearing this, Ebner's mind jumped to a long-standing suspicion, and he cautiously asked, "You and Lamia…"
"The 'personality' I exhibit now is largely shaped by my time as 'Lamia'…"
Lilith's words confirmed his hypothesis. As Ebner's face showed a flicker of surprise, she continued, "In that regard, Felipe helped me a great deal."
"Felipe? Not Giuseppe Castiya? Did Closfia get it wrong?" Ebner was puzzled. Had there been a mistake?
Lilith simply countered with a question of her own. "You go by Ebner Bryan, but does the face you wear as the countess's lover bear the same name?"
She even knows about that? Do gods really have this much free time? And do they enjoy gossip?
Ebner feigned an embarrassed expression while internally complaining. However, as he reflected on her words, he realized something.
So that transmigrator changed his name? That makes sense… but why 'Felipe'? Is there some deeper meaning behind it? Or did he just alter 'Giuseppe' to sound similar?
Before Ebner could spiral further into speculation, Lilith provided the answer:
"Felipe chose that name after witnessing 'Lamia' delve into life modification. According to him, the name belonged to a renowned mage specializing in life sciences."
After saying this, she returned the "Cursed Tudor Emblem" to Ebner and shook her head again. "This item was something Felipe retrieved from a ruin; it wasn't his creation. So, it does not meet my requirements."
Lilith seems to be collecting artifacts containing the spiritual imprints of past transmigrators… but for what purpose?
I'm a transmigrator myself… If I write—uh, 'compile'—a book, would that count?
Thinking this over, Ebner cautiously asked, "What exactly are the criteria for a 'spiritual imprint'?"
Lilith, evidently very familiar with his train of thought, shot him another look before replying, "At the very least, it must belong to a demigod."
A demigod… Do transmigrators undergo some transformation upon reaching that level?
Lilith did say that once I become a demigod, I will be able to perceive and connect more deeply with the 'unknown land' behind the Pure White Eye…
So, is Lilith actually seeking spiritual imprints imbued with traces of that place?
But among the transmigrators I know…
—The vampire duke's book is already in Lilith's possession.
—The books written by the "Death Consul" and the "Wanderer" were traded with her before.
—Daniel might have left behind something, but I don't know where.
—The "Calamity Seal" is a sealed artifact, and if there were writings, they were likely ghostwritten, meaning no imprint would remain.
—Giuseppe—no, Felipe—was close to Lilith's incarnation, Lamia, so if he left anything, it's probably already in her hands.
—The "God of Luck"…
- First, I'm not even sure if He's a transmigrator.
- Second, His remnants are likely sealed in the underground ruins of Fragrant Manor.
That place is bound to be extremely dangerous, so I won't go near it anytime soon…
So where can I find an artifact that meets Lilith's requirements?
As this thought plagued him, Ebner activated the Pure White Eye. Then, under Lilith's watchful gaze, he used his daily active prophecy:
"The easiest-to-obtain artifact that meets the requirements."
Almost immediately, words of revelation surfaced in his mind:
"In darkness, the miracles of civilization perish in degeneration."
What does that mean?
The artifact must come from a transmigrator… so does this mean he created a miracle of civilization in darkness?
The Sequence 1 of the 'Savant' pathway is called 'Civilization's Enlightener' or 'Light in the Darkness'… Could this phrase hint that the transmigrator followed the Savant pathway?
"Degeneration"… is that referring to the Fallen Creator?
Did a transmigrator's miracle of civilization perish due to the Fallen Creator?
Darkness… the easiest to obtain…
As the pieces fell into place, realization struck Ebner.
Could it be that an unfortunate transmigrator ended up directly in the Land Abandoned by God?
The city-state with the "True Creator" temple that Little Sun will eventually explore?
Is that why it's considered relatively easy to obtain?