NOVPUB
Chapter 209: To the Alchemist Association
Aldrian walked through the bustling streets, surrounded by the cheering of people and an atmosphere brimming with positivity. They decided to look for a place to stay first, and Eleine mentioned that if they wanted excellent service, the Diamond Inn was the best choice. It offered accommodations fit for nobles and a strategic location, though it came with a high cost. Aldrian had no objections, wealth was not a concern for him, especially since he possessed an entire vast hall filled with peak energy stones from Emperor Thonias’s inheritance.
After that, they walked toward the area where many wealthy establishments were located. True to what Eleine had said, the area was conveniently close to the imperial palace and several major associations, such as the Mercenaries’ Guild, the Adventurers’ Guild, and his target, the Alchemist Association.
Upon arriving at the Diamond Inn and securing their rooms, Aldrian stood on the balcony connected to his room on the fourth floor. From there, he could see the towering structure of the Alchemist Association rising prominently in the distance.
"Like Eleine said, I have to be cautious if I want to uncover the traitors in that place, especially if the traitor is a high-ranking member of the Alchemist Association," he thought.
A few moments later, he glanced back into his room from the balcony.
"How is it? Do you already have the information I asked for?" Aldrian asked into the seemingly empty room. However, a voice responded.
"Yes, Master. From our intelligence gathering, there have been no high-ranking members of the Alchemist Association who disappeared from the time of Duke Badin’s execution until today. We received confirmation from one of our trusted informants within the Association," a voice replied.
A silhouette emerged from the shadows, kneeling before him. It was none other than the First Finger.
"And from the higher-ups to their disciples or any of their close associates, no one has disappeared. However, this is as far as our information goes. We couldn’t delve deeper into their activities due to a lack of manpower. My apologies, Master," the figure reported.
"Good. That means they haven’t escaped yet," Aldrian thought.
As for the lack of manpower, Aldrian could understand that. They not only had to monitor the nobles with a grudge against the Rivas but also observe those who could potentially become traitors.
"Also, here is the list of nobles who harbor grudges against the Rivas, along with the potential traitors we consider the most suspicious within the empire. We’ve also included a list of nobles who have good or neutral relationships with the Rivas," the First Finger said, handing Aldrian an information crystal, which he took. Aldrian was truly satisfied with the Thunderous Shadow Pavilion’s work.
"Good job. Keep watching them, especially after today. If anything unusual happens with the higher-ups of the Association or any other noble family, report it to me immediately. You may go."
"Yes, Master." The First Finger then disappeared. Aldrian glanced at the Alchemist Association once more before sitting on the bed. He began to introspect, reflecting on all the chaos of war he had just experienced. The meeting with the Lust Devil had given him a new perspective on the people who suffered due to their lack of strength.
The cruel fate awaiting the weak can drive them to the same path as the Lust Devil. Aldrian knew they chose that path because it was the only option available to them. He didn’t blame them for becoming what they were due to the circumstances. He didn’t condemn them, but he understood that every decision shapes their karma.
To become a devil, they must be ready to face him and perish. He, too, was doing his part as a man who still held onto his morals, a righteous heart, and had strength—the bigger fist. This also aligned with his interest in facing that thing he believed to be the devil’s God, or something akin to it, which made the devils have him as their enemy as well.
He now also knew that something like what the Lust Devil did was possible. At first, he was surprised that the Lust Devil could comprehend so many kinds of laws, but it seemed to be linked to his technique. Rodwin had been fortunate enough to comprehend this technique, and it appeared that the Lust Devil of the past could also use it. There were two techniques that allowed the Lust Devil to grasp multiple laws and gain others’ comprehension or knowledge: the Devil’s Mind Curse and the other technique, which was...
The Dual Cultivation technique, a technique used by cultivators during intercourse with the opposite sex. The purposes of this technique are many: it can be used for energy transfer, energy circulation, boosting cultivation, enhancing physical strength, and more. The benefits of this technique can either be directed to just one party or shared between both, depending on the specific dual cultivation technique they used.
Now, in the case of one of the Dual Cultivation techniques that he knew from the Lust Devil, after reading his memories, Aldrian discovered that the Lust Devil mostly used this technique. It was the technique that allowed him to gain the comprehension of various laws from the women he had intercourse with. Aldrian was truly surprised, this particular technique could connect two minds into one, and in this case, the Lust Devil benefitted more from the connection. The good thing about this technique was that it did not kill the woman.
He was truly enlightened by this technique; it also gave him inspiration for future use—yes, for future use. He nodded repeatedly before moving on to other matters. He checked the storage ring of the Greed Devil, which contained many artifacts. That devil had stolen so many things from noble families and stored them inside his storage ring. Aldrian didn’t know if the Greed Devil still had more items hidden elsewhere, but from the information he gathered from these artifacts, some of them came from noble families.
Aldrian then took out the information crystal that the First Finger had given him and began to read its contents. After a few minutes, he was done, and as he had suspected, some of the nobles in the empire had lost artifacts stolen by the Greed Devil, and now these artifacts were in his possession. Aldrian smiled, seeing this as an opportunity to use to his advantage. It could serve as a bargaining chip in the future, should he need it.
He then looked into his own being’s essence. When he appeared inside it, he gazed at the distance and saw that the star seemed closer. He thought it might have something to do with the last time he saw the figure in the symbol—a figure that felt familiar, yet unfamiliar at the same time. He sigh and pushed the thought aside, realizing it was useless to dwell on it right now.
He then comprehended this place and himself more. This place was deeper, more mysterious, and more profound than his mindscape. His mindscape had long been shaped like a vast cosmos, and he knew it was not common compared to others. He had left it that way, not knowing the reason, simply attributing it to his origin. However, he remembered what the Lust Devil had said before he crushed his spiritual body within his mindscape.
"A God, huh."
Well, he didn’t blame the Lust Devil for thinking he was like a God inside the mindscape. That place was his own world, where he held absolute control. The vast cosmos, with him as the sole existence, made him seem godlike. But this was the first time he had received such a perspective from someone who had infiltrated his mindscape and called him a God. It stirred something deep within his heart.
"I have a mindscape resembling the vast cosmos, and a strange form for my being’s essence. Could it be true that I was a God in my past life? What kind of God was I?"
He shook his head, pushing the thoughts aside as he continued his meditation. However, he didn’t meditate for too long. The next day, he woke from his session, knowing he had to move quickly with his plans. Today, he would visit the Alchemist Association!
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After Aldrian informed the others that he would be visiting the Alchemist Association, Eleine decided to accompany him, ready to help if needed. As for Sylphia and Baek Jimin, they chose to explore the city. Aldrian simply nodded at them, knowing they enjoyed discovering new places. With that, he began walking toward the Alchemist Association headquarters, which was not far from his inn.
As Aldrian and Eleine walked toward the Alchemist Association, they noticed a group of individuals wearing distinctive attire. On their chests, they bore a special badge, a circle with stars inside. As they passed by, people around them would glance their way with respect, stepping aside to give them space.
"They are alchemists from the Association, and their badges represent their level in alchemy. The more stars they have, the higher their level and achievements," Eleine explained through voice transmission to Aldrian.
Aldrian nodded in understanding, continuing to walk alongside her. Before long, they finally arrived at the grand headquarters of the Alchemist Association.
