Chapter 120: Possession of the "Red Angel"
After punishing Calvin, Hobert didn't immediately leave the Nation of Disorder. He decided to wait a bit longer to observe Calvin's reaction.
He mocked himself inwardly: Why does this feel a bit like a "client follow-up," checking to see if the "client" fell for my trick?
Feeling bored, he recalled the results of the earlier mediumship.
Although the séance was interrupted, Elliott already had the answer he sought: the Balk family curse had absolutely nothing to do with the "Rose School of Thought." The curse indeed stemmed from the family's bloodline.
This shattered the last bit of Hobert's wishful thinking, as he had always believed there was some intricate connection between the Heller family and the Balk family.
These two families were likely cursed for the same reasons, burdened by something within their bloodline.
If this curse had truly come from a high-level Beyonder on the Prisoner Pathway, the solution would have been straightforward—just kill the one who cast the curse, and it would naturally disappear.
Though this would be difficult, it was something within Hobert's realm of knowledge. All he had to do was become stronger, then defeat the curse caster.
However, tonight's mediumship showed that the curse had nothing to do with the "Rose School of Thought."
Everything returned to square one—the curse was shrouded in mystery, and the investigation would have to begin with the Heller and Balk families.
Unfortunately, these two families were relatively obscure, making an effective investigation challenging for Hobert.
Right now, he had two leads: first, Rex. He decided to visit Dicks sometime soon.
The second lead was the Balk family's council of elders. They must know some secrets about the Balk family, which strengthened Hobert's resolve to support Elliott.
With this in mind, Hobert once again observed Calvin through Elliott's stars. Calvin appeared a bit fearful and much more respectful toward Elliott.
Hobert sighed: Mission accomplished.
Just as he was about to leave the Nation of Disorder, Hobert noticed that the star representing Raft was entwined with something resembling a red thread.
Hobert was startled. He had been busy lately and hadn't checked on Raft in a while. Could something have happened to him?
Hobert spread his spiritual senses toward the star representing Raft. At that moment, Raft was running wildly down a deserted street, clearly engaged in some secretive activity tonight.
On his back, there seemed to be a shadow.
Hobert adjusted his "True Vision" and saw a blurry, dark figure clinging to Raft's back.
Yet Raft appeared unaware.
This... this looks like a crude form of possession!
Could it be the "Red Angel" Medici, and some kind of evil spirit merged with two of his enemies?
Hobert stroked his chin—this was the only plausible explanation.
Unexpectedly, Raft had already been possessed. Any later investigations or divinations by Klein regarding Raft must have been influenced by this evil spirit.
Hobert tried to recall Raft's role in the story, but he was such a minor character that Hobert hadn't paid much attention to him while reading.
He then thought: Possessed or not, it doesn't matter. I'm not planning to help Raft break free for now.
I'll assist him only when he proves useful.
With this thought, Hobert submerged the star representing Raft into the pond, preventing the "Red Angel" from tracking back to the "Nation of Disorder" through his "True Vision."
Dealing with a "King of Angels" level being required utmost caution.
…
In the nighttime streets of Backlund, Raft didn't hail a cab until he was several blocks away from where he had been digging up the ruins.
As he boarded the carriage, the Red Angel possessing him for the first time suddenly looked up into the sky, saying, Solomon?
Another voice from the evil spirit chuckled, "A thousand years underground has rotted your brain!"
A third voice added, "Indeed. When we invaded this Tudor descendant's mind earlier, didn't you notice? Over a hundred years ago, a new 'Black Emperor' arose, and Solomon truly fell."
"Two fools. Have you forgotten Solomon's gaze?"
The second voice retorted, "Unlike you, we don't willingly act as Solomon's dogs."
The third voice said, "Of course you remember Solomon's gaze—that's the loyalty of a hunting dog to its master!"
Medici sneered, "You don't even qualify to be dogs."
"…"
Even after a thousand years, there was no peace among them.
Naturally, neither Raft nor the coachman could hear their argument.
…
After leaving the Nation of Disorder, Hobert lay in the darkness, staring at the black ceiling, listening to the occasional sounds of hooves and horses outside, while imagining the rdinary battle outside Crowell City, far away.
From tonight onward, he would officially intervene in the Balk family as the "Creator."
If executed well, this demigod family could become a significant force in the future.
For example, in the future, if the "Creator" sent one of his Chosen to the Southern Continent for training, it wouldn't be unreasonable to demand control over a small town from the Balk family (since they secretly ruled many villages and towns within General Anthony's territory) to help digest the "Baron of Corruption" potion, would it?
Even if something went wrong, at most, the Southern Continent's channels would be lost. No one would connect the "Creator" to a young man from Loen in the Northern Continent.
As his thoughts swirled, Hobert began to feel sleepy again.
He smiled bitterly to himself. Since he had shown his face before the Balk family's elders, it seemed that the great "Creator" would be forced into action often, even at night.
…
The next morning, Hobert yawned as he arrived at the law firm, made a brief appearance, then left to "visit clients." Around 8:50 AM, he arrived at Viscount Glaint's mansion.
Xio and Fors had just arrived as well, and after greeting each other, Audrey arrived.
After everyone complimented Audrey on her beauty, they headed together to Viscount Glaint's study.
A long table and five chairs were already prepared. Instead of drinks and fruit, there was a simple and rustic astrolabe on the table.
Audrey smiled, "The astrolabe really gives this study a mystical atmosphere."
Viscount Glaint chuckled, clearly pleased with Audrey's compliment.
Hobert also inwardly sighed: Looks pretty convincing!
The group tacitly left the head seat for Hobert, and he took it without hesitation. Audrey and Glaint sat to his left, with Xio and Fors to his right.
Thus, the first meeting of the "Justice League" officially began.
~~~
Patreon.com/KeyofStars