The Warden of The Witches-Chapter 263:
Chapter 263:
<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256="">Chapter 263: The Ritual of the "Hatred" Authority</ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Vengeance Sanctuary? That terrorist organization nicknamed the 'Asylum'?" Abigail replied. "Does this organization have any connection with Your Excellency?"<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Just asking in passing due to other cases," Aiden waved his hand. "Seems you know something about it."<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"But what I know likely isn't much more than the Inquisition does. You see, this organization declined precisely after The Covenant appeared... Strictly speaking, it was killed off by the Inquisition institutions of various countries," Abigail said slowly. "What Your Excellency knows likely surpasses mine."<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Aiden indeed knew about the Vengeance Sanctuary. Its predecessor was a political extremist organization named "The Sanctuary," which emerged in the Netherlands about fifteen years ago. Initially, its activities mainly involved opposing domestic reforms in the Netherlands, training assassins and armed personnel for assassinations and terrorist attacks. Later, after the reforms in the Netherlands succeeded, The Sanctuary was designated a terrorist organization by the government, its core members arrested, and the remaining personnel forced to flee abroad.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Subsequently, the remaining members renamed the organization "Vengeance Sanctuary," evolving it into a purely terrorist group targeting the Dutch government. Over several years of development, this terrorist organization's methods became increasingly extreme, even involving voluntary human sacrifices. A large number of mentally unstable, crazed terrorists emerged within the organization, which was the fundamental reason Abigail referred to it as the "Asylum."<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->During this period, very unfortunately for the terrorist organization, the Netherlands joined The Covenant. According to The Covenant's regulations, religious organizations involved in human sacrifice were almost guaranteed to be placed on the purge list. Thus, "Vengeance Sanctuary" instantly "upgraded" from an extremist group relevant only to Dutch internal affairs to a proscribed cult violating The Covenant, becoming a universally condemned pariah hunted down rigorously by Inquisition institutions across various countries. Consequently, "Vengeance Sanctuary" lost its foothold in most continental nations.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->By six years ago, "Vengeance Sanctuary" had already effectively disintegrated under the pressure of various national crackdown campaigns, splintering into several small, disorganized groups scattered across the continent, which were then defeated one by one. In fact, three years ago, the autonomous state itself had dismantled a small religious group identified as remnants of the "Vengeance Sanctuary." Its leader was still imprisoned in Rose Iron Prison. That person was none other than "Mad Hailo," who possessed the grace of an evil god.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->However, only today did Aiden learn from the God of Death's Agent that Mr. Bloodcloth had once used the Blood Moon Cult to target the "Vengeance Sanctuary," attempting to seize its Authority. Judging by Mad Hailo special ability, the Vengeance Sanctuary indeed worshipped a real, existing Dominator and had received responses from this Dominator.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Then, he split the Blood Moon Cult, persuaded human followers to switch allegiance to the Goddess of Conspiracy, Mephilia, and apparently received Mephilia blessing. After being killed by the God of Death's Agent, having prepared beforehand, he swapped bodies and continued leading the new Blood Moon Cult, earning the worship of his followers through divine miracles. Logically, after gaining control of the splintered new Blood Moon Cult, he likely continued his attempt to seize the Authority served by the "Vengeance Sanctuary."<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->
<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->According to Mephilia, by the time the Blood Moon Cult was dismantled and he assassinated the previous Aiden, he had already become a Saint of the "Hatred" Authority and obtained the sole Authority of "Hatred."<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Judging by Abigail's response, she claimed little knowledge of the "Vengeance Sanctuary" organization, but that didn't mean she was unaware of information concerning the "Hatred" Authority.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Aiden thought carefully, then posed the question: "Then, are you aware that the Vengeance Sanctuary once served the 'Hatred' Authority?"<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"That much, I do know," Abigail replied.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->
<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Just as expected<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->—Aiden confirmed his suspicion. The "Vengeance Sanctuary" served the very "Hatred" Authority seized by Mr. Bloodcloth. "Mad Hailo" damage reflection ability was likely an effect of one of the powers under the "Hatred" Authority.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"You knew, but you didn't investigate further? I thought the members of your Coven were always eager to obtain powers," Aiden couldn't help but feel puzzled.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"I forbade it," Abigail answered calmly. "I expressly prohibited Coven members from attempting to contact the 'Hatred' Authority. Anyone showing intent was expelled."<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Why?"<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Does Your Excellency not know the conditions for the ascension ritual of the 'Hatred' Authority?" Abigail countered.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"I only know one must complete an act of 'Vengeance'," Aiden offered the information he possessed.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"The remaining two rituals involve finding someone who willingly sacrifices themselves for you, and the last... is said to require completing an act of 'Betrayal'," Abigail answered. "If someone within the Witches' Coven attempted to pursue the divine utterances of 'Hatred', let alone the Authority itself, they would become a dangerous element to the Coven. I must eliminate such possibilities."<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Aiden was stunned. One of the rituals to ascend to the "Hatred" Authority required completing an act of "Betrayal"? Mr. Bloodcloth had already completed this ritual, meaning... he had betrayed someone? Could it be... Mephilia? The thought naturally occurred to Aiden. It seemed quite a bit of information could be distilled from what he learned from the God of Death's Agent.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Thank you for your answer," Aiden nodded.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"No need for such courtesy. Your Excellency is considered our ally, after all," Abigail replied calmly. "May I ask, how are the preparations for Your Excellency's factory progressing?"<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"The modifications are almost complete. Production can begin once the materials arrive," Aiden answered.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"That is excellent news. Vera has prepared the first batch of materials, approximately two hundred kilograms. How should they be delivered to you?"<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Ship them via freight to the station in Silver City the day after tomorrow," Aiden replied calmly. "I will hire a carriage to transport them back. I'll handle the other procedural matters; you just need to provide the materials."<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Alright. Then I wish Your Excellency prosperous business."<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Let's wish <!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->us<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----> prosperous business," Aiden corrected. "Well then, I shall take my leave for today."<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Farewell," Abigail bid goodbye placidly, waving her hand.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->The grey mist swirled rapidly, and the scene before Aiden switched back to his office. Aiden sat in his chair, thinking for a long while. He stood up and picked up the lantern placed in the corner of the room.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->The remaining questions... it was probably best to directly confront the goddess downstairs. Judging from the intelligence gathered today, this Goddess of Conspiracy had indeed been hiding quite a few things from him.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>
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