Magician in Type-Moon

Page 625

"...It's about the Moon King, Crimson Moon."

Zhu Yue Brunstad!

The name itself is taboo! It's a legend! It's the sword of Damocles hanging over the planet!

It is the origin of the Twenty-Seven Dead Apostles, the UO (Ultimate One) of the Moon, a terrifying existence that once nearly dragged the planet into the "Lunar Coral" transformation and represents the absolute alien laws!

Barthelo Lorelei's words, like a pebble thrown into a still pond, stirred ripples in the intricately working core of Matouchi's mind, instantly coalescing into a clear pattern.

Those seemingly scattered clues—her pointing out the Dead Apostle aura on him, her mention of the deal with the being deep within the Fuyuki Grail regarding the Crimson Moon, her demand for the forbidden ring originating from "Anshuna"—are now perfectly linked together by a cold and deadly chain of logic.

Deeply entangled with the Dead Apostles.

It is associated with the Moon King, Zhu Yue.

What could possibly make this "King" of the Law and Politics Department personally step forward, willing to use the past of Matou Zouken and the secret of Akatsuki as bargaining chips to demand it...

The target was pointed at, and instantly became blindingly clear!

The Dark Six!

That ultimate calamity lurking in the deepest recesses of the Dead Apostle legend, symbolizing the possibility of the First Order's resurrection! That ancient monarchy powerful enough to overturn the existing order and drag the world into even deeper darkness!

As the source of the Dead Apostles, Zhu Yue's will and power are the indispensable cornerstone of The Dark Six's resurgence, and may even be the blueprint for its final form!

and so……

"Is the Blood Ring the most important part of the fruit's principle?"

The fateful whisper of Tsbia Eltnam Atlasia resounded like thunder deep within Matouchi's memory!

Everything suddenly becomes clear!

Bartholomew's demand for the Blood Ring was not simply out of hatred.

Her goal is to pinpoint the irreplaceable strategic role she plays in the massive storm surrounding The Dark Six!

“So—” he deliberately drew out his words, each syllable as clear as shattering ice, “you came to me and demanded this Blood Ring of Principle…”

His words were like a sharp blade, precisely cutting through all pretense and pointing straight to the core:

"...Are you trying to stop the resurgence of The Dark Six?"

Chapter 653 The Passage (4k)

Barthelon's eyes, as cold as a frozen lake, finally showed an extremely subtle ripple due to this pointed question.

It wasn't surprise, but rather a cold confirmation that "you finally understand."

The whip in her hand remained as steady as a rock, its tip gleaming dangerously in the moonlight.

She didn't immediately answer "yes" or "no," but the momentary stillness, and the sudden surge of cold, absolute willpower emanating from her like a polar storm, were the most powerful answer in themselves.

Seeing that Barthezmello did not directly respond to the question about "stopping the Dark Six Kings," Matou Ike narrowed his eyes slightly and did not press the matter further.

He abruptly changed the subject, his words like a cold scalpel precisely cutting into the core contradiction of the other party's decision-making logic:

“Actually…” His voice carried an almost scholarly calm analysis, yet contained a deeper doubt, “I don’t quite understand what you’ve done.”

He stared directly at the figure in the darkness, which resembled a cold moon.

"In my view, the resurgence of the Vermilion Moon is indeed an undeniable and fundamental disaster for the planet." He acknowledged the legitimacy of the other party's potential objectives.

“But—” his tone suddenly became more forceful, like a hammer blow, “in order to deal with one disaster, we forcibly detonate another (a global mystery leak and its chain reaction)…”

He shook his head slightly, the movement carrying a chilling sense of absurdity.

"...Is this really reasonable?"

He didn't wait for Barthez's answer. He knew that the question itself was the ultimate test of the foundation of this sorcerer's decision-making, a man known for his absolute rationality and iron fist. He continued, like peeling back the last layer of an onion:

“I am well aware of the deep-seated hatred the Barthelo family harbors for the Dead Apostles.” His voice was calm, pointing out the indelible mark on the family’s heritage.

“But I believe…” he changed the subject, his gaze sharp as a knife.

"As the 'King' who controls the entire direction of the Mage's Association, mere hatred... is not enough to be the fundamental reason that influenced you to make such a... subversive judgment."

This statement precisely strips away emotional factors, directly addressing Barthezello's rational core as the ultimate decision-maker. He rejects the superficial motive of "revenge," elevating the issue to a strategic level.

“So…” Matou Ike’s voice trailed off slightly, his Deconstruction Mystic Eyes flashing with insightful light, as if inviting the other party to a higher level of candid dialogue.

He needs a strategic logic that transcends personal feelings and family feuds, one that can truly explain this insane decision.

However, his response was not an explanation.

The girl holding the riding whip—Bartholomew—suddenly cast a gaze that seemed to freeze the soul the moment Matou Ike finished speaking.

Her voice remained steady, yet it carried a penetrating insight that cut to the heart of the matter, like a cold silver needle piercing through the seemingly objective veneer of doubt in Matou Ike's words:

"Are you dissatisfied with... the Clock Tower's actions this time?" She accurately captured the most genuine and core emotion hidden beneath all of Matou Ike's words—

Discontent! Not pity for the disaster, not confusion about logic, but a cold discontent that his own plans had been disrupted!

Having his core point directly exposed, Matou Ike did not deny it. Instead, a calm, almost cold smile curved his lips.

"Of course," he answered crisply, without a trace of embarrassment at being exposed.

"Although this move..." he was referring to the global leak, "...will not harm my core interests, and in some ways, it subtly aligns with some of my expectations for the future landscape."

He acknowledged the "benefits" but made no attempt to hide the accompanying negative effects:

“...But indeed,” he frowned slightly, as if assessing the new variables, “it has added quite a tricky variable to some of my future plans.”

This answer starkly revealed his true nature as a "magician".

He doesn't care whether the world is in chaos; what he cares about is whether the chaos is within his expectations and whether it will ultimately help him seize the crown of "King of Lostbelts".

The storm Barthezello stirred up was powerful enough, but its direction might not entirely conform to his will. Those "variables" were the true source of his "dissatisfaction"!

Barthezmero silently gazed at Matou Pond.

In the depths of her icy eyes, as if from a frozen lake, tiny ice crystals seemed to be silently colliding and shattering. The tip of the riding crop in her hand seemed to tremble slightly in the cold moonlight.

She didn't seem surprised by Makiri Ike's answer, and may even have expected it.

This dialogue amidst the ruins has long transcended the simple demand for items, and even surpassed the grand goal of stopping the Dark Six Kingdoms.

This is a silent battle for control of the chaos.

Barthezmello created chaos and attempted to steer it toward the calamity she believed had to be stopped (The Dark Six).

Matou Ike saw an opportunity in this chaos, but he was also wary that the uncontrollable variables might interfere with his path to the throne.

He needs to assess whether Barthez's "stopping" action will become the biggest "variable" for him.

Barthezmello also needs to determine whether this ambitious entity, which holds key components, is an obstacle that must be eliminated in the coming storm, or... a pawn that can be used temporarily.

"Is this so..."

Barthelo Lorelei nodded slightly, the movement so small it was almost imperceptible.

Her voice rang out again, still calm, yet like a precise scalpel, instantly slicing into a crucial point in Matou Ikehiro's heart:

"So..." Her gaze, like an invisible probe, locked onto Matou Ike, "You don't want to... make contact with other Lostbelts at this stage?"

"Maintain contact!"

The word is used with extreme subtlety and precision. It does not imply "confrontation" or "conquest," but rather suggests a tentative, or even perhaps cooperative, contact.

"........."

Upon hearing this, Matou Ike fell into a brief silence. His demonic eyes, burning with the dark flames of Garan, were like the deepest night sky, gazing at the figure of the girl holding a riding whip in the darkness.

His gaze was incredibly penetrating, as if he could see right through the other person, from their very soul to their strategies.

Barthezello's insight... or rather, her understanding of the nature of the Lostbelts and his own ambitions far exceeded his expectations.

She not only saw through his "dissatisfaction" with the current chaos stemming from the disruption of his plans, but also accurately grasped the phase of his strategic layout—avoiding premature involvement in higher-level Lostbelt conflicts!

He needs to be reassessed.

We need to readjust our strategy for dealing with this "King of the Clock Tower".

She can no longer be seen as a "guardian" who is merely obsessed with purging the dead or maintaining the old order.

Her understanding of Zhu Yue, her comprehension of the Lostbelt, her audacity to overturn the world...

All of this indicates that she herself is an extremely dangerous chess player who makes moves in a higher-dimensional game!

Dealing with her requires greater caution and a more delicate balance.

However, just as Matou Ike was about to speak, attempting to steer the conversation towards a deeper strategic probe—

Barthezmero, however, played another card first. Her voice remained steady, yet carried an absolute confidence that commanded the rhythm:

“According to our investigation,” her words were like a cold, archival statement, “your journey from Egypt to England…”

She paused slightly, then clearly uttered the name that, among the twenty-seven Dead Apostles, represented antiquity, wisdom, and a unique stance:

"...They came here on Van Fem's ship."

"…………!"

The air seemed to freeze in an instant.

The shadows of the ruins seemed to twist for a moment because of this name.

Matou Ike's body tensed almost imperceptibly for a moment, then returned to its languid posture.

He shrugged, his movements deliberately relaxed and casual, a playful smile even playing on his lips, attempting to downplay the exposed "professional" relationship:

"Is there a problem with this?" His voice carried a deliberate air of innocence. "Could it be... that the esteemed Miss Barthemello harbors hatred for the Dead Apostles..."

He deliberately imitated the tone the other person used when they mentioned "Greetings from Area 11," with a hint of cold sarcasm.

"...has it become so ingrained that even hitchhiking...is unacceptable?"

Barthez was not swayed by Matou Ike's seemingly nonchalant question.

She simply watched him calmly and without expression.

"No." Her denial was crisp and decisive, her voice like an ice bead hitting the ground, instantly shattering the frivolous atmosphere created by Matou Ike.

She didn't dwell on the levels of "hatred" or "acceptance," but rather, like a precise scalpel, cut directly into a more core and hidden point:

“I just…” Her voice remained steady, yet it carried a chilling, penetrating power that seemed to know everything, “…I learned through some channels what you did on that ship called ‘Deadline Joy Ship’.”