Chapter 792: Prophet of Yorta (6)

Military Spirit City Yorta.

Mid-Tier, Hundred Ghosts Administrative District.

This is the area that handles most of the administrative tasks within the city, boasting uniquely vast and well-maintained facilities compared to other districts that have achieved the ‘Hundred Ghosts’ rank.

Naturally, the river flowing through this area and the docks prepared along its banks are also of an immense size that is hard to fathom.

Yet, in the very center of the docks, where hundreds of ships should have been arriving and departing in real-time,

A single colossal Ghost Ship stood alone, billowing thick fog.

Groooooan!!

The ship’s form emitted an eerie, wailing sound, radiating an unbridled, dark fluorescent glow.

Every time it swayed, draped heavily in fog, with ancient chains clanking, the dock area failed to contain it, and the river water surged violently.

Splosh! Roar!!

“……”

It was only natural that all pedestrians passing through the administrative district gawked, unable to tear their eyes away.

“……What in the world is going on?”

“Well……”

It was perfectly reasonable for the question to be repeated, as if even more flabbergasted after hearing the specific circumstances.

“A law regarding ships that the dock can’t accommodate? Such a thing existed?”

“Didn’t the city facilities undergo a major reorganization after the Myriad Ghosts’ Night Parade was completely concluded?”

The man, who appeared to be a secretary, answered, dripping with sweat.

“Since all the docks on each tier were expanded, such a problem has rarely occurred……”

“So, you’re saying you didn’t foresee such a situation happening?”

“The Court of Soul Pacification also attempted to abolish this rule several times but failed,” the secretary said with a troubled expression.

“How could we possibly resolve something that even the great spirits couldn’t touch?”

“……”

The great spirits residing on the topmost floor of the Memorial Tower, who govern the city.

If even they struggled to abolish this rule, what more could be said?

After hearing the explanation, Lennok simply stared blankly at the Ghost Ship with an indescribable expression.

“So, who exactly is the owner of that ship?”

“Everyone seems quite interested in this matter.”

[Given that it’s drawn this much attention, it’s only natural, wouldn’t you say?]

Inside Onnion’s Ghost Ship’s pilothouse.

A vast space located directly below the deck, designed to allow a view of the outside through old glass windows.

Beside Lennok, who sat perched on the windowsill, the Priestess’s ethereal form stood, looking out at the exterior.

Lennok, idly flipping through the writings on a Papyrus Aureus, murmured, “I thought I could go straight to the upper-tier of the Thousand Ghosts rank, but it’s not as easy as I thought.”

Ten Ghosts Settlement. Hundred Ghosts Administrative District. Thousand Ghosts Ennoblement.

These are the names referring to Yorta’s lower, middle, and upper tiers, as it is a tiered and aquatic city.

Excluding the indiscriminately spread Single Ghosts and the Myriad Ghosts, who are outside the grading system, these three ranks effectively define the tiers.

The first place Lennok arrived after escaping from the 5th underground level of the Memorial Tower was the Ten Ghosts Settlement, which is the lower tier.

From there, Lennok immediately found a way to ascend to the upper tier in the Ghostly Chronicles and executed it, leading to this entire situation.

[I thought it was unusual when I checked the writings in the prison, but you truly are a strange unbeliever.]

The Priestess murmured, still unable to comprehend.

[To think the Marshal of Deadrise would enjoy such eccentricities.]

“……”

Lennok had already explained to the Priestess that the author of the Ghostly Chronicles was Ethan Bajour.

Regardless of keeping the resurrection spellcraft hidden from her, he judged it difficult to conceal the existence and identity of the Chronicles while they were accompanying each other within Yorta.

However, perhaps due to her preoccupation with Ethan Bajour’s existence, the Priestess didn’t seem to consider that another secret might be hidden within the Papyrus Aureus.

Instead, she only showed strong interest in the sort of ‘guide’ that the Ghostly Chronicles presented within this city.

[Still, it worked out well. Using the records in the Chronicles, we should be able to approach the Infinite Void more quickly.]

“I’ve already done some investigation into that part.”

Lennok lightly shook the Papyrus Aureus he was holding.

“I’ve been checking the records written here since earlier, and indeed, this wasn’t made for travelers in Yorta.”

[Excuse me?]

“Rather, it should be seen as a journal of Ethan Bajour’s impressions while traveling Yorta.”

Lennok said, extending the Papyrus Aureus toward the Priestess.

“Look at this. The writings in the Chronicles thoroughly display records related to my current location and situation. Furthermore, if you scrutinize those records……”

The Priestess, who had casually turned her gaze towards the Papyrus Aureus, suddenly froze.

Because the writings in the Chronicles were relaying utterly unexpected information that the Priestess could not have imagined.

=The taste of the Headrain River’s water surprisingly varies slightly by tier.

=The Ten Ghosts Settlement tastes sweet. The Hundred Ghosts Administrative District tastes salty. The river water of the Thousand Ghosts Ennoblement tier tastes bitter.

[……What in the world is this?]

When the Priestess retorted with an absurd expression, Lennok nodded, indicating for her to read more.

=Personally, I liked the sweet taste of the Ten Ghosts Settlement the most.

=It was fascinating that the taste didn’t change even when scooping water from the river, so I drank it from a water bottle for a while, but after a week, I got tired of it and stopped.

[……]

“As you can see, he’s completely insane.”

Lennok chuckled coldly and retrieved the Papyrus Aureus.

“So, it’s interesting to look through, but…… such a record would never have been left as advice or guidance. This current situation is no different.”

Lennok tapped the deck of the pilothouse he was perched on and said, “Even if there’s a law that all ships must move to an accommodating dock, how many people actually own such a ship?”

[So you mean it’s a journal limited only to the author’s perspective?]

The Priestess nodded, understanding Lennok’s words.

If they hadn’t acquired Onnion’s Ghost Ship through a deal with the Grand Arbitrator, they wouldn’t have even been able to attempt this.

Furthermore, even after moving to the mid-tier, weren’t they currently trapped in the administrative district, drawing all sorts of attention?

“The Chronicles are merely Ethan Bajour’s personal opinions; even if a record happens to match by coincidence, it doesn’t provide the method or the clean-up afterward.”

Lennok folded the Papyrus Aureus and tucked it into his pocket.

“However, if you keep this in mind, these Chronicles will definitely be of considerable help within Yorta.”

[……]

“If I investigate a little more, I think I’ll definitely know how to use it……”

[Why don’t you use your Revelation Ability to look into this Papyrus Aureus?]

“No. If I use that much power, it’s possible it could affect Ethan himself.”

Lennok immediately shook his head.

“He would discover that the Chronicles he left in Yorta are being seen by others. I don’t want to take that risk.”

Of course, setting that aside, there’s no guarantee that the resurrection spellcraft embedded in the Papyrus Aureus wouldn’t be detected by the Revelation Ability.

If the Priestess were to learn about the resurrection spellcraft, would she try to use it on herself?

She said she wasn’t bound by the death of the flesh, and indeed, she showed a detached attitude.

But if she thought there was actually a way to be revived, there’s no telling how the Priestess would react.

It was awkward to hide this fact from her while they were cooperating, but Lennok also had no intention of reviving the core leadership of the cult.

Their current companionship and investigation of Yorta were only possible because their goals temporarily aligned.

After achieving their respective desires in the Infinite Void, it wouldn’t be strange for them to part ways and try to kill each other at any time.

[But if things stay this way, won’t we be stuck in the mid-tier?]

The Priestess retorted with a troubled look.

[To enter the Infinite Void, we’ll need to ascend at least to the upper tier, the Thousand Ghosts Ennoblement.]

Her words weren’t wrong.

Because the underground prison of the Memorial Tower where Lennok was confined, and the secret places built above the tower, including the Infinite Void, were completely different spaces.

In this tiered city, to access the upper levels of the Memorial Tower, one must eventually reach an area where the tower is visible to the naked eye.

The Thousand Ghosts Ennoblement, the upper tier located closest to the Memorial Tower within Yorta.

At the very least, they would need to quickly ascend there to find a way to enter the Infinite Void.

But Lennok, while agreeing with her words, shook his head.

“A chance will arise as long as we get close to the Infinite Void. There’s no reason we absolutely must gain proper qualifications to enter the tower.”

If Ethan Bajour had mentioned visiting the Infinite Void himself, that record would undoubtedly have been left in the Chronicles.

At the very least, if they could get close to the Infinite Void, they could find relevant records in the Chronicles and learn the method.

Lennok was convinced of this and was seeking a way to enter the topmost floor of the Memorial Tower by any means necessary.

[As I expected, you had no intention of abiding by doctrines and laws.]

“There is one way to go directly to the upper levels of the Memorial Tower. I have a guess about one of this city’s most important secrets.”

Ignoring the Priestess’s words, Lennok looked back at the administrative district officials observing the ship from afar.

“I intend to confirm that now through the Chronicles and conversation with them.”

[……Understood.]

The Priestess, who had been silently watching Lennok, nodded with a firm expression.

[I anticipate a wicked solution worthy of Pandemonium.]

“How many times do I have to tell you, don’t you think you’re slandering my name?”

The day after Onnion’s Ghost Ship docked at a new pier.

Another day and night had passed, and late in the evening, as the interest of passersby had somewhat waned.

‘When the Ghost Ship was brought out from the lower tier, there was almost no loss of life or property.’

Lennok sat perched on the old desk in the captain’s cabin, deep in thought.

‘But it would be different in the mid-tier. The dock space would become insufficient just by the ship being moored.’

Therefore, Lennok was convinced that a decision regarding this ship’s disposition would be made soon.

By now, the investigation must have concluded that Lennok obtained the ship through a deal with the Grand Arbitrator and was imprisoned on the 5th underground level as payment.

If the relevant report had gone up to Yorta’s high command, it was highly likely that a judgment on this matter would be decided.

‘There are ways regardless, but what bothers me more is……’

Lennok’s gaze turned towards the Chronicles placed on the table.

=Ships crossing the river in Yorta are used as a means of identity verification.

=During the Night Parade, crossing the Spirit Realm by ship was considered sacred.

=It is clear that this custom was newly established after the Myriad Ghosts’ Night Parade failed once.

“……”

Lennok’s gaze deepened as he read through the writings appearing on the Papyrus Aureus.

Papyrus Aureus. However, not all records in the Chronicles could be searched at will.

Instead, Lennok had been experimenting by adjusting search terms according to the environment.

As a result, Lennok succeeded in extracting keywords related to the Myriad Ghosts’ Night Parade, linked to the Ghost Ship, but he had to accept an equally unsatisfactory result.

=While investigating the Myriad Ghosts’ Night Parade, I realized that the Court of Soul Pacification still manages this information.

=At the same time, rumors and information about the Night Parade are publicly circulating within Yorta.

=If information is consistently leaking and spreading, contrary to being controlled, what could be the reason?

Ethan Bajour, at this point, did not fully resolve his questions about the Night Parade; he simply left them as records.

That was probably because Ethan himself came to this city to overcome his own death, not for the Myriad Ghosts’ Night Parade.

But with these records alone, Lennok could solidify the conjecture he had been harboring all along.

The reason Madrich Onnion still held such a mind-image even after leaving Yorta and moving to Vulcan.

The fundamental reason he clung to unending grudges, replaying his lingering regrets.

Military Spirit City Yorta. The grand scheme for ascension that began in the oldest city-state……

Knock knock!!

At that moment, someone quietly knocked on the captain’s cabin door.

Lennok slowly leaned back in his chair and replied, “It’s open.”

“……Excuse me.”

A man with a tense face opened the door and entered, followed by several attendants.

The elderly man looked at Lennok’s obsidian mask, then slowly bowed his head.

“It is an honor to meet Onnion-nim’s successor. I am Stenberg, the District Head overseeing the Hundred Ghosts Administrative District.”

“Sit.”

So, the District Head managing the mid-tier came himself?

For that, his attendants and attire were unusually simple.

Choosing to visit late in the evening, on the boundary between day and night, it was clear he intended to avoid attention.

Lennok waited silently with his arms crossed, and the District Head, with difficulty, spoke first.

“I heard this is your first time in Yorta, but you seem to know the city’s ancient laws better than us.”

“……”

“Thanks to that, we were greatly surprised as well. It seems that great person left you much wisdom.”

Was his attitude exceptionally courteous because he connected Lennok’s actions with Onnion’s past deeds?

As Lennok remained silent, the District Head spoke again.

“We have concluded our verification of what happened at the Frost Lord’s Tomb. However……”

“You seem to have heard about the incident on the 1st underground level.”

“……The Grand Arbitrator-nim insists that he merely followed proper procedures.”

“……”

It was not surprising, considering the ghost of the boy who was the owner of the massive courtroom on the surface.

The District Head, observing Lennok’s expression, cleared his throat and said, “Ahem, in any case, since the Frost Lord has been eliminated, the 5th underground level will be sealed. The disturbance will also be overlooked. What remains is the treatment of Onnion-nim’s forceful tier movement using this law……”

“I’m listening.”

“After careful review, it was determined that the law Onnion-nim reminded us of still holds validity.”

Stenberg, who had naturally begun referring to Lennok as Onnion, spoke with a troubled expression.

“The current docks here are insufficient to accommodate Onnion-nim’s ship. According to the rule, we should send you to the Thousand Ghosts Ennoblement immediately, but……”

“But?”

“Yorta’s upper tiers are, fundamentally, spaces prepared for the spirits participating in the Night Parade,” Stenberg explained in response to Lennok’s question.

“They are also spirit zones that the Hundred Ghosts and Thousand Ghosts currently sustain by repeating rituals to ensure the normal continuation of the Memorial Tower.”

“I know that the minimum condition for participating in the Night Parade is to achieve the Hundred Ghosts rank,” Lennok replied, tilting his head slightly.

“Are you saying I lack the qualifications to ascend to the upper tier?”

“That itself is not an area we can assess and decide upon……”

Stenberg replied with an embarrassed expression.

“Unless the Court of Soul Pacification directly applies an exception for such a matter, we do not have the authority to handle it.”

“……”

“All I can do is guide Onnion-nim to the location where the assessment will take place, after you decide which Night Parade to participate in.”

Though he was beating around the bush, it was a refusal: that one could not ascend without participating in the Night Parade according to Yorta’s internal laws and rules.

Perhaps, as an ancient city, they were accustomed to expressing decisions in a roundabout way.

“I don’t like participating in the Night Parade, nor do I like being assessed for qualifications.”

But Lennok listened to his words and slowly shook his head.

“Therefore, I will meet the Court of Soul Pacification directly and handle both matters at once.”

“……Yes?”

Suddenly, the District Head’s expression turned blank.

“What do you mean by that? That’s not something within my authority.”

“There was a ritual that sought to gather all spirits and flesh of this world to build a bridge towards ascension.”

“……”

In response to the District Head’s frozen reaction, Lennok removed his glove and pulled out the Guide’s Ring.

Whoosh……!!

Simultaneously, a faint, ghostly form appeared before the District Head’s eyes, as if on display.

Lennok became lost in thought, observing the gradually changing expression of the man before him.

The reason Madrich Onnion still clung to the existence of the Myriad Ghosts’ Night Parade even after the Black Consumer Project failed.

The reason the soul of the fallen Guide still remained within the ring in this form.

Above all, didn’t the very existence of the Memorial Tower, firmly standing at the heart of Yorta, imply the fundamental cause?

“The Myriad Ghosts’ Night Parade has not ended, despite failing once, and the Court of Soul Pacification is hiding that fact on the topmost floor of the Memorial Tower.”

“……”

“I think I can discuss this matter directly with the spirits of the Memorial Tower. What do you think?”

Vulcan’s Black Consumer Project. Machina’s Ascension Gate. And Yorta’s Myriad Ghosts’ Night Parade.

However, among the grand schemes for ascension in the three cities, the Myriad Ghosts’ Night Parade, which began first, had not yet concluded.

Lennok had been convinced of this fact early on and intended to meet the Court of Soul Pacification directly to enter the upper levels of the Memorial Tower.