Lord of The Mysterious Realms Chapter 1054
When Jenkins finished the treatment and released his hand, the old elf, Siannod, finally snapped out of his reverie. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but immediately clamped it shut.
He repeated this motion three times before he finally spoke:
“Young man, I cannot answer your question, but I am more than willing to help you in other ways. If you're still curious about your family, why not ask your elders? Even if they have no clues, the ties of an ancient, extraordinary bloodline are always bound by fate. As long as you have the heart to search, you will one day find the answer yourself... just as you managed to find me.”
“But I want the answer now.”
“I'll die before I say a word.”
Siannod declared slowly, shaking his head. He then covered his mouth again to emphasize his resolve.
Jenkins sighed and shook his head in turn. He started to rise, intending to leave and visit again some other time. It was clear he wouldn't get his answer today, but the old elf's demeanor was mild. Perhaps another visit would yield better results.
But then another thought occurred to him, and he settled back into his seat.
“Alright, then. Just one more question, and I'll be on my way. I'll visit again next week. Do you know about the 'Exotic Tide'?”
The old elf lowered his hand and replied at a rapid clip. It seemed that as long as Jenkins steered clear of elven matters, he was an open book.
“Then do you know where the five tattoos are? The ritual to learn the 'Exotic Tide' requires five different non-human species to carry the tattoos for a period. I know the Inherited Sage Church has two of them. Do you have any idea where the other three might be?”
This was a threat to the entire city; getting a lead from the old elf would be a major breakthrough.
As expected, Siannod frowned. Jenkins assumed the elf was unfamiliar with the ritual's details and was about to stand up and take his leave when Siannod suddenly shot back a question.
“What makes you so sure the Dead Man's Whip only distributed five tattoos?”
“Because the ritual requires the runes to be split into five parts.”
That was the information Miss Capet provided. Jenkins had read it in the letter sent to Papa Oliver.
“The ritual's requirements are indeed as you say, and from what I understand, the lunatics of the Dead Man's Whip followed them. But... who told you they only prepared one set?”
The old elf's brow furrowed as he asked. Thanks to Jenkins's recent healing, however, the wrinkles on his face had noticeably diminished, so even his frown lacked its former haggard appearance.
“Of course there's more than one. You have to understand, the 'Exotic Tide' isn't a unique ability. Creating the ritual rune tattoos is complex, but it's not a one-time affair. They may be mad with ambition, but they aren't stupid.”
The old elf looked at Jenkins with grave seriousness.
“Where did you get the idea that they only prepared a single set? That's incorrect. According to my sources, there are at least five rituals being prepared simultaneously. The tattoo bearers scattered across Nolan number no fewer than twenty-five. Oh, since you mentioned the Inherited Sage Church has two of the tattoos, that leaves twenty-three still out there!”
He held up two fingers on one hand and three on the other, then added:
“Of course, while I pride myself on being well-informed, I can't rule out the existence of other rituals I'm unaware of. Therefore, the actual number of tattoos is at least twenty-three. I trust you understand what I mean.”
“Are you certain this information is accurate?”
Jenkins was taken aback, but the old elf's logic was sound. There was indeed no rule stating only one ritual could be prepared at a time. If not for the requirement that the tattoos be kept apart, Jenkins was sure the cultists would have gathered all the bearers in a single secret location instead of scattering them across the city.
“Absolutely. You see, I've lived in Nolan ever since I accidentally arrived in the material world from my homeland 129 years ago. I know this place like the back of my hand~”
He couldn't help but sound a little smug, but then he noticed Jenkins's gaze sweeping over the room's meager furnishings.
“So you've lived in Nolan for 129 years and never managed to save up enough Gold Pounds to buy your own place?”
“Gold Pounds... well, they have nothing to do with one's connections, ahem.”
The old elf coughed loudly, deliberately cutting Jenkins off and quickly changing the subject.
“If you want to find the bearers, I can offer some leads. The 'Exotic Tide' requires non-humans to carry the tattoos, and the more powerful the bearer, the more potent the final ability. Therefore, those chosen are undoubtedly powerful non-human creatures. Having lived here for so long, I've come to know of the various... unusual individuals who reside in this city. I can give you a list. If you wish to pursue this, it would be a good place to start.”
As he spoke, he asked Jenkins for some paper and began writing down names, races, addresses, and other details. He wrote meticulously, taking half an hour to fill the page with a dozen entries.
“These are all non-humans who fit the profile and might be willing to cooperate with the Dead Man's Whip. Some of them have rather foul tempers, so if you investigate them yourself, be prepared for a sudden attack.”
“I don't plan on going myself.”
He would find a way to get this list, along with the new theory about twenty-five tattoos, to the Church. It wouldn't be much trouble. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novel•fire.net
“Good that you don't.”
Siannod handed the paper and pen back to Jenkins, then nestled back into his blankets, leaning against the headboard.
“Speaking of which, haven't they tried to recruit you?”
Jenkins asked while glancing at the list.
“I'm just a frail old elf... and besides, they can't find me.”
He said this smugly, reaching for the teacup on his nightstand. Just then, another knock echoed from downstairs.
Her irritable tone was completely undisguised. When the person downstairs replied that they were looking for the resident of room two on the third floor, the shrewish, gaunt woman's temper finally exploded.
“Oh, for heaven's sake, Bruce, that's the third visitor this hour! Are you planning on throwing a party in there? Oh, I should have never agreed to let you move in!”
The last part was clearly shouted up the stairs, a fact not lost on either Jenkins or Siannod.