Long-term salvation

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Asuka Iki opened her eyes in her room at Arkham Asylum. She saw Abigail and Nayako sitting next to her. After seeing that she had woken up smoothly, she complained:

"I was almost done with my creation!"

"What kind of creation is Hua Se-tu? And it's sold for such a high price..."

"Customized versions are so expensive! You don't have to buy them!"

"Hmm--"

Looking at the evil god's offspring who were already in a mess, Asuka Ikiji's face was not very smiling. She put the DCmini aside and said seriously to Chiba Atsuko who had hurried over:

"Someone might be collecting clairvoyants and using a device similar to STEM to open a rift in the other world... but they can only send the consciousness of powerful clairvoyants into it at the moment."

"...I will notify Mr. Rhodes immediately."

Note ①: From the American TV series "Stranger Things"

Chapter 237: Mithraic and the Necronomicon (3K)

Miskatonic University, a perfectly ordinary day.

"...Based on ancient inscriptions discovered through archaeological excavations, we have reason to believe that activities in the other world have already occurred thousands of years ago... Wait, everyone, Dr. Crystal Armitage is waiting for me."

Professor Warren Rice, who was lecturing, looked at his students apologetically, and after briefly asking them to study on their own, he hurriedly left the classroom to meet with Crystal Armitage, director of the Cogito Foundation, who was waiting outside - but not only him, but also Professor Fernand C. Ashley from the History Department, and several other colleagues in archaeology, ancient texts, and mysticism.

There was a hint of excitement and anticipation on their faces.

"Excuse me, what's going on?" Professor Warren Rice laughed and made a meaningless joke. "Are you going to promote me to vice-president?"

"That...is not really. It's mainly a new discovery, Professor Rice."

Director Crystal Armitage, the de facto vice president of Miskatonic University and also the director of the library, forced a smile and then said seriously:

"We found a fragment of the Necronomicon written by that mad Arab, Abdul Alhazred. It's the original document, in Arabic—Rod found it during an otherworldly event in Los Angeles. It's precious, and sinister."

"It looks like someone has died. Should I observe a moment of silence for the deceased?"

"I think we should," said one professor, with the inherent sentimentality of a woman, "let's all observe three seconds of silence."

"Well, I'm saddened by this and would like to observe three seconds of silence - where is the stuff?"

"It's not even three seconds yet, Professor Rice," Professor Fernande kindly reminded him.

"Oh! My bad! But the important thing now is that thing—where is it?"

"It's in a separate building in the library. Rod is there too. He wants us to study it and show us how to use it... He wants us to avoid making the same mistakes."

After listening to what Director Armitage said, all the professors nodded. After all, they still wanted to study more about the wonderful and terrifying other world, rather than sending themselves away at the beginning of the research - this is the academic style of Miskatonic University. Before you do something, you should see if you can handle it yourself. If you can't handle it and let THE ONE deal with it personally, then your fate will be as miserable as the thing being dealt with.

Now that they had found the last person, the professors naturally would not waste time. Led by Director Armitage, they rushed to the library in a mighty force and found Rhodes in an independent building specially used for experimenting with various dangerous rituals.

Not only Rhodes was here, but also Nayako, Abigail and Mika. They stood in the four corners of the room. In the middle were books including the remaining pages of the Book of the Dead, and a phonograph that had not yet been turned on.

In addition, there was a tied-up raccoon. This little thing was found in the university trash can and was breathing heavily at Rod, obviously unable to imagine what would happen to him next.

After seeing the professors filing in, Rhodes, who had hurried back from Los Angeles, reached out and tugged at his collar to prevent the traces of Bai Zishuang's kisses along the way from being revealed - if he was pressed to the ground and kissed by the three people next to him at this moment, his reputation would be ruined... Although there wasn't much left, he still had to consider his image.

"Everyone, I believe Director Armitage has already told you the precautions."

As Rhodes spoke, he stuffed a small piece of black stone into the hands of Director Armitage, who immediately called the professors over. The group then huddled together, watching Rhodes's operation with nervousness and curiosity.

"First, according to my preliminary tests, this fragment will consistently summon a supernatural spirit that harbors hostile intent towards intelligent life. It will interfere with the real world through possession, alienation, and mental attacks. The scope of influence includes, but is not limited to, humans, animals, plants, and related products. Furthermore, it is invisible to the naked eye, and only the Ozodek scanner can react to the energy activity of its inner world."

"The way to summon this spirit is to chant an incantation. Even playing audio can fulfill the conditions. The condition for banishing it is to completely dismember the object it possesses... It's a temporary banishment. The spirit will choose the next object to possess unless it is completely trapped and there are not enough living things nearby."

"You are experts in interpreting texts. I don't want news reports of Miskatonic University's literature professors killing each other one day. Therefore, I will build a containment area made of black stone in the basement of the library. It won't be very large, after all, this material is still very expensive."

After Rhodes finished speaking, he reached out and pressed the play button on the phonograph, and the record began to spin slowly.

A low incantation was then chanted, and the entire room gradually darkened. Even the sunlight streaming in through the window dimmed, casting a faint shadow on the ground. The moment the incantation ended, the raccoon twisted and transformed into a blasphemous beast the size of a grizzly bear. It roared past Rhode and pounced on the professors!

Professor Rice came to his senses when he heard the sound of his heartbeat. He then realized that the stinking claws were only a few centimeters away from his face. A flaming sword had nailed the monster in the middle, and the monster was instantly burned, leaving only ashes.

Rhode quickly retracted his sword, feeling somewhat distressed. After counting the pollution points in the inner world again, he felt a little relieved.

For some reason, if the Holy Garden is not present, the points required to use the [Iron and Fire] power will be less, and the consumption is about 90% of the original level - is it because of "Michael"? I hope it can be reduced further in the future.

Throwing those messy thoughts out of his mind, Rhode sighed and said:

"See? If you don't want to see your colleagues transformed into this monstrous form and attack you one day, then be more careful. This is why I'm demonstrating this to you personally—who among you has my ability? None of you, very good, then listen to me. Now you can come up and see..."

Before he could finish his words, Rhodes was pushed aside by the professors. Not only that, he also saw Director Armitage put the small piece of black stone into his pocket, obviously intending to keep it secretly - after becoming the actual person in charge of Miskatonic University, this director became stingy and wanted to stuff all the good things into the university.

Including the best security personnel, machinery, ancient books and relics brought in from all over the world, etc., then I guess we will have to build an Aperture Technology portal in the university in the future to prevent the teachers, students and relics in the university from being unable to be transferred after a falling out with the United States.

Thinking about it this way, maybe we can try to move the entire university...

"Hmm...it's indeed made of human skin. I've said it before, human products are the best materials for experiments in the other world!"

"That sounds too evil! We can't... Wait, what are these fangs? Are they mutated human teeth? Maybe we can have the guys in the medical department do an experiment on them later."

"Make way, friends, so I can write down what I have written!"

Looking with amusement at the professors who had already begun assigning translation and analysis tasks, Rhodes kicked the raccoon-turned-ash aside, and the shadow under Abigail's feet immediately spread out and swallowed the thing.

"I'm planning a trip to Europe," Rhodes stretched, leaned against the open window for ventilation, lit a cigarette, and said calmly to the girls who came over, "Abigail gave me another bullet to close the door. Now I have two bullets, which is obviously enough."

"What you're saying is that you're not taking us with you. But never mind. When you go to the Pacific Ocean to look for that fat guy or clean up those evil cults, you'll definitely take us with you."

Nayako's eyes swirled as she strolled over to Rhode's side, reaching out to grab his arm. But before she could even act coquettishly, she was forced back by the glittering fork. Amidst Abigail's low laughter, the silver-haired girl put her hands on her hips, tossing her aloof hair, and said with a hint of pride:

"Just like the idiot next to you, I also developed ammunition for you, Rod!"

"Huh? Let's hear it."

Rhode raised his eyebrows slightly. He was indeed a little interested in this, but judging from the bad character of the guy in front of him, he might be a monster that would penetrate the body and turn people into three-legged monsters with fleshy whiskers as hair.

"Hehehe, since the bullet Abigail gave you is for 'sealing,' then I'll give you 'opening.'" Nyako wore a pure and beautiful smile on her face. Her eyes slightly opened, revealing anticipation and chill. "The 'existence' of the place where the chaos hits will achieve a destructive effect, whether it's destroying a heavy metal door, or a rift in the other world that's about to close, is shrinking, or is in a silent state... Rhode, there will always be a need, right?"

The girl pulled out her alopecia, transforming it into three bullets in her palm. She placed them in Rhode's palm, then slammed her body into his arms. She laughed softly and said,

"Three bullets can tear a crack in real space, connecting to a random place in the other world. How will you use it, Rhode? To shake off pursuers, or use it in an experiment to promote human progress? Bullets like these..."

Nayako kissed Rhodes on the cheek and said with a smile:

“I have a lot to offer.”

Hiss... Is this the power of the offspring of the evil god? The corner of Rhode's eye twitched slightly, and he immediately set his sights on Abigail, who was glaring at Nayako. The latter puffed up her cheeks, like a small animal trying to make her body bigger to intimidate invaders - quite cute, but unfortunately it didn't do anything.

"Abigail is the best after all," Rhode sighed and pulled the blonde girl into his arms. "She's so weak, yet so helpful, and she doesn't have any bad intentions."

"...That's not really a compliment, is it?"

"Mmm-Sensei, I want a hug too!"

If another pink-haired baby squeezes in, it will be difficult to hold him.

Chapter 238: Vatican Secret Talks (3.5K)

Vatican, which means "place of divination" in Latin, is also where St. Peter is buried.

People come and go in the magnificent temples left over from thousands of years. No matter they are pious or treacherous, no matter they have faith or not, they are willing to come here to see the artistic crystallization left by mankind when they were deceived by religion. Those buildings that are full of sin and blood and sweat still stand here after wind and rain, giving people the ultimate enjoyment of religious aesthetics - this is also their only value.

Father Gabriel Amos and Father Lankester Merlin hurried through the crowd of tourists, walked through the side door of the Porta dei Angeli, walked along the Avenue de la Concorde and crossed St. Peter's Square, and walked into the magnificent St. Peter's Basilica.

"Father Amos and Father Merlin?"

A young priest called out to the two old priests who were about to go to the apse. After the two old priests returned the greeting, they approached and whispered in Latin:

"It's me. We need to go see the Pope."

"Then please follow me. I will open the secret door for you. The Pope and the cardinals are waiting in the church behind. You two are a little late. The meeting has already started for some time."

"Um... I'm stuck in traffic, and the Vatican forbids riding those little bicycles," Father Amos said, looking a little embarrassed. He took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "And I'm old, so I can't squeeze in with all the young tourists who want to see the glory of the temple."

"Coming from the United States is no easy feat, young man. Besides, I need to reunite with Father Amos."

Father Merlin breathed slowly, his face an unhealthy flush from jogging, and it was obvious that his heart was suffering a serious challenge - especially when he saw an angel praying to the icon of Jesus when he returned to the church that afternoon.

Father Merlin still feels a little regretful until now... For God's sake, he really thought that he was going to be taken to heaven by angels!

After hearing the two old priests' reply, the young priest seemed a little embarrassed. He said no more, but led the two old men to the designated location - it could be said to be the "Secret Gate", but it was just an inconspicuous small door, hidden among those exquisitely crafted heavy doors and doors engraved with the story of Christ.

Opening the small door, the young priest gestured to the two old priests to go in. The two looked at each other and then climbed the spiral staircase behind the door. The stone staircase was still covered with dust, as if no one had walked on it for a long time.

Bright light streamed down the stairs from above, illuminating the path ahead but also leaving behind shadows.

The two priests walked cautiously up the stairs to the top floor, entering a small open-air courtyard. From here, they could see the dome of St. Peter's Basilica. A few pure white pigeons stood on the dome, observing the buildings and ornamental plants below and mocking the humans who had flocked here.

The courtyard was quiet and empty, with only some wildly growing plants, but in the center stood a bronze globe sculpture, which was not quite in keeping with the style of the courtyard and the entire Vatican.

After gazing at the globe sculpture for a few seconds, the two priests walked through the courtyard path, passed through an opened iron door, and entered a small chapel at the back of the cathedral - this place used to be the place where secret meetings were held within the Vatican, and now it is being put to good use.

But just as they walked in, before the two priests had time to see how many people were inside, they heard someone exclaim:

"Cardinal Francesco has collapsed... He's having a heart attack! Who can do CPR? Where's the AED (automated external defibrillator)?"

A cardinal who had been prepared came hurriedly - he had been practicing medicine in his diocese for many years - but his face looked extremely bad. He could only take a quick-acting heart-saving medicine himself and then provide preliminary treatment for the collapsed person to make it easier for the medical team waiting outside to take over.

"Hurry, hurry, carry him out—how come another one fell down?!"

"Oh my God! The end of the era has arrived!"

"We...what should we do?"

"How can a demon be with the Son of God—No, no, no, this is impossible!"

"If the Son of God can command God's angels, then isn't it normal for him to gain the allegiance of Satan's minions?"

"It's all fucking normal! Gilipollas! Are you asking us to worship the devil? You blasphemous apostate!"

"Then go talk to the Holy Son and tell him not to get together with the devil!"

"Well...I don't dare."

"Then why the hell are you saying [silence] here!"

In this relatively large secret church, several old men had already begun waving their crosses at the dissidents, or simply wrapping them around their hands and using them as brass knuckles. In the process, they would pull off the pointed hats or little red caps on their heads, spit on them, and shout that they would throw them out the window.

Some people were kneeling on the ground trying to rescue the unconscious, some were waiting to be rescued, and some were frantically flipping through the Bible, trying to find examples to support the continuation of their beliefs... But judging from the speed at which the pages were turning, it was unlikely that he would succeed.

Seeing this, Father Amos and Father Merlin glanced at the video that had already started replaying on the projection screen, and subconsciously made the sign of the cross on their chests.

There are less than fifteen cardinals in red robes, which seems particularly small compared to the total number of more than two hundred. It seems that they are just candidates selected by the Pope after screening, who are trustworthy and able to know about hell (the other world) and the existence of the Son of God.

But for now, they're not doing very well—but what devout Christian can remain calm?

"You two, the Pope has been waiting for you for a long time."

Bishop Raphael walked through the chaotic crowd of bishops and led Father Amos and Father Merlin to the Pope, who was wearing a white robe embroidered with gold thread. The Pope took a mouthful of warm water and swallowed it slowly before speaking to the two priests who bowed in greeting:

"You two arrived a little late, so I took it upon myself to play these videos... What a misstep. I'm glad I didn't summon more cardinals, otherwise the medical team waiting outside would be overwhelmed. One more thing - don't call me 'Holy Father' from now on. The entire Vatican will follow suit."

While this isn't referring to the Holy Father in the Trinity, he still dares to allow clergy to call him "Holy Father"? Are they tired of living? If it weren't for the fact that the title of Pope (Papa in Latin, meaning Father) couldn't be changed, he'd probably just throw it away.

The Pope himself does not want to be kicked into hell by the Son of God and tortured meticulously, inside and out, for thousands or tens of thousands of years by his "devil" companions.

"...Your Majesty, I believe that even if we arrive safely, a prompt explanation will be of little use."

"Forget it, none of this matters anymore," the Pope shook his head. Leaning on his cane, he struggled to his feet with the help of Father Amos and whispered to the people around him, "I've decided to fully open up the ancient texts, secret histories, relics, and assets accumulated over millennia by the Holy See to the Holy Son for his use. Unfortunately, we can no longer organize a powerful crusade to help him. Now we can only... Bishop Raphael?"

"The Holy Trinity has been split and is currently being reorganized."

Bishop Raphael said to the two priests, interlacing his fingers and carefully choosing his words:

"We plan to reorganize into a knightly order and, when the time is right, visit the Son of God and ask him to give us sinners a suitable name and guide us in the direction of continuing our fight."

"This is the right decision," Father Amos nodded slightly, feeling somewhat relieved. "He hates hiding things and is easy to talk to. You can just kneel down and cry in front of him... that might be more effective."

"God so loved the world."

The Pope said this with emotion, but he immediately turned his gaze to Father Merlin, who was slightly moved. He then walked past Father Amos and asked:

"Your Majesty?"

"If possible, I hope you can persuade the Holy Son to have an 'angel' permanently stationed in the Vatican. After all, those scriptures need someone to supervise and review them, right? We need a 'Guardian of All Magic,' the Cherubim Raziel."

The Pope's eyes flashed with a shrewd light, and his low, slow voice carried a temptation that no Christian could resist. He continued in a low voice: