Both of them spoke in Ruenese language, with similarly tense and anxious emotions.
[Where is this place? What am I trying to do? … I would like to know the answers as well.] Zhou Mingrui calmed himself down and silently repeated these two questions.
What left the deepest impression on him were not the sentences of the questions, nor the meaning of the words. Rather, it was the panic, vigilance, fear, and awe that the man and the woman showed!
In an unexplainable way, he had transferred two people into the world of grey fogs. Even as the initiator himself, he was awestruck and shocked, let alone the receiving party of the incident.
In their minds, this was certainly beyond their imaginations.
In an instance, Zhou Mingrui came up with two possible options. One was to pretend that he was also a victim. He would conceal his true identity, in exchange for a certain degree of trust, so that he could wait, observe and find an appropriate opportunity. The other option was to maintain the mysteriousness image before the man and woman. Thus, he could take initiative to guide the development of events and obtain valuable information.
Without much about time to analyze or evaluate the two options thoroughly, Zhou seized an idea that flashed across his mind and quickly decided to attempt the second option.
[To make use of the other people’s current psychological state to gain the biggest advantage!]
There was a brief silence above the fogs for a few seconds. Zhou Mingrui chuckled lightly. He replied in a moderate tone, in a voice that was slightly low but not heavy, as if he was politely returning a visitor’s greetings.
“An attempt.”
An attempt… attempt? Audrey Hall stared at the mysterious man shrouded in gray fog and realized that the event was ridiculous, absurd, horrifying, and incredible.
She was in the bedroom a moment ago, sitting before the dressing table, but in a blink of the eye she had appeared at a place full of grey fogs!
How incredible it was!
Audrey breathed in deeply and revealed an impeccably courteous smile. She asked shyly.
“Your Excellency, is the attempt over? Can we go back now?”
Alger Wilsen had also intended to probe in a similar manner, but as an experienced person, he was more cautious. Therefore, he held his impulse and waited patiently at the side.
Zhou looked at the person asking the question, he could vaguely see the other’s figure through the fog. She was a tall and slender girl with smooth and blonde hair, but her specific appearance was blurred.
He did not rush to answer the girl’s question. Instead, he turned and looked at the other man. The man had dark blue hair that was as messy as seaweeds, he was also medium-sized but not robustly built.
At this moment, Zhou Mingrui had a sudden insight of the situation. When he became even more powerful or had a deeper understanding of the world of fogs, his vision would be able to penetrate the fogs and see the faces of the girl and the man.
[As of now, they are the visitors, whereas I am the host.]
After a change of attitude, Zhou Mingrui immediately sensed some details that he had not noticed earlier.
The images of the girl with the sweet voice and the calm looking man were very illusory. They were tinted in dark red as if they were projections from the two crimson "stars" above the fog.
Those projections were based on the connections between himself and Crimson, which were invisible but could be felt by him.
[If I cut off this connection, the projections would dissipate and they will be able to return… ]Zhou Mingrui nodded his head slightly. He looked at the blond girl and chuckled softly.
“Ok course, if you formally request, I can even let you return now.”
Audrey, who did not sense any malicious intent, heaved a sigh of relief. She believed that since the gentleman who could achieve such a miraculous act gave his words, he would most likely abide by it.
As her emotions calmed down, she was no longer in a hurry to make a leave. Her azure eyes wandered curiously around and blinked.
Then, she spoke in a shy but expectant voice.
"This is such an incredible experience… well, I’ve actually always been looking forward to such things. I mean, I like mysteries and the miracles that transcend nature. No, my main point is… I mean, your Excellency, how can I become an Extraordinary?”
She became more excited as she spoke, to the extent that she was a little agitated and her speech became incoherent. The dream she had since young, when she listened to the strange tales of the elders, had finally found an opportunity to realize.
In a moment, she had forgotten her initial fear and anxiety.
[Good question! I would like to know the answer too… ] Zhou Mingrui muttered silently. He began to ponder what kind of answer he should give to maintain the mysterious impression.
At the same time, he felt that the ambiance for a standing dialogue was a little unsatisfactory. For such scenes, shouldn't there be a shrine, a row of long tables, a number of high-back chairs carved with ancient and mystical patterns, and he would sit at the host position, calmly observing the guests?
Just these thoughts fell across his mind, the fogs suddenly started to bubble, alarming both Audrey and Alger.
In an instant, they saw tall granite pillars rising around them, with a broad dome ceiling covering the sky above them.
The entire structure became grand, spectacular and magnificent, like a palace of the legendary giants.
Directly below the dome, surrounded by fogs, a long bronze table appeared. There were about a dozen high-back chairs on the right and left and they were placed directly opposite each other. The backs of the chairs were shimmering lights with a dark red background and the lights traced out strange, unknown constellations.
Audrey and Alger sat opposite each other, at the position closest to the host.
The young girl looked to the left and took a glance to the right at the changes. She could not help but whispered.
“This is so amazing…”
[This is indeed amazing… ] Zhou Mingrui stretched out his right hand, and gently rubbed the edge of a long bronze table while trying to maintain a straight face.
Alger, who had been observing the changes, waited for a moment before taking the initiative to answer Audrey's question instead.
“Are you a Ruenese?”
"If you want to become an Extraordinary, you have to either join the Church of the Goddess of the Night, the Church of the Lord of Storms, or the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery."
"While the vast majority of people have never seen Extraordinaries in their lives, so much so that they have also doubted the existence of Extraodinaries in the churches, even within the major religious organizations, many clergymen have similar thoughts. However, I can confidently tell you that Extraordinaries are still in existence. In the tribunal, the judgment office, and the punishment departments, they are still fighting against the dangers that have originated from the darkness. It is just that their numbers have vastly declined compared to the beginning of the Era of Black Iron, or the earlier eras."
Zhou Mingrui listened attentively in his heart, though on the outside he tried to maintain an uninterested body posture as if he was listening to a story for children.
Relying on the remnants of Klein’s historical knowledge, he knew that the “Era of Black Iron” referred to the current era, also known as the Fifth Era, which had begun 1439 years ago.
Audrey listened quietly. After Alger finished, she gave a sigh.
“Sir, I know about all the things that you mentioned, and other things as well, such as the existence of the Night Watchers, the Tribunal Representatives, and the Heart of the Machines. However, I do not want to lose my freedom.”
Alger laughed in a low voice and replied vaguely.
"How is it possible to become extraordinary without paying the price? If you don't intend to join a church and accept the test, you have to either go to the royal family or one the few aristocratic families with histories that are more than a thousand years old. Otherwise, you can try your luck at searching for one of the evil groups lurking in the shadows."
Audrey subconsciously puffed her cheeks before she stopped and anxiously looked around. After realizing that both the “mysterious person” and the other fellow had not noticed her facial expressions, she continued.
“Are there no other methods?"
Alger fell silent and after a few dozen seconds, he turned to look at the "mysterious person" Zhou, who did not say anything.
Seeing that the other party looked uninterested, Alger turned back to Audrey and spoke thoughtfully.
“Actually, I am in procession of two Sequence 9 potion formulas.”
Sequence 9? Zhou Mingrui muttered in silence.
“Really? Which are the ones that you have?” Audrey was clearly aware of what Sequence 9 potion formulas meant.
Alger leaned back slightly, and he answered in a calm voice.
“As you might have already known, for humans to become truly extraordinary, we can only rely on potions. While name of the potions came from the ‘Slate of Blasphemy’, the translations have been continuously passed down from the language of the Titans, the Elvish, the Ancient Hellenese, the Ancient Fusaq and the contemporary Hellenese. Therefore, they have now reflected the changes in the era. While the names of the potions are not important, the key is whether they can represent the ‘symbolic essence’ of the potions."
"As for the Sequence 9 formulas that I possess. One of them is called the ‘Sailor’. It will give you excellent balance. You can even walk freely on a ship sailing across a storm as if it was on the ground. You will also gain superior strength as well as illusory scales hidden beneath your skin. It will make you as difficult to catch as a fish, as flexible as a sea being in the water, and even without any equipments, you can easily dive for at least ten minutes.”
“That sounds great… is it the 'Blessed ones of the Sea' under the Lord of the Storms?" Audrey asked with a semi-anticipating and semi-verifying mood.
"In ancient times, it was indeed called the ‘Blessed ones of the Sea'." Alger did not pause and he continued, "The second Sequence 9 formula is called the ‘Audience’. I don't know what it was called in the ancient times. It will give you an energetic mind and a keen sense of observation. I believe that you have seen operas and dramas, and therefore you should understand the meaning of ‘audience’. Like an spectator, you can observe the ‘actors’ of the worlds. You will be able to have a glimpse of everyone's true intentions through their expressions, behaviors, conversations, and unobtrusive body gestures.”
At this moment, Alger emphasized.
"However, you must always remember that whether it is at an extravagant party or a lively street, the 'Audience' can only be an audience."
Audrey's eyes brightened and it took a while before she responded.
“Why is that so? Okay, that is a subsequent question. I.. I think I like the characteristics of the 'Audience'. How can I obtain the formula for the 'Audience'? Or rather what can I exchange with you?"
Alger seemed prepared for the question and he quickly answered.
“The blood of a Ghost Shark, at least 100 ml of a Ghost Shark’s blood.”
Audrey first nodded with excitement and then inquired.
“If I can get it, I mean if… how can I give it to you? And how can I be sure that after you receive the blood of the ghost shark, you will pass me the formula of the potion, and the formula will be authentic?”
Alger replied normally.
“I will give you an address. After I receive the Ghost Shark's blood, I can either mail the formula to you or disclose it over here.”
“As for assurance, I believe that if this mysterious Sir here would be willing to be our witness, both of us can be assured.”
With this, he turned his attention to Zhou, who was still sitting at the host's position.
"Your Excellency, since you can bring us together and you obviously have powers beyond our imaginations. With your witness, none of us would dare to fraud on the exchange."
“Yes!” Audrey’ eyes brightened and she agreed excitedly.
In her view, the mystery person with incredible powers was definitely of sufficient authority to witness the exchange.
Neither she nor the person opposite her would have the courage to deceive him!
Audrey turned her body and looked at Zhou sincerely.
“Your Excellency, please witness our transaction.”
At this moment, she had realized that she had forgotten a very important question, which made her a little impolite. Thus, she quickly followed up and asked.
“Your Excellency, how shall we address you?”
Alger nodded slightly, he turned to Zhou asked in solemnly voice.
“Your Excellency, how shall we address you?”
Zhou Mingrui hesitated. With his finger slowly tapping on the long bronze table, the results of the divination suddenly appeared in his mind.
He leaned back, retracted his right hand, crossed over his ten fingers underneath his chin and smiled.
“You may address me as…”
Then, he paused for a second before continuing in a moderate voice.
“The Fool.”