Chapter 530
Imogen's feelings were undeniably valid. Before her stood His Excellency, Shaer, who appeared to be an ordinary person, and she hadn’t even consumed the "Blood Painter" potion.
But her artwork... no, the blood that served as paint, already possessed the power to influence the mind!
Was this still a normal human?
Even a Level 4 Extraordinary being wouldn’t dare claim that their flesh and blood could affect the sanity of an ordinary person—let alone the fact that Imogen was not an ordinary person!
This had to be a manifestation only an Ascendant could achieve...
The crimson vortex before her gradually took shape. Though the canvas remained still, Imogen could feel the blood-red whirlpool spinning, devouring everything around it.
This was art colored with life; each stroke of crimson seemed like a hymn of praise dedicated to the scene within.
As Shaer slightly withdrew her hand from the canvas, the painting finally received the last stroke that had been missing all along.
Shaer slowly pulled out a vial of potion she had just received, gently uncapped it, tilted her head back, and drank the thick, blood-like red liquid in one gulp.
A trickle of what seemed to be blood-like potion flowed from the corner of Shaer’s mouth, as if trying to escape, but was quickly licked back by a nimble, soft tongue.
Shaer turned her head, holding the empty vial up to Imogen, raising it slightly as if toasting, as if offering a salute.
“Thank you for your potion,” Shaer smiled faintly, “and for your observation.”
She... was using a Level 4 to complete her replication ritual!
When Imogen realized this absurd notion, even though she found it hard to believe, the fact had already unfolded.
Imogen... her mind was truly being affected...
Even if it was just a slight tremor, it was still a Level 4 mental fluctuation...
If an ordinary person were to view this painting, they would likely collapse and go mad on the spot!
Using a Level 4 as a stepping stone for a Level 1 replication ritual... this was undoubtedly the most arrogant and insane idea Imogen had ever encountered!
“Congratulations, Your Excellency, on completing the... Level 1 ‘Blood Painter’ replication ritual,” Imogen managed to say, her voice strained.
The completion of a mere Level 1 replication ritual hardly warranted a glance from Imogen, but the way Shaer accomplished it forced her to concede—especially since she was the one being used as a stepping stone.
She had to admit defeat.
When she looked up at Shaer again, she saw that Shaer’s originally dark red pupils had transformed into an intense crimson, as if anyone who met her gaze would be pierced by the madness hidden beneath her calm exterior.
“What a pity,” Shaer casually lifted the bandage from her now non-bleeding wound, gently wiping away the bloodstains with a white cloth, her tone tinged with disappointment. “I can’t drink the ‘Performer’ potion just yet.”
Every word and movement from Shaer exuded a slow, graceful elegance, her eyes devoid of pupils, leaving one forever uncertain if she was truly making eye contact—those eyes seemed capable of observing the world in exquisite detail.
“Yes... the preliminary preparations for the ‘Performer’ are quite extensive, but if you’re willing to wait, I can arrange it for you within half a month at the earliest,” Imogen replied. “We just need to find some people who usually don’t listen to music, have a low appreciation level, but are easily influenced...”
Before Imogen could finish her sentence, she abruptly stopped.
Her words were halted by a single glance.
“I won’t drink the ‘Performer’ potion.”
Shaer looked at Imogen and spoke.
“Why not just drink the ‘Maestro’ potion directly? Isn’t that better?”
Directly... changing the route?
Now?
Right after drinking a potion?
Imogen swallowed hard.
“The ‘Maestro’ doesn’t limit the use of instruments.”
Shaer peeled away the painting made of the blood-red vortex, rolling it up bit by bit, her tone elegant as she spoke.
“The human body is also an instrument.”
“Wailing is also a melody.”
“Let’s go... to the theater.”
“It’s time to prepare for the performance.”
In a theater that could accommodate at least 3,000 people, a unique musical performance would complete the ritual once the last human audience was moved by your melodic emotions...
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PS:
There will be another chapter released shortly.
Chapter 276: “Maestro” Shaer (4206 words)
In the West District, at the St. Monastery Garden Market, Royal Opera House.
A light drizzle began to fall again, dimming the previously bright sunlight.
Such a combination of sun and rain was rare, even in a place as rainy as Ansu.
A red-haired girl in a trench coat stood at the entrance of the opera house, gazing up at the ancient building in the rain, a slight smile of appreciation on her face.
“Your Excellency!”
A plump nobleman, dressed in women’s clothing and seemingly recognizing the girl, waddled toward Shaer, his belly straining against his waistcoat. But in the next moment, it was as if he forgot what he had just said, passing by the girl without disturbing her at all.
A woman in a hat quietly approached from behind the red-haired girl and said, “Are you sure you want to do this, Your Excellency Shaer? There are quite a few nobles inside... this commotion might directly ‘wake up’ Charles or Erigama.”
“Actually, if we play normally, I could have you ready for the ‘Maestro’ replication ritual within a month at the latest...” Imogen was saying from behind Shaer.
She had come here on a mission; if thousands were killed in Ansu, even if it was just to scare them into madness, it would be a blatant slap in the face to the royal family, the nobility, and the church. They would certainly demand an explanation...
Though Imogen was indeed slapping them in the face right now, the severity of killing was different. Imogen could manage the “playful” aspect well.
She could even gradually transition everyone’s common sense back to normal, making them unaware of what had transpired during this time.
Only when an Extraordinary being began to check the spiritual notes might they discover something amiss, but by then, Imogen would have long since left.
“A month?” Shaer gently shook her head, smiling. “Don’t complicate simple problems; it’s just about using ‘melody’ to influence people. Melody isn’t just about being beautiful.”
A melody that could scare people to death... what about the death singers? This was completely the opposite path of the “Performer”!
Imogen mentally rolled her eyes, but cold sweat was already trickling down her forehead.
If His Excellency Shaer insisted on doing this, and Imogen couldn’t manage the consequences, it could very well affect that lord in North Ansu...
Imogen felt as if she were being roasted over a fire.
Forget it... let’s try to minimize the impact...
The information about “uniqueness” was the highest priority; everything else could be sacrificed for it.
Taking a deep breath, Imogen said, “Alright, I’ll make arrangements for you.”
During the day, the opera house was mostly in rehearsal, and the earliest charity performance wouldn’t start until 2 PM... it was a bit too early for this time.
But changing common sense was precisely what Imogen excelled at.
It was perfectly normal to watch a performance during the day, wasn’t it?
Imogen took out a sand table, her eyes shimmering with a purple glow.
Just a few minutes later.
Many people with candles began to gather toward the Royal Opera House.
The once quiet opera house during the day was now bustling with activity, as if it were a Saturday night. Many middle-class and noble patrons poured into the theater, and the audience grew larger.
However, under Imogen’s careful selection, none of the attendees had any Extraordinary background.
The partitions of the boxes were removed, temporary seating was added, and those without seats stood below, packed tightly together.
Only when the entire opera house was filled with over 3,000 people did anyone stop entering.
At this point, Imogen had already brought Shaer to the backstage of the opera house.
Through the bright red curtain, Shaer could hear the noisy voices outside; almost every sound escaped her ears.
After drinking the “Blood Painter” potion, not only had her vision improved, but her hearing had also greatly enhanced.
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