Super Righteous Player
Chapter 366 - 363 Former Annan_1

Chapter 366: Chapter 363 Former Annan_1

It was half a minute after the Faceless Poet had completely vanished.

Only then did the slight trembling sensation in the air, which caused a mild tingling of the skin, finally begin to dissipate.

Even after it had completely faded, Annan still felt crackling vibrations on his skin.

It was like the phantom sounds one might hear in a quiet room after being subjected to continuous noise—

Or like shivering uncontrollably when returning to a warm room after being soaked by the cold wind. It was not a chill on the skin, but rather a liquid "coldness" infused into the bones and flesh.

—This is the "residual."

It is also the origin and true meaning of the name "influence."

If one were to use large-scale Transcendent powers, it would leave scars in the world, creating corresponding influences. This is also one of the prices of using Transcendent powers. Just like Annan’s only Twisted Spell... its use would result in influence.

Like grooves carved by pebbles at the bottom of a river... although it will gradually fade away over time, it will continue to affect the surrounding world before doing so.

Similarly—those beings that hold truths are manifestations of concepts.

They merely exist, and they will alter the surrounding world within a certain range with truth. This kind of influence on the soul level can only be felt by Transcendents who are highly intuitive and specialize in perceptive abilities.

The older and more powerful the god, the better they can restrain their influence on the outside world; the newer gods... even those powerful beings who have not yet grasped truths, cause more destruction to their surroundings.

This is why the abnormal sensation Annan felt when the Faceless Poet appeared was weaker than that of the Bone Lord, and if he paid a little more attention, he could completely contain and hide it; the Silver Baron walking on the streets would not be noticed by anyone’s intuition.

Residuals like "Leviathan’s Residual" may persist long after her departure, still present on the beaches.

Here lies a question.

It is—

Annan himself also produces influence.

He remembers it quite clearly.

When he saw Salvatore’s magic mirror that could reveal the essence of the soul, he directly received influence through observing his own soul...

It was even a high-level influence.

Does this mean... Annan’s soul has already undergone a certain degree of aberration?

But Annan’s soul hasn’t sublimated, indeed.

It’s not just the lack of a vessel.

Annan was of such a low level at the beginning... and when he advanced to silver, he indeed cleared out many impurities.

—Even though this is actually Annan’s second playthrough, he could not possibly "respec" in the truest sense.

Considering what the Faceless Poet said, "Knowledge has weight," and "you are not yet ready to carry that burden."

Could it be...

First playthrough Annan was actually on the path of a Ritualist?

This thought surfaced in Annan’s mind.

If that were indeed the case, then everything would be explained.

—Vasily Manning mentioned to Annan that a year before the Rotten Husband’s attack, thirteen-year-old Annan had already left Winter alone. And very few knew about this.

With Annan so frail and with no guards, why would the Duke feel at ease with him leaving the Winter Principality alone?

Unless Annan was never alone at all.

Indeed, there were "no people" with him, but there were gods.

A Ritualist’s power comes from Transcendent knowledge. As the heir to the name of Winter, Annan was even more suited to learn this knowledge than the Manning brothers... At the same time, Annan was also a transmigrator with enlightenment far earlier than most. It’s not impossible for him to have gained self-protective abilities through rituals at the age of thirteen and to have met many gods—

That’s why Annan was able to forcefully conduct the "Ritual: Prophet’s Fragment" with missing materials previously and completed a small portion without side effects... he did indeed see fragments of the future.

Because Annan himself is a Ritualist who has lost his memory!

He may have forgotten about those rituals... as if he had forgotten all his skills.

But his affinity and proficiency with rituals remained!

"So that’s how it is..."

Annan murmured.

Old Nolan walked up to Annan with a chuckle, "Do you have any questions now?"

"...Did you guess that I had lost my memories?"

Seeing his reaction, Annan raised an eyebrow and asked bluntly.

The appearance of the ordinary-looking old man remained unchanged, his kind and gentle smile unwavering.

"It’s just a guess... I wasn’t completely certain before.

"When you were a child, you said that when you grew up, you would marry Kafney—although I wasn’t there at the time, my eldest son told me about it."

...Really? Is that true?

Annan suddenly hesitated.

But after thinking about it carefully, this did seem like something he could have said...

Just as he now, as a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old beautiful boy, vigorously sought the players’ favor... If he were to play the role of an eight- or nine-year-old child, Annan would also consider what benefits his age and status could bring him.

Under the guise of ’children say the darndest things,’ he planned to sweet-talk his way into favor, preparing to deceive himself a wife of good looks, status, and personality in the future... Indeed, it was something Annan could do.

If that was indeed the case, then it could explain Kafney’s attitude toward him...

That meant he must adjust his attitude toward Kafney.

Even though he didn’t remember it now, it was still something he had done.

Naturally, he also had to take responsibility now.

...Not to mention, Kafney was indeed adorable.

It’s just that...

Annan glanced sideways at the old Crow.

Although he had no complaints about the Geraint family, the old man’s forthright attitude of indicating to him, "I’m going to use you next," still made Annan feel somewhat awkward.

Perhaps this was one of the subsequent effects of losing fourteen years of memories of life as a higher-up.

The former Annan had surely grown accustomed to being used by others at all times.

"Did you invite the Faceless Poet?"

"No, that I did not."

The old man immediately defended, "It was He who came over temporarily after learning that you had arrived in Noah. Before that, I was not aware that you were acquainted with the Faceless Poet.

"Of course, I had no idea you were in contact with so many True Gods..."

—In the name of the Faceless Poet, I will keep this strictly confidential.

Nolan promised Annan thus.

Eugene Geraint also took the opportunity to swear an oath of secrecy to the Faceless Poet.

"Then may I ask," Annan pondered for a long while before asking, "what do you know about ’Nicolas Flamel’?"

"The one from the Dennisiowa kingdom?"

The old Crow calmly replied, "His actions have always been under our surveillance. This includes his travel route, all dealings with others, disciples and assistants he receives, and the experiments he conducts.

"He once tried to evade our surveillance. But he quickly realized that Noah is saturated with our ’eyes,’ and even as a Sage, he could not achieve that."

"No, what I mean is... do you have any knowledge about the things he once did?"

Annan added.

After exchanging glances, Nolan and Eugene spoke.

Eugene took up the topic, asking, "Do you mean his time as the Tower Master of the Jade Tower?"

"No, the time when he betrayed all of humanity... almost causing a disaster that could have ended the era."

Annan scrutinized their expressions and suddenly smiled, "It seems even the Crow is not all-knowing."

No wonder... he moves around the Royal Capital unchecked.

It appears that His Majesty the King really isn’t aware of the events that transpired with Nicolas.

Although there is no concrete evidence yet, precautions must still be taken.

Sensing no malice in Annan’s teasing, Nolan smiled helplessly and said, "We only know what we know."

While he spoke, Eugene took down a bottle of wine from the highest shelf of the liquor cabinet.

The old man rose and personally poured a glass of wine for Annan.

The wine was a jade-green liquid... which looked like a strong poison at a glance, yet it was tasteless.

"This is ’Spring’s Gift,’ one of the blessings from the Church of Bone. It is just to moisten your throat and is not the price for information."

Nolan provided a simple explanation and then spoke earnestly, "We deal in buying information as much as selling it here.

"Please elaborate, Your Highness... The price is negotiable."

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