Super Righteous Player
Chapter 615 - 156 Journey Accompanying the Ship_1

Chapter 615: Chapter 156 Journey Accompanying the Ship_1

Transforming a complex and highly difficult body double replacement spell into a curse binding that everyone could use.

This could also be considered a kind of ’black box’ handling of spells—the user does not need to know the complex principles but can still use it successfully.

This idea of turning spells into curse bindings did indeed give Annan some thoughts...

"However, since it’s a curse binding, there must be a possibility to break it, right?"

Annan looked up and inquired of Naifertali.

After all, they were not true spellcasters.

If something went wrong, they couldn’t make fine adjustments—for instance, the person inside the mirror could modify "Giralda’s" appearance and body shape and could either strip away or bestow more power. But Annan couldn’t do it himself.

Because he was only a user.

"That’s right."

Naifertali replied, "All body double curse bindings can be reverted, but the conditions are definitely variable... That’s determined by the person who transformed it into a curse binding."

The "Final Work ’David’" was a curse binding created by the person in the mirror, so its rules were related to "the mirror" and "time." That is, the cooldown time is the same as the usage time. This was specifically optimized for Annan’s use.

Defu and Chocolate’s state could be reverted simply by passing through the elves’ teleportation portal again; as for the elfskin gloves, it would probably be more difficult... Annan guessed it might require chopping off the hand or flaying the skin.

That basically meant it was irreversible.

However, based on the creator’s mindset—the third-generation body double spells were originally designed to steal other people’s lives. They never thought about how to revert in the first place.

"How exactly Selicia can revert back to Solomonik is probably something only Professor Wolf knows."

Naifertali pondered seriously, "If you need information about the Winter Reverser... wouldn’t it make sense to look for Professor Wolf along with Selicia?"

"It’s a long shot. Professor Wolf will definitely avoid me, and I can’t just easily capture a Gold-rank idol wizard."

And looking at "Selicia’s" completeness.

It seems that Professor Wolf has perfectly combined the abilities of the idol school’s two main disciplines.

The original "Frederick" was particularly skilled in the law of similarity, and "Dream Eater" was proficient in the law of contagion. This meant he was an all-round idol wizard, mastering the whole school’s abilities.

Catching him would probably be more troublesome than finding the Winter Reverser directly.

"If she can’t revert, I can’t justifiably charge her with any crime."

Annan shrugged his shoulders, saying helplessly.

After all, Selicia was no anonymous figure. She could even be considered a celebrity... and had close connections with the higher-ups of several nations.

After exchanging names, no matter the Decree School or idol school... all spells, rituals, and Divine Arts that rely on a "true name" would shift as well.

This was also why the Ritualists of the Winter Principality could never locate Solomonik for so many years.

Because when Solomonik was "Selicia," "Solomonik" as a whole would be considered non-existent in the world.

It was like "user not found."

The Tragedy Writer knew because it was part of some "conspiracy," and the executor was his "new Pope" Wolf Professor Frederick. So, He saw it with His own eyes.

But the Tragedy Writer was not among the Twelve True Gods.

Even if Annan believed Him, His word could not be taken as evidence.

But apart from the Tragedy Writer’s words, Annan had no solid evidence to prove that "Selicia" was "Solomonik"... unless "Selicia" reverted back.

Without clear evidence, trying to issue a warrant for her would be impossible.

While much of her power largely depended on the ship "Silver," she was also a Gold-rank Transcendent mastering Elemental Power. The Silver-rank Hands of Winter would have a hard time silently kidnapping her... and if an army were deployed, aside from the losses, the uprising from the Underground City would only be intensified.

Originally, Solomonik wasn’t particularly valuable. His value lay in that he was the weakest in anti-espionage capabilities among the Icebreaker Army.

All other members of the Icebreaker Army came from the Hands of Winter. Born from a spy agency, it wasn’t just about catching them. Just having other Hands of Winter locate them was difficult.

Although Solomonik was the leader of the Icebreaker Army, he was not born a Hand of Winter.

...Embarrassingly, he was the only one in the Winter Principality who could possibly be captured.

If they could catch him, then they might be able to trace the rest of the Icebreaker Army remnants. They might even obtain crucial information about the Winter Reverser Vladimir.

But after all, this was only a "possibility" and a "maybe."

For the sake of a mere possibility, losing the friendly relationship with the Underground City or even provoking other forces was not worth it. Searching for Solomonik was, in the end, a fallback plan because they couldn’t find nor catch Vladimir.

"I always feel like I’ve been tricked by the Tragedy Writer..."

Annan murmured to himself.

"Had I known it was this troublesome, I would have inquired about Philip’s situation."

However, precisely because he was aware of the complexity here, there was no need to continue having the players search for Solomonik in the Underworld.

Doing so would likely only startle the enemy into action.

"Let them focus on expansion and constructing teleportation circles instead. The task of searching for Solomonik and Winter Reverser Vladimir can be put on hold for now."

"...Then that’s the plan."

Annan contemplated for a moment and quickly formulated a new plan, "Change the primary mission of the Eyes of Secrets from ’searching for Solomonik and Vladimir’ to searching for the ’Ship in Stone’ silver."

"—I will personally make a trip to the Ship in Stone. As a ’passenger,’ I’ll approach Selicia and seize the opportunity to initiate a trade with her."

If holding Selicia criminally liable was going to be very troublesome,

then it might be worth considering the opposite... completely exonerating her.

Making a vow and a promise in Annan’s name was undoubtedly credible. Having her become a tainted witness to expose others, in exchange for withdrawing the search for Solomonik,

would mean she wouldn’t have to worry about being arrested or pursued for leaking information when traveling above ground. This would enable her to freely travel wherever she wished—using this as leverage in the trade should be substantial.

As it stood, of the three enemies Dmitry was seeking, the Wolf Professor was merely in search of a way to ascend; while Solomonik, or rather "Selicia," had already started a new life for herself.

The only danger was Winter Reverser Vladimir.

The greatest traitor of the Winter Principality.

To date, Annan couldn’t even find his motive.

He didn’t even know why Vladimir had suddenly betrayed the Hand of Winter.

"But the ’Ship in Stone’ has been traveling through the rock strata all this while. Many people have sought its clues in vain..."

Naifertali looked at Annan with some concern, "Even if you do find it, what if something goes wrong while you’re alone on board?

"She is a Gold-rank Transcendent, with numerous followers on the ship, while you are only Silver.

"Exonerating her is indeed a great offer. But aren’t you the only heir to the Winter Principality now? If Selicia has connections to the Winter Reverser and her purpose in traveling is related to him... Then that would be like walking into the jaws of a tiger."

As a wise person, she was definitely inclined to stop such a bold and almost whimsical plan.

But Annan just smiled.

"To break the deadlock, one must take risks."

There wasn’t a trace of fear in his eyes, "Precisely because it’s extremely dangerous for me to go personally, Selicia herself will understand this. That’s what makes it a sincere gesture."

Besides, Annan wasn’t without backup plans.

He could teleport the players to his side whenever he wished. Once the right to revival was activated... it was uncertain whose territory it would become.

But that, there was no need to mention it to Naifertali.

"As for how to board the ’silver’... I shall first return to Winter and hire the Eyes of Secrets in an official capacity.

"Then release them, along with this information. Selicia will surely understand what I’m implying... Once she learns of this, she will stop and let me approach.

"Until then, let them follow the appearances of ’silver’ and embark on a journey with the ship."

Moreover, at the latest by the end of June,

Winter Reverser Vladimir and the Ship in Stone Captain Selicia would be heading to the Bone-nurturing Ground—to fight over the Holy Bones.

Before that... Annan would travel to Heath Tower of Black, using the nightmare of Bernadino purified by Hugo to advance to Gold-rank.

And this identity was meant for "Giralda" and not "Annan."

That would probably be the first time Annan would encounter an unguarded Vladimir. Before that moment, everything needed to be prepared.

On May 1st, it would be Noah’s election day. By then, Kafney would certainly need his help.

It was likely that from May until June, Annan would hardly have any free time.

It was early March now.

"So, I have less than two months left..."

Annan murmured, "I need to return to Winter first. To spread the news of ’Annan’s return to the country.’"

Preferably within a month... all matters regarding Selicia needed to be completely resolved.