Super Righteous Player
Chapter 732 - 273: Forced Teleportation Ritual_1

Chapter 732: Chapter 273: Forced Teleportation Ritual_1

Breaking a huge problem into pieces, processing each segment in multiple bodies, and then gathering the results back together. Sharing resources, balancing computational load... This is the core concept of "distributed computing."

Annan had never expected that such ideas already existed during the age of the elves.

Through Worm rituals, they replicated their "self" at a certain moment multiple times.

Each "self" held an encrypted task. They were unaware of the tasks entrusted to the other "selves," but ultimately, they would return their computational results to the original self... and could even further compute or store the data without directly returning it to the original self.

— This was an evolution of using oneself as the central system of a network.

It was possible for multiple selves to construct massive projects, or to analyze and calculate certain structures, and even to store transcendent knowledge — not just distributed computing, but even distributed storage was achievable.

Annan held his breath slightly.

...It had to be said, the ancient elf sages were truly geniuses.

They actually conceived such concepts without ever having touched a computer.

If Annan was not mistaken, this technology was probably used in conjunction with curse energy — if one overlooked the pollution problems caused by curse energy, then the only limitation to this versatile material was curse energy’s "design efficiency."

From this perspective... although curse energy had done considerable damage to the world, the elf scholars, who could engage in scientific research without concern for raw materials and processing loss, indeed developed many beautiful new technologies.

Even though many ancient technologies based on curse energy lost their significance after the use of curse energy was banned, it didn’t mean they were without value.

It was just necessary to reconsider the limitations of materials, energy, and efficiency.

If they could be adapted with modern technology systems in mind, it wasn’t impossible to use them...

For instance, the Worm ritual.

— This human flesh-based distributed computing storage system was undoubtedly a great invention. But it was being used by the present Worm Cult members like a zombie virus...

That was just too lowbrow.

It’s like using Nokia phones as throwing weapons, rotten eggs as biochemical weapons, or baguettes as bludgeons...

...Well, perhaps there was no problem with that.

"It’s been handled, Your Majesty."

Zoya suddenly spoke.

Annan came over in surprise, "That fast?"

"Because they haven’t made much progress over the years. They’re still using the same few tricks."

Zoya spoke wistfully as the door opened from the inside—it was Zoya’s shadow that had reached under the door gap to pull the handle inward.

He silently stepped aside from the doorway, allowing Annan to pass by him.

The first thing that struck the eye was a broken makeup mirror.

It was immediately apparent that something was amiss—no one would place a mirror like a screen at the entrance of a bedroom, facing outward.

And now, not only was the mirror completely shattered, but it also had an uneven layer of ice over it, rendering it utterly useless as a mirror.

"Be careful, Your Majesty. I haven’t completely destroyed the ritual, just cut off the triggering part," Zoya said, focusing on the ceremonial scene spread on the floor, muttering in a soft voice, "Because I didn’t want to startle the snake in the grass."

In the Viscount’s study, a ritual circle had been drawn on the ground with the fresh blood of some animal. Several white candles were lit at various heights, but it seemed that a special liquid had been dripped onto them, causing each to burn with a different color.

Orange flames, deep red flames, blue flames, golden flames, deep purple flames, aqua blue flames, grey flames, and pinkish-purple flames.

Furthermore, on the walls, floor, ceiling, and cabinets... a dozen mirrors of various sizes had been positioned. Now, however, these mirrors had been shattered and sealed with ice.

If not for this precaution, these lights would likely have reflected and scattered amongst the many mirrors, blanketing the entire room like starlight.

"A ritual of light and mirrors, huh..."

Annan murmured to himself, staring intently at the ritual array and deeply pondering its specifics.

What exactly is its effect?

"—This is a ritual of forced teleportation."

Zoya spoke up directly, "The candlelight reflects off the mirror surfaces, creating a second source of light that twinkles alongside—this represents the ritual of teleportation.

"’The Eight Colors of Light’ are the key to initiating Mr. Radiance’s higher-order rituals. The teleportation effects of these higher-order rituals are compulsory and take immediate effect... And with so many mirrors here, they serve to encrypt the true destination. In fact, only one of the mirrors is the actual point of effect."

Forced teleportation?

...Is this an attempt at environmental assassination?

Or are they planning to teleport me directly into their encirclement?

"Wait a second... Mr. Radiance’s higher-order ritual?"

Annan caught another detail, "If I remember correctly, Mr. Radiance’s rituals should carry a potent purification effect, right?"

"Indeed."

Zoya responded, "Mr. Radiance’s high-order rituals can only be initiated by healthy men full of vigor... Without a doubt, a corpse infested by the ritual of The Worm wouldn’t be able to invoke Mr. Radiance’s power."

Even though Mr. Radiance always appeared before Annan as a radiant and warm-hearted youth with a beaming smile.

His temperament is said to be quite volatile—He possesses a certain fastidiousness and is known to be exceptionally harsh on believers who fail to meet His standards.

If it were the real Viscount Osthoff Dolgorouki, it might have been alright.

He has a deep, bone-exposing scar on his face... a mark left on his body after a brush with death, and proof of his victory over the reaper. Such a sharp warrior spirit is favored by the Red Knight, Mr. Radiance, and the Sun Prince.

If the real Viscount Osthoff Dolgorouki were to conduct this ritual, there would probably be no issue.

But after he had been parasitized by The Worm... he would be obviously unworthy.

If he dared to invoke Mr. Radiance after being parasitized by The Worm, he would likely be burned to a crisp by a single holy light strike from Mr. Radiance.

"These are common candles lit with cursed grease, judging by the burning speed... After they were lit, it’s been roughly half an hour, definitely no more than an hour.

"Since Viscount Dolgorouki couldn’t possibly conduct this ritual, and since he’s been with us the whole time, that means..."

"—So, the one who set up the ritual can’t have gone far."

Annan concluded.

Zorgen’s strategy was absolutely correct—in the absence of knowledge about the specific makeup of this ritual, a direct disruption of the ritual site might indeed alert the ritualist.

Since the ritualist was able to enter the Viscount’s study and set up the teleportation ritual while they were dining... it is highly likely that he was not an intruder in the manor but had been hiding inside all along!

Therefore, there’s a high probability that he hasn’t gone far, he might even still be in the Viscount’s manor!

"Zoya—"

Annan spoke softly, "Make your move."

Zoya narrowed her eyes.

She gave a confident smile, "Understood, Your Majesty.

"As long as he hasn’t gone far... there’s no way he can hide from me."