A true god is unique⊠What does that mean? Is it impossible for another Primordial Demoness to exist, whether in a mirror or a painting? Franca pondered over the Demoness of Blackâs final words, sensing they held critical mysticism knowledge.
As for Clariceâs speculation about the Primordial Demonessâs projection in the mirror undergoing some changes, Franca had thought the same before. When the Demoness of Black obtained the black Primordial Demoness figurine, she had nonchalantly mentioned, âThe Mirror People believe in the mirrored Primordial One, but itâs actually just a projection of the Primordial One in the mirror.â She didnât explain further, and at that time, Franca had already guessed that perhaps the projection had undergone some changes.
But the problem was that if one continued this line of reasoning, it could explain why the Demonesses lost further control over the special mirror world after the Pale-White War. According to Francaâs limited knowledge, in the Pale Disaster, Death fell, and the Primordial Demoness was heavily injured. Such a weakened Primordial Demoness couldnât prevent the projection in the mirror from changing further, thus losing control over that special mirror world and failing to recover from the injuries for millennia.
Franca thought that if she, with her limited understanding of the Pale Disaster, could come to such a conclusion, the Demoness of Black wouldnât say it couldnât be explained. Unless she was completely unaware of the outcomes of the Pale Disaster or had already obtained other strong evidence that ruled out the possibility that the Primordial Demonessâs injuries during the divine war led to the Demonessesâ further loss of control over the special mirror world.
After some thought, Franca carefully asked, âIs the black figurine I handed over evidence of the Primordial Oneâs projection changing in the mirror?â
The Demoness of Black neither nodded nor shook her head. Instead, she explained mysticism, âOur Assassin pathwayâs most unique node is Sequence 7, Witch. This isnât just because it changes our gender but also because it leaves a strong, distinct imprint in the mirror world. This imprint is what allows us to use mirror magic.â
This is about the Mirror Person for each Demoness⊠Franca suddenly had an epiphany and took the opportunity to say, âPreviously, Moran Avigny said the one in the mirror is our true self, our exiled and sealed selfâŠâ
Clarice shook her head with a hint of melancholy.
âI believe Moran Avigny didnât lie to you. The Mirror People indeed believe they are the true selves, but can you completely trust conclusions made from their own perspective?
âHave you ever forgotten your past self, that indelible pain?â
âNo,â Franca answered sincerely, âI often think back to my past self and life, imagining if I hadnât chosen the Assassin potion, would things have turned out differently.â
The Demoness of Black nodded sympathetically.
âWe still remember, we havenât forgotten, so itâs impossible for our true self to be exiled. If one day, we no longer feel pain from our losses, forget the past, and immerse ourselves in the present state, the strong imprint we left in the mirror might activate in a mystical sense, leading to cognitive confusion and gradual loss of control.
âIn this regard, having once been male and constantly reminiscing about our male self is a major advantage in maintaining our identity and avoiding loss of control.â
âThen purely female Demonesses must be very dangerous?â Franca feigned sudden realization; in truth, she was worried about Jenna.
âThere wonât be purely female Demonesses,â Clarice coldly replied.
If you encountered one, you would kill her? Without the sacrificial square in the catacombs, Jenna would have lost control and died when ascending to Witch⊠Franca didnât delve further, fearing to arouse the Demoness of Blackâs suspicion.
Clarice continued, âAside from the product of the special mirror world, everyone has a Mirror Person. Each time we look into a mirror, a Mirror Person is created. For non-Demoness pathway individuals, these Mirror People are temporary projections, quickly dissipating after the person leaves the mirror.
âBut we Demonesses are different. The strong imprint creates a Mirror Person that always exists and grows stronger as we advance in Sequence. At the divine stage, because a true god is unique, the imprint returns to the body, merging with the self. From then on, one exists both in reality and in the mirror, embodying both states.â
Thereâs some similarity to what Moran Avigny said. The Demoness of Black didnât deny our strong imprint in the mirror could be called Mirror People⊠Both their words likely contain parts of the truth but not the whole truth. Perhaps piecing them together could reveal some reliable facts⊠Franca nodded thoughtfully. âSo the appearance of the black figurine is abnormal. It should have merged with the self?â
âThatâs why we suspect the Primordial One lost part of Her characteristics, causing changes in the mirror projection,â Clarice confirmed Francaâs statement.
But according to this logic, the white figurines each sect member carries shouldnât exist either⊠The Primordial Demoness, also known as the Chaos Demoness, shouldnât be purely black or white. Unless the white and black figurines represent something other than the real and mirror selves⊠Franca didnât dare voice these emerging thoughts.
The Demoness of Black further explained, âBlack figurines are rare. Not every special Mirror Person has one, not even someone as significant as Moran Avigny.
âWhich specific ones possess it is currently unknown.â
Thatâs right⊠Franca felt a pang of regret for not asking Moran Avigny about the black Primordial Demoness figurine back then.
She and Lumian had previously thought it didnât warrant further investigation: wasnât it just a special entity the Mirror People worshiped?
Asking directly for the deityâs honorific name and related information seemed enough, with no need to focus on the figurineâs originâŠ
Franca showed her frustration, then tentatively asked, âShouldnât we be trying to destroy the Fourth Epoch Trierâs seal to lift the restrictions on that special mirror world, letting the Primordial One regain control and complete the fusion?
âWhy are we still cleaning up Mirror People?â
The Demoness of Black replied seriously, âOpening it ourselves and them opening it are completely different.â
Which one dominates the white or black figurines? Franca, a voracious reader and imaginative transmigrator, had a vivid imagination.
The Demoness of Black didnât give her a chance to ask further.
âWhat we need to do now is clean up the Mirror People in Trier, disrupt their plans, and, if possible, collect vital information from the deepest Darts of the special mirror world.â
Yes, Madame,â Franca seized the moment to request, âIâm tracking a Mirror Person and need items that can traverse the mirror world and send messages through mirrors. My Mirror Cufflink is running out of uses,â Demoness of Black Clarice nodded lightly.
âAlright, Iâll prepare it for you.â
She paused for a moment before adding, âRemember, the mirror world is both mysterious and dangerous. It is also a source of our strength as Demonesses. Donât resist approaching it, but donât underestimate it either.
âCompared to the Hunter pathway, the mirror world is our most unique feature.â
The most unique feature⊠Franca suddenly felt that the Demoness of Black was hinting at the mirror worldâs importance far beyond what she imagined.
After exchanging more mysticism knowledge about the sect and the Assassin pathway, Franca asked one last question, âMadame, can the Plague of an Affliction Witch expand the types of pathogens?â
âWhat do you mean?â The Demoness of Black frowned slightly, evoking pity.
âI mean, can we find special pathogens and incorporate them into our Plague ability? Simple illnesses like pneumonia, strokes, and heart attacks are powerful but lack imagination. I remember some pathogens cause narcolepsy or complete muscle weaknessâŠâ Franca elaborated on her idea.
The Demoness of Black was silent for several seconds before saying, âWhen you become a Demoness of Despair, you can create mystical pathogens with different effects. For now, the range of Plague is fixed by the Beyonder characteristics unlessâŠâ
âUnless what?â Franca asked curiously.
The Demoness of Black spoke with longing and admiration, âUnless the Primordial One modifies the scope of Plague as a true god of the Demoness pathway.â
So thatâs possible? This is what being a deity means, influencing oneâs pathway⊠Franca was genuinely shocked, realizing the true meaning of the word âtrue god.â
âŠ
Morora, in the Carnivore bar.
Lumian lay on the bed, eyes closed, appearing asleep but actually closely monitoring Julieâs movements.
He suspected that Celeste, the seemingly fully converted experimental subject, might secretly visit Julie at night to share vital information about Morora.
As the night deepened, Lumian felt a sudden restlessness, as if the air was filled with amorous energy.
His mind couldnât help but recall scenes of temptation heâd witnessed before.