“…… Ceremonists? ”

Annan frowned slightly, and his expression became serious.

He didn't ask Citalopram useless words like "Did you really hear the name?" or "Are you sure?" - if there really was an elderly ceremonist there, it would have been difficult for Citalopram to come back alive.

The Path of Ceremonies...... This is another way for this world to gain transcendent power.

There is no doubt that they are far more dangerous than the transcendent.

There is always only one end to the transcendent path—and that is to grasp the truth and sublimate into the living.

But in this world, there are always those who are nostalgic for the world, indulging in the extravagant life of the mortal world and the benefits that are visible and within reach, rather than hoping for distant eternal life, truth and authority.

For them, supernatural power is just a tool for prosperity and wealth.

Since it's a tool...... Naturally, we have to consider the cost performance.

The iron rule of this world is that if you want to gain power, you must suffer the corresponding curse.

But if it's just a short-term rental, you can pay a lot less.

- Yes.

Ritual masters are not like transcendents who choose to sublimate their souls and elevate their lives. They don't even take the path of transcendence at all...... In this way, the gray fog could not stop their movements.

They are simply using mystical knowledge to satisfy their endless desires.

With those unspeakable secrets, about the true names of the gods, their rituals, and the secret relationships between them, they are "rented" through rituals to the supernatural powers.

The curse doesn't flow into them during the whole process; The impact of rituals can be used as raw materials for other rituals.

Therefore, they will not become short-lived, nor will they become long-lived; There will be no nightmares, and there will be no desire for change. They even learned how to use the influence of the gods to detain their souls...... And how to pollute the minds of others and drive people crazy unconsciously.

They are mere mortals, but they have immense power in their hands—a power that is completely uncontrollable.

The transcendent knows the price it takes to gain power, and knows that those who are incapable are not allowed to touch the taboo of a stronger curse.

And after the soul is sublimated, the transcendent often has room for failure in the ritual...... But the ceremonial master didn't.

The power they wield is far higher than their own.

This makes them fearless.

For them, the difference between ritual failures at different levels is like "explosives that are close enough to destroy a building" and "explosives that are close enough to destroy a city."

As long as it's out of control, it's all dead anyway, and there's no difference.

The difference is only in the aftermath of the ritual after one's own death, how much trouble it will cause to others.

And the people who have embarked on this path will not care about these things in the first place.

Because if you want to become a ritual master, you must first have the ability to take advantage of anyone's consciousness at any cost—and often even the possibility of offending the righteous God.

The ceremonial master did not have any reverence for power at all.

Therefore, all ritual masters are naturally wanted.

Even if they have not committed any crimes, they must be constantly monitored, arrested, and even assassinated. Because everyone knows that once the ritual gets out of control, the ritual master has no ability to eliminate and suppress the ritual at all.

And unlike the transcendent ones with clear hierarchies.

No one can know how much mystical knowledge is stored in a ritualist's head—because they have no way of knowing exactly when they became ritualists and when they began to collect mystical knowledge.

Maybe when I was very young, I read the forbidden books in my parents' collection; Perhaps in his youth, he obtained a secret book of a certain ritual from the belongings of the old ritual master who died; It may even be that when I was middle-aged or old, I was lucky enough to touch this world.

And contrary to the official attitude...... The so-called barefoot people are not afraid of wearing shoes, and the false god churches, which have no fixed place to live and wander around, will not be afraid of the danger of ritual masters.

They often hire some ceremonial masters to help them perform their rituals.

It is different from the path of transcendence and ritual...... The path of faith is the fairest path.

There are no talents, talents, and morals, and there are not so many internal and external dangers. As long as you pay, you will get something, and as long as you work, you will be rewarded.

But it comes at the cost of loyalty.

It's not mortal loyalty to the monarch, it's just a three-sentence promise that all gods have in common.

For example, the priesthood of the Silver Sir took the oath at the time of initiation:

"I swear never to destroy and do my best to perpetuate the silver coin, the symbol of the Silver Jazz;"

"I swear to do my best to follow the path of trade, and walk the path that the Silver Lord once walked;"

"I swear never to betray and not to be near other Eternals."

- That's all.

The first two are only "do your best", but the third is mandatory: you can use your own original rituals, you can use the rituals of your own gods or their subordinate gods (if they are true gods), but you can't use the rituals left by other gods.

As for why, Annan does not know at present.

After all, it's not too harsh...... And this is not a requirement for "believers", but for "priests".

It's about the same as a non-compete agreement.

If there really was a ceremonial master in Roseburg, Annan's previous plan would be completely overturned.

Because this means that there may be no rotten believers in Roseburg...... The previous "Ritual: Thou Shalt Sing" and those summons may even have been summoned by the same person.

And he's just hired by a rotten man.

Then the rotten forces in Roseburg may be far less than Annan imagined - and may even have been evacuated.

"Things are starting to get complicated......"

This is not just a novice trial of the Four Dark Carvings and Citalopram.

It is even related to the safety of the entire Roseburg, the survival of the Geraint family in the royal capital, and even the change of the throne of the Noah Kingdom-

"I'm sorry for you to run an errand...... Go and get the wine back first. Then inform the four dark that the trap can be arranged. Once arranged, retreat directly, and use traps to delay their departure. ”

Annan narrowed his eyes slightly: "I'll go back and get some things, you guys will wait for me here first...... I try to be back in forty minutes. If they leave, you and the Four Darks at least embellished with that ritual master - the others can be left alone.

"Your test is over for the time being, and then I will consider it again. In order for you to be bold and effective in tracking, I first give you the ability to connect with each other and be resurrected. ”

With Annan's words, two hints drifted in front of Citalopram's eyes: the resurrection and forum functions were unlocked.

Annan was going to take it personally—he was going to catch it alive.

Of course, gather the players who are online and send a temporary main quest and grant temporary unlimited resurrection privileges...... Nature is also a must.

If nothing else, at least it is okay to help Annan share the firepower.

And these two new players with stealth assassination abilities...... Maybe it will be a surprise for Annan.