Chapter 1285: Chapter 12 Into the Dream

Mia and Zula sat on the sofa, listening intently as Arsene explained the plan. They were immediately intrigued.

“Sounds pretty good… Exploring in dreams!”

Mia agreed without hesitation, “I’m really curious what kind of dream I’ll have… If you see it, remember to tell me!”

She truly looked forward to it.

To people in this world, “dreaming” is a sacred act. Especially in places beyond Avalon, which had been sealed off by the Path, where occult traditions lingered even more.

Transcendents all know that the power of this world comes from the “Dream Realm.” Though it seemed “filled with love,” in reality, it was an academy attempting to cultivate Contributors.

The situation with Iris Flower is different from, even opposite to, that of Star Antimony and Avalon–despite not cultivating many Transcendents, much esoteric knowledge has spread among the populace. Most of these traditions are incomplete, and some mysterious knowledge is downright erroneous and perilous.

Yet, because of this, someone like Arsene, coming from a common background, could embark on a transcendent path and change his destiny… and even the fate of his country.

For these young Transcendents who know mysterious knowledge but have not yet formally embarked on the transcendent path, not even participating in their first ascension ritual, the entire Dream Realm is full of mystery and infinite longing for them — after all, entering the Dream Realm signifies officially becoming a Transcendent.

Such longing far exceeds that of those preparing for exams dreaming of life after passing.

Zula also seemed quite eager: “Can I join too?”

“I’m afraid not, dear.”

Arsene said regretfully, “If it were possible, I’d really love to roam the Dream Realm with you… But you’re not a Transcendent yet, and entering the Dream Realm like this might mean you can never become one.”

–Lies.

Aiwass mumbled silently in his heart.

His research on the Dream Realm was far deeper than Arsene’s. He could clearly say that no such taboo exists. Many ordinary people might stumble into the Dream Realm, as everyone’s dreams connect to it. Sometimes, by chance, one could even wander from the Dream Realm into someone else’s dream.

He also guessed why Arsene used such an excuse–if he said things like “we’re on serious business this time, can’t bring you along” or “you lack combat skills, and we can’t be distracted taking care of you,” the other party might feel some discontent. That would be akin to saying “I only look for you when I’m not on serious business” or “you’re just a burden to me.”

Even though he used a more tactful explanation, the other party could automatically interpret it to the true meaning.

Arsene’s wording definitely had a jerk-like flavor–emphasizing, “if you come in, the loss is yours, I actually don’t mind,” which instead became “I care about you; it’s better if you don’t go.”

Even if Zula might guess “this might just be an excuse,” at least she could listen with more comfort.

Thus, uncertainties would decrease.

Yes, uncertainties–

“I will put you into a sleep from which you can’t awaken, then we will enter the Dream Realm through your dream.”

Aiwass said seriously to Mia, “Because even a slight deviation in the Dream Realm could shift us at least a few cities off in the Material Realm. If you wake during the process, we might get lost in the Dream Realm. Best case scenario, we’ll find a new coordinate and emerge from someone’s dream; worse case, we might be preyed upon by a Phantom Demon before escaping.

“The Dream Realm… that’s a phantasmic domain without the Wall of Balance. Not to mention beings beyond the Sixth Level, Seventh Level, or even deities are everywhere. Any danger could occur there, so we greatly need you as our anchor to guide us back.

“This time, it could take at least half a day at the shortest. A day or two, or even longer at the longest… I’ll guide your body into a hibernation mode with a spell, so not eating or drinking for days won’t matter.”

“Oh, I know… Like a lighthouse guiding a ship, right!”

The black-haired girl nodded obediently: “I think I’m fine with that–let me use the restroom first!”

Meanwhile, Aiwass looked at the somewhat displeased blonde girl Zula and said seriously, “Zula, you also have a task!”

“…Huh?”

Zula was taken aback: “Me too? But…”

“During this time, Mia won’t have any self-awareness. She’ll appear as if she’s in a coma… But if someone sends her to the Church, or if a bishop-level clergy comes to purify her, they can awaken her from that slumber.

The slender White Robed Moon Child fixed his scarlet eyes on her, which made her somewhat uneasy: “As you know, Arsene has many enemies. If this news gets out, there will be many who won’t want him to return… And the price is just killing a defenseless little girl without any Transcendent abilities or background. Not even necessary to kill her, just removing the ‘curse’ on her would trap Arsene.

“–So you must ensure this news doesn’t leak and, in the meantime, take good care of Mia. Don’t you also have classes? At the very least, avoid letting her absence or disappearance from class get noticed, prompting that matron to check the dorm and discover she’s cursed and comatose.”

Aiwass laid out the very possible scenarios.

Zula understood and became serious: “No problem, I’ll stay here these few days.”

She then looked at Aleister with some concern: “But this little girl… will she be going in too?”

This was somewhat of a Theological Seminary. The students they accepted, though a bit “overly loving,” were essentially good people with the Contributor talent. She naturally began worrying about Aleister’s safety.

Upon hearing this, Arsene also looked toward Aiwass.

In his opinion, it would actually be safer for someone to stay outside.

Even though the Moonlight Key was sold to him by the Hawkeye Organization, it couldn’t be ruled out that they might be trying to seal him into the Dream Realm.

Since this “Iben Ritualist” was Pope Evas’ avatar, then the little girl named “Aleister” should be the legendary lover of Evas, Aleister Crowley.

According to intel, she was a Son of the Moon born in the Helasal Imperial Era, already at the Fifth Power Level!

If she’s there for protection, they would be safe.

“Aleister will go with me.”

Aiwass first answered briefly, then smiled at Zula, “Don’t underestimate her…

“Her age is actually greater than the three of you combined.”

As he spoke, he stretched out his hand and pressed lightly on Aleister’s head.

Under the shocked gaze of the two girls, Aleister in his hand suddenly shattered into a flock of bats, only to merge back into human form after passing through.

Aiwass’s pupils were crimson, and he slightly parted his lips to reveal sharp fangs: “So, do you understand now?”

“…It’s the Children of the Dragon!”

Zula exclaimed, her eyes sparkling: “No wonder… you are so handsome!”

–No wonder that spell could be dispelled by the bishop’s healing. It turns out it was a curse of slumber enchantment cast by the Son of the Moon, making one fall into a deep, unawakable sleep!

Zula murmured silently in her heart.

Some Irisflower people who worship the Son of the Moon refer to them as the Children of the Dragon. Compared to the Eternal Self’s kin, they more believe that the Son of the Moon is a special kind of dragon.

Even among the Irisflower people, the Son of the Moon remains a legend. But unlike the foreign tales, here they are revered with admiration and awe. They see the Son of the Moon as the embodiment of fashion, trend, beauty, freedom, and resilience–believing that becoming one is very good, very cool.

But not everyone has the qualification to be transformed by the Son of the Moon.

Most people who encounter the Son of the Moon can only become food… Thus, this admiration is mixed with fear, adding to the mystery.

After addressing Zula, Aiwass turned to Arsene: “As for the guards outside… you needn’t worry about them.”

At this moment, Arsene suddenly felt a chill run up his spine.

A peculiar sense of impending danger made him feel as if he was shrouded by a sinister shadow…

“…I’m here.”

Lily’s voice echoed softly and ethereally, whispering in his ear.

But when Arsene turned around abruptly, all he saw was emptiness.

He saw nothing and could not sense anyone behind him.

“I’ll guard your beacon here, just in case.”

The voice came from right beside him, yet the space where the sound originated remained empty.

…It was that Miss Assassin capable of slipping into the shadows!

Arsene realized who it was.

She was so powerful… To achieve such a level of stealth, not even the Assassin Master of the Hawkeye Organization could match her, could they?

If such a powerful protector were guarding Mia, it indeed assured one’s peace of mind…

So, Arsene completely eased up.

After Mia had been to the bathroom, changed into her pajamas, and lay on the bed, Aiwass patted Aleister’s little head: “Go on, I won’t get too close to that girl.”

“Whether I do it or you do it, it’s all the same…”

Aleister muttered, climbing up to bite Mia’s neck.

Mia’s body trembled slightly, a hint of crimson surfacing beneath her skin.

Like an allergic reaction, her skin rapidly turned red, all the exposed skin turning pink–in reality, it was indeed a kind of allergy. Her body reacted intensely to the invasion of the curse’s power, causing her blood flow to speed up significantly… which also facilitated the lifedrain.

It’s akin to the swelling and itching after a mosquito bite.

The fangs of the Son of the Moon carried a similar curse for the convenience of lifedrain.

And as Aleister finished draining his “portion” of her blood, Mia’s skin gradually returned to normal, and she fell into a hibernation-like sleep. At this degree of draining, the body would only be slightly weak. If it continued, it would start becoming dangerous, and the anesthesia would wear off. Euphoria would turn into pain, and the taste of blood would begin to mix with fear.

For the Son of the Moon, it would be like adding pepper water to a cold cola. For most Sons of the Moon, this was an “unacceptable innovation.”

However, these Irisflower Moon Children who worship the Blood Celestial Marshal have a heavy palate; for them, it was just right.

This hibernation is actually a curse used by the Son of the Moon to “store food.”

Before the Son of the Moon gained dominance in human society, they, who needed lifedrain to survive, would use this method to anesthetize and preserve their captured prey. A single person could last a long time, and if they nurtured a group and let them heal, they could be stored even longer… Later, once the Sons of the Moon became wealthy, this model evolved into raising Blood Slaves.

Compared to the curse in the fangs, the curse of money and power left people unable to escape the anesthesia even with full consciousness.

Whether it was Aiwass or Aleister, they still retained this racial ability.

Once Mia fell into her slumber, Arsene took out the Moonlight Key.

The method to use this key was incredibly simple.

He made sure the doors and windows were tightly sealed, letting no radiance slip through. He pressed the key against Mia’s forehead, gently turned it, as if finding the feel of a key fitting a lock. When he found the correct position, he applied a bit more force–directly plunging it in!

The key inserted deeply into Mia’s forehead, penetrating at least five to six centimeters. Yet she remained asleep, unaware and unbleeding.

Only a portal of iridescent light spread open–