This matter sounds truly bizarre, but in such a chaotic and barren borderland, mysterious events of supernatural forces seem almost expected. The extreme imbalance in resource distribution breeds greed and malevolence, and human will is no longer governed by freedom but treated as a resource and commodity for propagation. When those in power at the top can't be satiated, they extend their claws and fangs to the lower strata, dominating their souls and consuming their flesh and blood. Raymond De Redwood begins to focus on this mysterious regional cult called the Radiant Goddess Viola. They seem to enjoy supreme power and unparalleled prestige in this desolate land, and their methods of indoctrinating followers are so eerie, brutal, and ruthless.

"I must be missing something," Raymond De Redwood thinks to himself. He then looks at the somewhat sober drunkard and continues to coax, "My dear friend, this sounds absolutely insane. With the kindness and wisdom of the Radiant Goddess Viola, I can't fathom such things happening! Oh no, this must be just a coincidence. Poor Claude and Laura were so loyal and devout; they shouldn't meet such a fate! I believe this must be an anomaly, the only mishap in the 'Autumn Breeze Borderlands'... It sounds simply unbelievable."

Deliberately portraying himself as weak and timid, Raymond De Redwood greatly stirs the drunkard's competitive spirit. The drunkard feels a sense of pride and self-satisfaction because the strange and marvelous tales he shares have earned him the admiration and respect of the gentleman before him. Seizing the moment, he decides to further enhance his prestige by adding another testimony from his rich experiences. With a proud sway of his head, he says, "Oh, my friend, there is more! In the Autumn Breeze Borderlands, there have been not just one but several such bizarre incidents. Haha, you must not have visited here often to enjoy the exquisite food and wine! You've missed out on quite a few spectacular events!"

"Yes, indeed! I owe it to you, my friend, for enlightening me. Today is truly a stroke of luck! I'm usually busy with business and rarely socialize. Now, looking back, my previous life seems so dull," Raymond De Redwood sips his drink and enthusiastically agrees, "What else happened before? Do you have more impressions, old friend? My curiosity has been sparked by your extraordinary eloquence! Please, share more! Otherwise, tonight will be sleepless for me. Be generous with your tales, my noble friend."

The inebriated man, eager to share more, was about to speak when the bartender, Pedro, who had been discreetly eavesdropping, approached with two small crystal glasses. From a concealed cabinet under the bar, Pedro retrieved a bulging leather flask filled with an unidentified liquid and placed it on the counter. With enthusiasm, he chimed in, "Would you two gentlemen like to taste my homemade pineapple brandy? An exclusive brew, not to be missed! But what's even more unmissable is that this drink is on me. The only exchange condition is—may I join in your fascinating conversation? Speaking of recent oddities in 'Autumn Breeze Borderlands,' I consider myself an authority. Since you've shared intriguing stories, I'm bound to reciprocate!"

"Oh? That's truly wonderful!" The intoxicated man and Raymond De Redwood exchanged laughs. The charcoal crackled, casting a comforting warmth throughout the room. The amber-hued wine flowed generously into tulip-shaped crystal glasses. The rich aroma, mingling with a hint of fresh cherry, filled the air, creating a delightful atmosphere. In Raymond De Redwood's mind, a hint of doubt lingered, "Wasn't it supposed to be pineapple brandy? Why do I smell sweet cherries?" However, after a moment's consideration, he found the fragrance quite pleasant. He relaxed, ready to embrace the unknown pleasure of the wine and the bartender's mysterious tales.

They gazed at Pedro, who patiently poured the unfamiliar drink, like newborns curious about a brand-new world. Their curiosity, rising with the liquid in the glass, reached an irresistible peak. Finally, the inebriated man couldn't contain his probing desire and urged, "Pedro, my friend, don't just busy yourself with pouring. Speak up! I can't wait any longer. I'm truly curious. What's the matter?"

The bartender, Pedro, who had just finished pouring the drinks, darted over with an eager "swoosh." His two bulbous goldfish-like eyes, shining with excitement, seemed oddly comical on his slender face. The eight-shaped mustache trembling on his lips betrayed Pedro's enthusiastic disposition. He grinned widely and began, "The one who went missing earlier wasn't just the precious daughter of Claude. John from the farm has been troubled lately. He mentioned that nearly a hundred cows and sheep have mysteriously disappeared over time, leaving him in distress. He tried every method to guard his livestock, but guess what happened? Right before his eyes, those cattle and sheep, in the blink of an eye, vanished without a trace!"

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"What?! Is this real? It's simply unbelievable!" The drunkard and Raymond De Redwood both widened their eyes. Could it be that magic truly existed in the world, as in the legends? Or had some divine being manifested and taken away these offerings? "Absolutely true, not a word of a lie!" Pedro nodded earnestly and continued, "It's not just that. If it were merely a few missing cows and sheep, the situation wouldn't be so eerie. But apart from John witnessing the disappearance of livestock, there's something even more dreadful to the story."

Pedro leaned in even closer, lowering his voice, "Lately, the security forces have been trying to conceal a major event. In our slums, over the past few months, children under the age of ten have been quietly disappearing. No one knows how they vanish. Initially, people thought they might have gone out to find food, but as the number of missing children increased and became more frequent, it gradually stirred panic among the impoverished. While these civilians were usually as docile as livestock, the repeated occurrence of these strange and mysterious events continuously agitated their minds, leading to the organization of a revolt. Normally, the security forces cared little for the lives of the poor, but this time the situation escalated. Under pressure, the security forces mobilized manpower for an extensive search. But can you guess what happened? Similar to those cows and sheep, the children vanished without a trace, as if evaporated into thin air."

Pedro glanced at the two stunned individuals and poured himself a small glass of the "pineapple" brandy. Sipping it thoughtfully, he took a moment to soothe his own nerves after narrating the tumultuous and bizarre stories. Then, he continued, "But, it is said that all these disappearances are related to the most precious artifact of the Radiant Holy See. In order to preserve this treasure and let its radiance illuminate the entire Holy See, they spare no cost, even resorting to sacrificing lives!"

"Treasure?" Raymond De Redwood's interest was piqued, and he internally elevated his attention to the Radiant Holy See to a higher level. He pondered, "What kind of treasure could be so extraordinary that they resort to sacrificing living beings to preserve it? Do you have more detailed information?"

Pedro continued on Raymond De Redwood's lead, "Well well, that would be a question for Miss Laura, who has received the blessings. According to the unfortunate Mr. Claude, Laura, before descending into complete madness, repeatedly mentioned the conditions inside the Radiant Temple. Aside from the bitter divine wine, lengthy ceremonies, luxurious palaces, and the priestly group mumbling who knows what prayers, our dear Laura even glimpsed, while walking towards the altar, a sumptuous gem-encrusted crown resting on a thick velvet cushion of intricate gold threads. This crown was placed on a massive marble table at the very center of the temple."

Pedro poured himself another small cup of liquor, swiftly downing half of it before continuing, "Laura can't recall anything that happened during the bestowal, only the recurrent mention of that gem-encrusted crown. It's a crown adorned with a massive blood crystal and various jewels, appearing to have a pure gold base studded with countless diamond fragments, resembling a sparkling starry sky. In the interstices of various diamonds, arranged in accordance with some peculiar ancient totem, gemstones of different colors are systematically embedded. The totem, formed by different gem clusters, subtly emanates a hidden, misty fluorescence. At the very center of the crown, a colossal diamond-shaped blood crystal, surrounded by seven thumb-sized rubies, is intricately entwined with the finest gold threads, forming a complex totem. Just a glance at the crown, and Laura no longer remembers what happened afterward. Her mind is filled with the exquisite and peculiar crown, especially the totem on the colossal gem. These days, she constantly hears unfamiliar chants lingering in her ears, with rhythmic drumbeats assaulting her eardrums. However, she can't recall anything except that crown. Consequently, her sanity has been gradually unraveling until that day when, unable to bear it any longer, her closest family members locked her in a room..."

Having listened, Raymond De Redwood remained unsettled for a long time. He had already set his sights on the target, yet, for some unknown reason, his heart remained tightly suspended, unwilling to let go.

"A cursed crown adorned with a massive gem..." Raymond De Redwood murmured softly. By now, he had stepped out of the noisy tavern. Outside, it was deep into the night, and the crescent moon ascended over the treetops. The nocturnal wind was chilling, dissipating what little inebriation he had left. He lifted his leg toward a narrow alley, but it wasn't in the direction of the temple. This seasoned thief wasn't entirely certain; he intended to lurk a bit longer in this small town.