The Righteous Player(s)

Chapter 379: Soul Withering Curse

After confirming that Bernardino was the Paper Princess’s confinement, another question emerged.

Annan was sure that he had never offended the man.

Bell Ringer Oik never communicated with his priest, so it would not be Bell Ringer Oik’s intention.

Being the Bell Ringer Oik’s pope, Bernardino could not possibly do anything with the Book of Divine Transporter. The dead air around him would stop him from assimilating the “brilliance” attribute in the Book of Divine Transporter. He would not be able to perceive, touch, and gain the book.

There was no point and no benefit for Bernardino to go against him.

Also, he already knew who the person who held the Book of Truth was. There was no need to utilize Jiu Er as bait. He could find Annan directly through the eyes of passers-by.

It felt like he was intentionally seeking death from Annan.

You can’t intentionally feed like this.

“What is your goal?” Ignoring Bernardino’s provocation, Annan raised his voice and asked again, “Although you have harmed my people, I can still trust your words. As long as you can convince me…”

“Then, let me go first.” Facing his inevitable death, Bernardino was not afraid at all.

He just let out a low laugh and said calmly, “This is not how chatting should be.”

“This is not a chat. It’s an interrogation.” Annan took a few steps forward, stopped at a certain distance, and responded coldly.

He looked directly at the old man in the wheelchair, as dead as a dry corpse.

Seeing this, the corner of the old man’s mouth rose slightly. “At this distance, as long as I move my finger, I can hook out your soul.”

Although his body was bound by silver chains and his life was slipping away quickly, the old man squinted at Annan.

Still, Annan had no fear.

He nimbly played with two silver coins on the tip of his right finger.

The two silver coins fluttered at his fingertips like butterflies, reflecting the sun’s brilliance.

“Do whatever you want.” Annan smiled gently, “But do you really want to do that?”

“…Ha.” The old man stared into Annan’s eyes without the slightest fear. After a long time, he suddenly laughed, “You are really not afraid.”

He spoke in a hoarse and low voice, “Fools don’t know fear; heroes have nothing to fear. So which type of person are you?”

“I have no idea.” Annan answered without any hesitation, “It doesn’t matter.”

“It doesn’t matter, is it?” Seemingly surprised by this answer, Bernardino was silent for a long time.

He seemed to be thinking about something.

As time passed, Bernardino, who was continuously drained of life by the Paper Princess’s ritual, became weaker.

When Annan could not help thinking about whether to let the Paper Princess stop first, Bernardino finally spoke up.

He glanced at the Paper Princess, then at Annan.

He opened his mouth and said slowly, “Do you know your lifespan is over?”

“Impudent!” The Paper Princess immediately reprimanded.

Annan was not angry but asked with interest, “You mean I’m going to die now?”

“Not now.” Bernardino corrected, “You are already dead.”

That sounds like you’re cursing at someone. Jiu Er, who was watching on the sidelines, had such thoughts in her mind.

“So, are you seeking justice?”

“No, I just hope to communicate.” The old man’s tone became humble, “There are some things that I can’t seek and certainly can’t possess. At the same time, there are some things your excellency can’t easily get and won’t be able to do.”

Unbeknownst to the crowd, Bernardino changed his address to Annan.

Annan had already realized what the purpose of Bernardino’s visit was.

Not many people know that “Annan” died once.

Those who could not see through the past, future, and soul’s fate could not confirm that “Annan” had changed.

Bernardino did not get the information from Bell Ringer Oik but obtained it through his divine art.

To be more precise, he must have confirmed that Annan was not the “real Annan” when he had stolen memories from Salvatore. He was confident that the “previous Annan” was dead and Annan was on his “second life”.

Based on the situation, Annan already knew what he wanted.

What Bernardino was looking for was the “Rebirth Skill”.

That’s so ridiculous. Annan almost burst out laughing.

Bernardino’s way of fighting was to cause trouble for his enemies by teasing and escaping death. As he approached the end of his lifespan, he was not thinking about facing the inevitable death but about how to escape this destiny.

What an irony.

Is this Bell Ringer Oik’s pope?

I suggest you change your faith to the Venerated Skeleton.

That’s hilarious.

Annan raised the corner of his mouth and looked at the old man.

“Just say what you want.” Annan said calmly in an unquestioning tone, “As long as the price is right, we can negotiate.”

Hearing this, the old man took a deep breath.

His face covered with bandages stopped the onlookers from making out his expression. However, it seemed like he had relaxed and understood something.

“So that is the case. Did you invent the ritual yourself?”

“That’s right. It’s me.” Annan replied calmly, “But I have resurrected and lost my previous memory. If you ask me how to perform the ritual, I won’t be able to answer you.”

It’s better to proclaim that I did use some kind of ritual for resurrection.

In the face of Annan’s answer, Bernardino did not give up.

He just asked, “I heard that resurrection is passed down across generations of Motherly Moth’s pope. They won’t have their previous memory, but they retain the soul.

“Are you using the ritual in this realm? Can the divine art in the ‘moth’ realm resuscitate your soul?”

As expected. Hearing Bernardino’s question, Annan confirmed his speculation.

Bernardino must have burned his soul to the end.

He refined the elements to the extreme and planned to sublimate his soul. However, he did not have a suitable Book of Truth.

Is he looking for a way to escape death and prolong his lifespan? Is he planning to snatch the Book of Truth so that he can be reborn?

“I don’t know. But according to your description, it should be like this. But what I have forgotten is the corresponding knowledge aside from the relevant memory.”

“This should be the divine art in the ‘moth’ realm.”

Bernardino breathed a sigh of relief, “Thank you very much, Your Excellency Duke.”

Annan pressed on, “Speaking of which, what if I killed you?”

Hearing this, Bernardino hesitated for a moment.

The face under the bandage was silent for a while, but he still answered, “As a reward, I will answer your question.

“I have a curse that has been strengthened to the limit and engraved with an inscription. Anyone who has killed me will be afflicted with the ‘Soul Withering Curse’. When you sleep, your memory and knowledge will flow to me. This is one of the reasons why I’m strong.”

“Oh?” Annan raised his eyebrows when he heard those words.

“Then, may I ask from whom did you learn of my existence?”

“That’s another question, Your Excellency.” Bernardino smiled. His voice was getting softer, and his head slowly lowered.

He was finally drained of his life by his ghosts.