Chapter 190

Chapter 190: Background

“Huh… Why am I fine…”

Hearing this question, Nephnis was slightly taken aback. After a moment of hesitation, she replied.

“Regarding this issue, I also found it strange at first. I clearly read at least two books, but I didn’t feel any obvious abnormalities. Or rather, it might be because I didn’t sense any abnormalities that I felt the others who had read the books were becoming increasingly abnormal.”

“At first, I thought there was something special about me, so I wasn’t affected by those books. But later, I realized I was wrong. I’m not special. The reason I’m not affected by the books is because something is protecting me.”

Nephnis said this, and hearing her words, Dorothy frowned slightly and controlled Brandon to ask.

“Something is protecting you?”

“That’s right…”

As she spoke, Nephnis began rummaging in her pocket. After a while, she pulled out a small handkerchief. She placed it on the table and opened it, revealing a pile of gold jewelry fragments, mainly broken fine gold chains and shattered pendants.

“This is my family heirloom necklace. It was originally worn all the time, but it suddenly shattered into pieces just before I finished reading the second book. When I read the final content of the second book, I felt a clear sense of abnormality. So, I believe it must be this necklace that protected me from being contaminated by those books.”

Nephnis stated directly. Hearing her words, Dorothy became curious and carefully examined the gold jewelry fragments on the handkerchief using Brandon’s perspective.

The broken chain wasn’t worth much attention; the key part was the shattered pendant. Although it was broken, it only split into two large pieces, making it easy to reconstruct its original appearance. This seemed to have been an abstract, eagle-headed pendant.

“You say this is your family heirloom necklace, Miss Boyle. Could your ancestors have had something special?” Brandon asked Nephnis, and she thought for a moment before answering.

“Special points… There are indeed some. According to my father, my grandfather used to be a tomb robber. He was born in Prit and lived a wandering life, eventually ending up in Northern Ufeiga. He amassed wealth by plundering artifacts there. After accumulating enough wealth, he returned to his hometown in Prit and settled in Tivyán, using the money from tomb robbing as investments, leaving behind a substantial inheritance for my father.

“It is said that my grandmother was someone my grandfather found in Northern Ufeiga. My appearance and skin color differ somewhat from typical Prit people because of her bloodline. My name also comes from my grandmother, which is different from most Prit people.”

Nephnis finished speaking. Dorothy was slightly stunned and then spoke through Brandon.

“If I remember correctly, you mentioned that you studied archaeology? Your grandfather was a tomb robber, and you went to university to study archaeology?”

“Yes, my family still has many artifacts my grandfather dug up in Northern Ufeiga. I’ve always been very interested in these artifacts since childhood, wanting to know more about their stories, so I chose archaeology when I went to university. My grandfather caused many artifacts to be damaged and lost, and I hope to make up for that someday.

“I think this necklace might also be a magical item my grandfather found in Northern Ufeiga, which is why it could protect me.”

Nephnis answered seriously. Hearing her words, Dorothy couldn’t help but think to herself.

‘Wow, what a coincidence, a grandfather who robbed tombs and a granddaughter studying archaeology. Both are skilled professions…’

Afterward, Dorothy recalled information about Ufeiga.

Ufeiga, also known as the Southern Continent, is located south of the Main Continent, separated by the Windstorm Sea. Ufeiga is primarily divided into northern and southern parts, with Northern Ufeiga also called the Hot Sand Continent, a vast expanse of endless desert with scarce water and hot climate. Only a few river-fed oases can sustain human habitation.

It is said that many ancient civilization ruins exist in the vast desert of Northern Ufeiga, attracting countless tomb robbers. Many experts have concluded that a powerful empire once existed here and was destroyed.

Currently, both Ufeiga and the Western New World are being colonized by the powers of the Main Continent, including Prit.

‘It seems that this necklace was stolen by Nephnis’s grandfather from an ancient tomb in Northern Ufeiga, possessing the ability to defend against poison recognition. That’s why Nephnis wasn’t affected, but the protection provided by the necklace was limited, or perhaps the spiritual energy within it was insufficient. After resisting two books’ worth of poison recognition, the necklace shattered.’

‘That thistle, clearly belongs to a society called the Eight Pinnacle Nest. They control students to form the Secret Knowledge Society to facilitate their actions in the school, searching for something. This thing they are looking for is likely hidden among the ruins in the school.’

‘But isn’t it said that the Star Number Repair Association’s ruins have already been thoroughly looted by several societies, leaving nothing behind? What are these people doing here? Could they have a way to find new things?’

Dorothy summarized her thoughts internally, and after summarizing, she now had a good understanding of the situation in the school and Nephnis’s circumstances. She decided to start investigating the so-called Eight Pinnacle Nest society.

“Miss Boyle, where would the thistle usually appear?” Brandon asked Nephnis, and she immediately responded.

“The thistle rarely shows itself directly nowadays. After establishing our ranks, senior students generally manage us juniors. Now, he usually uses other senior students to manage us. The more of his books one reads, the more trust one gains and becomes a senior.

“However, he occasionally appears at our gathering places, and we can still see him sometimes.”

Nephnis replied. After hearing her words, Brandon nodded.

“Is that so? Then, Miss Boyle, you should still be able to safely go to the gathering place.”

“The two thistles you killed earlier should not have exposed my abnormality. I usually act as if I am under the influence of the books. Currently, I can freely go to the gathering place, and they still consider me controlled.”

Nephnis responded. After hearing her words, Brandon thought for a moment and spoke again.

“Indeed… From what you said, it seems the Eight Pinnacle Nest is seeking something hidden in the school. To be honest… Our society’s target is also hidden in the school. Perhaps we are looking for the same thing, putting us in a competitive relationship…

“Therefore, Miss Boyle, we can help you fight against the Eight Pinnacle Nest and help liberate your classmates. You will need to cooperate with our actions.”

Brandon said seriously to Nephnis. Hearing his words, Nephnis’s eyes lit up, and she quickly nodded.

“Yes! I am very grateful for your help. As long as everyone can be freed from the thistle’s control, I will do everything in my power to cooperate with you.”

Hearing that this mysterious society was willing to help her, Nephnis felt a surge of excitement. Although she had resolved to fight against the thistle and the Eight Pinnacle Nest, the disparity in strength was too great. They were a secret society composed of extraordinary beings, while she was merely a common mysticism enthusiast, not even an extraordinary being. How could she fight? Nephnis had once felt utterly hopeless.

Now, however, another secret society had intervened and clearly expressed their willingness to help her. Nephnis had witnessed the capabilities of this society; they had many members and even guns. Moreover, the one leading them, Brandon, seemed to possess the extraordinary ability to revive the dead. They directly eliminated two of the thistle’s subordinates, one of whom was an extraordinary being.

Nephnis could sense that this mysterious society represented by Brandon seemed extremely powerful. With such a society backing her, Nephnis’s confidence in fighting against the thistle increased significantly. Immediately, she asked proactively.

“So, what can I do to assist you now?”

After hearing Nephnis’s words, Dorothy pondered for a moment and then had Brandon speak.

“Tomorrow, find an opportunity and go to the usual meeting place.”