Lynn, upon returning to the dungeon, remained curious about his surroundings.
As he glanced at the containment rooms lining both sides of the walkway, he spoke to Miss Milani, who was walking ahead of him, "I've always wondered about something."
"How are the contained objects here eventually brought back to the Imperial Capital?"
After all, this seemed like a stronghold, but as far as he knew, Augusta Manor only pledged loyalty to Ivyst after her arrival in Orn City.
And he had no idea how this containment room had been built in such a short amount of time.
"Don't worry," Milani replied with a light smile upon hearing his question, "because this 'dungeon' itself is already a Sealed Object."
"In a few days, we'll be returning to the Imperial Capital, and then you will see for yourself."
She left him in suspense.
Just then, from one of the containment rooms beside Lynn, came a sudden, heart-wrenching scream.
The scream startled him, and he instinctively looked towards Milani, only to find her expression quite calm.
"This is Sealed Object '3-0098', known as the Torture Chair," Milani said without stopping, "It is generally used for interrogating prisoners. Anyone who sits on it suffers endless pain and torment."
"Many people have gone completely mad after just two or three seconds on it."
"If you misbehave in the future, the Princess might let you try it out."
Milani implied teasingly.
But thinking about it more, it might actually pair well with his own Thorny Crown. If they could be combined... Damn, he wasn't masochistic, why was he even seriously considering this!
Lynn pinched himself surreptitiously.
Being a self-serving person, he would never use the Thorny Crown for someone else in his lifetime.
After all, the pain was real.
Just as Lynn was about to catch up with Milani, a fit of maniacal laughter suddenly erupted from the cell containing the Torture Chair.
"You fools have enraged the great Creation Goddess, awakening Her wrath... Ignorant humans, soon, not too far in the future, She will descend with infinite malice, and both this city and the entire Saint Laurent Empire will face Her fury, everything will be submerged in the swamp of death, filled with shrill and helpless screams... Hahaha!!!"
But the boasting lasted barely a second before turning back into heart-wrenching screams.
Lynn shook his head and followed her.
Soon after, under Milani's lead, the two stopped in front of a small containment room.
Milani opened the door for him.
Seeing this, a thrill surged faintly in Lynn's heart.
First Rank Sealed Object, according to Milani, even Ivyst had only this one item in her possession.
After all, the next level up was Zero Rank, the kind of strategic Sealed Objects that could easily cause bloodshed in a country.
If not controlled, it could eventually drag the entire world into its terrifying properties and rules.
Even the gods would not underestimate an object of this rank.
In fact, many were created by them and gifted to believers.
At that moment, looking at the somewhat dusty containment room, Lynn saw a pristine card lying on a distant table.
The card was the size of a palm, somewhat like a playing card, but without numbers or suits.
Just then, Milani began to clarify for him on time.
"This is Sealed Object '1-0106', known as Pine's Playing Card," she gestured for Lynn to enter, "Strictly speaking, this is actually just one card from a deck."
"Yet even so, it's still deserving of the First Rank Sealed Object title."
"So powerful for just one card? If someone collected all 54 cards, wouldn't that amount to a Zero Rank Sealed Object?"
Milani nodded, "You're correct. According to legend, hidden within this deck of cards is a path to godhood."
"Once someone collects them all, they can ascend to become a brand new deity."
"Of course, this is just a legend and no one has really been able to verify its veracity."
"This Sealed Object has been circulating in the world for over a thousand years, and to this day, no one has managed to collect even a single suit."
"Of course, even excluding the magical implications, the Sealed Object itself is extremely powerful," she explained, "A complete deck has 54 cards, each with a different effect."
"Some can transform into powerful Extraordinary Weapons, some grant terrifying abilities, and others even allow you easy communication with the gods, becoming their messenger."
"But, what kind of suit you end up with ultimately relies on luck."
"That's right, or rather, it depends on your compatibility with the cards," Milani nodded, "Generally, the higher the value of the card you draw, the greater the enhancement it offers you."
"You can pick up that blank card, establish a connection with it using the Divine-given factor inside you, and then the corresponding card face will appear on it."
Upon hearing this, Lynn nodded.
Under her watchful eyes, he slowly approached the card.
At this moment, he was still wearing Milani's necklace, which was supposed to enhance his luck.
He hoped to draw a high-value card.
Thinking this, Lynn took a deep breath and then picked up the thin card from the table.
As soon as he touched the card, he felt its very smooth texture, much like an ordinary playing card.
Just as he was about to activate the Divine-given factor,
He wasn't sure if it was an illusion or not, but Lynn suddenly heard an almost imperceptible voice by his ear.
"Master... Master? Is it you?"
His movement hesitated for a moment, thinking he had experienced auditory hallucinations.
But the next second, that voice resurfaced by his ear.
"From you, I smell a hint of 'Prisoner of Destiny'; I…"
"Sorry... I'm in a bad state right now, I might pass out any moment, so please activate this card quickly…"
"This is the last help I can offer you..."
Was the card speaking??
A wave of shock surged through Lynn's heart.
He subtly turned his head to glance at Milani, but he found her expression extremely calm, evidently not hearing the same voice as him.
From her previous descriptions, it could be inferred that other cardholders probably wouldn't hear a similar voice.
And also... Prisoner of Destiny?
This was the third time Lynn heard this term within a month in Orn City.
The first time was when he first activated Lie Swallowing and encountered that strangely formidable presence.
The second time was something the Deadly Demon Doll had said to him.
As for the third time, it was right now.
It seemed he had an intricate connection with a deity not mentioned in the original work.
This was not a good sign.
Lynn's expression grew solemn.
However, the next second, he still subtly triggered the Divine-given factor within his body, and with an angle invisible to Milani, made a red glow emanate from his fingertips.
Accompanied by an imperceptible wave of extraordinary power, numbers and patterns slowly emerged on the previously blank surface of the card.
Looking at the design, Lynn fell into silence.
"So, what number and suit did you draw?"
Curious, Milani tiptoed trying to peek at the card face in his hand.
Hearing this, Lynn silently turned around, displaying the card face.
Looking at the pattern and text, Milani froze for a few seconds, then a thick disappointment appeared in her eyes: "A two of spades? I didn't expect it to be the smallest card, what a pity."
She shook her head, regretting the lost opportunity for Lynn.
Did you see a two of spades?
Struck by Milani's words, Lynn was taken aback, a hint of incredulity appearing in his eyes.
He rubbed his eyes and looked down again.
What entered his sight was still an image of a crying joker.
But what I see here is clearly a joker?
With intense confusion, Lynn deeply furrowed his brow.
He wanted to voice his question.
But after pondering for a moment, Lynn ultimately chose to remain silent.
If it really was a joker card, then according to Milani's words, it would undoubtedly be a very powerful weapon.
Keeping it hidden could benefit him far more than anything exposure could bring.
After all, Lynn had long decided to become an expert at surviving.
The more hidden trump cards he held, the more likely he would be to escape from Ivyst's side and the higher his chances of future revenge.
With these thoughts, Lynn swallowed back the words on the tip of his tongue.
"Let's try it, see what kind of weapon this card can materialize into, or what extraordinary ability it could grant you."
Seeing him , Milani thought he was in a bad mood and thus comforted him.
A minute later, his expression suddenly went stiff.
"Too few Divine-given factors, unable to trigger..."
After bidding farewell to Milani, Lynn left the basement.
He walked heavily through Augusta Manor, allowing the maids to greet him without bothering to respond.
Just now, while trying to activate the joker card, he got no response.
Even though his Divine-given factors had reached the limit of the First Rank, both in quantity and quality, Lynn didn't think anyone could compare to him at the moment except the pile-driving male protagonist of the original work.
Could it be that he had to wait till Second or Third Rank to use it?
He couldn't help but sigh.
But now wasn't the time to think about these things.
What lay ahead was the most important matter.
Complete the trial of the Doomsday Witch, and please Ivyst at this current timepoint.
This trial was actually quite pressing.
After all, according to the Witch's words, he must leave a precious memory for her before Ivyst goes to complete that temporary task.
Only by doing so could he invoke her only soft-hearted opportunity in this life, arranging his early return to the Imperial Capital.
Which meant, at most, he only had one day left.
This may also be Lynn's closest approach to freedom.
Once back in the Imperial Capital, he could use the time Ivyst was away on a mission, both to remove the thorny brand she left on his chest and, using his prophetic knowledge of the plot, cling onto a few thick and strong legs.
As for pleasing her...
Remembering his first meeting with the Witch, where she sat reading quietly on the steps holding a book, Lynn shook his head.
Telling me to come up with a way myself, it seems everything was hinted at prematurely.
The Witch really is quite tsundere.
Thinking this, Lynn arrived at Princess Ivyst's library door, then took a deep breath and forcefully pushed open the door.
"Please go on a date with me, Miss Ivyst!"