Chapter 181: It Could Drive a Wolf Crazy!

Hidden gods?

Ayla’s wolf ears immediately perked straight up.

The so-called hidden gods.

They referred to those few deities concealed behind the radiance of the seven orthodox gods, lurking within the shadows of the world.

Most of them had done things during the Age of Gods that violated common sense, making them unsuitable to stand openly as orthodox gods receiving public worship.

Some of the more insane existences among them had even been directly classified as absolute taboos by the major churches.

‘Is Ryan finally going to reveal the core secrets of the Black Iron Directorate?’

Ayla immediately lowered her head, pretending to focus intently on dealing with the meat bone in her hands.

In reality, her two furry ears had already risen high, concentrating completely, afraid of missing even a single important word.

Even as a member of the Azure Moon royal family, she rarely had the opportunity to come into contact with this kind of hidden knowledge among humans.

Seeing the confusion flash through Lance’s eyes, Ryan smiled reassuringly.

“Don’t be nervous. I’m not talking about those evil gods that demand bloody sacrifices using living people.”

The veteran patiently explained.

“There exists a highly classified secret department within the kingdom.”

“All of the department’s core elites use the specific ritual of this hidden god when undergoing their class advancement.”

“According to over a century of military verification, Their ritual is absolutely safe and stable.”

“Because in a certain sense, this god can be considered half an officially recognized orthodox god.”

“If They’re a hidden god, how can They be related to an orthodox god?”

Lance genuinely became curious this time.

“Because Their identity is very special.”

Very few people in this world knew this secret. Only after continuous investigation did the Black Iron Directorate uncover it.

“They are the younger brother of the orthodox god who governs order, contracts, justice, and judgment—Justinian.”

“The hidden god, Chaos.”

“And the Authorities He governs are: rebellion, reversal, absurdity, and trickery.”

Hearing those strange Authority concepts, Lance appeared deeply surprised.

The younger brother of the God of Order actually governed rebellion and absurdity?

Such completely opposing Authorities naturally carried an overwhelming sense of fate.

However, as those words circled within Lance’s mind.

He suddenly felt that the words “rebellion” and “reversal” inexplicably matched his current situation perfectly.

If he wanted to shatter that false fate script that had already been arranged for him.

Wasn’t rebellion and reversal precisely the power he currently desired and needed the most?

“If I choose this Chaos…”

Lance raised his head and looked seriously at Ryan.

“Uncle Ryan, if I undergo class advancement through His ritual, what special benefits would there actually be?”

Since the Authority was rebellion.

Then the gifts bestowed by this god definitely would not be as orderly and conventional as those from gods representing order.

Facing Lance’s inquisitive gaze, Ryan opened his mouth as though intending to explain.

Yet he restrained himself and slowly closed it again.

Of course the veteran knew exactly what the hidden benefit was.

But he absolutely could not say it aloud.

Because the class advancement ritual of Chaos, this god filled with malicious humor, had a prerequisite condition.

Precisely because He governed absurdity and trickery.

The special privilege He bestowed absolutely could not be known beforehand by the recipient before it truly descended upon them.

The moment this secret was exposed ahead of time by anyone through words or writing.

That sense of surprise would be completely destroyed, and the god’s blessing would entirely lose its effect.

“I can’t tell you the exact benefit verbally.”

Ryan shook his head and gave an ambiguous answer.

“Only when you truly complete the class advancement will you personally experience that gift.”

“The only thing I can guarantee you is this.”

“He is more willing than those orthodox gods to bestow abundant blessings upon mortals.”

The living room fell silent once more.

Ayla sat opposite them, so anxious she nearly wanted to reach out her claws and scratch the tablecloth.

What kind of bullshit answer was that?

Stopping halfway through speaking was enough to drive a wolf crazy!

Lance weighed the pros and cons internally.

Since Uncle Ryan was so certain it would benefit him, then it was definitely worth gambling on!

Besides, the core of the class advancement ritual was not praying to gods for power, but resonating with the world.

Choosing a god was merely because they would grant blessings to adventurers embarking upon a Class Path during this stage.

Whether the person undergoing class advancement accepted those blessings or not could be entirely decided by themselves afterward.

Moreover, Lance firmly believed that this elder who treated him like family would absolutely never harm him over something like this.

“Alright!”

Lance nodded heavily.

“I choose Chaos.”

Hearing Lance’s answer, Ryan revealed a gratified smile.

Not only was this kid exceptionally gifted in cultivation.

That decisive courage to embrace the unknown was something he had been born with to become an adventurer.

“I know exactly what materials are needed for His class advancement ritual.”

Ryan picked up the wooden ladle again, happily scooping himself a large spoonful of meat soup.

“The materials are very simple. Nothing expensive is required.”

“For the next two days, you don’t need to worry about anything. Just adjust your spirit and body to their best condition.”

“Once everything is ready.”

The veteran’s eyes were filled with anticipation, wondering whether his old comrades in the Black Iron Directorate would be utterly shocked when the time came.

Especially around midsummer, when the batch of newcomers inside the Black Iron Directorate should also begin their class advancement rituals.

Chaos’s blessing carried preferences after all. Just like Zelos among the Twin Gods, He enjoyed mischief.

“When the time comes, we’ll begin the ritual!”

After dinner.

Ayla still refused to give up. She tried using several meat-covered bones to win over Little Black and Doubao, hoping to make the two puppies switch sides into her embrace.

She wanted to use this to viciously strike at that annoying Dragon-blooded.

Meanwhile, Lance sitting nearby paid no attention at all to such childish hostility.

Instead, he stared with great interest at the fluffy tail swaying left and right behind her, curious what kind of feeling it would have if he grabbed it.

……

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

Lance packed his belongings and boarded a public carriage headed for Birchwood Town.

As the carriage gradually departed from Graystone Town’s boundaries, the scenery outside the window began changing noticeably.

The dense forests lining both sides of the road disappeared, replaced by endless stretches of emerald-green wheat fields.

The slightly warm early summer wind swept across the vast plains, stirring wave-like golden ripples through the fields.

The air carried the fragrant scent of soil mixed with the fresh aroma of vegetation, making it incredibly refreshing.

Sitting inside the jolting carriage, Lance could even clearly see several village children running around naked beside a distant clear stream, laughing and playing without restraint.

Holding crude homemade fish spears in their hands, they joyfully chased fish through the cool stream water.

Looking at this vibrant picture full of life, Lance silently sighed inwardly.

Graystone Town’s prosperity had all been built upon adventure.

Inside the taverns there, people always discussed magical beasts, Underground Dungeons, and the destruction of some adventurer party.

But the surroundings near Birchwood Town instead overflowed with the atmosphere of ordinary life.

It was a grounded sense of peace and stability.

This seemed to be the first time since transmigrating into this world that Lance had truly left Graystone Town in the real sense.

He suddenly felt that this world might not be as dangerous as he had imagined. There were actually corners filled with tranquility and comfort.

According to the rough directions Toby had previously left behind.

Lance did not disembark in Birchwood Town’s bustling central district.

Instead, he got off early at a crossroads outside town and followed a dirt road covered with deep wheel ruts straight toward the nearby hills.

After walking for over half an hour.

A rather massive ranch entered Lance’s field of vision.

The ranch had been built against the mountain, situated before a gentle hill.

The entire area was enclosed by thick wooden stakes and sturdy wire fencing, forming an enormous pen. Inside, one could vaguely see massive Ironhide Boars leisurely rooting through the soil with their snouts.

Several buildings constructed from irregular stone blocks and thick wooden planks were scattered around the ranch’s outer areas.

Smoke drifted from the roof of the largest building, while the air carried a special aroma of meat mixed with the scent of fermented bean cakes.

Lance walked up to the wide wooden gate.

A dark-skinned burly man who had been repairing the wire fence with alchemical flux noticed this unfamiliar visitor.

“Hey, young man, who are you looking for here?”

The worker stopped what he was doing, wiped the sweat from his forehead with his shoulder, and loudly asked in Common Language with a thick rural accent.