'This guy...' Flora remained expressionless, the corners of her mouth trying to break into a smile, but she held them steady with iron will.
This was made more difficult by the archbishop's face, which had twisted for a moment.
Regaining his previous calm and composure, Thaddeus closed his book. All his attention was now on the redhead who had returned to his true appearance.
"...Would you mind elaborating?" The archbishop inquired, his eyes narrowed.
"I'd love to, but there's a problem..." Tapping his cheek twice in boredom, Adryan closed one eye and said wearily, "It might attract attention."
He didn't explain further. It wasn't necessary.
The message was understood immediately.
The book on the older man's lap disappeared, returning to its place on the bookshelf. Rising from his seat, Thaddeus placed his hands behind his back, his eyes deep.
"Follow me."
He did not wait for a response. He had not even finished speaking when shadows rose and covered the chairs where they had been sitting.
Everything lost its color, the scene changing so quickly that it almost seemed like a blink of an eye. From one moment to the next, they went from sitting in the boss's office to returning to the hallways on the ground floor.
'Huh, so this is what it feels like without the rap?' The redhead found the sensation of moving through the shadows incomplete, even uncomfortable.
"The basement is where we keep the most dangerous artifacts. It's designed to prevent glimpses and movement through the spiritual and astral worlds. The most dangerous artifacts are also a form of concealment. It's the most suitable place to talk," Thaddeus explained without looking back, already moving forward.
"I assume that also includes shadow movement," Adryan asked, already knowing the answer.
"Of course," Thaddeus nodded.
Their greatest enemy was capable of moving among shadows; they couldn't leave such an obvious weakness exposed.
Tap... tap...
The temple corridors were busy. Multiple shepherds and nuns were passing by, carrying books, blankets, or other essential items needed in other parts of the temple.
It was completely different from the first time they arrived in Azshara, where everything was empty and not a single soul could be heard anywhere.
'Of course, this time I came by surprise. That time I came incognito.' Adryan just smiled, silently following the archbishop as he looked around.
Curiously, even with what could be considered their boss walking beside them, none of those present acknowledged him, as if he wasn't there.
'Psychological Invisibility, huh?' The Reaper was not impressed by that.
He had already seen the knee-head imitate other Spectator Pathway abilities, so what was one more?
Even more so, the one he considered the third most important ability of that path. How could he not have it in his library?
Psychological Invisibility. With the control over their target's Body of Heart and Mind that Spectators gain in Sequence 6 - Hypnotist, they could remain in the blind spot of one's consciousness, achieving 'invisibility'.
One of these guys could be sitting across from you, drinking a cup of tea without you knowing anything. You could be walking through the park to relax your mind, and they would be by your side, accompanying you, and you wouldn't even notice.
Repeating the Emperor's words. Beware the spectator!
'The Reader Pathway has nothing to envy the rest of the quintet. They may not be as destructive or dangerous as Shepherd or Sailor, nor as purifying as Bard, nor as discreet as Spectator. Still, the variety they can achieve is only matched by the Apprentice Pathway, and that is what makes them dangerous...'
In Sequence 6 Polymath, the beyonders of the Reader Pathway became 'Copycats'. With sufficient knowledge and understanding of an ability or power, they were able to imitate it. Like the Scribe of the Apprentice Pathway, although unlike them, the Polymaths had no limit on the number of times they could use the 'imitated' ability.
Adryan was even sure that their imitation of abilities and powers was better than a Scribe's; the only problem was that it took time and was more annoying.
'Easy and fast, or hard and complicated. Which is better? The eternal dilemma, hehe.' Shaking his head amusedly, Adryan smiled.
Honestly, he always preferred the latter. It was much more enjoyable once achieved.
With that in mind, he glanced sideways at his companion, who, as always, walked serenely without caring about anything.
Flora turned her head slightly and looked back at him. Her brow was furrowed somewhat, and deep suspicion was in her gray eyes.
The corners of the Reaper's lips trembled a little.
'Don't look at me like that, I haven't done anything yet!' Although he complained, Adryan was both bitter and pleased.
The woman's senses were undoubtedly sharp; she knew they had come for something more than to warn the church.
'You don't become a demigod just by being lucky after all... Monsters don't count.' Now more pleased, the redhead winked at his worm, whose frown became a little more evident.
Sighing silently, the white-haired woman turned her attention back to the front.
'Just try not to kill us, princess.'
As they made their way through the corridors, the number of people they passed decreased until soon, it was just them.
These corridors, which were no different from the others they had already passed through, felt different. Familiar, even. It was the path they had taken once they had arrived in Lenburg.
After a short while, Thaddeus finally stopped. Before him stood a massive, ancient door.
Ancient was the best way to describe it. Its black color and iron details contrasted sharply with the white of the place. Its entire body was covered with multiple, intricate symbols full of mysticism.
The archbishop in charge of the temple stood in front of this door that did not seem to belong to this place, and closing his eyes, he murmured in Jotun.
"Liberation"
Creeek... Fushh...
The black wood creaked, slowly opening as the symbols on its surface glowed and changed, spinning in their centers like gears of an ancient machine that had seen better days.
A great darkness greeted them when the door opened completely. But this was soon dispelled by a lamp lighting up on either side.
Unlike the white marble on this side of the door, the marble beyond it was an old gray. Cracked and clearly has seen better days. In the distance, the hallway split in two, and in the middle of this division was a simple black wooden door.
The air was heavy. The fire from the lamps danced ominously in their glass prisons, also affected by this change.
"Stay close. The first level is safe, but it's better to stay in a group."
Thaddeus again did not look back. He just moved forward, crossing the gloomy threshold with experienced steps.
"You don't have to repeat yourself," Adryan sighed a little, stepping forward.
A feeling of resistance greeted him, a kind of invisible barrier that disappeared with his second step.
'A separate space...' Taking a deep breath, the redhead moved forward.
The older man didn't walk far. Once they reached the end of the gray hallway, he opened the wooden door and crossed it as well.
The smell of coffee and cookies filled his nose again. The room they entered was similar to the egghead's, with shelves as walls and the symbol of the Church hanging on the wall. The most obvious difference was the stone floor and the lack of windows.
At that moment, the egghead turned around. His expression was flat, yet serious, a quality that only someone his age could convey.
"At this point, we are hidden. You may make yourselves comfortable if you like."
"How kind of you." Adryan did not protest, taking one of the empty chairs for himself.
With everyone seated, it was time to talk.
Archbishop Thadeus looked at the red-haired man in front of him. His yellow, slanted eyes were a beautiful gold that could see through any lie.
"What kind of terrorist attack?"
"One that could level the entire city." The redhead placed his knuckles against his cheek as he crossed his legs.
With ruby eyes shining boredly, he continued, "Did you know that the Demoness Sect is focusing its forces here?"
If the information revealed surprised him, Thaddeus didn't show it. He just nodded.
"There have been some sightings of possible witch activity in western Azshara."
"Ha. If they were seen, it's because they want to be." Snorting ungraciously, the reaper shook his head.
With the kind of support the witches had, if they were seen, it wasn't because of their ineptitude.
They were planning something with it.
Thaddeus's brow moved very slightly inward: "Elaborate on that, Mr. Kenway—"
Uninterested, Adryan cut the man off. "You know that the Church of the Evernight Goddess recently lost a grade 0 artifact, right?"
The air in the room grew a little heavier.
Slowly, very slowly, Flora's gray gaze settled on the princess. Her mouth was slightly open, stunned.
Recovering immediately, a sigh escaped her. 'So that's why he didn't want anyone to talk or allude to the subject.
"How do you know— " Shaking his head, Thaddeus narrowed his eyes, regaining his composure.
"How much do you know about it?" he inquired.
Information about the loss of a Grade 0 artifact had only been distributed to orthodox churches. The most dangerous details had been censored for protection.
While the report that the Demoness Sect was preparing a possible terrorist attack against Azshara was alarming, he couldn't jump to conclusions just because it came from the guy in front of him. He needed more information.
The redhead's expression did not change in response; instead of answering, he asked a short question.
"Are you sure this place is protected from prying eyes?"
Thaddeus took a few seconds to respond. Suddenly feeling on the edge of a knife
"...It is protected. We could go deeper into the lower levels, but the protection would not increase."
The reaper nodded casually, opening his mouth.
"Stolen by the Traitor Archbishop Ince Zangwill. Grade 0 artifact, code 0-08. Real name: Quill of Azhulhod. Made from the characteristics of an Author of Sequence 1 with the ability to create stories through coincidences—"
His words stopped abruptly, his vision blurring. Blinking, Adryan noticed how the archbishop was now holding his nose.
His reptilian eyes glowed with great annoyance.
"Mr. Kenway, you really need more tact."
"Not that it was safe?"
A very slight grunt was heard.
"That's no reason to test it."
Innocently, Adryan tilted his head to the right. "Don't tell me you've never hit someone with a sheathed sword?"
In the orphanage, it was common for the little ones to fight each other, their favorite weapons being sticks and sheathed swords. Although the latter were only given to older children.
"..."
The archbishop slowly looked up, his now human eyes showing a hint of confusion.
"Hehe." Laughing at that expression, the redhead shook his head.
Pleased, he looked to his side and nodded, "Hypothesis confirmed, Miss Worm."
"It seems so, Princess." Flora returned the nod serenely.
Her gray eyes looked with slight interest at the demigod, who suddenly had a blank expression on his face.
The position of the chairs, the coffee, and the cookies. As well as the sudden equality in the conversations and the fact that he had followed up on the princess's previous advice...
The corners of her lips curved upward; she finally understood what her companion wanted to achieve, at least in part.
With a slight smile, Flora asked;
"Mr Thaddeus, does it bother you that you have to treat the Princess with respect because his rank is higher than yours?"
For a brief moment that almost seemed like an illusion, Thaddeus's face broke into a grimace. One that wrinkled his nose and crinkled his eyes, pure contempt.
Regaining his composure, he closed his eyes and replied wisely. "It's only natural. Showing a little respect is the most appropriate thing to do. After all..."
The archbishop of the Temple opened his eyes slightly, unimpressed. "Mr Kenway is the blessed one of a hidden existence."
"Oh, it seems I hit the nail on the head~" The corners of the woman's lips curved a little more as she took a bite of a strawberry.
Blinking, the redhead raised an eyebrow. Nowhere had he been had he smelled a strawberry; she must have grabbed it when she 'returned' the pot to the kitchen.
"You really love strawberries, huh?"
"They're my favorite," Flora looked at him sideways, swallowing what was left of the red fruit, "but recently I've been developing a taste for melon."
"Hehe. I thought you always liked melons."
"Don't start, princess. We're in a church."
"Oh? Shall I stop then?"
"No, this is fun. Look at his face."
Two pairs of eyes, gray and red, moved and focused on the manager of the place. Thaddeus had his eyes closed, his lips pressed together with some force.
This was a sacred place, and yet...
Lifting his head, his stern gaze returned to the duo in front of him.
"Is this some kind of joke, Mr Kenway?"
Waving his hand dismissively, Adryan grabbed one of the cookies on the table and took a bite, pausing and focusing his attention on the sweet treat in his left hand. "Oh? These are pretty good! Did you make them?"
They were almost as good as the ones at Opera.
Thaddeus looked at him silently, really analyzing his face for deception or trickery. After five seconds, he finally spoke.
"We pride ourselves on the skill of our cooks."
Not wanting to play any more games or tarnish the sanctity of this temple, the Archbishop pressed on with the topic at hand.
"Again, Mr Kenway. What makes you so sure that the Demoness Sect is looking to attack Azshara? What conclusive evidence do you have aside from high-level intelligence?"
"I have nothing," Adryan shrugged, completely honest.
"...Excuse me?"
"Everything I told you is just my assumptions and possible theories. I have no irrefutable proof that what I'm saying is actually happening." Laughing softly, Adryan continued.
"The core of what I've told you basically comes from a revelation of the fate of a mad monster. Ha. It's not even appropriate to call him a monster; he was only half one!"
"The boy Ademisaul, one of your new protégés, isn't he?" Thaddeus showed no reaction, but his voice had become somewhat deeper.
"He's quite the machine now. Don't they grow so fast?" Joking a little, Adryan continued calmly.
"When he was still in the Loen Kingdom, he said he had received a revelation about what was coming. He saw the sky turn red on a snowy day, meteorites falling like little stars and disappearing into the mountains. The next moment, he saw a city destroyed, ravaged by calamity. A mountain of bodies in front of him, some with burns and others with blisters and spots on their skin. In the end, women's laughter drowned out the horror he saw..."
Unable to contain himself, a giggle escaped him. The redhead covered his mouth with his right hand, calming himself as best he could.
Tilting his head slightly to the left, he added temptingly with shining eyes, "A very big revelation for someone crazy and only half a monster... It's very strange, don't you think?"
'There it is...' Flora remained calm, her hands on her lap; she hid how one of them trembled.
This exact moment was what she wanted to get at, a direct signpost to the biggest problem with this supposed 'report'.
How had a child who was not only not a full Beyonder, but was insane and barely aware of his actions, received such a specific revelation of fate?
Even if he was part of the path most sensitive to fate, as the Monster was, even if he was only half of one, a revelation of such a level was impossible.
For a novice, all this talk of the 'report' would be a waste of time. A waste of their day for a simple delusion of a madman that they would take as a sign that he was in the process of losing control.
However, for experienced beyonders, they would notice a significant problem with what they had said. Much easier for a demigod of the Reader Pathway.
A revelation like that. One involving Grade 0 Artifacts, evil organizations, and hidden existences... It could only happen with the external influence of a higher sequence Beyonder!
And considering that the revelation partly included the actions of an evil organization with the support of a True God of Sequence 0, then the outside influence had to be at least an angel!
All these details between the lines were the only way an archbishop would take what they were saying seriously.
Thaddeus von Hohenberg had at some point begun to stroke his long beard, his eyes stirring with complicated emotions, but the one that stood out the most was concern.
Neither of them said anything, letting the old man lead the conversation this time.
After 20 seconds, the man's hand stopped. His brow furrowed considerably. A sigh escaped his lips, and with it, the room became a little heavier. A whisper followed shortly after.
"Ouroboros..."
Flora frowned slightly at that name. It sounded... familiar? She was sure she had heard it somewhere before.
Digging a little deeper into her memory, a chill ran down her spine.
'That's one of the names of those who supported the Solomon Empire in the Fourth Epoch! Is such an ancient existence responsible for the robot boy's vision?
The most powerful empire in the Fourth Epoch, the Solomon Empire. The Zoroast and Abraham families had been the prominent supporters alongside the Zaratul Family, all three with Dukes. Apart from them, they had the support of the Medici family and a lone angel, Ouroboros... And that was all she knew.
Sighing internally, the Jacob lamented again. 'I really should have read more about the predecessors of the Tudor Empire...'
At the next meeting of the Hermits of Fate, she would take a few books from the castle...
Adryan smiled at the Archbishop, a smile that, while simple, had a hint of mischief in it. "Now do you understand what I'm saying?"
This time, Thaddeus didn't take a single second to respond. The reptilian eyes were back, and the shadows seemed to have become a little deeper.
"Why would someone like Him do that? What does the Aurora Order gain by warning you about it? Us too?"
"There are several reasons, but I can only think of one at the moment..." Laughing a little, Adryan said:
"They don't want the Demoness Sect, and therefore the Primordial Demoness, to get that."
The flames of the lamps flickered crimson. The air grew hot, and the redhead's eyes glowed like rubies.
Thaddeus tensed, a hint of disbelief escaping his voice: "You even know about that?"
"How could I not?" A red eyebrow rose amusedly along with a chuckle.
"After all, 0-01 is something of great interest to my Lord as well~"