Alaric wasn't truly concerned with the Church of the Evernight's stance but rather the attitude of the Evernight Goddess behind it. His recent appearance as Lucifer was, in part, a deliberate test to gauge the Goddess's reaction to him.
After all, while he wasn't sure if other orthodox gods had noticed him, Alaric doubted the Evernight Goddess would overlook a sudden new player in the grand chess game. She was likely observing him silently, much like a certain Adam who blended into the air.
"Though I can probably guess her stance…" Alaric smiled, picking up an ancient tome from the table to resume his interrupted studies. Before being pulled into the Tarot Club, he'd been immersed in his daily occult learning.
He was always diligent in this regard.
When his studies concluded, dusk had settled outside. Alaric tidied the desk, grabbed dinner at a nearby restaurant, and changed into a disguise at another safehouse before using his travel ability to arrive in Backlund.
His destination was none other than the Bravehearts Bar. Through Mr. A's intelligence, he'd confirmed a key development: the Rose School of Thought's internal strife had erupted.
The Temperance faction, led by Reinette Tinekerr... had been defeated by the Indulgence faction, backed by the Mother Tree of Desire. Reinette was presumed dead, likely surviving only as a spirit world entity, while the rest of the Temperance faction faced purge. Sharon, Reinette's student, was suspected to have fled to Backlund.
Mr. A hadn't uncovered specifics about Sharon, but Alaric had been monitoring the Bravehearts Bar. Two days ago, he noticed a new card-playing patron whose appearance matched Maric's description from the original story.
Navigating the bar with ease, Alaric scanned the crowd and quickly zeroed in on a man at a counter, wearing a white shirt and black vest. His pale face, youthful yet in his late twenties, carried a subtle mix of madness and danger, though he was clearly restraining himself.
This was unmistakably Sharon's partner, Maric, half of the "Sha-Maric" duo.
If Maric was here, Sharon was likely nearby, probably lurking as a wraith.
Perhaps because Alaric's gaze was too blatant... he hadn't bothered to hide it... Maric, sipping his drink, looked up. His expression froze, then shifted to wariness.
Alaric's current attire didn't scream "bar patron." So staring so openly at Maric naturally put him on edge.
"Relax, actor. I'm not here to cause trouble. I just have a favor to ask." Alaric said, his form flickering as he appeared before Maric, gently pressing a hand on his shoulder.
Maric, about to retreat, froze as if bound by a spell. Alaric glanced toward Sharon's location... her wraith's physical invisibility worked well against others, but to a Ferryman, it was less effective.
To be safe, Alaric had borrowed Mr. Azik's power before entering the Bravehearts Bar.
"Sir, I trust you mean no harm. Could you release Maric?" Sharon materialized from the air, her expression tinged with tension. She could sense the danger radiating from the mysterious figure, who was at least a Saint.
"Of course. I only wanted to ensure this actor didn't act rashly... it wouldn't end well." Alaric said, withdrawing his hand from Maric's shoulder.
Maric stumbled back, moving awkwardly, clearly stunned.
Their interaction drew the attention of nearby patrons. Alaric smiled at the visibly cautious Sha-Maric duo. "This isn't the place for serious talk. Shall we move elsewhere?"
Sharon and Maric had no objections. They knew escape was futile against a suspected Saint at such close range, and their conscience wouldn't allow them to use the surrounding civilians as leverage against this mysterious man.
The trio soon left the bar, relocating to a deserted alley nearby.
"Sir, what exactly is your purpose?" Sharon asked directly.
"I wish to meet your teacher, Reinette Tinekerr, and invite Them to join an intriguing performance." Alaric said, smiling at Sharon unhurriedly.
Sharon froze, her expression dimming. "I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. My teacher… has fallen."
Maric's face echoed her sorrow. Reinette Tinekerr's fall was a devastating blow to the entire Temperance faction.
"But fate tells me Reinette Tinekerr hasn't fallen... They've merely transformed their state of existence. That doesn't prevent Them from joining my performance." Alaric said, his calm tone dropping a bombshell.
"What?" Sharon's face lit up with shock, her doll-like composure cracking. Joy and doubt flickered across her features. After a few seconds, she seemed to process it, looking at Alaric. "Even if what you say is true, I can't contact my teacher now."
"No matter. I don't need you to reach out. Though it may disappoint you, you two actors have no further roles in my performance... serving as key props is enough." Alaric said, speaking in terms Sharon and Maric couldn't fully grasp. He then reached into the air, pulling forth a figure.
The figure had four heads and wore an ornate court robe... none other than Sharon's teacher, the Temperance faction's pillar, the future messenger of Mr. Fool, Reinette Tinekerr.
Using Sharon as a medium, Alaric had summoned Reinette Tinekerr from one second prior.
"Teacher, you're really alive? Wait, how are you here?" Sharon exclaimed, her face a mix of joy and confusion, unable to comprehend Alaric's actions.
Even Reinette Tinekerr, the summoned, was bewildered. Glancing at Their student and then at Alaric, Their four heads spoke in turn:
"You…" "Who…" "Are you…" "What do you want?"
***
Every 100 Power Stones and 5 Reviews will earn you a Bonus Chapter.
And if you want to read up to 50 chapters ahead, don't hesitate to visit our patron: pat reon . com / XElenea (remove space)