The roads had turned muddy and brown from the constant rains that plagued Betyl. Though tonight there was no rainfall, the world was still wrapped in darkness, the moon serving as the only true source of light.
Along the quiet street, a lone car drove through the night. A few figures lingered outside — some leaning against hoods, others standing beneath the shadows of their hats.
Inside the taxi, Lumian pulled out a small mirror and checked his reflection. He adjusted his hair carefully before slipping the mirror back into his bag.
Amid the stillness, something caught his eye. It was two butterflies which rested on a nearby roof.
He quickly recalled what Mrs. Hathway told him about. Closing his eyes, he focused and began expelling his spirituality, directing his gaze toward the fragile creatures.
Pa! Pa!
His lips slowly curved upward in a smile. He turned his attention forward once more.
Not long after, the taxi slowed to a stop. "Greenland," the driver muttered.
Lumian paid him, and quickly stepped out. The wind was more heavier now, as the cloud had darkened further swallowing the moonlight. Even the echoes of the distant rumbling sounds seemed to be distorted.
He turned and walked briskly toward Number 55.
...
Inside Greenland, Number 55.
Elizabeth glanced down at her watch and let out a quiet sigh. She sat leisurely in a chair, one leg crossed over the other.
Suddenly, a knock came at the door.
Knock! Knock!
Elizabeth stood up, and quickly walked towards the door. As soon as she opened it, she was greeted by a "woman" with shoulder-length brown hair, dressed in a fitted black dress.
Lumian gave a small wave and forced his voice into a softer tone. "Good evening, madam."
He lowered his gaze slightly, glancing around before asking in a whispered voice. "May I ask… is this where the gathering is being held?"
Elizabeth looked at him for a brief moment. Where do you think this is? Didn't you receive the information? She mocked Inwardly.
Outwardly, however, she simply sighed.
"Yes. But Lady Aethera hasn't arrived yet."
She stepped aside and allowed him in before returning to her chair, tapping her fingers lightly against the table.
...
Lumian felt slightly awkward about the situation.
Being alone in a quiet room with a woman — especially under such circumstances — was unfamiliar territory for him.
He quickly cleared his mind and activated invigoration, steadying his thoughts and forcefully suppressing any… unnecessary reactions from his "little companion."
Calm. Focus. Mission... He repeated them as though he was reciting a mantra.
He stepped forward and took the seat opposite Elizabeth.
Outside, the wind began to howl. Thunder rolled across the sky, rumbling again and again as if something vast was shifting above the clouds.
After that, they was a brief silence for a while, until Elizabeth spoke. "What's your name?"
Lumian gave a small awkward smile before replying. "My name is… Rose Madison."
"Hmm. Rose Madison." She extended her hand. "Pleased to meet you. I'm Elizabeth Johan."
Lumian gave a soft chuckle and shook her hand carefully before withdrawing his own.
He moved his gaze to the open window by the right. Through it, he saw a figure moving in the darkness. Lumian felt his heart freeze at that point.
The shadow slowly approached the door, and opened it softly without knocking.
A figure stepped inside, dressed in a white shirt adorned with black designs and blue jeans. The face became clear under the dim light.
Lumian raised his brows slightly, as he recognized that face. It was Dorothy his childhood friend!
...
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Lumian felt his heartbeat quicken violently in his chest. He hadn't seen her for years, now seeing her in a place like this, made him shutter.
Elizabeth quickly stood and rushed forward to hug the newcomer.
"Good evening, Dora~"
Dorothy chuckled and gently pushed her away. "You told me to put my things away and now you're hugging me?" She paused, then smiled teasingly. "And the worst part? You called them dolls."
Elizabeth laughed lightly. "I just miss you. I've been busy these days."
"With what?" Dorothy intervened.
Elizabeth returned to her seat, brushing it off. "Nothing important."
Dorothy adjusted the strap of her bag and casually took the seat beside Lumian.
Lumian forced himself to remain calm.
"By the way," Dorothy asked, glancing at Elizabeth, "where's Lady Aethera?"
As soon as those words left her mouth, the space beside her began to turn violently, as though the air itself were being torn apart.
For a split second, it looked as if reality had cracked open.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from within. She had long black hair that fell over her shoulders. Stitches ran across parts of her scalp. She wore a flowing purple dress.
The temperature in the room also seemed to drop. Lumain's pupils contracted as he also recognized her. It was Selene, the one who had been r*ped and... murdered.
...
Amidst the tense atmosphere, Lumian forced himself to remain calm. He activated invigoration, subtly expelling his spirituality to steady his racing thoughts.
Soon after, Selene walked over and took a seat beside Elizabeth.
A brief silence lingered before she finally spoke. "Good evening, everyone~ I'm delighted you could attend today's gathering."
She shifted her gaze towards Lumian and continued. "Hmm… a new face. I don't believe I've seen you before."
Lumian let out an awkward chuckle. "Um, madam, I usually operate discreetly. I just happened to have time to attend today."
As a Church member armed with little information, he crafted the lie smoothly.
Selene nodded slowly and rested her hands on the desk.
"This meeting is simply to discuss the recent mission after the ritual."
…Ritual? Lumian thought inwardly. Could they be the ones who performed the ritual and killed Mr. Richard.
Selene continued, "I prefer not to show my face outside. As far as the public knows, this person is dead. However, for our next plan, I will need St. Mary's text."
St. Mary's text? For what exactly? Lumian wondered.
Elizabeth smiled faintly. "I thought we recently sent someone to retrieve it, but he hasn't arrived yet."
"Yes," Selene added with a light chuckle. "We told him to remain near the abandoned house by Greenland Pond."
"But madam," Lumian interjected carefully, "what exactly do we intend to do with the text?"
Her eyes reflected the woman with brown hair as she replied camly. "Well… you'll find out soon enough."
Lumian nodded, though his thoughts were chaotic.
I need to know what St. Mary's text contains… what makes it so valuable? The person with it is near the pond. And I must confirm whether it's the same Patrick Lacey.
He forced a polite smile, and said outwardly. "Madam, your intelligence truly knows no bounds. May I see a picture of the… individual carrying the text?"
Dorothy frowned and turned toward him. "And why would you need that?"
Lumian's mouth twitched slightly as he replied. "Nothing at all. We simply need to ensure his safety at all costs."
Inwardly, he added, Why are you questioning me? We used to read novels together…
Selene tapped her fingers lightly against the table.
After a pause, she reached into her purse and retrieved a passport, placing it before Lumian.
The photo showed a man dressed in black and white English attire, yellow hair neatly styled, posing casually.
She smiled faintly. "You should already know him. The bastard son of Duke Joshua."
Lumian nodded slowly. It's him. Patrick Lacey… the illegitimate son!
At that instant, he felt both Elizabeth's and Dorothy's gazes lock onto him.
Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone from his black bag and raised it to his ear as he stood.
"Lady Selene, I need to make an important call."
"No problem," she replied calmly.
Lumian walked to the door and stepped outside.
Inside the room, Dorothy turned to Selene and said quietly, "I thought your name was Aethera, ma."
Selene did not respond. She simply stared at the closed door.
...
Outside, beneath the rain, Lumian hurried forward, lifting the edges of his dress slightly to keep them from getting soaked. He dashed into a nearby alley with a small roof overhead, shielding himself from the steady drizzle.
Under the muted sound of raindrops, he quickly pulled out his phone and informed Hargreaves of the situation. Upon hearing everything, the captain and Vincent immediately set off toward his location.
After ending the call, Lumian slipped the phone back into his bag and waited. Though he wanted to change out of the dress, he decided it would be better to do so inside the car.
As he stood there, he noticed a man staggering through the rain. At first glance, it was clear the man was drunk. Swaying slightly, he approached Lumian and squinted at him.
"Young lady… what are you doing around here this late?" The man slurred.
Lumian forced a light chuckle, keeping his voice soft and feminine. "I'm waiting for someone."
The man stepped closer — a little too close, and whispered into his ear. "Who's the lucky guy? Forget him… we can head to my mansion instead."
What kind of situation is this…? Lumian thought inwardly.
He didn't have a clean excuse ready, and saying the wrong thing might complicate matters further. Gently pushing the man back, he lowered his gaze slightly and said,
"Sir… I'm on my period."
Thanks to all the shows he had watched, the line came out naturally.
The man widened his eyes, as he looked at Lumian.
At that very moment, a black car pulled up beside them.
Lumian wasted no time. He walked straight to the vehicle, opened the door, and slipped inside without sparing the drunk man another glance.
...
Under the pale glow of the moon, the car slowly approached the abandoned building.
Lumian stepped out first, now changed back into his blue shirt and black trousers. He adjusted his gun at his waist and scanned the surroundings carefully. He was a little tense, as he was about to meet Lacey.
He glanced toward Captain Hargreaves, who wasn't alone.
Vincent stood beside him, along with Rosanne — a Phase 9 Dreamer. Berlie from the Sun Order, also Phase 9. And Sharley, a paid participant in the mission, a Phase 8 from the Ravanger Order.
Lumian drew his pistol and checked the chamber. The bullets inside were engraved with intricate patterns. Satisfied, he clicked it shut with a faint smile.
The group advanced toward the building with their guns raised.
As they approached the entrance, they noticed something unsettling.
The door wasn't locked, rather it was opened wide. At that very moment, laughter echoed inside.
Hahahaha! Hahahaha!
Lumian and the others tightened their grips on their weapons.
Lumian surveyed the areas, carefully, he turned his head to the right, and saw himself staring at a man in a white mask standing just beside him!