In the dimension where the upcoming ritual was going to take place, Noel stood alone, his gaze shifting — one moment studying the intricate ritual layout sprawled before him, the next focused on the gray stone he was turning over in his hand.
His father, initially surprised by his easy agreement, had already sprung into action and gone out to bring his sister and the other necessary people who would supervise the ritual alongside him.
But naturally, Noel's mind was not on any of that. Instead, it was entirely consumed by the gray stone resting in his palm.
To acquire it, he had expended tremendous efforts after all.
He had first contacted someone from the Order of Veil, then through him, gained access to his superior… then to someone higher still. Like that, climbing the invisible ladder of hierarchy until he was finally able to meet Edith personally.
And he had done everything in absolute secrecy, ensuring that neither his father nor anyone else could discover this trump card.
