Admittedly, practice makes perfect. With his prior experience cleansing Mr. Door, Alaric handled this purification with greater skill, controlling the process with precision.
This attempt also deepened his understanding of Outer Deity pollution and Nyarlathotep's power. He was confident that a few more tries would make him an expert in the field.
With that thought, Alaric smiled at Tolzna, who had been standing dumbfounded since the purification began, lost in thought. "This session can only go so far, or you might not handle it. I'm sure Mr. Tolzna wouldn't want his future self to end up a dimwit, right?"
"..."
Tolzna stayed silent, wondering if he'd escaped a wolf's den only to stumble into a tiger's lair. Was this seemingly human figure really human? He had his doubts but didn't dare voice them, instead saying gravely, "I understand. Thank you, Mr. Lucifer. You've given me a chance to break free from the Mother Tree of Desire's control."
"If Mr. Tolzna truly wants to thank me, how about joining the organization I founded?" Alaric said, smiling, never missing a chance to capitalize.
"…I'd be honored." Tolzna replied, unable to refuse. What if rejecting the offer meant no further help? He had to agree eagerly.
Curiously, he asked, "What's the name of your organization?"
"The Joker Club. No need to be nervous... it's just an ordinary secret organization. For now, there's no real agenda, just occasional casual gatherings." Alaric answered with a smile, sensing Tolzna's apprehension.
"Ahem, I'm not nervous." Tolzna said, coughing awkwardly. "But my true body likely can't attend the gatherings."
"No problem. You can send some subordinates to represent you." Alaric said generously, smiling. "You might want to discuss this with Reinette Tinekerr. She's better suited to fill you in on recent events, and you'd likely trust her more than me."
Tolzna's expression turned sheepish.
Alaric glanced at the silent Reinette Tinekerr, checked his pocket watch, and smiled. "You have one minute. Make it count."
With that, he stepped out of the room, giving the god and Their former favored one some privacy.
Outside, Alaric connected with the present-era Tolzna, speaking through their link: "How are you holding up, Mr. Tolzna?"
"…Not great. It feels like ten Outer Deities had a brawl in my head, filling it with madness and ravings. Honestly, it's a bit terrifying." Tolzna's weary voice replied. The Mother Tree of Desire had severed its own connection to Alaric but couldn't break his link with Tolzna.
"Sounds rough." Alaric commented, then smiled. "But it's better than your consciousness being fully submerged, isn't it?"
"…True." Tolzna sighed. "I might stay lucid a bit longer. Is there anything you need me to do?"
"Just a bit of your blood." Alaric said, smiling. "That's all. Maybe keep an eye on your kids in your spare time."
"I can't control Suah…" Tolzna gave a bitter laugh. Though he was a King of Angels and Suah was his own offspring, how could he control a child of the Mother Tree of Desire?
"No worries, then." Alaric said, sparing a moment of sympathy for the poor soul... one of the most tragic Kings of Angels, no doubt.
They didn't talk further, as Tolzna's lucid moments were fleeting. He swiftly performed the gifting ritual, delivering what Alaric requested.
"Until next time, Mr. Tolzna. I hope your situation's improved by then." Alaric said, cutting the connection. He tossed the glass vial in his hand, filled to the brim with blood... a testament to Tolzna's generosity.
"Goodwill's spiked nicely. I can even borrow Sequence 3 Disciple of Silence powers now. Offering hope in despair really is the fastest way to build rapport, especially with someone whose will isn't that strong." Alaric mused, assessing the extent of Tolzna's powers he could tap. For a moment, he genuinely considered rescuing him.
As for whether the Mother Tree of Desire would notice him, Alaric shrugged. Let it notice. The barrier kept it out, and if it sent Tolzna... the Rose School's strongest asset... Alaric would "treat" Them on the spot, making the Mother Tree of Desire lose both its pawn and its pride.
As for Suah…
"I can't beat a Sequence 1 yet, but they can't just appear anywhere either. Even if they do, Adam's probably lurking nearby and could handle them. Worst case, I call in reinforcements. No big deal... Outer Deities have more enemies than I do." Alaric thought, utterly fearless. He was certain the Mother Tree of Desire couldn't pinpoint him through the barrier unless he entered its influence zone, and even then, it was a slim chance.
"When I'm strong enough, I might go fishing…" Alaric muttered, scheming as he pocketed Tolzna's blood and returned to the room.
The past Tolzna had clearly finished speaking with Reinette Tinekerr. Seeing Alaric return, Reinette spoke first: "I can…" "represent the Chained…" "God at…" "your gatherings."
"Welcome to the Joker Club, Miss." Alaric said, unsurprised, pulling a badge from his pocket with a smile.
The badge had a red background, adorned with black curves depicting countless overlapping shadows, each wearing a different mask. They clustered around a central, peculiar symbol... not a character known to this world, yet anyone who saw it would understand its meaning: "Delight."
This was a specialty from Alaric's pre-transmigration world, tied to a secret society worshiping Yog-Sothoth, possibly blessed by it. The symbol carried an inherent comprehensibility, and after testing, Alaric found it worked in this world too, so he used it to design the Joker Club emblem.
***
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