In that moment, Lumian's body gradually took form upon a seat. On his left and right, were figures all covered in crimson smoke.
The surroundings were dark, only illuminated by the faint blue stars above, which flew from time to time.
There was silence for a while, until the person at the end of the table spoke first. "V18, you managed to join us this time."
Lumian replied calmly, as he leaned forward slightly. "Yes, as we all know, the world is changing—so we might as well gather information for the better."
The person giggled softly, with a female voice. "That's good."
Just then, a cheerful voice came from the seat beside Lumian. "Good evening, V18~"
Lumian chuckled awkwardly and replied, "Yes, it's indeed a good evening."
Suddenly, a deep voice echoed from the far left end of the table.
"Let's leave the formalities aside," it said. Turning toward the figure in the high seat, shrouded in crimson smoke, he continued, "Miss V1, have you heard about the recent occurrences at the Lad River?"
The woman's voice was soft yet calm. "Hmm... the Lad river? You mean the channel leading from Montmartre Heights to Betyl? I recently heard from the news, that a ship capsized there. Of course, I don't know what exactly happened, but the situation does sound rather alarming."
The person nodded in agreement, behind the smoke. "Do you think the incident, could be caused by monsters, or perhaps curses."
"I don't think it's related to curses," V1 replied after a moments thought. "Curses are formed from the creator which are produced from human emotion, and since humans themselves are fragments of the God of Beginnings from the creator, this seems like a knot in fate, or maybe a vengeful spirit haunting the area."
She paused, then added, "I'll still keep an eye, on that matter, but for now, it might have just been a minor 'accident.' "
At that point, Lumian remained a silent observer, having other questions of his own. He wanted to ask them, but was nervous in the presence of others.
Just as he debated internally, V7 suddenly raised a question of her own. Lumian eyes lit up—as he was sure he had found his savior, but to his dismay, she asked something entirely different.
"Miss V1," V7 began, "I've followed your instructions and investigated the Berolina capital. I discovered several sorcerers arriving there from Betyl. They've been assisting thugs and bandits, by giving them potion recipes. Should I continue investigating or report to the higher officials?"
"No. Don't report this to the officials. Think about it, these sorcerers are traveling all the way from Betyl to Berolina. Where do you think they're getting the resources? They're probably being funded by those very officials."
"Then what should I do?" V7 asked.
V1 sighed and rubbed her forehead, visibly pressured by the questions. "Keep investigating, gather as much evidence as you can. This world just keeps rotting..." She added Inwardly.
"Understood, ma'am," V7 replied, reclining in her seat and adjusting her hair.
Lumian hesitated again. Then with a slight twitch of his cheek, he thought. "Fine, if no one else is going to ask, I'll do it myself, hmph."
"Mam," he said aloud, "If you don't mind me asking, I'm planning to become a sorcerer of the diviner order, could you take me through the process."
...
V12, the man with the deep voice, subconsciously turned his head toward V1 in the high seat, expecting her to answer Lumian's question. But after a moment of silence, there was no reply. Smiling faintly, V12 leaned forward slightly. "Miss V1 has many matters to attend to," he said calmly. Allow me to explain myself."
Lumian inhaled deeply and rested a hand on the table, looking in the direction of V12. "Alright."
V12 nodded and said. "First of all, you must take note of the type of potion you intend to take. As you know, when one becomes a sorcerer for the first time, they are prone to turning into a curse. So it's best to choose an order your body and mind can handle without too much burden. I hope you understand?"
"Yes, sir," Lumian replied, nodding behind the smoke.
V12 adjusted his slick-back hair and continued, "You must also familiarize yourself with the measurements of your ingredients. For a low-level order—say, a phase 9—the standard formula would be: 80 milliliters of holy water, three tea spoon of dried lavender, one tea spoon of dust gathered under the night sky, half a measure of clean water, and thirty milliliters of blood from a great white shark."
"Eighy milliliters of holy water, three tea spoon of dried lavender..." Lumian quietly repeated, committing it to his memory.
"Failure to measure correctly can drastically increase the chances of becoming a curse," V12 warned.
Lumian nodded once again, thanking him sincerely. Inwardly he added, "I won't have to worry too much about the measurements. The church should have the proper recipe."
V12 opened his mouth to continue, but another voice spoke up from his side. "Miss V1, the person asked. "Is it true we're going to create ties with the Linkton family?"
"The Linkton family?" Lumian thought Inwardly. "Isn't that the family, the king despises most? If we align with them, the veiled would be seen as supporting their cause, I don't think that'll sit well with the king. He looked at V1 and continued. "I just hope she knows what she's doing."
V1 calm voice floated through the smoke. "Yes, we are planning to form ties with them. It may cause tension with the king, but this issue concerns Duke Joshua and Patriarch Linkton. Although their connection isn't direct, there is a link, which is 'Lacey'. You see, Linkton once slept with the duke's wife when he was young, leading to Lacey's birth. If we manage to find Lacey, we'll gain both fame and a considerable reward—"
Before she could finish, V13, the girl who had spoken earlier, suddenly interrupted. "I hope you realize that if we go through with this, we'll anger the king. He might even cut off aid to the city, thinking we plan to rebel. Think of the people, think of the children!"
Without another word, V1's figure blurred within the crimson smoke, vanishing without a trace.
...
"This woman is truly not capable," Lumian thought Inwardly. Then without realizing it, he muttered aloud, as he rubbed his philtrum, "But in a way... what she's saying could work—but only if a new organization is formed! That way, one side can support the Linkton family and appear weaker and inferior to the new organization, while the other aligns with the king. When the king eventually discovers that the 'Vieled' are siding with the Linkton's, he'll grow wary and despise them, thus favouring the new organization!"
Hearing that, V13 cursed inwardly. "Fool. So foolish! By doing that, you'll turn yourself into an enemy of the organization." She then paused, as she analyzed the possibilities. Looking at his direction, she continued. "Yes... If he becomes the leader of this so-called new organization, I can carry out my plans without dad and others knowing, since it's 'his' name that would get all the attention."
Without delay, she gracefully raised her hand up and said, "I wish to join~"
...
Lumian tried to explain, that he hadn't meant it that way, but he chose to stay silent. For now, he needed to align himself with the king and first gather information about Lacey's disappearance.
Seeing that Lumian would not reject the claim of forming a new organization, two other figures raised their hands, V12 and V14.
"We would also like to join," they said.
Lumian's mouth twitched slightly as he thought inwardly, "Is this how you all plan to get me killed?"
V12 sighed behind the smoke. "Then it's decided. A new organization would be formed. I'll be taking my leave now, there are other matters that requires my attention."
Just like that, his figure blurred and vanished within the smoke.
...
In another country — at Montmartre Heights — inside a spacious office, a faint crimson glow shimmered as V12's body slowly outlined on a chair.
Suddenly—
Knock! Knock!
"Come in," V12 said.
The door opened, revealing a man dressed in black shirt, with a white crucifix hanging from his neck.
"Detective Benson," the man said respectfully, "the officials asked whether you'll be joining the investigation in Betyl."
Benson placed a hand on his chin. "The Lacey incident, right?"
"Yes, sir."
Benson waved a hand lazily and said. "Of course, I've been rather interested in that case."
"Understood, sir," the man said, nodding before leaving the office.
As they door clicked shut, silence filled the room. Benson remained still for a moment before standing up. He lit a cigarette, his eyes focused intently as he looked out the window.
"The Church of the Pale Goddess, have been growing a lot lately..." He muttered. "I just hope this doesn't become troublesome."
He exhaled smoke slowly, as his gaze landed on the towering Montmartre tower in the distance.
"Using this secret organization," he said quietly, "I can further my investigations."