When the afterglow of the setting Sun completely sank below the city's horizon, the corresponding Red Moon had just risen, signifying that another day was about to pass.
Altair finished dinner early and was soaking leisurely in a hot bath. When the bathroom door opened, Vivian, who had been busy all day, calmly entered Altair's tub, as if it had been prearranged.
Seeing Vivian's visibly poor mood, Altair asked with concern, "You seem unhappy today. Did something bother you?"
Frowning, Vivian nodded slightly, gave a soft "Mm," and sighed helplessly, "The Demoness Sect issued another mission, and they are also urging the task of cultivating new recruits."
"Hah, I'm really just looking for trouble when I don't need it."
Altair asked curiously, "Didn't they consider transferring people from Intis to do the mission? And for it to make you feel tired, it must be a large-scale training of new recruits. Aren't they afraid those people will betray them?"
Regarding Altair's sarcasm, Vivian rolled her eyes helplessly and slowly said, "Of course I know that, and they know it too. But the Demoness Sect isn't united; there are different factions. The ones in my faction who don't want to come, plus those who can't, make up a large portion of the overall faction. If it weren't for the Beyonder characteristic needed for future advancement, I wouldn't want to be involved in this."
"Also, you wouldn't think that all the new recruits are like you, without any means of control left on them, right? You were just lucky to run into me, so I didn't use any means on you. If you had met someone else, you would have been in big trouble."
"Don't forget the name of sequence 7."
Altair took the opportunity to crawl closer to Vivian and said solicitously, "That's why I'm lucky, running into our kind Lady Vivian. Otherwise, I might have been eaten until not even bone fragments were left."
"Mm," Vivian patted Altair and said, "It's good that you know. Mm. Do you know what has been happening in the Industrial District recently?"
For Altair, who rarely left the house, this question was clearly beyond his scope, so he asked confusedly, "What happened there?"
Vivian turned slightly, leaned back, and whispered in Altair's ear, "Things have been going crazy there recently, with lots of killings. It looks like your Instigator Potion will be fully digested soon."
"Why did you stop? Keep massaging me; I was just starting to feel it."
"Mm."
"That feels great."
"Does it concern me?" Altair asked in confusion.
Vivian, still immersed in the comfort brought by the massage, did not immediately reply to Altair. Instead, she enjoyed the moment and pleasantly said, "Mm, of course."
"Although 'you guys' united many people for this Industrial Reform, some people didn't participate. They started spreading rumors that 'the reform will lead to factory closures and worker unemployment' for profit. The incited workers have already started smashing factory Robots and are also planning to storm Municipal Government Institutions in a couple of days."
Altair stopped moving and asked in shock, "'Our' factories?"
An irritated Vivian gripped him harder and said, "No. 'Your' factories had compensation, so most workers didn't participate; only a tiny fraction was misled into joining for profit."
"The vast majority of the factories involved belong to nobles without real power, famous entrepreneurs, or Triad Members, and their workers participated."
After hearing the explanation, Altair became even more confused and asked, "What does this have to do with them? Why are they causing trouble when our factories are undergoing reform and expansion?"
Vivian found Altair's expression amusing and chuckled, "You don't think most people are clear-headed, do you? Don't be too surprised; this kind of thing is very common. The lower populace lacks the means and ability to discern information, making them easily incited and exploited."
"Survival is their primary concern. Those who are misled will stop you for the sake of survival, and those who are clear-headed will stand against you due to the temptation of small benefits."
"They aren't supporting the factory owners; they just dare not gamble with their own and their families' survival."
Vivian looked at Altair, whose expression kept changing, and continued, "Don't worry, your plan is still proceeding as scheduled. 'They' don't have the ability to stop 'you guys.'"
Vivian paused, looked up, touched her lips with a finger, thought for a moment, and said with a smile:
"I think these two days... oh... no... no... no... let's say in two days. Yes, in two days. These next few days, only the lower populace will die, but in two days, there will be mass Deaths among the organizers."
"What's wrong? Are you sad?"
'The Age of Steam I personally ignited has become a breeding ground for the descent of an Evil God? This is not the civilization I wanted.' At this moment, Altair recalled Roselle's words and was unable to snap out of it... Vivian shook Altair and asked, "What's wrong? Are you alright?"
Altair, shaken awake, gave a self-deprecating smile and asked, "I remember 'we' are only involved in the steel and weapons industries. Why is there such a huge reaction?"
Vivian patted Altair, signaling him to continue his previous movements. Only after he complied did she slowly say, "Mm. The main reason is your fully automated production; they are jealous. And don't think that weapon manufacturing earns little money—Wars are constantly happening in various countries, and military expenditure remains high."
"Furthermore, others aren't fools. You registered so many companies at once. Although you've only revealed weapons technology for now, it doesn't stop them from guarding against you entering other fields."
"I think these people originally just wanted to cause trouble and test whether you would compromise. But they lost control of the situation, and others took advantage, so they became the prey."
"After all, your agreement with all parties at the time only required protecting 'your own workers.' Workers from other companies are not the same concept as 'your own.'"
"Now, they are just recovering some losses in advance. After all, enjoying an appetizer doesn't affect eating the main course later."
Altair sighed, "Human life can be very cheap sometimes."
"Hahaha," Vivian laughed, "Sometimes I really feel you're so naive, like a child who won't grow up."
"Mm, are you angry?" Feeling that Altair's current strength was distinctly different from before, Vivian asked helplessly.
Altair argued, "No, I'm not."
"Is that so?" Vivian counter-questioned upon hearing this, "Then can you explain why the water surface is rippling so much, and why you're using so much force?"
Altair replied directly, "Isn't this good? I see you looking quite pleased."
Vivian gave a soft "Hmph," didn't reply, but instead asked, "Has Simon advanced?"
"How did you know?" Altair countered, then explained, "He advanced around noon today. Last night, I asked him to attend a gathering where there happened to be a Dawn Paladin Beyonder characteristic, so I bought it back. We also happened to have the Formula at home, so I gave it to him."
"Our... Earl... Altair... is truly... gifted... to be able to... multitask... and still speak so fluently," Vivian said with difficulty.
"What, don't you like it?" Altair countered, "I thought you liked it quite a bit. If you don't like it, I won't massage you anymore."
"Don't stop," Vivian said anxiously, "I like it a lot, alright? Hurry up, hurry up. I've been depressed enough today, and now that you've finally massaged me into comfort, I don't want to lose it."
Vivian sighed softly, "Mainly, I saw him when I returned. I really don't know if the Warrior Pathway cheated or the Sun Pathway strayed. Why would a Warrior need light-attributed abilities?"
It's easy to mock that a Dawn Paladin belongs to the River of Eternal Darkness, one of the three Darkness families. Its neighboring Pathways are either Darkness or Death, yet this oddball has a bit of light.
Could these three families represent different times of the night: Dusk, Evening, Night, Dawn?
Even if you include 'Red Priest and Demoness' to become an 'Attendant of Mysteries,' it still doesn't seem to fit, as those two Pathways involve War and Calamity, respectively.