Eternal Elysium

Ch153 Briefing



"How is it going?"

"For you it's good, but for me it's nothing but trouble…" Castor said with a troublesome look. His eyes stared outside as the sun was setting down through the window.

"Really? But I had asked the Temple to ignore you, well, for most of the time."

Castor chuckled softly hearing this and smiled.

"And they did turn a blind eye on me. I had underestimated Temple and the guild's power due to the gangs that previously existed here. But now that this city is free of them, the Temple is the only ruler here. And without a valid reason, no one could stop them."

Hearing his words, a thought crossed my mind. As I said with intent to help. "How long are you planning on staying like this, Castor? While it's profitable to work in the dark, one day light will surely come. Do you also plan to hide in your basement like the others? Always in fear of being caught?"

Castor, left stunned by my words, stared at the ceiling for a few seconds, then opened his mouth slowly, asking.

"What do you suggest I do?"

Castor agreed that his business while working with Asher would work fine for now, as the Temple would ignore him. But what after that? The city was changing rapidly in ways he had never imagined before. Castor felt his future was uncertain at this point forward.

"How about talking about it with Morgana as an informant? If you can help the city in one way or another, I am sure the authorities will be more than happy to help you in return as well."

While what I said was true, this would only work if I recommended him before he could speak to them. Otherwise, Castor in the end was a thug as well, someone doing illegal activities behind the facade of a normal bar owner.

Castor frowned, his eyes squinting in doubt.

"Asher, when you say Morgana, do you mean the high priestess Morgan?"

I nodded.

"Yes, who else would I even be talking about? Surely I have called her name more than once before you."

Castor shook his head. "You have said her name, but who in the world would have thought you were talking about her? Transcendents are not easy people. To me they are freaks of nature—an anomaly! And let me remind you, meeting the high priestess is not an easy task; even getting a glimpse of her is rare."

I blinked. Surprise was evident in my face after hearing Castor rant about Morgana and transcendents. He seems to have also taken them in high regards, Huh. But it was not something strange to begin with.

I had seen a transcendent fight. Their might shakes the world, and storms brew in their presence alone. Jacob, the leader of all the gang, had the ability to create a storm, but Morgana, who had managed to cut it down by her sword, was much stronger in my eyes.

And she has not used her transcendent ability until the last moment.

For a moment my thoughts went back to the fight I had witnessed in the sky, but I shook my head again, focusing back on Castor.

I almost wished to tell him how close I and Morgana were but decided against it.

'I am not afraid of her, really.'

Taking a deep breath, I glanced at the door and said calmly. "You don't need to worry about that. I will take care of that. To arrange a meeting with her should not be very hard, and to begin with, I think talking with one of the captains of the Templar knights should be enough."

Castor nodded and said with a hoarse voice. "Yes, that should be enough… I can't say I will agree to all their demands, so be prepared to be on my side." His voice held a bit of mischief, as if he was ready to bring hell upon them in case his demands were not met.

"Alright, I will make sure to keep the transaction fair." I promised without much thought.

Castor grinned in satisfaction; just as he was about to open his mouth, he frowned and asked.

"Oh, also, what happened to those damn things you made me ship here? What were they? Ah, yes, poison frog eyes, five pairs, and Chimera ant tails…

"Those things were sure costly. You can't even make a weapon from them, not in a conventional and easy way at least. So why did you need them?"

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

I smiled.

"Oh, we can make weapons from them!" I said enthusiastically. "I will show them to you one day."

"Really? What's the process? I can pay you handsomely if that's true." Castor didn't doubt Asher's words. He has known him long enough to understand how this man's brain works by now.

"I can't. The one who had taught me asked me to keep everything regarding it a secret. Otherwise I would have sold it to you for a good price by now."

"...You mean for a friendly price, right?"

"Over my dead body!" I scoffed, placing my hand over the table.

This guy has made me pay him for all kinds of things by now. And most of the time it was not my fault to begin with!

'No, maybe sometimes it was…

But that doesn't mean he will get things for free!

Leaning back on his seat, Castor sighed. He rubbed his brows and chuckled before speaking.

"Okay, okay. I wasn't going to buy it anyways. You shouldn't sell them either. Today's friends can be tomorrow's enemy; remember this. So as to not get stabbed by your own dagger in the end."

I thought for a while and believed his words to be true. Castor, in the end, was indeed more experienced than me. He has seen his own fair share of fights and betrayals.

His scars don't necessarily come from enemies; they could have come from friends as well.

Friends who know how to stab in the back.

"Sure… Um, I will keep that in mind." I said hesitantly.

Castor sighed, his gaze then locked with mine.

"So how long do you plan on waiting?"

"A little bit more…"

Castor has played his part by keeping an eye on the illegal activities. While Temple was busy rooting out the bad seeds, I also didn't sit still. I was waiting for the best moment to strike as well.

Morgana likely won't participate in this situation.

So, I had offered to help in capturing those who will try to escape tonight.

'Elric will also do it… won't he?'

Closing my eyes, I stood up and stretched my hands.

"I should take my leave now. It's been good to see you, Castor."

… Wasn't he saying he will wait? Castor was left speechless at this sudden goodbye. Turning his head at that moment, he saw three silhouettes standing behind the closed door. His gaze went sharp as he squinted his eyes to see the clear view.

…So that's the reason. Castor gave a small nod and stood up from his seat, following Asher.

"Take care then, and make sure to talk about it with them."

"Hmm, I will."

With that, I quietly left the bar and summoned the Mask of Panoply and wore it to cover my face.

A burning sensation came and went by in the blink of an eye.

I was used to this and very well versed in denying it by now.

As the door opened, three figures stood in silence below a wooden ceiling of the entrance.

They seemed to have been discussing something before my arrival.

The young man with short hair turned his gaze at me in shock and muttered with a touch of surprise in his voice.

"Sir Reaper, it's you we will be working with!" Mathew's gaze returned to Franz, and he added. "Captain, you should have told us!"

'That damn name still exists.' I cursed silently at my luck and nodded toward Franz.

Franz, seeing me, sighed. His gaze was heavy, and his face was unreadable for a few seconds.

"You are late." He said, ignoring Mathew's excited voice.

"I am not." I simply answered and looked at the third figure staring at me with a dazed look.

"It's nice to see you as well, Rose." I was greeted by seeing her familiar face.

"Ah, yes, it is… Sir Reaper."

"Pfft—" Franz chuckled as Rose laid backwardsand clapped his hands, bringing our attention towards him.

"Now that everyone is here, I will give a brief explanation of our plan. Any issues?" Franz looked at us one by one and stopped his gaze at me.

Slowly I shook my head.

I was already aware of the enemy, but giving a briefing on this was still good.

His words have made the other two tense as they get ready for the new mission.

"According to the intel, Elric, one of the most prestigious merchants, will try to leave the city tonight. He has been deemed a criminal for the illegal activities he has been doing with the backing of former gangs and has also helped them during the monster wave. We will be catching him tonight." Franz paused as his voice grew colder and gaze sharper. "He has most likely hired mercenaries for his protection, so we will be dividing our roles into two teams."

He looked at Rose and Mathew.

"Mathew and Rose will go to the warehouse where the artifacts have been illegally kept. If someone enters it and tries to leave, follow them and then inform me through the signal. No one is allowed to engage in a fight; the enemy will most likely be a strong awakened."

"Understood!" Rose and Mathew nodded, not questioning his orders.

Franz nodded and looked at me.

"You and I will wait outside the city and patrol the area to catch the escape."

I frowned behind the mask. My gaze went sharp as I questioned with an uncertain tone.

"Wouldn't it be better for both of us to follow instead of the opposite?"

Franz nodded as his gaze followed the empty road. In a small whisper he answered.

"There are other guards in the city as well. They will mostly be raiding the other criminals' den, but in case of emergency, they will provide them with support. In that case our stay outside will be much better."

'Ah, that makes sense. I had forgotten I was not alone here.'

"Alright," I said shortly after.

"You two will provide support when we both fight; don't try to engage directly. The enemy is strong… You can ask Reaper here as well. He had faced them."

As Rose and Mathew threw their expected looks at me, I felt my back starting to sweat. Then with a small sigh, I thought for a few seconds and answered in a small voice, almost a whisper.

"Be aware of the shapeshifter and shadows. Someone might be hiding there as well."

Rose frowned, and Mathew nodded hesitantly. Both undeniably were left confused by my words, but I didn't need to say much.

I had already said everything to Franz, and they had heard the reports from Ains mansion as well.

They had all the intel needed to deal with the enemy and knew the danger regarding them. If I said more than necessary now, it might cause confusion and chaos in unexpected situations.

And that will cost them their lives.

"Alright, let's start the mission. Best of luck to both of you. Let the stars bless you!" Franz said and touched his heart with reverence filled in his voice.


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