Chapter 290 - 290 Lavigny Docks

290 Lavigny Docks

Er Franca deliberated briefly before telling Jenna, When it comes to losing control and madness, orthodox or wild Beyonderall are equal. Those monks can become monsters too, or have mental problems and walk the abyss.

Jenna grew grave as she listened.

It wasnt the first time Franca had said something similar, but without personal experience, the full cruelty and horror of those words never quite sunk in. Seeing the limbs in the dark cave had driven home the visceral reality of losing control and madness.

Lumian added meaningfully, Thats why the acting method is so important.

But never forget youre only acting. You should know very well being a theater actressyou mustnt lose yourself in a role. Even without being a Beyonder, that path leads to mental issues. Franca and Lumian educated the newcomer one after another.

Jenna nodded solemnly.

Franca returned to the missing gatekeeper. My plan is thisreveal the cave anonymously to the Eternal Blazing Sun Church via my sources. How they handle it is their affair. Even if they suppress it, theyll be vigilant against trouble now. Ill also inform the client and see his reaction. We might get paid for our work.

She chose the Eternal Blazing Sun Church over the G.o.d of Steam and Machinery Church Beyonders, unsure which side was trustworthy in this internal conflict.

No objections here, Jenna conceded after hearing their advice, shelving her longing for the 20,000 verl dor reward.

Franca turned to Lumian. Ive found a buyer for Harvest Sacrifice, but the deal isnt finalized yet. Offer is 10,000 verl dor. I gave you 4,000 already, and can give you another 1,000 in two days.

Very efficient. Lumian smiled approvingly.

Cant tell if thats praise or mockery, Franca muttered.

Jenna listened enviously. 10,000 verl dor was casual business for them, while her family struggled to pay 7,000-8,000 for the treatment of her mother.

This is what it means to be a Beyonder Her understanding grew clearer.

Glancing at the curtains, Lumian didnt get Jenna to leave. Last night, I completed the test and officially joined the Bosss inner circle.

What kind of test? Still aggrieved, Franca had already vented her anger once, leaving mostly curiosity.

Lumian described Gardners late visit to Salle de Bal Brise, how he was requested to stay the night at 13 Avenue du March, and him overcoming the abnormal corruption until sunrise.

He concealed Termiboros, portraying himself as intelligent, decisive, perceptive and steadfastgrasping the crux with just a few details and adhering to the principle of no response despite the influences.

Lumian excelled at fabrication.

Franca still felt lingering fear and suspicion. You really didnt waver at all?

Jenna agreedshe would have responded the moment the door opened. Franca might have lasted until her face bled.

Lumian chuckled. I definitely felt some uncertainty, but I trusted my judgment more.

Franca sized him up doubtfully. You really thought of not responding by yourself?

No. Lumian ended the fiction honestly.

The ladies were stunned.

Lumian seized the chance to divert attention, smiling. Dont be daft. A recently graduated mysticism novice like me could never think of that. I got intelligence beforehand of course. If you do the vigil, rememberdo not respond, and take the mirror that provides entry into the underground mirror world. 13 Avenue du Marchs abnormalities may differ by pathway.

Enlightened, Franca grasped his source. She muttered, No girlfriend for you with that att.i.tude!

She had almost been provoked just now, let alone a real woman. Relieved, Franca thought the rascal Ciel had no romantic prospects currently.

While still irked by the mockery, Jenna also regained confidence.

She had thought her intelligence irredeemably inferior to Ciels.

Admirably, he had firmly trusted the intelligence and not wavered.

She pursed her lips and said, Im seeing more of the mysticism worlds horrors.

The 13 Avenue du March abnormality was even more terrifying than the Deep Valley Quarrys secret cave scene. By comparison, her underground ordeal with Hedsey seemed just a criminal case.

There will be more such occurrences in the coming years. Franca seized every chance to motivate Jennas advancement.

Lumian then mentioned his guess that Avenue du March 13 only affected Beyonders of the Hunter and Demoness pathways at specific times.

Discussing a while longer, the ladies left with a stack of mysticism magazines, returning to Rue des Blouses Blanches.

At 3 p.m. the next day, Lumian, who had been playing the part at Salle de Bal Brise all day, arrived at Lavigny Docks in the square district by taking multiple public carriages, ready to hear The Fool bishops sermon.

It was a lively inland river port, teeming with steam s.h.i.+ps emitting white fog. Countless dockworkers used various tools and their strength to move crates of goods and stack them on flat surfaces along the tracks.

Ma.s.sive machines towered over the docks, some standing more than ten to twenty meters tall, made entirely of steel components. Operated by ma.s.sive steam engines and controlled by technicians, they effortlessly lifted steel crates that would be impossible for humans to move.

Lumian observed the chaotic and bustling scene, a mix of spectacular sights and grimy realities.

He strolled around the dock, acting like a carefree tourist rather than inquiring about The Fool cathedrals location from suspicious foreigners.

Buildings surrounded the harbor, housing bars, motels, warehouses, beer houses, cafs, restaurants, and dance halls. Street vendors loudly peddled their goods along the paths.

Lumian also noticed frosted gla.s.s windows with green shutters, indicating licensed brothels.

After taking a long detour, Lumian finally arrived at Mr. Fools cathedral.

It looked like an ordinary four-story house with a bell tower and pointed roof, completely black. Engraved on the outer wall was the familiar mystical symbol: Mr. Fools symbol, a silvery-white symbol composed of an incomplete Pupil-less Eye and a portion of Contorted Lines.

Before entering, Lumian took his time, continuing to explore the area as if he were casually shopping.

As a Hunter, it was second nature for him to a.s.sess his surroundings when he had the chance.

After walking for a while, Lumian chose a bar called Sea Breeze to gather information about The Fool cathedral from merchants, sailors, and locals.

The interior of Sea Breeze was decorated like a cabin, with taxidermied fish, rudders, and sail fragments adorning the walls. The air was thick with the scent of liquor and cheap cosmetics.

Some sailors sat together, engrossed in a card game, while others were seen in the company of street girls. At the bar counter, a few were enjoying drinks and boasting.

Lumian scanned the area and noticed a man who immediately caught his attention.

This man sat in an armchair near the bar, exuding an air of arrogance as he casually rested his hands on the chairs back. He occasionally sipped his wheat beer, propping his legs up on the small round table.

It wasnt just the mans demeanor that intrigued Lumian, but the way the other sailors behaved around him.

They either kept their distance, giving the area a wide berth, or approached with deferential expressions. Even if they were teased by the man, they seemed honored to be in his presence.

A significant figure from the sea, perhaps? Lumian speculated silently as he subtly studied the man.

The man appeared to be in his thirties, dressed in a linen s.h.i.+rt, a brown vest, dark brown pants, and st.u.r.dy black leather boots. His eyebrows and hair were charred yellow, like they had been kissed by flames. His bright, dark blue eyes and facial features hinted at a southern Intis heritage.

Feeling Lumians gaze on him, the man smiled and lifted his wheat beer in a toast.

Returning the smile, Lumian made his way to the bar counter, ordering a gla.s.s of Lanti Proof, a favorite among pirates and sailors.

Taking a sip of the flavorful and potent malt liquor, Lumian couldnt contain his curiosity. He nodded towards the nearby armchair and asked the bartender in a hushed tone,

Who is that?

The bartenders expression turned serious as he responded in a deep voice, You dont know him?

To him, not recognizing that individual was rather surprising.