Two guests were walking through the tree-lined paths.
One of them was wearing a dance skirt, dressed like an upper-class lady, and a feather mask that half covered her face.
Another man was wearing a tall hat and a gorgeous suit that was a little too ostentatious, like a magician in a circus.
"I didn't expect... that the location of the high-end gathering would be within the Tiesago Empire."
Aaron, the magician wearing a silver mask, spoke slowly.
"There is no Tissago anymore... The Tissago cavalry, which was originally known as whipping the entire continent, was destroyed by Inves's army in one battle. The empire fell with it, and even the title of emperor was taken away..."
Delise recounted that ancient and bloody history in a voice as calm as spring water: "Because the Tissago people had a fierce resistance, they still resisted tenaciously after the country was defeated and established guerrilla groups in various places... Ingves said
This tough repressive policy was implemented and the security war raged for thirty years. The population of Tissago dropped to 30% of the pre-war level..."
"So many sacrifices... it is indeed the best sacrifice in war." Aaron sighed inexplicably: "Perhaps... this is the need of some very large ceremony?"
"I don't know, but I do know one thing, that is, the Tiesago people will never surrender!" Delise said: "After all... my ancestors were also nobles in the Tiesago Empire."
"I see."
Aaron walked out of the jungle and saw an abandoned manor.
Under the moonlight, the iron railings were covered with various green vines, making it look very quiet and inviting.
"Well, I've unknowingly digressed... Precisely because Tissago is a sparsely populated area with many abandoned manors and castles, this place was chosen as the gathering place. At least... it's hidden enough!" Delise said in a tone of voice.
Calm, with no emotion audible.
But Aaron felt a little sad.
His inspiration spread, and he seemed to go back in time, seeing a picture of the manor under the golden sunshine, with new buildings, bright windows, and a kind-looking couple playing in the garden with their daughter.
The little girl's appearance is vaguely similar to Delise's.
'My intuition... divined images from the past?'
'That little girl just now is Delise, right? The location of this manor, which was originally built in the mountains, is a bit strange, but if it is to avoid being captured by Inves, it is understandable as a family retreat...
…'
'It's just that it was abandoned later for unknown reasons.'
Delise didn't know that Aaron had understood everything, so she pretended to be a stranger and came to the gate of the manor with Aaron.
Unlike other manors, there are two ferocious gargoyle statues, one black and one white, standing beside the gate of this manor.
Aaron recognized it at a glance. This was a certain ritual. Once the conditions were met, the gargoyles that looked like statues would turn into living creatures and start killing people.
But now, these two gargoyles are like dead things.
Delise held up her skirt and walked lightly through the garden and into the manor hall.
There were many candles lit in the hall, but looking from the broken windows outside, it was still dark.
It's deserted and lonely outside.
The interior is warm and bright, like a double space.
In the hall, some people were sitting or standing, all of whom had their faces covered.
Seeing Delis come in, many eyes were cast on her, especially when she saw Aaron, they all turned into scrutiny.
"Witch...you brought a stranger with you?"
An old voice sounded.
Aaron suddenly felt that the surrounding environment had become extremely dangerous. The tiles on the ground seemed to have softened, and the broken door curtains and broken wood seemed to turn into flying thorns in the next second and pierce his face.
‘Is it the activation of the ‘Scarlet Noble’?’
He muttered to himself, and Delise's firm voice came to his ears: "I guarantee with my life that the magician is not from the empire!"
The originally solemn atmosphere at the venue suddenly became a little more relaxed.
An elegant, cat-like woman with a golden mask half lying on a red sofa, holding a glass of wine in her hand, moved her lips and let out a silver bell-like laughter: "We all believe in you, witch... But, we don't care about new members.
We must always be vigilant, this is the key to our survival.”
She looked at Aaron, with a slight provocation in her bright eyes: "As for you? Newcomer, how are you going to prove yourself?"
"Proof?"
Aaron stretched out his hands: "There is a distance between you and me. This is a fallacy!"
He took one step, crossed the distance of the hall, came to the edge of the red sofa, and sat down slowly: "Is this enough?"
"Fifth Plasma 'Philosopher'?!"
"It's not done by using extraordinary items, but by your own ability."
The lazy woman smiled: "The lunatics of the Sun God Cult do not allow pagans to exist. I believe you are on our side for the time being."
"This is not necessarily true...the Sodom royal family is not crazy, and may not have secretly cultivated a group of mysterious people who belong to their non-Yao path!"
Another cold voice sounded from the darkness.
"If you insist on thinking so, then there's nothing I can do about it!"
Aaron shrugged.
Anyway, it's impossible for him and Delise to reveal their identities just to gain the recognition of this group of people. That would be something only fools would do.
"Okay, we used to come from all over the mainland, hiding here and there under the light, like rats in the gutter... Everyone has some unspeakable past, why bother worrying too much? Let's just follow the old rules, no
If you agree to accept this magician, please raise your hands."
The woman on the sofa stretched lazily and said.
A group of people looked at each other, and only a few raised their hands.
"If the majority is not exceeded, the motion will not be passed."
The woman smiled and said to Aaron: "Welcome to our party, you can call me 'Cat Lady'!"
"Cat lady!"
Aaron smiled and expressed his gratitude.
Because he knows that the organizer or leader's opinions can influence the choices of many people.
For example, if I just change the sentence to say that if you agree to accept magicians, please raise your hands... I estimate that not more than half of the people will do so.
"We are just a loose gathering, there is nothing binding."
Ms. Cat slowly sipped the red wine: "It's just a group of poor people joining a group to keep warm..."
"Okay, let's continue. Where did we just talk?"
A man wearing a black iron mask loudly said: "The evil Inves Empire has suffered a brutal blow recently... At least five 'alchemists' have fallen! Everyone... cheer! This is a great victory.