Chapter 18: Three Questions
Realizing Fors's intentions, Enber glanced at Xio, who remained blissfully unaware. He couldn't help but think how lucky she was to have such a friend looking out for her. Of course, Xio genuinely deserved such care.
After a bit more banter with Xio, Fors returned to the point. "Enber, Xio told me about the plan you came up with—using knowledge of mysticism to gradually approach high-ranking nobles through their children. That kind of plot would be brilliant in a novel! I must admit, it's flawless… except Xio may not have what it takes to pull it off."
'Then why bring it up at all?' Enber almost did a double take at the sudden twist.
Xio, on the other hand, scowled.
"What do you mean I don't have what it takes? Isn't it just about making friends? Who's to say I can't find a noble brat who enjoys fighting and gather a gang of followers?"
Fors shrugged, unladylike as always.
"Alright, alright, I was only joking. Actually, Xio asked me to help yesterday. But before I agree, I've got a few questions I need cleared up."
"What kind of questions? I'll answer as best I can." Enber kept his tone guarded—Fors's thoughts were unpredictable, and there was no telling what she'd ask.
"First," Fors said, "If nobles already have easier access to mysticism, why would they come to us? Isn't it more convenient for them to go through official channels?"
"It's true nobles have easier access, but the cost is steep," Enber explained, drawing on the knowledge he remembered from the novel. "They'd have to join a church's Extraordinary team or become a government official. Either way, they'd lose a lot of freedom. Many noble children don't want that. That's where your chance lies."
Fors nodded slowly, her expression shifting.
"So, what they're really after isn't the knowledge itself, but potion formulas."
"Miss Fors truly has a sharp mind," Enber said admiringly.
"Second question." Her lazy look sharpened. "How did you know I was Xio's friend? Even if she thinks highly of you, I doubt she'd mention me without reason."
Xio blinked in confusion. "When did Enber ever say he knew you?"
Enber cut her off with a small smile. "What makes you ask that?" He could tell Fors's seriousness was part act—more curiosity than suspicion.
"You emphasized that Xio needed a friend with a bit of reputation in a certain field and even suggested she contact Viscount Glaint. Wasn't that basically hinting for her to come to me? And wouldn't you know, I just met that overly trusting viscount at a literary salon. You really do have your ear to the ground!" Fors said smugly.
"That was actually a coincidence… though I was planning to ask for your help," Enber admitted vaguely. "I am, after all, someone blessed with knowledge—I know a bit of everything." Not that I can tell you it's all written in a novel.
Fors frowned, dissatisfied. Not wanting to be out done she asked with a sarcastic edge, "Blessed with knowledge, and you 'know a bit of everything'? That's a really bold claim. Then tell me, why do some Beyonders hear whispers during a full moon?"
Enber instantly realized this was Fors's greatest concern but she wasn't expecting an answer. But after a moment's thought, he chose to answer sincerely. None of them could solve it anyway. "Unless one has crossed paths with an evil god or some other great being, those whispers usually come from high-level figures in the same pathway. And as far as I know, only some in the Apprentice pathway experience full-moon whispers."
"You actually know?" Fors's was stunned. She had only meant to put him on the spot to vent her irritation, but his answer left her stunned and somewhat hopeful.
Xio, who had heard Fors mention the whispers before, hadn't thought it serious. Seeing Fors's shock, though, she began to suspect otherwise.
Fors leaned forward, her irritation forgotten, replaced with suppressed hope. "Enber, do you know more? Please, tell me."
Eager to move on from the earlier question, Enber nodded. "Well, let me start with the Fourth Epoch's War of the Four Emperors—"
Xio perked up. "He really does know how to weave stories about the Fourth Epoch…" Fors groaned. "Just get to the point! I don't want a history lecture."
"Alright, alright… long story short," Enber said, "the first angel family under the Blood Emperor Tudor—the Abrahams—held the Apprentice pathway. After the War of the Four Emperors, the family declined rapidly due to a curse. All Apprentices of their bloodline were afflicted with full-moon whispers. In lower Sequences, the whispers are tolerable. But by mid-Sequence, they can barely endure a full moon. Eventually, the Abraham family fell into obscurity. If not for a few high-level Sealed Artifacts, people might think that they went extinct."
He carefully avoided mentioning "Mr. Door." Though sealed among the stars by the Goddess, that being's influence still lingered. Even Roselle may have been manipulated by him. Enber wasn't about to risk that kind of disclosure. Perhaps one day, above the gray fog, he could share more with "Miss Magician."
"The Abraham family…" Fors muttered, nervously tugging her curly hair. "Could I be their descendant? No… I only started hearing whispers after I used that bracelet. Could it be tied to them—and dragged me into the curse?"
She turned back quickly. "Is there any way to remove it?" Enber replied without hesitation.
"Pray for divine blessing and protection,"
"That's as good as saying nothing!" Fors huffed, missing the hidden meaning. Her tone grew desperate. "Anything else?"
"The Abrahams still possess several Grade 0 Sealed Artifacts," Enber said. The implication was clear: if even they can't break the curse, then three Sequence 9s stand no chance.
Fors slumped back, her usual salted fish air returning. Knowing the curse's origin only left her more trapped.
Xio sitting by her side gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
Forcing a weak smile, Fors said, "It's fine. At low Sequences, the whispers are tolerable. I'll just… stop advancing. Don't worry. But why is it getting harder and harder to endure?"
'Just hold on a little longer. The Fool will descend at month's end.' Though Enber didn't know how to comfort her, he silently encouraged her in his heart.
After a moment, Fors flicked away her darker thoughts and forced back her usual laziness.
"Alright, Blessed of Knowledge, you've passed question two. Now for the last one. This plan of yours—it's clever, and it clearly benefits Xio. But it feels too polished to be improvised. So, tell me honestly. Is there a hidden agenda? Something you're aiming for yourself?"
'Honestly, I just want you both to meet Miss Audrey, as "arranged." And the plan is straight from the original plot.' Enber sighed inwardly. After pretending to hesitate, he said,
"I do have a goal. I want to know why the military is trafficking so many people… and where those people are being sent."
Xio immediately thought of his mother's abduction. Her eyes softened on that as she knew that Enber's mother was one of the victims of abduction an trafficking. "Don't worry, Enber. I'll help you." She said, reassuring him.
Fors, having already heard the story, was equally indignant. "The military colluding with some hidden organization to traffic their own citizens—it's vile! And don't tell me it's just for money. What's their real goal?"
'For the king to ascend to godhood…' Enber sighed silently, saddened both by the truth and by what had likely become of the original Enber's mother. In the tomb of the Black Emperor, there could be no hope.
With her questions answered, Fors finally agreed to help Xio with the plan—to connect with nobles.
"But there's no rush. I'll wait until my current book, Wuthering Heights, is finished and published. With that reputation, I'll have better leverage," she said, pushing the task off as usual.
Xio's eyes narrowed. "Then I'll keep a close eye on you until it's done."
Fors gaped. "Are you the devil?"
"No." Xio's curt reply left no room for doubt.
Watching their "harmonious" exchange, Enber couldn't help but chuckle.
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Meanwhile, in a private room of the Grant Clothing Store in Cherwood Borough, Mr. Charlie Grant carefully dropped a dried, black-spotted toad into a beaker.
After stirring the liquid, he eyed the pitch-black solution, took a deep breath, and downed it in one gulp, shutting his eyes tightly against the bitterness.
(End of Chapter)