“Heya, we meet again,” Ciel approached with a smile on her face.

“So we do,” Paina replied. “How are you?”

“Tired. A lot of unexpected things happened in a few short days,” Ciel sighed despite her smile.

“I can only imagine.”

The two first met during the Valkut arc. At the climax, the two along with Farley vanquished a clone of Georgi that was aiming for the helpless Viers. As people who had fought side by side together in a battle to the death, some rapport was established between the three.

But Ciel approached Paina. There was a specific reason for this.

Because Paina’s ‘color’ was the whitest among all the people here. Naturally, Ciel didn't mean the color of her skin.

Ciel possessed a special sight; the nature of a person, she could see them as a colored aura that only she could see. This was something that Ciel was born with. The Church later told her it was a gift from the Goddess.

Based on her experience, the more good deeds a person does, the whiter their color becomes. Oppositely, if a person committed a lot of bad deeds, the darker their color was. The way Ciel took it, the color was a sign from the Radiant Lady. Whether the Goddess looked upon a person with approval or disapproval.

Based on that, Ciel had an easier time judging a person. The sight never let her down. She was once sent to hunt a notorious criminal, but once she saw that her color wasn't black, she decided to hear her out and dig around. Turned out she was framed. Naturally, Ciel cleared things up and helped uncover the truth.

Ciel was grateful to the Goddess for the gift. Guidance to where her justice should be directed. This sight made her feel close to the Goddess, a cornerstone of her religious piousness.

With her sight, she could root out the hiding darkness before it festered and became a disaster.

That led her to Viers.

To Ciel’s eyes, his color wasn't all black. A little black, like most people in the world, but not so black that indicated he had brought evil and suffering unto many others. If the Church’s report of his past was correct, Viers’ color should be much blacker. This usually indicated the guy also did a lot of good deeds.

That was one of the reasons she picked him as his fake boyfriend. If his color was really black, Ciel would be too disgusted to approach him. Of those noble youths that approached her at the Emerith Grand Ball, many of them had ‘colors’ too black it felt repulsive. Viers was a better alternative in Ciel’s mind.

Her sight helped but it couldn't show her all the answers. To investigate further, she accepted Viers’ invitation to his private party. After seeing the ‘color’ of the group he hung around with, Ciel was glad this was not a group of evil-doers. If they were, she would be duty-bound to act, such was her justice.

Paina had the whitest color of them all and they had met before, so Ciel was naturally drawn to her. She wished to cuddle the mini-dryad and her fire and cloud buddies next; they were super adorable. The jet-black faceless monster that she’d never seen before was quite scary though.

“Are you hungry?” Paina asked. “I know it’s late at night but there’s a bunch of good food. I recommend you eat some. Viers’ cooks are masterful in their craft. You should take home the bread. Viers wouldn't mind. He has a lot, I mean it.”

“Isn't there too much food?” Ciel looked at the table with more than ten varieties of food. Sizeable portions too. “Isn't it too much of a waste?”

“Oh, don't worry about that. Viers will eat the leftovers. He has a big stomach. Or stomachs.”

“...What?” Ciel wasn't sure if her ears heard right.

Paina, who wasn't sure how much she was allowed to divulge, tried to shift the topic. “Have you heard about Rose? I’d love to hear about what the angel-blessed old girl is up to.”

***

“Is this wise, Lord Viers?”

“Hm? Oh.”

Farley said as she watched Ciel and Paina conversing. Viers, who was next to her, didn't realize Farley had gotten close because he was appraising and appreciating his new gift from the otherworldly Orient.

“You disapprove?” Viers asked.

“Bringing a Silver Legion so close to the center of your power… It is too high of a risk. If she found out about our side activities, she wouldn't stay still. I’d even say she would actively hinder our efforts,” Farley continued. “Sakuya aside, Ciel’s presence is a high-risk low-return.”

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“Ah, that’s because I know something that you do not, dear Farley. See, Ciel will be our ally. The reason? Love. Pure and simple. She will love me so bad she can't help it.”

Farley was… shocked to say the least. Viers spoke with such confidence and certainty.

“You believe she would… betray the Church and come to your side, because of love? Is this another of your Fables?”

“Hehehe. Perhaps betray is too strong of a word, but the love part? It is as if it was written in the stars at this point. She has no idea what she has gotten herself into. I didn't even have to push her towards this outcome. She has done that herself.”

Farley had witnessed many of Viers’ antics but this was too outlandish. Viers was certainly strong, and strong guys had a certain charm. However, to grasp the heart of a woman like Ciel so completely and make her leave her old life behind on her own volition? As a woman herself, Farley didn't think Viers had that much charm or charisma. She didn't believe it would happen unless he heavily tinkered with her soul.

“...If my guess is right, you plan on giving her and Sakuya a seat in the club. With our dealings, will she tolerate it?”

“I believe she would be… amicable to our cause,” Viers gave a strong, business smile. “It’s all about the marketing.”

***

They all slept in Viridis afterward. Viers had enough lodgings for twice their numbers. Many slept soundly including Viers because the day was truly packed with events.

In the early afternoon, because they all slept very late last night, Viers directed the girls to give the newcomers: Ciel, Sakuya, and Yayoi, a tour of the Biome. Let them bask in the greatness of the place that they had built. Viers was the planner and visionary, Dia was the one who built things, but all members of the Arcanum Club contributed, sharing the joy of the betterment of their home.

Meanwhile, Viers himself was making adjustments and preparations. Tomorrow, the Latias Grand Prix would begin. Meanwhile, Viers was still a newly minted Level 4. Although he had his adjustment period during her vacation at Celedony, it didn't change the fact. After reaching Level 4, many doors were open for him to improve himself, doors that were closed when he was a Level 3.

Simply put, Viers was optimizing his build. He wouldn't become Level 4 mid anytime soon but his battle power could be improved substantially with the right customizations.

Viers was particularly focusing on his Imaginary Domain. In a fight between Level 4s, one’s Domain is crucial, just like how it was for Unreality Field between Level 3s.

It was powerful, thanks to his Profound Codex. While a Profound Codex shaped the Domain, the individual also played a part in the finished product. Two people using the same Profound Codex could have different but similar Domains. This was the more common case, but depending on the person, a wholly unique Domain was possible.

In the Dojo, a loud blast could be heard. Inside, in the middle of broken wooden floors, stood Viers.

Failure… As expected, creating a Domain without a boundary like Sukuna is not possible for the current me. Hehe. Need more time to cook.

Viers’ head was packed with inspirations from his Fables. After all, ‘Domain’ was depicted pretty often in fiction.

Before he tried another of his ideas, Viers’ mind wandered to the katana on his waist, Umikirimaru.

Originally, Viers planned on making a suitable weapon for him using the meteorite core he got three years ago, Shining Heart. He didn't let Boram eat it in the end. The little giant refused and followed another path of improvement. Sakuya’s gift was indeed timely.

Shining Heart could also grant someone light 5 affinity, it was not usable by anyone at this point in time. Selling it seemed a waste. Ciel affinity was already light 5 so this was useless for her. Viers’ put the matter to the back of his mind for now.

The question is, should I use the katana in the Grand Prix? Too many eyes watching for my taste. I also cannot use Artes that can easily be identified from Earth. Well, some handicaps shouldn't be a problem.

About the Grand Prix itself, Viers wasn't too worried. With the addition of Ciel, their group was among the top tier. Level 4s were already rare looking at the age requirement of under 25. Even the princes and princesses have yet to reach that Level.

Unlike competition arc in other works, Viers just didn't feel much pressure, the absolute stake of becoming champion. Sure the prizes were incredibly good and suitably grand for the top achievers but Viers didn't feel he had to have them or the world would end. His wealth from doing evil deeds had gotten him cultivating treasures of that level already, albeit rare.

Besides, the focus was on Croix. The prince had to be the one who distinguished himself during the Prix. As long as Ciel, Boram, and Viers did their best and created the chance for the prince to show what he was made of, all was good. Objectively speaking, Croix was a pretty good seedling. The chances of this group becoming number one were pretty good.

Be that as it may, Viers didn't underestimate Latias young generation’s best and brightest. That was why he kept building his strength and made ample preparations and many contingencies for tomorrow.

Ciel’s ploy definitely would draw ire and trigger extra events, Viers wasn't blind.

He had a flashback about his conversation with Farley about Ciel yesterday.

Despite what he said, Viers wasn't about to open all of his secrets to Ciel and he wouldn't let his guard down. Ciel would fall in love with him, this much he was certain. Too many Fables backed him on this. Leaning on that all-powerful, ever-sweet, volatile emotion, he would begin integrating Ciel to his side. Corrupting her to the ‘dark side’, bit by bit.

It would be subtle. Viers wouldn't use any underhanded or forceful measure against her. She would realize and become spooked, driving her away. He simply needed to play his part during the future events of their storyline.

The rest, as people said, was history.

Tonight, there will be the Arcanum Club semi-monthly meeting. With the addition of Ciel and Sakuya, the club’s prowess will be greater, bringing even more profits for me. Gwueheheheh!

Always gain profits then turn those profits into strength to gain even more profits.

Words to live by in a cultivation-based world. Something Viers realized on day one and the bedrock of his plans.