After the play, along with Katelyn and the rest of the crew bowing to a standing ovation, she thanked Virtuoso for helping her and went about paying them for their work as supernatural detectives. They were currently in the theater’s backstage since Allen and the rest had gone there to give their congratulations personally and confirm matters were settled before leaving.
“2-2000 dollars?!” Nera exclaimed with stars in her eyes as she finished counting the comically large wad of cash in her hands.
“It’s the least we can offer. The Verre Chateau is fairly popular in the theater scene for its novelty after all, so we’re not struggling for funds.” Katelyn replied proudly.
“Yes, what we are struggling with are uncultured snobs trying to dissolve our company for prejudiced reasons. They fail to see the beauty of Craftless, Grendel, and Crafters all working together for the sake of true art.” Nathan went on a lengthy and flamboyant tirade afterward that Allen had to cut short.
“That’s bad too, but, I heard that the Concealers are a part of the Paladins. Does that mean we should be wary of that entire order now?”
“From the stories I heard about them from my mentor, they don’t seem to be that corrupt. With as much power as they have, Atelier City would be a much more dangerous place if that were the case.” Iyo added.
Nathan sobered up after hearing what they had to say. “It’s as Iyo said, they aren’t as corrupt as the Concealers. Three organizations work under the Paladins and the Paladins exert varying degrees of control over them. The Crusaders who venture into the Underworld to protect valuable resources, the Observers who monitor areas supervised by the order, and the Concealers who keep the mundane world in the dark about Craft.”
“If that’s the case, are you saying they’re the least controlled?” Allen suggested.
“Yes, the Concealers have been around for a very long time in different forms, even dating back to the witch trials that plagued Europe and the Americas long ago. They blend into the common populace to find people who share information about the underworld too carelessly, so secrecy is essential, and that makes regulating them all the harder. They don’t receive direct interference from the Paladin Order usually…but if something as heinous as tonight’s ordeal comes to light, the Order will take action to stomp the problem out.” Nathan’s assurance of their nobility was enough for Allen for now.
Katelyn then walked over to Allen and placed something in his hand. “I found this for you. I saw what you were able to do with these, so I hope this helps you out in the future. Oh, and I forgot to give you my Invite Card!” Her eyes widened and she reached into one of her pockets for the golden piece of futuristic tech. She tried handing it to him but Allen would not accept it.
“It’s fine. Use that to join the festival or whatever else you want.” Allen smiled wide while holding up what Katelyn had given him just now, a sapphire specter stone in the shape of a teardrop. “After seeing what you accomplished tonight, I think I’m going to try winning one on my own instead. This should make a good enough replacement.”
Katelyn was about to argue but sighed in exasperation. “Whatever, I can’t lie that I wasn’t hoping I could still enter somehow. I have a dream I wouldn’t mind fighting for myself now. Just agree that you won’t get bitter feelings if we come across each other in the festival and…”
She stood on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear. “Think of me when you use this power as well.”
Allen smiled bashfully with a burning face but was able to regain enough composure to nod twice to her requests.
“If you do decide to join, Katelyn. Know that I will do everything in my power to support you for I owe you a greater debt than you could ever understand.” Nathan unexpectedly proclaimed with profound seriousness that surprised Katelyn.
“Don’t expect too much, okay? I just think that if I do well in the festival, I can get enough support from the council to have them devote more effort to giving aid to less fortunate people regardless of their background. I don’t want anyone else to end up pickpocketing on the streets to survive.”
“That’s a dream worth supporting then.” Allen complimented right as Nera separated Katelyn’s hands from his and started dragging him away. “Alright, Lackey, that’s enough grandstanding with Droopy Eyes. The train’s about to leave and I want to grab some gourmet parfaits here with our pay before they close down. Hurry up!”
Xalia laughed knowingly in an obnoxious pitch that grated Nera’s ears. “Yeah, that’s why you want to keep him away from the star of the show.” The young woman with the black and white hair sneered back at her.
Regardless of the reason, Virtuoso waved farewell to the troupe of Verre Chateau with Allen’s last sight of them being Connor, Nathan, and Katelyn all bowing deeply in gratitude.
***
Much later in the deep of night, In a seedy tavern far removed from the splendor of the Theater Atlantis, a cacophony of Grendel of wildly different shapes and sizes gathered for good times and even better liquor. This place was known as the Witch’s Cauldron and served as a hot spot for the underworld’s less savory residents.
However, no matter how rowdy the Witch’s Cauldron could get and no matter what brawls were started, it was instinctually understood to leave the table in the middle of the iron floor alone for that was reserved for the Uncrowned Monarchs who controlled everything that was not in the eyes of the Council or the Order.
Tonight as well, they had graced the chaotic tavern with their presence for it might as well be a five-star hotel with what they were used to seeing daily. Dealing out the cards for another game of poker with excellent precision was a man with heterochromia and intricate scars covering his skin. At the same time, a woman was wearing a crimson coat and matching shades that hid blood-red irises and black scherla humming merrily to herself. She poured out vintage wine made for the others to enjoy to their hearts’ content while she partook of a different kind made from voluntarily acquired elven blood. Lastly, a roguish man who towered over his peers with a bestial face and a mane of unkempt hair laughed at the thought of adding even more to his stack of chips from winning several times in a row. His pronounced fangs bared for every soul to see.
All at once, they heard the familiar sound of water breaking that should not have been possible on that metallic ground next to them. From below, a man emerged with long dark blue hair and pitch-black water dropping off him before it disappeared into nothingness. What remained was Nathan Snider, the last Uncrowned Monarch, standing right next to the others’ table with everyone else gawking at his unannounced appearance.
“Do you mind if I join? I’ll need more cards though since I only have this one.” Nathan asked theatrically and a golden Invite Card appeared in his hand with a flick of his wrist.
The roguish man bared his teeth again and laughed heartily as all the rest revealed their golden cards as well.
“Sure, what took you so long?’
***
“Pardon my rudeness in advance but why are you following me?” Iyo calmly inquired after noticing Xalia behind him. A few minutes before, he had told the rest of Virtuoso he would be returning home after things had settled down from the night two days ago. Allen had been caught off guard but admitted that it was reasonable now that there was no immediate threat and they had reason to believe that the Soothsayer person would not appear unless they came close to acquiring the Theurgist’s Periapt again.
“I want to research you,” Xalia stated directly. Her messy blue hair rustled freely in the wind as she caught up to him. They were walking out of the 5th Ward toward the 8th Ward of Atelier City. It was a residential district known for its more old-fashioned houses and historical landmarks.
“What for? If you want to find out more about Oni, I’m sure there are books you can find at the Bastion that cover their nature and background,” Iyo honestly suggested. He did have an ulterior motive for telling her that though. Namely, to get her out of his hair.
“Frankly, I don’t care about you being an Oni. I’m trying to understand you in particular to help with my witchcraft.” Xalia answered while twirling her brush-like stylus from finger to finger in her hand with impressive dexterity.
“How would that help you?” Iyo inquired again before thinking about it more. “Is there some sort of crafting material you think I have that might be useful to study?”
“Nope.”
“You want me to collect ingredients for your potions?”
“Helpful but this isn’t about that.
“...You don’t know how to cook and want to learn?”
“Incorrecto, witchcraft is no different from cooking after all.”
Iyo’s eyes turned up as he doubted the bold claim but he had used the term “ingredients” just before, so he lacked a strong argument to refute the statement. Regardless, he was tired of her dancing around his inquiry. “It seems asking so many follow-up questions was my mistake here.’
“It was, but I’ll go ahead and tell you,” Xalia acknowledged. “I want to research the taste of your aura.”
Iyo’s brow furrowed in confusion but he allowed her to continue instead of interrupting.
“You see, I have a case of magical synaesthesia which means that I perceive different types of aura as taste.” The odd Witch explained further. “Nearly everyone’s aura matches up with a material in nature. That Nathan guy’s tasted like seaweed, Tierney’s was like nutmeg, and Nera’s oddly enough tasted like electrified grapes.”
This brought out Iyo’s curiosity. “What about Allen’s?”
“His aura doesn’t have a taste at all since he uses Extract from external sources.”
“Understandable, then what’s the point of finding out an aura’s flavor?”
“I’m glad you asked. When I learn the taste of a person’s aura, I gain the ability to acquire Extract from the corresponding material.”
Iyo looked back in puzzlement with his glowing, ember-like irises. “Is this something normal for Witches? I feel like I would’ve heard of this before.’
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Xalia simply shook her head. “No, it’s just a trait unique to me. Maybe it’s the world trying to compensate for never allowing me to learn another Skill…but I would doubt the forces that be cared at all about fairness if that was their attempt.”
“It would be a cruel joke if that was their idea of fairness,” Iyo added. Compared to being able to gain more ingredients for Witchcraft, learning more Skills as a Crafter would be a much more streamlined and lucrative path to becoming stronger with magic. “But, why do you need to study me even more? Couldn’t you already get a feel of my aura?”
“It varies from person to person. Some people are made up of auras that are purely one thing while others have auras composed of many different profiles mashed together and you’re the latter.” Xalia continued. “Those different flavor profiles reveal themselves in key moments.”
Iyo thought back to when Xalia had pulled off that dangerous rush against the Fossegrim and he had to figure out how to save her in an instant. She commented on taste too when that happened. “You really are someone to keep a watchful eye on if that was your reason for taking such a risk.”
“Hmph, if it means honing my Craft and having more fun, a little risk isn’t that bad,” Xalia replied while still walking beside Iyo. “So, can I stay over at your place? My house was wrecked and we’re pretty far away from Allen and Nera now.”
Iyo sighed as he finally relented. “Sure, just make sure not to mess up the furniture.”
“Of course.” Xalia nodded with a smirk and the odd pair walked along further into the night of Atelier City.
***
It was the next morning around eight in the morning and Allen and Nera were currently standing in the R&R Lounge. Allen had messaged Glenn about a possible replacement for the harmonica stylus he had been using while wrapped around his bandages. Now that he was serious about joining the Sword in Stone Festival, he needed a better weapon to fight with.
“I”m glad you decided to ask me, but what made you seek me out in particular?” The street magician asked while preparing some drinks from behind the counter. Work hours in the Netherworld were even more irregular than average city life due to the lack of a day and night cycle. In the early mornings, Glenn would sometimes take a shift to give the lounge owner a rest.
“You must know your stuff about magic if you’re able to fool Crafters with your tricks. Plus, you also use Craft Cards, aren’t don’t you?” Allen inferred while looking at the deck of cards on the counter that Glenn always kept by his side.
Glenn chuckled lightly as he handed the two some coffee. “Good deduction and yes, I do have some Craft Cards of my own but where I keep them is a secret.”
“What? Are you gonna say you cram them up your ass?” Nera remarked after taking a sip of her drink. This earned a chuckle from Allen that he fruitlessly tried to stifle.
“Ehh..” Glenn groaned with a faint smile. “Let’s just say a magician should have his cards as close to his chest as possible.”
With a flutter of his hand, a Craft Card appeared in his fingers with the name
“Metal, I gotta consider using that trick myself!” Allen complimented before getting back to the subject at hand. “That aside, do you have a stylus suited to applying magical energy to items generated by Craft Cards like what I’m looking for?” Allen could, of course, easily get a simple stylus from one of the many magic tool shops in Atelier City’s Luminiere Ward but none of them would give a Craftless like him much advice about what would be his best option.
Glenn shook his head unabashedly. “No, that’s not my specialty, but I do know someone that it is.”
Allen and Nera pondered on who that could be as they chatted with him a while longer. Allen asked about what decided the name of the card Glenn showed and was informed that after summoning a card for the first time, a unique name had to be given to them to call them out again. Allen was incredibly enthused by this and spent a while thinking up names for all his Craft Cards.
This continued until the door of the lounge opened up. They turned their heads to see a young woman wearing a green hoodie and yellow skirt who had a golden beagle on her shoulder with its leash hanging uselessly at her side.
“Huh..” Allen was confused by the weird deer hat she had over her head that covered the top portion of her face completely.
“Hello Glenn, Sasha was on good behavior all of yesterday and emptied all the kibble I fed her.” The mysterious woman told Glenn warmly as she walked over to the counter.
“Heh, sometimes I feel like she wouldn’t even care if I left her with you all the time, Olivia. Thanks for taking care of her while I’m busy.” Glenn greeted the woman with a smile.
“You’re welcome, but you should really think of getting a stable living or I’ll really have to keep-” Olivia stopped mid-sentence after finally taking note of the two strangers sitting at the bar. “Who are these two randoms?” None of her pleasantness from a moment prior carried over to them.
Nera rolled her eyes while Allen said out loud, “Wait, is this expert Glenn was talking about?”
“Oh, you’re the guy Glenn wanted me to pick out a stylus for. Here you go.” Olivia pulled out a thin gray case from the pouch of her green hoodie and sat it on the tablet top. “The capacity is lacking, but this is good for someone who’s trying to channel their aura into other objects.”
“Is this it?” Allen asked hesitantly while staring at the innocuous box.
“It will be if you give me the money for it,” Olivia told him with arms crossed. Her cold demeanor was contrasted by the happily panting dog on her shoulder.
“I’ll at least have a look at first then.” Allen fired back before opening up the box and laying eyes on the stylus inside. It was a silver stylus in the form of a long, metal needle with two grooves in it, one at the middle and another at the instrument’s tip. Implanted in the item’s core was an opaque ether crystal. When he picked it up, he was surprised by the heaviness despite the tool’s sleek design.
“Try channeling some Extract into your body,” Olivia informed.
Allen did as he was instructed and the magical energy came rushing into him faster than he ever experienced. “Woah, this actually is a lot better than what I was using before!”
“Yeah, acting as a pathway for transferring magical power is exactly what that stylus was made for.” Olivia elaborated. “Now, where’s my pay? It’ll be $150.”
“Oh, right? Nera could you…” Allen said as he glanced over to Nera who still had possession of the reward they got from Katelyn. They had all agreed they would only use money from their jobs for either getting the Theurgist’s Periapt itself or paying for things that would directly help them in specter hunting such as a new stylus for Allen.
“Here it is, Jane Doe. Are you sure it can handle serious fights,” Nera said as she handed out the cash reluctantly.
“I promise. You’re entering the Sword in Stone Festival, so on my honor as a Crafter, I would not give you any weapon that was not up to par.” Olivia vowed intensely. Regardless of how rude she may have treated them, she definitely took this exchange seriously.
“Ah, okay... Thanks for the help.” Allen replied shakily.
“Alright. I guess I’ll go take Sasha and meet up with some of my other clients to give their pets a walk too. Have a nice day. Oh, and be careful out there newbies.” Olivia waved to everyone before leaving out of the lounge.
“She’s a dog walker and a magic tool specialist? What exactly is her Craft?” Nera asked after she disappeared from view.
“She’s a Hunter Crafter. Her family focuses on making finely-made weapons.” Glenn answered bluntly.
“A Hunter Crafter, so that deer head-”
“No, it’s fake. She loves animals so much she would never hunt one or wear clothing made from them.” Glenn quickly cut Allen off before he could finish his sentence.
“A Hunter Crafter who doesn’t like to hunt... Don’t see that every day.” Nera noted with genuine amazement.
“Well, not everyone’s ideals align with their family’s,” Glenn said while gingerly cleaning a wine glass. “A parent’s dream for their lineage can easily become their children’s nightmare. This establishment is a resting ground for black sheep like that.”
“Ahh..” Nera thought silently to herself. ‘Maybe this place along with Virtuoso could be somewhere an outcast like me could remain as well.’ She had never thought she would come to have such content feelings again. Suddenly, her eyes opened wide when she realized what time it was.
“Aghh!! I can’t believe I forgot! I gotta open up early and there’s only thirty minutes to get to the store in time!” Nera exclaimed abruptly.
“Huh? How far away is it?” Allen hurriedly asked.
“It’s at least an hour even if I jump over the rooftops. There’s no way I can make and if I’m late, my boss is going to increase my rent again.”
“What?! Is that even legal!” Allen’s words fell on deaf, metallic ears as Nera rushed to the lounge’s exit. Allen followed frantically after grabbing the silver stylus from its case and thanking Glenn on the way out. The magician just waved with a pleasant smile that held a tinge of worry about the two’s competence.
“Wait, I have an idea. I can use my Craft Cards to help you get there in time.” Allen called out while struggling to keep pace with Nera. They were currently rushing down the Luminaire Ward’s streets towards the Gateway closest to where Nera’s workplace was.
“Ughh…” Nera contemplated the obviously haphazard idea for a second before caving into desperation. “Fine! Just do whatever it takes to get me there and I’ll point out the way.”
Allen nodded then recalled Glenn’s instructions and envisioned the card he wanted to draw while thinking of the name ofhe wanted to give it.
“Vinea!” Allen shouted the name he had chosen for the card imbued with the power of the first Specter Stone he had ever obtained. A shimmer of green light sprang from his deck case and a green whip made out of vines appeared around his wrist. Likewise, the golden apparition from before was right by his side as well. She had a surprised look but seemed to at least quickly understand they were trying to get somewhere in a hurry.
“Reach out your hand and I’ll direct the vine wherever you need to go!” Flos exposited earnestly.”
“Great! Here goes everything!” Allen exclaimed as he did as told and the vine extended to the rooftops and pulled him along with it.
“What are you talking abou-” That was all Nera could get out before Allen grabbed her wrist and the two were sent flying high above the streets of the underworld, an outsider with a wide grin and an outcast with a nervous smile.
***
Down below, in the alleyways of the same district, a camera click went off as someone took a snap of Allen and Nera barrelling through the air. High-speed aerial movement like that was not an uncommon occurrence in the netherworld but the photographer still thought it was worth the effort due to the individuals involved.
“Come out from over there or I’ll burn you to ash like the rest.” A harsh voice commanded.
The photographer waited a bit but ultimately decided to comply by coming out of the corner they were hiding behind. They wore plain clothing with dull colors that consisted of a button-up shirt and slacks.
Sitting atop a mound of charred corpses was none other than Erno Rautiainen, the Inheritor of Muspelheim with a strong grimace showing on his face. He had been roaming around the underside of Atelier City aimlessly. After the Sword in Stone Festival, something must have prompted the Concealers to finally take their chances at bringing him down to no avail. “You have some guts snooping around here as long as you did. If you value your life, go ahead and scram. I don’t have time to be dealing with small fry like you.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t do that since I came to speak to you,” The photographer replied monotonously.
“Hmm, why’s that?” Erno asked with bemused interest.
“You can probably already understand.” The photographer pulled out a photo from their pocket. “You’re both a reaper and a mercenary. There would be no otherother no reason to approach you than having something I want to be destroyed.”
Erno grinned. He was impressed by this stranger’s directness and courage. “That’s true. Okay then, what do you think would be worth the price of hiring my services?”
“That should also be obvious as well.” The photographer smiled thinly as they held their photo up to the light. “I have a record of the Grim Reaper’s death.”
Volume 2: Mermaid’s Tear Arc End