Amanises found the situation quite amusing, but she agreed nonetheless.
Not only because as a lower Sequence and power, she couldn't refute her superior, but because she was interested in this Azik Eggers.
When his name was called out, the river water rippled a little. Since this only happens on special occasions, she deduced that this would be useful for the quest in deciphering this strange place.
How was she able to point that it rippled?
Well, whenever that happens Amansies feels a cold shiver at her nape. The room was of medium temperature, and Leonard didn't look intimidating at all, so this could be the only explanation.
Not like I have a choice, anyways...
"You said that the triple suicide was the start of the chain, what about the rest of the events?"
Leonard gave a wry smile. "There was also an old woman, found rotting in her own apartment, as well as her son, Ray Bieber—he became a Beyonder who lost control, almost reaching Sequence 6.
"He was defeated by the Machinery Hivemind, after divination his final words were: 'I found it! It was in my hands! How could I have lost it!'
So, we concluded that all of this is because of a mystical item, who has properties of making people mad and irrational, driving them to suicide."
She stroked her chin in thought. "Not a bad deduction, could it have been an object passed around? From Welch's hands to Klein and to the Biebers, at last? But how could it have reached there? And who has it now?"
Leonard looked up. "That's what I'm trying to find out. The reason why you should try and get closer to Azik Eggers is to, first—figure out his abnormality, and second—ask him about any object Klein Moretti could've possessed prior to his death, one that arouses suspicion and strangeness."
"Got it." Amanises nodded. "Is that all to the mission?"
Leonard shook his head. "Of course not. Hehehe. Many things happened lately, some I can't even describe. But not everything should be handled by one person. I've given everything that's necessary for your assignment. The rest would just be a bother to know."
If you say so, sir know-it-all. She sighed inwardly.
But on the outside, her expression showed pure euphoria of being spared the details.
"Thank you, sir. When can I start?"
Leonard chucked and then flashed her an easy smile. "There's no need for such politeness. With you being older than me, this feels extremely weird.
"You can take your time and get used to the university and Tingen first, make yourself at home."
Amamises wasn't against this at all, as she wasn't in any hurry. It was better to take things slow at first and approach her 'victim' slowly, earning his trust.
I can work with that!
***
A few hours later.
Amanises didn't spend much time there, she instead chose to leave for the day; returning home and digesting all of the information.
On the way to the exit of the Spirit Domain, she bumped into two young women. It took her a while to recognize them as her only point of reference was a shallow description from Daly—who focuses more on personality and whether they're good looking or not.
Certainly, these women somewhat met the second condition.
They were Royale Reideen and Seeka Tron, two natives of Tingen City.
Neither spoke much, just offered a short greeting and well wishes.
Both quiet and secluded. Make quite the pair.
With that, Amanises made her way home, stopping by a modest bakery on the way, getting her supply of fresh bread and pastries with a cheap cup of coffee.
Although she preferred tea as of late, caffeine wasn't unpleasant.
Opening the house door using a spare key she got from Daly, Amanises stepped inside and went straight to the bathroom.
She washed her face thoroughly, wiping off her make-up and staring into the mirror. There was only a small window, placed higher than the bathtub and wash basin, giving the room a strange light.
It wasn't dusk yet, but the rays weren't blinding, it was like a sharp dagger cutting a thin line on the green tiles, and splitting Amanises's face in half—right under her eyes.
She gripped the porcelain sink in a tight grip, staring deep into her own eyes. Inside her pupil a small insignificant spark of red glow shined, piercing her own glare.
With a slight movement, it changed to bright orange, then yellow—reflecting the sunlight.
She wasn't sure how long it took, but the light dimmed gradually so it was time to leave.
Amanises stood in the kitchen, preparing herself a small meal with what she bought and sipping on her cold coffee, when suddenly the door opened and inside, stepped in front of her roommate.
Daly Simone mumbled a 'Good evening', took a slice of fresh bread and left straight for their room. It was strange seeing the woman so dispirited, so Amanises made an effort to find out the reason. She didn't want to feel like an uncaring friend.
Taking a seat on the bed opposite of the woman's, Amansies held her paper cup coffee and inquired. "What happened?"
"Drained." Daly gave her answer in a short word.
What kind of 'drain'? A slight perverted thought made its way into Amanises's head, she raised an eyebrow and a small blush appeared on her cheeks.
Daly raised her head from the sheets and shot her a questioning glare.
The embarrassed woman caught in her hand while admiring a nearby wall. "Uhh, what kind of drain?"
Daly narrowed her eyes in confusion, before she completely exploded in laughter.
"Ahahahahhha! Not that kind of drainage! I wish it was though!" She clarified.
This small moment lifted her mood a little, she put a pillow under her elbow and rested her head on her fist, addressing Amanises like talking on a podcast.
"Have I ever told you my tragic backstory?"
"Tragic backstory? What are you, a character in a novel?"
"Ahaha! Maybe? I don't know..?" She rolled on her back in laughter, ending up to stare at the ceiling while letting out a long sigh.
"I was actually part of a cult here, believe it or not."
"A cult?" Amanises inquired.
"Soemthing like that. It wasn't bloody or traumatic, but it had its own depressing air.
"I was some sort of God's messenger. Getting revelations every now and then while telling them to the people.
"I was seen as a deity on a pedestal too."
"You don't seem to have a god complex. Or perhaps you're hiding it better than I thought." The other woman snickered.
"None of that. Instead, I ran away once it got boring. Repetitive sermons and stuff wasn't my thing. So one day at the crack of dawn—I turned on my heel and left that place, never looking back."
"Sheesh! This isn't any ordinary story I'm guessing?"
"You're completely right." She sighed audibly. "I was lost and had nowhere else to go after that. Ending up on the streets. Moreover, these guys hunted me down.
"One faithful day, I was caught by a group of Arcanists who traced me by following traces of my spirituality. I wasn't an experienced Beyonder back then so there's that." She shrugged and then shifted her position to look at Evelyn.
"I thought it was over, but these guys are softer than they look. After explaining my full story and determining that I'm not lying, they let me stay with them."
"Good ending?"
"Sorta. I was still in fear of being exposed and taking the Tignen branch with me." She threw her hands up in exclamation. "My idiot brain fully believed that the deity would personally come after me!"
Amanises leaned forward showing her full attention.
"That continued until I reached Sequence 7, I kept changing my location from Tingen to Backlund and so forth. I was too afraid to even step outside during nighttime!
"Luckly, once one reaches Sequence 7, they can request an audience with Him. Not everyone does that though, since the price is huge!"
"Price? Does He request money?"
"Well where do you think funds come from? Outside of The Arcanists, members usually have an additional job or two. Few leech off of the organization's resources."
She leaned back again. "I work as a part time Spirit Medium, and you should get a job soon too! He is very stingy! If you request money, one must pay Him back in blood!"
This is just like a Mafia boss! How scary! Thankfully, I still have my savings, enough to last me for a while. If I want to ask Him something I should save up more!
Amansies didn't feel like meeting the Boss, she thought that He wouldn't offer much more additional info on transmigration than The Fool. And she would much rather keep her savings or time, in case The Fool asked something.
But what if The Fool requested something she couldn't pay back? Or worse—it was possible, but not for her level.
With enough money, she could pay the Boss for info or a favor, that way both requirements would be fulfilled.
Money really can buy anything... Who would've thought one could hire an angel level being?
The way Daly addressed the Boss practically confirmed that He was an angel. Captain Cesimir probably threw the word 'suspicion' to not scare her off or something.
"What did you ask of Him?"
"To see if I'm not connected to the deity."
"And He confirmed that you weren't?"
"Actually, He said that I was."
Amanises' eyes widened. She never expected a deity to still keep a close eye on a poor believer, even if she was treated as a messenger, or text-to-speech.
Before she could say anything, Daly calmed down her worries.
"He broke the connection with a snap of His fingers and told me to avoid those that could possibly be connected to the cult, as that could put the deity's eye on me again.
"And also to not mention their name or any distinct trait, as that is also a point of connection.
"So sorry. I can share any more details than this."
Amanises waved her hand. "There's no need for any detail. I completely understand.
"Actually I was wondering why you preferred to spend time during the day rather than at night. You're connected to spirits and death so that got me confused."
Daly rolled back on her back and put her hands under her head. "Well, now you know. So, don't ask me to hang out at night anymore! It hurts to refuse!"
Amanises let out a soft chuckle. "Alright, alright."
But her friend couldn't hear her anymore, for she already fell asleep.
The woman left the room and applied some make up again—light this time, just to cover the dark circles under her eyes.
Actually, Daly never specifically explained why she was drained. Just give me some details and expect me to figure out the rest.
Turns out she's left in an unnerving state. Completely, concerned about her safety and the surroundings as this is where it all happened.
Amanises was quite happy that Daly shared her circumstances. As she knew everything that happened to Evelyn but she knew nothing about Daly.
She knows nothing about Amanises though.
Amanises made a mental note to be more carefree around Daly, perhaps adding a close friend would make this journey less arduous.
Not too close though, I don't want to get too attached to not be able to return home.
***
The veil of night fell from the sky yet again, the red dot in the sky spewed red moonlight over the sorroundings—giving everything and eerie, almost apocalyptic, glow.
Two weeks earlier Amanises would've thought of this as insanely creepy. But after spending too much time at night, she got used to it quickly.
I still much prefer the silver moon though.
She walked at a slow pace on the sidewalk, passing by numerous closed stores and food stalls.
There was no sweet smell of food, but just the tranquil scent of the night.
Deep into the darkness, from the frail blades of grass, the melodic tune of crickets sounded out.
Amanises continued her pace, lost in thought.
I'll have to drop by the university tomorrow. What would be the most suitable time?
Somewhere between 9:30 and 11:30 would suit me well. But I should also be mindful of Azik Eggers' schedule.
She made a mental note to check on the professor's schedules.