Lord of Mysteries 2: Circle of Inevitability

“Franca, contact the Demoness of Black with the charm later. Inform her about the fixed mirror world entrance we made, what occurred, and how Jebus reacted. See what she thinks and advises.

“Right, she’s likely a Tamara from the Apprentice branch. No love lost between her and Moran Avigny, who defected from the Judgement branch.”

Franca concurred, and Lumian turned to Jenna next. “Head to the safehouse and send word to Madam Judgment. The Judgement pathway stands for order, so I feel we must alert her to the School of Truth situation at once. I’ll take you there.”

“Got it.” Jenna was accustomed to Lumian delegating tasks in moments like these.

Finally, Lumian addressed Anthony.

“Join me at the Pleasure Pavilion to await Moran Avigny’s arrival. Watch him closely for any unusual behavior.”

Situated on Avenue du Boulevard, the opulent Pavilion of Pleasure functioned as the Intis Republic’s presidential estate. Moran Avigny was due to attend a ministerial meeting convened by the president there.

Anthony inclined his head slightly to convey his assent.

Observation was a Spectator’s forte, after all.

…

Inside the quarry cave housing the mirror world’s fixed entryway,

Franca leaned against the wall, her night vision active. She produced a compact and a charm fashioned from ashen stone.

Clasping the charm, Franca infused it with her spirituality. Reciting the Hermes activation phrase, she intoned,

“Eyes!”

Wreathed in obsidian flames, the rock-like grayish charm flared to life. Franca touched it to the compact’s glass,

Causing the mirror to lose solidity and turn incorporeal.

The burning charm sank through without resistance, vanishing from sight.

Moments later, Franca sensed a presence surround her.

A mass of dark locks then rose from the makeup mirror’s surface.

The rippling black tresses obscured her view.

As the hair fully emerged, Franca tightened her grasp, and Clarice took form before her.

The Demoness of Black’s own hair remained immaculately tied up, with no trace of the ominous raven strands.

Even having met her prior, Franca couldn’t suppress a rush of awe at Clarice’s allure.

The woman possessed a breathtaking beauty that effortlessly ensnared any who beheld her.

Clarice regarded Franca, her melodic voice gentle as she inquired, “You have an update?”

Composing herself, Franca detailed her suspicion of corruption seeping out of Underground Trier. She had ventured to a particular sector bearing the Primordial Demoness figurine, ultimately pinpointing the target site. She elaborated on beseeching the Primordial One via the figurine, obtaining a reply, and securing a permanent gateway to the mirror plane.

A rare glimmer of approval showed on Clarice’s face. “Your instincts are sharp and your mind keen. Impressive that you conceived of and accomplished this. Perhaps you too shall rise to be a colored Demoness one day.”

Demoness of Yellow? Franca grumbled to herself.

She went on to outline the scheme she had hatched with Lumian’s crew, withholding specifics about the Tarot Club and portraying the Mirror Mark power as an item.

Clarice listened attentively without comment.

Franca recounted the offensive against Lumian amid his probe, his triumph over Jebus, and the bounty of intel gleaned through a Spectator.

The Demoness of Black nodded. “Your lovers are quite capable, the Hunter in particular.”

Here Clarice smirked. “The taste of a Hunter isn’t bad either. The higher their Sequence, the more intense and brave they grow.”

Wh— Emperor, even an elite Demoness has perused your clandestine annals… Every Demoness probably owns an edition! Franca wavered between finding Emperor Roselle’s plight humorous or pitiable.

“It certainly has its perks,” Franca played along, smiling and trying to mask her chagrin.

The Demoness of Black proceeded, “However, both you and he erred.

“Upon amassing adequate knowledge, you should have ceased questioning without delay. The wiser course was to first ambush Moran Avigny, seize him, then interrogate further.”

“Agreed.” Franca accepted the Demoness of Black’s reproach.