Something is weird.

'This woman… She couldn't have used Divination with me as a target, which means the target was this Headquarters, or the members specifically. From her tone, the Divination must have succeeded, but it didn't account for my existence. Strange…'

I can't help but find this very odd.

Why?

Because Ruthina used Divination against the Zarius, twice in fact, and they both succeeded.

One was in finding the Duke's missing family, which Zarius was involved in, and the other was in finding my location in the Aditi Estate, which Zarius was also involved in. If I assume that Zarius wasn't personally present in the first instance, hence its success, then what about the second one?

How else would the Wandering Nine and the Duke's ten thousand soldiers have found my exact location? Was I wrong? Was it not through Ruthina's Divination?

'If it was through her Divination, the fact that they brought such a large army must mean they were aware that Zarius would be present, and I would be in trouble. But this creates a contradiction. If they knew that Zarius was present, it means his identity as a Leviathan did not protect him from Divination… so why was I protected?'

I actually didn't take any precautions against Divination—careless, I know—which makes this woman's questions rather odd.

'I can understand Clairvoyance bypassing Anti Divination, but how could they not have noticed me through Divination? If it's because I'm a Leviathan, then the same principle should apply to Zarius… but he was spotted.'

It also can't be because I regressed, since I have been the subject of Divination before.

In fact, Ruthina must have used me as the target of Divination, which is why they were able to locate me in the Aditi Estate. So this situation is actually an exception, but because of what happened to Zarius, I can't say it's because I'm a Leviathan.

So which is it?

Also, who is this woman?

She seems far more skilled than Ruthina, being able to use not only Divination but also Anti-Divination. Or maybe I'm wrong, and her lack of skills is what created a blind spot, preventing her from detecting me with Divination.

I… can't tell.

"What's your name?" I ask her calmly.

"Freya."

"Well, Freya… have you ever considered the fact that I used Anti Divination to counter your Divination, preventing you from seeing me?"

"Not possible…" She shakes her head slowly. "I accounted for that in my Divination. At most, it would have simply failed. However, not only did the Divination succeed, but I detected no issues with its prediction."

"So what did you predict?"

"That we would have our meeting without interruption and return safely."

'That is indeed strange…' I think to myself with a raised brow. 'If I didn't show up, that's certainly what would have happened.'

But things changed the moment I stepped into the picture.

It's almost like her Divination is an outdated or alternate reality that would have taken place if I had never come here today. If that's the case, then the same should have applied to Ruthina when she made a Divination about me back then.

She shouldn't have detected Zarius at all, but it's clear that she did.

Strange.

Very strange…

'The best excuse I can think of is that this has to do with my Harbinger Status. Maybe my ties to the Seeker Pathway are interfering with Divination, which I already suspect is somehow linked to that Pathway.' I rub my chin slowly. 'Or maybe Lady Anastasia is protecting me? I don't know…'

This is yet another question I'll have to ask her when next we meet.

As for this woman.

"Chalk it up to your lack of skill. I'll have you know I'm even better at Divination, which is why your petty tricks won't work on me."

"N-no way!" Her face suddenly pales as she stares at me with wide-open eyes. "A-are you… could you be… a Leviathan?!"

'Huh? She knows about Leviathans?!'

My thoughts are in disarray for a moment, and I wonder what I should say in response.

But I quickly calm myself.

To salvage the situation and obtain the greatest benefits, I know what I should do.

I'll be honest.

"Yes," I respond truthfully, narrowing my gaze on her. "How did you know?"

"I… The Boss told me that when I asked him the same thing. He said the reason he doesn't appear in my Divinations is that he is a Leviathan, and petty tricks like Divination, especially by mortals, are insufficient."

'Oh? So the reason is actually my Leviathan status!'

So it's confirmed that the boss is indeed Zarius, but how come he appeared in Ruthina's Divination? Maybe he wasn't… but he likely was.

'Regardless, it seems I won't be needing precautions against Divinations in the future—at least, not against normal Diviners. That's good to know.' I sigh softly, casting a deep gaze at the Freya woman. She likely has a lot of useful information.

But how can I extract it?

"S-sir… I can give you all the information you need if you can guarantee my safety." A jittery voice takes me by surprise, causing me to take my gaze away from the Freya woman and send it toward the man to my left.

He has a thin, sickly frame, with round glasses that make him look like a scholar. I recognize him clearly, since he's the one who has all kinds of Potions at his hidden disposal.

If I were to guess, he's an Alchemist, but what level is he?

"M-my name is Jasper… and I am an Alchemist. Senior Alchemist to be precise."

'A Senior Alchemist?!' My eyes secretly flash with amazement, though I merely give him an unimpressed look.

"I… already found an antidote to the Dark Guild's Potion and used it on myself. I can answer your questions truthfully without dying, so as long as you can spare my life… I'll tell you everything you wish to know." He admits plainly, desperation oozing from his every word.

"Jasper, you bastard!"

"You would dare betray the Dark Guild so easily?"

"P-please give me the Antidote too, Jasper! I'll pay any price!"

"Can you guarantee my life, too? We're comrades, after all…"

His colleagues are stunned by this sudden revelation, their expression ranging from sheer disgust at his betrayal to a similar desperation and willingness to cooperate.

I simply watch all of it unfold in silence.

"S-shut up!" He barks at them with great annoyance. "This situation is all your fault! We should have just retreated when we had the chance, but you people wanted to fight! Now you want my antidote, too? Fuck you! Do you think that antidote was cheap?! I used up all my fortune just to find one for myself, and even then… my health has been forever compromised."

'Oh? Is that why he looks so sickly?'

"Jasper, you said." I finally speak, causing him to quickly turn towards me and nod like an obedient little dog. "How can I be sure you're telling the truth? There could be no antidote, and by lying to me, you get to preserve your life and misdirect me."

I smile, watching his expression change slowly.

"T-this…" He mumbles, stuttering for a moment, before his gaze turns resolute once more.

"I can take you to our hidden records room. You'll confirm the details yourself, and you can also find out even more information that you like."

"Jasper, you bastard!"

"Traitor! We're not supposed to tell outsiders about that!"

"He isn't dying… Could the antidote story actually be true? Jasper, please give me the antidote, I'm willing to pay any price!"

I watch all of them calmly, trying to discern the true situation.

It's possible that they are all acting.

Maybe the hidden records room is a trap, and by coordinating their efforts, they hope to lure me inside and eliminate me. If that's the case, it makes sense why Jasper's poison isn't activating.

It doesn't appear like they are pretending, but I have to be cautious.

These are hardened criminals, after all.

"I can tell you don't believe me, sir… but I'm being honest. The truth is that at least half of the six of us need to open this hidden records room. But we're not allowed to bring outsiders in. If we do, we'll be affected by the poison. But, if you make me and two of my colleagues do this task, not only will their deaths confirm that I brought you to the right place, but my being alive will show you that I am actually being sincere about my antidote."

'Not a bad idea…'

I nod at him, and together with the surviving four, I am led through a hidden tunnel that can only be accessed through the underground room.

As we proceed, Jasper's colleagues keep yelling curses at him, while also begging to be spared.

In this process, I get to learn their names.

Xeno, the dark-skinned man, is the Shaman. Apparently, the cause of his ebony tint is the side effect of some Spells he used, not due to his race. That makes sense, considering how very rare an ebony person is in this Continent.

The only one I have seen in both of my lives is Hassan, the boy I met in the Border Town.

To date, I wonder if I hallucinated the whole experience.

Ebony individuals are famed to belong to another continent, although there is a certain race in Eariel that has black skin.

The Umbr'ithens, also referred to as Shadowfolk.

They are associated with Shamanism, which is what I suspected this man of being earlier.

But I guess I was wrong.

The obese woman is referred to as Madame Zema.

Apparently, she had a fortuitous encounter with a hidden inheritance of a rogue Druid and learned his Druid Arts. She controls a host of Magivores, mostly in Cadre 2. Although she has nearly a hundred Magivores at her disposal, she only brought her strongest card for the purpose of this meeting.

Since the Manticore is portable and incredibly lethal, it makes sense.

Freya, a Diviner, and Jasper, an Alchemist.

Both of them are very skilled and talented—no, maybe that's an understatement.

They are heaven-sent.

As a Senior Alchemist, Jasper's efficiency at brewing Potions is even higher than Aunt Leila and me combined. And as for Freya's abilities, I could use her Anti-Divination and Divination abilities to help protect me from my enemies.

I could also learn of the relationship between Leviathans and Diviners from her.

The other two are also useful.

Having a Druid and a Shaman on my side could really be quite useful, although expensive.

Each of them brings something to the table.

It's almost a waste to have to sacrifice two of them to access the secret records room.

Maybe I could use them a little.

No.

Working with these people is too dangerous.

It's safer to kill them once I'm done.

"We're here, sir…" Jasper shows me a massive vault at the end of the tunnel, with fluorescent lighting that presents a clear view of everything.

I look at the place and sigh.

'Should I use Clairvoyance to confirm? But that would mean waiting an hour before I'm able to use Frontflow. Should I take the risk?'

I have already had these people strip themselves of all their weapons and hidden cards. I was also thorough with inspection, so I know they aren't carrying anything lethal on them.

They're defenseless against me.

But—

'There could be hidden traps around that they could trigger. If I'm caught off-guard, that's the end for me… I'll be finished.' I sigh, weighing my options clearly. 'But without Clairvoyance, I won't be able to confirm the safety of the room and the veracity of this Jasper's claims.'

In the end, I'm at a crossroads.

But that doesn't mean I'm without any options.

It'll just be a little inconvenient.

"All of you stay still…" I sigh, deciding to use Clairvoyance to observe the room.

Once I'm done observing, I'll wait for an hour before proceeding to open the room and check it out physically. Since I have a B Grade Armament, among other Armaments and Potions, I have the upper hand and will be able to protect myself from them in the meantime.

I can also cancel Clairvoyance at any point, focusing my attention on the four if they choose to misbehave.

This is the best decision I can make at the given moment.

Once my perception infiltrates the room, I am able to see everything within the vast space that exists within. Not only is it filled with all kinds of records, but it also contains many sealed Armaments and Potions.

That Jasper… he clearly wasn't being entirely honest.

If I didn't have Aego Sight and let down my guard, he would have used the Potions and Armaments here to facilitate his escape—perhaps even killing me.

It's a good thing I decided to be cautious.

I can't flip the pages with my consciousness, but I can clearly read the titles and signs around me, confirming the details are legitimate. It appears this is indeed the Dark Guild's secret record room, which also serves as its inventory.

'I should check for as many traps and unknown mechanisms as possible…' After doing that thoroughly, I finally stopped using Clairvoyance.

"Let's wait a little…" I tell them, while casting my gaze at Jasper. "When were you going to tell me about the Armaments and Potions hidden inside the room?"

"A-ah… t-that! I… I am deeply sorry!"

He falls to his knees, shaking and begging, while hitting his head on the hard ground.

"Just stop it…" I sigh, nearly scoffing at his shameless attempt to curry favor. "I would have been more surprised if you didn't try anything like that."

The remaining members of the Sixfold Helm of Darkness stare at me with silent shock.

I imagine they're surprised that I know of those details.

Pfft…

"If you people help me get in, I'll give you the antidote for the Dark Guild's poison." I plainly tell them, not saying anything more than that.

"W-what? Really?"

"You have it? T-then we will gladly help you!"

"Thank you, sir Leviathan!"

I smile.

What antidote? I don't have anything of the sort.

I doubt Jasper has any on him either.

But if I don't give them this hope, why would they cooperate with me? They would rather die and ensure I don't gain anything than allow me to use them, only for them to die in the end.

Only by doing this can I obtain the greatest benefit for myself.

'My speaking about the Armaments and Potions wasn't merely to intimidate Jasper, but also to increase my image in all of their minds. Right now, I am unfathomable to them. Freya has called me a Leviathan, openly placing me on the same level as their boss. In their eyes, I should be capable of things they can't even think of… including having an antidote.'

As long as the possibility exists, they'll bite.

Xeno seems the most loyal to the Dark Guild, but even he wishes to live above all else.

As we wait silently, I look at the four and wonder to myself:

'Now who do I choose to die?'

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