"..."
Hearing Chloe's mysterious words about how those with influence and power in the mystical world viewed him as a threat to the established world order, Arthur showed no exaggerated reaction. Apart from the brilliant glow and barely noticeable change in his eyes, he merely raised his right eyebrow slightly. That small movement was one of his familiar quirks, a clear sign that usually appeared whenever he became absorbed in deep thought, when something piqued his curiosity, or when his terrifying intuition was triggered.
However, despite the relentless rush of thoughts in his mind, Arthur had decided that it would be better not to rush to judgment and to listen to what Chloe had to say before drawing any solid conclusions about the true meaning behind her cryptic words regarding how those with influence and power in the mystical world, who from the way she phrased it seemed to have authority extending beyond the mystical world into the ordinary world as well, had viewed him as a threat to the established world order!
This matter had aroused Arthur's curiosity and left him feeling a little confused, prompting him to decide to wait until Chloe finished speaking, hoping that what she would tell him might provide more information and perhaps even allow him to connect the dots to find some of the answers he had been seeking.
Of course, Arthur didn't have to wait for long. As Chloe, who had remained silent for a few moments just so she could observe his reaction, found that he had stayed extremely calm throughout, as if he hadn't heard any of the shocking matters she had mentioned. The only indicators of a reaction were the slight raising of his right eyebrow and the faint glow in his mystic eyes, which soon returned to their natural state. To her surprise, he completed his speech in the next moment, revealing some interesting information that had piqued Arthur's interest quite intensely.
"Now, as I'm sure you may have already guessed, Mr. Detective, the Supreme Council and the other organizations in the mystical world were, in fact, powers composed of ancient families and those with authority and influence, specifically those whose reach did not stop just at the mystical side of this world, but extended to the other side, to the ordinary world, or to the 'Surface' world, as they liked to call it. As a result, you'll find that the leaders of many, if not most, nations and countries, including the great powers on this side, whether 'presidents' or 'kings,' were, in reality, nothing more than mere puppets for them to move the world from behind the curtain."
Saying this, she paused for a moment before gazing deeply toward the distant horizon, as if recalling some old memories, then looked back at Arthur to continue in a more serious voice. "Therefore, the Supreme Council is in fact the strongest and highest power in both worlds, the mystical and the ordinary. Their influence and control over our world cannot be contested, for they were ultimately the ones who wrote and falsified its history with their own hands, deciding what ordinary people should and shouldn't know."
Then she paused again, as if she were thinking about her next words, before continuing. "Therefore, as you can see, the Supreme Council is, fundamentally, the highest and most supreme power with the greatest authority and influence in this world, which maintained the delicate balance of powers within it, the power responsible for protecting the secrets and nature of the existence of mystery in our world, and the power that had decided at some point in history, that mystery should be separated from society and become a secret known only to a small number of necessary people. The power is also responsible for preventing any faction, individual, or party from becoming so powerful as to threaten the delicate state of power balance in this world."
When she finished the last part of her speech, anyone could see and notice how sarcasm had crept into her tone and appeared in every word that came out of her mouth, as if everything she had said was nothing more than a ridiculous joke, inviting laughter and mockery.
"So, fundamentally, they were the actual rulers of this world, whether in its mystical side or even in its ordinary side, albeit from behind the curtain in the case of the latter. And they were responsible for hiding everything related to mystery and the supernatural, in addition to the fact that they were the ones who had written the current known history of our world with their own hands and distorted it as they wished. Now, isn't that interesting?"
At these words, Arthur paused for a moment, a feeling of distress creeping into his depths. Everything he had heard so far was not only shocking, but also a reflection of what he had feared believing from the beginning. "But then again, such things are not strange for those in power. Distorting facts and changing people's perception of the world around them just to turn them into obedient puppets is expected of them."
"And this was only the beginning, my dear detective, for the rabbit hole is much deeper than you imagine. The various organizations in the mystical world, specifically the Supreme Council, didn't limit their influence to absolute political power alone, as they, ultimately, were the actual owners and rulers of this world, possessing enormous power that includes extensive military authority and immense economic and social influence. With them being more than capable of manipulating history as they see fit, and rewriting events that ordinary people can know or not know according to their vision, while maintaining precise control over mystery and practitioners of mystical arts.
However, not everything they did was entirely negative. The Supreme Council, also known as the Council of Balance, played a crucial role in maintaining stability and protecting the fragile equilibrium between the mystical world and the Surface world. They hunted demonic practitioners whose magical arts threatened this balance, imposed restrictions on ascenders and mystical practices that could lead to chaos, and upheld, at least partially, the existing peace between humans and mystical beings. They also controlled the dividing lines between worlds, ensuring that the established order would not collapse completely.
Therefore, despite the Supreme Council's extensive authority and ability to control the vast majority of events in this world as they see fit, their existence, in reality, was a necessary evil, as the existence of the Supreme Council was important for maintaining the delicate balance of our world and protecting it from complete collapse."
"A necessary evil, you say, huh?"
This was the only thing that came out of Arthur's mouth after he listened to everything Chloe had revealed to him about the Supreme Council. Arthur paused for a few moments, thinking about what all of this would mean for him now, especially with the fact that, according to Chloe's previous words, such a powerful and terrifying organizations like the Supreme Council and some other organizations in the mystical world, who were actually ruling the world, had wanted to eliminate him long ago, before his regression in time to the present during his time as a detective, for being a threat to the 'established world order,' even when he had no idea or knowledge whatsoever of the existence of mystery and everything supernatural before.
"Well, now that you've told me about the Supreme Council, and though what you've told me is far from the whole truth, which I'm sure of, you still haven't told me about the other organizations in the mystical world. What are the other powers besides the Supreme Council?
That might possess enough power and authority to be mentioned alongside it, when you said 'the Supreme Council and other organizations'?"
"Sharp as always, Mr. Detective, huh?" Chloe replied with a smile, her emerald eyes gleaming with appreciation as she looked at Arthur before continuing seriously.
"But the answer is yes, you're right that there is much I haven't told you about the Supreme Council and other organizations. To be honest, you are still far too weak and unqualified to know those details. You are also correct about the existence of other organizations that stand as equals to the Supreme Council in the mystical world, such as the 'Holy Church,' the 'Hidden Emerald City,' and several other organizations."
Then she paused briefly to gather her thoughts before continuing. "But let me tell you that even if they could be compared to the Supreme Council, that comparison is only relative. The Supreme Council itself remains the supreme power that rules our world, or at least the human side of it, whether the mystical or Surface side. Comparing them to the Supreme Council, whether in terms of political or military power, is limited to one specific aspect and is not comprehensive like the Supreme Council, which is composed of the greatest and most powerful ascenders, families, and factions in the history of this world."
"Interesting... truly interesting. So the other organizations Chloe mentioned, while they can be compared to the Supreme Council, the absolute power ruling our world, whether mystical or Surface, are merely comparable in certain aspects. Nevertheless, they are still powerful enough to be a threat or at least a partner in maintaining balance." This was the conclusion Arthur reached after carefully listening to Chloe, comprehending the magnitude of power and danger surrounding him, not only in the mystical world but even in the Surface world, which he had thought he knew well.
"And you're saying that these other organizations can be compared to the Supreme Council, even if the comparison is only relative... Does this mean that any mistake from me, any miscalculated move, could put me in confrontation with more than just one power wanting to eliminate me because of a threat to their mystery?" Arthur asked, trying to comprehend the enormity of the game he had suddenly found himself in.
Chloe looked at him directly, her eyes gleaming with a brilliance half serious and half challenging, and said calmly, "Exactly, my dear great detective. Every step you take now in this world isn't just for solving cases or mysteries... but a test of your ability to survive among powers that exceed your current understanding."