Leaving the bustling space behind, only the two of them remained in the room. Kalyse immediately put on a serious expression, her sharp eyes continuously assessing the person in front of her.
"Please don't stare at me like that. I might misunderstand and think you have… intentions toward me." The figure in black joked, yet his words only made the atmosphere tenser.
"Stop talking nonsense. Just say what you came here for!" She commanded in a firm tone.
"Of course. I'm here to propose a transaction."
"A transaction?"
The black-cloaked figure didn't answer right away. Instead, he produced an object that made Kalyse widen her eyes in rare surprise.
"Ah, I think you will know what this is." He said with a smile.
In her hands was a cube-shaped object, its surfaces covered with numerous ancient symbols, and it emitted a faint halo of light.
"The Sacred Shield—Aegasmetan. One of the seven relics of the Archetype progenitor, famed as the artifact with the highest defensive power. Normally, this should be kept in the Aethel Tower…"
Kalyse said, frowning as she focused all her attention on the object—but then she noticed something unusual.
"This… is a fake?" She asked skeptically.
"Haha, I knew I picked the right person." The figure admitted candidly.
"Yes, it's merely a reproduction of the sacred artifact. But in the hands of someone who knows how to use it, it can still manifest seventy percent of the original's power."
"'In the hands of someone who knows how to use it'?" Kalyse looked at him suspiciously. "If you could create a replica, you must know that these sacred artifacts can only be wielded by someone possessing the divine will."
"Of course I know. That is why my request is to ensure it reaches someone capable of using it." The black-cloaked figure said.
"So I'm just the intermediary?" Kalyse curled her lips.
"Don't be hasty. I certainly wouldn't overlook a talented person like you." He paused, then his voice sharpened. "Have you ever heard of an organization called the 'Demonic Arts'?"
"They're maniacs who long to live in the Demon Realm and serve it, right?" Kalyse replied calmly, showing no surprise.
"Ah, it seems I've caught quite a big fish this time." The figure said cheerfully.
"Don't be overconfident. We'll see who the prey really is!" Kalyse said, her aura rising.
"Alright, since you already know so much about us, I won't beat around the bush any longer. I'm officially extending an invitation to join you. If you do, the benefits will far exceed anything you can imagine."
"The Demonic Arts are a secretive organization, and yet you casually invite me to join after just meeting me?" Kalyse asked.
"Not casually. I've been observing you since you arrived here. My instincts tell me you are a talented mage, possibly even capable of surpassing those called the Sages."
"Where do you get that confidence? But you'll be disappointed—I can't defeat them right now." Kalyse waved her hand, acknowledging it as if it were nothing remarkable.
"But only 'right now,' correct?" The figure emphasized deliberately.
Kalyse clicked her tongue, realizing she had met a very cunning and tricky person, yet his appearance also opened a new direction for her own plans.
"I'll think about this. Now, tell me your current objective." She said.
"Haha, having you say that is already a success for me. As for my current objective… you probably know the harvest festival will be held here in just two days?"
"...And?"
"During this festival, a group from the capital will arrive. They claim it's to boost morale for the locals, but in reality, they are searching for an item. Among them, a very special person—the Saintess Teresa—will be present."
Kalyse kept a calm expression, but her eyes brightened slightly at the mention of that name.
"I want you to deliver this to the Saintess."
"That's all?" She asked.
"Of course not. Do you want to know what they're seeking?" The figure again spoke mysteriously.
"Say it if you want, otherwise move on." Kalyse replied impatiently, annoyed by the vague manner.
"It's an ancient artifact called the 'Yincic Goblet,' hidden deep within a ruin of unknown location. They've now determined its whereabouts and are rushing to seize it."
"The Yincic Goblet? The one that can steal another's mana for one's own use? It was created by the most infamous thief in the world—Jou Yincic—who once toppled an entire kingdom by stealing all the mana from its soldiers and mages, then looted everything from the royal treasury," Kalyse explained, detailing the information precisely, earning the black-cloaked figure's admiration.
"With knowledge like that, I wouldn't be surprised if you called yourself one of the Sages." He said.
Kalyse made no response, simply waiting for him to continue.
"Exactly as you said. Such an artifact with its extraordinary power would become the ultimate weapon in large-scale conflicts." He added.
Kalyse now fully understood the context.
"Hmph. Hearing you describe it this way makes me somewhat interested in that toy too." She said.
"If you want it, take it. I don't care about the outcome of that journey. I only need this sacred artifact delivered to the Saintess."
Kalyse frowned.
"All seven sacred artifacts are kept under strict protection. Once a replica is revealed, the Sages won't let it go. Even if you deliver this to her, do you think they'll dare to use it?"
"You don't need to worry about that. The transaction is agreed upon; no one will object if it's the Saintess using it."
Kalyse's eyes widened in surprise for the second time, and she snorted.
"You guys are insane. But still, I don't see any benefit for myself. On the contrary, I could just kill you and take it right here."
With that, the pressure around Kalyse rose sharply. Mana gathered in her palms, ready to unleash a devastating strike.
"You could do that, but you won't." The black-cloaked figure said with certainty, never showing a hint of fear.
"Hmph. You really think you can intimidate me?"
Without another word, Kalyse lunged, grabbing him by the collar, pouring mana into him as if she intended to kill him outright.
The figure struggled but still tried to speak.
"I don't want to call it intimidation. We can cooperate amicably."
"Empty words. I trust the benefit before me more!" Kalyse replied, applying even more force, stiffening his entire body.
He attempted to speak further, but Kalyse ignored him and threw him aside like an unimportant object.
"I know what you're thinking. You assume I have grudges against the Sages and plan to use the Demonic Arts to fight them, right?" She said, turning away.
The black-cloaked figure struggled to stand, his voice hoarse.
"So, what are your conditions?"
Kalyse smirked, knowing her opportunity had come.
"I'll deliver this to the Saintess, but first, I want to use it for a while."
"No!" He shouted immediately. "This is a crucial step in the plan and cannot be changed. Moreover, the artifact has been marked—if you force it, our leader will hunt you down. Then neither side benefits."
Kalyse, instead, responded with delight. "Hunt me? Come on. I want to see what a leader of a bunch of lunatics can do."
"This… I hope you won't make it difficult for me. Aside from that, everything else is negotiable."
"Hmph. Talking to you is boring. Fine, then call out your leader yourself," She said, channeling mana into Aegasmetan, making it tremble.
"Come out, eavesdropping like a little mouse." She added.
After her words, Aegasmetan shook even more violently. Slowly, a dark mana radiated from it, far stronger than befitting a so-called divine artifact.
"Ah, it seems we have an interesting presence, right?"
A voice echoed from within Aegasmetan, cheerful yet carrying an inexplicable solemnity.