I collected myself and wore a slight smile on my face, making sure not to show any discomfort.
"Oh you're you're an envoy of the bethels, what's your name?"
Envoys are people a noble families send to an important event. If an influencial family doesn't attend a gathering hosted by another, it is seen as spite among the aristocrats. So envoys were a natural fix to this, it doesn't mean there are excused for not showing up, it just means that they are aware of the gathering and are deeply apologetic meaning they would do better next time.
Honestly Mr Geralt told me to say that if anyone questions my presence, he really is a thoughtful gentleman.
I pressed my lips.
Was she looking at me?, did she see through the lie?.
Martha looked deep in thought.
Alright then.
[ ¥£¶∆§μΩ√Ππ ]
I noticed the floating symbols.
*I wonder what these are...*
Recently I've sort of gotten used to having the floating screen obscure my vision, maybe it a boon that'll help me in my quest to find out what {Mystic Arts} is, what should I call it?, a system?.
"Hey...."
I snapped back to reality.
"Sorry.. ugh I was thinking", I rubbed my temples.
I have no idea how to hold a conversation with a lady, not even remotely, I tried to think of my orphanage bestie, but the memories were too vague.
"Do you believe in superstitions?".
"What?"
I unknownly raised a brow.
My mind instantly drifted to all this Mystic artsist, unseen realm shit I have going on in my life right now.
"Uh.. not particularly, Madam.."
*That was a random question... but if I leave it at that she won't be satisfied.*
"But... I did have a dream once" I pondered externally.
*Might as well just make shit up, it's a dream after all.*
She leaned in, interested.
I stood quietly in a corner, I can't believe this girl singled me out to ask me this. What is she up to?, or am I just being paranoid?.
"Umm..., I was battling a massive monster as a sailor on a boat" I took inspiration from rodulf Alfred adventures.
Then I went on to explain how I fought of the giant see monster but then I was saved by a woman on a massive floating island.
"Wow... did the island have a name.. she looked at me with a bright smile.
"At this point I couldn't tell is she was just being curious or there's some intent behind this.
I decided to bait her reaction.
I feined ignorance.
"Oh, I can't remember... what was it called again?.." rubbed my temples.
"I think it a university of Orign... blah blah blah, I can't remember"
I shook my head.
"Wow that such a fascinating story" she looked genuinely interested in the dealing with the supernatural.
Maybe she's like me, just curious about what really goes on in the world we live in, but it's dangerous to be snooping.
"Not all fairy tales involving the supernatural are grand adventures. Some are horror stories."
I met her gaze, my tone serious.
My silent warning would probably be enough to scare her. Right?.
[ ππ√¶§ΩμΠ ]
[ π√ΠμΩ¶§№₹ ]
Bang*
The floating words appeared just before The massive chandelier dangling over the massive hall came crashing down on a couple.
"What*
For a moment, silence.
Womens gasps, and chairs scraping violently against the floor echoed as guests leaped to their feet.
"Jesus Christ!, Who is that?"
"It's Mr allen..."
Servants rused to the wreckage, then noble gentlemen.
Within seconds, the grand hall descended into chaos.
The sound of boots crunching against the glass echoed.
"Move "
"Give them space..."
Mr Lewert rushed through the crowd, shoving past guests untill he reached the bloodied chandelier.
"Get the physician, now!!"
All this happened so suddenly. The noblemen all put in their strength to lift the massive chandelier off of the couple.
[§Ππ√μΩ¶§°££¢ππ√×¢^€™```]
The symbols flashed across my retina again.
My heart beat sped up.
"What now.?"
Now that I think of it, almost everytime I encounter mystic artists, the symbols in my vision becomes numerous.
I don't know if it's chaos Orign law reacting to the surrounding Chaos, or something else entirely.
My mind was more focused on the next calamity, than the fallen chandelier.
I watched as the physicians rused to aid the bleeding gentleman.
My gazed was draw to a particular guest, he had no family crest, nor did he look particularly suspicious.
As a person who'd lived in the streets and experienced nobility, I could tell this person wasn't someone of high society.
The young gentleman reached into Mr Lewerts suit pockets and pulled out something, the action was conceal by a light tap on his back but I caught a glimpse since I wasn't focused on the chaos.
I was a pickpocket myself once opon a time so I could tell he was skilled with it.
At this time Martha was already down stairs with her father...
My eyes squinted as I spotted the gentleman heading for the stall.
Something was going on. I'm sure of it.
But I questioned myself, should I intervene?, my mission was protecting Martha, mysteries were quite entertaining and that's why I was mixed up in this whole mystic arts phenomenon.
After a minute of contemplation I decided to head over to the stall, just to check.
Ah I'm lying... my curiosity got the better of me, but could you blame me?, the entire situation is screaming of a heist.
Someones orchestrated this to try to steal something. At least that's my conclusion , as a trained detective I was told never to judge a situation based on one event. Linking coincidences can reveal more than you think.
*Maybe I should tell Mr lewert about it, but its too early to assume, I mean the key could be sum worthless piece of junk.*
I walked into the stall, hands in my pocket like an unsuspecting gentleman.
Washing my hands, I used the opportunity to scan around the area.
Bizarre enough, no one was here.
Huh.?
I checked the stalls but no one. Nobody was in the stall, at least that what I would've thought if the symbols in front of my vision weren't freaking out.
Words morphed rapidly in front of me.
[ π√√ΩΠΠμק׶∆£¥€^ ]
[ ׶§ΠμΩ√€¥₱₹₹~°↓¥ ]
After a while of searching I just had to give up. I dried my hand with a napkin and left.
*****
On one the mirror of one of the marble bathroom walls a figure of a gentleman in a hat appeared like an oil painting, then hopped out of the mirror looking at the door a gentleman just exited moments ago.
"What with that guy?" He furrowed his brow
"Well, at least I got what I was looking for " he took out a bronze key from his pocket smiling at it.
"Those old geezers should be at it right about now"
****
In an unsuspecting house opposite the lewert estate a group of clacked figures gathered around in a circle.
In their midst was a golden bowl and written on it were numerous strange symbols.
Gentlemen let us begin the initiation.
The all began, one by one they placed talismans of different symbols into the golden pot making the symbols inscribed on it to glow with a brilliant light
In the inner chamber of the banquet where visitors placed their gifts and presents for the birthday girl, a particular package glowed with a faint golden glow.
****
As they carried the allen couple away from the banquet Mr geralts gaze was drawn to the inner chamber.
"Sir we have a problem.."
Mr Charles the chaffeur and also the houses personal bultwr ,rushed to mr Geralt
"Sir I think they're at it again".. Mr Charles said casually.
"Who?..." the old man's gaze remained unbothered
The dark cult " Charles whispered
"Oh, is that why I could feel spatial disruption from the inner chambers...".
Charles looked towards the massive triangle shaped door, and then looked at Geralt.
He was about to head over there when Geralt grabbed his shoulder the old man's eyes clear as day.
"Leave it, I'll handle it, you find those bastards" Geralts tone turned cold.
Uh... yes sir Charles bowed and walked away.
****
The inner chamber was just a massive wooden space filled with all sorts of boxes, Geralt walked in, his Cain on the ground, the box reacted more volently, rolling on the floor and popping open to reveal a gold ball about the size of an egg.
Geralt watched it, his hand slipped into his coat pocket pulling out a small japanese style teacup
The ball wiggled, and squirming flesh burst out in all directions, merging into a blob about the size of an adult horse.
The bob of flesh lunged at Mr Geralt but the old man tossed the Japanese style teapot on the ground.
Instantly a vortex of energy created a whirlwind that violent sent everything in the room into the air including the massive blob creature.
₹"₱Π짧∆π√Ππ
(Translation: Absorb all things that try to harm me)
As Geralt spoke, the blob of flesh was yeeted into the cup, pulled by an invisible force.
The cup wriggled violently clacking all over the place but it soon calmed down. This only took a couple seconds.
Geralt sighed.