Lord of Mysteries: The Assassin's Dark Path

Figaro leaned back on the sofa, casually crossing one leg over the other.

"First, I need to know if you have any special requirements for the target before I can give you any suggestions."

Varina thought for a moment and replied, "I want it to be someone who truly deserves to die, someone like…"

"No need to elaborate, I understand," Figaro interrupted with a mischievous smile. "I get it; it's always like this the first time. I have a few targets in mind, but only if you agree to one condition."

"What condition?" Varina suddenly had an uneasy feeling.

Figaro straightened up and, after sizing Varina up for a few moments, said, "It's just a verbal agreement. If, someday in the future, I need your help, you'll remember this favor I'm doing for you."

So... he doesn't want me for my body, does he? But he's Sequence 8, far ahead of me... I've got it, he doesn't plan on advancing further? That's the most likely scenario. Anything else... forget it, I don't want to think about it. Anyway, this guy's not serious, he definitely has some dark, twisted tastes.

The more Varina thought about it, the more unnerved he felt, but he forced himself to hold it in and confirmed, "So it's just a verbal agreement, nothing that goes against my will or puts my life in danger?"

"That's right," Figaro nodded. "You don't need to worry. I've made similar deals with many promising 'assassins'."

Varina thought carefully for a moment and decided the bait was worth biting, "Fine. Now, tell me your suggestion."

Anyway, if he doesn't advance, I'll be ahead of him in Sequence when he asks for my help. And if he does advance, then the request won't matter.

"Take a look at this."

Figaro quickly pulled out a contract and said:

"Viscount Stout, in poor financial condition, lives at 103 Backlund Street in the North District. To alleviate his financial crisis, he secretly controls the Blood Bottle Gang in the East District, using them to gather wealth."

"How does that sound? Seems to fit your criteria."

---

Morning, Ahowa County, Tingen City, 78 Zotland Street, Wilker Hat Shop.

As Varina was on his way to find the Ketra Law Firm, a shop employee, checking the mailbox, found a letter addressed to the owner.

"A letter from Backlund… I'll give it to the boss when he arrives," the clerk, dressed in a red vest, muttered as he grabbed the letter and the newspaper, putting them on the counter.

Later, the owner, wearing a wool coat, drove to his clothing workshop on the outskirts of town. Passing by the shop, he stopped by for an inspection. He grabbed the letter and slipped it into his coat pocket.

That afternoon, while enjoying his afternoon tea, the shop owner remembered the letter in his pocket and opened it to read:

"...My dear friend, I regret to inform you of some bad news. Your nephew has gone missing in the East District, and this usually means death."

"...Before he went missing, it seems he had a conflict with a gang. The story I heard is that he stole something, though I don't find it credible."

"...In any case, no one will investigate disappearances in the East District, so this matter is likely to end here."

The shop owner put the letter down, silent for a long time, then sighed deeply.

---

Afternoon, Backlund, Queen's District.

At the luxurious villa of the Earl Hall, a salon on mysticism took place during afternoon tea.

The aroma of the finest Feynaport Sainte-Dessie coffee blended with the fragrant taste of Queen's Red Tea, creating a mesmerizing scent that surrounded the elegant three-tiered stand, accentuating the delicious and exquisite pastries.

Audrey had invited Viscount Greteling, the youngest son of Viscount Learson, Constance, and several other noble youths, including Murray, Christine, and Jane, to the gathering. They all shared an interest in mysticism, forming a small circle of like-minded individuals.

As the conversation progressed, they gradually shifted to the most widespread mysticism-related event that had occurred recently—the King had ordered the search for special mirrors.

Since all extraordinary mirrors were handled by the M19, their attention naturally turned to Constance Learson, who worked there, hoping to gain some insider information.

Among them, Audrey was the most eager. This was, after all, the main reason she had invited these noble friends, although due to her good upbringing, she didn't show her intentions blatantly.

"There are some things I can't discuss," Constance, the tall young gentleman, said as he took a sip of coffee. "And there are many things I'm not qualified to know. The only thing I can share are the facts I've witnessed, as long as they don't violate confidentiality agreements."

Constance, having been trained by the M19, was sharper than the others, and he subtly sensed Audrey's intent.

He glanced at Audrey, noticing her rapt attention, and decided to say a bit more, even if it was slightly out of line.

"First, the inspection has been completed, and the vast majority of items have been returned to their rightful owners, with only two exceptions."

"These are an ancient-patterned bronze mirror and a folding personal glass mirror. All other mirrors, no matter how unusual their abilities were, were deemed ordinary by the experts."

"Ordinary?" Murray couldn't help but interject. "I've never even seen an object with magical powers. Something so rare could be deemed ordinary?"

Viscount Greteling was equally curious. "Can you tell us what kind of abilities they had?"

"Let me talk about the two mirrors first."

Constance took another sip of coffee and continued:

"First, the bronze mirror, which is the most ordinary of them all. No matter how you look at it, it appears to be just an ordinary object, but it's the one the expert has been most focused on. From that perspective, it might be the most mysterious."

"Then there's the personal mirror, which is clearly special. Its surface displays images on its own—sometimes scenes from reality, and sometimes strange, oil-painting-like worlds that are hard to describe. It's a very dangerous sealed object."

"How dangerous?" Christine raised her slender, pale right arm and gently shook her head.

"Deadly dangerous."

Constance looked at Christine with a warning gaze, then swept his eyes across the others before adding, "It can send anyone near it to the place shown in the mirror, as long as their reflection appears on its surface."

This strange ability made the noble youths gasp, even Audrey, who was always composed, covered her slightly parted lips.

After a brief silence, they all picked up pastries and drinks, covering up their brief lapse in decorum.

Once the moment passed, their attention returned to Constance. Audrey asked:

"How should such a dangerous item be handled?"

Constance was momentarily startled, then after thinking for a moment, replied:

"The personal mirror can't be returned to its original owner, but he should have been compensated equally."

"As for the bronze mirror…" Constance glanced at Audrey, "we are still discussing its disposal with the experts. We should have an answer in the next few days."

"I can assure you, whatever happens, the King will ensure it's fair and just."

Audrey lowered her eyes, concealing her disappointment, and along with her friends, praised the King for a while.

"I'm still a bit curious," Viscount Greteling pressed. "Who's the expert the King has appointed? Do we know them?"

Constance frowned, pinched his nose, and replied:

"It's a strange lady in military uniform, accompanied by Deputy Director Major Chounas Karger. None of us know her."

"Don't ask any more questions, or I'll be locked up."

With that, the conversation about the King and the mirrors came to an end.

Soon, they shifted to other topics related to mysticism, and the salon continued until it was over.

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