Galad feigned obedience, his body slack, his eyes glassy. Yet behind the mask of control, his mind raced as he listened to the exchange between Lanevus and Hude Ougen.
Piece by piece, the truth surfaced.
Hude Ougen was no true patient he was a Beyonder of the Psychology Alchemists, hiding within the asylum under the guise of madness. His so-called "illness" was nothing more than acting, a means to digest his potion.
Lanevus too was a Beyonder, though his Pathway remained unknown. The iron ore scam had been nothing but a farce—part greed, part necessity, all to further his own acting.
The two had crossed paths before, bound by mutual exploitation.
Good heavens… so all of you knew about "acting" to digest potions, while I an official Beyonder was left in the dark?
Galad ground his teeth in silence.
Unease coiled in his chest. Two unknown Beyonders, both experienced in trickery, both dangerous. If they discovered his true identity, the consequences would be fatal. He could only keep pretending, all the while searching for a way out.
The best outcome, he thought, would be for their conversation to end quickly then he could return to headquarters, summon Captain Dunn, and bring the full might of the Nighthawks down on them.
But fate, as always, was cruel.
"Alright, enough reminiscing," Lanevus said lightly, setting his lantern on the bedside table while keeping a firm grip on his bag. "I came to ask for your help with something. I think you'll agree."
Hude Ougen narrowed his eyes. "Tell me first."
"Have you heard of the Aurora Order? I managed to obtain something valuable from them...."
"You're insane!" Hude Ougen recoiled as if struck. His voice trembled, rising against his will. "You dare involve yourself with those lunatics? Do you not know the officials in Tingen are preparing to eradicate them?"
Lanevus only chuckled, his tone shifting into silken persuasion.
"Don't you want to advance further? Don't you crave the chance to touch a high Sequence?"
The words struck Hude Ougen silent. His breathing quickened.
Lanevus rose, the lantern's glow stretching his shadow monstrously across the wall, as though something inhuman stirred behind him.
"This is the worst of times… and the best. If we seize the opportunity, we can become masters of the world. Immortal."
He leaned closer, his voice magnetic, laced with madness.
"Help me, and I will show you how to control your potion, how to avoid losing yourself. More than that I will grant you a fragment of divinity. Immortal divinity."
"My patron stands behind me. My promises are His promises. Even your Psychology Alchemists cannot compare."
Temptation filled the air like poison.
Galad almost sneered. Idiot. He's a swindler through and through, just dressing the same tricks in grander words.
But Hude Ougen wavered. "Tell me… what exactly do you want?"
Lanevus's lips curled. He drew out a crumpled manuscript, unfolding it with deliberate care.
"This," he said, "is a ritual from the Aurora Order. With it, a mortal woman can conceive the offspring of a god."
Galad's heart lurched. His hands almost clenched involuntarily.
What!?
He forced himself still, while Hude Ougen nearly screamed, "You're mad! Completely mad!"
But Lanevus was relentless, coaxing, promising, pressing until Hude Ougen hesitant, fearful finally agreed.
Galad's mind raced. He knew this ritual. It turned women into vessels, catalysts of resentment, birthing not life but catastrophe. No mortal body could bear such a child. The mother would be sacrificed upon delivery, and what emerged would spread disaster, terror, ruin.
Cruel. Blasphemous. Insane.
"I've prepared everything," Lanevus said casually. "All I need is for you to hypnotize the woman. She's already waiting downstairs."
Helpless, Hude Ougen rose. Together, they left the ward, lantern casting flickering shadows as they descended. Galad stumbled after them, feigning trance.
The asylum corridors at night were silent tombs. Their footsteps echoed like the toll of distant bells. When they reached the gate, a carriage awaited.
Lanevus strode forward, returning moments later with a young woman in his arms. Golden hair spilled across his sleeve, her half-open eyes glazed in stupor.
"Who is she?" Hude Ougen demanded.
Lanevus thought for a moment, then smiled. "Arranged for me by those fools… My fiancée, I suppose."
"Fiancée? You're serious?"
"Of course. She loves me dearly. I only wish to give her the most beautiful experience in the world."
His hand caressed her cheek with mock affection, a beast cloaked in charm.
In the shadows, Galad's fists tightened.
Then don't blame me for being ruthless.