Kole followed the dark-clothed man as he led him to a less populated area. Many buildings seemed to be abandoned and decrepit. While some of them even had notices of Tempest Order!
Kole briefly pondered whether there was a widescale "Banes" outbreak in this area in the past few years, but he couldn't remember any.
He had never actively pursued what was happening in the world and didn't read newspapers regularly. Instead, he was too busy playing with Caroline and living a leisurely life.
When Caroline was around, she would be the one, doing all the errands with a lovely smile on ruby-red cherry lips. As such, Kole didn't get to interact with the world much and didn't have many memories of the events in Stormwatch.
But two years ago, she abruptly left.
After that, Kole forcefully integrated himself into society and fiddled around to find out how the world worked, but it wasn't enough to catch up with all the incidents related to "corruption".
Kole's gaze fell upon the back of the man, who was walking ahead with measured steps—neither too fast nor too slow.
Soon, they arrived at a two-story abandoned building. The damp walls were creeping with foliage and molds. The door was broken as it tilted to one side; instead of glass windows, wooden planks were attached.
Kole kept an eye on the man, who briefly looked around and then, stepped inside through the broken doors.
After a moment of deliberation, Kole ducked as well and entered; his footfalls echoing in the abandoned building.
Kole kept up with the man's pace and entered a massive hall.
He paused and took a deep breath.
With some anxiety and excitement developing in the pits of his stomach Kole analyzed the cold damp chamber.
Around forty people were standing in one corner or another.
Most of them were wearing dark clothes, while others wore common clothes and hid their faces with masks.
The man who brought Kole here was standing in the corner, leaning against the wall with his head lowered.
Kole wasn't the smartest person, but even he could guess that the purpose of that man ended here. The moment he showed Kole the building, the man had no interest in Kole and no intentions of chatting with anyone.
In fact, only a few people were chatting in hushed whispers, but they had their own groups and probably knew each others' real identities.
Exhaling a deep breath, Kole also went to a corner and lowered his head.
Habitually taking out the pocket watch from his coat, Kole glanced at it.
"13:30…" Kole leaned against the cold stone wall.
It was then, Kole noticed a pair of emerald eyes looking at him from some distance away.
She was looking at his pocket watch, and her brows were knitted as if in deep thought.
However, her body and face were completely hidden. It was difficult to discern the sinful body she was hiding underneath.
For some reason, Kole felt those soul-stirring eyes were extremely familiar, but he quickly shook his head, laughing internally at such a ridiculous thought.
Why would Alice appear here right? In a place filled with a bunch of strangers doing shady business. Right?
Emerald eyes aren't uncommon either—many have them… Kole mused internally as he kept the pocket watch inside and lowered his head, copying the previous fellow.
To relieve his tension and racing angst, Kole's finger skidded in his pocket, searching for something—A lighter and a box of cigarettes.
Soon, his expression turned strange...
Sigh~ I forgot. I had a habit of smoking in my past life. My habits have all been messed up because of the exploit I pulled in my Mind Palace.
Not only have I been checking my pocket watch which the previous me used to do, but even the habit of smoking, even though I haven't smoked once in this life. [1]
Kole let out a turbid breath of air as he thought he would need to buy cigars. Otherwise, it would be very difficult for him to calm his nerves that were wishing was some action.
Suddenly, Kole's perception was triggered as a tall, stout man entered the hall. Even Kole, who was around 190cm, felt like a tiny man in front of the giant-like man. He was about 210 cm. He wore pure white long robes. On the clothes, several Arcane symbols were etched—glowing faintly.
His face was covered by a white mask, leaving gaps for his deep blue eyes.
As soon as the man came, some members bowed deeply in reverence. While other new members like Kole stood silent.
Behind the giant man, a man of average height and build covered in dark robes followed with a wooden chest in hand, in a deferential manner.
"Hum." The giant man coughed a little, "There are some new faces, this time around." He said in a throaty voice—obviously, disguising his real voice.
"Well, it doesn't matter, what matters is the loyalty to the Lord."
He raised his finger and snapped hard. A smacking sound echoed in the hall. With a swish, a gust of wind stirred in the hall, and two people in dark clothes suddenly started screaming.
"!!!"
Kole was bewildered as he felt the powers of Mental Storm similar to what he had faced before being agitated in the air.
Luckily, those powers moved past him as swiftly as they came.
Kole looked at the men who were screaming in agony with confusion.
What's happening? Why was I skipped from the Mental Storm? Why did that giant attack them in the first place?... Even though Kole didn't know what kind of powers the giant was using, Kole was aware it was similar to Mental Storm he had faced before by looking at the two fellows scratching their nails on the ground in extreme agony.
Powerful. This guy is powerful!... A sense of alarm rose in Kole's heart.
It was then, the giant said with a bellow in his voice, "Hmph! The hounds of Tempest are no less than dogs. No wonder they sniffed their way inside."
Huh?... Kole briefly wondered whether he has made the right decision to follow that fellow.
It didn't take a minute for the two people to turn stiff as they lay on the cold ground.
Haizz… He killed them! He actually killed them!... Kole could feel his breathing increase rapidly as a sharp breath hitched through his teeth.
This was the first time he has seen a murder!
Fortunately, Kole wasn't the only one who flinched upon seeing this sight. Some of the new members couldn't help but scream as they pushed their backs to the walls. Compared to them, Kole was doing much better.
"Apologies." The giant commented with a gruff tone, "Some people just don't wish to see the rise of our Lord! They are heretics! They deserve nothing less than death!"
Did I join some cult?... Kole couldn't help but amusedly chuckle internally to relieve his turbulent emotions.
"Also, I am very satisfied," The giant said. Even though his voice was anything but pleasing to hear, the people could tell he was trying to sound more appealing, "If you didn't have loyalty in Lord Gradoz, you would also be lying with them!"
"We are all children of the Lord, and don't worry, I will treat you all with grace!"
"There is no need to fear!"
Kole's brows furrowed deeply.
Lord Gradoz? Who? Where am I? What is this?... Countless thoughts clashed in Kole's mind and soon he came to a conclusion that almost made his heart skip a beat.
This... This is a real cult!.. Holy Goddess of Tempest, the heretics are right here!
Suddenly Kole realized, he was also one of these heretics...
His eyelids twitched.
[1]: In "Chapter 2: Banes", it was mentioned that Kole(Before death) had a habit of looking at his pocket watch. Kole(Current) had mixed the habits of Kole(Before Death) with his habits from his previous life like smoking. It shows that slowly the behavior and habits of both Koles are converging. Obviously, in "Chapters 11&12", it was mentioned how Kole(Current) is the amalgamation of Kole(Before Death) and The One who transmigrated.