Chapter 49 - Earth Intermission - 16
Vesper reveals the truth, "Umm, the nun in question is asking me if she could join my legion. Can I take her in?"
Vesper's revelation sparks a moment of incredulity among Alanna and the butler. Their expressions reflect the complexity of the situation. Alanna, her eyes alight with a golden hue, shifts to Vesper and scans him, swiftly piecing together the puzzle. Her smile, though faint, carries an understanding.
"Ah, I see now. Your affinity for light makes this possible."
The butler, less convinced of the arrangement, clears his throat with a hint of concern.
"Fortunately, the nun doesn't kill you on the spot, but please return her to us. Without her, the prisoners may riot and cause trouble. Only she can suppress these graduated criminals."
Perplexed but cooperative, Vesper muses aloud, "Is she that important?"
"Indeed," the butler affirms, "she's a prize obtained by our master upon completing the death game world."
The notion of possessing a formidable ally who could quell graduated survivors is tempting, yet Vesper understands the gravity of the situation. With a glance at the system screen, he contemplates his decision, leaning toward declining the nun's offer.
However, a commanding voice resonates from within the room, cutting through the deliberation.
"Let him have her, Anderson."
Startled, Anderson, the butler, reacts with a mix of astonishment and apprehension. Despite his reservations, he defers to the authority of the master, acknowledging the weight of the decision.
"Master, she was subdued through great effort. You went through great ordeals to defeat her. Giving her to a newcomer is too much!"
The master reassures with a hint of intrigue, "I understand your concerns. Rest assured, I won't be giving her for free."
Anderson, though still skeptical, relents and redirects his attention to Vesper, guiding him with a directive.
"Follow me, but do not accept the request just yet."
Seeking Alanna's agreement, Vesper receives a subtle nod, signaling to delay the decision and seek counsel from the mansion's master first. With a tentative agreement in place, the group advances along the corridor toward the mysterious room.
…
Pushing open the double-frame doors, the group enters the room and finds a library office.
The office exudes an aura of wisdom and knowledge, with its walls entirely lined by towering bookshelves decorated with an array of shining grimoires and weighty tomes. The shelves gleam under the bright LED bulbs embedded in the ceiling, casting the room in a perpetual daylight glow that enhances the scholarly atmosphere.
At the far end of the room stands a grand, glistening wooden desk. its polished surface reflects the ambient light. Behind this desk sits the master of the domain, a senior man in his sixties. Despite his age, he maintains a robust physique, evident in the contours of his firm muscles subtly outlined beneath his tailored white long-sleeved shirt. His short white hair and neatly trimmed beard lend him an air of sophistication, akin to a nobleman from the Renaissance era.
The master presides over the office with a calm and composed demeanor. His posture is erect and his gaze focuses on Vesper and Alanna. Before him, atop the desk, rests only a steaming cup of coffee, a testament to his penchant for focus and efficiency.
As Vesper and Alanna enter, Anderson gestures with a wave of his hand, inviting them to take seats on the plush couches positioned in the center of the room. Without hesitation, the two guests accept the offer, settling into the comfortable seating as they prepare for the conversation ahead.
The master introduces himself.
"Welcome, comrades. I am Orca White, the master of this establishment."
Alanna offers her introduction with a nod, "I am Alanna Panther, an apostle. And this is Vesper Pallas, my partner. He's still new, and he's just finished the tutorial stages."
Vesper gives a brief greeting, "Hello."
Orca leans forward. His crimson eyes fixate on them as he questions the purpose of their visit.
"I understand that fellow comrades should get to know each other better, but could you two tell me the purpose of your sudden visit? I don't think this sudden visit is planned because I haven't heard anything about you from our master."
Alanna cuts to the chase, "We would like you to provide us a new identity for my partner. He is American and has a local ID, but the PIA has already discovered him. We don't want them on our tail when we're here."
Orca nods, "As expected. Any additional requests?"
"We also wish to procure equipment for Vesper's upcoming trial this Sunday. He's just completed the tutorials and has much ground to cover to match our levels."
Orca rises from his seat and strides toward Vesper, positioning himself behind him with a discerning gaze, as if peering into Vesper's very essence.
"I sense all five basic elements, gold, and light within him. Quite the potential, albeit his twisted nature. I understand your desire to cultivate him," Orca remarks after appraising Vesper's capabilities.
Having acknowledged Vesper's potential and Alanna's scouting prowess, Orca returns to his seat, arms crossed, and poses a question.
"With the Banisher matter included, this makes three requests. What do you propose in exchange?"
Alanna closes her eyes with a deep sigh, then draws a square in the air, summoning her status menu. However, before she can select any item, Orca interrupts her.
"I have no need for hunter's items. My wife is a former judge. She has everything an ex-commander like you has."
Intrigued but dissatisfied by Orca's demeanor, Vesper asks, "Then, what do you want in exchange?"
Orca smirks and waves his fingers. A portrait of a man in a suit manifests and lands on Vesper's lap. Vesper picks it up and flips it. The details inscribed catch Vesper's attention.
.
Name: Desmond D. Diamond
Alias: Super Stone
Paper Career: Photographer
.
Vesper furrows his brow, confusion evident in his expression. "What's this for?"
"A target for elimination," Orca responds calmly.
"But I'm not a hitman," Vesper protests, a mix of surprise and concern in his tone.
"What if I told you that the target has been involved in abducting underage women and human trafficking?" Orca's expression grows solemn as he lays out the gravity of the situation.
"A PIA agent involved in a felony? How the hell do you know about this?!" Vesper is visibly shocked by the revelation.
"Let me reintroduce myself again. I'm Orca White. I'm 3,214 years old, and I've been privileged to be the sole disciple of Tarnished Saint. Back when he was known as the Supreme Saint, I stood by his side, witnessing the turning of countless eons. My purpose? To see the end of every crooked, graduated survivor out there. Patience is a virtue I cherish, but deceit, lies, and criminality are my bane. Yet, I'm a hypocrite. Even I find myself entangled in the very webs I detest. My pastime? Spying and exposing the shadows of government entities, and erasing corruption silently, like whispers in the wind. A pleasure, indeed, to make your acquaintance."
Somehow, Vesper feels like he shouldn't offend this person.
"Are you Yoshikage Kira?"
"Want me to summon my 'Stand'?"
"…Please no."
Orca laughs while Alanna sits still, sweating profusely. The former offers Vesper a choice.
"If you accept my request, I'll give you Annette and help you with the other requests. But you will be up against an ex-survivor superhuman. Of course, I don't expect you to finish your job before the next Sunday, but I'll give you a time limit of one month. What do you say?"