The next morning, Silver Bell was a city draped in blue, with local radio stations abuzz with talk of the Castle of Light massacre.
’Clop-clop.’
A carriage pulled by two horses carried three of us: Joséphine, Lady Beatrice, and . We were headed to Charlotte’s house, Lady Beatrice’s friend, whose daughter was lost in the massacre.
"Are you sure it’s safe?" I asked Joséphine, whose shoulder was touching mine in the tight carriage as she sat next to .
She shifted her gaze from the apartnt buildings lining the street outside Lady Beatrice’s mansion and focused on . "This carriage is for mail delivery," she explained, "no one would ever suspect a noblewoman to be riding in it."
Lady Beatrice wore a steady smile, her tears now gone and covered by makeup. She sat across from , clad in a simple black gown and a straw hat. "Cupcake told you were the one who intercepted the first assassin that approached ," she said.
"It was a coincidence, my lady. Cupcake deserves all the credit for the intercept," I said, adjusting the top hat on my head that made resemble a half-ti magician.
Joséphine nudged with her shoulder, and I glanced at her. "You said your class is a succubus; how co you have a skill capable of a long-range attack?" she asked.
Like Lady Beatrice, Joséphine was dressed in a black gown, the only difference being that her black curly hair was visible and not hidden by a straw hat.
"I have a sub-class related skill," I stated, looking away toward a fountain with a rmaid in its middle. "I’m a Disciple of the Naless God."
Lady Beatrice imdiately pressed her palm firmly over my lips.
"Shhh!"
She whispered, leaning closer. "You shouldn’t be sharing details about your skills with just anyone."
Joséphine cut in, her voice filled with excitent. "What succubus-related skill have you awakened? Like the ability to be summoned by a magic circle, only to be t by a horny woman starving to... well, you know."
"Joséphine!" Lady Beatrice yelled, her head snapping toward her, as deep creases ford on her forehead.
"Relax, I was joking," Joséphine said, as she jerked away, placing her shoulder against the door and gazing out at the passing cherry trees.
"Don’t mind her," Lady Beatrice said, slumping back into her seat. "Succubi’s true value isn’t just in sex; it’s their teleportation that makes them special."
Hearing "teleportation" sent a faint electric shiver down my spine.
Initially, after awakening the aura farming system, I believed my gravity techniques were part of my primary class skills. But over ti, I realized they were revelations I received after agreeing to worship Lucy and beco her disciple.
So far, the only class-related skill I possess is the capacity to acquire succubus points and exchange them for berries, which I use to buy tools from the shop.
On the other hand, when Cupcake agreed to worship and beco my disciple, I was able to awaken a Demon King Vessel class-related skill.
If I understand correctly, I have four different types of skills that I can develop to progress.
✾❉❉❉REVELATIONS (Skills)❉❉❉✾
✠ 『Demon God Vessel sub-class skills』
⫸ Inverted Square Level 1
✠ 『 Disciple of the Naless god sub-class skills』
⫸ Negative Touch: Level 1 (Ability to repel)
⫸ Positive Touch: Level 1 (Ability to attract)
✠ 『Succubus primary-class skills』
⫸ None
✠ 『Unique skill』
⫸ Aura Level ???
***
The small carriage brought us to Charlotte’s house. It was a multi-story building with a prominent central bay that extends forward, featuring a double-stacked porch with columns.
The three of us alighted from the carriage and walked toward the entrance marked by a bright blue front door.
’Knock-knock.’
A lady in her mid-forties opened the door and let us inside.
We proceeded along a plush red carpet that led us to an ornate staircase with a richly carved wooden banister.
"Her grace is waiting for you upstairs," the maid said.
After ascending the staircase, we entered a room adorned with multiple large, ornate chandeliers. A patterned rug covered part of the floor, and two velvet chaise lounge chairs faced each other with a small round table between them.
A lady with light blonde hair styled into a crown approached us. Lady Beatrice stepped forward and pulled her into a hug.
"There are no words... no words that can truly express how deeply sorry I am for your loss." Lady Beatrice said.
With her hands still on Lady Beatrice, Charlotte pulled away. "Thank you for coming. It’s a difficult ti," she said.
"Tifa, please bring rose tea for my guests," Charlotte said, gesturing for us to take a seat on one of the long chairs.
She sat across the table, her posture deflated, hands resting limply on her thighs.
Lady Beatrice’s gaze fell, "I wanted to co and offer my deepest sympathies in person. Juliette was such a bright young girl, so full of life. I am sorry we couldn’t protect her."
Charlotte’s gaze flickered from Lady Beatrice to a portrait of a young woman with a smile. "She was my everything, my only daughter," she stated.
Joséphine remained silent, placing her hand over Lady Beatrice’s shoulder and glancing at Charlotte.
Tifa handed a cup of tea. "Here you go," she said, and I accepted it.
She placed another cup in front of Lady Beatrice and gave Joséphine the last cup.
’Sip-sip."
As I drank the rose tea, my gaze fell upon the portrait of the deceased daughter. I quickly averted my eyes when the realization hit : she had been among the ladies seated with us at the event.
She was the lady who asked if I slept with Lily.
I set the teacup on a ceramic plate with a "Click." My hand was shaking, and the tea nearly sloshed out.
With a noticeably lighter expression, Charlotte inquired, "Are you attending the mass wedding tomorrow?"
"The invitation letters have been sent, and nurous guests from Velmora have arrived," Lady Beatrice answered, raising her chin and adjusting her black straw hat. "I’m left with no choice but to attend the weddings."
Finishing her tea, Joséphine licked her lips, then set the cup down. She looked at Lady Beatrice over her shoulder and suggested, "We could use a body double for the wedding, avoiding any extra risk."
Leaning closer, almost rising from her seat, Charlotte worried, "Joseph’s desperation is tied to tomorrow’s weddings. Won’t he try sothing stupid?"
After a mont of silence, Lady Beatrice found the courage to speak. "I promised the ten orphans I’d be at their wedding. As the city’s head, I can’t appear weak; it would only embolden whoever orchestrated last night’s attack to attempt sothing even bolder."
Joséphine glanced at the chanical wall clock, then abruptly stood, gesturing toward the exit. "It’s ti for us to leave," she announced.
"If there’s anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to ask," Lady Beatrice said, rising from her seat, her voice growing even softer. "I’m here, whether you need practical help or simply soone to listen."
Charlotte rose from her seat and escorted us back to our carriage. We rode back to the Cherry Castle in silence, acknowledging deep within our hearts that tomorrow might be the last day one of us would draw breath, especially if the assassins strike again with even more brutal force.
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