“Hey Arata, I'm bored. Send me back. Being outside is boring again and I wanna catch up on some sleep.” Ravenna groans, poking Arata on the back of his head.

  And she leaves without telling me any information. I'm fine with it since I can just get her to tell me later. There are more pressing matters now.

  “Sir Morgan, the announcement doesn't start soon but I want to head to the venue. I need to see if Clemence is there.” Arata pleads.

  Morgan nods before the two of them make their way there. It's a possibility that she arrives in advance.

  The city’s center was overlooked by the grand dam of Basin city. As noon passed, you could slowly see the sun peek its head around to illuminate the area. Much like how the front street was meant to flaunt the city’s wealth and power when you first entered.

  Yet the center tried to make a different statement, not one of the city’s glory but the Baker’s. There was a stage that Arata could tell would be where he was presenting from. The surrounding area was a luxurious garden yet the podium made the centerpiece of it all. Gilded marbled stones built their way up to a throne. The throne had a scarlet red jewel implanted on it, as though it were a statement that he is king.

  The man was not a king, yet one could easily picture him as one. The Baker was known to be cunning, a man of the people and a maker of miracles.

  In spite of all of that, Arata was out of the loop. Cocky bastard, why the hell is a giant ruby part of your chair? Rich people really haven't changed.

  “Hey Morgan, I think I see Clemence.” Arata points to a corner, a woman in a dim red cloak leans against a tree.

  How should I approach her… something feels different. She used to be too depressed to leave her room.

  Arata thinks about approaching her, yet Clemence approaches first, “Arata- Thank you, I was still planning on buying you that sword but it looks like Morgan beat me to that. Any other way I could repay you?”

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  Arata decides there would be no harm in asking, “You can read intentions right? What did you read from the Baker’s mind?”

  Clemence lets out a sigh, “I got the signs he thought you and I would be essential assets. He knows you're not from this world either. I know he’s been keeping tabs on you ever since you entered this city.”

  Keeping tabs, wait, that also implies Clemence knew as well… I am pretty shit at keeping that secret. Kinda given anyway considering her abilities.

  “He also had a hand in the trial… Cayden was an active knight, the Baker wanted to keep him in service and Selena was less important to him.” Clemence further explains.

  Arata’s eyes widened. “Then why would you join him?”

  “After all the things he’s put his fingers on. I don't think it's a good idea to leave him alone. Let's keep in touch though.” Clemence looks Arata in the eyes, her eyes have lost a little color, underlying hatred can be seen in her expression.

  I can’t help but worry… seeing her like this doesn’t give me a good feeling. Can she fend for herself? If push comes to shove, what happens if she has to use magic? Should I ask? “Hey Clemence-”

  “I’ve prepared for if I need to use magic; furthermore, I’ve prepared so that it will never come to that. It’s a diplomatic position I was granted, not a combat one. In fact, I’d be more worried about yourself.” Clemence points out.

  Arata then had a tiny epiphany. While his reckless actions made sense from his immortal viewpoint, in the eyes of his comrades, he was suicidal. She doesn’t know I can’t die so she’s worried. Well, I guess when I bodyblocked Beelzebub that was pretty scary… and took on Cayden by myself… and when Beelzebub dropped me from the air.

  “I guess… I’ll be safer in the future then.”

  In the ripping, she told me she wanted to leave the city… now’s probably a good time to say it.

  “Clemence- if you want to bury Selena, she wanted us to bury her outside the city. She wanted us all to have a life outside this city. Ironic that it risks annihilation now.” Arata's face looks down a little with those final few words.

  Clemence’s face goes cold, “I thought you were going to bury her. When I checked on the body, it was gone? You don’t-”

  Someone stole Selena’s corpse. How and why? Arata clenches his fist in rage. He could no longer put her to rest, nor could Clemence. The conversation would, unfortunately, end on that negative note.

  The Baker was going to make his speech.