The Cycle of Fate

Chapter 7: The Agreement

"Lady Hela? You know her?"

Franca's first reaction was one of surprise and astonishment.

She quickly remembered that Lumian's sister, "Muggle," was also a member of the "Curly-Haired Baboon Research Society." She hastily added, "Did your sister mention Lady Hela to you?"

Lumian nodded. "She not only mentioned her but also gave me the incantation to summon Lady Hela's messenger."

"She wanted you to seek help from Lady Hela in times of trouble?"

Franca ventured a guess. "Are you planning to summon Lady Hela's messenger now and ask me if she is trustworthy?"

"Something like that."

Lumian gave an affirmative answer.

"I've already established contact with Lady Hela and summoned her messenger. But today, I discovered that during the disaster in Cordu, some of my sister's actions were somewhat abnormal. It seems they might be related to Lady Hela. I don't know whether I should ask her directly."

Seeing that Lumian didn't elaborate on the disaster in Cordu or specify what strange behavior Aurélie exhibited, Franca understood his hesitation and didn't press further. She pondered before replying, "Personally, I'm willing to trust Lady Hela. Damn, you quietly established contact with Lady Hela and didn't even mention it to me? Well, she's one of the few in the research society who has walked far down the divine path—likely on the path of the Reaper. Not only is she willing to share knowledge and insights with us, but she also helps when she can. The items she asks for in exchange are only slightly above cost. For many of us, including me and your sister, Lady Hela is a reliable elder sister. She makes us feel less helpless, anxious, and lost. We trust her deeply."

"I see."

Lumian exhaled and said, "I'll speak openly with Lady Hela and hope to uncover the true source of the problem."

With that, he changed the subject. "Does your Grand Arcana card know about the Curly-Haired Baboon Research Society?"

"I never told her. I just mentioned that I was part of another secret mutual aid organization, but she clearly knows about the research society."

Franca instinctively lowered her voice. "I suspect there are other members of the Tarot Club within the Curly-Haired Baboon Research Society, not just me."

With his concerns dispelled, Lumian smiled, turned around, and waved. "I'm off to summon Lady Hela's messenger."

"Hey, it's still early. How about we fight some evil for two hours before heading back?"

Not fond of going to bed early, Franca eagerly sought out some entertainment. Lumian flatly refused.

Back in Room 207 at the Golden Rooster Inn, Lumian didn't immediately summon Hela's messenger. Instead, he spread out some paper and once again wrote a letter to Miss Magician.

He briefly mentioned the Curly-Haired Baboon Research Society and informed the demigod that Aurélie, when awake, was willing to write anonymous letters seeking help from the authorities, yet she never seemed to summon Hela's messenger for advice. This didn't match her behavior in the dream.

He wondered if Aurélie had been under some other constraint or if there was an issue with Lady Hela.

Before long, Miss Magician replied with a brief, straightforward line: "From what we know, Hela is trustworthy."

Relieved, Lumian set down the letter and began drafting one to Lady Hela. In it, he candidly mentioned Aurélie's abnormal behavior and asked if any correspondence had been missed.