The Cycle of Fate

Chapter 146: Lavine Dock

"Uh..." Franca pondered for a few seconds before telling Janna, "When it comes to losing control or going insane, it doesn't matter whether you're part of an official church or a wild extraordinary. Those monks could lose control and turn into monsters or develop mental problems and spiral into madness just like anyone else."

Janna's expression grew heavier the more she listened.

Franca had mentioned similar things to her before, but Janna never truly grasped their meaning. It wasn't until she saw the secret cave in the depths of the dark quarry and the arms and legs embedded in the rock walls that she really understood the cruelty and horror behind the words "losing control" and "madness."

Lumière chimed in, "That's why the acting method is so important. But always remember, you're just acting. As a theater actress, you should know not to get lost in a role and lose yourself. Even non-extraordinaries can develop mental issues if they can't detach from a character."

Franca and Lumière took turns educating the rookie.

After Janna nodded solemnly, Franca returned to the topic of the missing gatekeeper at Deep Valley Abbey. "My plan is to use my own channels to leak the location and situation of that secret cave to someone from the Church of the Eternal Sun. How they handle it later is their problem, not ours. Even if they choose to cover it up, at least they'll be on guard. On the other hand, we can tell the client at the next gathering and see how they react. Maybe they'll even throw in some extra payment."

Franca chose to inform someone from the Church of the Eternal Sun rather than the Church of Steam and Machinery because she wasn't sure which side of the internal conflict could be trusted.

"I have no objections."

After listening to Lumière and Franca for so long, Janna fully realized the immense risks hidden within this mission. Though she desperately wanted the 20,000 filkin reward, she restrained herself.

Franca then turned to Lumière and said, "I've found a buyer for the Harvest Festival item, but the deal hasn't been finalized yet. The price is 10,000 filkins."

"I've already given you 4,000. I'll give you another 1,000 in a few days."

"You're efficient," Lumière praised with a smile.

"I can't tell if you're complimenting me or mocking me," Franca grumbled.

Janna, listening from the side, felt envious. Franca and Charles casually discussed deals worth 10,000 filkins, while her family had barely owed 7,000 to 8,000 filkins even under the worst circumstances when her mother needed treatment.

Is this the world of extraordinaries? Janna's understanding of the extraordinary world became clearer.

Lumière glanced at the already-drawn curtains and, without asking Janna to leave, said straightforwardly, "I completed the final test last night and officially became part of the boss's inner circle."

"What kind of test?"

Although Franca couldn't help feeling some lingering resentment and anger, having vented earlier, she was mostly just curious now.

Lumière began his tale, starting with Gardner Martin's late-night visit to the Breeze Dancehall, where he was tasked to spend the night at 13 Market Avenue. He described how he avoided the unusual contamination and waited for the sunrise.

He concealed the existence of Termipolos, portraying himself as clever, decisive, and firm, deducing the core of the problem from small details and sticking to the principle of not responding, despite the pressures.

Storytelling had always been one of Lumière's strengths. Franca listened with a mix of fear and suspicion. "Did you really not waver at all?"

Janna nodded to herself, feeling that if it were her, she wouldn't have been able to resist responding when the door opened. At best, Franca might have held out until her face was covered in dripping blood.