Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Secret Meeting

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Now that I think about it, a notification about changes with Cardinal Felix did appear after the main event concluded.  

But back then, she had quietly left without saying a word.  

I wondered why there was no follow-up—turns out she was preparing this surprise event all along.  

“⋯⋯”  

Carlisle’s eyes darted around nervously as he surveyed his surroundings.  

-A date… You said?  

-Don’t make me repeat what you clearly heard, Carlisle Belfast.  

-⋯⋯  

-Get in. We’re going together.  

….Recalling that earlier conversation made him even more uneasy.  

Calling it a ‘date invitation’ was generous—this was practically an abduction.  

Being inside this magitek motorwagen (a vehicle exclusively for high-ranking Church officials) genuinely felt like being kidnapped by some powerful figure.  

Typical Holy Church. While even the Grand Duke Chasefieldstill uses carriages, they’re out here breaking the world’s immersion with this technology.  

Though the mechanics might differ, the interior feels exactly like a car.  

But even that bizarre sensation paled in comparison to the aura emanating from Cardinal Felix sitting across from him.  

‘Her demeanor is… Quite different from usual.’  

Cardinal Felix always maintained the stereotypical ‘benevolent clergy’ facade in public.  

Gentle demeanor. Kind and compassionate voice.  

But what she showed now was…  

Completely askew.  

The jaded exhaustion of a world-weary adult radiated from her entire being.  

Yet, the sinister aura surrounding her remained undiminished—fascinating in its own way.  

“Read a newspaper or something. We’ve got time before arrival.”  

⋯⋯Informal speech?  

When Carlisle blinked at her in surprise, Felix merely twisted her lips into a bitter smile.  

What could he say?  

This was the first ‘real expression’ he’d seen from her.  

Not the mask she always wore—genuine emotion.  

Everything from earlier until now was entirely new.  

“⋯⋯Figured it’s better to show you upfront since you’ll find out eventually.”  

Felix flicked her fingers dismissively.  

“Not really in the mood to wear masks right now.”  

Something abruptly surged from her shadow.  

Definitely not a technique befitting clergy.  

“⋯⋯Are you sure you should be showing me this?”  

“You’ll need to know for what’s coming. Wanted you to understand what kind of person I am.”  

What? Was she admitting to walking the line of heresy?  

The shadow even produced a pipe. Without hesitation, the Cardinal packed it and struck a flint.  

“Smoke? Want one?”  

“⋯⋯No, I’m fine.”  

“Surprising. You looked like a smoker.”  

A sharp observation.  

He hadn’t just smoked—he’d been a chain smoker.  

In previous regressions, that is.  

He quit to avoid negatively influencing Gray.  

“⋯⋯”  

Hmm, what does that make him?  

Gray’s substitute father?  

Why should he worry about this when her biological father Lionel is still alive?  

As Carlisle pondered this, he rustled the newspaper.  

Frankly, this entire situation was unbearably awkward.  

He desperately needed a distraction.  

[‘Red Alex‘ Finally Defies the Holy Church’s ‘Gray Cardinal‘!]  

“⋯⋯”  

Hmm.  

Starting with such ominous headlines.  

And directly referencing the person sitting across from him.  

Carlisle grimaced as he read further.  

The article described ‘Red Alex‘ as a rebel leader gathering forces in the empire’s outskirts.  

His faction denounced the Holy Church as a corrupt organization exploiting people, rallying under slogans to expel them empire-wide.  

‘Looks dangerous.’  

Alex’s photo showed exactly the kind of person you’d avoid on the streets.  

The face of someone harboring thousands of sinister schemes.  

[Red Alex, huh⋯⋯]  

‘You know him, Holy Sword?’  

[No.]  

‘⋯⋯‘  

[Just another dead man from my memories.]  

⋯⋯Of course she’d say that.  

[Though the fact I remember his name at all means, he was noteworthy. His political skills were extraordinary.]  

A mysterious agitator who appeared suddenly.  

According to Gray’s memories, his whole ‘unite against the Church’ movement was essentially blackmail disguised as revolution.  

A natural at manipulating psychology and expanding influence, especially in the empire’s xenophobic border regions.  

The real kicker? No one ever uncovered his true identity.  

Not just exceptional—extraordinarily so.  

[Some said he could’ve founded a nation if born in the right era. Not an easy opponent even for Cardinal Felix.]  

⋯⋯Hmm.  

With such reputation, he must’ve been remarkable.  

‘But why would someone like that oppose the Gray Cardinal?’  

[⋯⋯No idea. But he was talented enough.]  

[Perhaps your summons relates to him.]  

‘Ah.’  

That would explain this sudden ‘date.’  

In fact, it’d be reassuring—a clear objective would make her motives easier to decipher.  

As Carlisle pondered this, Felix suddenly snatched the newspaper from his hands.  

“Ah, almost forgot. Needed to handle this.”  

Taking a drag, Felix skimmed the article about Red Alex.  

“Red Alex. You interested?”  

“First time hearing of him today.”  

“Pity.”  

Carlisle straightened up.  

Ah, so this was why she’d—  

“Would’ve been fun to show you something if you were.”  

“⋯⋯?”  

—Or maybe not.  

Her tone lacked any seriousness.  

As Carlisle stared blankly, Felix produced a magitek communicator.  

“Yeah. It’s me. Red Alex. Yeah. Handle it.”  

“⋯⋯”  

Even restaurant reservations would carry more decorum than this.  

Exhaling lazily, Felix reviewed the incoming telegraph.  

Soon, she sent another signal.  

[⋯⋯Who is this? This line is secured.]  

A solemn male voice—the type that naturally inspired trust, oozing oratorical charm.  

In stark contrast, Felix yawned wearily.  

“Red Alex. Real name Alec Myers. Correct?”  

Dead silence from the other end.  

“Whatever. The humiliation of changing Alec Myers to ‘Alex‘ aside—”  

Wiping yawn-induced tears, she continued,  

“Born in Eastern Empire’s Starlight Village. Citizenship: Velver Duchy. Disabled war veteran. Five fraud convictions. Bank security code 22411234. Mother: Lia Myers. Two daughters, three sons. Six mistresses under ‘Red Alex‘ alias. Military funds sourced through phantom company Salt Paper in the capital. You targeted me because I seemed richest.”  

[⋯⋯]  

“Everything correct?”  

[⋯⋯]  

⋯⋯Each word left the caller more speechless.  

You could practically hear the cold sweat pouring through the line.  

“Your life’s over, Alec.”  

Felix tapped her pipe against the window.  

“Three Templars are en route. Stay put.”  

[Wait, how—]  

“Don’t try anything. Just stay.”  

She typed additional commands.  

“Done. Duke Velver erased your records. You’re not even human now.”  

[Cardinal Felix, please, just listen—]  

“After finishing you, I’ll deport all your followers to the empire’s southern tip.”  

[⋯⋯]  

“Five minutes left. Might as well pray for heaven. That’s your best option now.”  

With that, she hung up.  

And resumed smoking like nothing happened.  

Ten seconds to end a life that even Gray acknowledged as exceptional.  

“⋯⋯”  

As Carlisle stared speechlessly, Felix glanced outside.  

“Ah, we’re here.”  

The motorwagen slowed.  

Their destination?  

An actual date spot.  

Wait—what?  

After that terrifying display, they’d arrived at a proper downtown district.  

“⋯⋯Uh, what are we doing here?”  

“Told you—a date.”  

“⋯⋯”  

“Get out. Let’s walk.”  

⋯⋯Ah.  

So she didn’t actually need his help.  

Someone who could dismantle a nation-founder with one call.  

“⋯⋯”  

Which only deepened the mystery.  

Why would such a person want to… Date him?  

“I can hear your brain grinding from here.”  

Felix’s monotone remark cut through his thoughts as she walked ahead.  

“Don’t overthink it. Today’s purely about seduction.”  

“⋯⋯”  

⋯⋯A difficult task would’ve been easier to comprehend.  

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