Chapter 249 Preparations

"So, my meeting with Faye is tomorrow," Kurt said while sitting back up. "She mentioned she wants me to meet her lead investigators. I’m guessing those ’investigators’ are just a bunch of cultists?"

Emelie rested her chin on her hand and thought deeply. "If it’s the same trio she kept around her in my past cycles, then yes. They’re all members of the cult."

"Do you know who they are?"

Sorting through her memories of the past, Emelie sifted through years of blood and chaos.

"There are three of them – one female and two males. I can’t recall the specific names of the two minor ones. They were practically jobbers. Useful for dirty work but killed off as soon as their identities were exposed as cultist by an unknown source. But I remember the strongest of the three clearly."

She looked straight at Kurt, her voice dropping into a solemn tone. "His name is Casey. He runs a massive human trafficking ring. He kidnaps ’non-believers’ and subjects them to brutal torture and brainwashing to forcibly turn them into devoted cult members to expand their numbers.

"Sometimes he doesn’t even bother kidnapping them – he just engineers cruel situations where they have no choice but to join to survive. To Casey, human misery is just a game."

"Sounds like a real piece of work. Watch out for a psycho named Casey... noted. And you really don’t remember anything about the other two?"

"Well... one thing that always stuck out about the female was that she always had a new ’lover’ appearing around her every few weeks..."

"Okay..."

"Wait, I remember now. It just clicked. The woman isn’t human. She’s a succubus."

"A succubus? As in... a demon that drains the life force out of guys through sexual acts? Someone like that is walking around in the cult? You’d think those bastards would have held a witch trial for someone like her."

"Hmm... Do you know about the Rifts, Kurt?"

"Somewhat. When I first woke up in this... uhm... ’era’, a woman working at the Bureau by the docks told me about how the world was invaded by otherworldly demons and beasts. Rifts appeared all over the world, which is where they all poured out through. Wait... don’t tell me..."

"Yes," Emelie confirmed. "This succubus is a demon from the Rift who chose to ally with the cult. When I asked her about it, she bragged that she joined them because she found human emotions and essence to be far more ’delicious’ than demon souls. She found the cult’s crusade entertaining, so she pledged her allegiance and adapted her demonic beliefs to serve the Goddess Bula."

"Charming. And what about the third one?"

"Sorry. I don’t remember much about him. I always just called him ’Weasel’ because he looks and acts like a filthy rat. He wields a bit of ice magic. He’s physically weak, but he’s exceptionally cunning, slimy, and cowardly."

"A psycho human-trafficker named Casey, a succubus who believes in the Goddess, and a slimy man named Weasel. What a deadly combination... Say, do you want to come with me tomorrow?"

Emelie shook her head. "No. It’s best if you go alone. Faye needs to believe you are operating as an independent adventurer. If she sees me with you, she’ll raise her guard."

"Fair enough," Kurt conceded. He sighed, leaning back. "Come to think of it, I wish there was a faster way for us to contact each other without having to set up meetings in diners every time something happens."

Emelie’s lips twitched upward slightly. "There is. We just need to buy a pair of communication crystals."

.....

After paying Cindy for the coffee and breakfast, Kurt and Emelie left Sophie’s Diner and walked down toward the city’s commercial district.

She led him down a stone avenue lined with glass panel storefronts, stopping before an ornate shop decorated with glowing arcane runes.

"This is it."

They stepped inside the arcana boutique.

’This place looks like one of those fortune telling, stars sign reading, break a stick and make a wish, voodoo doll collecting, shops. I’m not gonna get scammed, am I?’

"Welcome, honored customers!" the shopkeeper wearing a hooded robe greeted warmly. "What are you looking for today?"

"Hey." Emelie greeted the person up front. "We’re looking for communication crystals."

An elderly shopkeeper bowed politely, gesturing toward velvet-lined display cases containing arrays of glowing gems.

The shopkeeper happily showed them the various tiers. The smallest were pearl-sized crystals. They were discrete, meant only for single-paired communications. On the larger end were crystals around the size of tennis-balls. They could hold multiple mana signatures and were capable of hosting small team calls. Basically, the bigger the crystal, the bigger the contact list.

Kurt scanned the cases until his eye landed on a sleek, leather-strapped crystal wristwatch.

"These look practical," Kurt noted, pointing to them. "I mean, they don’t tell time, but it says here it can store up to ten individual mana signatures."

"Then let’s go with that."

"Wait, why are you buying one? Didn’t you already have one?"

"I’ve never needed one before... I always worked alone."

Not pushing the topic further, together they purchased one. Standing near the counter, Kurt and Emelie channeled their mana into each other’s devices to lock in a direct frequency.

As they walked toward the shop’s exit, Kurt’s eye caught something glittering inside a glass case near the door. Resting on black cushion was a pair of exquisite, crimson crystal drop earrings. They caught the ambient light, glowing with a deep, rich red color.

’I bet they’d match Diana’s eyes perfectly. I’ll buy these as a present.And it says here that these double as a communication device too? Score.’

Kurt went back and bought the earrings as a surprise gift for his upcoming date with Diana later that afternoon.

And with that, they stepped out onto the sunny street.

"Now... I have a minor problem. I need a proper date plan for Diana today, but I have no idea where to take her in this city. You know any romantic places around here?"

Emelie gave him a flat, deadpan look. "Kurt... asking me for romantic date recommendations is quite possibly the worst idea you have ever had."

"Whatever, granny."

"Hey!"

"Heh. It was worth a shot asking you." Kurt laughed softly.

"... Although I may not be well versed in the topic, I do know someone who is obsessed with romance and dates. She will probably scream with excitement and give you a whole plan."

"Who?"

"Secretary Mia."

"Ahh..."

They hailed an open-air carriage and travelled across the city to the quiet, middle-class residential district. Emelie led Kurt down a pleasant, tree-lined street until they reached a charming two-story house – Dominik’s home.

Kurt knocked on the front door.

Knock knock knock.

"Are you sure they’re even home?" he asked while looking around. "Isn’t Dom working?"

"Dominik, sure. But the academy decided to give students and staff the week off following the tournament, so Mia should be home."

A moment later, the door swung open.

"Coming~"

Mia stood in the doorway; her usual neat ponytail undone, letting her brown hair tumble over her shoulders. She was wearing a pair of tight denim booty shorts and a low-cut tank top that showed off her midriff – and quite prominently displayed her massive, eye-catching cleavage.

Upon seeing Kurt and Emelie standing there, her eyes lit up. "Oh! Emelie! Kurt! What a surprise!"

Kurt’s single eye flicked down for a split second before he aggressively averted his gaze, staring fixedly at the wooden doorframe.

’Jesus Christ, Dom...’

"Huh? Kurt, what’s wrong with your eye? Is something on the door?"

"Holy fuck, Ms. Mia! Do you realise what you’re wearing?! Your cow tits look like they’re about to spill out!"

"Language, Emelie!" Mia scolded.

She looked down at herself. Her face flushed red as she giggled nervously. "Ah! Oh shit! I am so sorry! This is just what I normally wear around the house! Come in, come in! I’ll quickly go change into something else!"

She ushered them inside and hurried up the stairs.

They stepped into the living room, taking a seat on the comfortable sofa. Kurt couldn’t help but notice the small coffee table in front of them, which was stacked high with bridal and wedding magazines. Almost every page was marked with colorful sticky notes.

Then, nearby on a shelf sat a meticulously crafted miniature ship model, reflecting Dominik’s well-known passion for naval vessels.

"It really feels homey here," he remarked softly, taking in the warm, lived-in atmosphere.

"It sure does..."

A minute later, Mia hurried back down the stairs, now wearing an oversized t-shirt that hung loosely over a pair of comfortable shorts.

"Sorry about that!" Mia smiled sheepishly, sitting on the armchair across from them.

She leaned forward, her eyes twinkling. "So! What brings you two over today? Wait, Kurt, did you come about the diary?"

"Diary? What diary?"

"Hasn’t Julianne given it to you? You’ll have to ask her for it later. If it’s not about the diary, why are you here? Dominik’s still working. He’ll be back by six."

"I’m here for you, actually... I need a recommendation. I’m taking Diana out on a date later today, and I need a reliable planner to help me, you see. Who else is better qualified to help me than her best friend?"

The moment the word "date" left his mouth, Mia’s entire demeanor transformed.

"A DATE WITH DIANA?! Oh my goodness! Say no more, Kurt! I have been preparing for this exact question my entire life!"

For the next thirty minutes, Mia launched into a detailed, passionate lecture, pulling out maps and notebooks. She rattled off a curated list of scenic and luxurious spots across the city. From the beautiful gardens, aquariums, all the way to the famous date restaurants.

"The Starlight Terrace is the absolute perfect way to end the date during the evening!" Mia squealed happily, marking the location on a map and shoving it into Kurt’s hands.

"The view over the city is breathtaking, and the private dining balconies are secluded. Giving you two a nice and private atmosphere for yourselves."

"Thank you, Mia," Kurt smiled, genuinely impressed by her overwhelming knowledge. "This is exactly what I needed."

.......

After saying their goodbyes, they stepped back out onto the street.

Emelie turned to Kurt, her silver hair fluttering in the breeze. "I’m heading back to the dorms now. Good luck on your date and your meeting tomorrow."

"I’ll call you once I have an update... Wait! Can you give me a ride–"

Without hearing him, Emelie kicked off the ground and flew off toward the academy grounds.

"Curse you, Spider-Man!"

Kurt shook his fist in the air as watched her fly off into the distance.