My mission was over, but I knew the same wasn't true for others. In fact many pairs still were busy with their missions.
And one of them was Alaric Blackwood, yeah protagonist was very , very busy right now.
The Hero had paired with Alaric Blackwood by various turns of events, and now they were facing a hidden organization.
Maybe I should go and watch?
Alright.
Should I buy popcorn? Let's not get too comfortable.
I used the ring to select my next illusion.
I went to the mirror to see myself.
Thanks to Omniscient, I could see that this was an illusion. How?
Well, my senses are far too advanced—I can perceive distortions that illusions can't compensate for. For others, this illusion would work perfectly.
In fact, illusion magic is totally useless on me for that same reason.
To make it simple—let's say your television is a color TV, but the broadcast is in black and white. Of course, you'd realize something's wrong.
What others sense from my perspective is like they're seeing black and white while I see in color. So when they cast illusions, those can't keep up with my senses. And since they can only create illusions based on their own senses, the gap shows.
Still, I could tell that my eyes were green and my hair violet. My face looked normal—above average, but nothing too handsome.
This kind of color combination would instantly separate me from the crowd. I don't know what he was thinking when he set this illusion, but I'd have to make do with it.
I teleported from my room and first went to the market. There, I bought a mask.
Why?
To look mysterious… Ahem.
Also if someone does see me it's best they first think they are quite smart after they figure out the current face. Which also happens to be an illusion.
Anyway… I thought they should be somewhere in the church. I quickly teleported several times and entered the church.
With Omniscient and Sixth Sense, the chances of teleporting into a wall were very small. I could feel vibrations through the walls and much more, making teleportation far more reliable.
Now, I was searching for them—after all, it was just a guess.
I searched a lot but didn't find them.
Where else should I look?
Hmm… maybe they're discussing something together?
And so, I teleported to the room adjacent to theirs.
There, I heard their voices.
---
"...This thing is deeper than we imagined."
"Now that our trails have been caught, they're investigating around the professors, so we can't reach out to them."
"Let's just destroy their current plan. That'll buy us a little time. We can inform a professor afterward."
"Okay."
"Then let's go to the church."
---
So, they were leaving now. Alright—let's follow them.
They left their inn and looked around. When they were sure no one was following, they started moving. They still had much to learn—they didn't realize I was following them. Well, I can track even a powerhouse, so I'll forgive them.
They moved cautiously, and that was good. They didn't know it, but the organization they were facing was huge.
Before reaching the church, they stopped at several places—stalls and corners—just to make sure it was safe.
Soon, they reached the church.
---
Alaric Blackwood's POV
I was paired with the Hero herself, and by fate, we got tangled with an organization. We didn't know their objectives yet, but we needed to investigate.
For that, we arrived at the church. We suspected some connection here—whether the priests were involved, or if this place served as a relay point, we weren't sure.
Now, we stood before the church.
We slowly entered—not rushing, because we wanted to observe the surroundings.
The prayer hall was large. Rows and rows of benches stretched from the entrance, most of them empty since prayer time had long passed. A few people sat here and there, with wide gaps between them.
At the far end stood a statue of a female goddess. Her face was covered, and she wasn't holding anything. I couldn't recall which goddess she was supposed to be.
Candles burned along the walls, their golden light trembling against the stained glass windows. The scent of incense hung heavy in the air.
I was about to walk further when the Hero placed her hand on my shoulder. I turned, confused.
Thalia said, "Let's sit and pray a little."
Hmm? Oh…
Maybe she wanted to analyze the people sitting here. Good idea.
I smiled and nodded. "I like sitting at the back, if you don't mind."
She shook her head. "I like it that way too."
We sat in the last pew—me leaning forward slightly, elbows on my knees, eyes fixed ahead but not really on the altar.
Thalia sat beside me, posture straight, hands folded in her lap. Her eyes were open—cold, calculating. She didn't pretend to pray. Neither of us did.
There were not many people here but I need to look carefully.
There was a man sitting near the front. He looked lost in thought, but I couldn't tell if he was suspicious. It's not certain that someone who looks normal is safe—after all, hidden organizations often use ordinary people as cover.
I marked the man in my mind and moved on.
Next, I noticed a mother and son. The boy looked bored—probably dragged here by his mother. She was praying sincerely, hands clasped, eyes closed. Let's assume they're safe for now.
Then I saw a girl. She wasn't praying and kept holding something in her pocket. Suspicious. I decided to check others first, then focus on her later.
Another man was talking to the priest. After a short conversation, he donated some coins and left.
The priest himself wasn't doing anything strange. It does feel weird to doubt a priest but I can't take any chances.
Then there was an old woman who was also praying. But her eyes were open. It looked more like she was having a casual conversation with the goddess. But she didn't look like someone affiliated to an organisation with weird motives.
I turned back to the girl. She still wasn't praying and didn't look particularly religious. Why was she here?
I glanced at Thalia—she was watching the same girl.
"She's not praying," she whispered, without turning her head.
"I see it," I murmured back. "Her right hand hasn't moved once."
Thalia said suddenly, "Go hit on her."
"What?!" I blurted, startled and embarrassed.
"Well," Thalia said calmly, "we need some kind of external stimulus to gather more intelligence."
I protested, "Then you go hit on her! Why should I?"
I realized too late how ridiculous that sounded.
Thalia looked at me flatly. "Statistically speaking, a girl would be more inclined toward a man romantically."
Sigh…
I said seriously, "And I don't know how to flirt."
Thalia gave me a strange look I couldn't read.
"So our mission will fail because of your incapability?"
"That's how it is. Deal with it."
Thalia was silent for a moment. Then she said, completely serious,
"I know how you should flirt. Go sniff her hair and say, 'You smell mine. Wink wink.'"
I stared at her, trying to tell if she was joking. She wasn't.
"That's something even a creep wouldn't do," I said flatly.
Sigh…
"How about something else?"
Thalia asked, "Like what?"
I suggested, "Maybe not making contact? We can observe from afar and avoid hasty decisions. Besides, wouldn't it be weird for me to flirt with her while I'm with someone prettier?"
Thalia nodded.
Which reason convinced her? Don't tell me she's a narcissist.
I looked around again but didn't see anything unusual.
Then the girl shifted suddenly. Her fingers clenched inside her pocket—knuckles tightening beneath the fabric. The movement was small, precise—deliberate.
Thalia's tone stayed calm, but her hand brushed the hilt at her side.
"She's preparing something."
"Spell or signal?" I asked quietly.
"Can't tell," Thalia replied.
She rose silently, slipping down the aisle toward the exit.
"We follow," Thalia whispered.
We moved, careful not to draw attention.
The girl was already halfway across the square, weaving through the crowd just fast enough to seem suspicious.
"She's in a hurry," I muttered.
Thalia nodded. "Keep your distance. Don't confront."
We followed her through a narrow street behind the church, our boots muffled on the cobblestone. When she turned a corner, we picked up speed.
By the time we reached it—she was gone.
I scanned the walls and noticed a small, half-open door—a service entrance leading to the lower levels of the church.
"She went inside," Thalia said.
I pushed lightly. It opened without resistance.
Cold air seeped from the darkness below.
We entered.
The stairs were old—damp stone worn by time. Each step echoed faintly as we descended. We slowed; slipping here could be fatal.
The farther we went, the fainter the sounds from above became, until only our breathing remained.
Then—a soft hum reached my ears. Not mechanical. Not magical. Human voices. Whispering.
We slowed.
I looked at Thalia, but she just moved ahead.