The God of Jesters
Chapter 55 - 2.15.1 The secret of the dream

Chapter 55: 2.15.1 The secret of the dream

Things are not always what they appear to be on the surface.

The ill girl, although appearing just like other victims of dream sickness, held an insane amount of dark magic in her body. Which felt somewhat similar to someone Maisel had been hunting.

"Bring her to the Library." Remira said, intending to continue her investigation away from the public.

But Maisel was different. He was aware of how much of a fox Kairut was.

"Leave her be, she is a distraction."

The gears in his mind moved.

There was only one reason why Kairut would do this to Thalia’s body. "He is out, she is just a distraction he has used."

He was aware of all the exit points that Kairut can use and hence was aware that there had been no activity from any of them, beside the main one which was used as front.

"Call the men who brought her here." At Maisel’s order, the hospital staff called up the security team of Lucien’s Abode who were there to answer some questions.

And like he expected, there was something wrong here.

’The reports mentioned four men and one driver.’

But in front of him, there were only four men altogether. Each feeling confused over why they were called here.

"Where is the other member of your team?"

Maisel asked, though all he got in return was confusion and nonsensical answers.

But this made one thing sure. Kairut was out and doing something that he wasn’t able to do before.

And it had nothing to do with Adam, for he was already in his custody. Which meant, something else was afoot.

’He might know the location of Maxim.’

*****

"Why... Why did you do it? He was such a great toy, why did you destroy it?" A Jester’s puppet spoke for the first time, scaring Maxim and others who took part in the raid.

A raid to kill the leader of a young country.

"Demon, how... How can you still exist? Your puppet is dead." Maxim spoke in horror, not understanding what he was witnessing.

Since joining this raid, he had always felt something was off since the start. A dirty feeling of being used by the Cynark Kingdom. But for his belief and the desire to protect others from the corrupted leader of the Republic of Sarvila.

Who, under the influence of demons, has reached his position through power and deceit.

Or so he had believed.

Demon?... Hahahaha? You call me a demon?... No, I am nothing great as a demon." The puppet spoke, under the devastation caused by the fight, while overlooking his own toy, which has stopped his breathing. "I just liked to witness great stories... and this one was about kingdom building."

"Which you people ruined!!"

"So... Let me give you a gift. A gift of knowledge that no one would forget here."

Past memories long forgotten were brimming up Maxim’s mind again. The day he sacrificed everything to save his compatriots, was vivid as the first time he recalled it.

It was also the last time he saw anything, an action that had caused him to lose his sight. All for what?

Saving the very companions who still ended up dying a worse death under the puppeteers revenge?

Making his sacrifice worthless.

"Wake up Magistar, this is no time to sleep."

Feeling the cold water on his face, Maxim woke up from his groggy state, finding his body in chains and mind in chaos.

But he was clear of one thing.

Pierta died, another death caused by his own incompetence.

"Wha.. What is your goal?" There was no need to push around things. The old woman that stood in front of him, beside the mage, was obviously the leader here and he can also tell at a glance that she was much stronger than the mage that captured him.

Someone reaching the level of archmage.

A fact that the woman didn’t intend to hide at all. As her body radiated the aura of an Archmage.

"Magistar, you should always know what we are after. But before talking, I believe it best to start with our names." The old woman spoke, white putting gently sitting on a chair in front of Maxim. "I am Vanessa Bullworth, a cadre of Blue Lotus Society."

Hearing her words, the hollow eyed Maxim smirked. "Society? Or more like a cult." Maxim spoke in a mocking tone, before asking again. "What do you intend to do?"

Vanessa was not offended by Maxim’s words. This was what they were called in the outside world, some even called them a terrorist group for similar reasons.

"All our actions are driven by one thing alone and its immortality." Vanesa gladly explained. While pointing toward the ground. "And this very land is where our opportunity lies."

"Hahaha! That’s it? So much misery just to live longer?" Maxim still finds it absurd. To some, the world is nothing but pain, they wish for death and to forget everything, like some of his friends, who went out the cowards way.

Then there were people like the one in his front, who would cause countless misery and crimes, just to get the chance to live longer.

A fact that he can’t relate no matter how much he thinks about it. For the longer the life a person would live, the more lonely and crazy they might become.

"It’s not just to live longer, it’s to experience a different life and the variety it holds. A life of misery followed by a life of abundance. The satisfaction one would feel due to it."

"You can’t imagine Maxim Hailey. You can’t appreciate it."

"No matter what you say, I won’t be swayed by your words... just tell me. What do you intend to do with this city."

At those words, Vanessa’s eyes shined for a bit. "It seems the Cult of Radiance is not so slow on the uptake" This time, it was Vanessa’s turn to use the word Cult.

But just like her, Maxim didn’t react to it, one bit. He just glared at her with his hollow eyes.

"Her descent... you should understand the being I am talking about."

Vanesas pointed toward Maxim’s injured arm, that was still under bandage and sealed tight so that no words leaked out of the arm..

"So the legend was true?... a god fell into this city?"

"Yes, and it was our god, who you are familiar with."

Durum was established under a single legend. And that was the legend where a false god fell here, her body was destroyed and spread apart, throughout the city.

In search for the remnants of such a god, countless scholars and mages came here. Some looking for opportunities and some their own ascension.

And when they had no results to show off, all of them ended up just establishing their own sects, which turned into mage colleges, in modern day.

"The dream?"

"..."

"I see, that bastard showed you more than it was needed." Vanessa smiled, cursing Jester for his simple prank.

The only good news was that, it was only now that Maxim found the simple truth. Making it nigh impossible for his other companions to become aware of this matter.

"Yes, her real body was never in the material plane. But our god was killed in a dream. Her pieces randomly appear in dreams of the people of Durum from time to time."

"But they are always too weak and insignificant to actually have an effect."

"Well, that was true, until a certain friend from your past came here."

"The puppeteer?"

"We call him the Rat king,"

"...."

"So, you are telling me all this, because I have a part to play in your plan?... Isn’t it?"

Vanessa smiled brightly at these words. "You see, this is why I like smart people like you."

"You are the core of this plan. Without you, none of this would have been possible."

Hearing these words, Maxim understood one thing.

’We never had a chance.’

The enemies were too prepared, and he came in blind without being aware of anything that was happening here.

Even due to the mages that hated their kind, Which had forced him and Remira into passivity.

’Wait... she said that I was the core part of the plan?’

’Then the ones that called me, the Mayor... was he under their influence as well?’

*****

"Kairut, I knew it was you. The only black archmage."

"Balok, this is no time for play... I am here for a single request and I wish for you to answer me appropriately."

At those words, Balok Gotia, the Financial Minister of Durum paused, before looking deeply at Kairut. "Please speak, I would check if I can fulfill your request or not."

Kairut was in a hurry, there was a limit to which he can distract Maisel. No to mention, with what he did to that little girl’s body, there was a high chance he would be deemed a criminal, soon enough.

But all of it was worth it. He had already left a resignation letter in his office and he was here to meet with Balik for one purpose only.

"Let me meet with the old leader of Blue Lotus."