Memoirs of Your Local Small-time Villainess-Chapter 342 - A favour

Scarlett frowned.

She knew this day would come. The last time they’d met, he’d even hinted that he might call in her favour when they next crossed paths. That was one of the reasons his appearance here hadn’t entirely surprised her. She’d been prepared to repay her debt from the moment she agreed to it — but she still had no idea what he might ask.

“Speak. What is your request?” she asked, tone firm.

The Gentleman studied her in silence. Empress meowed again, this time with a distinct note of irritation. His gaze flicked briefly to the cat before returning to Scarlett, his expression unchanged.

“I am afraid that I cannot say,” he said slowly.

“You cannot?”

“No.”

“Then I cannot help you.”

“I would not be so certain,” he replied, voice calm and quietly assured. “In fact, you may be the only one who can.”

Scarlett folded her arms. “I fail to see how that is possible if you are unable to even tell me what you want.”

A faint, drab smile touched his lips. “And therein lies the dilemma, does it not? But as much as I might wish to elaborate, it is quite impossible.”

A silent tension settled between them as they regarded one another. Scarlett’s frown deepened.

He was asking her to grant a favour…without telling her what it was? How did that work? What did he even expect her to do?

She still couldn’t completely shake the unease creeping up her spine as he watched her. She wasn’t sure if it was necessarily sinister, or overtly threatening, but it was…different. Different from anything she had felt from him before. There was something here she wasn’t grasping.

“…What precisely prevents you from speaking openly about this?” she asked.

It reminded her of the pact she herself once held with Anguish, binding her tongue from revealing details about the Vile. Back then, she had similarly omitted truths to compel Beldon Tyndall into helping her. Could The Gentleman be constrained by some pact or demonic bond as well? But it was hard to imagine him under such constraints.

Empress gracefully padded across the table, halting at its edge just before Scarlett. The cat stared into her eyes and let out a long, insistent meow. Scarlett studied her intently, suspicion brewing in her mind. Was she trying to tell her something?

“It would be more accurate to say,” The Gentleman continued in his measured tone, drawing Scarlett’s attention back to him, “that I cannot speak of that which I do not yet know. Rather than a specific favour, consider this simply a request for your assistance—should the need arise—in some general, undefined matter.”

He straightened slightly, the dark cape on his shoulders shifting with the movement. “Exactly what form that assistance takes, I leave entirely to your discretion. I ask only that you repay your debt at a time you deem appropriate.”

Scarlett considered him carefully for a long, extended moment.

“…And if I were to deem today suitable?” she asked. “What if I chose to repay your favour now by simply offering you my finest tea?”

Empress meowed softly, almost as if supporting Scarlett’s proposition.

The Gentleman’s expression didn’t change. “Then I would consider your favour repaid.”

He was both casual and courteous, yet Scarlett felt the peculiar unease within her intensify. Even the Loci seemed to respond slightly to the strangeness in the air.

What was it that was so unsettling about this? The sensation was so vivid, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. It wasn’t pressuring, nor openly dangerous. Was it just because this behaviour felt so uncharacteristic of The Gentleman’s usual poised and enigmatic manner? Or was there something more?

Either way, it was clear he was expecting something specific from her. He simply couldn’t, or wouldn’t, express what that was. However, she doubted it was a coincidence that he’d chosen this moment to collect his favour just as she was preparing to journey to Beld Thylelion.

Her gaze shifted to Empress once more, locking eyes with the feline’s piercing eyes. There was definitely meaning in that look. Was it a warning? A plea?

She held the cat’s stare a moment longer before turning back to The Gentleman. “Very well. I see no reason to refuse your request. I am a woman of my word.”

Whatever his expectations, the choice of how to fulfil the favour remained hers. She doubted he would have structured his request in such a vague manner unless he was confident she could somehow figure out his intentions herself, eventually. Until then, she would remain alert.

In the worst-case scenario, she could simply refuse to carry out his implied request, risking only the damage it might inflict on their relationship. Best-case scenario, his favour wouldn’t cost her anything…and maybe it’d even help shed light on the mystery that was The Gentleman.

His polite, composed smile returned. “You have my sincere gratitude, Baroness.”

Empress continued staring at Scarlett for several drifting seconds before slowly rising and padding back to the centre of the table, settling into a lazy sprawl as if nothing special had happened.

A contemplative silence fell over the room. Scarlett glanced at the others. They seemed to have reached some quiet consensus not to interfere, for which she was grateful. Though, undoubtedly, they must have questions of their own.

Eventually, The Gentleman placed one hand on the silver crown of his cane and cleared his throat. “I do believe that concludes all that we had to discuss for today,” he said, rising from his seat. “With your permission, I shall take my leave.” His eyes swept across the gathered company, pausing noticeably on both Fynn and Rosa. “Before I go, are there perhaps any lingering questions you wish to ask me?”

No one spoke.

He tapped his cane lightly against the floor once. “No? Then allow me to wish you all a most pleasant day — and, one final time, the best of fortune on your exploration of Beld Thylelion and its halls.”

He reached for his top hat, placing it neatly atop his head. Just as he turned to leave, Allyssa’s voice suddenly cut through the surviving silence.

“What are you?” she asked, looking directly at him before pointing at Empress. “And her? What exactly are the two of you?”

Empress lifted her head, amethyst eyes narrowing slightly in languid appraisal.

Scarlett blinked, caught off guard. Judging by the looks around the room, she wasn’t the only one. Most of the others had turned to stare at Allyssa, as if she had just broken their unspoken rule. That said, none of them looked like they blamed her. If anything, after the initial surprise, both Evelyne and Kat seemed intrigued and expectant, glancing between The Gentleman and Empress.

Allyssa’s cheeks flushed faintly, and Scarlett suspected it had taken some courage for her to voice the question. But nonetheless, the girl’s expression showed determination as she held The Gentleman’s gaze.

He watched her thoughtfully, then let out a soft, amused chuckle. “What are we, indeed?”

Empress gave a short, dismissive flick of her tail as she meowed.

He glanced at the cat and nodded. “You are quite right, dear. That is perhaps the simplest way to put it.” His gaze returned to Allyssa, a glint of melancholy in his eyes. “We are actors who have long since abandoned our roles — now, merely observers who do a rather poor job of observing quietly.”

“…What does that even mean?”

“It depends on your perspective.” The Gentleman adjusted his cape with one gloved hand. “I suspect you are attempting to categorise us alongside the types of Viles, Idols, and other powerful entities you have encountered. Though we may share some superficial similarities, rest assured we are quite distinct.”

Empress released another meow, almost sardonic this time.

“Ah, but above all else, Empress is, naturally, only a cat,” he added.

The black-furred feline lowered her head with evident satisfaction and started grooming her paw.

Allyssa eyed them both, looking uncertain. Her gaze darted to Scarlett, as though searching for clarification, before drifting back to Empress. Despite herself, her features seemed to gradually soften, clearly unable to resist the cat’s endearing display.

The Gentleman turned back to Scarlett with one last smile. “Baroness, as always, a pleasure. I hope our next meeting is under similarly pleasant circumstances.”

Scarlett inclined her head. “So do I.”

He faced the rest of the room. “A pleasure to meet you all.” Again, his gaze lingered on Rosa and Fynn. “Miss Hale, in particular, I wish you luck in managing that unruly companion of yours. And Grehaldrael,” he added, addressing Fynn, “I would advise against suppressing their whispers much longer. You may not be ready for what it brings.”

Scarlett’s brow creased. She looked between Rosa and Fynn — but The Gentleman had already turned toward the door.

As he passed her, he paused—just for a moment—and looked down.

“Ah. There is just one more thing.” He gestured towards her. “Might I see the item that Arlene left behind?”

Scarlett hesitated, eyeing him. She had a fair idea what he was referring to.

After a brief pause, she reached into the [Pouch of Holding] and withdrew a large agate. Its swirling core was a pale mix of green and grey that had dulled into an almost translucent haze. A faint hum emanated from within, like the echo of a distant memory.

[Dimming Agate of Reflections (Unique)]

{A dwindling key to the spaces between moments, born of a pact between a wandering observer and a mage with fading purpose. Its burdens, growing heavier with each passing moment, have at last been released}

“I presume you mean this?”

It was one of the artifacts Arlene had left behind in her locked jewellery casket, alongside the [Sphere of Serendipity (2/2) (Unique)] and a [Silver Necklace (Uncommon)].

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Scarlett had yet to find a use for either the agate or the necklace. She had thought the agate might hold some significance to the Loci, but so far, she hadn’t discovered a way to make use of it. For now, it remained little more than an oddity in her collection.

The Gentleman studied the stone. “It appears to have lost most of its power. Unfortunate, but not unexpected.”

Scarlett watched him closely. He’d been the one to give the damn thing to Arlene, but he didn’t seem to have too much interest in it.

“Do you wish to take it back?” she asked, though she didn’t feel particularly inclined to surrender it.

He regarded the agate for a moment longer, then slowly shook his head. “No. I was merely curious. It’s likely best that it remains in your possession.”

Scarlett’s frown returned, but she made no objection as she tucked the artifact securely away once more.

“Now, come along, dear,” The Gentleman said, turning to Empress.

With what could only be described as reluctant elegance, Empress rose from the table. She stretched, then leapt soundlessly to the floor, trailing after him as the parlour door swung open of its own accord.

At the threshold, The Gentleman cast one last glance back, nodding slightly. Empress paused as well, her gaze landing on Scarlett. For a long moment, the cat simply watched. Then, with a final, almost knowing meow, she stepped through the doorway and vanished into the hall along with The Gentleman.

In their absence, another silence settled over the room.

“…You have weird friends, Scarlett,” Kat finally said.

Rosa snorted. “Correction. She has weird co-conspirators.”

“Not sure that makes things better.”

“Oh, I’m sure it makes it a hundred times worse. But at least I’m not included under that particular label.”

Kat raised an eyebrow at the bard. “No offence, but you’re definitely still counted in the ‘weird’ category.”

“I resent that accusation,” Rosa shot back.

Scarlett let their exchange play out for a moment, then turned to Allyssa, who remained fixed on the now-closed door. After a beat, the girl turned sharply to Fynn.

“Was he lying about any of what he said?” she asked.

Fynn held an impassive expression. “I don’t know.”

Allyssa’s eyes widened slightly. “You don’t?”

“He doesn’t lie.”

“…I’m not following.”

Fynn seemed to pause, as if trying to find the right words. “He doesn’t lie. I’ve never heard him speak falsely. But everyone lies at least a little, so I don’t know. He’s strange.”

Allyssa stared at him thoughtfully for a while longer, then turned to Scarlett. “Do you know what they actually are?”

Scarlett met her gaze, then looked down at the table. “I do not.”

Kat let out a skeptical sound. “Are they really that special?” She crossed her arms, glancing between them. “I get that the…’cat’ probably isn’t actually a cat, but he mentioned Idols and Viles. They can’t seriously be on that kind of level, can they?”

Allyssa’s expression turned uneasy. “I think they might be.”

Shin nodded. “We’ve encountered beings of both kinds before. And Empress once effortlessly killed a dragon.” He furrowed his brow and tapped a finger to his chin. “I don’t recognise her title, but I wonder if it’s real.”

As the group lapsed into speculative murmuring and conversation, Scarlett noticed Evelyne watching her from the side.

She turned toward her fully. “Is there something you wish to say?”

Evelyne bit her lip lightly, then spoke in a low voice beneath the others’ chatter. “Are you sure about this, Scarlett? Everything you’re involved in… Is this really something you can do? Something…we can handle? After listening to all this, I feel so out of my depth.”

Scarlett studied her, noting the exhaustion and shadows etched into her features. Evelyne was already stretched thin, juggling recovery and the barony’s affairs in a chaotic empire. And now, on top of all that, Scarlett had burdened her further with matters bordering on the existential and otherworldly.

She wondered if it wouldn’t have been wiser not to include Evelyne in today’s talks.

But Evelyne seemed to sense that thought. She raised her good arm quickly. “I’m not saying I won’t help where I can, Scarlett. I understand that there is far too much at stake for me to simply stand aside. I’m just…worried.”

“Your worries are completely justified,” Scarlett said. She paused for a few seconds, choosing her words carefully. “As to whether we can handle what is to come…the simple answer is yes. The more accurate answer is: perhaps. But regardless, we have little choice. Worrying needlessly about uncertainty achieves nothing.”

Evelyne watched her for a bit. “Okay. I trust you on this.”

Scarlett turned back to the others. They had quietened and were now watching her, waiting.

“I imagine you all still have questions,” she said, meeting each person’s gaze. “…Just this once, I will consider answering them as directly and candidly as possible. While I cannot guarantee complete clarity, I will attempt to provide as much as I can within reason. Your questions need not pertain solely to The Gentleman or Empress — in fact, this was precisely what I intended to address before their unexpected arrival.”

“Anything?” Allyssa asked with some surprise.

“Anything you feel comfortable asking in this setting.”

The others exchanged a few glances. Then Kat was the first to raise a hand.

“I’ve got a lot of questions in general, but let’s start with this — is there a particular reason Allyssa acts like Fynn should be able to tell when people are lying?”

Scarlett looked towards Fynn. “He is of the Grehaldrael tribe. You may not have heard of them — they once lived in the Whitdown Mountains. Their people possessed certain abilities beyond the ordinary. One of them was the ability to detect lies.”

Kat’s eyebrows lifted slightly as she eyed Fynn, who didn’t seem particularly fazed. “Huh. That’s…neat?”

“It took us a while to break him of the habit of calling everyone a liar,” Rosa added, shooting Fynn a pointed look. “Even when they absolutely, unquestionably, and most definitely weren’t lying — or if they were, it was just the teeniest, tiniest, most harmless little fib that barely counted.”

“That’s a lie,” Fynn said flatly.

Rosa huffed in mock offence. Kat smiled, then turned back to Scarlett. “Alright, then what about this ‘Gentleman’ fellow, and Empress? I get everyone seems to love the cat, but how exactly are you connected to them? Other than being, you know, ‘acquaintances’.”

Scarlett leaned forward to pour herself a cup of tea. “Strictly speaking, we are informal partners. Most of my dealings with The Gentleman have occurred in private due to the delicate nature of who he is. I reached out to him initially because of certain capabilities he possesses. As mentioned, he enabled my entry into a place known as Freymeadow and played a key role in securing our access to Beld Thylelion.”

She motioned towards the [Pouch of Holding]. “The Sphere of Serendipity artifact that you saw has a counterpart. It was The Gentleman’s task to deliver that counterpart to Beld Thylelion, enabling us to reach what would otherwise be inaccessible.”

“And he actually pulled that off? Even though it’s supposed to be unreachable?”

“Yes, though I also remain uncertain as to how exactly he accomplished it.”

“…Alright.” Kat’s expression grew contemplative. “But just to clarify things — once we reach this Beld something place, what happens? Like, what are we actually walking into?”

Having poured her tea, Scarlett touched a finger to the cup’s rim to heat it to the perfect temperature. “Numerous Zuverian wards and defences, most likely.” She leaned back, gesturing towards Shin and Allyssa. “They should have better insights than I on how to navigate those challenges, given their experiences on the Rising Isle. I suggest you speak with them in more detail afterward.”

“But you hinted earlier there might be something more, right?” Kat pressed. “That’s why Arnaud wanted to join us, and why you asked that question about…fate or whatever to The Gentleman.”

Scarlett dipped her head slightly. “Yes. As I mentioned, Yamina Ward—a skilled wizard from the Rising Isle—appears to anticipate that we will face something beyond my expectations in Beld Thylelion. Something dangerous. However, I do not know precisely what that might entail, nor how credible her warning truly is.”

“Do you want Arnaud to join us, then?”

“It would…behoove us to take what precautions we can,” Scarlett admitted. “And few precautions are as reassuring as an S-ranked Shielder at one’s side.” She took a sip of her tea. “But, as discussed previously, the primary issue remains timing.”

“That’s why we’ll contact my dad as quickly as we can to bring him here,” Allyssa said.

Scarlett nodded to her. “If that is your wish, I will not object.” She looked back to Kat. “Any other questions?”

Kat seemed to consider it, as if debating herself for a moment. Eventually, she met Scarlett’s eyes. “Is it okay if I ask how you know these things? For real, that is. All of this Zuverian stuff, hidden places, and world-ending secrets.”

Scarlett fell silent for a long moment, gently tapping her cup. “I cannot fully answer that question for reasons similar to why I cannot explain precisely why failing to reach Beld Thylelion first would result in my death. Like many things, it will require you to trust me. However…I can at least offer you something I have previously avoided explicitly stating to most of you.” She paused, surveying the group. “I possess limited knowledge of the future.”

She waited for their reactions. She hadn’t expected jaws to drop, exactly, but she’d thought she would see at least some mild surprise from someone like Allyssa. Instead, the girl’s expression was just thoughtful. Shin nodded slightly. Kat blinked once, unimpressed.

They looked at her as if she’d stated the most obvious truth imaginable.

“…Sorry to break it to you, Red,” Rosa said with an amused, almost pitying smile, “but I think the younglings had that one figured out ages ago.”

Scarlett frowned. Evelyne had known, of course, and Rosa also had an idea to some extent, but Scarlett had never outright shared it with any of the others before now.

Allyssa gave an apologetic smile. “We guessed it was either something like that, or—according to Shin—you might’ve been the avatar of some god or another.”

“I used to think you were some sort of Augur,” Kat added.

Evelyne shifted somewhat awkwardly. “I already knew, but…I don’t think I would’ve realised it myself if you hadn’t told me.”

Scarlett fought down a small twinge of childish irritation. This was a very unsatisfying reaction. She much preferred Evelyne’s initial disbelief back when she first revealed this to her.

“In a sense,” she said coolly, “I am something akin to an Augur or avatar. But that is a much more recent development.”

That, at least, drew a slight reaction.

“Wait, really?” Allyssa leaned forward. “Which god? Since when?”

Scarlett waved a hand dismissively. “I have become the chosen of Itris, the goddess of fire. Or at least something close to it. Unfortunately, it is not as impressive as it sounds. My connection to the goddess is tenuous at best, and it is still very unclear precisely what benefits it grants me.”

“But this is unrelated to you knowing about the future?” Kat asked.

“It is.”

The woman considered her for a bit. “…I’m guessing the source of that foresight is still something you can’t talk about.”

“I am afraid so,” Scarlett said.

“Hmm. Alright.” Kat shrugged lightly. “Am I right in thinking this is how you were able to predict the Tribe of Sin’s movements and their attacks?”

“Precisely.”

“Is this something that has to be kept from the Guild?”

“Yes.”

Kat’s mouth tightened. “Honestly, I think you’d be better off not keeping it entirely secret. I’ve said it before, but some higher-ups in the Guild are already suspicious of you. Revealing this might help get them off your back.”

Scarlett shook her head. “I can guarantee you that, were the Guild to become aware of this, the information would eventually reach the Hallowed Cabal. And if the Cabal were to learn of this, they would stop at nothing to capture me.”

“You seriously think the Guild has been infiltrated to that extent?”

“It is not necessarily about infiltration. The Cabal possesses the means to extract information by force, and the Guild is one of their primary targets. Even the Guild itself should realise that certain sensitive truths must remain known only to a select—preferably powerful—few.”

Kat’s eyes darkened slightly. “…You’re talking about that thing we ran into back then — the one from the mirror, who tried to dig into our minds?”

“Yes,” Scarlett said. “He is known as The Angler Man. He leads the Cabal. And he is not a foe to take lightly.”

His existence was at least part of the reason she was careful with what she shared with others.

Kat fell silent, absorbing the warning. Across the room, Allyssa, Shin, and Evelyne wore varying shades of concern. Only Fynn showed no outward reaction at all, despite being the only one present who’d recently encountered The Angler Man himself.

Scarlett studied him for a moment, recalling The Gentleman’s words before he left.

“…Fynn,” she said eventually, drawing his attention. “Have you heard the voices of your ancestors much recently?”

He was quiet for a beat, brow furrowing slightly. Then he nodded. “I have.”

Scarlett’s frown returned. “What are they saying?”

“…They want me to undertake the second trial. To undergo the second awakening.”

Her expression darkened. Fynn had already reached the stage for his second awakening? In the game, that didn’t happen until he was level 70 — and when it did, it was unmistakable. Loud. Dramatic. Just like the first awakening.

Unless he had been suppressing it.

“…For how long have you been resisting it?” she asked, voice serious.

Fynn seemed to hesitate before answering. “A few weeks? A month?”

Scarlett exhaled through her nose, pressing her fingers to the bridge of her nose. “Why did you not inform me?”

“You were busy,” he said simply.

Scarlett paused, regarding him.

He wasn’t wrong. The timing aligned with the chaos on the Rising Isle, the Hall of Echoes, and the escalating unrest across the empire. Even so, this wasn’t something that should have been left to fester. She hadn’t even known it was possible to suppress an awakening.

Given The Gentleman’s recent warning—and how dangerous the ancestors acted during the first trial—she was concerned what might happen if the second trial was ignored for too long.

But it wasn’t as if they had the luxury of addressing it immediately, either.

“Do you believe you can keep it at bay for a little longer?” she asked.

Fynn nodded firmly. “Yes.”

“Then do so. We will address it as soon as we have dealt with the situation in Beld Thylelion.”

Hopefully, postponing it wouldn’t lead to unforeseen consequences. Maybe if she’d been more proactive, she might have noticed sooner and found a way to handle this.

She turned her attention to Rosa, who sat comfortably on the sofa, meeting Scarlett’s gaze with a relaxed grin. The bard raised a hand in a playful wave. “Hi there. Something on your mind?”

“…Please tell me you are not also hiding something serious from me,” Scarlett said.

“Alrighty then. I am not hiding something serious from you.”

“Rosa…”

Rosa laughed. “Kidding. No, really — I’m perfectly fine.” She tapped a fist against her chest where the Heartstone lay. “My crystalline heart is pulsing away as splendidly as ever, and I only occasionally feel a faint urge to subjugate all mortal life beneath my heel.”

Next to her, Kat gave the bard a strange look.

After a moment, she turned back to Scarlett, raising her hand. “Okay, I’ve got more questions.”