[Okay, who won the bet that we’d be roped into a psycho conspiracy that spanned the entire theocracy and maybe this war as a whole?] Nepherage asked her compatriots.

[That was me,] Razorstella answered.

[Who had that the leader of the Theocracy was someone of our Lord’s age?]

[Me,] Hurricroak answered next.

[And did any of us have placed bets on the Sacred Flame actually being some kind of ancient sentient aether treasure?]

[...]

[Really? None of us?]

[I think we all placed bets on it being something related to us Kaijin again,] Springerdermain answered. [Just based on past encounters.]

[Fair enough...alright, who wants to make bets on this being related to a deity?]

[That...seems like an obvious bet given the fact that the Ringmaster literally picked up three different aether treasures that seem interconnected to a god,] Springerdermain pointed out.

[Yes, but are we sure that there is only one god that we need to worry about?]

[Ooooh.]

’Please determine the betting pool after this next part.’

[What the fuck?] *9

...

"Okay, well, I can already predict this is the kind of conversation we shouldn’t have in a fucking back alley next to a bakery that specializes in...," Zhen Liu trailed off. "Are those meat pies or fruit pies?"

"Meat pies."

"Next to a meat pie bakery. Which is why I’m going to ask you to turn around for a couple of seconds." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"Okay...wait, what?"

As soon as Serena asked this question, Zhen Liu had already produced the [Key to Everywhere] but hadn’t used it quite yet.

"If you’re going to be roping me into a conspiracy that is probably going to end with most of the council dying by the hands of a traitor or because it turns out there is more than one traitor, I would rather be informed about my opponents in a place where I am more comfortable to process such information. Now, turn around and I’ll tell you when I’m ready for you."

Serena looked at Zhen Liu in disbelief but did actually turn around. Granted, it wasn’t before Zhen Liu made a "turn around" motion with the key in his hands.

...Meanwhile, in his headspace...

’Logos. Pathos. Can you two please prepare a conference room and get ready to do a deep dive analysis on this council of church elders? I get the feeling this is going to be a long night.’

=Of course, my lord.=

<On it.>

’By the way, how are Lyona, Taurna, the kids, and Axer holding up? It’s been a while since I last checked on them.’

=Axer is fine and has actually been making strides in perfecting his craft. I think by the time you get your hands on the [Sacred Flame], he’ll actually exceed your expectations. =

<The kids have actually taken a shine to the new lessons as well from the seasoned metalsmith, and the former slave girls are actually skilled to the point of being able to make a living off of their work. Not generational wealth levels of living, but definitely rich enough to afford a middle-class life. >

’Good to hear... make sure to inform them of our arrival.’

=Of course. =

<Wait, did you want to convey a specific persona for when Serena enters our hallowed halls or nah?>

’That...is a very good question... I have an idea, but it requires a bottle of wine.’

<=...are you trying to—=>

’No, I am not.’

<=Just making sure...=>

...Now back to reality...

"Alright, the door is open. Come this way," Zhen Liu said as in a casual tone.

"Okay, I still don’t...what the..."

The alleyway that Serena had set up for the meeting with Zhen Liu was dark, dingy, questionably hygienic, and a dead end.

As such, when Zhen Liu summoned a pristine doorway that looked like it had been ripped straight off the side of a cardinal’s questionably donated mansion, she couldn’t help but show an expression of shock.

Aether warriors performing reality-defying feats wasn’t new, but such performances were usually accompanied by something that was impossible to ignore.

A sudden change of energy in the air, a sudden shift in scent, a tingling on the skin. No matter how little or big the miracle, it was always somewhat noticeable.

That wasn’t the case when it came to [Chaos].

It just sort of...happened.

Which was what made Zhen Liu’s trick of summoning the door all the more impressive.

"Well?" Zhen Liu asked Serena as he opened the door, revealing a dark void that felt oddly welcoming. "Are you coming or not?"

"I...am."

Despite the trepidation bubbling in the back of her mind, Serena knew that she had to do this. She knew that she had to go along with this crazy-looking young man.

Why?

Because how else was she going to get revenge on the people responsible for her predecessor’s death?

She just didn’t expect the man who was going to help her to be such a... showman.

"Miss Serena, welcome to the Library of Nowhere."

...Places, please...

’You guys have an idea on what to do?’

[Yessir.]

[Of course, Maestro!]

[I think this is the first time we’ve done one of these in a while.]

[Wait, Caretaker, are you sure all of this is necessary?] Corpse Doll asked. [I thought we were just going to help her anyways.]

[I think the point of this is to make sure that they know what they’re signing up for,] Porcelain Doll assured her sister. [We wouldn’t want them to have any doubts. Right?]

’Exactly.’

[Ah.]

’Now then, wait for your cues.’

... Showtime...

"Watch your step."

"Watch what? There’s nothing—"

CLACK!

"HOLY—!"

The moment Serena stepped through the threshold of the door, her foot made contact with a tiled floor that appeared to be made of the finest black marble.

A ripple of energy originating from the point of contact then proceeded to spread far and wide throughout the void, burning it away and replacing it with pillars, torches, and statues that would appear more at home in a grand cathedral than the inside of a so-called archive.

"Hmm. Interesting," Zhen Liu commented as soon as he followed Serena inside and closed the door behind him. "It appears you are actually more devout than I gave you credit for."

"What?"

"Nothing. This way, please."

While Zhen Liu made sure to let Serena go in first, as he was a proper gentleman, he did not hesitate to take the lead and guide the leader of the Sacred Flame Theocracy deeper into the [Library of Nowhere].

Not only that, but he also made sure to summon his kaijin to confirm to Serena that she had definitely gotten more than enough help to deal with whatever internal bullshit she was dealing with.

Of course, he made sure to do it in a manner that made it quite memorable to her.

"Hmmm. It’s a bit dark in here... Blazejudicator. Nepherage. Would you two mind lighting up a path for us?"

[No problem, Executor.]

[As you wish.]

"Whoa!"

Before Serena’s eyes, a demonic woman made of black and red jade and a judge made of flames suddenly appeared off of Zhen Liu’s body and proceeded to release several dozen fireballs into the darkness.

However, these fireballs weren’t being blindly fired. These fireballs were actually landing directly on top of torches that became an illuminating a spiralling path for the two mortals to follow, leading directly up to a door that Serena could see was big enough to hold back a siege or three.

"Hmmm. It would definitely be a bit boring to walk all the way there in pure silence," Zhen Liu declared as they continued to walk the illuminated path, pulling the ring necklace around his neck. "Hurricroak, mind playing us a tune?"

[Oh, I would love to!]

The ring necklace transformed into a ball of lightning before flying to the center part of the spiralling path and changing into a bright blue frog woman chimera thing that was seated at an ornate piano that was in direct contrast to her looks.

[Let’s go with something classical!] Hurricroak declared before she began to play a piano piece that was foreign to both Zhen Liu and Serena’s ears. The former, however, simply walked along to the song until they were about ten steps away from the door.

"That door does look rather heavy. Doll Twins, if you would."

[As you wish.]*2

Zhen Liu simply flicked his wrist and a pair of comely looking combat puppets appeared, one made of blessed porcelain while the other was made of cursed corpse parts, and opened the door like guards welcoming their liege.

Beyond the door was a table made of dark oak with a sealed bottle of wine and two silver goblets resting upon it. Surrounding the table were a pair of cushioned chairs.

"Would you three mind?"

With a snap of his fingers, three simultaneous actions occurred that ultimately led to Zhen Liu and Serena seated at the table with goblets of chilled wine in their hands, while the former was surrounded by his family of monsters.