Abyssal Awakening-Chapter 992: Deal With Faust

"We can make a different kind of agreement instead. One that won’t give you the role of a higher up but allow you to use all of the services of the Underground." Faust offered with a grin.

Miki frowned.

These kinds of agreements were the most troublesome.

Organisational agreements had structure. Rules. Clear responsibilities between two parties.

Personal agreements were different.

They placed everything on a single individual.

They were built entirely on trust.

Or manipulation.

Sometimes both.

"And what exactly would you gain from this arrangement?" Miki asked.

Her earlier fearful expression now gone as this was the time for negotiation.

Faust leaned back slightly, elbows resting against the windowsill.

The light of his cigarette casting an ominous shadow against his face.

"As you know, the Underground remains as... Neutral as possible. It’s how we’re allowed to operate in the capacity we do. Should the Underground show favour to any specific faction or group..." He trailed off.

"Well that’ll break the integrity of our organisation."

"Haven’t half of you already defected to the Zenia family?" Miki narrowed her eyes.

"Yes, but that’s only below the table. On the surface, everyone still thinks the Underground is a united front." Faust nodded.

He took a slow drag from his cigarette before exhaling toward the open window.

Smoke drifted lazily into the night air.

"And I don’t believe I need to tell you what will happen if that illusion breaks." He shrugged. "We stop being information brokers and become just another faction. One of many."

Miki folded her arms.

"Bad for business, right?"

Faust chuckled, raising his hands.

"Very."

Finishing his cigarette, he flicked a reflective card and absorbed the trash.

"The Zenia supports understand that as well. Which is why they’re operating quietly. Exposing the truth helps neither side so ’maintaining neutrality’ is top priority.

"Unfortunately, this balance will not hold forever. At some point, either they will expose their hand or we will."

Faust was finally approaching the core of the issue and what he wanted from them.

"So you want someone outside the Underground to act in your place? So you can maintain neutrality?" Miki raised an eyebrow.

Faust smiled.

"Not quite. I want someone the world can believe in. Someone the people of Extalia can look up to.

"A hero." Faust revealed.

Miki froze.

"A rising figure who protects cities, hunts Nightmares and put an end to this calamity. Someone who will stabilise this region. Someone to rally behind when the situation turns dire.

"But it can’t be just anyone. Someone recognisable. The young lady of the Nightingale family for example. Your background... is perfect for this kind of thing is it not? Your father died during this disaster and became your motivation to step up to the mantle." Faust laughed.

"Your father has cultivated quite a good impression among the people of Extalia. I’m sure his daughter will be received well. And while everyone is busy watching the hero..."

Faust clapped his hands together.

"The Underground remains neutral while we clean out the trash."

Miki dwelled on those words.

It’s as Faust said. Her background would certainly make this easier.

"Do this for me, and you gain unrestricted access to the Underground’s network. Whatever you need, we’ll provide. Information, routes, brokers across multiple cities.

"Anything and everything the Underground can provide."

Before he could continue, Miki shot him a glare.

"In return, I become the spearhead. The one’s moving openly and has all of my actions tracked. The one everyone blames if things go wrong, the scapegoat. If I succeed, I still owe you a debt. But if I fail, you can wipe your hands clean.

"Is that what you want?"

Faust blinked his eyes before breaking out into a loud laugh.

"Hah! Alright, you catch on quick." He grinned. "You really are your father’s daughter."

"If you succeed, you won’t owe me a debt. I’m not about exploit my friend’s daughter."

Miki’s smile twitched.

"Oh but you’re perfectly happy with me taking the fall if I fail?"

Faust shrugged his shoulders.

"That’s just the nature of being a Hero. When things go well, people praise your name. But if things go wrong, they need someone to blame. And the Hero is simply the easiest target."

Miki exhaled through her nose.

She knew it all too well. It’s the same thing she’s been telling Alice.

Not only that, but she also saw what had happened to Erwen.

"Can’t I fill in that role? If people hate me, I don’t really care." Alice spoke up.

She knew how much Miki disliked the idea so forcing her to be a Hero felt a little cruel.

"If you were literally anyone else, I might’ve accepted that offer. But..." Faust smiled helplessly.

"Zenia."

"Right, Zenia." Alice shrugged.

There’s no denying that she was part of the Zenia family in the past. Their treasured daughter.

So if she acts the way she does, not caring about killing and so on, they could use it as an excuse to link her to the Zenia name and disregard everything she’s done.

"You would be a terrible hero." Faust said bluntly.

Alice raised an eyebrow.

"That’s rude."

"But you’re not denying it." Faust laughed, causing Alice to grumble.

"So, what will it be? Will you take on the mantle of a Hero?" Faust turned to Miki.

To accept or not to accept.

Miki lowered her gaze slightly.

Hero.

The word alone left a bitter taste in her mouth.

"This is quite the price for your services." She smiled bitterly.

"Still cheaper than what it would be to remain as a member. I told you didn’t I? You can’t handle it." Faust chuckled.

"And I’m guessing I can’t simply hire you either." Miki sighed.

"Not unless you want the Zenia family to also know. As disappointing as it is, we are still in the process of figuring out who defected." Faust shrugged.

Trying to find the traitors without destroying everything they’ve built and halting the operations was difficult.

"How long do I have to think about it?"

"As long as you need. Though preferably not too long considering the way things are unfolding.

"However, I can help you sort out some of the things you need for now. Information on beasts and establishing contact with the other cities right? That’s easy enough to do." Faust chuckled. "I can make sure they don’t know about the beasts you want to track. But contact between cities will be a bit harder to hide."

"This will be all above table. I sincerely hope you don’t say something like you’ll do this for free." Miki sighed.

"Of course. This is a transaction. Once accepted, there will be no take backs." Faust reassured with a grin.

After a slight pause, Miki finally nodded her head.

"I’ll send someone to meet up with your assistant later. What you require and the payment for it will be given to her." Faust clapped his hands.

"Now then, I believe it’s time for me to clear out some debts." He turned his gaze to Alice.

She was still recovering from using her Second Resonance.

Sensing his gaze, she immediately raised her guard.

"Now now, no need to be so scared of me. If I kill you, do you think Allura will leave me alone?" Faust rolled his eyes.

"I owe Allura big time. And I think it’s time for me to clear it out before she asks me to do something ridiculous."

"And what makes you think I’ll be the one to cash it in? What if I reject it?" Alice narrowed her eyes.

"Because it’s not something Allura would tell you. She will hide it until it’s too late. But how about I give you a freebie first?" Faust smiled. "Allura is in Extalia and she’s travelling towards the capital."

Alice’s pupil trembled.

Allura is... In Extalia?

Memories appeared in her mind.

Their last farewell as she travelled with Ria.

How long has it been? How many days, weeks, months has it been since she last felt Allura’s warmth?

The last head pat, the last hug.

How long... has she last heard her voice?

While she did see Allura in the memory... It wasn’t quite the same.

It wasn’t the same Allura who brought her out of the colosseum. Not the same Allura who comforted her when she felt weak.

Not the same Allura who taught her how to live.

Not the same Allura who gave her the surname Agnelia.

[Seems like our next destination is set.] Cayla smiled as Alice nodded her head.

She wanted to see Allura again.

She wanted to show Allura how strong she’s gotten.

She wanted to tell Allura about the journey, about the friends she made.

To show her how much she’s grown and receive her praise for it.

Alice wanted to throw herself into Allura’s embrace, to get rid of the confident tough mask she’s been keeping this entire time.

However...

There was one thing that was bothering her.

"What do you mean by something Allura wouldn’t tell me?" Alice held back her emotions and asked coldly.

"Exactly what it sounds like. Call it a guardian’s responsibility, I suppose. She doesn’t want a kid she’s looking after to learn of her current condition." Faust chuckled.

Alice opened her mouth before closing it.

This was Allura’s favour with Faust.

Not something she should be taking, especially if Faust was this desperate to get rid of it.

If Allura was saving it, then it’s clear that this was more than just a verbal agreement.

A binding one perhaps.

A contract.

And for a Nine Sigil Lord, that final favour could achieve something no money can buy.

Since that was the case...

Alice leaned forward, resting her chin on her knuckles.

"Why don’t we do an exchange instead of using Allura’s favour?" Alice smiled.

Faust let out a mocking laugh.

"And what kind of exchange could be equal to a fav-"

"Blood that can reject the Abyss, burn it away and even prevent others from using Sigil powers." Alice interrupted.

Faust’s laugh was cut off.

His smile disappeared, and he stared at Alice dead in the eyes.

The two of them entered a staring competition.

After a brief pause, Faust narrowed his eyes.

There was no sign of falsehood in Alice’s expression. She was telling the truth...

In her possession was blood that could completely overturn the foundation of their world...