Transmigrated as the Devil of the Meaningless-Chapter 89: Sense of Security

"Good evening, Lady Amoret."

Seth greeted her warmly as he let out a soft chuckle.

Even with the black grinning mask covering half his face, his tone was relaxed, almost friendly, as if this were a normal meeting

Fiona recognized the man before her, but caution kept her a step behind her bodyguard, Jerald.

Knowing they were not truly isolated helped calm her nerves.

They stood in a dim corner, but it was still within the bustling city streets.

A single scream would definitely bring people running in...

An office station with lighted windows stood just across the street, allowing her to heave a sigh of slight relief.

As she thought this, her fingers closed around her bracelet, its sapphire gem pressed directly against her skin.

"No wonder Miss Brown chose you for information gathering."

Fiona said, striving to keep her voice steady.

"How did you find me here, Mister Black?"

She truly did not know this man’s capabilities.

But since he was talking instead of attacking, she assumed he wanted a conversation about something.

Still, the fact that he had tracked her here, right after a secret meeting about demons, sent a chill down her spine.

Hearing her question, Seth let out another soft chuckle.

"There are many ways to find and track someone, my lady," he said simply.

’Truth be told, it was mostly by chance that I found out about your identity and where you were...’

Seth kept the thought to himself, feeling a little embarrassed by how simple the truth actually was.

Over the past few days, he had been frequenting this bar because of the same small group that often gathered here to talk about demonology.

They weren’t professionals, but they were enthusiastic and careless with their words.

For someone like Seth, they were an easy source of information.

So whenever they met, he would sit nearby, order a drink, and quietly listen.

Normally, that shouldn’t have been possible.

The group always carried talismans etched with the word "Secrets," charms meant to block eavesdropping and supernatural spying. ..

Anyone using common spying or detection methods wouldn’t be able to hear a thing.

But Seth wasn’t using a spell.

He himself had become blessed with the power of "Secrets" by Lady Light.

Compared to to their flimsy talismans... it was like toy locks trying to block a master key.

The charms only hid things from ordinary methods.

They couldn’t hide things from something that already stood above its own concept of secrecy.

So by exploiting that simple loophole, Seth could still hear their conversations clearly, as if nothing was there at all.

The members to their meetings often changed, but Seth tried to memorize their faces as much as he could just in case.

"But I did not come here with hostile intentions," he continued, his tone reassuring.

"So please, do not worry."

"Then state your business, Mr. Black," Fiona said, her guard still up.

Seth didn’t answer immediately.

He seemed to be choosing his words.

"It is in regard to your search for supernatural knowledge and power," he said finally.

"I may have an offer to make. A relatively safer one from the one you just explored in that bar."

Fiona’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"What kind of offer? Are you also a student or enthusiast of demonology?"

"It’s not about that, but I am quite interested in demonology as well."

Seth replied carefully.

"The group you met with tonight... their theories are not unique, but their proposed methods are quite extreme, aren’t they?"

"Grand rituals requiring thousands of participants? Only an idiot would believe that it’s not an evil ritual involving massive risk, not just for you, but for everyone involved."

"You were listening?"

Fiona asked, surprised despite herself.

"Perhaps I was. I’ve been tailing that group for quite a while now after all."

Seth explained.

"I have my own sources and my own reasons for seeking this knowledge. It seems our interests overlap."

Fiona stared at him for a second as though in deep thought.

’He was tailing that group? I wonder who gave him the order to do that... Is it the organization behind him?’

"So, what is your proposal?" Fiona pressed.

"A joint cooperation," Seth stated plainly.

"Not out of trust of course as we have none..."

"But for mutually beneficial terms. You have resources, access, and a position that allows you to acquire certain rare materials or texts. I have a... different set of skills and equally valuable knowledge that you might need."

"We could exchange information and validate each other’s findings. Two people checking the same dangerous fact are less likely to both be deceived by it."

Jerald, who had been listening intently, glanced uneasily.

"My lady, this is—"

"A proposal that acknowledges the danger..."

Fiona finished for him, her mind trying to make sense of the situation.

She looked back at Seth.

"You want to use each other."

"I prefer to think of it as a shared investigation."

Seth corrected gently.

"The supernatural world is full of lies and traps. Having a second perspective is good as it’s quite vital for survival."

"You heard the old woman tonight—knowledge itself can be a corrupting force. Having someone to cross-reference that knowledge with could be the only thing that stops the corruption from taking root."

Hearing this, Fiona was silently considering.

He was right about the risks... The old woman’s group felt manipulative.

Mr. Black, at least, was being transparent about his self-interest.

Seth chuckled as he saw Fiona fall into deep thought.

"This is a discussion best held in private. Some things should not be spoken of on a public street, preferably without your bodyguard either."

Jerald, the bodyguard, took a half-step forward, his expression firm.

"That will not possible," he stated flatly.

"Wherever my lady goes, I will be present. Any discussion happens with me there."

Fiona placed a calming hand on Jerald’s arm but kept her eyes on Seth.

"It may be rude to say this, Mr. Black, but distrust is normal between people who do not know each other well."

"Since you seek a private discussion, I propose a solution. I will recommend a neutral, secure venue... we can meet and discuss there instead."

Seth tilted his head.

"And how can I guarantee my own safety if I agree to this? A venue of your choosing could easily become a trap. I’m sure you have your own ways of defending yourself."

He said, slightly eyeing the gem attached onto Fiona’s bracelet.

’A demonic artifact...’

Seth quietly thought.

"You are free to decline and leave immediately if you sense any harm."

Fiona replied, her voice gaining a touch of her noble bearing.

"I’m sure you and your people have your own way of identifying danger, Mr. Black."

She said, as though referring to Seth and the organization behind him.

Seth simply remained quiet as he heard this.

"It will be a place of business, open to the public during the day. The Silver Crest Teahouse, in the merchant’s quarter, tomorrow at noon. We will take a private room in the back."

"You may inspect it yourself when you arrive. Jerald will be outside the door, not inside the room, unless I call for him. That is my compromise."

Seth considered this.

A public teahouse during the day was reasonably safe...

However, he’d have to survey and verify the surroundings through certain means beforehand.

"Very well," Seth said with a slight nod.

"The Silver Crest Teahouse, tomorrow at noon. I will be there."

"Good," Fiona said. She hesitated, then glanced at the book still tucked under her arm.

"And this?"

"A word of advice, from one seeker to another..."

Seth said, his tone turning serious.

"Do not open that book until after we speak. Keep it closed and wrapped until then."

Before either she or Jerald could respond, Seth bent down and casually picked up a small rock from the street.

With a light flick of his fingers, he tossed it behind them.

The stone hit an empty crate with a sharp clack.

Both Fiona and Jerald instinctively glanced back for a split second.

When they turned forward again, the alley was empty.

Seth was gone.

A heavy silence fell between them.

Without a word, they continued walking toward where their carriage waited.

...

After a few minutes, they boarded their carriage.

The door shut, cutting off the noise of the street.

Only the sound of wheels rolling over stone remained.

Inside the carriage, Jerald waited until the horses began moving before he spoke.

His voice was low, full of concern.

"My lady... we should probably stop this search. It is becoming too dangerous."

Fiona didn’t answer directly.

Instead, she asked about another matter.

"Has my father shown any sign of stopping me in regards to the things I’ve been up to lately?"

Jerald shook his head.

"No, my lady. None at all."

Fiona stared out the window at the passing city.

A slight frustration settled over her.

’I haven’t been subtle... I’ve made it obvious I’m chasing the supernatural. I don’t even wear proper disguises while doing it. So why... why isn’t he stopping me?’

A cold, unsettling thought formed.

"Jerald," she said quietly.

"I have a feeling this is the path my father wants me to take... I don’t plan on stopping any time soon."

Jerald’s brows furrowed deeply, but he said nothing more.

The rest of the ride continued in tense silence.

Unbeknownst to them, seated comfortably in the seat beside Fiona was a man in a black, grinning mask.

Seth listened intently to every word.