The café sat in one of Lacrosa's quieter districts, where the eternal twilight seemed softer, less oppressive. It was the sort of pce that felt deliberately removed from the chaos of the underground city's main markets.

  Dawn led Lea to a corner table where a man already sat, nursing a cup of bck coffee.

  He looked up as they approached, with sharp gray eyes that seemed to analyze everything in an instant, dark hair swept back neatly, wearing a simple but well-tailored coat marked with subtle brass buttons bearing geometric patterns.

  MSSH's insignia, Lea recognized it. The book and gear symbol, though stylized to be less obvious to casual observers.

  "Princess Dawn.", the man said, standing with practiced courtesy. His accent carried the clipped precision of Renlou's capital, "And your... companion."

  "Shadow Guard.", Dawn corrected smoothly, settling into her chair, "She's trustworthy. Konrad, I presume?"

  "Detective Konrad Weiss, at your service.", he inclined his head slightly before returning to his seat.

  His eyes flickered to Lea briefly, assessing, calcuting. before returning to Dawn, "Your message was intriguing. MSSH rarely receives direct contact from Ryteline's royal family."

  "Times are changing." Dawn replied, accepting a menu from a passing server, "Coffee, bck. And whatever she wants."

  Lea ordered the same, uncomfortable under Konrad's analytical gaze.

  She could feel it, the weight of Revetion combined with Erudition.

  He wasn't just looking at her; he was reading her, piecing together information from her posture, her breathing, the way shadows clung to her form. A Fourth Step Pathstrider. And a Detective, no less.

  "You mentioned the Chalk Princess in your correspondence.", Konrad said once the server departed, "That's what caught MSSH's attention. We've been monitoring unusual activity reted to the Lady in White recently."

  Dawn leaned back, her expression carefully neutral, "Then you've noticed She's been more... active tely."

  "Active is one word for it.", Konrad's fingers drummed once against his coffee cup, "Our agents report sightings across multiple nations. Aipotu, Ryteline, Zhenkur, Zankur, Kres, in the two Republics in opposite ends of the continent, and even isoted incidents in Renlou. The pattern suggests—"

  "That She's searching for people to become Her Blessed.", Dawn finished.

  Lea kept her expression hidden behind her mask, but internally she tensed. That wasn't quite true. Lady Keter had revealed the Chalk Princess's throne was empty, wandering aimlessly.

  But Dawn was spinning it differently, making it sound purposeful, intentional.

  A half-truth. More patable than reality. Which make Lea uncomfortable knowing how much half-truths hurts.

  Konrad's eyes narrowed slightly, "You sound certain of this."

  "I have... sources.", Dawn accepted her coffee from the returning server, "Sources that suggest the Chalk Princess is actively seeking individuals from both the Cult of Technology and MSSH, plus outsiders. People who embody Her domains, Progress and Enlightenment."

  "Blessed of Technology...", Konrad murmured, his tone thoughtful, "There haven't been confirmed Blessed of the Chalk Princess ever since her ascension in the Third Era. If She's truly selecting new ones now..."

  He paused, studying Dawn with renewed intensity, "Have you been approached, Your Highness?"

  Dawn smiled, taking a sip of her coffee, "Let's say I have reason to believe I'm being... observed."

  Dawn had been visited by the Chalk Princess' throne as a child. She just wasn't mentioning that it was an empty throne seeking a host, not a goddess seeking servants. Like Lea when she was still at Auger's mansion.

  Konrad leaned forward slightly, "MSSH has protocols for this. If you've been marked as a potential Blessed, we should establish—"

  "I'm not here to discuss my personal situation.", Dawn interrupted smoothly, "I'm here because I believe MSSH and I share common interests. Technological advancement. The spread of knowledge. The elevation of humanity through innovation."

  "And the Cult of Technology?", Konrad asked, "I assume you've already approached them."

  Dawn didn't seem surprised he knew, "The Cult focuses on Progress, moving forward regardless of understanding. MSSH focuses on Enlightenment, understanding before application. I need both approaches."

  "For what purpose?"

  Dawn's smile widened slightly, "That's where things get interesting."

  Lea watched the exchange, fascinated despite herself being a literal shadow in the darkness. Dawn was pying both sides, telling each faction what they wanted to hear while revealing nothing concrete about her actual pns.

  Konrad set down his coffee cup with a soft clink, "Princess, with all due respect, MSSH doesn't involve itself in political maneuvering. We're a society dedicated to knowledge and enlightenment, not—"

  "I'm not asking for political support.", Dawn cut in, "I'm asking for technical consultation and research assistance.", she paused, "In exchange, I'm offering something MSSH has been searching for since its founding."

  That got his attention. Konrad's posture shifted, suddenly more alert, "And what might that be?"

  "Direct contact with the Chalk Princess.", Dawn said simply.

  The silence that followed was heavy.

  Konrad's gray eyes studied Dawn for a long moment. Lea could practically see his Erudition Path working, analyzing the cim, weighing probabilities, searching for deception.

  "You can arrange this.", he said finally. Not quite a question.

  "Not arrange, facilitate.", Dawn corrected, "If the Chalk Princess is truly seeking Blessed from both factions, then bringing representatives of both together in pursuit of Her domains would naturally draw Her attention."

  Lea had to admire the logic. It was a brilliant half-truth. Dawn couldn't summon the Chalk Princess because there was no conscious goddess to summon, only an empty throne wandering in search of purpose.

  But if she gathered enough people embodying Progression's domains in one pce, would the throne be drawn to them?

  Possibly... Lea doesn't know how the divine works. But anyone would be drawn to a rge commotion.

  Konrad was silent for a long moment, his coffee forgotten. Finally, he spoke, "What exactly are you proposing?"

  "A colborative project.", Dawn said, "Ryteline is developing new communications technology, you know, the nd telephone at the Showcase through your informants, I'm sure. But that's just the beginning. I seek to design for more advanced systems. Networks that could span continents. Information shared instantly across thousands of miles."

  "Ambitious, Your Highness.", Konrad acknowledged, "And you need MSSH's theoretical knowledge to make it work."

  "While the Cult handles mass production and distribution.", Dawn finished, "Progress and Enlightenment, working together under the Chalk Princess's gaze."

  Konrad leaned back, his analytical gaze never leaving Dawn, "You're trying to force the goddess' hand, create a situation so aligned with Her domains that She has no choice but to manifest."

  Dawn's smile was enigmatic, "Is that what I'm doing?"

  Another long silence. Then Konrad reached into his coat and pulled out a small brass card embossed with MSSH's symbol. He slid it across the table to Dawn.

  "I'll bring your proposal to the Council of Enlightenment.", he said, "But I make no promises. MSSH doesn't gamble with divine attention lightly."

  "Of course.", Dawn pocketed the card smoothly, "I wouldn't expect otherwise."

  Konrad stood, leaving exact change for his coffee on the table.

  "Princess, Shadow Guard.", he nodded to each of them, "I suspect we'll be speaking again soon."

  He departed with the efficient grace of someone who'd already analyzed the three fastest exit routes.

  Once he was gone, Lea finally spoke, "That was..."

  "Necessary.", Dawn finished, sipping her coffee, "The Cult will handle distribution. MSSH will handle research. And I'll handle coordination."

  "But why?", Lea pressed, "Why do you need both of them? What are you really trying to accomplish?"

  Dawn set down her cup, her expression unreadable, "That's a secret."

  Lea stared at her, "Dawn!"

  "Some things need to remain private, even from my Shadow Guard. Trust that I'm working toward something important. Something that will benefit Ryteline, and possibly the world."

  The way she said it made Lea think of Lady Keter's cryptic warnings. Of the empty throne wandering in search of a host, Dawn being visited by the Chalk Princess as a child, marked her as someone special.

  She's trying to cim the throne... but why gather the two factions? Then Lea realized with sudden crity, fitting for a candidate for that Divine Throne... she's trying to unify and create an official Church of Technology!!

  But she said nothing, simply nodded behind her mask.

  Dawn smiled, as if reading her thoughts anyway, "Drink your coffee. We have one more stop before heading back to Renar."

  "Where?"

  "To deliver Auger's dragon blood, of course. I called him to meet me in the Lacrosa Arena.", Dawn stood, gathering her purchases, "And to check if he's heard any news about the Wondertainment Troupe. After the Academic Showcase incident, we need to know where Sageo took that script."

  Lea followed, her mind racing.

  The pieces were falling into pce, Dawn's ambitious inventions, her careful cultivation of both mystical factions, her willingness to spend enormous sums at gatherings.

  She was building a foundation. Not just for technological advancement, but for something far more audacious.

  For ascending to godhood and ruling over it. And Lea, as her Shadow Guard, was being pulled along whether she wanted to be or not.

  =0=0=

  Eric was sorting out the paperwork, doing his duty as the Bishop of the Markour Region of Renlou, when an unexpected visitor came.

  Hair as red as blood itself, golden eyes piercing through his very soul... it was Saintess Olivier again.

  "Your Eminence, what service can I give you?", he stood up and bowed respectfully.

  "Our churches in Kres had informed the government is moving, so be prepared to move.", her eyes narrowed, "We are going to the New World."

  "The New World?", he raised his eyebrows.

  "As you know, the dominant faith in the New World is the Mother of Desire, another name for Lady Pain. Some of the tribes had agreed to let us, who share beliefs in the same deity, to get to the Holy Site there."

  Eric had read about it before, after his appointment... that particur Holy Site, the Land of Crimson Tree. It is said to be the physical manifestation of Her Divine Kingdom.

  She continued, "We are gathering all Bishops and other high-ranking members to form a delegate, with the goal of giving the Crown of Thorns to that pce, and bring forth the Goddess of Madness' divine blessing back to the world."

  "That is what the goddess requested, given through me by a divine oracle.", a golden sword formed in her hand, pointing it at Eric, "She said, 'Unite my Crown and my Kingdom, for my Earthly Vessel shall be born'. Will you follow Her Divine Guidance?"

  "For Lady Pain, I oblige.", he pced his hand on his chest. Not like he has a chance to refuse, the Saintess would likely slice his head off if he refused.

  "For Lady Pain.", she dispelled the sword, turning back and walking away.

  "And, pardon for my rudeness, what is happening in Kres?", he asked with slight nervousness.

  "Something less important than our duty, Kres is raising the banner of war."

  With that, she left.