August 16, Monday night.
Aaron returned to Iver Bridge District, to the iron-ringed wooden door in the alley.
Knock, knock!
He knocked on the door with the iron ring. The little window opened at once, revealing the deformed, ugly doorkeeper.
Seeing the Rapier mask on Aaron's face, the doorkeeper opened the wooden door without a word.
After entering the underground gathering place, Aaron sat down in a high-backed chair and looked around. He didn't see Clark Das, but he spotted a familiar mask.
It belonged to The Cleric—the choir priest from Green Forest Cathedral whose true identity Aaron had discovered in real life: Nicholas Inam!
Miss White Dove and Mr. Beast were there as well.
After waiting a little longer, he saw Clark Das, "Knowledge," enter with another newcomer.
"Heh, Knowledge... You've been awfully fond of bringing newcomers lately."
Beast propped his legs up on the table and spoke in a gruff voice.
"This will make our gatherings more convenient..."
Clark didn't respond to the taunt. Smiling, he said, "This is Apprentice!"
"H-hello, everyone."
Apprentice spoke nervously, prompting a chorus of laughter whose intent was impossible to tell.
Aaron knew at once that Apprentice was Bruce Field.
"Haha... I like him!"
Beast laughed. "He reminds me of a coward I knew back when I was adventuring at sea, one who often got his ass fucked... What a pretty little thing he was!"
Apprentice shrank his neck, seeming afraid and clearly uncomfortable in this place.
Then he saw Aaron and immediately nodded.
Clark had obviously told him about Aaron.
Their previous adventure had also made him trust Aaron quite a bit.
Aaron's mouth twitched beneath his mask, but he nodded back.
By then, Jazz had already carried a silver candlestick to the center of the gathering. He looked around and chuckled.