A moment later.
On the Doran Family's balcony.
Aaron and Lilliat sat facing each other, with afternoon tea laid out on the small round table between them.
Besides the black tea from South Innis, the exquisite three-tiered serving stand was filled with all manner of petite pastries and cakes.
Lilliat took a sip of tea. Looking at the maid who had withdrawn, then at her father sitting restlessly on the living-room sofa and watching this way with nervousness, she apologized, "My father loves me very much. He was worried that I had been coerced and deceived by some evil organization. Of course... I know that our Invisible Cult is a great and righteous organization."
"Ahem... I understand, I understand."
Aaron raised his teacup, using it to somewhat conceal his awkwardness.
What exactly the Invisible Cult was made of, he knew better than anyone. Calling it an organization of swindlers seemed... not entirely wrong?
"Also... thank you to your steward, Ms. Sylvia, for managing the museum for me."
Lilliat rose again to offer her thanks, speaking at length about Sylvia and the museum's recent circumstances.
Aaron listened with a smile, but inwardly muttered, You think the museum is yours? No... actually, you're only managing it for me. No, holding it on my behalf...
After Lilliat had finished describing the recent developments, he considered for a moment before speaking in a low voice. "How much do you know about the 'Lecture Hall Massacre' that occurred in Plymouth?"
"I heard that a cult leader wanted to advance to a Longevity One, controlled many of the Kingdom's upper-ranking figures—especially the Holy Spirit Pope—and then launched an attack during the speech... The losses were terrible."
Lilliat recalled the rumors circulating in the occult world, then suddenly covered her small mouth in shock. Even her delicate