By the time Nimrod left the detective club where the Tingen Squad was based, it was nearly noon. After lunch, he returned to his house in Backlund.
Having entered Backlund as a wealthy merchant seeking a noble title, he could hardly continue avoiding gatherings with neighbors and nobles as he had in Tingen City. That would make him stand out too much. His evenings that week were therefore quite busy, with a dinner invitation almost every other day.
One of those banquets was one Nimrod was hosting himself. Several higher-Sequence Aurora Order believers capable of concealing their true identities under the Churches' scrutiny would attend as his butler and senior servants, attempting to approach the other guests.
Before the sun had set, Mr. A knocked on Nimrod's door.
"Mr. L." Mr. A lowered his head and spoke respectfully. "I have found a suitable artisan. I can now deliver the materials needed for the commission on your behalf."
As soon as Nimrod had brought the Provoker characteristic back from the Circle of Inevitability Timeline, he had instructed Mr. A to find a suitable artisan capable of crafting Beyonder items. Compared with Alger, the only person he could currently count on in the Tarot Club, his own connections within the Aurora Order were much broader.
"Good."
Nimrod nodded and casually swept a hand through the air before him. A wisp of gray fog immediately appeared, and a foul-smelling "stone" flew out of it, landing in Mr. A's hands along with a potent aura of corruption.
Feeling the True Creator's aura clinging to the Provoker characteristic, Mr. A became so excited that even his pupils trembled. He struggled to keep his voice low.
"I will not fail your trust. The artisan will surely deliver the item you require within your specified time."
"I