The Broken Halo

What does he want?

Simon had already considered that question before speaking.

His main goal in all of this was information and connection.

He was slowly joining the chess board that was being played across the entire Darkness Kingdom, but before he could become a full-time player, he needed to understand the game.

He needed to know the players, the rules, the environment, and so much more.

He did not need a simple payment. Hell stones could be spent, while access to the eastern faction could lead him closer to the Chrysalis, the Seven Nails, and the other pieces of Crownless Dawn.

"You lost a Warden and an entire cell," Simon said. "Any surviving demon connected to them will be watched."

"And?"

"I am not connected to them."

The demoness understood immediately.

"You want to join Black Banner?"

"No."

The response came so quickly that a hint of surprise entered the silence that followed.

"I have no interest in your cause or whoever you intend to place above the demons you overthrow."

Simon’s gaze became colder.

"I will not offer you loyalty. But there may be things you cannot ask your own demons to do without exposing another part of your chain."

"You expect me to employ a stranger holding stolen Black Banner property?" The demoness sounded amused.

She had no idea who Simon was, but she could already feel his arrogance and self-confidence from the little conversation they’ve had.

Despite the irritation and mild anger she had while speaking to Simon who seemed to be acting like everything was in his control, like she was dancing in the palm of his hands, she knew that she had to be patient.

She had to set up a trap for Simon to fall into, then kidnap him, learn what he knew, and kill him afterwards.

Operation Crownless Dawn was too priceless to be in the hands of an unknown stranger.

"You do not need to trust me."

Simon glanced at the torn-banner seal.

"Give me something that reveals nothing important if I fail. If I succeed, you will know whether continuing this conversation has value."

The demoness did not respond for several breaths.

When her voice returned, its earlier sharpness had faded beneath careful thought.

"One of the Third Warden’s talons was not among the bodies recovered from the nest."

Simon’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’Talons?’

Simon’s eyes flickered, then he recalled everything Sonya told him about her battle with the rebels, and he immediately put two and two together.

’She must be talking about his vice-leaders. Sonya killed one but she left the other one. So he’s most likely alive... or maybe she’s not certain.’

Simon was a little bit impressed by the connections and information network of the Black Banner. Some forces and organizations might not be able to get such information so quickly.

"Find out whether the missing talon still breathes," she continued. "If it does, learn where Velmora placed it and whether it has spoken. Regardless of whether it has spoken or not... kill it."

’How cruel. But not surprising actually. Dead demons tell no tales, and if she says I should save him, he might be tracked or he might be a double agent.’

’Anyway, it’s good for me. If I’m able to locate the vice-leader, I might be able to obtain some useful information out of him.’

The surviving Supreme Archfiend might know some things the Third Warden knew of, how the command seal worked, which cells answered to it, and so many other important information related to the Black Banner and Operation Crownless Dawn.

But the problem was how to accomplish the mission.

It was not exactly going to be easy.

"When do you want the answer?" Simon asked.

"Before the next crimson moon reaches its highest point."

’I guess that’s before midnight. But is she really going to trust me to carry out this mission?... I doubt. I’m a stranger, and since she seems to be worried about the Vice-leader giving Velmora some information, she might have already sent some Black Banner assassins or spies to kill him.’

"And how will you receive it?"

"There’s an abandoned Old Bell Quarter in the western district. Go there between the second and fourth crimson bells, then place it beneath the headless statue and leave."

Her tone remained calm, and Simon could not help but raise a brow.

’An abandoned building again? A headless statue? An old bell quarter? Sounds creepy.’

"Leave a written report and mark it with the torn banner. Leave the torn banner behind too."

"You will receive an imprint," Simon replied. "Not the seal."

The demoness paused.

"Fine. After leaving the report, use the Murmur Bone to tell me where it is."

"I will also not collect payment from the same place."

A trace of amusement finally entered her voice.

"You already expect to be paid?"

"You are testing whether I can be useful. Useful demons are rarely free."

The demoness released a soft laugh, though there was no warmth in it.

"Fine. You may choose where you want to collect your payment, but you’ll accept whatever payment I give you since you want to prove your usefulness. If you so wish, you may disguise yourself or crawl there through the sewers if that pleases you."

Her voice became quieter.

"But understand this. The Old Bell Quarter will be watching whoever enters it."

Simon stared at the Murmur Bone with a calm and indifferent expression.

"That is expected."

"If your information is false, do not speak through this Bone again."

The red lines began to dim.

"The next voice you hear will not come from far away."

The connection disappeared before Simon could respond.

The Murmur Bone became still.

Simon continued looking at it for several seconds, then shifted his gaze toward the torn-banner seal.

The demoness had given him a test.

He had also gained his first path into the eastern faction.

Neither of them trusted the other, and both would use the coming dead drop to search for the demon hiding on the opposite side.

A faint, cold smile appeared on Simon’s face.

That was fine though.

Let her watch the Old Bell Quarter.

Simon intended to watch it too.

-----

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