Alex and his friend kept chatting until Artemia, accompanied by Lilith and Artemia's bodyguard, the one Alex fought back, then arrived and joined them.
Before Artemia and Co could exchange greeting with Alex, Chris came and immediately announced how the students would be distributed.
Maria, Luna, Gracier, and Sakuya were in the same group, while Ferris, Eris, Roman, Camilla formed another group. Leon, Kuina, Kevin, and Cyril formed another group. Lilith formed a group with Amy and a twin sisters, while Leonardo, Dodolus, and Damien formed another group. The remaining students formed a group of three.
Leonardo and Damien exchanged glances before secretly grinning; however, Leonardo's expression turned murderous when he recalled Katherina's warning when she visited him unannounced.
'I do not know what you are scheming with Damien; however, let me warn you if you went and do something you shouldn't, believe I will watch as you suffer the consequence of your action. It's time for you to open your eyes and search for something good to do.' Katherina had said.
'Fuck, Fuck Fuck. It has always been him. Why? Why? Why is that? Someone tell me why?'
Leonardo became abnormal when he recalled the feeling of always be in the shadow of someone he hated; his eyes almost turned bloodshot.
Damien's expression changed when he saw Leonardo's abnormal state. He cursed his bad luck to think that fool couldn't control his hatred.
''Snap it, you fool,'' Damien shouted as he sent a light punch into Leonardo's stomach to bring him back. Fortunately, they were facing the others, so nobody noticed what was going.
''Thank you. I almost lost it.'' Leonardo said before turning to face the others.
After some light speech about the things they must look out for once in the dungeons, they were sent away.
However, just as everyone was about to disperse going to the dungeons. Alex disappeared to reappear in front of Leonardo; the latter was completely surprised.
''Do not cross me,'' Alex said with a calm smile; however, to Leonardo, it was like a death sentence, his body started to tremble even after Alex vanished from his sight uncontrollably. It was thanks to Damien's assistance that he regained a bit of calm.
''Don't worry, nobody will know. Everything is already prepared. You only have to do as I say.'' Damien whispered into Leonardo's ears disregarding the odd stared they had been receiving after Alex's visit.
Leonardo nodded before smiled; his smile was full of madness; he passed by Camilla and didn't even look at her, as if she didn't exist. Camilla couldn't help but clenched her fists together until they were almost white.
Last night the two fought because of Katherina's visit; Camilla advised Leonardo not to do anything reckless, to drop any plan he has concerning Alex; however, until the end, Leonardo played the dumb, saying he didn't know anything, that he wasn't planning anything. Furious, Camilla yelled at him to end up being slapped hard until she was sent flying and her head collided against the door; Leonardo shouted at him to leave his sight.
''Sigh! I hope my fear never come true.'' Camilla muttered as she watched Alex talk with his sister and others. After observing them for a moment, Camilla turned her head and glared at Damien, eyes full of hatred; the latter acted as though he had not noticed Camilla's stare as he understood the reason for Camilla's hatred.
Thinking about how foolish Camilla's man is, Damien's thoughts couldn't help but wander to last night's encounter.
...
Flashback.
Yesterday late in the night.
[A bar in the Slum's Area]
It was a rundown bar that could be found anywhere in the slum. However, there was something particular about this one; it stood like a lone boat amidst the ocean and reek blood.
The area around the bar was empty because usually, no sane resident of the slums will come here. After all, only death awaits them if they were to do it.
However, currently, someone was walking toward this particular with a calm pace. This person wore a cloak that covers his body; however, his white hair, even though hidden, still stand out.
''Tch! Once again, I came here.'' Damien grumbled as he pushed the door of the rundown bar open and went in.
Nobody was inside except for the bartender and a black cat lazing on the counter.
''Oh! A guest, how rare. Welcome to the No name bar.'' The bartender said with a slight bow. However, Damien ignored him and sat not too far from the black cat.
The bartender let a small chuckle escape from his mouth before leaving.
''Take your time.'' He said.
And after the bartender left, the black opened its unusual golden eyes and spoke.
''Did you succeed in your mission?" The black cat asked.
''Yes, I did succeed. Leonardo will work with us. We will do as you say.'' Damien didn't show any surprise facing a talking cat as it wasn't his first time facing the strange cat.
''Good. You may now leave. I will tell when it's time to act.'' The black cat instructed before closing its eyes again.
However, Damien wasn't happy with the black cat's attitude. Even though he agreed to cooperate with this unknown entity, he doesn't mean that he would blindly follow orders like a perfect soldier, especially when he lacked information.
''What? That's all? What do you take me for? Tell me what it's the plan." Damien, for the first time since their meeting, became emotional and shouted.
A bored expression appeared on the black cat's face, something only humanoid creatures should possess.
''Annoying. Shut up and go back. I have nothing else to say to you. Remember, I'm talking nicely to you because you have some use. You're a disposable pawn; just because I said cooperation doesn't mean we are equal. I gave an order you follow it if you want to get what you desire that is it. So better scram while I'm still patiently saying so." The black warned Damien with its eyes still closed. However, Damien found it challenging to breathe as if the whole bar had been put on his shoulders; he almost kneeled.
''Kuh!" Gritting his teeth in shame, Damien left; however, just as he was about to pass the bar's doors, he heard the black cat's voice.
''Don't worry, everything will work as we intended.''
Even though he was feeling shame to have received such a treatment considering his lofty status, Damien decided to endure it for the sake of ambition, for the sake of the Holy mission.
After Damien left the bar, the bartender appeared again and asked the black cat.
''Isn't it is dangerous to talk to him the way you did?"
''Don't worry, those church fanatics also ready to go to the extreme when it's a question of their mission. So, that fool will follow the order no matter how much I belittle him.'' The black responded.
''I see. Why are you not interested in this Saintess?" The bartender asked.
''Well, well, I do. However, I know what my priorities are. Better stick to the plan. I want that girl, and you want him. No distraction is allowed. Understood?" The black asked with its golden eyes wide open.
''How scary. I understand. Hope everything goes well.'' The bartender lifted his arms and said in surrender.
While closing its eyes again, the black cat said. ''Don't worry, it will. It's a well-thought plan.''
•••••
Back to the present.
Damien's group departed, and before leaving, he looked at the sky while mumbling.
''Hope everything goes well and soon I will make you me while at the same time receiving the goddess praise, her blessings and reign supreme as the New Pope.''
On the other side, Alex was saying his farewell to his sister and others.
''Gracier do not wander alone. Stick with others, understood?" Alex ordered, his tone indicated that he was serious.
''Understood, brother. Don't worry, I'm the weak Gracier anymore. I'm the proud Gracier, Alexandra, your sister.'' Gracier said with her head held high.
While chuckling, Alex rubbed Gracier's head before putting a kiss on her forehead, then he said. ''I know, I know, my proud little princess.''
Gracier smiled proudly and stick out her small chest.
The others smiled when they saw Gracier's reaction. Suddenly, Alex pulled the nearby Maria into his embrace and planted a kiss on her lips.
''Oh!!"
Shouted the others, Maria was so surprised that her ears went red for a moment before she pushed Alex back, however, instead of falling to the ground, Alex maneuver somehow to end up beside Sakuya and planted a kiss on her lips, however, unlike Maria's case, it was a light kiss.
Another commotion started, dodging Sakuya's kick; Alex moved at last toward his fiancée; the latter seemed to have been waiting for him, they shared a deep kiss before Alex leave.
''Take care, everybody. I hope to see you soon.'' Alex left these words behind.
Maria's group, Damien's group, Ferris's group were going into the same dungeon, while others were sent to separate dungeons.
After leaving the others, Alex joined Artemia's carriage where she was waiting for him.
Isabella, who was sitting in the driver's seat, harrumphed when she saw Alex approaching.
''How shameless.'' She commented. It seems that she was seen what Alex did earlier.
Alex ignored the sore loser and faced Artemia,
''Princess, shall we go?"
With a smile, Artemia held her right hand out and said, ''Yes.''
After helping Artemia board the carriage, Alex joined her, and Isabella drove the magic carriage forward.
Alex's first dungeon exploration was about to begin.