Last Born Of The Desdemona

Chapter 263: Chapter 263: Upcoming Mission

Chapter 263 – Upcoming Mission

"Say that again?" Meadow said, her expression twisting.

She would have assumed Cassius was joking, but she couldn’t recall a single time her Editor had said something he didn’t mean.

That thought, unfortunately, offered no comfort at all in this moment.

"You heard me right." Cassius replied, dragging an exasperated hand down his face, "I’d love to tell you more about it, but..."

He glanced around subtly, enough to make his caution clear.

But Meadow was Meadow. She simply pulled an artifact from her space ring and set it in the middle of the table.

Channeling her essence into it, she activated a small barrier around them.

Their voices would stay confined within it, and even the movement of their lips would blur to outside eyes.

She fixed her pink eyes on him, elbows on the table, head resting in her right palm, and parted her lips:

"Now you can explain, can’t you?"

’That’s Meadow for you.’ Cassius thought, amused. He was getting used to her overwhelming wealth and endless array of artifacts.

"My goddess has given me a task." He began, pushing his plate slightly aside, "one that requires me to enter a prison and kill someone. And that someone is a Blessed."

"Oh." Her expression sharpened, "So this isn’t a trivial task. A battle between gods?"

"Most likely."

"I see. I suppose it’s only natural, as a Blessed, to fight your goddess’s battles." She nodded, "I’m also the Herald of Fate. Well, not officially yet. But I will be."

"You definitely will." Cassius nodded, "You’ll be the Herald. Sarah will be the Historian. The only things our budding Church still lacks are a High Priestess, a Symbol, and a God Beast."

"Do you already have someone in mind? You always do, Cassius."

"I might have someone for High Priestess." He confirmed, "But the Symbol and God Beast aren’t things I can choose carelessly. They shape how people view the Church far too much."

"What does the Queen think about it?"

"She’s left it entirely to me." He gave a tired look, "See my burden, Meadow? Even my own goddess overworks me. Now I’ve been tasked with entering the Deathless Prison."

Meadow paused. She tilted her head one way, then the other, as if unable to believe what she’d just heard.

"The what?" She managed to say, after a couple of seconds of heavy silence.

"The Deathless Prison." He repeated, "Save your shock for later, Meadow. I already did my part for you. I need your help now. You probably know more about this than I do...how hard is it to get in?"

"On a scale of one to ten?"

"Yes?"

"Twenty."

Cassius’s lips twitched, "You mean—!"

"And for you specifically, it’s a hundred."

Cassius knew exactly what she meant. The Desdemona had never been well-liked by the Deathless Crusaders.

His family always caused trouble, and always managed to slip away without a single consequence.

All thanks to the Hood.

A good thing, sure. But it had earned them the particular distaste of the Seven Crusaders, the ones tasked with upholding the Kingdom’s justice.

’Just great.’

"There has to be a way in." Cassius said again.

"There is." Meadow replied, "I know the Seven Crusaders don’t watch the prison all at once. They have other duties, so they rotate the watch."

She paused, twirling a lock of hair, "All of them are bad news. But I think you’d have better luck if it’s the Widow’s turn on watch."

"The Widow? Cassandra’s mother?"

"Yes. The Widow of God."

"I see." He murmured, stroking his chin thoughtfully, "Do you know when her turn is?"

"I can find out."

"Then I’m afraid I have to trouble you again, Meadow."

"It’s totally fine." She shrugged carelessly, "I knew I’d end up being exploited the moment I decided to follow you."

Cassius made a wounded face, "Don’t let anyone hear that. People might get the wrong idea about my lovely character."

"Lovely?" Meadow rolled her eyes and laughed, continuing, "You’re definitely going to need other people for this. Who will you bring? I can come, if you want. Actually, I want to come."

"I need to know what I’m up against, and the layout of the place, before I can choose." He said, "I’m trusting you for that."

"You can. My mother should have that information."

"Why?"

"She has everything."

"Tell your mother I can be her adopted son."

[...]

Meadow glared at him, "I have enough brothers. I don’t need any more."

"A shame. I make a good brother, you know?"

"An annoying one, certainly."

"Ouch."

"Anyway, Cassius, you’ll need to take on a mission to leave the Academy and carry out the goddess’s task."

"Yes. I’ll figure out which mission later."

"Can I choose it for you?" She asked with a smile.

Cassius arched an eyebrow, "...if you want to. I don’t mind."

"Perfect!" She nodded excitedly, as though she’d already had one in mind from the start, "I’ll send you the mission details later. We’ll need four people! So we need to pick two more."

"You want to pick them too?"

"Let’s each choose one."

"Deal."

"And we’ll head out after Tuesday. So, Wednesday or Thursday. We can take our time with the mission, it has a wide enough window that it’ll work fine alongside the Goddess’s Task."

"Why after Tuesday?"

"Teacher Jade has a welcome ceremony planned for us. He only pushed it back to the next class because you weren’t there." She narrowed her eyes at him, "You need to show up this time."

"Welcome ceremony, my ass." Cassius scoffed, "It’ll be a team battle against the second year. Nothing welcoming about that."

Meadow paused, her face falling into disappointment, "Really?"

"Really. What were you even expecting?"

"Something cute and sweet between students?"

"Do you know where you are?"

"A woman can dream, Cassius!"

He paused, then nodded with a shrug, "...fair enough."

"Even more reason for you to show up." Meadow said again, "We’ll need you to win. And I think it’ll be a great chance to test our team’s chemistry."

"I suppose so. I’ll come."

The two continued discussing the mission and the Goddess’s Task in more detail.

Cassius was relieved to have Meadow around.

With her, he’d never lack resources or information.

Soon, they’d worked out everything regarding their goddess’s new, unexpected task.

And Cassius had finished eating.

"Shall we take a walk?" He suggested, standing and offering Meadow his hand.

She smiled demurely and took it, pushing herself up, "Why not? Sitting this long was starting to get annoying."

Cassius went to pay for his meal, catching the young green-haired waitress watching him intently.

He pretended not to notice, spared her a polite smile, and walked off with Meadow.

Soon, the two were strolling down the street, enjoying the breeze against their skin and the sounds of carriages passing, students and workers going about their day.

It was a peaceful day.

"I have something to say about the Twins situation." He began, "Tomorrow, instead of setting the exact amount they need for your task, make it 4 to 5 million SN lower."

"Oh? Why?"

"I’ve decided not to go the blackmail route with them." He said, "Sometimes gratitude works better."

That was all he needed to say for Meadow to grasp his goal. She chuckled and shook her head.

"As you wish."

"Thanks for your help."

"No problem." She replied, watching her steps, then continued, "I have information on Naomi Holloway. Want to hear it?"

"Anything important?"

"The classic Tier Three noble type."

"Hm. No, not right now, then." He shook his head, "Send it to me and I’ll read it tonight. I’m tired of talking about heavy things."

He glanced at her and smiled.

"And I’m tired of my own voice. I want to listen to you now, Meadow."

"Before any of that, where’s my pen?"

Cassius’s lips twitched, "With me. I’ll give it to you when we part ways. Otherwise you won’t focus on me."

Meadow clicked her tongue, unable to deny it. She reminded herself to be patient a little longer before speaking again.

"What do you want to know?"

"Whatever you’re willing to share with me."

She paused, tilted her head, then spoke, her voice suddenly shy.

"Well, Cassius, would you believe me if I said I think I’m in love with someone?"

—End of Chapter 263—