Endless Debt

After obtaining the key, Bologue faintly sensed the eerie aura coming from it. Others might not perceive it, but for Bologue, the aura was as intense as a candle in the night.

The Debtor is connected to the Devil by an umbilical cord. Through this connection, Debtors are extremely sensitive to all things related to the Devil. The moment Bologue saw Teda, he acutely sensed the ominous aura.

Staring at the black Key of the Crooked Path, Bologue remembered Yas's warning. He suspected that Teda was the mysterious Delusional, but under the pressure of the Sect and the Gray Trade Association, such a marginal role as the Delusional was not much noticed.

Given Teda's obsession with resurrecting Alice, Bologue had thought there might be a connection between the two, but he never expected things to develop so quickly.

So, is Teda the Delusional?

There is currently no direct link between the two, but like Yas, Bologue can't help but suspect this possibility.

No, this is no longer a possibility; it's an implicit consensus.

Only Teda can create so many Alchemy Armaments, and only he has such a twisted obsession with wishes. If he is the Delusional, with his cooperation with the Gray Trade Association, getting an invitation would not be a problem.

Damn it, for the first time, Bologue felt annoyed at his own acuity. Why did he have to notice these things at such a time?

Bologue froze in place, every muscle tensed, his eyes fixed on Teda, pondering all possible scenarios ahead.

What exactly does Teda want to do? His way of being honest with Bologue didn't make him feel Teda's goodwill—instead, it made him even more uneasy.

Fortunately, Bologue also had the ability to threaten Teda. After all, Teda needed his Alchemy Matrix. He probably wouldn't directly attack Bologue but instead maintain a false peace.

Countless thoughts flashed through Bologue's mind. At this moment, Teda put away the key, maintaining a smile on his face, as if he knew what Bologue was thinking, silently waiting, his gaze never leaving Bologue.

No...

Bologue suddenly realized he had no ability to threaten Teda at all. Teda knew about his undying ability and clearly knew how to limit him. Although he's just an Alchemist, he is also a powerful Negative Power User.

Most importantly, Bologue was deep within Teda's Void Realm. No one knew what else could be hidden within that he was unaware of. He may have an undying body, but the partner tidying things up in the cabin was not undying.

So...

"You really do have connections with the Gray Trade Association, don't you, Teda?"

Bologue questioned, but he didn't point out Teda's identity as the Delusional, as if he was completely unaware of what Teda had done.

"The Order of Truth and the Gray Trade Association have always been in cooperation; they help sell things we cannot sell easily," Teda laughed, "I thought you always knew, Bologue. It's not hard to guess."

"But you never admitted it yourself." Bologue said.

"Then I'm admitting it now. How do you feel?"

"It feels terrible, makes me want to fight you."

Hearing this, Aimou seemed a bit flustered. She didn't want to see the two of them fight.

"Then why haven't you made a move?" Teda said, "Usually, when you say those things, you should have already acted."

"I may be a bit violent, but I'm not stupid," Bologue said with a hint of helplessness, "I'm not sure if I can beat you."

"More importantly, it seems we have no direct conflict, do we?" Bologue continued.

Indeed, Teda and Bologue had no direct conflicting interests. Not only did they not have a conflict, but they also used each other. Under the agreement with the Order Bureau and Teda, they managed to maintain a fragile peace before any direct confrontation.

It was terrible, Bologue found it all so bad. He had always suspected Teda but thought Teda would hide himself. Never did he expect Teda to claim everything so openly, which caught Bologue off guard.

Bologue's mind was a mess. Belli's guess was correct; her teacher had done too many dark things in secret. Yet, thinking carefully, Bologue found he had no proper reason to act against Teda.

Under the binding agreement, the Order Bureau had initially tacitly accepted Teda's actions, but with the frenzy of wishes, these actions would not remain unchecked.

"Yes, there's no conflict between us; stable interests will bring a stable friendship."

Teda wore a smile, but it was too ghastly to be comforting.

Bologue took a deep breath. As long as he didn't expose Teda's identity as the Delusional, they could temporarily maintain a semblance of peace.

"Then, we'll see you at the venue," Teda said.

"What... did you say?" Bologue asked.

Teda raised the black key in his hand, and the dial moved bit by bit until it reached the predetermined point.

The clock rang, as Ether burst forth on top of the key, violently thrumming as if trying to escape Teda's grip.

At the same time, a similar disturbance erupted from Bologue's pocket. He reached in to tightly grasp his key.

The rapid sound of footsteps echoed as Palmer dashed out from the cabin, sprinting through the corridor, waving a key as he shouted at Bologue.

"Bologue! It's activated!"

Both of them knew what it meant when the key throbbed.

The mission had started.

Palmer's enthusiastic shout didn't last long. He too saw the key in Teda's hand, and his expression instantly turned stern as he stepped back slightly. One hand gripped his key, while the other reached for the Flying Knife at his waist.

The people from the Clarks are skilled at knife throwing; no matter the occasion, he always carries a knife.

"What's the situation?"

Palmer complained while keeping his gaze fixed on Teda, his peripheral vision sweeping over Bologue.

"It's somewhat complex... but there's no need for violence yet."

Bologue said they didn't need to clash with Teda; destroying this transaction was the most important thing. As for Teda and the Delusional, there would be opportunities to distinguish and hunt them down.

"Do I need to put away the knife?" Palmer asked absurdly.

"What do you think?"

Bologue genuinely wondered if something was wrong with Palmer.

Hearing Bologue's reply, Palmer resumed his poised stance, tightly gripping the flying knife hidden behind him.

Their gazes collided, and everyone harbored ill intentions.

Finally, Teda broke the unbearable atmosphere by picking up a key and the suitcase Aimou prepared for him, then walking to the side door.

"Don't be so tense, gentlemen."

Teda couldn't comprehend why the two were reacting so strongly.

The key was inserted into the door, and Teda opened a murky, deep darkness, from which an ominous aura spread.

"Surprised, Bologue?"

The Key of the Crooked Path couldn't be used inside the Great Rift, yet this key broke through its confines. Teda's voice was filled with longing as he spoke deeply, "The Devil wields the power to break rules, yet is bound by those very rules... it's a fascinating power."

Laughter echoed out just as Teda was about to turn and step inside when Bologue's voice rang out.

"At the auction, there should be something you want, right?"

Bologue speculated.

"An opportunity to resurrect Alice?"

Bologue stared at Teda, his skin faintly glowing, with cold serpents crawling beneath his collar.

"Yes."

Teda candidly affirmed, glancing at Aimou, who dared not look at his teacher, keeping his head down and avoiding his gaze.

Teda's gaze then fell again on Bologue; he said nothing, turned, and entered the murky darkness.

Silence fell over the room, a deathly stillness.

This deathly silence did not last long as Bologue shouted at Palmer.

"Pack up! I'm going to report!"

Palmer nodded and, along with Bologue, rushed into the small stronghold house.

Bologue's and Teda's objectives were both at the auction. Teda needed something inside; Bologue wanted to destroy it. To a certain extent, their goals were aligned, so neither took action first, leaving combat for the auction.

Palmer quickly packed up, readying the suitcase in his hand, while Bologue connected the whistle, reporting everything that had just happened to Lebius.

"We're about to enter the venue."

Bologue and Palmer stood together in the ground floor salon as the two void doors swung open, each holding a suitcase.

"Teda has entered as well; his target is likely some auction item inside... perhaps the Immortal Heart." Bologue reported to Lebius.

If anything could revive the dead, Bologue could only think of the key item for this mission, the Immortal Heart.

After a moment of silence, Lebius's voice sounded in his mind, "Priority is the mission, don't mind Teda."

"Our contact might get interrupted once you enter the venue." Lebius's voice echoed in their minds.

"Then we'll rely on ourselves."

Bologue's voice was emotionless as he turned to look at Palmer beside him, "Even if contact with the Order Bureau is interrupted, communication between us in the venue should remain intact."

"Let's rendezvous; I understand." Palmer said seriously, the usual hint of casual joking entirely vanished, but no one knew if Palmer was earnest or playing Bologue.

Bologue lastly looked at the always silent Aimou, speaking emotionlessly, "Palmer, you go first; I have some matters to handle."

Palmer said nothing; at times like this, lingering talk would indeed make Bologue swing a hammer at him. Palmer grabbed the suitcase and entered the murky darkness, disappearing from sight.

Only Bologue and Aimou remained in the room; Bologue stared into Aimou's eyes and questioned.

"What do you know?"