NoGift

AURUM listened attentively to Mr. Wicks' narration of events that lead to the current state of his shop. Just as she thought, it was all due to the Temple. After finding out that he's trying to distribute sPhones here in Shandra, the Temple spread the news that he was colluding with heretics and trying to get a blasphemous item inside the country. And because the poeple of Shandra was so under the thumb of the Temple, they would believe anything they said. Thus, the shop's current situation.

"Mr. Wicks, may I asked why you still continue to stay here despite everything that happened?" Aurum asked because if she was in his shoes she would just leave this awful place.

"There were only two promises I made to my father's deathbed. One is to take care of my mother. The other is to make sure that I could get this shop going even after he's gone. So leaving here and just abandoning everything is never an option," Mr. Wicks said, a sad smile on his lips.

"Black doesn't understand. Why did you want to cooperate with Master's company then? Master said that those old priests hates sPhones. Having this kind of outcome is expected, right?" Black said in an innocent voice, totally confused.

"Black!" Aurum scolded then she turned to Mr. Wicks. "I'm sorry, please don't mind him," she said apologetically.

"It's okay. I've started trading outside the country four years ago. That's when I discovered the sPhones. It fascinated me. I knew that it would bring a good change to the people in Shandra. To let them be expose to the information outside. But I also knew with the former Bishop's attitude, he wouldn't allow it," Mr. Wicks explained. "I'm aware on how things could turn out when I decided to cooperate with Silver Corporation. I grew up here. I know how inclusive this place could be. In here, something the Temple doesn't like could get hated forever. But when the new Bishop was assigned here, I had hoped that he would permit the change I'm going to bring. So I brought up the idea to them. You see, every new product that enters the country should get the approval of the Temple. But I didn't get that approval. Turns out, the new Bishop is exactly like his predecessor. And this was the result," he added in length.

Aurum understood one thing from what Mr. Wicks said, that he was not the same as the other brainwashed citizen of this place. He knew exactly what was wrong with this country and he wanted to do something about it. That was good. At least they could be sure that they're working with someone who's not controlled by the Temple.

"I apologized Miss Blackbourne. I know how busy you must be. But you still made time to go here and yet this is what welcomed you. I'm truly sorry," Mr. Wicks added, full of apology.

"No. There's no need for apology. None of this is your fault, Mr. Wicks," Aurum immediately said.

Clay was looking at Gold - or he should probably call her 'Aurum Blackbourne' - as if he was looking at a strange being. It's like she was possessed or something. Gone was the girl with poisonous tongue. All he could see was a girl full of kind words and sweet smiles. That was even more shocking to him than seeing her real appearance and knowing who she really was.

"Just keep this shop close for now, Mr. Wicks. So that the damage to the shop could be contained. We will do everything to make sure that you could distribute the sPhones here," Aurum assured.

"Oh no, please, Miss Blackbourne, you don't have to do that. I don't want you to get in trouble with the Temple because you wanted to help me."

Aurum smiled. "It's okay, Mr. Wicks. Helping you is one of the reason we're here."

After talking a bit more, Aurum bid farewell to Mr. Wicks. Telling him that they would soon contact him again.

When they got out of the shop, Aurum couldn't take it anymore and glared at Clay. "Stop staring at me, will you?"

Instead of answering, Clay reached for her face and pinched her cheek. "So this is really your face?"

Aurum pushed away his hand. "You think?"

Then the face she was using since they met was probably a product of a magic tool or even a human skin mask. "So you're really the Aurum Blackbourne?" Clay asked. Even if he doesn't have an sPhone, he knew about her. As long as you lived in a place full of people with sPhones, there was just no way you wouldn't know about her. If she was that, then who was Silver?

Aurum just gave him a side glance before putting on the hood of her cloak.

Clay suddenly remembered what Black said earlier. That his master was the owner of the company. He didn't have time to ponder about that because he was too busy staring at Aurum. But now, could it be possible that Silver was the one who owned Silver Corporation? "Your brother, who is he?"

"Ask him yourself," Aurum said then she walked away. Black instantly followed her.

Clay shook his head. So the poison-tongued girl was back. He decided to just follow the two and asked Silver - if that was even his name - his question later.

----------

At this moment, Argent was entering the residential area of the Temple where the Bishop and other priests lived. As well as their servants. It was through a hidden passage that most people would never notice. The passage was in the church's park. People could freely come and go there as it was opened to the public. The hidden passage was behind the statue of Gaia, surrounded by tall trees and bushes. One wouldn't be able to see it if they're not looking for it personally.

They entered the hidden passage and got out in an almost remote place of the residential area.

"The apartment I was staying is close here," Luc said.

Argent just nodded. Luc pointed the direction of the place and oddly enough they didn't meet anyone on their way there. They reached a three-storey building and entered the first room on the first floor. It was small with only a bed, a table, and a closet. Argent almost pushed Luc on the bed so he could no longer lean on her.

"Thank you for bringing me here," Luc said sitting on the bed, his voice full of gratitude. "I'll ask a church healer to heal this sprained ankle later."

Argent stared at Luc. She almost wanted to laugh. What was this guy playing at? From the moment they met, all his actions were calculated. Did he really think that she wouldn't notice? That she would just follow a shady character like him without question? The only reason she did was because she wanted to observe him more. To know exactly what his motives were.

Falling in front of her, splashing water on her coat, acting like he twisted his ankle, all so he could bring her here. But why? If he knew who she was and the reason why she's here in Shandra, then she might think of a reason why he's doing this. But how could he possibly know who she was? It almost seemed impossible that he would. But truly, the real question here was, who was this guy and what's his intention?

Whatever the answers to those questions were, Argent would gladly play along with his game. For now. Because obviously, he, for some reason, wanted to show her a way so she could enter here unnoticed. If he later turned out to be a problem, then she would solve it herself.

"Is there really no way that I could repay you?" Luc asked, looking at her like some puppy.

"Then why don't you tell me about the new Bishop? Once you do, we're square."

"That's all? Will that be enough?"

"Sure," she said, shrugging.

"Well, if you say so. Bishop Dupont is a distinguished priest of the Temple. He was personally chosen by the Pope to lead the church here."

"What else? Does he have any habits?"

"Hmm... now that you asked, ever since I came here I noticed the Bishop sending servants to his room every night. But that's all. He probably was just teaching them the scriptures."

Telling her all these without even asking her motives for asking, this guy was definitely shady. And what's with 'teaching them the scriptures'? Obviously, that Bishop was doing something unsavory to those servants. Only a super dumb person would think otherwise. And this guy was far from dumb. Even though he's trying really hard to look like one.

"Thank you. That was really helpful. Now that we're done, I'll leave so you can rest."

"You're leaving already?" he asked, he didn't even bother to hide his disappointment.

"Yes. I have other things to do."

"Will we see each other again?"

She sneered inside. Man, this guy can really act. "Maybe."

Argent didn't say more and just went out of the room, lest this guy do something again to prevent her from moving. On her way out of the residential area, she couldn't help but think; just who was this 'Luc' guy? He's definitely not someone simple.

Because at the end, she still couldn't figure out what his real motives were. And her being unable to figure out a problem was definitely not something that happened often.