[Book II Chapter 95] FILIA: Sofix Headquarters

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Kate walked onto the airship, holding a leather leach which connected to the shackles locked on Sana’s wrists. Silver and Filia followed a short distance behind, joining her once she stopped at the front of the deck. Sana sat against the railing looking forlorn while they admired the view. The cityscape of Neon was visible far below. I’ll soon be home, Filia thought.

“Excuse me,” A young woman in uniform asked nervously, “could I ask what is going on?” She gestured at their captive.

“She’s a criminal we’re escorting to Nordric’s Adventurer’s Guild.” Kate snapped. Her tone sent the deckhand scurrying away.

Upon reaching Bastion, they’d reported what had transpired in Ransas and everything they’d uncovered. Since Lily Morgana, Kate’s mother, had been in the city, they’d spent the next day catching up. This morning, after bidding goodbye, they’d crossed the half-arched portal and wandered Novgard before taking this airship. Once they disembarked, Filia would go her separate way.

“Can I have my pouches back?” Sana whined pleadingly.

Both Kate and Silver returned a glare. One of those they’d rescued belonged to a wealthy Ransas family. Unbeknown to them, he’d gifted Sana a second dimensional pouch in appreciation. They’d only discovered this an hour ago when Kate had grown suspicious with how ‘well-behaved’ the wolf-girl was being and did thorough search.

Silver held up a small brown pouch and shook it lightly. At the muffled sound of a heap of items clinking together, Sana recoiled and buried her head between legs, her dog ears flat on her hair. “I can’t believe you gathered this much in less than two days…” He said disappointed.

Apparently, Sana’s separation from Margaret had sent her impulses into overdrive. During their brief stay in Bastion, she’d amassed a cache of stolen goods larger than the one they’d left with Nicholas. I am so relieved it’s none of my concern. Filia imagined the two would bring up the issue when they met with Astra later today.

<<We’re close enough now.>> Cici said.

<<Good idea.>> “I’ll take off here.” Filia declared, fleeing the awkward mood. After a quick farewell, she spread her wings and dropped towards Neon. Reaching one of the five great towers which intersected the city, she landed on a balcony two hundred stories up. Inside, a woman behind a desk looked up and smiled, “What may Sofix do for you today?”

This was a reception desk for individuals of interest. As a longtime sukemon collector and saint, she’d been granted access a while back, but it was her first time visiting.

“I’d like to speak with whoever is investigating the Laughing Man attacks.” She answered.

The woman paused, recognizing her. “You’re Filia, the one Geordan Price gave his deck to… I have instructions to send you to Hans Leveson as soon as you show up.”

“Please take this elevator.” She gesture to one side. “I’ll let him know you’re coming.”

<<Hans Leveson… Why is that name familiar?>> Cici asked as they stepped into the lift.

<<Because he’s the head of Sofix, the final authority on all things sukemon. He’s also one of those who run this city.>> Filia explained.

<<Sounds like a pretty big deal…>>

<<It is.>> Filia confirmed, letting the galebat’s naive curiosity relax her nerves.

The doors opened, and she exited to a great hall where guards stood at attention on either side. She subtly glanced at their remodeled bodies and saw barely any flesh. Near total replacements…

Eternal youth could only be achieve through the Wall of Legend. However, if all you desired was the power of immortal, then it was possible to come close to it by giving up your humanity. The men here had skin made of unearthly materials and artificial limbs powered by the strongest of enchantments. Filia doubted she could match one of them.

“He’s waiting within.” Said a guard by an impressive door. She nodded and entered.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

In a wide barren room, Hans gazed at her across a polished desk. Behind him, transparent glass offered a magnificent view of the Neon. “You’ve arrived.” He said in a soft, mechanical voice. “Please, have a seat.”

“I didn’t expect you to involve yourself personally…” Filia apologized.

<<He looks frail.>> Cici commented.

<<That’s because he’s the second oldest saint in world.>> Filia explained as she installed herself.

<<Then is he really that important?>> Cici pressed, confused.

<<Quiet please.>> Filia chided. Still, she couldn’t help studying the man facing her. His golden metallic hands were clasped together patiently while pupilless blue eyes observed her. Tubes protruding from his back traveled down and connected to the hovering armchair beneath him. Similarly to the men posted outside, the majority of his original body was long gone. He’d sacrificed his flesh and leveraged his extensive wealth towards the singular purpose of keeping himself alive. There was an open debate on whether he’d expire before the HEAVENLY DAO recognized his value.

If something is going to trigger his passing, it’ll be this dark age. “How’s your health?” She immediately regretted asking as she endured Hans’s stare.

“No need to concern yourself.” Reaching into a drawer, he brought out a handful of miracle seeds and let them roll across the desk. “I can assure you I’ll outlive you.”

“Sorry.” Filia managed awkwardly.

“You’ve been a hard woman to track down.” Hans continued. “May I see Geordan Price’s cards?”

Filia handed over the deck holder, and he gradually spread them out. This took a minute as the small dimensional pouch held over a thousand cards, all of them uncommon or rarer. “Thank you. We knew most of these already, but confirmation is always appreciated.” He looked her in the eye. “I would like to hold onto these for safekeeping.”

Filia’s heart sank. The suggestion made sense. The vaults of Neon’s great towers stored treasures from around Enera and were about as secure as you could get. But I can’t, not now… I might never get them back.

“The reason I came here today is because I have resolved to prevent whatever the Laughing Man is planning. These cards were entrusted to me. They are my only real lead, and I’d like to hold onto them, even if doing so places them at greater risk.” She waited for the man’s response.

“I suppose I understand.” Hans sighed. “However I doubt holding onto them will do much good.”

Filia frowned. “What do you mean?”

“The Laughing Man has other avenues to achieve his end.” Hans explained. “What he’s after is not the uniques which were in Price’s possession, but rather the ultra rares with several copies in circulation. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be targeting adventurer.”

That makes sense. “What do you think he’s after?” She asked.

“Access to the sukemon realm, obviously.” Hans stated. “As to what he’s planning, that answer eludes us. Rather, the fact he bothered to learn anything about sukemon is incomprehensible enough.”

“It wasn’t his idea originally.” Filia quickly relayed what Finley had let slip.

“So the Laughing Man has apostles…” Hans smirked. “I bet Amanda doesn’t know this or she would’ve mentioned it already. I wonder what face she’ll make when I reveal this little nugget.”

“By Amanda, do you mean——” Filia began.

“The head of Guardstone? Yes” Hans cut in. “I had no choice but to involve her after the Rosaria fiasco. It’s her area of expertise.”

Guardstone was a global firm specializing in private security and information brokering. Most of the vast knowledge which could previously be accessed via the Pillar of Enera was housed in the data banks of its tower here in Neon. It acted as intermediary for all manner of mercenaries and had intimate dealings with the Adventurer’s Guild due to its role in issuing quests on behalf of private parties. Rumors swirled it even had dealings with the Assassin’s Guild.

“Have the two of you made any progress on this case?” Filia asked Hopefully.

Hans reach forward and separated two hundred cards from rest, “These are the ultra rares. And these…” He went through and removed certain cards one by one. “Are the ones the Laughing Man has already obtained. What he’s after is among what’s left.”

This should be useful. Filia examined the remaining hundred and twenty cards. “What else have you uncovered?” She continued excitedly.

“Nothing.” Hans declared.

“Really…?” Filia deflated. Is this the best he could do even with Guardstone’s help?

“You may be forgetting I have responsibilities far beyond the sukemon world.” Hans offered amicably.

Oh, right… Sofix was an entertainment giant with vast reach. The majority of the world’s art trade happened within its galleries and auction houses, and it held a near monopoly over book and magazine publishing. As a result, many ‘artistic immortals’, such as Jonathan Bark, were indebted to the company. Sukemon is merely the biggest brand of its children’s division.

“The reason I involved myself in this case was Geordan Price, who was a long time ally of Sofix and a friend.” Hans revealed. “However, there are other pressing matters vying for my attention, such as Neon’s refugee crisis and strengthening the city’s defenses.”

He wields more power than most immortals. “I’m sorry for intruding so long.” Filia gathered up her cards. “I’ll contact you if I discover anything.”

She was about to leave when Hans stopped her. “Actually, there is something you could do for us. A unique card has appeared in a dungeon. Normally we would make an announcement, but we’d prefer to handle this more discreetly given the circumstances."

“You want me to fetch it for you?” Filia guessed.

Hans shook his head. “You can keep it. All we care about is that it’s retrieved before news of its existence leaks. With the Laughing Man attacking collectors, we can’t have adventurers flocking to an isolated location. It’d end in a massacre.”

Filia glanced towards the exit. “Why don’t you have one of your bodyguards retrieve it?”

“I can’t.” Hans grumbled. “Because of our deal with the HEAVENLY DAO, it has to be someone unaffiliated with Sofix. We’ve attempted to recruit a saint or an immortal, but thanks to Kaygren’s invasion, not many are free.”

And most likely don’t appreciate the importance. “Alright, I’ll do it.” She declared.