Vile Evil Hides Under The Veil

The City of White Raven.

After escorting Naya to Birmond's funeral and paying his respects to the Crimson Ghost for his ascension to Sage Rank.

It had been five days since the butcher returned to his city after concluding these external matters. During this span, the City of White Raven surged with diverse activities and programs.

Artistic exhibitions unfolded at various corners, while tournaments tailored for Rankers seeking acclaim and reward took center stage. The city's gates opened wide to all participants, offering manifold avenues to engage with its dynamic culture.

The entire city seemed to revel in Eren's accomplishment of the Master Rank, amplifying his feat. Although established Rankers and higher ranks typically marked their advances grandly, Eren's celebration spanned a week, overshadowing even the festivities hosted by some Sage Rankers.

Eren remained the focal point throughout the week-long jubilee within his domain, yet he didn't need to be constantly in the public eye. He had already delivered a broadcasted address regarding his ascent, subsequently looping across spectral screens stationed across the city.

Eren duly acknowledged his guild members, the Edinburgh army, and Firebrand associates for their protective role during his breakthrough amidst the battlefield chaos. Adhering to Rankers' traditions, he also shared insightful counsel with the next generation, urging adaptability between prudence and daring as situations warranted.

Eren's succinct speech garnered admiration from Rankers of all affiliations, further enhancing his renown and adding luster to his Grimdawn epithet.

All Edinburgh-based Rankers present during Eren's breakthrough battle into the Master Rank were invited to this week-long festivity. The Crimson Ghost himself, Altair Argas, graced Eren's city to personally extend his congratulations for the milestone.

While Altair could have offered his felicitations during the festivities his clan had organized at the House Argas estate, he opted instead to visit Eren in person, underscoring the significance of the alliance connecting Eren's White Raven Guild and Altair's Firebrand Guild.

Altair's brief presence, along with his greetings, was meticulously recorded and relayed via spectral screens throughout the city, emphasizing Eren's importance in Altair's estimation.

***

Sage Osha Daman had been graciously invited to Eren's city during this time.

Rather than heralding her arrival, she opted to slip into the city's embrace quietly, relishing its vitality firsthand. Under a clever disguise and masked Ranking Status, she ventured into the city, her true identity as a renowned Sage Ranker carefully concealed.

Though briefly halted by the city guards for identity verification, their stand abruptly softened under superior orders, granting her swift passage.

Amid these recent days, Osha reveled in traversing the City of White Raven, immersing herself in its pulsating energy. Unbothered by onlookers, she engaged in various contests, earning her share of laurels.

Lightly dismissing challenges from Novice to Expert Rankers, she displayed her prowess whenever provoked, bestowing those who treated her kindly with extraordinary gifts, their full value often unbeknownst to the recipients. In essence, Osha ignited a storm of activity within the City of White Raven during this time, her interactions with common Rankers and even regular citizens capturing the public's imagination.

Yet, Osha remained unperturbed by the stir she ignited.

This marked the first time in ages that she could interact with Rankers of diverse backgrounds without constraint, a freedom she relished wholeheartedly. She pondered why Eren or the city authorities hadn't reached out to greet her, even as her presence resonated throughout the city.

After noticing an uncanny aura around Osha, several Rankers attempted to shadow her discreetly. Even though Osha had diligently concealed her Ranking Status, astute observers had intuited that the unassuming young woman held far more complexity than met the eye. They could instinctively detect an undercurrent of destructive potential within her, capable of reducing an entire district to ruins with a mere gesture.

Among the regular Rankers, some nurtured whimsical daydreams of recruiting Osha into their respective organizations or adventurer parties. Yet, despite their best efforts, none could successfully trail or monitor Osha. She possessed an ability to materialize like the wind and vanish like a phantom, rendering her practically unreachable if she desired solitude.

Of course, Osha was confident that Eren could unveil her true identity given the fact that they had already met, yet he granted her the liberty and uninterrupted moments to explore his city.

Undoubtedly, hosting a Sage Ranker like Osha Daman posed challenges for any burgeoning city. In normal circumstances, securing her visit to Eren's city would have been a near-impossible feat.

However, during Eren's graduation celebration, Osha had assumed the role of host. There, Eren emerged triumphant in a poetic duel against her. As a reward for his victory, Osha pledged three favors to Eren.

One of these rewards was his request for her to grace his city. True to her word, Osha journeyed to Eren's domain. She found herself grateful that Eren's chosen rewards afforded her the opportunity to relive life as an ordinary Ranker once again.

***

Today marked the fifth day since Osha's discreet entry into the City of White Raven.

This day, she had ventured into a district exclusively reserved for affluent and influential Rankers, a haven restricted to Adept Rankers and above. Access came at the cost of a substantial entrance fee, regardless of whether the district's luxurious amenities were availed or not. The exclusivity of the district translated to fewer pedestrians traversing its polished pathways.

Of course, for someone like Osha Daman, the supplementary tax was of little consequence. With a scarcity of activities in this relatively deserted district, she decided to explore a select few establishments that dotted its landscape. In her plan to disclose her true identity as Osha Daman to Eren by day's end, she resolved to make a call.

Meandering through the district's streets without a set destination, Osha chanced upon an establishment that seemed to be garnering more attention than others. A restaurant and bar, it sported a distinctive signboard that read "Billy's."

The name was written with halogenic light-element magic, capturing onlookers' attention instantly.

"Billy's? What an unconventional name and an unconventional way of advertising. Let's check this place out," Osha mumbled to herself and decided her next agenda on the spot.

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AN: Eren asks Osha Daman to visit the City of White Raven in chapter 1244.