Chapter 9: Conspiracy

“Uncle Val, I have a question,” Kael asked as he looked at Valerio with a curious gaze.

“Yes?” Valerio looked at him with a smile.

“Why don't you use your powers, Uncle Val? I mean you are strong, so then everyt

hing will be

alright,” Kael asked he tilted his head in confusion.

“I don't think that’s a bad idea” Lyra nodded, agreeing with her brother.

“Using my powers isn't a problem but we’re being constantly tailed and if I use my powers, it may give the enemies some intel and alert even stronger and terrifying enemies which not only puts me in danger but also everyone else” Valerio explained with a sigh.

‘If I go all out, I may wipe out this entire city’ he thought in amusement. Kael and Lyra nodded with an understanding look. Since Valerio is insanely powerful, using his powers may warrant some unwanted consequences.

“Anyways, you guys being safe is more important than anything else, including Arthur and Ruby,” Valerio said with a smile when he suddenly thought of something and his face morphed into a frown

“Hereafter if there is any fight, you are strictly not allowed to fight inside the shop. I don't want to spend money on renovation again” he reminded them in a serious tone.

“Haha..for sure Mr Valerio. I will be responsible for the well-being of the shop” Mathew replied with a hollow laugh. Valerio looked at him with a deep gaze.

“Okay whatever, we'll be careful. I am gonna sleep, I am very tired” Kael said as he got up from the table. Recently, he was feeling tired very frequently.

“Yeah me too. Good night guys” Lyra waved, as she went towards her room.

Now only Valerio and Mathew were sitting at the table.

“Mr.Valerio, can I ask you something?” Mathew asked.

“I never refuse to answer questions” Valerio replied with a smile.

“So, I can ask?” Mathew asked again.

“Sure” Valerio nodded without much thought.

“How did you manage to get the intel about the mirror incidents that have been happening around the city? I mean I have been keeping an eye on everything since I started working here, but I didn't find anything” Mathew asked as he looked at Valerio with interest.

He was curious about Valerio’s means and methods.

“Oh Mathew, don't squeeze that precious brain of yours too much, you didn't miss anything, it's just that I've got something up my sleeve for these kinds of things” Valerio replied with a smile.

“You do? What is it?” Mathew questioned again with interest.

“I’ve got a pet, haha” Valerio laughed as he mysteriously looked at Mathew.

“Eh? Pet? Seriously?” Mathew asked in a dumbfounded manner. ‘So you are saying an animal is better than me when collecting intel?’ he thought in a depressed manner.

Valerio didn't reply and kept on laughing. Mathew got more depressed hearing him laugh.

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…

In a dimly lit bar. The bar doesn't seem to have a lot of customers, maybe because it was already late at night. There were only 5-6 people scattered across the bar.

“This is worth the money” an old man nodded his head in satisfaction.

“That's enough Grandpa, you’re already over the limit” the young bartender warned.

“Oh, am I?” The old man smirked as he kept sipping the drink.

“Ahh, whatever, just don't pass out again like you did the other day” the young bartender replied with a sigh.

“Haha, alas my body can't handle alcohol now that I am -” the old man replied with a laugh as he passed out midway.

“He did it again, what a pain” the bartender sighed.

“I haven't been myself since you told us about that bastard” a loud, angry voice was heard throughout the silent bar.

Everyone looked at the two men who were conversing. They seemed to be arguing with the guy who shouted and had an angry face.

The patrons of the bar ignored this and went on with their business as such fights were common in bars.

“Excuse sirs, could you please keep your voice down? The other customers might complain” the bartender requested them.

“Annoying” the man who shouted earlier snorted as the young bartender’s head rolled on the floor. The remaining people in the bar immediately sobered up. They looked at the headless bartender in horror and immediately ran outside. One of them was even kind enough to pick up the passed-out grandpa.

“What’s wrong with you Orion? You had no reason to do this” Piers said with a frown.

“Oh, you, of all people, are saying such things to me? Since when do you care about lowly people like them?”

Orion asked with a smirk. He didn't even bat an eye towards the dead bartender whose body fell.

“I do not have any concerns or anything, it's just that we’ve been told to keep a low profile and do everything in the shadows” Piers replied in a calm voice.

“Oh, like how you sent your pawns to check on him? Sure we can do that” Orion asked in a mocking tone.

“Orion, keep your head clear. I don't mind you chopping the heads of some nobodies. I am only telling you to lay low because ‘he’ told us explicitly. You know, I only respect ‘him’ right?” Piers explained as he looked at Orion with a deep gaze.

“Yeah fine” Orion replied, instantly gaining some sense of calmness after hearing about ‘him’.

“Anyway, why did you call me here? What is so important that you want to meet in the middle of the night?” Piers asked.

“I want to take my revenge on him” Orion replied in a serious tone.

“You mean Valerio?” Piers asked, already starting to get a headache.

“Yeah, who else” Orion weirdly looked at him. Everyone knows the only being in this world who he hates with every bone in his body is Valerio.

“Were you even listening to everything I just said?” Piers asked with a sigh, his headache increasing.

“Well, I kinda did, but I don't care and you are gonna help me” Orion replied.

“You're not the kind to be convinced. So, how many of my men do you need?” Piers asked.

“Ew, I got no business with weaklings" Orion replied, his face morphing in disgust.

“Do not mock my men. So, what else do you need?” Piers asked with a frown. He got a bad premonition.

“I want you to fight with me” Orion announced in a straight voice.

“Are you crazy?? No way, I am not doing it” Piers replied hurriedly, shaking his head. “Oh yes, you are,” Orion said with a smirk.

“I won't and that's the end. Anyway, I’ve had enough of your nonsense, so I am leaving” Piers replied as he got up, and kicked the body of the bartender out of the way.

“Tch, what a pain” “If you don't help me, I’ll let your little secret out to the Ascendants,” Orion said in a calm town.

“Wait how did you..” Piers looked at Orion with a shock. “I have my sources, now join me” Orion replied with a smirk.

“You can't be serious” Piers's eyes narrowed as he looked at Orion.

“Use your power” Orion replied as he looked at Piers in a teasing gaze.

Piers looked at him for a while and replied with a sigh “Fine, but give me your word that you won't tell another soul about it”

“Fine, you have my word” Orion replied with a laugh.

“So, how do you plan on taking him down?” Piers asked curiously. He really couldn't tell where Orion’s confidence came from. Even if he joined Orion, they were not a match for Valerio.

“Just like how I did last time” Orion stated, as if it was obvious.

“Oh yeah? You mean just like how you got your ass whooped by him. Yeah, sure” Piers replied with a mocking tone.

“It’ll be different this time. I’ve got a plan. Also, I figured out his weakness” Orion replied with a smile as if he had calculated every possibility.

“Sure, that's promising” Piers replied doubtfully.

“Yeah whatever, let's leave this place already,” Orion said as they left the bar.

The body of the bartender vanished mysteriously as if it was never there.