Memoirs of Your Local Small-time Villainess-Chapter 341 - The situation

Scarlett observed The Gentleman closely for several moments. His polite, enigmatic smile didn’t waver.

“…Since you are already here, I suspect my preferences hold little importance,” she finally said, gesturing to the empty space on the couch beside Rosa.

“On the contrary, Baroness, the decision remains entirely yours,” The Gentleman replied—just a touch too smoothly—as he began to cross the parlour, his cane clicking against the polished marble floors. “I am hardly so ill-mannered as to impose upon the sanctity of another’s home when unwelcome.”

Empress gave a soft, dignified meow from her perch atop the table.

“Might I remind you, my dear, that you were the one who insisted on intruding today?” he said, casting a gentle yet reproving glance towards the cat. “Even after I advised patience.”

Empress simply tilted her head away, clearly choosing to ignore him.

The Gentleman shook his head lightly in resignation, placing his top hat neatly on the table and settling next to Rosa, his cane resting against the sofa’s side. His dull brown eyes swept across the assembled group, acknowledging each person with a courteous nod. “Warmest salutations to you all. For those unfamiliar with me, I am known as ‘The Gentleman’. I suspect most of you are more acquainted with my esteemed feline companion.”

Empress meowed again.

The Gentleman cleared his throat. “Ah, how remiss of me. It appears she demands a formal introduction, despite your prior acquaintance.” He gestured to the cat. “Allow me to present Her Royal Highness Tazu’Ivhra D’lhemra Azidazcha Ma’hri Khinzanda, Sovereign over the Endless Jungles of Najjera, the Realm of Ji’Var, the Eternal Dominion of Za’gh, the Sands of Baajirr, and all of the sunbathed lands between.”

The cat gave another emphatic meow.

“And, naturally,” he added, “the undisputed ruler of one particularly choice windowsill overlooking the courtyard from the second floor of this manor’s east wing.”

Scarlett didn’t miss the delighted, half-gushing look on Allyssa’s face at the grand introduction. Nor did she overlook Evelyne’s amused gaze lingering on Empress’ ‘dignified’ pose, her lips twitching as if to suppress a smile.

“Did you say Baajirr?” Shin asked, curiosity clear in his voice.

“The very same,” The Gentleman replied.

Shin’s gaze shifted thoughtfully towards Empress, who seemed to straighten proudly under the attention, her tail flicking elegantly as she arched her back.

The Gentleman smiled faintly at the interaction, then turned to Rosa, who was leaning toward him, studying him closely. “Is there something I can help you with, Miss Hale?”

Rosa narrowed her eyes. “…You know, you bear an uncanny resemblance to this odd fellow I ran into this once. On a wagon in Bridgespell.”

Scarlett looked at her in mild surprise. They had met before? She’d once sought The Gentleman’s help regarding Rosa, but he had eventually dismissed her request. She hadn’t realised they’d actually crossed paths.

The Gentleman merely smiled. “That is quite the remarkable coincidence.”

Rosa glanced over at Scarlett, regarding her for a moment before reclining back, lacing her fingers casually behind her head. “You know what? I’m not even gonna bother asking. Somebody else can have that honour if they dare.”

A brief silence settled over the room as everyone looked to Scarlett, as if waiting for her to say something. She glanced between The Gentleman and Empress, considering both.

“This man is an associate of mine,” she eventually said, nodding towards The Gentleman. “He has aided me before with certain delicate matters — issues beyond others’ abilities. In fact, he and Empress were instrumental in my initial entry into Freymeadow.”

The group’s attention seemed to shift between her, the man, and the regal cat.

“…I feel like I’m missing a great deal of context here,” Kat said slowly.

“You aren’t alone in that,” Evelyne added. She gave Scarlett a questioning look. “Is he the same ‘Gentleman’ who gifted you the painting in your office?”

Scarlett eyed her. She could vaguely recall mentioning something of the sort in passing, though she was surprised Evelyne remembered it.

“Yes, he is.”

“The Field of Broken Pacts,” The Gentleman said. “That was its title, should you be curious.”

Evelyne turned to him. “…I see. It’s a remarkable piece.”

“Indeed, one I hold in particularly high regard.”

“That’s…interesting. Do you know who the artist was?”

“A man by the name of Alveris. He lived in a place known then as Ven Kamar, though that was many, many years ago.”

“So it’s one of a kind?”

“Most assuredly.”

“Then might I ask how you came by it?”

“It’s part of my collection, one could say.” The Gentleman gestured with a flick of his hand. “I have an extensive assortment of rare and unusual works.”

Scarlett watched as Evelyne fell silent. It wasn’t much of an answer, but that was The Gentleman for you. And from the look on Evelyne’s face, she wasn’t about to press further.

Scarlett turned back to him. “So, what brings you here today? Why choose now, of all times, to appear?”

The Gentleman rested an arm against the sofa’s edge. “The timing, I fear, was Empress’ doing. I would have preferred not to interrupt your discussions, but I am rather limited in how I spend my time, as ironic as it may be.” He gave a slight nod of his head. “So here I am. As for the reason…” He paused. “Hmm. I suppose…”

Reaching beneath his dark cape, he pulled out a sealed letter. He studied it for a moment, as though committing its appearance to memory, then turned to Rosa beside him. “Would you be so kind as to pass this to the Baroness?”

Rosa eyed him, then shrugged and took the letter, handing it to Kat, who sat at the couch’s far end. Kat glanced at it briefly, then leaned forward and passed it to Scarlett.

Scarlett accepted the letter with a faint frown, eyes fixed on the blank, creamy parchment. The crimson wax seal bore the imprint of a cat poised in a majestic pose. Breaking the seal, she drew out a single piece of paper with one neatly penned sentence:

Delivery receipt - Sphere of Serendipity

She stared at the words, then lifted her eyes sharply to The Gentleman. “Is this meant as some sort of elaborate jest?”

“Not strictl, no,” the man replied. He looked at Empress. “As I mentioned to my dear companion earlier, the formalities may have been unnecessary.”

Empress issued an indignant meow, turning her gleaming eyes towards Scarlett as though she was being unreasonably unappreciative.

“…What exactly is the meaning of this?” Scarlett asked, trying to sound less critical.

“It is precisely what it claims to be: a receipt,” The Gentleman explained calmly. “Given the nature of your upcoming enterprise, Empress felt you might appreciate formal confirmation of the task you entrusted to me.”

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“So you have delivered the Sphere of Serendipity,” Scarlett said.

“That I have.”

“I was under the impression that happened months ago. Is there some significance in confirming it now rather than earlier? This seems rather superfluous.”

A subtle, knowing smile curled at the corner of the man’s mouth. “Indeed, the delivery occurred some time ago. However, I suspect there may be a discrepancy between your perception of the act’s impact at that time compared to today. Given your present destination, Empress felt formal acknowledgment was warranted.”

Scarlett narrowed her eyes slightly. “…Elaborate, please.”

The Gentleman regarded her for a moment, as if weighing something. “Baroness, are you aware of the true purpose of the geas cast upon Beld Thylelion?”

She was silent for a few seconds, glancing at Evelyne and the others before nodding. “I am, yes.”

“Are you? Truly?”

“Yes. I know it concealed the ruins from discovery until now.”

The Gentleman tilted his head slightly, as if considering her words. “Concealed, you say…?”

“Are you suggesting that is incorrect?”

That was how the game had described it. Beld Thylelion was placed under a potent geas that had hidden it from reality itself, inaccessible until it revealed itself.

“Concealed…” The Gentleman echoed, almost thoughtfully. “It makes one wonder how you came to be under that impression…” He remained silent for a beat longer, then gave a small shake of his head. “Your interpretation is not strictly incorrect. But it’s not entirely correct, either. It would perhaps be more accurate to say Beld Thylelion did not exist within this world at all until it revealed itself.”

Scarlett’s brow furrowed deeply. “It did not exist…?”

Was that what had been meant by it being hidden? But if that was the case…

She wouldn’t have been able to enter it before its emergence, even if she’d tried.

Her gaze sharpened on The Gentleman. “That explanation seems contradictory. You yourself confirmed that you delivered the Sphere of Serendipity to Beld Thylelion long before it appeared outside Elystead.”

It was because she knew from the game that he could enter Beld Thylelion that she’d contacted him. But if it hadn’t existed until recently, then even he shouldn’t have been able to reach it either.

He nodded once. “I did.”

“How?”

Empress meowed, prompting The Gentleman to smile indulgently. “No, dear, I think not.” He returned his attention to Scarlett. “As you are undoubtedly aware, Baroness, my methods differ somewhat from those available to others.”

Scarlett studied him, but trying to read anything from his expression was a wasted effort.

“…I suppose I have little choice but to accept that answer, unsatisfying as it is,” she said.

The Gentleman inclined his head gently, accepting her mild reproach gracefully. “My apologies.”

“Well, this might be a first,” Rosa remarked, looking between them. “Someone who outdoes even Scarlett in the vague-and-cryptic-answers department?” Her gaze landed squarely on The Gentleman. “You wouldn’t happen to be taking apprentices, would you?”

He chuckled in response. “Alas, no, Miss Hale. Though I’ve no doubt I could find tasks suited to your unique talents, I suspect your current employer might object to my poaching.”

“Oh, she wouldn’t mind—” Rosa stopped short as Scarlett fixed her with a distinctly unamused stare. Coughing awkwardly, she waved a hand. “Actually, never mind. Do carry on with your casual discussion of world-altering mysteries or whatever. I’ll be right here, definitely not listening or intrigued in the slightest.”

“Yes, you do that,” Scarlett said coolly, turning back to The Gentleman.

She studied him again. What, exactly, these ‘methods’ of his actually were was a question she didn’t have the answer to. What kind of power could grant him entry to a place that supposedly didn’t even exist? She had long accepted The Gentleman as one of the world’s more inscrutable figures — even with her knowledge of the game, she had no clear understanding of what he really was.

That didn’t stop her from speculating. She had theories, but none firm enough to trust.

And, as always, he was unlikely to offer any clearer explanation than he already had.

Pushing those thoughts aside for the time being, Scarlett gestured towards the table before her, where the golden sphere rested. “To clarify, there will be no issues using the Sphere of Serendipity now?”

“Not at present,” he assured her.

“Even though Beld Thylelion has not opened?”

“It has not opened, true, but it now exists within this realm, so that obstacle no longer applies.”

“Do you know how long it will be before it opens?”

The Gentleman arched a single eyebrow, mild amusement flickering across his features. “I’m afraid not. I dare say no one could predict that.”

“And why is that?” Scarlett asked.

He shrugged lightly. “To do so would require intimate familiarity with the precise conditions of the geas that once kept it from existing.”

“Which you lack?”

“Do you not?”

They regarded each other in silence for several moments. Then, without comment, Scarlett leaned forward and picked up the [Sphere of Serendipity], returning it to her [Pouch of Holding].

The critical point was that the artifact was usable. That alone was reassuring.

Still, it was somewhat…troubling that she hadn’t been aware it would have been useless before Beld Thylelion actually revealed itself. And the fact that The Gentleman, who clearly knew, hadn’t bothered telling her before…

Well, she had long since learned to moderate her expectations of the man’s helpfulness.

“Was that the only reason for your visit?” she asked, unable to completely suppress the note of skepticism in her voice. It felt strange that he would make a personal visit just for this.

“No, no, certainly not,” The Gentleman replied. “Consider it an additional courtesy. An acknowledgement of our ongoing association.”

“How considerate of you.”

“Is that sarcasm I hear?”

“Not at all. Simply an exercise in understatement.”

“Hah.” He laughed — quietly, but seemingly with genuine amusement. “Baroness, has anyone ever told you that your manner can be rather sharp?”

“Never.”

“I’m sure.” Another light chuckle escaped him, apparently unbothered by her tone. “But I suppose I’ve done little to properly earn your full confidence. We have had our differences in the past, after all.”

The way he spoke, it almost sounded like he regretted that. As if he found it truly lamentable.

Scarlett’s brow creased further at that.

She had no intention of ever making him an enemy, and she would always make an effort to keep their relationship cordial where she could. But, frankly, it irritated her that he seemed so sincere in his contrition. If his regret was genuine, he should have done a better job to avoid causing problems in the first place — like conveniently neglecting to warn her about Beld Thylelion’s nature, or allowing the Viles to become aware of Rosa’s existence.

…Or pushing Arlene into a deal that trapped her in an endless cycle of self-inflicted misery and torment for who knew how long.

Scarlett was certain he had his reasons—reasons she wasn’t privy to—but knowing this did little to ease her frustration. And even if she wouldn’t fully understand…

Well, did it matter? She knew how to manage her grudges — and when to set them aside.

“So,” she finally said, “what more is there that you wish to have said?”

The Gentleman clasped his hands together. “Ah, yes. That brings us to the primary reason for our visit.”

“And what would that be?”

Empress rose from her perch on the table, stretching languidly before fixing Scarlett with an unblinking stare. Sitting back on her haunches, she raised a paw and licked it, then released a single meow.

“Firstly,” The Gentleman continued, apparently translating, “Empress and I would like to congratulate you on enduring the trials that awaited you within the Hall of Echoes. Your accomplishments there were…remarkable. It could not have been easy.”

Scarlett met the cat’s clear amethyst eyes. “…Thank you, Empress. For your words — and your assistance, at the time. More than once, you have proven yourself a generous ally.”

Empress blinked slowly. A low, resonant purr filled the room. Scarlett could almost hear Allyssa suppressing a squeal of delight at the display.

“No words of gratitude for me, I presume?” The Gentleman asked casually. Scarlett turned to him, and he smiled, as if expecting exactly that. “No, that’s quite all right.”

Empress meowed again, and he gave a small nod.

“With congratulations properly delivered,” he continued, tone shifting, “we come to the second reason for our visit.” He cleared his throat. “We wish to extend our sincere best wishes for your journey into Beld Thylelion — and for what awaits you within.”

Scarlett paused. She considered the man. Then glanced at Empress. Then back again. “…You are wishing me luck?”

“In fewer words, yes.”

“Why?”

“Is it so strange to offer well-wishes to an acquaintance?”

“It implies that I will need it,” Scarlett said, eyes narrowing. “…Do you have some reason to believe that is the case?”

Arnaud Astrey’s and Yamina Ward’s predictions came to mind.

“Beld Thylelion is not a place devoid of dangers, Baroness,” The Gentleman replied.

“I am aware. And I have prepared accordingly.”

“Then perhaps luck won’t be necessary after all.”

“No. It will not.” She held his gaze steadily. “Not unless there is something there beyond what is fated.”

His face remained unreadable, almost carefully devoid of emotion at first. Then, after several seconds had passed, he spoke quietly. “Baroness, you will find no other place across the realms as intimately entangled with Fate as Beld Thylelion. Nothing within its halls escapes Fate’s attention. And Fate…does not easily shift or relent.”

For a fleeting moment—just a breath—something else bled into his voice. Something…darker? More solemn? Something regretful? Scarlett wasn’t sure. It was gone before she could even begin to place it.

Empress turned abruptly toward him and let out a thin, questioning meow. The Gentleman just offered her a faint smile before refocusing entirely upon Scarlett. “If you are truly concerned about what lies ahead, perhaps it would be wiser not to go at all.”

Scarlett studied them both, then shook her head firmly. “That is not an option.”

“No,” he agreed softly. “I rather suspected as much. Therefore, you have our sincere best wishes.”

Empress meowed again, her gaze returning to Scarlett.

“…Very well. Thank you,” Scarlett said.

“With that settled,” The Gentleman went on, “and at the risk of seeming cold — there remains one final matter, Baroness.”

He shifted in his seat, leaning forward slightly, eyes fixed on her with a new intensity, examining her in a way that caused her to instinctively resist stiffening. It was disconcerting, carrying a weight of seriousness she hadn’t quite experienced from him before. Not quite calculative, but…

Maybe not far off either.

Empress meowed sharply, clearly addressing the man this time, but he seemed to ignore her. His attention stayed locked entirely upon Scarlett.

“Do you recall the favour you pledged to me?” he asked.