Rephya: "That noble said his one true love was killed by Evil God's Followers and hopes we can help him seek revenge."

Teresa: "That's a lie. Last night, he had quite the session with some female followers of the Evil God. He was the one who killed his true love."

Rephya: "So is it poison this time again?"

Teresa: "(In a serious tone) Yes, I have a poison that can distinguish who has been with the Evil God's Followers."

...

In short,

The Young Lady's [Universal Poison] has become a joke within the Hero Squad.

But,

That was in the game.

Even in the later stages, when Teresa used [Night-blooming Jasmine] often enough to not bother hiding it, she never revealed the specific effects of the Fragrance.

She always used ambiguous wording.

Unfortunately, the notes on the character card didn't give her a chance to hide anything.

Let alone this period.

In the game,

At this point, Teresa should still be in the stage of gradually realizing Rephya's innocent and adorable personality through Fragrance.

It was exactly Night-blooming Jasmine that made the difficult-to-approach Young Lady end up self-conquering.

Because the scent doesn't lie.

Teresa's expression was very calm.

She was a smart person.

Chloe, using such a playful tone to talk about the secret of her own talent, clearly had no intention to use it as leverage.

Or perhaps…

She didn't detect the scent of cunning on him.

"So, my dear president, what did you wish to say by telling me this?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to have an open-hearted discussion with you."

"Hmm?" Teresa was a bit surprised, "About what?"

"You're aware of the Extreme Association's application for the Racer position,

but the risks in tasks either within the Maze or outside of it are high.

Because Racers rarely play low-level games, I need a helper, someone who can lower the risk."

Chloe looked at Teresa seriously and said:

"We've worked together for a while. I know a bit about the Young Lady's character. You are someone trustworthy."

Teresa frowned and said:

"What made you make that assessment?"

Chloe smiled and said:

"I have many secrets, and even if you haven't been directly watching, you might have noticed some of mine.

But up till now, you've never exposed those secrets.

Even though I don't think my secrets require much condemnation,

up until today, you haven't told outsiders, have you?"

Teresa fell into a long silence.

Chloe implied that he had always known she could detect those special scents on him.

Damn it.

She had been tested in reverse.

Teresa sighed and said:

"Where did you find out this secret?"

Chloe shook his head and said:

"You might as well consider it my Awakened Talent."

Teresa twitched the corner of her mouth and said:

"Does Recovery have that ability?"

Chloe blinked and said:

"Did your Voodoo sense that I had been with several girls?"

Teresa coughed and said:

"Voodoo told me there were four."

Chloe said blandly:

"Recovery told me your Fragrance talent is quite good."

The implication being, everyone has secrets; big brother, don't laugh at little brother.

Teresa thought for a moment and finally said:

"You're right; before I officially take over Night Thorn, I do indeed need to understand more about the Racer industry. Extreme Association might be a good choice.

—Though its leader is quite the philanderer."

"Though I want to refute you, I'm quite glad you chose to trust me even though you think I'm a philanderer.

I hope I won't betray this trust."

Chloe's lips curved slightly upwards.

He could sense that Teresa hadn't invested much thought into Extreme Association.

But after this open conversation, the result was completely different.

Chloe took a deep breath.

Once he got the Racer's license, he needed to accelerate the development speed of Extreme Association.

No other reason.

Because he was very well aware that Rephya had already been swept into the vortex.

Whether out of personal feelings or interest needs, he would inevitably be caught up in the vortex Rephya started.

No...

Perhaps he himself was a part of the vortex.

In times of chaos, those with Heroic Destiny are always passively drawn into it.

Originally, he thought it would only be Rephya.

But now he seriously doubted that it was he himself who was caught first.

Since it's not so easy to avoid, then fight!

If you can't avoid it, then carve out a bright and clean sky.

...

Location: Ethereal Emblem - Principal's Office

Principal Alfredo held an emblem, frowning as he pondered something.

If Chloe were here, he would realize the emblem was the very one he gave to Master Heisha.

Alfredo stroked his Whitebeard and turned to look at Mephisto, who was sitting cross-legged with his legs crossed.

The vice-principal, without a care in the world, sat on the sofa in beach shorts.

"Mephisto, how's the investigation going on that side?"

"The mole within the faculty?"

"What else?"

"I thought you were going to ask about the Crimson Church hiding in the city."

Alfredo shook his head and said:

"Snake sent the emblem away, indicating he himself wasn't exposed, but other underlings had issues. He should have destroyed it."

However, Mephisto shook his head and said:

"Destroyed? If this emblem hadn't fallen into our hands, it would have been no different from being destroyed.

If the emblem fell into our hands, it could actually help us substantiate our speculations.

If even involuntary actions were noticed by the Void Erosion Sect, it means his entire line was infiltrated and monitored from top to bottom.

His death could reveal even more issues.

Our great genius always loves to dance on a wire, doesn't he?"

Alfredo sighed and said:

"Dancing on a wire, one day he will fall. When he came to me and said the Void Erosion Sect had approached him, perhaps I should have refused him."

Although the Void Erosion Sect was established for a short time, it doesn't imply they have no foundation.

On the contrary, Alfredo strongly suspected that the Void Erosion Sect was old wine in a new bottle.

Their foundation might not originate from this era at all.

Maybe it traces back thousands or even more years.

Otherwise, it would be hard to explain how a newly established organization could develop and expand so rapidly and systematically.

There must be a wise advisor behind the scenes.

Also, one who has long run the Evil God Church expertly.

But the problem also lies here.

After the Dawn Era, the Evil God Church was almost uprooted by all major forces.

The whole world was thrown into a great turmoil back then, undergoing numerous power shuffles.

Under the intended guidance of the King of Redemption then, everyone targeted the major Evil God Churches.

After several battles, these Evil God Churches were rarely seen operating openly.

Alfredo was a Demigod promoted in the new millennium, but his strength was by no means weaker than the old ones.

Yet he also knew a simple truth.

It's not that the older one is stronger, but the stronger one is older.

Not the oldest are the strongest, but the strongest are the oldest.

But the real issue arises from conclusions.

Now that's a slight exaggeration.

It's just that the roots of the Crimson Church have issues; we just don't know if they've been influenced or had their allegiance transferred over these thousands, or even more years.

Mephisto, being an alchemy grandmaster, was well aware of the inner workings of the Evil God Church.

The issue, however, is that the very heart of the Crimson Church is corrupted, we just don't know if it's been consumed entirely by the Evil God Church.

Mephisto, slumped on the sofa, still in his beach shorts.

"""