Vile Evil Hides Under The Veil

'Perhaps I should have chosen a different mortal city. People here seem too curious, and it's becoming fucking irritating.'

Eren pondered and sighed inwardly.

Yet, he sensed a difference in this newcomer. Firstly, he was an E-Ranked Practitioner. Secondly, a trace of divine power emanated from him. Eren deduced that the young man was a follower of Goddess Sekhmet.

"It appears you are eager to have a word," Eren remarked, continuing to enjoy his meal. "Feel free to take a seat," he added, studying the young man attentively.

"Thank you, I'll gladly accept that offer."

The young man smiled, nodding at Eren before settling into a chair between Eren and Arman. "I apologize for my cousin's behavior earlier. Her impulsiveness should diminish with time," he explained, leaning back in his chair.

Eren signaled the restaurant staff to serve the newcomer as well, though he personally wasn't enthusiastic about consuming more mortal food. It seemed more fitting to let the young man enjoy his share.

"I know you were observing the entire situation from a distance. I guess you have some questions?"

Eren inquired, skillfully cutting a bite-sized piece of mutton from a roasted slab. Dipping it into a special sauce, he savored the taste of the mortal food, finding it rather impressive. 'Hmm. Better than I imagined,' he applauded the chef in his head.

"I have no questions," the young man stated with a shake of his head.

"I'm unaware of the methods you employed to pacify those troublemakers, and quite frankly, I prefer to keep it that way. Labh Salem is teeming with peculiar individuals, eccentric deities, bloodthirsty demons, and enigmatic phenomena.

Why delve into every enigma that goes beyond my understanding?

An insatiable curiosity, if left unchecked, may lead to my death one day. Hence, I'm not inclined to unravel the specifics of your intervention.

However, I want to know about you instead. Maybe form a friendship?"

Eren found himself taken aback by the young man's composed demeanor and clever response. It was only at this moment that he truly observed the young man's appearance and sensed his presence through Soul Sense.

'This kid… There's something different about him.'

While Eren assessed the young man, the latter extended an introduction to the trio. It became evident that he harbored no reservations about sharing a conversation with Arman, treating him with a casualness that defied typical royal demeanor, much to the surprise of onlookers.

**

With a countenance that bore the noble features of his lineage, Wilfer Rath possessed striking azure eyes that sparkled with intelligence. His neatly trimmed, dark brown hair framed his face, complementing the refined aura that surrounded him.

Hailing from a prominent family in Eldorath, known for their influence in both political and magical circles, Wilfer was the seventh in line for succession. Unlike his more impetuous cousin, he was characterized by a thoughtful and diplomatic demeanor, tempered by a keen understanding of the intricate web of politics within the royal court.

Wilfer had devoted himself to the practice of being an oracle for the goddess Sekhmet, aspiring to merge the traditional ways of his family with the mystical forces that flowed through the world.

Wilfer's journey along the Oracle Path diverged significantly from the conventional courses followed by other Practitioners. Rather than bestowing upon him overt physical or magical prowess, his chosen Path endowed him with unique Skills and abilities exclusive to Oracles, setting him apart from his counterparts.

As an Oracle, Wilfer prioritized the augmentation of his Mind and Spirit Stats, diverting from the more conventional focus on combat or adventure. This specialized approach confined Oracles to roles as devout followers within the religious structures of Labh Salem, utilizing the resources of temples to propel them further along their chosen Path.

Within the hierarchy of Oracle ranks, those at the F-Rank level bore the title of Seers, while elevation to E-Rank conferred the esteemed status of Grand Seers. Advancement to D-Rank earned the designation of Diviner, with further recognition as Grand Diviner granted to C-Rank Oracles.

Stepping into the realms of higher proficiency, B-Ranked and A-Ranked Oracles held the titles Augury and Grand Augury, respectively. The loftiest echelons of Oracle achievement included the titles Destiny Sage for S-Rank Oracles and Prophets for those attaining the rare S-Plus-Rank Status.

***

'Oh! He is an Oracle!'

Eren stood in awe, discovering the presence of an actual Oracle in the seemingly isolated mortal city of Sunhaven. Practitioners following the Oracle Path were exceedingly rare in Labh Salem. Many of them found themselves confined to the lower echelons of the ranks forever in their Paths.

Talented Oracles were highly esteemed assets within any faith, receiving abundant care and attention from the temples with which they were associated. They were sought after by the demonic factions for their own use as well.

Whether aligned with divine temples or demonic cults, Oracles enjoyed a significant share of resources, indicative of their importance.

Despite Eren's attempt to conceal his surprise, his gaze lingered more attentively on Wilfer. The notion of employing Sedating Gaze to divert the Oracle's attention crossed his mind.

Alephee's warning echoed in his thoughts, cautioning against interactions with Prophets, the zenith of the Oracle Path. Prophets possessed the ability to unravel any deception and identify Eren as the True Inheritor of the Elder Ichor Bloodline.

In the past, Prophets had foretold prophecies about God Aleph's successor, ultimately unveiling Eren's role as the chosen one. Although Eren's ascension to a demigod status had rendered him pseudo-divine, preventing Prophets from predicting his future actions, they retained the capability to pierce through any facade if and when he came in proximity with them.

This proximity could overcome any restrictions and enable the Prophets to predict his past, presence, and future.

Eren had to tread carefully in conversations, especially if he encountered a Prophet, as a single utterance from him could potentially trigger a "Revelation."

However, the young man before Eren was just an E-Ranked Grand Seer, a league way below Eren's Grandmaster Ranker status. As such, Eren had little to fear.

As Wilfer and Eren engaged in conversation, Arman and Reen chatted while relishing their meal. It didn't take long for both Eren and Wilfer to gain a basic understanding of each other.

"So, you're the E-Ranked potion-maker who secured permanent citizenship in Sunhaven today," Wilfer remarked with a chuckle as he wiped the corners of his mouth with a table napkin, indicating he had finished his meal.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ace Ren Roman Idril."

"Hmm? A little show and tell huh? Did you deduce that through your Oracle powers?" Eren asked playfully.

Wilfer smiled and shook his head before responding.

"Haha. Prophecies and past visions don't work like that, Rook Ren. Certainly not when it comes to someone of your caliber.

It's much simpler than you think. Um… let's just say that news travels fast in Sunhaven for those who are willing to pay attention."

AN: The term Prophets was first used in chapter 1203.