Chapter 9: Illusion of Control

//Goethe Grand Hotel, Jarilo-VI// 

Amon's eyes opened as he adjusted himself to the sun shining in his eyes. The pieces had been gathered and all that was left was to let Cocolia dig her own grave. But for now, there was no need to rush. 

He would let everything play out as it should, although that didn't mean he couldn't adjust fate to his own liking. Amon snapped his fingers as he produced a letter from an Architect that he had parasitised and written that letter in order to divert Cocolia's attempt at having them restrained. 

Although Sampo would likely not trust anything involving him anymore, he had different ways of getting Sampo to move to his liking. A look at his pocket watch as he walked out of his room to meet the rushing March 7th and Dan Heng. 

"Wake up Stelle," Dan Heng exclaimed as March 7th rushed into Stelle's room. Amon shook his head "No need to tell me. I'm aware. It's Cocolia isn't it?" Dan Heng nodded before replying "She has the silvermane guards outside the hotel to arrest us for conspiracy." 

Amon nodded "And the contract she had signed?" Dan Heng shook his head "The silvermane guards claim that Cocolia had only signed it in order to not arouse suspicion. It is present in Belebog's law that contracts signed may be voided under extenuating circumstances." 

Amon nodded, "No worries, let me handle this." Stelle and March 7th soon gathered at the entrance hoping Amon had a plan. Dan Heng seemed to be more calm seeing as Amon's smile never left his face. 

"Hello Miss Bronya, I assure you there had been a mistake. Madam Cocolia herself has given us autonomy equivalent to citizens of the city. We have committed no crime, nor do we have intention of committing a crime." 

No weapons, arms wide open and defenseless yet Bronya couldn't stop the eerie sense that the man in front of her was dangerous beyond measure. The smile and confidence as if everything was in the palm of his hand. 

Bronya stopped him before he could continue speaking. "I am aware of your predicament and anything you say can be used against you. The Supreme Guardian will have you brought before the judiciary panel of the Architects." 

Bronya's threatening facade broke instantly as the grin on Amon's face widened even more. "Well perhaps there has been a miscommunication and mistake on Madam Cocolia's part. I have a signed letter that confirms we are allowed to continue our investigations and roam freely. Furthermore, even if we do get put in front of the Architects is there any point to wasting our time?"

Bronya's eyes widened as she saw the numerous names and signatures with their own personal stamp. A few of the Architects with the biggest sway in Belebog politics had signed the letter. And the stamp was no doubt their own unique stamp without any evidence of forgery. 

Bronya's eyes narrowed, something was strange here. Within a day they had made contact with multiple Architects who had signed the letter? This was troublesome, there would truly be no point just as the man Amon had said. It would simply be walking in and out and wasting time and resources to pull together a meeting. 

Amon coughed "Anyways I do humbly apologise about the misunderstanding Miss Bronya. Perhaps it was due to our ignorant behavior that prompted Madam Cocolia to act this way." Amon retreated numerous steps in order to force Bronya emotionally to the edge of the cliff of doubt. 

He waved the rest of the team to follow him as Bronya had urgently gone back to the Qilpoth Fort to ask for further commands. Stelle started clapping "As expected of the Master, such elegance and refined verbal battle." Amon's eye twitched "Stelle, who has been teaching you to speak in such way?" She pointed at him...

March 7th felt relieved as she sat down at the nearest bench while Dan Heng stared at Amon "How did you make contact with the Architects? As far as I'm aware you couldn't have had the time." Amon chuckled "I always have as much time as needed. However, we should leave soon. Cocolia will likely make her move soon."

Dan Heng thought a bit before confirming his suspicions, "You believe that Cocolia will attempt to pin something else on us?" Amon nodded before they started walking in the direction of the fragmentum. 

Amon grinned as he heard good news from his parasitised silvermane guard. He had broken and saved Sampo from having his arms cut off and offered an opportunity to save the underground. Amon grinned and took a leaf out of Elio's page and asked for a simple favor to Sampo, follow the script as Amon had described. 

Sampo's previous irritation with Amon had long disappeared as his so called betrayal had been forgotten with saving his hands and breaking him out of prison. Coincidentally their goals aligned and Sampo rushed to save his new friends. Not knowing both perpetrator and savior were both Amon. 

Bronya and the other guards soon rushed at full speed chasing them into the fragmentum. "Stop in the name of the silvermane guards. You are under arrest and are to be detained for the murder of five Architects!" 

March 7th glanced at Amon "You never told us how you got those signatures, you didn't actually kill them right?" Amon chuckled before thinking to himself, "Why would I ever kill myself with no reason?"

Amon shook his head "I would never." 

Eventually they were surrounded by the guards who had spread out as Amon halted the rest of the team. The silvermane guards rushed to attack only for numerous small smoke bombs to be scattered about. 

"Hey how did you get here before me?" Amon looked at Sampo and put his finger to his lip. "Let's pick em up and get to the underground first. It'll be safer than having Cocolia actively trying to frame us." 

Sampo nodded before carrying the Dan Heng and March while Amon picked up Stelle and Bronya. "I apologise for before, but I do want to make you aware that when giving the sack of shields back to you, I included a bit of extra. I think you understand that we had to divert attention away from us to de-escalate the situation." 

Sampo nodded as he started moving about before entering a small damp cave as it lead deeper and deeper into the ground. "Dear friend, I had already forgiven you when you helped me out there. Let bygones be bygones however now that I know you paid. I have to give my all for this service." 

Amon glanced at the grinning Sampo with a shake of his head as they avoided the gazes to make their way to the clinic in Boulder Town. 

"Sampo who have you brought here?" 

Natasha the nurse turned around only to see a group of unconscious people carried by Sampo and Amon. 

Amon stepped forward with his hand outstretched, "Good day, Miss Natasha." Natasha gazed at the newcomer Sampo bought and claimed that they were from beyond the sky. However Natasha got a shiver just looking at the man with the monocle. Amon, meaning the hidden one. 

Amon smiled "If you feel uncomfortable using my name with familiarity you may call me Mysteries if you wish.