1 day before Sunday.

The scene of that market is still bustling as usual even though it is a place isolated from the city. This is a place where the hand of the law cannot reach when the goods are usually not taxed or controlled by the government, however, the goods here are often countless and can also come from many other places. They can sell anything they can bring out. So this place is often called "selling things that have never existed" to talk about the uniqueness that only this place has. This market has long had no name, expressing the mystery behind it, because each person will agree on a name for easy recognition. Even though it is such a lawless place, everything here still operates smoothly, no stealing, no causing trouble, everyone who enters here must always comply with these rules no matter who they are, a rare peace in the complex underground system of Paris.

While Father Nicholas was at the church taking care of the children, Anatole came here to inquire about the news. He knew very well that such a place was not rare for Manus Vindictae to come and trade forbidden goods with other Arcanists in this place, because it was too safe without having to worry about people from the Foundation coming to find them.

"Hey, you! Come and choose my stall! I have some good stuff today, why don't you come and take a look?" [Seller]

A middle-aged man called him over to offer his goods, causing some other people around to come over as well. Maybe he should come and take a look.

"Here, this batch has just arrived, not really, I just picked them up, if you guys are Arcanists, then you should appraise them? Who knows, buying them back might be a big profit, 50 Sharp each, the same price!" [Seller]

The crowd of people took turns looking at the items on display, discussing a lot with each other.

Anatole also glanced a little in the pile of goods, he suddenly discovered something strange... a piece of a mask? Yes, it was exactly half of a mask of Manus Vindictae.

"Sir, where did you pick this up?!" [Anatole]

"I don't know! I picked it up near the edge of the forest, it seemed good so I just put it out... hey there!" [Seller]

Anatole thought for a long time.

"(Near the edge of the forest? Isn't it near the father's church? Then the owner of that mask must be involved in that kidnapping? Should I buy it?)" [Anatole]

Without waiting for him to think, a strange hooded man appeared, he pointed at the mask and asked the seller.

"Sir, I want this..." [???]

In the moment when he glanced at the direction he was standing towards the shopkeeper, he clearly saw that the man was wearing half of the mask on his face and he seemed to recognize him...

Both of them paused for a moment, then the man ran away.

"Hey! So are you buying it?!" [Seller]

When the man turned around to look, the mask on the stall had disappeared, replaced by a bag of Sharp coins.

Anatole chased him out of the market, straight into the forest, with the running strength of a veteran investigator, it was not difficult for him to catch up and corner him.

"You can't run away anymore, but I just want to ask you a few questions..." [Anatole]

"Get out of the way, I didn't do anything! Don't!" [Believer]

"No, I won't hurt you..." [Anatole]

"You should have died after that, right?! I didn't do anything, don't haunt me!" [Believer]

The believer pulled out his weapon, a dagger and his Arcanum to attack him.

"Sigh, I'm tired again..." [Anatole]

Anatole pulled out his sword, he quickly blocked his stabs. The two fought fiercely.

Finally, when he had used all his strength, Anatole swung a slash, he blocked it but the pressure was too great and he fainted.

"Ugh...where is this..." [Believer]

"You woke up too late, it's almost afternoon." [Anatole]

He struggled for a while, realizing that his hands and feet were tied.

"Ahhhh, let me go!" [Believer]

"Be quiet, I don't want to talk much with you, I just want to ask you a few questions." [Anatole]

"I won't answer, I don't know anything!" [Believer]

"Oh? So now you still don't know anything?" [Anatole]

He took out half of his mask. As if he saw gold, he tried to rush forward to grab it, but Anatole held it out of his reach.

"If you cooperate, I'll return it to you, otherwise don't even think about seeing this thing again." [Anatole]

"I... okay, just ask..." [Believer]

Anatole looked pleased, and didn't beat around the bush and asked.

"When are you planning to hold the sacrifice next Sunday? How exactly are you going to get in?" [Anatole]

He asked while holding the half of his mask in front of his eyes. It was obvious that his answer would be no different from betraying the religion, and Anatole seemed to understand that and added.

"If anyone asks, I won't tell on you, if you keep your mouth shut, you'll be fine, and you can tell your boss anything, I won't hunt you down." [Anatole]

He hesitated for a moment, but the attraction of that piece of mask was clearly too great, he couldn't stand it anymore.

"We'll hold it around 11 or 12 at night and end it when the new day comes... the venue is just near Notre Dame, that's when you have to go to an abandoned house nearby, and there you can be transported to the venue using the leader's Arcanum, that's all I know!" [Believer]

Anatole fell into deep thought again, he thought for a moment but then compromised.

"Alright, since you've been honest, I can't keep you for anything anymore." [Anatole]

He took out his sword and cut the ropes that bound him, then he threw him the piece of mask.

"Take care..." [Anatole]

He then turned around and left. The man took the piece and put it back on his face...but there was something that Anatole didn't expect.

When he put the mask back on, he screamed loudly, which caught Anatole's attention. He turned around and couldn't believe what he was seeing. A black liquid rose up and spread everywhere where he was standing, that strange liquid pulled him down, with a painful scream, he was pulled in and gradually disappeared. The price for traitors.

He was speechless, unable to say a word, he could only watch him slowly sink.

"Reposez en paix...may your soul rest in peace..." [Anatole]

He quickly turned around and left.

That night he had discussed everything thoroughly with father, tomorrow they would take action. That night, Nicholas also carefully instructed the children at the church and told them everything, prepared food for them and took care of everything. Anatole also prepared everything, just hoping that tomorrow would come quickly so he could leave, praying to God that everything would be peaceful, the road would be smooth, amen.