Amid their discussion, Eren artfully reminded Osha of the promise she had made, the third wish he had earned from her by triumphing in the poetry challenge.
He emphasized that his third wish, secured through their poetic duel, was merely an invocation for her participation in this scheme. Through a combination of assurances and the pact they had forged, Osha's initial resistance began to erode.
"Alright then, alright, hotshot. Spare me the sales pitch. No need for more words. I'm in.
But remember, you've exhausted your third wish on this. If the plan crumbles, I won't be accountable."
Osha's tone carried a hint of irritation. In her view, Eren resembled a persistent vendor using persuasive tactics to sell a product, inundating potential buyers with flowery language to move his goods. Handling such a vendor typically required giving in just to secure some peace.
However, Osha wasn't averse to Eren's plan per se. The more she contemplated it privately, the more it ignited her adventurous spirit, stoking the flames of her ambition.
Eren's intuition had proven correct – in alignment with the sentiments expressed in Osha's poem, the youthful Sage harbored aspirations of consistently scaling greater summits than her current achievements.
"I may not be entirely certain about your plan's chances of success, Eren. But even if it crumbles, I've got ways to protect my hide from the potential fallout. So there's no need for me to think too much," Osha spoke resolutely.
"Hmm. I can understand why you are so desperate. It seems you had no other option but to rely on this sort of exit strategy from Anfang, given your status as a Demon Beast Tamer." Osha gazed at Eren with curiosity as she put forth her observation.
Eren's brows knitted in confusion. "Hmm? What do you mean by that?" he inquired with a curious tone.
Osha was taken aback that Eren wasn't aware of what she was referring to. She sighed before elaborating further.
"Eren, have you ever wondered why most high-ranking figures, particularly those closely associated with Edinburgh or even Anfang Alliance, steer clear of being Demon Beast Tamers, despite the streamlined access it provides to demonic might and Intent-based Magic?
Among the myriad of Sage Rankers in Anfang Alliance, you'll struggle to find even one who doubles as a Demon Beast Tamer. Do you know the reason behind this unusual trend?"
Eren found himself once again surprised by Osha's insights. He had never contemplated this perspective before. The more he ruminated on Osha's words, the more valid they appeared. He realized that none of the high-ranking Demon Beast Tamers he had encountered were deeply connected to Edinburgh's forces.
Rodrick might have been the only exception if he were to step into the Master or Grandmaster Rank. However, Rodrick did not seem to have any plans to leave Anfang in the first place because of the fact that he was a prince of Edinburgh.
Although Eren wasn't as familiar with Anfang Alliance, Osha's statement seemed to apply there too.
"Could you enlighten me about this peculiarity?" Eren politely asked Osha, his curiosity piqued. Osha nodded and continued.
"The reason why Anfang Alliance usually prefers Sages who aren't entwined with demon beast taming is quite straightforward. The exit they provide is linked to a Divine Plane, which opens only briefly at specific intervals. And since this plane is of divine nature, it hates any who have ties to demons," Osha explained, giving Eren a moment to absorb her words.
"You're suggesting…" Eren's voice trailed off, a revelation forming in his mind. Osha affirmed this with a nod before continuing.
"Exactly. The Blood Ritual and Faustian Contract tarnish one's very soul, making entry into a Divine Plane perilous, if not impossible.
Even if someone manages to enter, their odds of survival are slim. Worse yet, their presence could draw disaster upon their fellow Rankers who accompany them. That's why Anfang Alliance exclusively enlists Grandmasters and Sages untainted by Faustian Contracts with demons."
Eren was taken aback by this revelation, wondering why Alephee had not disclosed this information earlier. Nevertheless, he decided to act grateful to Osha for enlightening him.
"Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Sage Osha," Eren expressed his gratitude with a slight bow before raising his glass in a toast to her.
"Enough of business for now. Let's enjoy the game and unwind. Keke. Let's have drinking bets on these Rankers," he proposed. Osha readily agreed, clinking her glass with his before fixing her gaze on the unfolding battle projected on the Spectral Screen.
Eren appreciated his decision to have this conversation in the City of White Raven. He believed that Osha might not have spoken so candidly in any other setting.
Furthermore, her ability to discuss these matters openly indicated that she hadn't bound herself by any overly restrictive contract with Anfang Alliance. Evidently, she, too, was searching for an alternative way to break free from Anfang's confines, which was why she had chosen to remain in Edinburgh.
In Eren's company, Osha immersed herself in leisure activities for the rest of the day.
In the bowling alley, she consistently scored perfect games without relying on magic. With darts, she consistently hit the bull's eye while blindfolded and facing the opposite direction. She even played a game Argo called Snooker, nailing every shot.
Recognizing her excessive display, Eren discreetly led her away from Billy's to avoid causing a stir among the other patrons.
Osha's custom-made cocktail was named after her - "Osha's Clarity." It was soon set to be featured on menus throughout Anfang, complete with its creator's name and origin story.
For the following three days, Osha remained in the City of White Raven to finalize her plan with Eren. Having extensively explored the city, she eventually bid farewell to Eren, assuring him of her readiness to respond when the right moment arrived.
Eren now had the collaboration of two Sages, even if they weren't the absolute powerhouses of Anfang. For someone like Eren, a Master Ranker, this partnership was a significant achievement. He hoped his plan would proceed smoothly, even though he kept a lot of crucial details hidden from both Altair and Osha.
The butcher was convinced that revealing his true intentions would likely lead to both Sages either strangling him to death or burying him 6 feet under the ground. They were both in the dark regarding the full scope of what they had unwittingly consented to.
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