Viper's Den (10)
"Bro. You really think astrology is something you can trust? Honestly, I never expected you to tell me to have my future read like this."
Gobert kept chattering away as he followed me.
"Just try it once. I told you, no charge."
"It's not about the money... Is this it?"
A faint scent of mysterious incense wafted from Kosa's door. Gobert glanced at me, as if saying it wasn't too late to back out.
"Bro. I can't stay away from headquarters too long. The palace is probably watching my every move..."
"Come in."
I dragged him inside. Through the haze of thick incense smoke, Kosa sat like a statue. Her eyepatch's Demon Seal Mandala stood out especially vivid today, but Gobert seemed oblivious to what it was.
"Kosa. Brought a guest. He wants a peek at the future before something big."
"Please, sit."
Gobert flinched at Kosa's gray, ethereal voice. She really didn't seem human when she sat like that. Normally, she shuffled around like any blind person... But I still didn't know much about her past, which made it all the more eerie.
She'd lost her sight suddenly as a child, gained the Instant Death Gaze, and wiped out most of her village. A wandering saintess saved her, made that Demon Seal Mandala, and she'd survived by fortune-telling and singing ever since. That was all I knew.
But was it true? When the Goddess lifted the death curse from her eyes, she'd said she wouldn't restore Kosa's sight. It was the price she'd paid for that gaze. So Kosa had willingly traded her vision to some entity for that power. A demon pact, maybe? And the wandering saintess made the mandala to seal it?
But when Celereja healed the quarrel wound in my side, Kosa hadn't reacted. The Holy Sword hadn't glowed either. And the Goddess had added that Kosa wasn't evil, so I could relax. Who knew...
Anyway, her past wasn't the point right now.
As Gobert sat, Kosa offered a dry, ashen smile.
"Your name and birth time, please."
"Bro, really..."
"Hey."
Gobert sighed and answered. Kosa's fingers danced silently over the table. If I was right, she was pulling up star cycle charts in her head and calculating mentally. When she first came to the inn, one of the two books in her bag was some thick Advanced Astrology by Lexand-something—heavy enough to bludgeon someone. She'd memorized the whole damn thing.
Unlike usual, Kosa took a long time peering into Gobert's future. Or rather, his past, probably. She was sharp as hell and somehow knew most of what went on in the inn just by sitting here. She'd read my intent and tell me not just the future, but the past too.
After a boring wait, Kosa smiled faintly and spoke.
"An honor to serve you, Commander."
"Gah?!"
Gobert yelped, chair scraping as he jolted upright, ignoring his dignity. His eyes bugged out, darting between me and Kosa.
"You really made a demon pact, bro?!"
"No, Commander. Astrology reveals much, if used well."
Gobert coughed, regaining composure after his fluster.
"So, you can see the past too?"
"No. No need, and no reason. Yesterday's river water isn't today's."
Classic Kosa. Razor judgment, perfect read on the room. Answering exactly as I'd hoped, no hesitation.
"True... No point dwelling on the past..."
Gobert nodded solemnly, uncharacteristically serious, muttering to himself.
"So... my future. What'd you see?"
"First, my foresight is vague at best. I'm no god—just an astrologer using the stars."
"Got it."
"Also... the future shifts. Think right now of going right, but go left later? Today's vision changes."
"So not inescapable fate, but what's at the end of my current path."
"Yes."
Kosa's smile deepened slightly.
"Then tell me. If I stay this course, what's waiting?"
"Bright light."
"What?"
"Dazzling, radiant light pours over your head."
The sun? Nah, stupid question. The sun's always up there. This was something else. Literal light, or metaphor for a bright future?
"Go on."
"Bright light from the sky. You look up with others, laughing heartily. Such brilliant light, such joyful laughter."
Kosa fell silent. Gobert waited. She said no more.
"That's... it?"
"As I said, vague shapes only. That's all I see."
"Hm... Alright..."
Gobert looked puzzled, glancing at me. I shrugged—if that was it, fine. Couldn't push her.
"Anyway... sounds far from bad."
He fished out a gold coin and set it on the table. Not kingdom gold—an Abyss gold coin. Like Elua last time, royals carried those like pocket change. My taxes. Fuck.
"Thanks... uh, what's your name?"
"Kosa."
"Good work, Kosa. Just a token."
He slid it toward her hand. See? Good guy deep down. What prince guides a blind woman's hand to coin?
"Thank you, Commander. May fortune follow your path."
Kosa pocketed it with a slight bow.
* * * * *
Downstairs, Gobert nursed his beer in silence, mulling Kosa's words.
"So, what'd you think?"
"Dunno..."
He drained his mug. Idwild glided over, refilling it.
"Thanks."
Another Abyss gold for her. Wasting it. Splurging.
"Hehe... Thank you..."
Idwild clutched it beaming, waddling to the kitchen. She flashed it at Francois, bragging. Marim overheard, eyes gleaming, staring daggers this way. Ready to Blink over at the first empty mug.
But Gobert didn't drink more.
"You ever had her read yours, bro?"
"Yeah."
"What'd she say?"
"Something about me getting exploited everywhere. Dunno if it's accurate."
Gobert nodded slowly.
"Rings true."
"Why?"
"You're stronger than anyone I know. Everyone's dying to use you."
Ah, that angle. Made sense.
"So, Gobert. Got your bearings now?"
"Yeah... If that light and laughter mean a positive future, then yes."
Meaning he'd stick to his secret plan. Whatever it was, Kosa would spill later.
"Came for your advice, but you pointed me another way."
"Told you, can't speak freely. Last year at the palace, I'd nag endlessly. But now? In uncertain times, hold your tongue."
"Fair. I get it."
"Got questions for you, words to say—but not today."
He looked awed, like I was some sage. Kid had no clue Kosa already knew it all.
Gobert hadn't come to spill everything. Just testing if I'd back his scheme. Otherwise, he'd whine like old times. My silence threw him. Smartass commander now.
"Anyway, one thing I can say."
"What? I'm listening."
"Whatever you decide, I won't boss you. But don't let it hurt the inn. If you or Elua fuck that up, might get a headache."
His face hardened. Headache for him, he got it.
"Understood."
The door opened. Kamei stood, eyeing Gobert. He met her gaze, downed his beer. Marim lunged—but he stood.
"Gotta head back, bro."
"Busy commander life."
"Hate cutting our reunion short."
"Come again. Or I'll visit headquarters."
Gobert's face lit up, grabbing my hand.
"Really come? Word ahead, I'll roll out the red carpet. Serious, bro. No joke."
"Yeah. I'll call first."
"You must! Stay days, catch up, cards like old times. And..."
"Got it. Go. Your guard captain's glaring."
* * * * *
I walked him to the yard. A Dimensional Gate shimmered, legion soldiers guarding it. Kamei ignored me. Stoic woman.
We hugged, clapping backs.
"Stay safe, Gobert."
"Business booming till we meet, bro."
He waved repeatedly, reluctant steps into the gate. It snapped shut. I headed straight to Kosa's room.