This was the dirty business of Malefactors, a group specializing in the smuggling, manufacture, and distribution of illicit substances.
Silvie had not yet realized the full extent of how grim this organization could be behind closed doors.
Lady Evelyn maintained a playful tone throughout their conversation, her eyes directly on her servant, who caught a rather interesting glimpse.
She saw a flicker of uneasiness in Lady Evelyn's eyes; it was difficult to decipher, but it felt as if a mother were warning her daughter not to follow too closely in her footsteps.
It was unfortunate that the next revelations of the day would further shatter her perception of them.
Sir Daishi revealed that they smuggled a substance into the empire known as Black Sea Ink.
The GPA, Gravenhurst Purity Authority, was the governing body responsible for overseeing many aspects of Umbridge's administration, including the task of ensuring such contraband never reached the public.
The store owner's role extended far beyond the disguise of a humble baker. Behind the shop lay a concealed workstation, where he crafted the illicit substances in secret, always under the wary presence of the GPA.
But there was more. Daishi further explained that Black Sea Ink served as a key ingredient in their most valued creation: the drug known as Maryland.
He admitted that the syndicate distributed it throughout Gravenhurst, its hallucinogenic and intoxicating effects forming one of their most lucrative sources of income.
Such actions, of course, were punishable by death if ever brought to light. Silvie, hearing this, felt an ache of displeasure settle in her chest.
"Now that I bear this knowledge, I am in danger," she thought inwardly. "If I ever turn against them, organizations like this do not hesitate to dispatch those who betray them..."
"I must be careful..." Silvie murmured...
There was silence, a dialogue that needed to be spoken. The servant knew she had to play her cards right. They had revealed this to her, and it was only natural to assume it was a test of loyalty. Her mistress and the store owner eagerly awaited her response, and Silvie knew her next words needed to please their ears.
"What choice do I have?" she muttered to herself, drawing in a deep breath. In the end, she remained Lady Evelyn's servant.
"What's with the conflicted expression, Silvie?" the mistress asked suddenly, her eyes narrowing on her servant.
The pressure was palpable.
"Oh!"
"Thank you for telling me, my lady. I'll do everything in my power not to fail your expectations. Is there anything else I must understand, anything that might help me earn the right to serve as a Scripter of the Malefactors?"
For now, she resolved to cooperate. Ever since being brought here by Lady Evelyn, this had become her new life. All she could do was adapt to the reality before her.
The store owner and mistress appeared satisfied that there was neither resistance nor objection from Silvie.
Matters were proceeding smoothly.
"There are many ways you can prove yourself to the Malefactors. Daishi, what do you think?" Lady Evelyn asked as she sipped her iced coffee. Her words only deepened the servant's unease, so much so that she could not bring herself to drink from her own coffee.
Silvie already expected that whatever came next would be something against her will.
The store owner contemplated, then, after a few moments, suggested, "We'll have to know if you're truly on our side. I think we should start by having her assist with the distribution of the candies..."
"...Candies? Is that a drug?" Silvie asked cautiously.
"They're only pastry shop special candies. All you need to do is sell them to the public. For that, we'll have to change your hair color, it gives you away..." At Sir Daishi's words, Silvie's face twisted with sorrow.
The thought of her white hair being sullied was too much for her to bear.
"I see, I'll sell these candies..." the servant murmured, though she couldn't help but wonder if these candies were even normal. Still, the task seemed far too easy compared to what she had expected.
Lady Evelyn noticed the conflict in her servant's expression and gently added, "Do not worry. We'll use a dye that can be washed out almost immediately. I, too, would hate to ruin your beautiful white hair."
Silvie calmed at her mistress's reassurance. She glanced at her own hair and gave a small nod. "I thank you for your consideration," she said softly.
But with the sound of a coffee mug being set down, she heard, "Do you have any objections?" the store owner said in a grave tone.
The servant knew she had only one option.
"I'll do my best, Sir Daishi... and Lady Evelyn..." Even if it went against her morals, and even if she dreaded the unknown of what those candies might bring, she could only hope the future would be kind, and most of these things were a byproduct of her overthinking and over-worrying...
"Very well, try to drink your coffee. You don't want to sip it once it's warm," the store owner urged.
Lady Evelyn chimed in, smiling faintly. "It tastes wonderful, Silvie, Daishi's brew never disappoints." The two understood that the servant wasn't accustomed to such a life, that all of this was overwhelming for her.
It was, perhaps, their attempt to lighten the mood.
Silvie listened and nodded, her hands tightening around the still-cold glass.
Yet, in the way she gripped it, a faint tremor showed. Everything that had transpired had affected her more than she expected.
Now that the dust had begun to settle...
The mistress had a few words to say.
"Even if she isn't going to become a Scripter right away, while she's in the process of proving herself, I believe it's only wise to let her build up resistance to Black Sea ink. Wouldn't you agree, Daishi?"
Silvie was intrigued. She finally took a sip of her coffee; the caramel flavor genuinely delighted her, even calming her down.
"Building resistance to Black Sea ink? What does that mean?" the servant inquired.
"Glad you asked," Sir Daishi replied, clearing his throat before what seemed to be an important lecture.
"In order to become a Scripter, one must drink a particular mixture known as an elixir..."
He paused briefly...
"Without proper preparation... it might just kill you," he said calmly, heavy with morbid implications.
Silvie, on the other hand, did not allow that knowledge to weigh her down. She summoned her courage and asked, "Sir Daishi, please... tell me more about these Elixirs, and how to... survive them."
Suffice to say, the store owner respected her resolve...
"Very well..."
Chapter End...