Diaries of an Ooze Witch (Entry 3.9) (Patreon)

3.9

After some consternation, I decided it would be best to take the task of infiltrating the Slums more slowly to avoid the watchful eyes of the Uhl-Kattan. It vexed me greatly to make such a decision, but squandering my opportunity for answers would be foolhardy and reckless. Better to look for an opening in their defenses than to charge in without a plan. As loathe as I am to admit, I am lacking in connections and influence in Placedo. Aside from Jeru, I also had no friends or allies to help me in my investigations. It was a very troubling position to find myself in, a position that I was very keen on rectifying.

As fortune would have it, I believe I may have found an opportunity to change my place in the city. I was attending service at the Church of Her Eminence during the day of rest when I came across a familiar face. Seated in the pew in front of me, I spotted a fierce young woman paying special attention to the sermon. At first, I didn’t think twice about her and continued listening to the words of the pastor. However, as my gaze returned to her time and again, my recollection spurred itself to remember her face. That chiseled body and dirty blonde hair, the slightly tanned skin covered by a forest green tunic and black apron… It was that blacksmith woman who had been speaking with the Boheme Trading Company the other day! While she might not have any way of getting me closer to my true goals, there was a chance that she might be able to shed some light on the inner workings of how Placedo does business in and of itself.

She must have had a sixth sense for being stared at, for as soon as I had set my sights upon her, she turned in her seat and gazed back at me with at first an expression of shock before letting her face relax into a more subdued smirk. Unable to turn away, I could only stare into her eyes as I let their coldness numb me to my surroundings. Time seemed to slow down under her withering attention, the beating of my heart resounding like a drum inside my chest. It would only be by the grace of the Goddess that the sermon would end and the Congregation stood in unison that I could be saved from such a suffocating gaze.

Stepping outside the church for some air, my eyes spied the fierce woman once more, this time by the front garden. Now that I knew what I was dealing with, I steeled my resolve and put on a brave face before marching over to her again. Feeling emasculated from our previous encounter, I was determined to hold my own before this intimidating woman. As she turned to face me, I felt my knees grow weak as she looked upon me with a measure of pity and amusement. I could not allow my courage to fail me again as I tensed my fists and vowed to not buckle under the pressure. Laying on what charm I could muster, I introduced myself to her as Joseph de Steele, second son of the Steele Family and their representative to the city of Placedo. She appeared unimpressed by my attempts at what could be considered the random flirtations of a socially awkward young man, but that wasn’t enough to drive her away. Attempting to press my luck, I inquired about her name, hoping to find a way to keep the conversation going. Surprisingly, she told me her name was Heidi with an almost playful tone, signaling that my advances were at the very least tolerated.

From there, I felt words tumble out of my mouth in an attempt to keep her attentions on me. Judging by her continued presence, I must have done something right to keep her interested in me. Before I knew it, we had wandered from the grounds of the Church and into the nearby marketplace. It was there that she suggested we continue this discussion at a party the following evening. Nervous at the prospect, I inquired where the event would be held, only to receive the answer of the Diacyst Mansion in the very center of Placedo.

I could barely control my excitement at hearing this. The Diacyst Mansion was owned by Matthiu Diacyst, one of the wealthiest merchants in not just Placedo, but in Ventigiore Province and quite possibly the kingdom of Wide itself. Not only that, but Diacyst was also an integral player in the Boheme Trading Company. This was potentially my big break in the matter, a chance at finding out what was truly happening behind the scenes of the iron market. Without thinking, I accepted Heidi’s invitation to the party, drawing a smirk from her lips. It wasn’t long after that she excused herself and made mention that she would have a carriage to pick me up tomorrow evening and that I should wear something presentable. I nodded along dumbly, still too entranced by my fortune that I couldn’t see the scheme through for what it was.

It was only until after I departed company with Heidi that I found myself second guessing our interaction. Had she really stomached my awkward buffoonery out of her own interest, or was she acting on orders that were not her own? It seemed too perfect that a severe woman like that would be anything but dismissive of a lowly worm like myself unless she was also working to pull me into some sort of trouble. However, as true as that might be, I could not put it out of my mind that Heidi was indeed the best lead I had since coming to the city. If I were to deny her now, there was no telling how much longer I would have to wait before getting another bite.

Forging ahead was my only choice in the matter.