Osha Daman inquired with evident curiosity, her gaze fixed on Eren.
"Argo? If I recall correctly, he's your demon beast companion, isn't he? There's been scarce mention of him over the past decade. What's he been up to?"
Eren's lips curved into a knowing smile before he answered. "That guy is always up to no good. He's been quite occupied with his business ventures."
While Eren's response wasn't entirely false, it only told part of the story. Argo had indeed shared his ambitions with Eren. The demon was indeed working to extend the reach of his Billy's restaurant chain throughout the land of Anfang. However, the majority of Argo's time was devoted to his demonic cultivation.
Argo was fostering the emotion of gluttony within patrons who frequented his restaurants. Being a Demon Prince of Gluttony with a soul fragment of Beelzebub residing within him, Argo's ascent within the hierarchy of Anfang wasn't governed by conventional rules. With Billy's restaurant chain drawing in a growing customer base over the past nine years, Beelzebub's soul fragment had been steadily strengthening.
As Eren and Osha conversed, the latter's order manifested on a levitating platform seemingly out of thin air. Lifting the cocktail to her lips, she took a delicate sip before continuing with another question.
"I've also heard that you've managed to establish another bond with a demon beast companion. Naya – Birmond's companion. How did you accomplish something like that?" Osha inquired, savoring the flavors of her chosen cocktail.
Eren's eyebrows arched in surprise, the swiftness of information spread in Edinburgh striking him. Particularly when such news involved prominent figures like himself. He inhaled deeply, a moment of acknowledgment preceding his response.
"Indeed, that's right. However, these are rather minor affairs that don't require your attention," Eren replied, his tone composed. He realized the need to direct their conversation toward the matter that brought him to her.
Small talk and attempts at building rapport could wait. His recent months had been laden with numerous pressing tasks, leaving him with scant time for wooing a Sage. Thus, he abandoned the idea and focused on the purpose that had prompted him to invite Osha to the City of White Raven.
"Ah, well, this should be interesting," Osha's curiosity was piqued by Eren's altered demeanor. Casting a discreet glance around, she deduced that the enchantment woven into the restaurant isolated their conversation from the prying ears of other patrons.
Clearly, Eren had something rather confidential to discuss. "Go ahead, Eren. I'm all ears," she prompted, taking another sip of her cocktail.
Eren fixed his gaze on Osha, his voice earnest as he began, "Sage Osha, the lines from the poem you recited during my graduation event still echo in my mind. They resonated deeply with me."
His gaze turned introspective as he sought to recall her words. With the precision of memory, he recited the closing verses, "Now I stand proud, a victor's crown, with all my foes beaten down. I wonder, is there anyone who can match my stride? Or am I alone, at the summit of my pride?"
Osha's faint smile attested to her recognition of her own verses, composed casually but evidently retained in Eren's memory even after nearly a decade.
"Hehe. Yes, those were indeed my words. But what relevance do they hold in the present?" Osha inquired, her attention divided between Eren's words and the ongoing spectacle on the spectral screen displaying the Ranker battle.
Eren's gaze remained on the spectacle as well as he explained.
"Sage Osha, you've conquered the peak of Anfang, breaking into the Sage Rank. However, this is just one realm, one summit. Beyond Anfang's boundaries lies a broader expanse – grander worlds.
I wonder if you're content to have your pride confined to the limitations of this world or if you're ready to venture beyond Anfang, transcending its restrictions?"
Osha's response remained momentarily withheld as she continued to observe the screen, a quiet smile gradually emerging. Eventually, she turned toward Eren, her voice laced with amusement as she playfully echoed his own lines.
"What did you say at that time? Oh yes: "Your summit is merely a stepping stone for me."" Her gaze softened as she addressed Eren more directly.
"So that's what you meant by those words. You intend to step out of Anfang's bounds while still in the Master Rank."
Eren nodded, his attention still partially caught by the unfolding battle.
"Exactly. Over these past nine years, I've accumulated knowledge and somehow stumbled upon a way to escape Anfang. And yes, I've learned quite a bit." A disappointed click of his tongue followed as the Ranker he supported suffered an injury during the ongoing duel displayed on the spectral screen.
Osha's response was a thoughtful silence, her gaze unwaveringly on the screen. But then a knowing smile curved her lips. Turning to Eren, she added more seriously.
"Despite the risks, you have made up your mind, huh? And it appears you gauged from my poem that I harbor little to no allegiance to Edinburgh or Anfang Alliance. That I possess the audacity to explore avenues beyond the Alliance's offerings, avoiding being used by them." Her expression shifted to a contemplative one.
"However, there's something you might have overlooked. I…"
Eren anticipated her thoughts and promptly reassured her before she could articulate her concerns. "You'll receive the protection of an Immortal patron before entering the Immortal Plane. Plus, Sage Altair Argas himself has approved of this plan."
Altair's name carried the weight Eren intended. Osha's response was a thoughtful silence, her gaze shifting slightly, signifying the gears turning in her mind.
"It seems I'm not the sole Sage you have approached. Very well," she finally broke her silence, her tone resolved. "Give me all the details." With this invitation, she granted Eren permission to elaborate on his plan, her seriousness underscoring her intent to comprehend the proposal in its entirety.
Eren meticulously outlined his plan to Osha, his voice measured and patient. He addressed each of her inquiries with thoroughness, leaving no detail unattended.
AN: The poetry challenge between Eren and Osha was covered in chapters 1242 and 1243.
