The darkness in the streets was accelerated by the whitish light of lanterns. A large group of people settled chaotically, but did not create noise. Upon arrival, De Montier reacted without undue enthusiasm and trepidation. He went ahead and began to discuss a breakthrough into a small world with an important kind of people. Ink tried to follow, but he was neatly pushed aside by people in formal suits.

Around the buffer elite and the community of magicians of the zero world, an empty space was imperceptibly formed. It was impossible to eavesdrop on the conversation. Ink was afraid to stretch the threads of consciousness , but could not read lips. Even if he could - everyone spoke their own language, somehow a polyglot with great experience could decipher it without duplication with a mental speech.

Soon, certain ritual activities began, the meaning of which Ink did not understand. As a result, the window into the small world was successfully opened. Its height was much greater than after the manipulation of Arsi . A group of people of different appearance and age easily jumped into the aisle. Glam was among them. Everyone around, following a certain plan, began to disperse in different directions, freeing up even more space around the transition window.

" Ink ," Kiass came up with a joyful smile and invited me to a cup of tea at a nearby establishment.

At a round-the-clock cafe table with an unexpectedly empty room, Ink sat down with mixed feelings. The alchemist is his misadventure companion, but now the situation is somewhat different. It's not that they are on opposite sides of the barricades, but Glam sold it, and the metal one still remains a student of the clan outcast from the great five of the buffer nicknamed Mad.

"You're now a member of Goodar Castle," Kiass looked thoughtfully into the tea mug. - Congratulations on joining the strongest clan buffer.

"As long as I see little reason for joy," Ink tasted the drink and grimaced. The tinted slurry was bitter. After a couple of spoons of sugar, she became barely edible. In the end, he decided to follow the example of the alchemist and set aside the mug. - It's rather unpleasant to realize that you were sold like cattle in the market.

"Not really," corrected Kiass . "As I understand it, because of our maneuvers, Glam's plan fell through and he found a new way to provide protection for his students." To give you under the wing of the fittest in the buffer is also a kind of defense. Sale ... Get used to it. Clans happily betray and sell their family, not to mention the people they are strangers to. They are not bound by bonds of warm feelings, but by mutual interests. For example, here.

Kiass put a bag with embroidery on the table. Ink saw exactly the same thing , watching the conversation of the blood mage and the representative of the Letu clan - a relative of the alchemist sitting opposite.

"What an interesting drawing," Ink said, and glanced at the bitter tea.

"It seems you guessed it," the metal nodded. - There's poison inside. The family asked me to poison you. If you really know how to change Ahrimans so that they have eyes, then work with the flesh of people should also be subject to them. This is a significant income item for the Letu clan . The main thing is that very many forces need it, which means it provides the alchemists with communications and protection. Clan survival is at stake ...

- You poisoned me?

"No," Kiass grinned bitterly. - I owe you. Moreover, if I harm you, I will cause the anger of Castle Gudar. Losing your body is just one problem. Even immortal spirits can be destroyed in the zero world. It is difficult, long, but still real. The Letu clan framed not only you, but me as well. Even after the ascension, I did not consider them part of my family in the full sense of the word, and now ... they have lost the chance for my sympathy.

"Did you say that to them?"

"Of course they don't know anything." I feed them a lie about how poison has not affected you. They don't need to know about my attitude. They can still be used. You will not begin to share such information with those who tried to poison you? I don't even know how this poison works.

"I won't," Ink nodded .

"Fine," the metal clasped his hands into the lock. - Then we will discuss one more question. Stay away from Arsi .

"Worried that she will do something to me?"

- No. I have plans for her. I want to make her my woman. Do not try to bother me, otherwise one day your food may really be poisoned.

"You ..." Ink was speechless. - Are you serious? Led on her terrible game?

"Don't make me laugh, Ink ." I never believed in her sympathy for me, as I did not believe in the good feelings towards you that arose from scratch in a small world. Arsi wanted to get something from me, now her goal is you, the next one, perhaps, will be Grank . Do not think of any nonsense, like romance. Glam put up with her. He pretended to be an unfriendly guy, but let's be honest - he is not one of those who will stand on ceremony with at least someone. Doesn't his attitude speak of the importance of Arsi ? Her background cannot be as ordinary as she tells. She is a valuable ally. To have such a partner on the path to development ... This is very tempting. Everyone in the buffer wants to rise, to go to the first world - it already looks like a dream. Second world, third ... next? How does it feel to be there? Become stronger and more powerful? It may be in the world of the gods where you came from otherwise, but in the zero world pragmatism comes first.

"Yes," Ink clung to one thought, "when we first appeared in the buffer." You guessed my origin ... how?

- Usually they don't talk about this, but I will explain. Consider it a full repayment of my debt to you. " Kiass relaxed and lowered his voice. - The spirit in the world of reflection advised me to choose abilities for myself as long as possible so that my body could be saturated with pure energy. Then she accidentally said a word ... Only the descendants of the first generation gods, born outside the zero world, have a more or less formed subtle body. Only for them it is possible to develop in the buffer or is enough here to be in the world of reflection again. All others, at best, will develop their subtle body to its initial maturity in the first or second world. From there one cannot get into the world of reflection. This is the privilege of a zero world. When you said that you were going to open the way to the world of reflection with your power ... Yes, and so confidently. It was not difficult to draw conclusions.

Ink wanted to argue, but there was the sound of an explosion. The glass in the cafeteria shook. A demon roar swept through the city of mortals.

Ink and Kiass rushed out. The unpaid bill did not bother them at all, nor did the waiters, who began to call emergency services. Several visitors ran out on the street and began to record everything that was happening on video.

"Why ..." Ink couldn't believe his eyes. Demons came out of the aisle window into a small world. They roared, rushed at passers-by, smashed cars, beat windows, grabbed people and quenched their hunger and thirst for blood. The body of one of the giant monsters was covered by fire, the flame scattered from his clawed hands to the sides. Several apartments in the house near the aisle were blazing. People shouted, some did not believe what was happening, and representatives of the clans simply stood by. "Why don't they fight demons?" How can they let them eat people?

" No one cares about mortals," Kiass answered evenly .

Several clan fighters in familiar gaudy robes jumped out of the aisle window; some had weapons in their hands. Following them ran demons. The reborn ones rushed into the crowd of onlookers and when the monsters were distracted by new victims, they abruptly went back to the small world. More and more people went out trying to find out what was going on. Victims multiplied. The situation was repeated several times until all the demons were brought out.

The fighters of the buffer eventually began to carry the load. Some carried familiar slime containers, others carried metal bags that Kiass was so interested in in a small world. Next came people with the corpses of small monsters.

"Glam," Kiass pointed to a soot-covered mentor.

Ink took a closer look. The former teacher did not grow extra limbs, but took out a pendant in the form of white wings from his pocket. Fingers crumbled jewelry and at that moment the world trembled. A streak of radiance cut through the sky. It was not the light of the Sun, but rays from another space. A massive humanoid figure descended from the gap with six wings behind his back and a shining spear in his hand.

- Daemon! the creature roared and waved a spear toward the monster.

The flash incinerated the monster, without affecting anyone from the environment.

- Daemon! - A new wave and another monster turns into falling ash flakes.

He screamed once at a time, until he destroyed all the monsters from the small world.

"Heavenly host," muttered Kiass with a touch of fear . - Overseers and defenders of the zero world.

Ink tried to remember this creature in full detail. The winged one turned to face him and raised a spear.

- Daemon! - there was a cry.

Ink became cold when he saw death rushing towards him. He did not even have time to jerk when the beam broke up, and a huge female hand formed around the winged of white energy. From the elbow, she broke off in space, scattered by the currents of fog. A palm gripped the figure, squeezing fingers broke her wings. The winged roared.

- Stop it! - a loud roar came out of the gap in space. - Leave my servant!

"He broke the contract," the voice of the spirit of reflection sounded everywhere and nowhere. "He attacked the one he should protect."

"You punished him." It's enough.

- Enough ?! - the spirit spoke with indignation and increasing fury. - Yes, who do you think you are! Since when are you so lazy that you begin to destroy the enemies of the world only after conscription? Do not make out the right and the guilty. I think I need to remind the brazen dog of her place!

Another white hand appeared in the air. A palm jerked into the radiant passage. A golden shield flashed in front of her, but it broke right away, breaking apart by fragments.

- No! Wait! - a panic appeared in the voice from the fault. - What do you want?

The spirit of reflection stopped. In the ensuing silence, one could clearly hear the noise of cars passing through the neighboring streets and the cries of winged pain. Ink looked around. None of the inhabitants thought to do anything. They stood with empty eyes. Some, with slow mechanical movements, deleted recordings from their devices.

"A stone with energy," said the spirit of reflection. - Send him here. I need a stone from the fifth world.

- Why from there? I can…

- Do you want to argue? - the prisoner of the world of reflection interrupted the invisible interlocutor.

- No…

Everyone stood in silence for about fifteen minutes. No one dared to break the silence or somehow intervene in what is happening. Ink at this time recalled the conversation of Arsi and the spirit of reflection in the white world.

"Already then she talked about it. Did she plan so far? How much more intelligence do you need in order to implement such a plan? No, not even intellect ... She should know about everything that happens in the buffer and clans, otherwise it will be so impossible to predict the development of the situation. "

"This is what you requested," said the voice. Ink did not notice the stone with energy. At such a great distance, he could not even see the winged in detail. - Want to reward someone?

- No. Just have fun, one of the white hands disappeared. - Later I will arrange a game. All clans will receive clues on where to look for the stone. I'm too bored to watch this world.

- Do what you want. My servant ...

A hand threw the winged one into the rift, causing an indignant roar of the unknown on the other side of the radiant passage. Nevertheless, he did not dare to be indignant in the open. The fault was closed. Representatives of the clans continued to pull various resources from the small world for several hours.

Ink watched the process without enthusiasm. Much more he was worried about what happened in the sky.

"None of the mortals will remember anything," Ink Kiass explained before leaving. -

It will block part of their memory, create false memories. The world will continue to live in its own way, because a very long time ago the clans decided to allow it to develop without control from the gods. Previously, only the governors of higher powers, their descendants, could be rulers. Now ... even a simple faith in gods, heroes and sacred animals is almost gone.

When the passage to the small world was closed, De Montier suddenly did not appear himself. He held by the scruff of a battered young man. Ink recognized him as one of the representatives of the clans who entered the small world first. The comrades of the person he had captured tried to stop the strongest buffer man, but the head of the castle, Goodar, simply disappeared into the air along with the victim.