Chapter Thirty Four: The Taxidermy Specialist

It was already dusk. The Dark Master is facing someone with his sticky pole pointing in that person's direction.

"I need an answer. Now."

The voice was tough and demanding; again, it was more of a command rather than a request. He instantly knew what is at stake at this point, so he is trying to mince his words so as not to attract disrespect or undue suspicion.

"But this is gross cheating," he simply said. He is a Taxidermy Specialist, the maker of the physical aspect of the Sinister Agents, one of the main contentions in the Prudence Wars. It was supposed to be an independent role for the Taxidermy Specialists to keep their creations secret, to be revealed not until the actual duel in which the "taxidermy skins" will be used, and it is rather the Group of Seven that fully directs its main operations. 

"Do you think this is rather a request?" the Dark Master said with contempt. "I need the Steel of Willows at once, and nobody can stop us. Not even you. You have to make these suitable skins for our victory."

The Taxidermy Specialist scoffed in a fully menacing way. His voice was full of contempt.

"I have my own powers. I am not afraid of that sticky pole," the Specialist fought back.

The Dark Master gave out a wan laugh. He couldn't believe that someone like this lowly Taxidermy Specialist dares to contradict the wishes of the Masters of the Darkness. This poor person is about to witness the immense impetus of the constellations and the stars.

"You seem unperturbed, and defiantly calm," the Dark Master said. "You will arrange for a Potioneer to win regardless of the circumstances that points to the efforts made by the Dark Masters. The Group of Seven can vote on a split decision. Surely you can do that?"

The Taxidermist was visibly disgusted of the suggestion of fraud, but he had no other choice but to heed the command. The time is not now; the final reckoning of this invisible bondage will come at a much later date.

"I can only make the skins, but I have no control of the Mages who would give them their fully fake life," he replied blankly. "That must be out of the question."

"Of course," the Dark Master said, very pleased with how the casual arrangement is going. "We have other plans that you most certainly do not need to know."

"And how about the rules? I do not wish to be in deep trouble with the law," the Taxidermist said with grave concern. "My skins are my craft, and it can be traced back to my own making."

"You won't be," the Dark Master assured him. "Nobody would know. And then, the alchemy of the Steel of Willows will be all mine."

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