In the basement of Saint Amanda Academy, Dorothy was surprised as she listened to Aldrich’s words. She hadn’t expected that his reluctance to destroy outstanding works to extract spirituality stemmed from his unwillingness to part with them.
"More like a craftsman than a Beyonder, perhaps?" she mused, echoing Aldrich’s earlier statement in her mind. Then, after a moment of reflection, she spoke.
“According to you, the connection between ‘Stone’ Beyonders and craftsmanship is very strong, isn’t it?”
“Indeed. We’re usually various types of craftsmen—stonemasons, blacksmiths, jewelers… even mechanics. Of course, there are exceptions, but the image of a craftsman is closely tied to us,” Aldrich replied naturally.
Dorothy nodded thoughtfully at his words, then remarked, “Craftsmanship and artisanship, huh? In any case, the way ‘Stone’ Beyonders extract spirituality is far better than the methods of the ‘Chalice.’”
“The methods of the ‘Chalice’... Haha, I’m glad you, Miss Mayschoss, still uphold basic moral principles. I hope you maintain that in your path ahead. But I must correct you—don’t assume all ‘Stone’-affiliated Beyonders practice as I do. Even among ‘Stone,’ there are forbidden methods,” Aldrich said with a chuckle.
“Forbidden methods for ‘Stone’?” Dorothy asked, surprised.
“Yes. The Crimson Eucharist you encountered earlier gains abundant spirituality by consuming human flesh and blood. But don’t forget—humans, as the primates of all creation, don’t possess spirituality solely in their flesh. I can tell you that human bones contain far more spirituality than ordinary stones. Among those devoted to ‘Stone,’ there are groups who kill for bones and craft items from them. They’re no more noble than the Eucharist,” Aldrich explained.
Dorothy was taken aback. She hadn’t expected even the seemingly peaceful ‘Stone’ to have such a bloody and cruel side.
Aldrich leaned back in his chair and asked casually, “That’s my answer. Do you have any other questions?”
After a brief pause, Dorothy asked, “Then, may I inquire why you’re willing to provoke the Eucharist to protect me?”
Though she sensed Aldrich’s goodwill, she couldn’t discern its origin.
“Provoke the Eucharist? Hmph… As I’ve said before, they broke the rules first, causing trouble on my turf. We White Stone Craftsmen never meddle in others’ affairs, but we won’t tolerate anyone running wild under our noses,” Aldrich replied coldly.
“White Stone Craftsmen?” Dorothy echoed curiously.
“You’ve never heard of us? Haha… Miss Mayschoss, it seems you’re quite new to the realm of beyond,” Aldrich said with a smile.
“As I mentioned, most ‘Stone’-affiliated Beyonders are craftsmen of various kinds. Naturally, craftsmen need to exchange knowledge, take on apprentices, and trade materials. This gave rise to numerous societies. Among them, the White Stone Craftsmen’s Guild is the largest.”
“Largest?” Dorothy was stunned.
She hadn’t expected the old man before her to be backed by such a powerful force.
“Indeed. The Craftsmen’s Guild is one of the largest secret societies. It includes various ‘Stone’-affiliated Beyonders and craftsmen, and its influence spans the entire continent. For instance, I’m the Guild’s representative in Igwynt,” Aldrich explained.
“One of the largest secret societies…” Dorothy was dumbfounded.
“Don’t be so shocked. The Guild is vast but loosely structured. Unlike tightly knit societies, we’re more of a craftsmen’s alliance,” Aldrich added, taking a sip of tea.”
“Our members are spread across the continent, present in every major city. The Guild adheres to a strict policy of neutrality. We don’t take sides—be it with nations, churches, or other societies. As long as no one offends us, we won’t act.”
“While we rarely associate with other factions, we do trade. Many forces covet our works, and as long as they can afford the price, we’re open to trading. This arrangement suits everyone.”
Aldrich continued, “I may dislike the Eucharist, but Guild rules prevent me from provoking them without cause. This time, they violated the rules on my turf, so I’m merely cleaning house. Helping you was incidental.”
Dorothy found herself thinking that the White Stone Craftsmen’s Guild was akin to a craftsmen-and-merchants association. Their neutrality and practicality ensured they could thrive anywhere.
“Regardless of whether it was incidental, your assistance is undeniable, and I must thank you. Moreover, you’ve generously shared so much mystical knowledge with me,” Dorothy said gratefully.
“Mystical knowledge? These are just common sense—not worth much. You’re a student of my school, and I admire your potential. Sharing this with you is just a small reward,” Aldrich replied dismissively.
Encouraged, Dorothy hesitated briefly before asking, “If that’s the case, may I ask you one last question? Do you know the initial advancement rituals for various spiritual paths?”
Her spirituality was nearing 10 points, and she was preparing for her advancement. This rare encounter with a neutral elder in the realm of beyond was an opportunity she couldn’t miss. However, she refrained from specifying a particular path to keep her intentions discreet.
“Advancement rituals…” Aldrich studied her before responding.
“I don’t know if you’ve accumulated enough spirituality or are simply curious. But I can tell you—the rituals for ordinary people to become apprentices are quite simple and largely uniform. I know them all.”
“All of them?” Dorothy’s eyes lit up.
Just as she was about to press further, Aldrich added, “Yes, but I can’t share them directly with you.”
“Why not?” Dorothy asked, puzzled.
“These pieces of information, though not particularly valuable, still hold some worth. While the basic advancement rituals are known to many with even minor mystical knowledge, they haven’t become widespread common sense. According to Guild rules, nothing of value can be given away for free—not even if it’s only slightly valuable.”
“I’m a strict adherent to the rules. If you want to know, you’ll have to pay,” Aldrich said, brushing dust from his clothes and leaning back.
“100 pounds—no negotiations,” he added, holding up a finger.
Dorothy froze. She felt as if she were back at the secret gathering a few days prior.