Chapter 25
25. Among All, The Most Cryptic Being
‘At our next meeting, it will be you who seeks me out. I have found that the distance to this place is considerable, indeed.'
Having uttered these audacious words, Arthur took his leave. Yet, I found myself ensnared by his enigmatic presence, transfixed in my seat long after his departure.
He had shared glimpses of his far-reaching visions, each revelation shocking, audacious, draining me of my mental reserves. Indeed, if I were to liken myself to Faust, then Arthur would undoubtedly take on the role of Mephistopheles. I was captivated by his blasphemous blueprint, standing at the precipice of the Brocken Mountain, where devils revel in their wicked dance.
My mind, lost in thought, was jolted back to reality by the audacity of a bold rat, its small head peeking out from the crevices, as if to determine whether I was man or mere object. At the sight of this, a sigh escaped my lips. Reflecting upon my circumstances, I was reluctantly led to a singular conclusion.
I was intricately woven into Arthur Frank's grand design from the very beginning. The realization that such an impetuous man could meticulously execute his plan was a revelation in itself.
Yet, why me? Surely, a more suitable candidate could have been found with ease. Yet Arthur, to the very end, had not deigned to reveal the answer to this intriguing question. Undoubtedly, he withheld this information intentionally, knowing my intense curiosity. A sly and distasteful individual indeed.
───Knock knock.
The knock at the door served as a lifeline, pulling me back from the abyss of my musings.