Chapter 218: Action Begins
Waiting was meaningless. After finally waiting for the day of the Agreement with the Three-No Princess, I impatiently shoved her towards Ryan. I thought I had kicked the trouble away, but Ryan told me with a businesslike Face that even though he would handle this Matter for me, I still couldn't just get away. Whether as the "mastermind" of this operation or the highest Leader, I had the Obligation to keep following it until the operation was successfully concluded.
God bless, the entire Western Kingdoms is now in chaos. Those Fallen Ones are probably still high from the Divine Birth Day celebrations, and now they're causing trouble with extra Effort. Just sitting in a Tavern for a bit, News like "Which unlucky Adventurer Team was hit by a Sneak attack" or "Which poor Village was looted" are already flying everywhere. The Quest Akara gave me felt like a red-hot Iron Plate stuck to my Buttocks, making me restless. Now, being unable to get away because I got involved in this Matter, "fire burning my eyebrows" isn't enough to describe my current anxiety. If I had to say, it's like squatting in the Restroom constipated with no paper, just as an extremely important phone call outside keeps urging me. Is it better to embrace the Despair of "everything is over," ignore the call, and squat inside looking for the Feeling, or heroically clench my Buttocks and run out to answer the phone? This might be the biggest Trial I've faced since coming to Sanctuary.
Another thing that annoyed me was the Attitude of that Three-No Princess. She always covered her Face with a Veil in a serious manner, and her Eyes rarely showed any Emotion. I guess even the Old and Cunning Akara wouldn't be able to read her Expression. After learning that I was handing the rest of the Matter over to Ryan, she didn't show any surprised Expression. Was she Oblivious or did she have Confidence?
A few more days passed. Ryan, who seemed to have gotten addicted to chatting with the Three-No Princess, finally seemed to remember that I existed. He called me over. He coughed a few times, revealing a businesslike seriousness.
"Cough, cough, Elder, regarding this operation, we have discussed it thoroughly, but..."
"Grandpa Ryan, don't keep me in suspense. Just tell me quickly." I urged impatiently.
"Alright. Then I won't be polite. This operation is like this..."
Ryan pulled a Scroll about a meter long from the Bookshelf and spread it directly on the Low Table. It was densely marked with Symbols and lines. Upon closer inspection, I was surprised to realize that this should be something like a Map.
"So that's how it is."
A moment later, I looked down at the Map on the table and pondered deeply. Although the entire plan was meticulous and complex, what the Adventurers needed to do was very simple. Now, everything was ready; we just needed this east Wind.
"As expected of Grandpa Ryan, there's no Weakness. If it can proceed as expected, perhaps not a single soldier will be needed."
I sighed, genuinely impressed. Indeed, the older the Ginger, the spicier it is. If it were me, I'd probably burst my Brain trying and still wouldn't be able to plan something so detailed and perfect.
"This isn't my Merit. From beginning to end, it was that Princess's idea. I couldn't find a single Loophole. If it were me, I couldn't have planned such a meticulous plan either. The younger generation is truly formidable."
Ryan stroked his white beard with a chuckle, a self-deprecating look like a front wave dying on the Beach.
In my mind, I couldn't help but recall the Three-No Princess's Eyes, which were filled with Confidence for a moment, and her calm and composed demeanor. Had she finally proven her Strength with action? Why were all the people appearing around me so extraordinary? Couldn't there be someone more ordinary to satisfy my vanity?
"Geleizi has sided with us and promised to provide some assistance. To avoid suspicion and maintain secrecy as much as possible, our Alliance will not provide any form of aid this time. We can only ask you to go alone. We believe your Strength is sufficient, you just need to pay extra attention to those few people."
"No problem. If that's the case, then they were originally my main Target for coming to Lut Gholein this time. It just works out perfectly."
I said, narrowing my Eyes. They've got some Guts. Making me so anxious, just wash your necks and wait obediently.
"That Princess hasn't left yet. She's Resting in the Guest Room next door. Do you want to see her?"
Ryan suddenly asked.
"Hmm, it's good to communicate before the operation." I nodded.
"Hoho—it's good to be young."
As I was led away by a Servant, Ryan let out a lewd chuckle unbecoming of an Old Man, muttering something softly. It seems this Old Man isn't a quiet person either. Is this a case of "like father, like son"?
In the neat and tidy Guest Room, Princess Marisa was sitting quietly on a Chair beside the Low Table. Her exaggerated Hat, like a giant steamed bun, was still eye-catching. A simple, pure white, form-fitting Robe accentuated her originally petite Body, making her appear even more graceful.
She sat there as if resting with her Eyes closed, holding a Porcelain Cup in both hands and taking a small sip of the hot Tea. Her entire being exuded a calm and peaceful Aura. Just looking at her from behind, one might even think it was an Old Woman brewing Gongfu Tea.
There didn't seem to be much to say. I sat opposite her, watching her curiously. She wasn't moved at all by my intense Gaze, acting as if I didn't exist. Her empty and indifferent Eyes seemed to be observing the Surroundings from another Act. Trying to out-patience this Three-No Princess was foolish. Excluding physiological factors, she could definitely stare at you silently until the end of Time.
"Is this really okay?"
After a long time, I finally couldn't help but ask.
Is there a problem?
She looked at me, tilting her Head slightly. She didn't speak, but she magically conveyed this Meaning to me.
"The other party is your Father. Even if you succeed, even if he knows you did it for his own good, do you think he will Forgive you?" I asked in a deep Voice. Once a gap forms between people, it's difficult to restore. Even if they understand each other in the end, they may not necessarily reconcile.
"It's nothing. This is the most perfect Result calculated."
Her petite Body trembled slightly before she answered indifferently. It seemed she wasn't as lacking in Feelings/Emotions as she appeared. Perhaps she was just introverted and withdrawn, shy, or even didn't know how to express her Feelings/Emotions. As an Otaku, I had similar experiences in my original Act, just not as severe as hers.
"..."
She refused to show her Feelings/Emotions, and I seemed to have nothing more to say. From then on, we didn't speak another word. The entire House was quiet, with only the occasional sound of her sipping Tea or pouring Tea, until the entire pot of Tea was finished. She suddenly stood up and smoothed her pure white skirt with her small hand.
"Tomorrow night. I'll wait for you."
Leaving this sentence without looking back, her Figure disappeared outside the Door.
I shook my Head, staring blankly at the empty Tea cup. Soon after, I also left Ryan's Home. Tomorrow night was the Moment Ryan had set for the operation.
A dark and windy night, a night for killing.
The Sky was shrouded in complete darkness. I looked up, and the Surroundings felt as if they were tightly covered by a black pocket. The occasional sparks and sounds only highlighted the darkness and silence of the Atmosphere, making one feel even more isolated, as if I were the only person left between Heaven and Earth. The Desert night was cold, and the Wind was strong. I tightened the Hook on my Cloak and stepped out of the dark Inn Door.
Following the instructions on the Map, I arrived at a desolate and chilling Plaza. This place was located near a dilapidated Temple. Because its Fame was too small, few people came here, but no one dared to demolish it for fear of incurring the crime of blasphemy. Thus, this small Temple had remained in this remote Corner, little known. There were only a few poor Monks inside. Some children from nearby might often play here, but it was night now. These little Guests had long since gone Home.
And now. In the depths of this Plaza, which should have been dark and silent, fire Light flickered faintly. As soon as I got close, a soft shout came.
"Who?"
Several tall Mercenaries raised their Torches and came towards me, watching me vigilantly.
"Don't panic, it's one of us."
A low male Voice sounded. The Voice came from a Man in Black protected by Mercenaries not far away. He slightly gestured towards me.
He should be the "Organizer" of this operation that Ryan mentioned.
Beside him, there was a chubby Man like a ball of Meat. Looking at him in the fire Light, his clothing was expensive, indeed very luxurious. He was clearly a Noble who had lived a life of privilege.
"Prince Az, this is the Expert we invited."
The "Organizer" waved for me to come forward and then introduced me.
Prince? I sized up this chubby ball of Meat. His outline did bear some resemblance to Jerhyn, but his Image... Could this kind of person really replace Jerhyn? Although I had Confidence in Ryan and that Three-No Princess, a big Question Mark couldn't help but pop up in my mind. Could this Man, who could be immediately classified as a corrupt official just by looking at him, have the Qualification to be King?
After controlling Jerhyn, if there was no Leader, the entire Western Kingdoms would definitely fall into internal chaos. Neither the Adventurer's Guild nor the Three-No Princess wanted to see this happen. Therefore, a new monarch must be immediately elected after he is controlled. In this case, one Method was most suitable: the Legend of usurpation. Selecting a suitable Candidate to overthrow Jerhyn and take his place would not only immediately solve the problem of having no Leader but also better conceal the Fact that the Adventurer's Guild was involved.
Therefore, this suitable Candidate was crucial. They must not only have Ambition but also Ability, at least capable of quickly quelling the various troubles and disputes after the usurpation and managing the entire Western Kingdoms well in the future.
This Three-No Princess's plan was quite clever. If this fatty really had this Ability, with his Status as Prince, he could not only quickly coordinate the various troubles brought about by the usurpation but also continue the Royal Family's Bloodline and Status.
And this so-called "Organizer" before me was the Representative responsible for instigating this ambitious Prince. As for what Method to use and how to make the other party believe, that was not within my consideration. Even if I didn't trust the Three-No Princess, I should trust Ryan, right? I just needed to do my part. Since I handed the Matter over to him, I must maintain full trust in him. Employ people without doubt, and don't employ those you doubt. This is a matter of principle.
This middle-aged Man named Prince Az, with a chubby Face, showed a friendly smile. He originally wanted to pat my shoulder, but seeing my cold demeanor, his hand instantly froze in Mid-air. However, he quickly reacted. His hand, frozen in Mid-air, smoothly adjusted his Hat to cover up the awkwardness, but he didn't show anger at my indifference.
Alright, at least he's not a stupid Pig. I secretly made a judgment and nodded slightly towards him, considering it a greeting.
"Everyone is here. Without further ado, let's Depart." The Organizer looked at the Time and whispered in the Prince's ear.
"Hmm, alright."
Prince Az took a deep breath. His obese Body trembled with his Movement, looking slightly nervous, but he quickly controlled his Emotion and showed a smile again.
"Lord, everything went smoothly."
Surrounded by over a dozen Mercenaries, we slowly walked towards the Palace. The Organizer, slightly behind, respectfully bowed to me in secret.
"Hmm, do as you please. I'm only Responsible for the Battle." I looked straight ahead and replied in a low Voice.
After he left, after walking only a few steps, I felt my Cloak being tugged. Turning my Head, a petite Figure dressed as a Mercenary was standing behind me.
"Why are you here? Wasn't it agreed upon?"
Although she was covered by the Cloak, I recognized who she was at a glance. According to the plan, shouldn't she be waiting quietly? If Prince Az found out, this operation would be ruined. Who would believe such an absurd Fact that the King's Daughter would let someone else usurp the throne?
She tightly gripped my Cloak, her lips bitten white, and her petite Body instantly exuded a weak Aura.
No matter what, she was just a fifteen-year-old Little Girl. Thinking of this, I couldn't help but stroke her Head through the Hood. Unfortunately, she wasn't wearing that soft, great-Feel Hat of hers. I really wanted to stroke it again.
"Are you worried about us?"
I walked beside her and suddenly said softly.
Her Footsteps suddenly paused, then she continued to follow my Pace.
Although she didn't respond, I was sure that was the case. She hadn't fully trusted us regarding the Agreement to Spare her Father's life, so she followed, risking the Danger of the plan failing.
Although her personality was a bit strange, she was indeed a good girl. I chuckled softly.