Chapter 381 - Back to Square One
I was kept busy with the Magic Doll Club every day, and it felt like quite a while had passed before I finally heard any news about the aftermath of Badu Lot.
Even as I lived my unremarkable daily life, I could never forget them while I remained cursed. Hoping for good news, I headed to the meeting point in the entertainment district, deciding to walk and soak in the nighttime atmosphere for the first time in a while.
Even in a bustling district full of guys looking for a pick-up, none seemed brave enough to approach a woman with such a fierce-looking eyepatch. It made for a comfortable walk.
But even if it was comfortable, my mood didn't lift. My left eye, covered by the patch, and the constant mana turbulence made me feel as if my hands and feet were shackled. The only saving grace was that thanks to the custom talisman, I was largely free from physical pain. Without it, I wouldn't be much use as an instructor or as a guard for my little sister.
The agony of the curse had surpassed the limits of what stoicism could endure, making me realize the true brilliance of that talisman. It made me feel like I could even donate to the church on a regular basis.
My physical condition felt like I had a slight fever, so it didn't affect my daily activities, and I'd already grown used to it. The fact that the pain in my left eye had subsided was a massive relief.
Nevertheless, the turbulence in my mana meant I couldn't perform the delicate mana manipulation that used to be as natural as breathing, which was still a problem. It was unsettling to have the use of the special magic that made me a powerhouse affected. Some spells now took longer or required more focus, and most notably, my inability to use Combat-Form Metamorphosis was a heavy blow, as it was like losing my trump card.
There was anxiety, and it was undoubtedly inconvenient. However, I didn't intend to give up just because it was currently impossible. Just as I had once overcome magic-sealing and interference magic, I wouldn't give up on the curse, either. There was also the reason that I didn't want to go all the way to the church's headquarters just to have the curse removed.
"Hey there, lady. How about we..."
I looked back at the voice, and a smooth-talker turned pale and ran away. What a rude guy to do that to such a beauty. If I saw him again, I'd punch him.
Oops. I was so lost in thought that I'd arrived at my destination before I knew it. The usual basement bar.
I entered the bar a little later than the appointed time, and found the usual figure in the usual seat. I ordered a drink, accepted the glass, and sat across from Moore, the high-ranking official of the Berleeza Intelligence Department.
"It's been a while."
"Yes, things have taken quite some time. But... that eyepatch might further enhance the reputation of the Witch of Thorns."
Moore seemed impressed for some reason. Well, the protector-like eyepatch was indeed cool. Though 'reputation' usually just meant baseless rumors spreading, so it wasn't exactly something I welcomed.
"It's nothing but a nuisance for the person wearing it. More importantly, did you get any info out of them?"
"We squeezed everything we could. Much of the testimony hasn't been verified yet, so I can't reveal everything."
I understood his caution. If he spoke about people involved without evidence, there was no telling what a violent organization might do. Especially since I was currently suffering from a curse, retaliation was expected. I made no effort to hide the fact that I was ready to raid them.
"I don't need to know everything. Just the stuff I'm interested in."
"That's wise, but the situation on our end has changed... First, the unfortunate news: they don't know how to remove the curse themselves."
While it was indeed unfortunate that the curse couldn't be easily broken, it was also something I'd expected. More importantly, I asked him what he meant by the situation changing.
"Actually... it has been decided that someone else will handle the capture of the individuals involved with them."
"Hah? Someone else is doing it? You've got to be kidding me. I won't be satisfied unless we crush them ourselves."
I was the one who had been hit, as the chairwoman. There was a huge element of personal feeling, and we couldn't just back down, as a matter of pride for our organization. I couldn't easily withdraw.
"I understand the way the underworld settles things, but the situation is becoming larger than expected."
Moore said with an unusually serious face, but I didn't quite get it.
"How could it get any larger than it already is?"
Berleeza was already in a dire situation. Destabilization efforts from outside the continent and the looming threat of an intercontinental war. The succession struggle within the Anastasia Union, which had deep ties to the royal family, and the machinations of the Medek-Legisarmo Empire. The corruption of nobles who allowed dark organizations like Badu Lot to run rampant. These were all linked, pushing the great nation of Berleeza into a crisis.
There were likely other issues, but for an Intelligence Department guy to say the situation was larger than expected, did that mean an even bigger bomb had been found? Given the timing, it must be information obtained from the interrogation of Badu Lot... Ah, how troublesome.
"...I said I couldn't reveal everything. Furthermore, Asralirith-sama has decided to move against the corrupt nobles. I understand your circumstances, but do not forget that this is Berleeza."
"Asralirith?! You mean..."
I recognized that name; there could only be one person Moore was referring to. Asralirith Loreidure Lea Berleeza. The fourth princess of Berleeza. An eccentric who went around defeating evil regardless of the trouble or damage she caused to those around her. Known with a mixture of awe and love-hate, her nickname was—the Evil Princess!
There couldn't be a better person to capture corrupt nobles in their own country of Berleeza. It was true that if the outsider Kikyou-kai stepped forward and crushed the nobles, Berleeza's pride would be at stake. Even if we did it secretly, crushing nobles was too big to keep completely hidden, and the issue of pride would be unavoidable. I could also understand that an organization like ours couldn't be compared to the pride of a nation.
"By crushing Badu Lot, your reputation has been sufficiently upheld. You also have the fact that you raided several houses before that. Leave the nobles to us, and please focus on the Anastasia Union. It is difficult for Asralirith-sama or us to move against them."
Hmm, but still...
The Anastasia Union was a powerful, combat-oriented organization with long-standing ties to the royal family. It was true that even the Intelligence Department or the Evil Princess couldn't easily take hostile action against them. As one of the three major families standing alongside the Grandmaster in Exembra, we were more or less on equal footing, and most importantly, we had the strength. To curb the Anastasia Union's excesses, we were a very convenient pawn.
After all, we were here to guard my little sister and keep an eye on the scion of the Anastasia Union. And we were asked to do so by the Grandmaster. Moore, who grasped the pride and current situation of all parties, must have felt that now was the time to have us back off.
We also had to respect Berleeza's pride, or our future activities would be in jeopardy. And I didn't want to get in the way of the Evil Princess. In fact, as a fan, I wanted to see her in action. I could also consider it a good thing if I could step away from a troublesome nuisance.
I touched my eyepatch, thought about it once more, and then drained my drink with a confident air.
"Fine. Whatever Berleeza does with its own troubles is your business, and it's got nothing to do with us. But I expect a level of treatment that matches our achievements so far."
"I promise to do as much as the Intelligence Department's authority allows."
Moore looked relieved that the persuasion had gone smoothly, and a faint smile played on his lips. Was he okay being a high-ranking official of the Intelligence Department? He seemed to lack enough caution, considering we'd only interacted a few times. Did he forget what kind of opponent I was?
"—I'm expecting you not to lie about those words, you know?"
If you betray us, I'll kill you. My eyes said it, despite my light tone. My eyes spoke as much as my mouth. I wouldn't force him to reveal what he said he couldn't. I'd back off when told to. I made sure to emphasize my attitude, so he wouldn't mistakenly think I was some 'good girl' he could use for his convenience. We'd put in a lot of effort and paid a price to get this far. It was impossible to have no reward.
Whether it was Berleeza's nobles or high-ranking officials of the Intelligence Department, I would bring the worst consequences if something happened. Of course, I didn't intend to stop at just Moore's death. I would bring a worse nightmare than he could imagine. I'd make them realize how our organization, Kikyou-kai—an organization of only women—had risen to become one of the three major families in that den of evil. I was proud to say our mountain of corpses was second to none.
I could think of and practice many ways to take on a national institution that we couldn't win against in a fair fight. As an evil organization, we had the experience and the skill.
A threat is both a warning and an expression of kindness. Do not make an enemy of Kikyou-kai. For both our sakes.
Moore, who was visibly breaking into a sweat, was desperately trying to maintain a poker face. It might be counterproductive to scare him too much. When I withdrew my piercing gaze, he looked at me with resentful eyes.
"Sorry about that, just a habit of the trade."
"Phew... I don't intend to underestimate you, but don't underestimate us, either, alright?"
"I know. You're a national organization of a great power, and we're just outsiders and a single private organization. Regardless of the process, the final result is clear. I truly want to get along with you."
I wouldn't be easily defeated, but this was the best thing to say. We'd already done enough clashing of pride. We probably wouldn't betray each other. For now, it was enough to believe that we wouldn't actively do so of our own volition.
"Ah, then that's fine."
Moore must have been thirsty, as he drained the rest of his drink and ordered another.
If I left now, it felt like we'd be parting on bad terms, so I decided to stay for a little longer. As I walked alone after leaving the bar, my thoughts turned to the Evil Princess after all.
If they didn't know how to remove the curse, I didn't care about Badu Lot, who were already finished. I'd been interested in the Evil Princess since I was in the Girls' Reformatory. I'd complained to Moore, but if she was going to crush the corrupt nobles instead of me, it wasn't a bad story at all. In fact, I was happy to be indirectly connected to her.
Hmm, maybe I should have asked Moore for an autograph after all? It wasn't the kind of atmosphere for joking today, so I'll try asking him next time. I actually wanted to meet her face-to-face, but I'm the chairwoman of an evil organization... Objectively speaking, I'd have the worst compatibility with that princess, who was like a champion of justice.
"If I hide my identity and just go as a fan...?"
The Evil Princess's ring I'd won at an auction before was still around my neck as a pendant. If I showed her that, she'd understand I was a fan in an instant. Maybe I'll try it in the near future, when all the trouble has been settled and I can leisurely sightsee in Berleeza. Well, setting aside the pleasant future, the trouble was far from over. I brought my thoughts back.
Just because we'd defeated Badu Lot didn't mean most things were settled. We'd only finished off a part of the enemy forces. There seemed to be imperial agents lurking around the scion of the Anastasia Union, and we were expected to finish them off. If someone was intercepting the love letters the scion had worked so hard to write, there was a high probability it was them.
I'll try to settle things with the scion for my original job of guarding my little sister and for the fundamental resolution of the problem. In doing so, the enemy would surely make a move. Also, I was curious about Moore's hint that a new bomb had been found. If he couldn't even tell me, who was so deeply involved, it must be quite a mess. Well, the Intelligence Department told me not to get involved. I'll stop caring as long as I don't get hit by the fallout.
Now that I'm away from unnecessary trouble, I'll focus on my original job.
"Alright, guarding my little sister. And the comeback of the Magic Doll Club. Let's do this!"
I was finding the instruction of the Magic Doll Club particularly interesting lately, and I felt it was worth doing. I'd need to adapt to the bold rule changes, and it seemed like I'd also need to gather information and scout other schools. I thought it might be going too far to even do some sabotage, but that would depend on how the other schools acted. Or should I have our side start something first? Whether to strike first or deliberately let the enemy do it first, thinking about such things was also part of the strategy. It's not good to rush in on a whim, but basically, if the rulebook doesn't say no, it's not a problem. It's the fault of the idiots who couldn't even imagine such a thing, despite changing the rules as they pleased. In fact, if I thought about it as contributing to the refinement of rule-making, I should even go ahead and do it as much as I could. Hmm, but it's not good for an advisor to be too pushy, is it? It's quite difficult for a proper student instructor to know where to draw the line.