Vol. 3 Chapter 82: Countermove (Patreon)

Days of silence and peace, on my side at least. I let others take care of matters now. The extension of bandit hunting was still underway, no sign of the elf. Unfortunate, but the main plan was to reduce or better wipe out the bad elements around the capital. A good side was that the people were praising the palace’s actions.

The roads were safer, the merchants could deliver goods better. Civilians were more relaxed to travel if they can't afford protection or anything. Approval ratings were up! Congresswoman Estelia’s at it again! On my way to presidency! Gather up people! Vote for me! Safety is the best policy!

But judging from the report, we’re running out of bandits, or they’re going into hiding. Guess we’re almost successful in thwarting the Empire’s plans in crippling Wisteria. And that makes me happy. As for Rat’s Tail, everything’s still turning. Communication’s not easy.

Now that I was only waiting for results, I have some time to give in learning. Academics were easy, mostly what we did were reviews and refreshments of knowledge. Boring mostly, though. Next day, it was Lanivia’s day to teach. And I couldn’t be more excited.

And here I was playing the liathre, plucking the strings gracefully, releasing a soft tune.

“Your skills have not degraded since we last saw each other, good. I don’t have to worry about anything.”

“I have a very good teacher.” I blushed and hid myself behind the bridge of my instrument.

“Flattering, princess.” She giggled. “I believe the main thing we have to worry about now is your debut.”

“Yes. Do I really have to play? It’s, it’s embarrassing.”

“Of course, it is a must to play as a high-ranking aristocrat. You must dance as well.”

“That will be hard, why do I have to do both? Can’t it just be one?”

“You are royalty, Princess Estelia. As your brothers played and danced before you, it is mandatory for you to do both. Royalty is above all others, and you must show it.”

Ugh, this sucks. And dancing? Fuck. Playing instruments I can do, but dancing? Fuuuck.

“If only there is another way.”

“Unfortunately, there is none. You could perform only one, but that would reflect badly on your image. Remember, nobles from all over the kingdom will be attending.”

“...”

“Don’t be afraid princess, with practice I’m sure you’ll be able to pull everything off perfectly.”

Yeah, the priority was to practice and master one performance, so I don’t have to master the skill and art itself. Fear the man who honed a single skill to perfection, as they say. Not exactly the line, but it’s that.

“Yes, madame.”

“Excellent. Now then I suppose we’ll discuss what you’ll be playing at your debut. Anything in particular that you want to play?”

“I don’t know…”

“Hm, we could choose from what you already know, the ones we practiced. But they are pretty common.”

“I suppose.”

“I have compiled a list. Here.”

I read a small sheet of paper she gave me. “I don’t recognize any of these songs.”

“I will play them, you might like one. Although, why don’t you play an original song of yours?”

“I… I don’t compose.”

“What? You certainly made a melody in our past sessions.”

“Those were from… dreams.”

Oh shit, yeah, I did those. They were not originals at all! Fucking copyright is going to kill us all.

Lanivia adorably chuckled. “Oh your highness, you jest. Gaining inspiration from dreams is a sign of promising talent.”

Oh no, I made it worse!

I awkwardly laughed. “I think we should hear the songs in your list first, madame.”

“Very well.”

And thus, I listened while my teacher played the songs. Not the entire thing of course, just the main parts of it, ones that would really stick in your head. They were not bad, but I guess I have to pick the most amazing song of all. Even the rarely played.

Once it was over, we began discussing which songs would do good. At the end of the day, I decided about what to do and what to play. I will be practicing it when I have the free time. If I don’t have the free time, then I will have to find the time. Otherwise I’ll embarrass myself.

***

The day I have attempted to postpone as much as possible has come. It was Eleanore’s day to teach. When she arrived, she had that fierce look on her face. As what I would expect. Although, it had more intensity this time. Likely because of what I did. You know, the agents in their home and stuff.

Of course they didn’t know it was me. But apparently, it put her in a pretty bad mood. Oh yeah, Jalen was also here.

We used the first half of the day to see if I still had it, and didn’t get all rusty, I meant the etiquette skills. But that of course I had perfected. And surprise surprise, this includes dancing. Jalen was a bit disturbing, made me uncomfortable by how he always made eye contact. Stop it!

I’m, I’m just not gonna talk about it. Makes me feel exhausted already. If he had been a decent man, I would have been more tolerant. But no, he’s a womanizer. So fucking obvious. And oooooh, I can’t forget what he did to Mizia. Mizia has a trauma because of you! You fucking piece of shit!

I wanna choke his life out, this little fuck! Drag his beat down body in front Mizia and have her torture the hell out of him. But of course my dearest Mizia would never do something like that, she would be horrified. So it all falls down to the imagination.

You got away this time, Jalen.

“Everything appears to be in order,” said Eleanore. “We’ll discuss your dance for your debut. You have two options. One you do the Fluttering Petal. This one you will perform with others, but with a partner of course.”

Then I would have to find a partner. If I were to do that, hmmmm. Estevan? No rule says I can’t dance with my brother. But then again, the dance is quite, you could say, romantic, intimate…? Rogan? Hmmm. Lucious…? Yeah, no way.

Yeah, I’m running out of guy acquaintances. I glanced at Jalen. Oh yeah, that guy exists. Well, do you always recall the presence of trash where you last saw them?

At this rate, I’ll dance with a random guy.

Eleanore continued. “And the other is Graceful Gale. There is no need for a partner. However, you’ve not practiced this yet, and thus will be more difficult than the other. Furthermore, you will have to practice with other noble ladies.”

Ooooooooh! I remember that dance! The traditional dance where you dance with other noble ladies. A show of grace and beauty! Where we dress as beautifully as possible, and dance in the softest tune. But it’s a group performance. Then there’s the part where I have not practiced that at all. I was supposed to in the near future.

“So which will you choose, princess?”

Hmmm, learning something I have not yet learned would require more effort and time. While the other I only have a conflict of partners. Still, I am purity incarnate. So I know what to choose.

I glanced at Jalen, he smiled as if he was anticipating something good. What? You think I would pick you as a partner? Don’t be absurd.

“I think performing Graceful Gale will be beautiful.”

Yeah, fuck you Jalen. I just wanna spite the little shit. That’s why I chose that one! Haha!

“... I see. You will need a lot of practice.”

“That is fine. Learning is a great experience. Besides, I’ll be learning it in the future, anyway. Might as well take this chance.”

Jalen looked disappointed. But I don’t care.

“Very well. I will need to find you a team.”

“Actually, I think I have a few that I can ask. We’ll have enough members.”

“Ah, could it be that my daughter is one of them?”

“Yes, definitely.”

“If you invite the others, then it will be quite fitting to have daughters of capital nobles to perform by your side.”

“Indeed, I will send them an invite immediately.”

“Once I am done for the day, you may. But for now, as you have made your decision, we’ll start practicing after lunch. We’ll use all the time we have available.”

Dammit starting already.

And thus, come afternoon, we began practicing the new dance. While Jalen had nothing to do but watch. Gonna be a tiring day.

Hm, they haven’t got into the agents. They never mentioned anything. Even Lanivia. Did something happen that I was unaware of? Huh.

***

It was night. In a small neighborhood in the capital city of Wisteria, lies a group of three men gathered by the table, preparing to eat food already placed on top of it. They were in a common civilian house, one they bought from the previous owner for a good price. They had a good living, decent bed, lodgings, and a decent place to have a comfortable discussion.

“The food doesn’t particularly look tasty tonight.” Their leader tapped his fingers on the table’s surface.

“Now now, sir. I assure you it’s the same as usual,” the bearded, thin man said with an awkward smile.

“It’s not the food. He’s just too stressed about the situation.” A muscular man placed both his hands behind his head.

“Guess so. Been losing my appetite lately.”

“Either way, sir, you have to eat.”

“No, no. I want to think about what to do from here on out. Damn Wisteria.”

“Who would have expected that Wisteria could even do something like this?”

Recently, Wisteria had done something way beyond their expectation. Something that basically hinders the entirety of their plans, this group’s purpose in the first place. And because of what this damn country’s palace decreed, communication with their contacts has become hard, nigh impossible even.

“How do we communicate with those foolish nobles now? With those agents in their homes, I doubt they would initiate contact.”

“They really got us, huh boss?”

“Yes. How do I even tell this to the Emperor…?”

“Such bad news, he will not take it well.” The bearded man served his own plate, hungry.

It would be like basically telling the Emperor that they have wasted all the resources and the time given to them. Now they couldn’t control the nobles at their disposal. Even if they attempt to, the crown would get a whiff of their presence and track them down like hunting dogs.

“I didn’t even think Wisteria was capable of such an act. This I expect from the Empire!” the leader clicked his tongue, crossing his arms.

“Something got them stressed.”

“You think it could have something to do with that Vekenas fellow, boss?”

“His death may have put Wisteria on high alert. However, no, it doesn’t connect with their current actions. If that alone is the reason, there’s no way they would think about doing this.”

“You think they realized our presence?”

“We were careful.”

To make it worse, they had no clue as to who killed the Marquis. He was the only Marquis they had in control of, the weakest among them. Imagine their shock upon hearing the news of the Marquis’s death after they just spoke with him. Such a great waste of human resources. Would have been a useful tool.

“Maybe we were not careful enough.”

“... Perhaps. They may have discovered our presence somehow.”

Who killed the Marquis? They have no idea. It was certainly not done by someone on their side. It was doubtful, but there’s a chance that the crown did it. But given how sudden the death was, it's hard to conclude it was the palace’s doing. And they didn’t announce the Marquis’s betrayal or anything. Normally they would have at least a small proceeding then an execution.

But the way the Marquis died almost looked like it was done by an assassin. Granted it could also be ordered by the palace. But it was just hard to imagine they would.

“There’s too many things I cannot understand. There’s even that battle in the city. Not even from our side. At least, not that I know of.” the leader scratched his head.

“You think we can salvage the resources and contacts we lost?”

“It will be difficult. Oh yeah, there’s the matter of the bandits.”

“That too…”

“Our plans are being thwarted, one by one. Still, that doesn’t mean all the damage we did has been undone. Wisteria will need a long time to recover.”

After eating from his food, he said. “How did they even see through our plans? We were too subtle for that.”

“I have no idea.”

A rhythmic knock rang out from the door. The leader jerked his chin, ordering the muscular man to check the door. After confirming who it was, he opened it. A cloaked man, covered from head to foot, entered the room. The muscular man stood behind him, on guard.

The leader glanced at the new arrival. “Alruwin, is it?”

The cloaked man turned his head to the man behind him. “Do not stand behind me.”

“No.”

“Unrightfully arrogant, as expected of you.” There was disgust and disdain in his voice.

The leader interjected. “Do what he says and sit back down.”

With a glare at Alruwin, the man returned to his seat.

The leader continued, “So Alruwin, how’s your bandit side coming along?”

“The humans have grown clever, and more annoying. There is nothing left.”

“Bad, huh. Our side’s the same, all’s in turmoil.”

“All of us are failing then.”

“Yes, sadly. But we’ll find a way to come up from this.”

“You will not.”

“What?”

“Your job here is done. Return to your Empire.”

“You can’t be serious! You don’t have the authority to command me that!”

“Your place here is too risky. I will not allow you to fall into the hands of the enemy.”

“We can still do this.”

“Have you forgotten the men questioning people close to this area? Asking questions about you.”

“... Of course I didn’t forget. We’re about to move safehouse.”

“They’re closing in on you. Return to your country. I have sent the request, your superiors will agree.”

The three looked at each other.

“And what if we don’t do that?” the muscular man asked.

“Then I will have to slay you. It will be easier and safer.” he pulled his cloak back and showed the hilt of his sword.

“Calm down everyone… We will leave and return to the homeland.”

The other two didn’t resist his decision.

“The day after tomorrow, that’s when we leave. I still need to tell the others.”

“No need, I will handle it. I am much faster. Just tell me where they are, and you will leave come morning.”

“... Very well,” he sighed. “Conquering is never easy, huh?” He grabbed some papers and wrote the locations of their other colleagues.

“Don’t worry, boss. We’ll get Wisteria, where our ancestors failed.”

“You humans are so full of yourselves, obsessed with conquering. Never knowing your place in the world.”

“Oh shut up!”

“Almost like savages. You could have united your entire continent peacefully, and yet you chose this path.”

“That’s enough, Alruwin. You do not understand. We bring peace and security. With everyone under one flag will we be truly united.”

“Hm.”

A while later, Alruwin received the list and skimmed through it. Satisfied, he turned away “... I will leave you be.” He left through the front door.

The leader sighed. “That guy… He’s certainly anything but human.”

“Yeah, judging from how he refers to us.”

“How did the homeland find that guy?”

The leader shrugged. “Who knows. Anyhow, prepare our things for the morning.”

Gonna taste terrible in the mouth when we come back home.