Where Victor gets a special mission and Kyle is finalizing his trap.
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Episode 279. About 5 Months (2)
But contrary to my concerns, Chloe's expression was gentle.
"No, it's just that the business plan I thought up is going to be managed by Logan. We wouldn’t do something as cowardly as join forces to exclude our siblings to give ourselves an advantage in the head of the House competition."
Chloe shrugged and smiled.
"I was just kidding, but I'll seriously have to step up my game. It's not about the competition, it's about the fact that you're helping make our House stronger. You've learned a lot, Tara. So, I'll try harder as well. Now hurry up and go."
Wow... My sister was awesome!
"Uh...uh. Yeah."
As I ran to catch up with Logan in the back garden, I thought that Chloe was truly a big-hearted person.
"It's a good business plan. I never thought I'd ever thank you for that. We're family, even if we are different. He was right. There are times when some things help all of us."
Even if we were different? How could he say that so casually?
My eyes threatened to tear up at Logan's words, but for the sake of the future, I held it in.
"He was right? Was that from that guy’s last speech?"
"Yes. He said, “We should help our family members become healthier and brighter, and you're the epitome of that right now."
I wanted to tell him what a load of crap he was spouting, but I bit my tongue again.
Instead, I forced a smile and offered to accompany him on his business trip.
But, for the first time ever, Logan showed concern for me.
"Hmm... The Palace won't be happy if you take another leave of absence, and there's already some talk that you were kicked out of the Second Prince's Palace because of that."
"It's okay, I won’t mind it.Since it was my idea I wanted to help to make it work. I'll come after the Knight's joint training is over. Brother, will you be going to the East around June 20th?"
"No, I'm thinking of going this weekend to do some research ahead of time and get a much-needed vacation."
"Yes, you've been so busy lately. Okay, I'll keep that in mind."
With this, Logan won't be able to go to the Club in the Capital city for the next five months. He also wouldn't be able to meet Hans or go to the Palace.
This was all intended to keep him away from the incident that would destroy our family. The one where one the Elias children tried to overthrow the Empire and murder the Second Prince, the light of the Empire.
I was going to do everything in my power to keep Logan away from it, if I could.
Hmmm. By the way, it would take him about 10 days to travel right?
Ten days without knowing where he was or what he was doing. That presented some unwelcome variables....
I mulled it over, then I went to seek out Victor for the first time in a while.
***
Morning of June 8th. Elias.
For the past three months, Victor had lived only as a servant of the House of Elias.
The disciple hadn't sought him out, and since no orders had come from headquarters, he had forgotten about his main duties for the time being.
Well, not entirely forgotten. He still had one assignment from long ago. It was to investigate Logan Elias and his siblings which he had been carrying out whenever he had the time.
There wasn't much to investigate. He just had to record things that were out of the ordinary.
The flow of funds and daily lives of most of the siblings were the same, but Logan Elias was the only one who had filed a leave of absence from the Palace and was staying at the mansion.
But early this morning, as he was refilling the oil lamps on the mansion's third floor, Beth approached him.
She spoke surprisingly quickly and then disappeared.
"The lantern in the Lady's room needs refilling. She needs the light to read her books, so please go to her room now."
Her behaviour was so natural that it was hard to believe that she wasn't from his organization.
Victor understood immediately and went.
"I want you to follow Logan to the Eastern Knights Training Center, so I'll put you on the list."
“Should I report the schedule and any changes?”
Instead of answering, the apprentice asked something else.
Victor, right now, I have a total of five members of the Black Society at my disposal, correct?"
That day, Andrei, with a slight air of madness, had added he would deploy all but 5 of his Black society members, who would be left under Tara's command.
“Yes, apprentice.”
“Take all five of them.”
“What?” Victor asked, confused.
The apprentice began to explain why she had given what seemed to be an outlandish order.
When all was said and done, Victor immediately agreed.
"Yes, disciple, I will."
She was surprised by Victor's unquestioning response.
"I didn't expect you to agree so readily to such a sudden command."
"There was something the Chief said when he sent me to the Elias mansion."
“What?”
"He said that every apprentice who is accepted in the Black Society has the talent necessary to become the next head, so I must obey his or her orders without question."
“Even if it's unreasonable?”
"He said that, as his chosen disciple, you wouldn't give an unreasonable order in the first place."
"Wow! As expected from the master I chose!"
"And this kind of order is often given to protect clients."
“Ah... That makes sense.”
After nodding, Victor asked the question that had been haunting him.
"But apprentice, for what reason do you suspect that something will happen on this trip?"
"I don't have a specific reason, just a hunch, from lived experience."
‘But she's only lived for 19 years...'
As he looked at her skeptically, the apprentice furrowed her brow.
"Haven't you ever heard the saying that if a person does something out of the ordinary that must mean their circumstances have changed? Hopefully it's just a change of heart, but if it isn't, then we have a serious problem on our hands. But of course, this is all hypothetical."
"Ahh..."
"Still, I shouldn't let what I perceive to be anxiety get the better of me, should I? Although, I very much hope that my worries are unfounded!"
"Yes. If the Master's chosen apprentice has made her decision, I must abide by it. I'll be off to get ready."
Leaving the room, his concerns for the disciple's well-being behind him, Victor quickly summoned the members of the organization who were scattered around the mansion.
And that was the end of his day. By the next day, Victor was ready and waiting to travel with Logan.
"We'll enjoy some tourism, then we'll move to the Eastern training grounds."
After the Elias house staff loaded three wagons full of luggage, Logan set off with several escort knights to the East.
Victor followed Logan at a short distance, included as part of the roster of servants. All five of them served as porters.
‘A porter. Shit. Well, how did he think of that?'
The apprentice smiled at the sight of Victor in his less-than-ideal position at the tail of the carriage.
The smile seemed to say, 'I salute your professionalism.'
She slowly gave a thumbs up as he walked away.
He rubbed his eyes as the apprentice's image seemed to overlap with Chief Andrei's.
***
June 12th.
Office of the Security Department. Morning.
The Chief of Internal Investigation, Harrison, had reported five days ago that there may be a mole in Kyle's Second Palace.
Kyle had been outraged that anyone in the Second Palace could have infiltrated them despite the cross-examination process.
But there was no time for anger now, because that person, the mastermind, was about to be revealed.
Internal Investigations had been monitoring the place where the masseuse stashed his insider intelligence, but no one had come to retrieve it yet.
One of the three main suspects had also visited the House of Toulouse, the Third Prince's Palace and had been present during the Winter Hunting Competition. Hans, the second son of the Button family.
Nevertheless, the handwriting of all three suspects, including Hans's, had been obtained.
The handwriting was being analyzed against the remaining signatures from the borrowed-name accounts which funneled funds into the Black Crown villages.
If the handwriting was Button's, the operation against him would be executed immediately.
But today, two new reports had come in.
The first came from Leonard himself, bringing word from Andrei, who was operating the Processing Bureau.
As usual, Leonard was disguised as a blacksmith manufacturing specialized weaponry.
He explained as succinctly as possible.
"I've been observing the situation at your command, and I’ve heard that the situation in the Principality is on the verge of erupting."
Kyle nodded slowly, taking in the message, and then immediately turned to Leonard.
"We’re all set here. When the village assault operation starts, we can assume the Principality will take action straight away."
"Yes, Sir. We can assume that the Prince will request military support."
“Yes. I'm sure he will.”
"If you move yourself, you might get caught in their scheme."
Kyle sneered at Leonard's words.
"I can't believe the head of the Black Society is worried about me. Go tell him I need to play the board to flush out the fox."
The words were clearly meant to be a joke, but the stern look on Kyle's face told a different story. So Leonard smiled awkwardly and replied.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
"As soon as we're done here, the Order of the Phoenix will move into the Principality. I will, of course, be there to see the plan unfold, so tell them to watch for any further developments, but not to make any moves themselves."
“Yes, Your Highness.”
"When His Majesty gives the order, the military will move together, but I will decide the timing after going there myself and checking the situation. Until then, tell them to focus on identifying the bases."
Harrison and Chris, who had been waiting for Leonard's departure, entered the office and reported.
"We have set the trap where the masseuse indicated, following your orders. No spies have gone there as of yet. We'll be monitoring it around the clock and will interrogate them as soon as they are caught so we can report our findings."
"Yes. But, they may already have spotted us and aren't moving, so keep that in mind."
“Then we'll set another trap.”
"Alright. We’ve almost got them by the tail. Even if they don't show up now, they will be exposed later, once we catch the mastermind."
"As you command."
As Harrison left, Chris entered the room.
"Your Highness, he showed up in Knox’s Black Crown village three days ago."
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