Chapter 286: Shadow (2)
At the same time.
While Sikes was talking with Kyle, unaware that Cain was watching them.
*Things are going better than expected.*
He was inwardly wearing a triumphant smile.
He'd thought things wouldn't go well since Andrew hadn't come, but contrary to his expectations, the conversation was flowing smoothly.
Just as Sikes was thinking how well things were progressing...
"But what's in it for us? If we help you?"
Kyle asked the question as if he'd been reading Sikes' mind.
However, such a question was expected.
After all, those guys would only help if they stood to gain something.
"If we win the war, I'll make sure you get power and authority."
"Hmm..."
"Don't you think that's not bad?"
Kyle maintained silence at his question.
Then, he slowly opened his mouth.
"Power and authority at this point is a bit... And I hate to say this, but what's the current war situation? Haven't you guys never won a war so far? Of course, you've succeeded in a few terrorist attacks."
"......"
Certainly, what he said was true.
No. Come to think of it, not everything he said was correct.
Weren't all the successful terrorist attacks actually staged by Cain impersonating Andrew?
However.
"That's only because Lord Andrew hasn't made his move. You must have seen him once."
"Indeed... he was on a different level from anyone I've ever seen. But can even he defeat Saintess Anje? I'm not sure there's any guarantee of that."
Indeed, Andrew had said his chances of winning against Anje were 50-50, but that was only in his current state.
"If Lord Andrew achieves unity with the Grand Duke without overexerting himself, he'll win. Absolutely."
"Hmm... that's just a hypothesis."
"You could see it that way. So I'll make one more proposal."
"?"
Kyle tilted his head at his words.
Sikes told him what he wanted to hear.
"If you help us, we'll bring you into the light."
"?!"
The next moment, Kyle's eyes widened.
So much that his pupils seemed about to pop out.
"What do you think? Isn't that what your underground guild has wanted all along?"
"......"
At his question, Kyle deliberately tried to appear nonchalant and pressed his lips tightly together.
He must have a lot to think about.
The underground guild master before him had always wanted to come into the light, hadn't he?
In a way, coming into the light must be nothing short of a lifelong dream for him.
It was then.
"...How much help do you need from us?"
Kyle had taken the bait perfectly.
Sikes smiled the gentlest smile in the world.
"Help us when you're confident we'll win the war. Lord Andrew said that would be enough to satisfy him."
"Understood."
With those words, the two men ended their conversation.
Then, just as Kyle was about to leave the room.
"Ah! Since you're here, why don't you check out the auction, masked ball, or arena that's happening today? I'm sure you won't be disappointed."
He said with a grin.
And then, Kyle left the room.
Sikes took out his Communication Crystal Orb and contacted Andrew.
Then.
"So. How did it go?"
Andrew's voice echoed in his ear.
Sikes answered with a confident voice.
"The deal was made as you wished, Lord Andrew."
"Good. Well done. But don't let your guard down. David von Cain might appear again, impersonating me."
"Yes, understood. Then I'll return immediately with my subordinates."
"No."
Andrew firmly denied his suggestion.
He added one more thing.
"You should stay there today, just in case."
"May I ask why?"
"First, because David von Cain might show up."
Indeed, he's been indirectly involved in every incident.
In a way, it's only natural for Andrew to be so cautious.
While Sikes was inwardly acknowledging this, Andrew continued.
"And lastly, I heard there's a pretty good mana stone coming up at this auction. If you can get it, do so. By money, of course, not through terrorism."
"Yes, understood."
"Good. Then, good work."
With those words, he ended the communication with Andrew.
***
Meanwhile, I, who had been watching through Map View, wore a somewhat surprised expression.
*Wow... this is a bit unexpected?*
It wasn't because of the deal between the underground guild and the Cult.
After all, the underground guild didn't take sides even in the game.
Rather.
*I never thought Andrew would catch on.*
I never thought Andrew would realize I'd been impersonating him.
I thought he wouldn't find out since he'd been acting like a sucker until now, but I guess I underestimated him.
*Come to think of it. That guy is the final boss of the game, so maybe this much is expected?*
I unconsciously underestimated Andrew too much.
"Hmm..."
"Young Master, why did your expression suddenly become serious?"
At that moment, Rishe asked me a question.
I couldn't answer her properly because I'd hidden from her that I'd been impersonating Andrew.
I might not care about other things, but this was different.
I made up an excuse as usual.
"No. I just have a lot to think about."
"Hmm..."
She looked at me as if something was suspicious.
I deliberately ignored her gaze and thought.
*By the way. What should I do?*
It's impossible to fool Sikes by pretending to be Andrew anymore.
I should assume that even the "Andrew who sees fate" trick won't work anymore.
*No, wait. Does it matter?*
It might not work on the Cult guys, but it might still work on the underground guild guys here.
Maybe.
*I might need to call Kejun, leaving aside the task I assigned him.*
But Kejun can handle that later anyway.
So, I should proceed according to the original plan.
Just then.
"The event will begin soon."
The underground guild master Kyle opened the door and came in.
Apparently, he was quite concerned about leaving us here.
I pretended not to know about his deal with the Cult and asked a question.
"By the way, how will the event proceed?"
"Yes. First, there will be a masked ball, then an auction, and finally an arena."
"Let's go out when we're ready."
"Yes, understood. Then, I must attend to other guests, so I'll take my leave."
With those words, Kyle left the room.
Apparently, there are quite a few nobles coming this time besides us.
"Shall we go then, Rishe?"
"Yes, let's do that, darling."
Saying that, she linked her arm with mine while wearing a mask.
Apparently, she wants to go with the concept of a married couple.
Just then.
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate says she's gritting her teeth.]
Fate is trembling.
I deliberately ignored Fate's message and left the room with Rishe.
And then, we headed towards the ballroom.
-Murmur, murmur.
I could see nobles hiding their identities with masks, talking to each other.
Does the mask actually have an effect? Normally, I could identify someone just by glancing at them, but unfortunately, I can't tell who's who.
Of course.
*I could figure it out if I wanted to.*
But there doesn't seem to be any need for that.
It doesn't look like there's anyone we know here anyway.
-Tap!
At that moment, the lights on the stage turned on.
Simultaneously.
"Hello. I'm Kyle, in charge of this ball. Welcome everyone."
-Clap, clap, clap, clap.
Kyle quickly moved on to the main point and explained the procedure.
And finally, he warned.
"Just to let you know. Those who reveal others' identities or try to forcibly discover them will face consequences from us. Please keep that in mind."
With those words, Kyle disappeared.
Normally, nobles would complain about a commoner warning them, but the speaker was none other than Kyle.
So, no one objected.
-Murmur, murmur.
And so the social gathering began.
Among them, some men could be seen hitting on women who appeared to have nice figures.
*Human nature comes out right away, I see.*
As I was shaking my head and looking at the guy with contemptuous eyes.
"Beautiful lady."
A greasy voice hit my ears.
Rishe and I turned our heads.
Then, a man with a seemingly good physique continued in a polite tone.
"If you have time, could we have a chat?"
"......"
What's with this guy?
Anyone could see that Rishe was beside me.
So it's only natural to think that I'm her partner.
But.
*He's asking to flirt right in front of her partner?*
While I was frowning and feeling annoyed.
"I'm sorry, but I already have someone who's promised to give me everything."
Rishe linked her arm with mine and drew a line.
At the same time, I felt a soft sensation on my arm.
Even though I couldn't see her face, was it my imagination that Rishe was smiling?
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate says that woman is definitely smiling.]
Apparently, it wasn't my imagination, as Fate had similar thoughts to mine.
The man who was rejected by Rishe.
"I-I see... Understood."
Perhaps he never thought he'd be rejected, as he headed elsewhere with a gloomy voice.
Soon, the men who had been glancing at us also shifted their attention to other women.
*That's right. Play among yourselves, you monkeys.*
After all, I came here to mess with the Cult, not to do anything else.
It would be nice to get a mana stone as a bonus.
*When will this damn ball end?*
As I was thinking that and feeling bored.
*Hmm?*
A man with quite solid muscles was coming this way.
*What now? Is he coming to hit on someone without learning his lesson?*
Why is he coming here when he's bound to fail anyway?
As I was failing to understand the guy approaching us.
"Sir."
He addressed me, not Rishe.
What? Did he have business with me?
As I was inwardly trying to make sense of this, unexpected words came out of his mouth.
"Would you like to have an intimate conversation with me in a private room?"
He said, taking off his upper garment.
Instinctively.
"WHAT THE HELL!!! STOP THE BL!!!"
I punched the gay man in front of me with all my might!