Chapter 6. Behind the mask
The celebration was finally over and today, Leanbox was slowly coming back to its normal routines. Surely, morale of citizens was raised and it would be still visible for a while, but for now, whether they liked it or not, everyone had to return to work.
I, on the other hand, could once again start appreciating my free time. After delivering the package and making my report, it didn't seem I would have anything else to do for the moment, so I could simply slack off, though only as V, since Joker was still a busy man.
Yesterday I received only the symbolical part of my reward – the trophy and the laurel wreath, so as I was told, I had to visit the Basilicom in order to claim the cash prize. Quite understandable. Though I wasn't exactly afraid of getting robbed, walking around with 15 million of credits on me couldn't be convenient, so it was definitely smarter to transfer it straight to a bank account.
Speaking of Basilicoms, I always found them to be peculiar places. Each nation had its unique style and design, which supposedly matched with personality of the residing goddess. That was why I hoped to learn more about CPU Green Heart from her surrounding before our meeting, however, it didn't turn out to be that simple. Although an official audience chamber existed, I was led by as confused as me clerk into the inner part of the building – Green Heart's private apartment.
Apparently, she wished to see me there but she didn't state any reasons behind this choice. Because of that, when my guide asked me to wait in a certain room until I would be called in, I decided to carefully strategize. There was no telling who and from where was watching, so even though the shelves and displays around seemed to hold much valuable intel, directly going through them was out of question. Nonetheless, utilizing my skills I was able to grasp the general idea of this collection without making any suspicious moves. Most of the wares were games, movies, anime and other merchandise connected to those industries. Opposite to my guesses, Green Heart must have been a passionate of modern culture or at least, that was what she wanted me to think. I couldn't rule out a possibility of manipulation yet, I thought when the door to the office opened.
Design of this room was similar to the previous one. It was also filled with the vast amounts of collectables, however, here they were more organized around the richly decorated rectangular wooden desk. Between it and the large window stood a person with whom I had already been acquainted. "Good morning, Mr. Joker. I'm sorry for making you wait."
The mysterious tea lady greeted me with a warm expression on her face. Even though I suspected she was someone important back then, my deductions never came close enough to the reality. "So, you figured it out?" She must have been waiting for my surprised reaction. In order to experience at least a bit of a normal live, not all of the CPUs made their human forms known to the society. That was why Green Heart could talk to me incognito then. "Apologies, though it was rather obvious. Someone as beautiful as you could only be called a goddess and this time, it seems even a literal one too." "My, my. Thank you." She giggled and invited me to sit down.
I hadn't expected the goddess to be actually this hard to read on the interpersonal ground. No matter how much she tried to make me feel welcome, I was still distrustful of something she was obviously hiding. Beneath this mask of hospitality, I sensed an ulterior motive in her behavior although I couldn't predict what it was yet. Green Heart must have realized my thoughts and switching her position, she looked into my eyes. "Perhaps we shouldn't be talking with dry throats. Would you like to have some tea, like that time?" And without waiting for my response she called out in the direction of a neighboring room. "Yuri, could you please come here for a second?"
Yuri? The one I met while signing up for the tourney? No, that must have been just a coincidence, I thought, however, it seemed I was wrong. "Yes, Lady Vert?" A young girl peeked out from the door. Though previously I had seen her in her working uniform, she was now wearing a frilly pink dress with a lily pinned on the height of her left breast. What was she doing here? Wasn't she just one of many Basilicom employees? Since she was in such attire, it looked more like if she actually lived here.
"How many times I have to repeat, you don't have to use the lady part when we are home, my dear. Anyway, I believe the two of you have already met." Green Heart pointed out to her a presence of a guest – me. "Hello." A little awkwardly, I raised my hand and greeted her. Yuri muttered something inarticulate in answer and with a heavily blushed face, attempted to take cover behind the threshold. This sight seemed to amuse the goddess as she let out a small giggle and then, continued pretending to be clueless. On the side note, I mimicked her. If things went the way I assumed, letting her know I was aware of her feelings in this place would cause even more of embarrassment. "Would you be that kind and prepared some tea for us? I'll have a good old Earl gray. How about you?" "Same." After taking this order Yuri departed.
"Isn't she cute? That assistant of mine." Vert said in a slightly teasing tone. "Normally her mouth doesn't close and look at her now… I wonder why is that." "Your assistant?" I changed the topic. For some strange reason, only half of the nations had such a post occupied and I would lie if I didn't admit I was curious why. As for Lastation, rumors were circulating that the goddess had a difficult time cooperating with others, however, in Planeptune that shouldn't be a problem. Citizens of that country pretty much considered each other a one big family, so unless the Oracle was also a personal assistant in one, that was indeed odd.
"Ah, yes. Though she might appear to be a little airheaded, she's certainly a person to trust. Frankly, this child is like a family to me…" The goddess let out a nostalgic sigh. Forgetting I was manipulating her in the first place, I also found Yuri rather attractive in terms of an ordinary girl category, so if things were different… Nah, someone like me couldn't possibly fall in a genuine love. My heart had been successfully dried out of such unnecessary emotions, leaving only an empty shell which could hardly be called human. It seemed I was simply special, even on this field. Nothing less, nothing more. There was no point in overthinking my rigid personality.
"You care a lot about her, Lady Vert." "You might be correct. Before I met her, I always wished to have a younger sibling. How about you? Do you have any brothers or sisters?" "I don't." I shortly replied. "That's a shame. Anyway, perhaps we should get down to business. I'd feel bad if I kept you occupied here for too long." "That's not an issue. I'm free today, so you don't have to worry. As long as it's for your convenience, I don't mind waiting." "What a relive. Then let's chat a little before Yuri comes back." Vert said supporting her chin with her hands.
Speaking of Yuri, it had been a while since she left. I knew brewing tea wasn't an instant task, but in an average time she would have already returned. Did something happen? Ugh, what the hell was I even thinking? In the Basilicom getting burnt from hot water was probably the most dangerous possible occurrence, so I shouldn't search for any needless conspiracies.
Nonetheless, there was still something bothering me – the activity of three, yet to be identified people. Though their steps were light and cautious, dim whispers could be heard, meaning they had a very vague idea about sneaking. Amateurs? Some kind of maids working for the goddess, who wanted to steal a peek of the famous guest? It wouldn't be strange if Vert had more than just one personal attendant. "Is there anything wrong?" Crap, I accidently displayed my wariness. Despite being seemingly all-looks, this woman was highly perceptive and quite clever, so I should have pretended not to notice the gradually raising voices from behind the door.
"Hey, what's going on there? Why did they go silent?" "Don't push me! They might hear us!" "Calm down morons. I cannot believe I got caught up in your idiotic ideas…" "But hey, did you really see him? Could it be him?" "Dunno. I only caught a glimpse. Besides, he's wearing a mask, duh." "Oh, that's gotta be him! Have you seen those moves? Bang, bang and he kicked everyone's asses! That can't be a background character, thereby I conclude the discussion by granting him the title of a new protagonist!" "As I said, I only saw him briefly. Though his voice sounds kind of familiar… And stop pushing me!" "But I want to look too. That's unfair you got it for so long!" "Stop it. You guys are pathetic. I'm going back." "Don't go! Aren't you curious who's hiding behind the mask?" "…Maybe, a little." "Then stay. We may meet him when he will be leaving. Oh, man. Should I ask him for an autograph?" "Watch where you're touching! You're stepping on my foot too. And…" "Geez, why are you so nervous? He won't like you this way, you know?" "That's not my problem. Besides, I'm… Falling…? AUAGH!"
The door could no longer withstand the pressure and eventually gave in. Two figures had fallen inside. "Upsies. Hehe." "That's your fault! If you knew how to properly stand, this wouldn't have happened. By the way, isn't this room rather too empty?" "Look there." The third person stepped inside and pointed at the window, where an individual dressed in black was sitting on the windowsill. "He's kidnapping Vert!" "In a princess carry!" The man grinned mockingly from behind of his mask and then, saluted, dropping down backwards. "We gotta do something! Who knows what he wants to do to Vert!" "Somehow I feel she did not exactly seem like a person in peril…" "Maybe she's been secretly a masochist all along!" "I'm going after them!" "Me too. Me too!" "Ugh, I guess it cannot be helped…"
"My, my. So, it was really you." I was aware of how dangerous revealing my identity to Vert was, however, it was still far better than staying there and facing all of the goddesses at once. Hopefully, the situation wasn't helpless yet if they only spotted me so far. "Yes. Sorry for troubling you out of nowhere." "It's alright. Not every day you can be stolen away from your own room, so I think it's an interesting experience." Green Heart chuckled. Right now, I was sitting on top of Basilicom's highest tower with her in my arms. We were watching together as her fellow goddesses one after another flew out of the window in the direction of the horizon.
"By the way, thank you for those flowers. They are truly beautiful. I still keep them in my room." "I'm glad. You had one on the day of finals too." "Their smell is wonderful… And they don't rot anyhow. May I ask where did you find them?" "I didn't. I created them myself. I thought you may like green." "Since I'm Green Heart? I guess I'm too easy to read then. That's indeed my favorite color."
For a moment both of us went silent. Because of how complicated things became, I had to make haste and vanish out of sight asap, even though it would equal with abandoning my prize. Frankly, I could survive without this money but cash had always been something which more you had, the better.
"Say, Mr. Joker. Would you like to work for me? I'd feel way safer if someone like you was around." Suddenly the goddess proposed. "My apologies, though it would be impossible." As a part of the Order, I couldn't come out in open like that. Even if I could, I preferred to stay out of troublesome matters and being a CPU's close co-worker could certainly be counted as such. Though not to leave her empty-handed, I decided to give her some parting gifts, which could also benefit me.
"Watch out for Trinity. They are plotting, maybe even against you. Those who were meant to protect law might have sided with them too." "Trinity? I thought something was fishy about them. Do you know anything more?" Vert immediately came to trust into my account. "Perhaps I do, perhaps I don't. I can't speak more than that. There are certain circumstances…" Of course, one of them was lack of solid knowledge about Anticrystals, but the main reason why I left it like that, was that I wished to use her as a bait. Assuming she would have started an investigation at once, Trinity was about to be put under more pressure and with how it went during my infiltration, a possibility of them making a mistake rose. In the meantime, would be waiting for that moment and use it to my advantage.
"Understood. Thank you for notifying me. Is it possible to contact you for the future reference?" Ugh, that question put me in a really tight spot. In order to maintain Vert's faith in me, I had to make her an accomplice of my secret. "Find a hotel called Fiesta and leave a note for the owner – 'V stands for order.' He will know how to reach me. I hope I can trust you will use it only in a case of an emergency. I'd prefer if it stayed between the two of us as well." "If you say so. Shall I transfer your winning to that place too?" Good girl. As expected from a goddess, she was quick to catch up. "Yeah. Preferably make it untraceable." "I'll see what I can do about it." "Other CPUs might return anytime. Do you want to come back inside?" "Oh, can't we stay here for a bit longer? I have to admit, the look on the town is surprisingly good from this height." "I guess a little won't hurt…" For this time, I could make a special exemption. I had never thought a day when I made a goddess my partner in crime would come, so a slight celebration wouldn't do any harm. Besides, the scenery was indeed beautiful…