Chapter Twenty Four – The Minister's True Plan
"Uhm…do you really have to frame that fire fencer broad? I mean I know she contributed in the failure of the plan but isn't that a bit…too far?"
"Hehe. Correction, Linda. The plan isn't ruined at all."
Bernard is currently in his office, drinking tea from a small cup as he talks calmly with Linda who managed to get into Bernard's office with a little help from someone close to the Defense Minister.
"Uhm…who is this woman, anyways?" Linda asked curiously as she looks at the mysterious woman wearing glasses standing right beside Bernard.
The woman in question is a fair-skinned girl with long, noticeable ears and dull gold-brown eyes worn behind white half-glasses. She has long, lavender hair that is very curly and pulled into a bun on the top of her head. She has noticeable wings composed of multiple green lines with white radiance. The woman wears a beige top with dull red and dark brown accenting. She also wears a beige skirt matching the top.
"It is true that I have forgotten to introduce to you the being who…orchestrated the attack on Dorfa in the background for me." Bernard said as he stood up and goes near the woman.
"Being?" Linda noticed with an eyebrow raised.
"Linda, this here is Sanguina." Bernard indicated at the woman who realigned her glasses as she got introduced. "And she is my fairy partner."
"A pleasure to meet the acquaintance of my master." Sanguina said in a businesslike manner.
"Uh…yeah. Same to you…." Linda replied awkwardly. "How come I never knew that you have a Fury now, huh?"
"I don't have the obligation to tell you everything I have and know, Linda." Bernard said straightforwardly. "You may be this close to me now, but never forget your place, underling. You are simply a mere tool for me. And you are currently here because I still have some use for you."
"Ouch. Why do I feel like I'm about to be disposed of once my usefulness is over?" Linda can't help but complain about it.
"Not to worry. I will not go as far as kill you once you've outlived your usefulness." Bernard said to assure Linda. "More likely you'll resume your role as the disciple's servant once she is returned back to life."
"Ugh…. That sucks…." Linda said to herself in a whisper due to disappointment. "So… how is Sanguina here able to help during the raid of our brethren?"
"Hehe. Everything that has happened around Dorfa actually, Linda." Bernard started to mention. "Everything in my plans were properly executed for me by Sanguina. All done without being noticed by anyone, not even the elite Fencers of Dorfa. Even your failed attempt in embedding the shard in Marianna's body was completed by Sanguina."
"Huh…. I could have sworn I hit her." Linda said as she gave it some thought. "So…don't tell me that even the uprising against Leanbox is also...?"
"All orchestrated excellently by my fairy partner here." Bernard said proudly.
"I am merely following your orders, master Bernard." Sanguina said formally.
"And you were able to execute the orders perfectly as I want them to be."
"Eh…? But we ended up getting defeated. Plus we failed to turn that gothic broad into the disciple's new vessel." Linda pointed out with a disheartened expression.
"Hehe. True that defeat has occurred upon us. But it's not a complete waste at all, Linda." Bernard replied with a confident smile.
"Huh? I don't get it."
"Of course you don't. You are quite the narrow minded person, as far as I know." Bernard said straightforwardly, leaving Linda perplexed after hearing such insulting words. "We may have been defeated, but my plan is still ongoing. And the current situation at Dorfa is the perfect stage for her revival. The despair around the citizens of Dorfa is enough to draw the negative energy needed to revive lady Arfoire's disciple."
"Hm…. Okay, I get that part now. But thing is… where the hell will you be getting a vessel from?" Linda asked persistently.
"In a few moments, we will have our vessel ready, Linda." Bernard answered before looking at Sanguina as if to give her some cue, which in turn, Sanguina nodded before placing two fingers from her right hand and placing them on right temple before closing her eyes.
"Huh? 'Sup with her?" Linda asked curiously. But Bernard chose to ignore Linda's question and simply waited for Sanguina to finish what she is doing.
"Tch…. Ignore me, will ya?"
"If you don't stop, I'll have Sanguina here silence you right here, right now." Bernard told Linda without looking at her. His words were enough to silence her send shivers down Linda's body.
"Cocky bastard…." Linda thought begrudgingly in her mind.
And a few minutes later, Sanguina opened her eyes and looked at Bernard to relay what she has to say.
"All are still going as you have planned, Master." Sanguina reported. "Some of your brethren within the ranks of Dorfa mentioned that the people of Dorfa are still rallying against Leanbox. The people are restless until Leanbox leaves Dorfa."
"Hence they will be forced to leave as soon as possible." Bernard said with a satisfied tone.
"I believe that they are already raising anchor of their ships, master. Their departure is imminent as we speak." Sanguina added.
"Excellent. I love it when all goes according to my plan." Bernard said, unable to hide the thrill in his voice.
"Despite a few hiccups in the plan, that is." Linda can't help but butt in the conversation.
"But those failures eventually lead to an even better outcome as you can see." Bernard rebutted. "And because of those hiccups that you called, miss Kibagahara has become the perfect candidate to become the vessel of the disciple."
"Whoa! Really?" Linda suddenly blurted out. "So you set her up as a traitor just so you could have her executed and use her carcass as the vessel, huh. Hahaha! Your awfully cruel!"
"As long as the execution goes well, we will soon be able to revive the disciple. And sooner after that, the revival of our beloved goddess."
"Wow. You've really planned all of those ahead before, huh." Linda said in awe.
"Now all I need is to once again turn the gears of my plan." Bernard concluded before looking at Sanguina and giving a signal to her via a nod.
"Understood, master. The execution grounds and procedures are all prepared now." Sanguina said in her usual businesslike tone. "Although the general wishes to execute the traitor himself, I managed to convince him to follow our procedures of executing high class criminals and traitors of the government."
"I believe the time is now ripe for that, Sanguina." Bernard mentioned. "Once Leanbox has completely left Dorfa, proceed with the execution of the traitor. Go now and prepare for the next step."
"As you say, Master."
"Oh. Before you do that…"
Bernard then looked at Linda before giving off a grimace.
"…take the underling here back to the hideout."
"Very well, Master." Sanguina replied before approaching Linda and held her by the shoulder.
"Heh. This I gotta see. So… smell you later, you old bastard." Linda said haughtily before disappearing into thin air with Sanguina using the fairy's teleportation magic.
Left alone in his office, Bernard picked up his cup that still has tea in it and looked out into his office window as he sips some tea. Etched in his face is the look of a triumphant person, as if all of his plans will go smoothly without any interference.
"Hehe. Just a few more. It's so close now. With the your revival, the Legion will rise again…soon…. And sooner, our dark goddess…~"
To be continued….
Note: Apologies for the late update. Work has become so heavy since the start of September that I wasn't able to immediately do updates. I know this has been short but this is all I can manage for now while still being busy with work. Thank you for understanding and enjoy reading.