Sword of Salvation-Chapter 54: - Plans and Dr. Lergen

Even until morning arrived and now approaching noon, Celinee had not returned to the inn.

Mariel did not know where she was, but he was not worried enough to go looking. Celinee was not a child, and she was strong. Most likely, she had deliberately spent the night at another inn to stir guilt within Mariel. It was not a bad strategy, Mariel admitted.

However, it would not work on him. If he were a soft-hearted person, something that simple would make him feel guilty. He would apologize for teasing Celinee too much. But Mariel was different. His soft heart had probably been cut down along with his mother’s severed neck. Celinee’s plan was useless.

At least, it would be useless if Mariel decided not to play along with the ninja.

However, Mariel decided to follow Celinee’s game. It benefited him more than ignoring it. Mariel would pretend to fall into her game. Celinee would demand compensation if he wanted forgiveness. Mariel would comply, making Celinee believe she had trapped him. Mariel would let the ninja enjoy her small victory.

What Celinee would not realize was that this hollow victory would leave a deeper impression in her heart. When she thought she had control over Mariel, she would lower her guard and unknowingly allow Mariel closer to her heart. And before Celinee knew it, she would truly fall for Mariel.

To understand how it felt to love and be loved by an opposite gender, Mariel would use that moment to take their relationship to the next level. What would it feel like to wake up in the morning to a face looking at him with love? Celinee would be the right person to explore such fascinating things.

Mariel did not think he would fail. Medea had emphasized that his appearance was above average. He also had an ideal physique. So, there was nothing to worry about in terms of looks. All he needed to do was play his hand into Celinee’s heart—and Mariel was already halfway there. So, he did not think he would fail. Sooner or later, Celinee would fall for him.

History had shown that kings or other influential men fell because of women’s influence. Mariel wanted to avoid the same fate. However, fighting that natural instinct was impossible. So, Mariel thought that by manipulating the women around him, his fate would not end like those men. Instead, the presence of those women would only strengthen his position.

Knowledge was power. Wealth was power. And one more thing... women were also power. If treated "well" and "right", they would not become weaknesses or poisons. They would become a far greater strength.

As Mariel’s thoughts reached their conclusion, there was a sudden knock at the door. Not once, but three times. A voice called "Master" between the knocks. There was no need to question who the voice belonged to.

"Weimei arrives at the right time."

Mariel approached the door and opened it, inviting the guest to enter. After locking the door again, Mariel sat on the only chair in the room. He gestured for Weimei to sit at the edge of the bed so they could start talking right away.

"Did anyone see you come here?" Mariel asked.

He wanted to ensure that first before asking about the informant’s work. Keeping their relationship secret would be very useful when the information network Mariel wanted to build became widely known. He wanted to maintain his role as Ultores’s top mercenary without related to any other organization.

"You didn’t say anything about keeping our connection hidden from the public, Master. I wasn’t too careful on my way here, but I don’t think anyone paid me any special attention."

"As much as possible, I don’t want anyone seeing the two of us together, but I suppose it doesn’t matter this time. Forget I asked. So, what information do you have for me?" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"If Master gives me more time, I can write it all down in detail. I managed to gather a lot of information from the palace and the workers. Everything from the story behind Empress Lasyana’s rise, the prime minister, even the empire’s darkest secrets. But I suppose Master is no longer interested in all that after what happened."

Weimei did not disappoint. Her assumption was correct. Mariel no longer needed information about all that. He did not need to hear it just to confirm the informant’s success. "I take it you have information that will interest me?" he asked.

Weimei nodded with a smile.

"Let me hear it."

"Based on the records left by the emperor before Empress Lasyana, there was one event he was eager to attend. From his writings, it seemed as though this event was the dream of all kings. He mentioned that his father had participated in it. ’A king’s status is incomplete if he has never attended this event.’ That’s what he wrote. At the end of the record, he added, ’Walpurgis, the banquet of kings and queens.’"

Walpurgis, huh?

Mariel didn’t need much time to draw a conclusion. From what Weimei explained, Walpurgis was undoubtedly an event organized by Great Human Council. Its purpose was to ensure that kings and queens were under their influence. It could also be used to eliminate any rulers who opposed the council.

Of course, kings and queens wouldn’t submit without reason. They had their pride as rulers, especially if they were unaware of the council’s existence.

However, it would be a different story if they had reasons to submit. For example, if their predecessors were heavily indebted to the organization, or if the organization had played a role in the founding of their kingdoms. In such situations, the rulers would have no choice but to submit—or at least not oppose them.

But if those two possibilities were true, it raised a troubling question:

How long had Great Human Council been planting its roots in this world?

"That’s interesting information; I can guess who organizes the event. But, Weimei, what about the timing? Was there any mention of when the next Walpurgis will be held? It’s definitely not an annual or biannual event. I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens every two or three decades."

The emperor before Lasyana had ruled for over a dozen years. Lasyana had been reigning for more than five years. So, if she had never received an invitation to Walpurgis, the event likely occurred every two decades at a minimum. This meant Walpurgis could be held in the next few years.

"Sorry, Master, there is no record about the timing. The same goes for the location. The emperor’s writings are full of metaphors and wordplay—he was very cautious, as if he knew his writings would be monitored."

"Not ’as if’—he definitely knew. I can’t say for certain, but it seems the emperor had made contact with a representative of Great Human Council. If not, he wouldn’t have been so convinced of Walpurgis’s existence—an event whose traces were left by his predecessors."

"The same Great Human Council rumored among informants in conspiracy circles?"

"Yes, that one."

Mariel had never heard those rumors, but Shin had mentioned his information came from such rumors. So there was no doubt that Weimei was referring to the same thing.

"Do you believe in their existence, Master?"

"It’s not just belief—I know they exist. Shin and I were defeated by someone who offered us a chance to serve Great Human Council."

"...Then, achieving your dream will be extremely difficult. Are you still thinking of pursuing it, Master?"

"Do you think I’m hesitant?"

"At first. But seeing your expression, it seems you’ve become even more excited."

Mariel smiled but didn’t comment on her observation. "I have a special offer for you," he said. "No, it’s more accurate to say I have a special offer that only you, Weimei, can receive."

"A special offer?"

"To defeat Great Human Council," Mariel continued, "the first thing I need most is an information network. I need to know what’s happening in every country on every continent. For that, I want to establish a special organization. I want you to become the leader of that organization, Weimei. I want you to develop it into the number one information network in the world."

Weimei’s full attention was on Mariel.

"I will provide you with an initial capital of 20 million escal. Use it to establish the first bar in Agarentha. It shouldn’t be a low-class bar or a high-class one, but a large, middle-class bar. You can add a gambling area on the upper floor, but I don’t want any prostitution area there. Make the bar’s underground area as the organization’s HQ.

"Once that bar is running smoothly, you can select someone you trust to manage it. Then move to another city and establish a bar there. It doesn’t have to be big—small is fine. You can decide whether to set up a high-class, middle-class, or low-class bar depending on the city’s circumstances. And so on until we have bars in every city across the continent."

"So, basically we would follow a strategy similar to Sterminatore’s, but this time, secretly without anyone knowing?"

"That conclusion is not wrong." Mariel had not considered Sterminatore’s methods when formulating his plan; he rejected the indirect accusation. "You will be the supreme leader of the organization. You can gather information using any methods you prefer. You may also hire as many informants as you want. You are free to do anything to make the organization the number one information source. That’s my offer. So, what’s your answer?"

Weimei didn’t give an immediate response. The red-haired woman appeared to be silently considering it. What Mariel offered would take up more time and thought than if she worked as an informant herself. Such a decision could not be made instantly.

Looking at the woman more closely, Mariel once again acknowledged that Weimei was a perfect blend of beauty and cuteness. Her smooth hair was not blood-red like Lasyana and Selena’s but a normal red. Her assets weren’t large, but they weren’t small either. Slightly larger than Celinee’s. Just the right size for Mariel to hold with—

Mariel quickly averted his gaze from the white-skinned woman with exotic brown eyes.

His thoughts had unconsciously wandered into an inappropriate direction. He tried to push the unhealthy thoughts far back. He distracted himself by thinking about something interesting. For example, what was the difference between the sun and the moon? Was the sun a plasma ball and the moon a rock sphere? Or were both the sun and moon plasma spheres with only different types?

Then, what about the stars? How did they float so far above in this era without gods? What was the secret behind creation? If humans and animals were created by gods, who created the gods? If the gods were created by primordial gods, who created the primordial gods? What existed before the universe?

"Alright, Master."

Mariel didn’t need to answer all those useless questions. He understood those questions were important, but knowing all the answers wouldn’t help him. He was human; he would die in a few decades. Spending time pondering answers to those questions would just waste time.

Besides, he had thought about those things only to distract himself from his suddenly immoral thoughts. Now that Weimei had finished thinking about her answer, there was no longer any need for distraction. With the conversation back on track, his mind wouldn’t imagine inappropriate things like...how it would feel if both his hands touched those assets?

His mind definitely wouldn’t think of something like that...right?

"Master? Are you thinking about something troubling? You look like someone with intense inner turmoil."

Mariel sighed deeply. "Your assumption couldn’t be more accurate, Weimei. I just managed to subdue the dark side within me. This dark side is very dangerous; you might not survive it. Not just you. Even this world wouldn’t be ready."

"Huh...?" Weimei looked at Mariel, confused. "I don’t understand what you mean, Master, but I have made up my mind about your offer."

"It’s good that you don’t understand. I don’t understand any of it either. Let’s just forget those strange, useless words. More importantly, what’s your answer?"

"I accept, Master. This is harder than just being an informant. Normally, I would decline. But I can’t pass up the prospect of overthrowing Great Human Council’s power. I can’t wait to uncover all their secrets."

"That’s the answer I want, Weimei." Mariel immediately stood and created a dimensional portal. "But, Weimei, there’s one thing I need to emphasize to you from the start. Remember my words well: If you ever find yourself in danger while working, abandon the job and prioritize your safety. No matter how important the job is, to me, your life is more important."

"...That’s my principle too, Master, but I thank you for your kind words. I don’t think I’ll regret choosing to work for you."

"Good. In that case, let’s go. We’ll head straight to Agarentha and begin the first step."

Weimei nodded and stepped into the portal; Mariel followed her in an instant.