Bring Heike’s blood.

She plans to make Heike Ainsidel like Marco Schreiber.

As she said, Heike could become a worse villain than Adelbert.

In a way, handing Heike over might be right.

But…

“I don’t understand.”

“Hm.”

She looked puzzled by my words, nodding for me to explain.

“I get you’re targeting Ainsidel to stop Pleroma. But why this outcome?”

“As I said…”

“Same unique ability, fine. It’s valuable to Pleroma. But why go through me? You could easily handle a Junker without Eszett.”

“…….”

“Someone using health checkups for schemes—why this? I can’t help but suspect.”

Her yellow eyes glanced at my soundproofing spell, then fixed on me.

Unfazed by my sharper tone, she said, “Interesting reaction. It’s just a suggestion. I heard Bishop Ainsidel’s plotting something unusual.”

“Unusual?”

“I don’t know details. Does it help to know Central’s highly wary of Ainsidel?”

Should I believe her?

No, that’s not the approach.

Given Abraham’s actions, it could be a lie. But it’s worth noting.

Ainsidel did secretly contract with the Catacombs to monopolize tech.

But that’s not a full answer.

“So you’ll act for the greater good? Laughable.”

She kept smiling, hands clasped, watching me.

I spoke slowly.

“Here’s my guess. Your decade as Marco Schreiber collapsed, so you need a replacement. Building a new sect from Pleroma fizzled, so you’re starting over. I think you plan to take Heike’s body and send it to Pleroma. Assuming a bond with Bishop Ainsidel, you’d gain leverage over him and a prime spot in Pleroma.”

I paused, shaking my head at a new thought.

“No, you could oust Osnabrück’s Ainsidel with that ability. Since Bishop Ainsidel seeks personal gain outside Central, they’d welcome you, with the same ability. Am I wrong?”

“…….”

“Guess I’m right. That’s it. What if I refuse?”

Her lips curled slowly.

No further words.

I felt a chill, staring at her. She’s capable of force here. The Chairman, not the Crown Prince, did so.

If she goes that far, I won’t play nice.

She’s shielded against my mind-control magic with mana. Such defense works sitting still, but cracks when she acts, thinking she’s winning. If she attacks, I’ll turn it into a chance to extract info with mind-control, then rewind time.

But she just smiled. Mulling my words, she spoke.

“Control Heike Ainsidel for peace. Why’s that hard? Pleroma wants his ability, so he can’t be left free. If that powerful direct-line adoptee joins Pleroma, you know what happens.”

Leaning closer, she said, “I know you visited the Ainsidel family three weeks ago. You know there’s no proof Bishop Ainsidel’s direct-line, but Heike, who is, could surpass him. Even a toddler gets this.”

Ignoring her snooping…

Her intentions aren’t pure.

First, there’s no reason to involve me.

Second, including Heike in Eszett remains unexplained.

“Then explain like I’m a toddler. If you’re so worried, take the blood yourself.”

“Hahaha!”

She laughed loudly, shaking her head. Ignoring it, I said, “Why drag me in? You could handle a Junker easily, yet you put Heike in the team for Imperial entry. If not, I’ll pretend today never happened.”

“…….”

“Maybe you used my wariness of Heike to gain my consent. Efficient strategy. But…”

I narrowed my eyes.

“What’ll you do without my blood?”

She laughed, as if hearing something absurd.

“Think drawing your blood’s hard?”

“…….”

“I’d rather not. I’ll wait till you offer it. Otherwise, this relationship ends.”

“Face reality.”

“Gotta see it through to know.”

She leaned back, exhaling, murmuring, “You’re tough to handle. Say one thing, you grasp ten. Can’t say much. But you missed this.”

Smiling, she stared.

“Ever think Heike’s ability could extract your team’s info? If someone with six people’s memories falls to Pleroma, what then?”

“…….”

I smiled, face blank.

That’s why.

One reason she put Heike in the team.

To provoke me. To make me hand Heike over. With heightened risk, she’d want me to deal with him fast.

Why go through me? That’s what I need to know.

I have a hunch.

‘Planning to indebten me?’

Thinking saving me boosts her influence?

Very Abraham-like.

“Why follow you? You put Heike in the team.”

“I gave you countless opportunities, yet I’m treated like this—shocking.”

I used them well.

But when did I ask? I turned potential minuses into pluses.

Pushing my teacup forward, I said, “Excuse me, I’ll go. Continuing wastes your time unless I stop first.”

“You’ll need my proposal.”

Standing, I turned at her quiet voice.

With an unreadable expression, she said, “If Heike becomes suspicious, come to me. I’m ready to back you.”

“You sound certain he will.”

After a long silence, I replied, “I’ll keep that in mind.”

***

Bait.

Bait to blackmail Bishop Ainsidel with Heike?

No. Bait to trap me.

‘Feels like she struck first.’

I’ll need her proposal?

She thinks so.

She didn’t even explain how Heike could be used against Bishop Ainsidel. If she wanted alliance, she’d clarify the plan’s basis.

Why not?

She believes I’ll come crawling without it.

That means she thinks a bigger crisis than Abraham awaits me.

I hurried to the banquet hall.

Laughter and chatter grew louder.

“Hey? Lucas is here~”

Narce, sipping wine, grinned brightly, lowering his glass.

As I fully entered, all eyes turned to me.

Ulrike waved cheerfully.

“Lucas! Where were you?”

“Just out. Can I borrow Narce?”

“Huh? Sure, go ahead.”

Startled, Ulrike glanced between us.

Narce, wide-eyed, nodded, understanding.

Whispering to Elias, he approached.

“Ready?”

I nodded. He grabbed my arm, chanting a warp spell.

Opening my eyes, we were in a room Elias likely suggested. His room, but it felt long unused, with faint traces of his mana.

“Here’s good for talking.”

Narce pulled a chair for me.

I opened his trait window.

Traits: Divine Power, Foresight (Lv.2)*, Insight (Lv.3)

Recently, they were 1 and 2.

Foresight and Insight leveled up.

I’d confirmed this last Friday.

‘On selection day, he said, “Heike doesn’t know anything, so don’t press him.”’

When Heike made Team 1, Narce said that.

During the second exam, Narce said Heike’s thoughts were hard to read. How was he sure without his ability working?

Only an expanded Insight range explained it.

“Narce. Insight’s getting easier to use.”

“Oh? Yeah. You noticed~”

Smiling at his bright response, I waited as he addressed my curiosity.

“During the exam, I overused it. Pushing past limits can expand an ability’s range.”

“Got it. You looked rough that day.”

I gave a concerned smile, then checked, “So, the expanded range is all from that?”

“Asking if there’s another reason? Haha, that’s it.”

Narce laughed, meeting my eyes.

“Overuse bursts the dam. That’s all.”

“…….”

I nodded slowly, locking eyes.

His yellow eyes mirrored mine.

I asked the real question.

“Narce. A few things. Think Heike could cause major trouble soon?”

He clutched his head, shaking it.

“No, not within Foresight’s range… assuming no variables.”

“Even by someone else’s influence?”

“Nah. He’ll just keep going like this.”

I nodded, thinking.

“Thanks. That helps.”

“No prob~ By the way, Her Highness mentioned Heike.”

“Right. Thoughts?”

“Hm, without meeting her, I’m not sure…”

Tilting his head, he said, “You know, but her advice isn’t logically wrong. Especially Heike leaking our info if he joins the enemy. With variables, it’s plausible.”

“…….”

Lost in thought, Narce clapped, snapping me back.

“What’s the plan? Tell me, and I’ll Foresight it!”

“You sure? You drank.”

“Use it when it’s hot. Go wild.”

Narce joked, smiling unlike himself. I mirrored it and spoke.

“I’m not listening to Abraham. His advice has merit, like you said, but it doesn’t mean grabbing Heike.”

“Hm.”

“Make another Marco Schreiber? Abraham’s as influential as Pleroma. Borrowing his power to stop Pleroma’s no different.”

He listed righteous reasons to bring Heike, but as I told him, Heike’s a tool for Abraham to re-enter Pleroma and build a base.

I killed the Chairman—would I let another like him rise? Every new identity he makes, I’d have to crush.

Whatever his intent, he’s exploiting my doubts for gain.

“Alright, settled~”

Narce clapped, laughing.

“I like your take. You’re tired, so stop thinking.”

Standing, he gestured.

“Before Abraham’s words come true, let’s fix it ourselves. Let’s meet Heike.”

“Yeah.”

“Oh, wait, Lucas.”

As I reached for his hand, Narce waved.

“Before meeting Heike, I’ll tell him you’re looking. Cool?”

“Uh… sure.”

“Great. Can I say anything?”

Anything?

Puzzled, I nodded vaguely.

***

Narce thinks we can fix the future ourselves.

‘Optimistic, nice.’

Solving Heike’s issue without Abraham’s help is best.

Abraham claims Heike will cause trouble, willingly or not, so he’ll control him…

‘This bastard doesn’t see both are problems.’

Prevent Heike from causing trouble, willingly or not. Eszett’s formation helps—six people to protect him.

First, ensure protecting Heike keeps us safe.

Check for Pleroma connections, or if Ainsidel’s ability leaks our info through Heike unwillingly.

I’ll use Divine Power if needed. Unlike Abraham, wary of my Divine Power, Heike’s easier to subdue magically.

‘And…’

Narce’s upgraded Foresight didn’t predict beyond my questions.

Heike, brought by Narce, peeked at me warily, then stepped back to join Eszett.

Having just arrived at the banquet, students I hadn’t greeted swarmed me.

“I’m Stefan Cooper, 3rd-year Class 1. Never got to say hi.”

“Nice to meet you.”

I shook his hand, chatting briefly.

‘One Imperial entry, and my image flips…’

Especially here, with only our school’s students.

What if they were Eszett? I’d have the special reward already.

After 20 minutes of greetings, a familiar face appeared.

Adelbert approached, and students scattered.

“Senior.”

He offered an ice cream cup from who-knows-where. Not his style, but his presence was a boon.

“Congrats on the Imperial entry. About your role…”

“No big deal. You did well.”

“Huh?”

“Let’s talk later.”

Smiling, I hurried away.

“Heike!”

Heike, eating snacks with Narce, turned sharply. Surprisingly, his face was flushed, unlike usual.

Narce smirked mysteriously.

Both were suspicious, but the window before me was unbelievable.

Ding—!

Favorability +1

“…?”

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