Chapter 634: Conspiracy

Late night, Trier.

Sitting before a small analytical machine and a wireless telegraph transmitter-receiver, Angoulême de François listened to the clicking sounds as a "translated" telegram was spat out by a mechanical typewriter.

The signature at the top read "Sleeve Sword."

Since they had already been chatting for a while, Angoulême's emotions were steady; he picked up the telegram and skimmed it quickly:

"So, when you're routinely guarding government officials and members of parliament, and they sneak off to have an affair or go to the restroom, do you follow them in and watch?"

Angoulême first couldn't help but smile, wanting to reply to "Sleeve Sword," "What kind of nonsense are you thinking about all day?"—but in the instant his thought shifted, his eyes narrowed slightly, and his fingers tapped the mechanical typewriter:

"Speak up—what illegal act are you planning? Which government official or parliament member do you intend to assassinate?"

Shit! Franca, inside her apartment's master bedroom, squirmed uncomfortably.

Why does this feel like being interrogated face-to-face by police?

She let out two dry laughs in her mind and rapidly hammered the mechanical typewriter:

"I'm just curious—follow them, it's awkward; don't follow, you risk exploitation of security gaps."

She would never admit she was plotting to target the current government's Minister of Industry.

After a long pause, "007" sent a new telegram:

"I rarely carry out such missions; originally, I mainly handled supernatural incidents and fought cultists. Later, after promotion, I no longer participated in daily protection details.

"According to the procedures I know and my limited experience, we must follow the protected individual wherever he goes. If he sneaks off for an affair, we at least assign one person to stand quietly by the coat rack and watch; if time permits, we pre-investigate and confirm the identity and background of the affair partner. If the protected person enters the restroom, we wait beside it, guarding against attacks from sewers, ventilation ducts, or shadows.

"But there is one exception: if the protected individual strongly demands it and signs a waiver, we respect his privacy. After all, we are not his father—we must protect him, but if he truly dies, we simply replace him. Three-legged toads are hard to find, but people eager to become government officials or parliament members could fill the entire boulevard. Moreover, most such officials and parliamentarians possess little real value, lack exceptional insight or wisdom; what matters is the position they occupy, not the person themselves.

"Few high-ranking officials or parliamentarians choose to sign privacy waivers, but they often do so when discussing classified matters with their own team members."

"007," are you working so many overtime hours you've developed resentment? Franca smirked inwardly as she read.

She felt "007" was still too restrained. If those two "groupmates" in Ruin were here, they'd surely say, "Most government officials who never handle practical affairs and parliament members who only know how to give speeches? Let them die. Even a baboon with curly hair sitting in their seats would perform better—they wouldn't make policies by slapping their heads, wouldn't seek personal gain, wouldn't think they're wise enough to show off. They'd just quietly enjoy bananas and play happily. That's the least harmful thing for the entire country."

Franca reread "007"'s telegram, turned her body, and said to Jenna, who sat beside the bed:

"The security measures are too tight. We can't exploit any vulnerabilities."

"Yeah, the 'Purifiers' are like this. The 'Mechanical Heart' and the Eighth Bureau are probably the same."

Franca, Jenna, and Anthony had gathered intelligence for some time, planned several schemes, but always felt they weren't secure enough—or even feasible—so they consulted "007," hoping to learn the security details around Moran Avigny.

He's a national cabinet minister—how could you just assassinate him!

Besides, Franca and her group's goal isn't assassination. Even if they chose assassination, they'd need time for spirit communication—that would make things even more complicated.

After Franca briefly described "007"'s reply, Jenna thought for a while and said:

"Another witch might sacrifice her long-established legitimate identity to seduce Moran Avigny, pretend to be shy, and trick the minister and his protectors into signing a waiver. But I think that won't work—Moran Avigny is almost certainly the 'Man in the Mirror,' and the 'Man in the Mirror' has deep ties to the Witch Path. He'd be most wary of witches approaching him."

Originally, Franca didn't want Jenna to join the operation against Moran Avigny, because "Black Witch" Clarice would be watching from the shadows and provide help at critical moments. If Clarice noticed Jenna using Witch Path abilities, it would be dangerous.

But Jenna insisted on participating, and her reason was:

After Franca admitted to Clarice that she hadn't experienced pleasure for too long, the "Black Witch" would surely suspect the nature of Franca's relationship with her—after all, Franca originally approached Brune Soren under the pretense of attending a women's pleasure party.

So Jenna wanted to demonstrate her "Vampire" abilities and combat style before the "Black Witch." Her current magical items allowed her to disguise herself well and retain sufficient combat power—provided she pre-inserted the "Bloodthirsty Arrow" and concealed it beneath her clothes. As for the "Mirror Double," it could be attributed to Franca, since Anthony would also have one.

Franca had muttered, "Witches can be pure in love," but the moment the words left her mouth, she awkwardly changed the subject and silently allowed Jenna's participation.

"Mm." Franca, sitting cross-legged, gave a slight nod. "Moran Avigny's strength is unknown—he might be very powerful. If we try seduction while he's alert, we'll just become his prey and lose our lives. Hmm… let's still write to Lu Mi and see what ideas he has."

Here, Franca gave a self-deprecating smile:

"Ever since he left Trier, my brain has run away from home."

She was mocking herself for having been too lazy, often shifting the burden of thinking onto Lu Mi while she only played a supporting role.

Jenna laughed:

"You're truly skilled at self-mockery. That's one of the things I admire most about you—your openness and cheerfulness."

Franca chuckled:

"Teasing helps liven the mood and build closeness, but sometimes you misjudge others' tolerance—it easily turns into mockery. Self-mockery is safer."

As the two witches chatted, another telegram clicked in—again, the header read "007."

Franca pulled it open, and her eyes suddenly brightened.

The telegram's content read:

"Sleeve Sword, if you tell me your target and give sufficient reason, I might assist you—covertly coordinating with your operation."

Wow, you're a real friend! Franca silently praised him, her fingers dancing across the mechanical typewriter:

"Here's the thing: I have sufficient evidence to believe Minister of Industry Moran Avigny is the 'Man in the Mirror'—he has infiltrated Trier and replaced the original holder for decades. Ha! I didn't tell you earlier because I needed to obtain some crucial intelligence from Moran Avigny myself. If you arrest him, I can't be sure you'll gain access to the relevant materials, so I planned to act first."

"Phew… there's hope!" Franca turned to Jenna, raising her right index and middle fingers in triumph.

Soon after, "007" replied:

"Compile your previous findings and all data on Moran Avigny, and leave them at the contact point. I'll verify them first and look for an opportunity. Wait patiently for my notice."

Franca beamed, then pressed her lips together and sent a brief telegram:

"This operation may involve a Witch Cult's Archon. Be careful."

Jenna read it in silence, then asked thoughtfully:

"Still consult Lu Mi's opinion?"

"Yes." Franca answered without hesitation. "There's a saying: Three cobblers equal Rosel. More minds mean more ideas—maybe a better solution will emerge."

"What saying? I've never heard it…" Jenna suspected Franca was making it up.

…………

A night without the Crimson Moon, lit only by faint starlight.

In his first-class cabin aboard the "Berry," Lu Mi was studying a Dutan language textbook when his messenger, the "Penitent" Bayinfei, suddenly appeared before him.

Dressed in a black clerical robe, resembling a charred corpse, Bayinfei extended a letter.

Lu Mi reached out and took it, catching a faint, lingering fragrance on the paper.

Franca's letter… Jenna had already read it… Lu Mi mused casually as he glanced curiously at his messenger.

He always felt "Penitent" Bayinfei had many stories—but whenever he tried to chat, the man chose silence.

Once Bayinfei entered the Spirit Realm, Lu Mi unfolded the letter, leaned back in his chair, and read leisurely.

"With '007' helping, this shouldn't be hard." Suddenly, Lu Mi smiled, whispering silently, "If all else fails, just fish directly—target him as the 'Man in the Mirror,' who's wary of witches and likely possesses great strength. When Moran Avigny thinks the target is a lure from the Witch Cult, with some Archon hiding behind, preparing to swallow the candy coating and spit back the bomb—he'll discover he and his faction are facing one or two Angels, three to five Archons…" But then Franca's Witch Cult mission would be ruined…

Lu Mi's thoughts flashed rapidly, designing one scheme after another, then discarding each in turn.

Tomorrow, the "Berry" would leave the Stormy Sea and enter the coastal waters of the Southern Continent.

Then, the ship wouldn't need to zigzag through shifting storms, whirlpools, and occult phenomena—it could sail straight to its destination port in West Baelan.

Suddenly, Lu Mi felt something and stood up.

He walked to the window and looked out, seeing, not too far away in the darkness, an ancient three-masted sailing ship gliding silently past.

No lights shone on the vessel; no one walked its deck.

(End of Chapter)