Assassination Threat? 4

What kind of existence is an Overseer?

Calamities and accidents that could destroy the Ark and humanity occur countless times every day.

Overseers align and observe all those causes and effects, appearing when necessary to eliminate elements that threaten order and peace.

Rebuilding worlds on the verge of destruction, preventing humans from turning against each other, like the stories of heroes in fairy tales or legends.

Their reality is cold and harsh, unlike the heroes in stories who save all humans and execute justice, but no one denies that Overseers are the most important cog in maintaining peace and order.

“This is insane. An Overseer…?”

“Is it real?”

“They have a blue armband.”

“Isn’t it a choker?”

“Any accessory with a distinct blue color that devours light is called a blue armband. Commonly known as a blue choker!”

“What’s so great about that?”

“It means they’re an incredibly great hero!”In particular, Overseers wearing a ‘blue armband’ were treated as truly heterogeneous beings and living legends.”

For ordinary people in general residential areas, not only blue armbands but the very existence of Overseers was almost legendary, but the upper class residing in the Ruincrest layer accurately understood the meaning of Overseers and blue armbands.

The same was true for the members of Coffee Tree.

When Alice deactivated the recognition interference, one of the choker’s functions, the faces of everyone, including Haimon, contorted in shock.

Some were even on the verge of kneeling, but at the same time, hostile gazes were shot at her.

“Ah, why is the Overseer of the Ark here…!”

“Me? Is it so strange for an Overseer to be here?”

“The Ruincrest layer is an inviolable area!”

“So?”

“So what! The Ruincrest layer was established with the families of meritorious subjects who have contributed to the Ark for a long time as its core, and is excluded from the application of general Ark laws…!”

“You know better than anyone why I’m here, don’t you?”

“…!”

Only then could they vaguely grasp the thread of the absurd rumors and ominous news that had arisen in the Academy.

Treason.

Somehow, the central administration had detected signs of treason in this layer.

‘The content of the mandatory ideology education time in the morning has become subtle. Talk of red ideology and the sanctity of labor… stories that have nothing to do with us.’

‘I also heard from my father that the amount of logistics movement throughout the layer has drastically decreased, and many areas have been closed off.’

‘No wonder that Dehite bastard died without even putting up a fight…’

Including hacking the source code of the academy virtual dungeon and disabling all the safety devices applied to Gresus, it all makes sense that she killed the eldest son of a meritorious family on her first day at the Academy.

It all makes sense if it’s an Overseer.

Moreover, an Overseer with a blue armband, regardless of their rank, possesses unparalleled abilities and authority, and is the undisputed military force and power of the Ark Central, executing the will of the Ark.

“Well, then. Shall we talk?”

Alice wanted to give the students, who were frozen with tension, a chance by personally stepping forward instead of the self-proclaimed anti-rebellion faction.

Because there’s nothing more effective than exploiting the divided forces of the layer, whether they’re real or fake.

“Let’s start with your names, affiliations, and families.”

Alice, having activated the recording function using the auditory sensor in Theresa’s body, sat on the rock, crossing her legs.

Perhaps because the demeanor of a noble lady hadn’t been lifted, she was so elegant that she didn’t seem lacking at all as the heir to the Arbentaine Family.

After a while, Alice learned that this anti-rebellion faction referred to themselves as a group called Coffee Tree and that they were a gathering of people who feared the act of rebellion against the central administration itself.

‘Honestly, they’re not that nutritious. They just seem like typical nobles who are afraid of rebellion and all kinds of wars that come with it.’

【That’s correct. They are commonly privileged people who only want to enjoy what they have and avoid danger, and are close to being snobbish and petty.】

Well, these guys must have some talent and ability to have been admitted to the Academy…

No, even so, their family policy is to only know how to protect themselves, so it’s not dangerous.

But it’s also useless.

“What’s the rebellion plan?”

“We don’t know… Even the Arbentaine Family head, who presides over the layer council, doesn’t tell us much.”

“It’s only natural since you don’t participate in the ’cause’. Then, what about the munitions factory?”

“Munitions factory?”

“A factory in sacred Ruincrest? There’s no such eyesore that harms the natural scenery anywhere.”

“Are you sure?”

“That’s…”

“Then you said you’re an anti-rebellion faction, so do you have any hidden power or army? A trump card to oppose Arbentaine?”

“……”

They’re all looking at each other’s faces.

It means they don’t have one.

They’re just saying they’re against the rebellion, but they’re not taking any action, including terrorism.

Well, they might try to assassinate or kill me like Gresus, but this is just a common Duel Trial level event that happens among Ruincrest Academy students, so it’s not something that will escalate seriously.

【Human, I am convinced by the recent exchange. The humans belonging to Coffee Tree are of no use in Human’s mission.】

I think so too.

Alice let out a silent sneer at Theresa’s words.

To be honest, she didn’t have high expectations for these anti-rebellion guys.

But this is too much, isn’t it?

They’re an anti-rebellion faction, but they haven’t made any plans. They don’t even have proper power.

They didn’t seem to have any intention of investing a huge amount of money to fight against the Arbentaine Family.

They’re just Academy students who follow the policies of their families and clans?

In fact, the Coffee Tree guys don’t even have the resolve in the first place.

Not for grand reasons like peace or order, but just because they’re afraid of war and want to do something to avoid losing what they have now.

They have no courage, no cause, and no charismatic leader to be a focal point.

‘Perdain Arbentaine is much more charismatic and has better drive. If it weren’t for the direction of rebellion, the central administration would have paid quite a bit of attention to him…’

Alice didn’t just attend the Academy for the past four weeks without thinking.

As she grasped what Perdain was doing as the head of the meritorious family and the affiliates and mega corps that cooperated with him, she realized that there were more forces and families involved in this matter than she had imagined.

Moreover, the secret was so well kept that it didn’t leak out to anyone.

The only reason Alice was able to access this information was because she had Theresa, who could remotely hack.

‘The really important information or rebellion plans are written on paper documents, not electronic documents, so I can’t find out more through hacking.’

If I show an active attitude towards the cause or rebellion that Perdain is talking about here, then truly irretrievable suspicion will begin.

Well, I could quit playing the adopted daughter role…

But honestly, I can still enjoy it leisurely. If I reveal my identity and try to cleanse the rebellion, I might have to fight the entire layer.

Since Perdain himself is thorough and the situation is like this, it’s understandable that the anti-rebellion faction doesn’t know where Perdain’s plans or private soldiers are.

“Alice… no, Overseer. Instead of this, I’ll arrange a meeting with my superiors later.”

“That’s right! My father would be able to have a more constructive conversation!”

Did they sense Alice’s displeased expression, or did they realize they were useless?

‘Ah, if they’re useless, I can just make them useful.’

Alice raised the corners of her lips at the thought that flashed through her mind.

The anti-rebellion faction called Coffee Tree only shouts for peace and doesn’t actively oppose.

They just gather among their own forces and families and murmur that Arbentaine’s cause is dangerous and reckless, but they don’t take any practical solutions or military gatherings.

Then…

‘Let’s push them into a situation where they have no choice but to rise up.’

Having made her decision, Alice made a call somewhere.

Since she hacked the source code, she could communicate with the outside even from the virtual dungeon.

[This is Perdain Arbentaine.]

‘Ohoho, Father. How is your health?’

[What I gave you is a single line that only I can access. Stop with the disgusting courtesy that doesn’t suit you.]

‘Ah, thanks for letting me know. I would have thrown up every time I was courteous to you if I could have.’

[So? What’s the matter? If you contacted me on this line, it can’t be a light matter.]

Alice looked at the Coffee Tree members in front of her and raised the corners of her lips.

‘The self-proclaimed pacifists who oppose the cause… contacted me.’

[…Explain in detail.]

‘They introduced themselves as Coffee Tree. They said that the meritorious family’s cause is putting the layer in danger, and those who don’t cooperate with you want to overthrow you with me?’

[…Hah.]

I could clearly see Perdain clicking his tongue on the other end of the line.

It might look like I just sold out Coffee Tree like this.

No, well… I actually did sell them out.

But this is for something bigger.

Yes, I’m going to make you, who are useless, useful for the peace of the layer, so don’t worry.

Ah, of course, I’m not going to tell you.

[I understand for now. Return straight to the office after the Academy is over.]

‘Yes~ Father. Was my lovely daughter’s testimony helpful?’

[Stop talking nonsense and hang up.]

-Click

Ha, this bastard.

He’s quick-witted?

But it’s strange.

My appearance is really pretty, though?

I’d fall for myself if I looked in the mirror, so why does Perdain call me disgusting?

【Based on the observations over the past four weeks, Perdain’s insight itself is estimated to be at a high level.】

‘Even so, he’s still a pushover who hasn’t even seen through that I’m an Overseer.’

I’m making it so obvious, but if he still doesn’t know, I wonder if he’s not just a pushover but an idiot.