Chapter 207: Alexander (1)

Preparations for the Harvest Festival, which began with everyone dreaming different dreams, were proceeding smoothly.

As they formulated the assassination plan, the Ithaca leadership, including Lumia, had several concerns. One of them was the issue of Alexander’s escort. This was because if Alexander were to raise concerns about Ithaca’s public order, given that the city had purged the families of the Hero’s party, and brought in Paladins from the capital’s church to escort the parade, the plan would have to be completely revised.

Indeed, the capital’s leadership had suggested to Alexander that he bring Paladins with him.

‘While personal safety is a concern, Ithaca is a city that purged the families of Hero Wolf-nim for their alleged crimes. It’s questionable whether those who received Paladin titles in such a city would treat Saint Alexander properly. They might find some excuse to cause trouble.’

However, Alexander refused the leadership’s suggestion. There were several reasons why he rejected their proposal and chose to accept the escort from Ithaca’s Paladins:

‘Firstly, from my perspective, which desires the Ithaca Church to make a mistake during the Harvest Festival, to clarify responsibility, I believe it’s right to entrust even the escort forces to Ithaca. And secondly, if Ithaca handles my escort, a significant number of personnel from the church and the guard will be focused on me, making it easier for the agents I’ve dispatched separately to Ithaca to conduct their underground operations.’

The leadership could only nod at his words. Although it was risky, following his plan made it easier to proceed.

Worst-case scenarios like assassination attempts or terrorist acts were not even considered. After all, it was Saint Alexander, a monster among monsters who could swing people around like clubs and recover from fatal wounds with just a casually uttered spell.

How could a mere priest and a group of clergy possibly kill him?

Thus, hiding their true intentions, the capital’s church sent a letter entrusting the escort to Ithaca.

Unaware of the capital’s intentions, the Ithaca side found themselves pondering the letter once again. Although neither Alexander nor the leadership had intended it, the letter they sent, unbeknownst to them, was initiating a sophisticated psychological warfare.

‘…What could be their intention?’

The noblewoman twisted her lips as she looked at the letter. It was hard to trust the official document. Even if Saint Alexander’s participation in the Harvest Festival was essential, wasn’t this overly cooperative? The priestess Lumia, who had purged the Hero’s family relatives and was gathering support in Ithaca, was the focal point for the anti-Alexander faction.

In the heart of such a hostile faction, they would keep their own people to a minimum? And entrust the parade to Ithaca? In reality, Ithaca had expected several rounds of negotiation regarding this matter. They were convinced the capital would declare distrust in Ithaca’s security and request the deployment of Paladins.

Therefore, they anticipated letters explaining the significance of why Ithaca’s Paladins should be the ones to escort him, and depending on whether they could persuade them, they planned to decide whether to switch to Plan B.

But from the capital, it was as if they had received Ithaca’s proposal exactly as they’d waited for it.

When things go too smoothly, it tends to make one uneasy. The people of Ithaca trembled with anxiety, fearing they might fall into a trap no one had set.

A stout man in a fedora said.

‘They might suddenly change their minds. Claiming the plan has changed, they could bring in a large number of Paladins. It would be disrespectful, yes, but aren’t we already enemies disguised by smiles? It wouldn’t be strange if they came in with such an arbitrary approach. If they do, we’ll have no way to stop them. There’s no better move to ruin our plan.’

They couldn’t afford to overlook any possibility.

Someone with only one chance has no choice but to be cautious.

Alice said.

‘Still, I think we should proceed with this plan as is. Unless our assassination plan has been leaked, there’s no reason for Alexander to go to such lengths.’

Lorena looked at Alice. The others, also looking at Alice, asked,

‘Why do you think so? Alice-yang?’

‘I heard that public opinion regarding Saint Alexander has hit rock bottom in both the capital and Ithaca. In such a situation, I don’t think he’d bother participating in Ithaca’s religious event only to fill the escort with his own people, as if showing distrust towards the Ithacans. He’d be looking for a chance to rebound, so wouldn’t he rather keep Ithaca’s Paladins close by at times like these to avoid giving anyone grounds for complaint?’

‘So, there’s no solid evidence for that.’

Lumia said, looking at Alice. Alice reluctantly nodded. As she said, Alice’s argument was merely her intuition. As she stepped back with a crestfallen face, Lorena patted her back. The bearded man, looking at her, said,

‘Alice-yang’s opinion isn’t entirely baseless. I also believe Saint Alexander wouldn’t deliberately cause trouble right from the start of the Harvest Festival.’

With him siding with Alice, various counterarguments emerged again. Based on Alexander’s past actions, an opinion arose that he might suddenly act erratically again, and another suggested that coming unprepared to a town where the Hero’s family was killed meant he was plotting something.

The opinions, which had been pouring out chaotically, found flaws in each other’s arguments, and converging towards consensus, like sharpening heavy iron into a blade, focused on a single point.

‘Preparing two plans simultaneously is practically impossible. Therefore, by majority vote, we’ve decided to proceed with the assassination plan without changes. If Saint Alexander brings additional personnel, we will attempt to separate them from him.’

With Lumia’s summary, the meeting concluded. As people flowed out like the receding tide, Alice sighed deeply and sat down. Only Lumia, Lorena, and Alice remained. The lantern swayed with Alice’s sigh, and Lumia’s proud face was flushed crimson.

Lorena, massaging Alice’s seemingly exhausted shoulders, said,

‘You worked hard.’

‘Ah… thank you. Lately, it’s just been so exhausting.’

She loved contributing to changing the world, but each day felt like a string of overwork. Every time her tense shoulder muscles were pressed, Alice couldn’t help but let out involuntary groans.

‘Ah…! There…! Right there…! Ahh……!’

Lumia said, looking out the window.

‘It’s almost time now. We’ve secured the mages, and all crucial matters have been coordinated. All that’s left is to wait for Saint Alexander’s arrival.’

‘You said the same thing last time, and yet another problem erupted. Meetings, coordinating issues, going out to procure materials. What is this?’

‘Instead, once this is over, Alice-yang will become a full-fledged big shot. Imagine that future, and get some rest.’

Lumia said in a kind voice. But Alice wasn’t entirely comfortable with the future she described. The word ‘big shot’ seemed to carry a somewhat negative connotation. The big shots she knew were fearsome tycoons with cigars in their mouths, entangled with the underworld.

‘…Oh, then Alice is already a big shot.’

Lorena said with a laugh. Hearing that, Alice couldn’t help but laugh too. She didn’t have a cigar, but she was already entangled with demons and had plenty of money. She was quite famous in Ithaca in her own way, and many people recognized her face.

‘That’s right. I’m a big shot.’

Alice nodded, saying so.

Seeing her listless state, Lumia drew the window curtains and said to Alice,

‘Take a good rest for a while, Alice-yang. There won’t be anything for you to do for the time being.’

Alice didn’t reply to Lumia’s words. She stretched out her hand, moving it over the desk as if playing the piano.

Lorena said.

‘Alice. Let’s take a good rest for a while. Okay?’

Alice stared blankly at the wall, then blinked again. Lumia met her gaze, tilting her head as if asking if she had something to say.

Alice said,

‘I miss my dad. It’s been really tough lately.’

Lorena blushed slightly at those words, then said to Alice with a flustered expression,

‘H-hey, Alice. Now?’

‘If I write a letter, he’ll come within three days, right?’

Alice showed no reaction to Lorena’s bewilderment. She stretched, and got up from her seat.

‘H-hey, Alice. This is too sudden! I’ve been out and about lately, so my skin’s gotten a bit tanned, and my hair’s a mess…’

Lorena stood behind her, stomping her feet anxiously. Although she was downplaying her appearance, Lorena still possessed an attractive figure and a healthy glow.

Lumia said with a smile.

‘There’s no need to put yourself down like that, Lorena-yang. Don’t worry, and take a few days off. Please send my regards to Evan-nim as well.’

‘Aren’t you meeting me?’

Lumia said with a look of genuine regret.

‘I have a backlog of work. Instead, once things are settled in Ithaca, I intend to monopolize Evan-nim for myself.’

Alice grinned at her words.

Then, taking Lorena’s hand, she said,

‘Let’s hurry.’

Lorena said with a bewildered face.

‘W-where are we going?’

‘To write the letter. I miss my dad right now.’