Keila and Tristan met up with Morwenne after classes ended. They were going to start their first day as deliverymen for the syndicate.
Arnold, on the other hand, was out of the academy spending time with Luke, Olivia, Wistorina and Elizabeth. But he reassured them that he can control their little mule regardless of distance so long as he can sense her signature.
The aforementioned two were, as predicated by Morwenne, told to become double agents for the syndicate, as ordered by the bosses. It would be strange if they didn't give them anything as they are members of the same student body so Morwenne had them give false reports and the info of a possible base of theirs outside the empire where the drug is being manufactured, making the syndicate think that's where they're striking next.
She had hoped this would make them complacent but, unfortunately, they decided to move their main base as well. But taking that much product out of the academy will draw lots of attention so that's where the mules come in:
1. Take a magic bag stuffed with the product
2. Leave the academy to a predetermined destination to drop the product off
3. A second round of mules then take the product somewhere else until it gets to their new main base
The second point is useless info to the SDC since the location always changes. From taking the drugs to clients who bought from them, Keila and Tristan were able to acquire a list of every student and professor who has used the drug.
This will be helpful to determine who will be a biohazard in the event that demonic energy somehow leaks into the academy. They can be handled by a team of professionals once Morwenne leaks info about the operation.
In any case, unlike in Rachel's case where she was in a controlled environment, the academy won't be that easy to fill with demonic energy. So, they can take their time to root out the secondary problems.
"Were you able to find out about what I asked for?" asked Morwenne as she packed up her things, ready to leave. After that incident with Fallene, she was too ashamed to stay another day in this office to work. Since she has to monitor the situation, she'll just take a shower in a friend's dorm room and then come back.
She hasn't seen Rachel for a while now so she's quite worried about her cousin. But for now, this comes first. She can't leave the academy until they have some info at least, even if they can't act immediately.
"We couldn't find out about anyone linked to a demon cult…" said Keila apologetically.
"Don't look so down just because you couldn't get me answers. If my assumptions are correct, it's not surprising that they're hiding themselves so well. Have you two met up with Fallene yet?"
"Yes." Answered Tristan, "She wasn't acting strangely so we didn't need to instruct her on what to do."
"That's fortunate to hear. We now know that, unlike regular mind control achieved through magic, the Halo can control a person as if they were their ordinary selves. This will be a great tool for using together with spies so I hope to use Arnold in the future." After packing up her stuff, she gave the two another order, "Don't act suspicious and carry out your deliveries as usual to not arouse suspicion. While doing so, capture the faces of the middlemen you meet using the device installed in your uniforms. They might have some connection to the bosses."
"Roger!" the two said in unison.
**
Fallene was feeling more lightheaded than usual. She's not much of a drinker, unless it's at a special event, but it feels oddly similar to when she's a little drunk.
Besides that, nothing else felt strange to her. But there was this voice telling her what to do.
Who are you?
She had been wondering that ever since coming to the rendezvous point in the security room on the south of the academy. This place is mostly deserted aside from being right next to the large track field and training grounds.
It was the perfect place to meet for business. In fact, it's been a favorite for years. A favorite to students dealing drugs, that is.
"Finally here, huh?" a young man in the same uniform as hers called out when she was walking up to the security room.
This is who she used to gain access to the criminal network operating right under the noses of the officials of the academy. He was, without a doubt, just a goon that they're using but people like him are expendable fodder who they use to contact people they think would benefit from making contact with them.
"What do I need to do…? Do we exchange here?" she asked while glancing around, jumpy.
"You crazy? It's a well-known rumor that this place is being used as a meeting spot." he pointed behind him, "Let's get inside. Inspection is quite thorough so you'll be in there for a while."
"Eh?"
"Not 'eh'. You need to be checked for wires and tracking spells. We can't have you mapping out the basement when not even the academy allows such information to get out."
"Oh… Okay…"
Soon after he brought her inside. There was a device in the middle of the security room that had pole-like contraptions attached to it which stood upright from the ground up.
"Just take off your clothes and stand on the platform. It's easier and faster if it's automatic and the best part is I can just stand here."
"W-What—naked!?" she hugged her body and gained distance from him.
Sighing, he grabbed her by the hand and dragged her towards the machine, "I'm getting sick of interviewing you newbie mules. I always have to deal with your shy bullshit. It's cute when I'm about to break hymens but annoying when it's on the job."
"Ah!"
"Do you want me to complain to the higher ups about your little tantrum, hah!?"
"N-No!"
"Then take off your clothes and stand still!"
'Bastard… How dare you shout over me—' she was about to complain but then she remembered her place in this organization.
Right. She's just a mule. The lowest of the low. Even the security had more privileges and power than her.
If he complains to the people she approached for this role, she loses her worth.
"I-I'll do it…" eyes swimming around the room, she timidly took off her clothes.
"Don't hide your tits. I know wires can be hidden right above the skin and masked using illusion magic." saying so, he grabbed her hands and yanked them aside, "Holy shit, these tanlines look way too sexy!!"
"J-Just begin your inspection!" She glared at him. normally she would throw a fit at this disgusting behavior from a guy but he might complain to the heads about her.
"Agh, you're no fun." Complaining, he turned the machine on. The appendages of the device spun around her and a light shined on her skin.
"Anyway, why are you, a princess, joining this little world of ours?" as the device was scanning her body, the guy passed the time with asking her that question, "You can become a high-ranking noble even if you're not going to succeed the throne. I heard the Lion King loves all his kids even if they're all adopted so he probably won't cut financial support."
"Why do you care?"
"Hey, I'm a senior who ended up here through bad decisions of my own so it breaks my heart seeing juniors do this job willingly." despite his delinquent appearance, that sounded sincere, "It's also odd how a princess would bring herself to become a mule that transports drugs."
Indeed, it would shame her family greatly if all this came to light. That being said, she doesn't regret having her identity known as people in the underworld are forced to trust each other. If the identity of one leaks, the credibility of whoever did it will be in question and they will lose the trust of others.
Trust is invaluable as it builds connections, strengthens relationships and makes business happen. It can also affect your relationships with others if you break that trust, even if it's just some mule.
Thinking it over, she took a while to give her answer:
"…Just because I can live a lavish life with my father's help doesn't mean I don't seek independence. Not only that, if the heir decides to cut funding or the throne is overthrown, what will happen to me?"
"Ah, I see your point. Why not just marry some noble then? That Arnold guy took an interest in you today at lunch so you have a shot with him."
"That comes with restrictions and I just told you that I seek independence."
"You want power you can use, huh? I get it but how high are you thinking of climbing? There will always be someone above you in the social ladder in this world. Unless you're the leader of Serz, that is."
She's never given it much thought. How much power does she want? Does she want to have the power to even control politicians? Or is there ambition deeper than even that?
But that doesn't matter. All that she knows is that she can use whatever power she obtains here as a way to seek independence in society itself.
It might be the dumbest way to seek independence but anyone who knows her, knows that she wants to have power of her own on top of that independence. For only with power can you fight to protect that independence.
"I don't know that myself yet. I still have to see what it's like."
"Damn, you don't even have any hesitation. There are people out there that will swallow you whole with that gullibility of yours."
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"Oh, man." he chuckled, "This is why it's important to have a senior guide you. There are scary people in this world, Princess. They didn't get where they are in life because they played nice. They would even kill their friends and mentors, fearing the competition they'll have to face. Don't think you're untouchable once you show some competency. That's why I remain as a lackey. I get to work with beautiful women and bang the daughters of my bosses if they trust me enough but I will never, ever show them that I want more power."
"…You want to show them your belly for the rest of your life?"
"If that's your way of saying I want to be cautious for all my life, then yeah. Is it cowardly? Yeah, but who gives a shit when people bastards stronger than the Great Nobles are constantly breathing down our necks? Something in their minds tell them that they should stay cautious even if they're a bigwig. They would kill if they so much as suspect your betrayal."
"Y-You said earlier you didn't choose this life… What did you mean?"
He shrugged, "Picked a fight with the wrong gang leader just because I thought I was a little strong. That's all you need to know from someone as insignificant as me in this society of ours."
"—Cease your babble and do your work." A figure appeared behind the delinquent the moment Fallene blinked.
"Eek! Madam 1B!? W-What brings you here?"
It was a very tall woman in a hood, with her face covered in a mask.
"None of your concern. You have more rookies waiting outside but choose to waste time on unnecessary talking than doing your job."
"Huh? But the machine—"
"It only scans for wires and tracking spells but nothing as sophisticated as mind control. Those can be broken with short tests. Forget it, since I'm here, I can't sense any stray mana in the air so just leave."
"A-Ah…" he noticed that the scan had completed and didn't bring up any errors, "I-I'll get going then…"
"Do the scanning in another room. I'm meeting a very important person here soon as there won't be an opportunity to see her again."
"Got it…" he glanced at Fallene for a moment as if to say 'good luck. You're on your own' then bolted out.
"There are some truths to what he says…" looking down at Fallene who was trying to put her clothes back on, the mysterious woman spoke to her, "Don't trust anyone blindly, even if they offer you their goodwill."
Thinking of how to respond for a moment, Fallene fell silent.
Is this woman some bigwig in the underworld? She came here as if she owned the place and told the scanner guy to do his job.
"And yes, I am a high-ranking member in the underworld. Particularly, Serz. This drug den, that operates in all major nations, are handled by our branch managers, just like the routes across the borders."
Serz!?
Fallene gulped. She has to watch what she says.
"Cat got your tongue? What is your name?" sitting down on the leather couch facing the screens, she asked.
"Uhm, is it okay to talk to me…? I'm just a mule…" the lowest in the food chain.
"It wouldn't be okay for me to chase you out while you're putting on your clothes and I don't like silence when there is someone else in the room. And besides, you might serve under me as my junior one day so isn't it better for you to make a good first impression?"
"I can't really do that while putting on my shoes…" blushing, she responded.
A faint chuckle echoed, "I suppose a mule has nothing to offer this early on. But you are a demihuman so perhaps you have potential to be a good guard for My Lady."
"You serve someone, Ma'am?"
"Is that so surprising? Even subordinates can have a bit of power. That's the difference between me and that boy from earlier."
"…"
"If you're truly willing to lead this life merely for power, then I hope you will treat it as if your life is on the line. As I have." 1B said strongly, as if she were a mentor teaching her student, "While I may hold power as a servant of a Cadre, I got here through sheer desperation, not ambition for power. The more power I have, the more wealth I wield, and finally the better the life my family and I can lead."
"…Do you know yet when you're content with what you've earned?"
"I'm already past that point actually. I make more money than most high nobles on the imperial court and my identity is kept secret from every connection I have. What does this mean? It means I can leave whenever I want to. But I won't."
"…Why is that?"
"I'm still loyal to my liege. As long as she stays a Cadre, I won't ever be able to leave this life."
"Why would you choose to stay in this life if you've achieved your goal?"
That's stupid!
"Who says I can't have another goal?"
"Eh?"
"So, it would seem you would've continuously sought power your entire life, huh? Do you realize how dangerous the path will get? Few people in this world can walk it."
She went silent. That was exactly what she wanted to do even after gaining independence and security. There was no end for her but she thought she would figure it out along the way.
"You wanted to figure it out along the way, didn't you?"
"…"
"Somewhere along that road you're trying to walk without stopping, you will encounter danger that you won't be able to handle. Take it from your senior in this society as I've personally experienced them." 1B glanced at the door as she heard heels approaching, "You should leave now that you've finished putting your clothes on."
"…Yes… Thank you for the warning."
"Mm."
…
'What a nice person… I wonder how many people in this society are like her—'
Just when Fallene closed the door, her mind blanked and something else took over.