The smell of gunpowder gases had already permeated the entire basement, but time after time I reloaded my revolvers, continuing to hit the targets. It was getting better each time, each shot gave me personal experience and refreshed the mercenary's memory, which accelerated the training. A smooth trigger and the correct grip seemed to dawn on me by themselves. The first shots were still uncertain, but now... sometimes from the outside it might seem that it was no longer me shooting, but Lex, who had returned to his body.
However, it was still far from ideal. And I was haunted by ominous thoughts, because everything that was happening... it was terrible. It was worth only thinking about the details, rethinking what happened, as conflicting feelings began to poison my soul. The changes completely permeated me and on the one hand it should have made me happy, because I was becoming stronger. I did not allow this bitch to wipe her feet on me, I decided not to sit back and take part in deciding both my own fate and the fate of the world, I even killed a man, or rather not a man, but the last scum created for the sole purpose of maintaining the power of the elite.
Yes, I was getting stronger, but the question also arose, how much of myself was left after all this? Was I being absorbed by someone else's personality? After all, the cold-bloodedness with which I killed my first victim was clearly not typical of a student who had fought five times in his life. And what would happen next? With the next reincarnations, I could simply lose myself. But what does my "I" even mean and at some point would this turning point happen? I asked so many questions and did not know a single answer. So uncertainty became another problem for me.
After firing the last bullet, I returned the revolver to the holster, then looked at the torn targets and holes in the wall. Then I grabbed the bag and went to the warehouse to get more ammunition for training. After the invasion of the weapons factory, our supplies were enough for all needs. Each day we supplied more cultists, and also trained new recruits, preparing for the next stage of the coup.
However, at the warehouse I was met by Detriy, who approached me with a smile and gave me a brotherly hug.
"You are our messiah, Lex," he said joyfully, which surprised me.
— I literally did nothing.
- No, you have done an incredible amount. You have reminded us of what we have forgotten. The people have long been waiting for a leader, for someone to lead them. And we were afraid, prepared and hid. We have no end of those wishing to join our troops. And although not all of them share our faith in Tzeentch, their thirst for change is incredibly strong. Everyone from the poor to the ambitious aristocrats gives us strength, even if they themselves do not suspect it. No one can stop us.
— Even aristocrats?
- Of course, - Detrius assured me, putting his hand on my shoulder. - Tzeentch is the embodiment of the thirst for change and alteration. Every person dreams of prosperity, freedom and a better tomorrow. Even the governor, who is at the head of our world, dreams of new wealth, more power or... who knows, maybe for him change means leaving a post that has long been his bonds... I cannot look into the soul of everyone, but I see that the light of change has shone brighter than ever.
- Mologost has already given the order to land military forces. They have cordoned off the palace and the central quarter, and then they will conduct a total cleansing together with the planetary forces. Their power is enormous, and even though we robbed the weapons factory, we still remain...
"United," Detrius said confidently, clenching his fingers. "Changes are near, and chaos itself will soon be on our side. And I count on your help."
And again Detriy smiled, and I smiled back. After which he left, and I filled my bag with ammunition and went to my improvised shooting range. There I reloaded my weapon again, after which I began to consolidate my shooting skills. I quickly changed targets, moved the sight from my chest to my head, sometimes making three shots at once or practicing precise single shots.
- Ha, - I chuckled after an hour of practice. - I think I'm starting to understand the rules of the game.
Detriy lied to me, I felt it. His words were too cloying and he put too much emphasis on my exclusivity. I felt in my gut that they wanted to screw me. In my first life, I also sometimes had similar feelings when meeting girls who tried to make a comfortable doormat out of me. Cheap manipulations that were supposed to cause jealousy, hurt my pride and make me break into pieces, but achieve her and do as she wanted.
I sent such people far away. This time my intuition helped me again, although not right away. Remembering our previous conversations with Detriy, even the very first one. He already saw me as a resource that needed to be taught, used and then squeezed out to the maximum. To do this, he communicated personally, pretended to be interested in me, gave a false illusion of respect and through exclusivity tried to force... I don't know, maybe he wants me to jump on the embrasure with my chest or something even worse.
"The great manipulator Tzeentch… what else could one expect from your followers," I chuckled again.
It was so funny… knowing that they wanted to use you. It opened many doors for me. But it was even more pleasant to know that Detrius didn't know that I had read him like an open book. Everyone wanted to deceive me and have me, but it was time to enter the game myself. Yes, I don't have much experience, but isn't experience the name we give to our mistakes? Better to try than to regret a missed opportunity. I will have everyone myself.
Having put on my insignia and tidied myself up, I went out into the street. This world was ruled by aristocrats from the military class. And as has already been said, not all of them had love for the governor. Some openly hated him, others were just waiting for the moment to stab him in the back and rise at the expense of others' victims. This split played into the hands of the cult and me.
I had no power myself and had no intention of returning to the ship. After my prank, they would definitely kill me there. Windoria did not dare shoot me in public, but there, alone, I would certainly be punished. And in general, I had enough enemies there, remember at least the incident with the poison. So I understood that if I went there, I would not return.
Besides, was there any point in me coming back? Well, I'll come back, let's assume I survive, what next? No one trusts me there, everyone knows about my dubious status, and I won't even be able to rob a weapons warehouse. It's also unrealistic to build some kind of intrigue there.
But the opportunities were here, on earth, in this city. All I had to do was think, take a pen and write a few words on paper, and then put them back in my pocket. One piece of paper, a few words - that was the beginning of a crazy intrigue, where my life would be at stake, because I had nothing else. The risks were colossal, but fortune often smiles on the daring.
— Stop! Where are you going? — at the entrance to the skyscraper, I was stopped by security with coats of arms on their armor.
I looked down at him, then adjusted my aquila and cloak with the Kilor coat of arms.
"I'm from Vindoriya Kilor, I want to talk to Mr. Bonte. Your master," I replied, after which I confidently took a step, which made one of the guards raise his shotgun.
- Stand!
"Be careful, you'll get hurt," I chuckled, looking straight into his eyes.
— The meeting is not scheduled.
- I know.
- Without…
- Listen to me here, you idiot. Why do you think I came here and not Ms. Kilor personally? Obviously, the meeting is not official and should take place without prying eyes. You have already attracted too much attention, just take me to your master. However, if you are so stubborn and stupid, then fine, I will leave and tell my mistress everything. But when Mister Bonte finds out that you did not let me in and what opportunities he lost...
- Okay, I understand. Let's go. It's just that the city is unsettled right now, you know.
As expected, the guards were afraid of responsibility. Well, it wasn't hard to get inside the skyscraper, nor was it hard to get a meeting. Soon I was escorted in and the surprised Mr. Brante let me in. First, they took all my weapons and, of course, examined every crack, pocket and pouch. Now I had to make sure that I wasn't immediately thrown out or, even worse, arrested.
"So this isn't a joke?" Mr. Bonte frowned when I entered his office.
He was sitting at a wide table and actively rereading the documents that the servitor was carrying, moving between the cabinets and sometimes taking documents from the assistant at the cogitator. Work was in full swing, because Mr. Bonte owned the eighth largest business on this planet by capitalization. And he had achieved such heights largely thanks to his relatives in court. He was not a fool either, so he looked at me with incredible suspicion.
I calmly approached him and took the same piece of paper out of my pouch. After that, I took off my vox-bead and transmitter, and nodded towards the cogitator, next to which was Bonte's personal vox-station. The piece of paper said that our forces were capable of listening in on vox communications and that it was unsafe to talk here. In this way, I switched Bonte's attention to the fact that we could be followed and at the same time achieved a private conversation.
Having understood the hint, Mr. Bonte stood up silently and together we went to a separate room without windows and with very thick walls. Here in the semi-darkness Mr. Bonte rested from the endless streams of information that his brain was forced to process in order to manage the wealth of his family.
"So that's what Mrs. Kilor was planning," he said inside, taking a decanter of amasec out of the cupboard. "The first dance for a mercenary initially seemed like an extremely stupid move. However, even then I understood that important people like Vindorya Kilor don't do anything for no reason. So that's how she introduced the aristocracy to you. And now she can act through you, and if something happens…"
- Kill me, quickly find a replacement. That's right, but please don't consider me a simple messenger.
- I wouldn't even think so, you don't look like an ordinary messenger. So what is the purpose of your visit?
— The governor has screwed up, order is under threat, he is weak and ineffective.
"Then he needs to be replaced," Bonte suggested and couldn't help but grin, because he was a rather vain man.
- Exactly. Do you think there is anyone among the top aristocrats who is capable of calming the unrest and showing greater efficiency than the governor?
— The Bonte family has always been distinguished by this quality. However, the hierarchy of our world is extremely rigid, any changes are accepted with a stern glance and the phrase "don't change what works anyway" is widespread. I consider this stupid, because changes would allow us to be much more effective.
- However, these changes can destroy the established system.
- As you can see, the governor made a mistake when he squeezed the throat of poverty too hard. He is already old, he makes mistakes more and more often, and respect for him is based only on his past merits.
"That's what I wanted to hear," I smiled, taking a glass of amasec. "Vindoria hasn't made a decision yet, but you're one of the suitable candidates. However, everything will depend on your further actions and the results they lead to."
- And how can I distinguish myself? What do I need to do to gain the favor of the Kilor family?
— Strengthen your position, suppress unrest in your territories, lead the aristocrats and prove your right to leadership by deeds, not words.
- But the governor...
— The governor will not dare to declare war on you without permission. And he will not be given permission, don't worry. The Kilor family gives its word. Show your strength and ability to replace the governor, solve the problems he failed to cope with. Then you will take his place. However, I also recommend that you refrain from rash actions. Act softly, diplomatically, cunningly if you like. There is no need to provoke the governor into direct confrontation.
"I understand what needs to be done," Bonte was slightly offended by my advice, but it was even better this way.
Then we talked about more routine moments and details. I held the second position, asking mostly leading questions. Bonte briefly tested the waters of permissibility and hinted a couple of times that everything could be resolved more quickly if we handed over the troops to him. To this I answered extremely abstractly and asked him not to meddle in other people's business.
- Don't get me wrong, Mr. Bonte, but the situation in your world is not that simple. This rebellion is not quite ordinary and therefore we will act as carefully and cautiously as possible. You should also not underestimate the enemy. Keep an eye on your allies as well.
- And what about your intelligence data? If possible, I would like to get acquainted with those who are ready to support Ms. Keelor.
- Mr. Bonte, you disappoint me. Don't you know their names anyway? Just remember the ball, - I spoke again rather abstractly, forcing Bonte to look for answers on his own.
He would answer me, and I would nod mysteriously or ask counter questions, asking if he was so sure. As a result, Bonte would voice his assumptions out loud, justify them, and I would give the final answer to be sure. Of course, I did everything at random and relied more on intuition than on logic. However, this did not bother me. Bonte himself is not such a fool, although perhaps he miscalculated somewhere, and by convincing him of my own rightness through "secret inside information," I thus reduced the likelihood that Bonte would succeed.
But everything went surprisingly simply. Largely due to the fact that the seeds of betrayal had long been ripening among the aristocracy. Yes, by showing up to Bonte I was basically poking my finger into the sky, but that was not entirely true. I already knew from the cultists about recent conflicts, about who was squeezing out businesses and who of the relatively influential aristocrats was being strangled more than others. Bonte was among them.
Soon our conversation came to an end and having finished a bottle of amasec for both of us, I had already gotten up and was heading for the exit, after which I suddenly remembered something important and turned around.
- Mr. Bonte, I forgot to ask you: you know what Mologost talked about with the governor at the ball?
- Hmm... he was interested in trade.
"Not just trade," I decided to press, to squeeze out more information, but Mr. Bonte still thought that he was being tested to see if he was worthy of becoming the new governor.
- It is connected with the xenos world, which is also in our system. But these are just rumors, I am not sure...
- True. It's better not to talk about this, Mr. Bonte. And you must also understand that when you take over as governor, you will have to continue this relationship.
— But what about imperial values?
- Terra is far away, like all of us, we are pursuing personal interests. Do not delve too deeply into these matters. Simply serve the interests of the Kilor dynasty and your power, wealth, and reputation will grow. We will meet again. Oh, and yes, you understand that it is better not to spread about our conversation? Nothing should indicate my lady.
- Understand.
I nodded and left the office, and then the skyscraper. Outside, going into the alleys, I suddenly realized how terribly nervous I was. This idea was crazy, but somehow it worked. Although I didn't do anything special, I just lied, created the impression of confidence and manipulated the information I had.
Just like that time when I was retaking my sociology exam, when I had to convince the teacher that I had two jobs. Then, too, everything worked out for me, because I initially chose a winning strategy, knowing that the teacher likes honesty. So I honestly told him that I didn't really need his subject and that I had completely different goals. Of course, I lied about the two jobs, but in this way I created the impression of an honest student. This won him over and he gave me a C, saving me from expulsion.
Of course, it was not quite correct to compare such things, but I knew how to lie convincingly and, no matter how you look at it, it came in handy. But what exactly did it come in handy for? Here, too, everything was simple. Chaos had begun, but the cult of Detrius could be quickly destroyed, so it was advantageous for me to sow discord among the aristocrats. Divide and rule, a principle known since ancient times.
However, I did not say anything to Detriy and I will not say anything. Because this is only a prelude to my risky and ambitious plan. After all, now I could also influence the success of our operations plans. Those that will take place on the territory of the Bonte family will fail in a surprising way, and Bonte's trust in me will grow. In turn, when I need Bonte, instead of decisive support, will take a wait-and-see position, and Detriy will sink his fangs into the governor's objects.
Windoria and Bonte will never cross paths after my warning, which will allow my lie to live longer. And the chaos will last longer, and I will have more time and more opportunities. Let Detrius think he is using me, and Bonte sincerely believe that he is using Windoria.
And when I confuse all the cards, disrupt the plans of all these strategists, then everything will be in the power of chance, and chance will equalize my chances. In a fair game against such strong figures, I would not be able to stand, I do not have enough experience. So let chaos decide everything, where no one will understand anything.
And although my opponents were extremely strong, cunning and dangerous, I had another very important advantage. In case of defeat, I did not lose anything, unlike them. Therefore, my actions could be the most impudent, unexpected and crazy. Any risks, any bets, every move - all-in.
It's all just begun.
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