You would think that secret organisations or whatever, seeking to overthrow monarchies that have been in place for several centuries, and a kingdom seeking to provoke wars so that they can reap rewards in the form of free labour–You would think that they would avoid meeting too often so as to reduce the chances of them being found out by the people they are trying to mess with.

  Well, I guess not.

  It has been a little while since you were last here, Big Sis

  Was it really? I swear I don’t have a very good grasp on the passage of time these days… Anyway, it doesn’t change the fact that they are annoying. Can I even use the array without them noticing? I know that you can activate very sneakily, but they are right there, and I would guess that Mister Red Cloak is here again. This guy has a freaky presence. I can just tell that he can hand my ass to me with both arms bound behind his back.

  No way I am getting close to exchanging even a single blow with this guy…

  “Why did you call a meeting today, Jonhas?”

  The voice of Denaiel rang out–He was indeed present, and his tone was as flat as I remembered. He addressed someone by name, and their identity became clear when they responded.

  “Emergency, Red Snow… I found out something most problematic. I am afraid that neither my group nor your kingdom will be able to lay a finger on Rootriska. The same goes if Heldinot were to declare war against them…”

  “Do explain what you discovered…”

  Denaiel’s tone was immediately more inquisitive, almost aggressive, yet also chillingly calm… This guy definitely knew how to put pressure on someone using only words.

  “No need for the killing eyes, man… I found that the crown was way more prepared to deal with problems than expected. Do you know that inventor? The one who basically created the profession of mechanist? He is involved, and he provided many of his inventions to defend the country–Both from outside and inside threats”

  “Also, the king seems to have many hidden cards up his sleeve as well. I am afraid that we underestimate Rootriska far too greatly”

  Denaiel sighed heavily, and I could imagine him rubbing the bridge of his nose clearly inside my head.

  “...Are you telling me that you are pulling out of this operation?”

  “Don’t misunderstand me, Denaiel. I still very much intend on toppling the crown, I am merely informing you of my most recent discoveries–Which is that Rootriska is far mightier than even our worst predictions… You probably remember the one time war automatons were built by this Leton Nebulo, right? He called them ‘hastily put together’, but they absolutely crushed the army put together by the Northern Wildfolks. I don’t dare to imagine what carefully crafted automatons of his could be capable of”

  “...Right. Ririlt, do you have good news, at least?”

  The foxfolk took a few moments to answer.

  “I am afraid not, Denaiel. The relationships between Heldinot and Rootriska that we tried to ruin with rumours and slander? Dispelled. Reduced to nothingness. I am afraid that the rulers of both nations are onto us, to be frank… They worked together without a hitch to get rid of the false rumours, and…”

  Ririlt marked another pause.

  “...I learned that the prince and princess are going to be welcoming a child. I don’t understand how it is even possible! Humans and beastfolks are rarely compatible, even when they look nearly identical! And yet… Somehow it worked for the two of them when the princess is more BEASTfolk than beastFOLK!”

  I could feel the weight of the silence. I had no idea what their faces looked like, but it seemed pretty clear that Red Snow wasn’t very happy. After all, he was the one representing Beelmart here, the entity paying for the bulk, if not the entirety of this operation.

  The faux-noble and foxfolk were more akin to mercenaries than genuine allies to them.

  “That’s the second time… Isn’t it?”

  “Huh? What are you talking about?”

  “It’s the second time an abnormal pregnancy occurred when a member of the royal family of Rootriska was involved. It is no wonder that Algo Irmandelt Rootriska is so willing to marry and have his offspring marry other sapient species. He knows very well that, unlike other kingdoms, his bloodline can crossbreed. Thus, he knows that he can forge bonds and alliances stronger than any other”

  “Damn…”

  “Wouldn’t it mean that…?”

  “Yes, he’s definitely going to try to marry off his other sons to other nations. He started with Heldinot and Malkazert, nations with which he already had good relations, to make a demonstration. He must have wanted to show countries with whom he had poor relations that the species barrier did not exist for his bloodline. He is trying to goad these other nations to perform political marriages…”

  “...What a crafty bastard. No one would be opposed to marriages in this manner. When a couple brought together in this manner has children, it inevitably links the crowns together. It breeds friendship that is difficult to betray, not to mention that Rootriska is one of the most economically successful nations on this continent. One would be stupid not to take the occasion”

  Denaiel sounded angry, but also genuinely impressed, if not admirative.

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  Red Snow remained quiet for a while. No one seemed willing to talk.

  “Denaiel… Do I take it that this is goodbye, then? Our plans have failed, and we just realised that we have been biting way more than we could chew, so… It is the end of our collaboration, isn’t it? I doubt your king will be willing to pour any more money into this project”

  Jonhas was the one speaking. The faux-noble definitely sounded disappointed.

  “I am afraid that you are right. I will return to my king and inform him of the new situation. It seems like the best course of action will be to finally change our ways. Our economic model is simply a thing of the past now. We will have to adapt and play Rootriska’s game… We do have unmarried princesses, after all. They are rather good-looking and well-educated, if I dare say so myself”

  The enforcer of Beelmart added something soon after:

  “Are you willing to accept our withdrawal peacefully?”

  “Of course, it is not like we can do much anymore anyway. Rootriska was our target. We were supposed to topple the crown and establish our own regime, but under the current situation? It is not only impossible, but the entire population, from the highest nobles to the lowest peasant, would absolutely slaughter us if we were to somehow manage a coup”

  The foxfolk were more reluctant.

  “Hold on! Heldinot isn’t as protected! Why not substitute Rootriska for another country nearby? Could it not work?”

  “Ririlt. I am telling you this because I have grown to not dislike you, but which country do you think Heldinot could hold their own against well enough in its surroundings? You are only surrounded by Rootriska, Marshgloom, and the Aestherian Republic”

  “...Damn it! So it’s all over?”

  “You will have to find another goal, unless you can manage to bring down your aristocracy on your own. There is nothing that can be done anymore. We failed and were all outplayed. It happens”

  They stopped speaking. The silence was eventually broken by the unexpected. The two leaders of organisations audibly shifted as their entourage prepared for a fight.

  “It is no–no–no–not over yet. W–Would you like to know wh–y–y?”

  Mara, what are you doing?!

  I remained hidden inside the hidden cavern, standing upon the array which was ready to be activated at any time if necessary. If Nara really wanted to, she could teleport me away right now, but she had too strong a trust in me to interrupt my plan. Even if she clearly thought that I was pulling something insane.

  I heard the sound of a blade being pulled out of its sheath.

  “Identify yourself”

  “M–y name doesn’t ma–matter, Red Boy…Do you–you want to fulfil your mi–mission, or not–t?”

  “I do not see how I could trust you. Not only are you intruding upon us, but you do not sound like a person. Are you a monster?”

  “O–Of course, I am a monster! The grea–greatest of all, a sapient! The atro–atrocities I co–commit are all done with fu–full knowledge of the repercussions”

  “L–Listen closely, Adenaiel. Jonhas. Ririlt. I h–av–e the means to shake entire countries. I can–can bring chaos and disorder! I mere–merely need a little bit of assistance”

  I can feel their negative emotions subsiding. They are feeling hopeful. They might not believe me in the least, but they were definitely willing to hear me out. It was either that or giving up.

  For the faux-noble and foxfolk, giving up meant abandoning years worth of planning. They were part of organisations that sought nothing more than to ascend to power. It was their life goal. Too much time had been dedicated to this dream and self-imposed duty to give up now–As for Red Snow… He was concerned with bringing disappointment to his ruler.

  After all, who would want to be the one to announce to their king that not only had a plan failed utterly, but that the kingdom would have to go through great, painful changes to be able to continue surviving? Beelmart had functioned in a certain way from the moment it had been created long ago.

  Changing it all now would be far from easy. In fact, it was likely to cause nationwide protestations as everyone based their lives on the slave economy.

  Thus, Denaiel sheathed his blade.

  “Speak. I am listening”

  “You m–might have heard about it… The ni–nightmares that have clai–med lives in both Rootriska and Heldinot”

  Jonhas an Ririlt had caught wind of it, they replied affirmatively nearly immediately.

  “I did. The word of the orphanage that was nearly completely slaughtered by these nightmares has made the rounds. Strange nightmares that throw you into a survival scenario, generally in unfamiliar places–At some point, the people infected with the nightmares will be killed, generally gruesomely”

  “I heard similar things, but a little girl survived and spoke of a… Nice lady, for some reason? Who apparently helped get out, and since then, the girl has not had any nightmares again”

  “What of it?”

  “It’s me. I am the sou–source of these ni–nightmares. Imagine these nightmares… But are y–your dis–po–sal. What do y–you think would happen if th–they spread all across an entire country?”

  I felt a momentary spike of fear coming from the people present, except Red Snow. Denaiel was surging with positive emotion, enough to make me feel uncomfortable.

  “Are you telling me that it is possible to do so? These nightmares could wash over an entire country like a plague?”

  I confirmed, and the enforcer slammed his palms together.

  “What do you want for cooperation?”

  Red Snow was quite direct. I didn’t quite trust him to actually deliver on whatever promises he was currently making, but I went along for now.

  “Spirits. Curses. Steel. Flesh. Also, one of those fancy system experts”

  Denaiel was quiet for a moment, probably thinking that the price was actually quite low, but what can I say? I didn’t need much to be happy, especially when the offer I was making was also completely to my own advantage.

  The plan was simple. Convince them to help me spread around people and creatures I had cursed with ‘Remember Me?’ all over the place. By having as many as possible roaming around, I would be able to accumulate massive amounts of negative emotions, and fulfil the condition toward unlocking the ‘Nightmare Form’ in full. Also, negative energy would pop up all over the place, which I would also be able to stock up on.

  Basically, I was more so using them, rather than them using me. If I ever feel like it, I could stop the whole process, so the cards are in my hands at all times.

  “May we meet face-to-face?”

  “Wi–Within range of your sw–sword? No thanks. Let’s cont–continue speaking like this…”

  “Do not worry, I and everyone else present can sign binding contracts to ensure that no betrayal takes place”

  “Huh? You refused to sign any for us!”

  “You aren’t as valuable as her”

  “Rude… But I get it”

  Now this feels more like the beginning of a success story…