Distorted World: Rise Of The Black One - Volume 3 Chapter 92 2
“As: and that concludes our findings”
Asher said putting the soul crystals, papers, doc.u.ments and other deductive evidence on the table
(As: this is incredibly risky since I’m not sure which of my “theories” are the principal’s true motive for orchestrating these events but consulting her about it is the most effective way of gaining information and even if something happens, I’ve already copied all the evidences and created multiple failsafe plans just in case I don’t make it, the evidence will be known to everyone regardless)
(As: even with her undeniable control over Avalon, the amount of workarounds and exploits I’ve utilized should even get this information to the precipice if my calculations are correct, I did put an insane amount of work into these countermeasures but dear lord I really hope it doesn’t come to that)
The principal remained silent for an eerie moment, keeping her head down and her hands clenched together, Elise was also quiet keeping her head down since the conversation started as if she’s not even there to begin with
After a while a slow clapping sound could be heard
“Well, this is a surprise you figured it out”
The principal amusingly said laughing
“Let me guess that whole “post trauma counseling” you had my daughter and the girls do was just a ruse since I thought you were a half-hearted person I didn’t think too much into it and even if I did there would be no point as you didn’t tell any of them about the real plan”
Cornelia evaluated
“You must have used Regis’s capabilities and Sieg’s skill to steal some of these doc.u.ments and then gathered some information yourself using sources that even I can’t access, on top of that you captured and interrogated one of the staffs…quite a feat if I do say so myself, especially in such little time”
Cornelia complimented Asher
(As: this is one of the reasons why being an anti-social works so well for me, since I’m constantly an outcast in their eyes I can look at a situation from all sides and since most of the time I don’t really care people will never even notice it when I pull the rug from under them, the principals didn’t lost to me in this battle because she was careless (in fact she was very careful which made it very difficult for me and the guys to pull it of, especially when I’m still withholding details from them which unsurprisingly, made it hard for them to trust me) but she lost because she literally lacked the insight that I possessed)
“Very well, I confess I was the one who allowed this to happen”
Cornelia said raising up her arms
“As: did you get that Sieg?”
Asher whispered to the soul crystal behind his back
“Si: it’s recorded, loud and clear”
Sieg replied from the other side of the line
“Then I assume you’ve also know who’s the one directly responsible for this incident?”
Cornelia asked
“As: yes, although I have no concrete evidence of it currently, after analyzing this case, the one who infiltrated the seismic control center is most definitely…”
“As: Arias Mauler from our class, the “all jokers””
Asher declared resolutely
“Magnificent”
Cornelia said with pure satisfaction in her voice
“As: since you were able to deduce the exact details of my plan, allow me to reciprocate…”
Asher began his explanation
“As: there’s an enemy who’s planning to resurface, an enemy of Avalon specifically and an enemy to Union city as a whole, an enemy that by the looks of it is nearly impossible to vanquish, being in the position of one of the strongest mages in Union the task naturally falls to you to make sure that this said enemy doesn’t come back, but being the person that you are you decided that it isn’t just enough to just stop this enemy, but to obliterate them entirely, permanently saving the stability of your precious academy which you put so much work into…so in order to accomplish that you had to put the ultimate prize on the line: Avalon itself, to force your enemy into your playing field, because even if they knew it was a trap the opportunity is just too good to pass up”
“As: so you intentionally turned a blind eye to a few particular students this year in order to gather both your greatest cards and your worst enemies into one place…and that place is: the “all jokers” and you even went the extra mile to made it seemed like the enemy was able to infiltrate this academy thanks to their ingenuity”
“As: and now that both you and this enemy have an equal chance at destroying one another you plan to make the first move through us, because after all, in the arts of war the one who strikes first always wins”
“As: after stealing some doc.u.ments I also found out that everyone in my class, your daughter included has zero records saying anything about us, it’s like we never even existed in the first place”
Asher explained
Deducing her plans Asher continued to observe Cornelia’s reaction while still putting on his usual impartial air even if he knew that it was useless at this point because of his involvement is too deep now
(As: it’s like the winds of fate just cooked up the perfect string of events for her to utilize, such a scheme can only be dreamed up by people like us)
“Incredible! Just incredible…you managed to unravel this much in just a span of 2 days, truly impressive”
Cornelia clapped again
“Talent…it’s such a frightful thing to behold, but it sure knows how to put on a spectacle”
After that Cornelia took a glance at her daughter:
(Although…I might have gone a little too far with the plan Elise is gonna lose her new only proper friend at this point)
“I suppose I should give you a reward and an apology”
Cornelia’s satisfied look disappeared and a professional air returned
“But I do have to ask, how did you know it was Arias”
“As: simple, the way she acts…although she puts on a persona of shyness and timidity I can tell she’s being observant from my experience using that approach to situations and out of all of us there is least information about her anywhere, not even a picture or doc.u.ment has her profile on it which would make sense if you’re intentionally keeping yourself in the dark about her”
(As: she’s also using the “outsider” method like me (ie. to “read between the lines” and remained “not too close but not too far away”) but facing opponents with similar tactics is not very new for me and to be honest her act is not really that good to begin with)
“Fair enough, well I guess I owe you a few answers?”
Cornelia prepared for an outburst of some kind
(I did manipulate him so I wouldn’t be surprised if he demanded my head, men like him hate being controlled after all)
“As: three actually…”
Asher said
“As: 1. Who’s this enemy you’re playing against? 2. Why do I have to be involved in this? And 3. What do they want?”
Asher calmly asked subverting Cornelia’s expectations
Nevertheless she answered:
“The “enemy” is a cabal…no, the more accurate term would be a “cult” of rogue mages which recently have grown powerful enough to become an international sect…the Tricobrial Hydrallisk”
“Also known as the “three headed demons” or the “merciless masks” with many other names, they have been a thorn in our side for as long as I can remember…”
“And I say that because..,regrettably I was one of the people directly responsible for it’s creation”
A sad look fills Cornelia’s eyes
Asher remained quiet
(As:…)
(As: I would say that explains a lot but even I’m not that heartless)
Asher thought creating the connections in his mind
“Your second question: if you help in defeating such a high level threat the payoff should be plainly obvious and for your third: well…we’re not sure because of how ambiguous their leaders seem to operate”
“As: I see…”
Asher scratched his chin
“As: well that’s all I want to know, thank you for your help”
Asher stood up
“Huh? Don’t you wanna know anything else?”
Cornelia was surprised
“As: like what?”
Asher blankly asked
Looking at her daughter who still didn’t move Cornelia nudged
“What about Elise’s part in this?”
She whispered
“As: no, that’s unnecessary…”
He declared
Elise only then looked up
“E: huh!?”
“As: I trust her too much to do that, and besides my trust doesn’t come easily”
Asher plainly declared
He walked out the room leaving them both speechless
