“It’s over…”
Bernadetta stood at the top of an abandoned building. She had watched the proceedings from afar via her familiar. She hadn’t expected Noel to be troubled by a half-wit gangster, but she’d been ready to help if necessary. Not as Bernadetta, of course, but through her familiar.
“Now even Koga is A-Rank.”
Based on what she’d seen, there was no mistaking it; he could not have killed the Varen brothers so quickly otherwise. This meant that the five key members of Wild Tempest—Noel included—were all A-Rank. They might have lacked numbers compared to other clans, but their position on the regalia was rightfully earned.
She then retrieved the pendant from her pocket. It was the Wild Tempest clan symbol Noel had given her. She stared at the winged snake, both beautiful and ominous, and she fell into thought. That was when it hit her: a way she could use Noel to her own ends. As long as she didn’t trip up, everything would go according to plan.
But was it really the best way?
Bernadetta was prepared to sacrifice everything in pursuit of her goal. Everything she’d done was for the sake of her duties—teaming up with Malebolge, spreading her legend through the underworld, assuming the name of the Lord of Flies—yet something felt amiss. She could not put it into words, but when she tried to remember what happened after she became the Lord of Flies, she found herself facing…conflicting memories. It was as if her memories had been overwritten.
“Ow!”
The pain came on suddenly, so sharp she thought her head might split. It was only when she stopped thinking and let go of all thought that the agony subsided.
“Oh? I’m quite sure I was thinking of something important…”
Try as she might, she could not remember. She felt only relief, joy, and a sense of calm at being released from the waves of pain. Unable to think straight, Bernadetta drifted as if in a dream. A portal opened a little ways away from her, and Malebolge emerged from within.
“So this is where you’ve been,” she said, a cheerful smile on her face. “The Rodanian agent has finalized his plans.”
“You came here to tell me that?”
“I did. It’s very important, and we both know telepathy runs the risk of interception.”
“True. Well? What would you have me do?”
Malebolge’s face hardened. “As planned, we’ll use the Netherworld’s faithful and your familiar. The Seven Star Cup’s first real day will erupt into large-scale terrorism. Follow the orders on this piece of paper. It details the agent’s plans, the timetable, and other particulars.”
The beast took a slip of paper from between her breasts and passed it to Bernadetta.
“Everything changes with this,” said Malebolge. Just like we hoped for.”
A wicked grin spread across her face, and Bernadetta replied with a vague smile of her own.
Yes, everything would change. And this change was for the best.