Published at 5th of December 2025 8:11 pm

Chapter 213

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

Bring Heikes blood.

She plans to make Heike Ainsidel like Marco Schreiber.

As she said, Heike could become a worse villain than Adelbert.

In a way, handing Heike over might be right.

But

I dont understand.

Hm.

She looked puzzled by my words, nodding for me to explain.

I get youre targeting Ainsidel to stop Pleroma. But why this outcome?

As I said

Same unique ability, fine. Its valuable to Pleroma. But why go through me? You could easily handle a Junker without Eszett.

.

Someone using health checkups for schemeswhy this? I cant help but suspect.

Her yellow eyes glanced at my soundproofing spell, then fixed on me.

Unfazed by my sharper tone, she said, Interesting reaction. Its just a suggestion. I heard Bishop Ainsidels plotting something unusual.

Unusual?

I dont know details. Does it help to know Centrals highly wary of Ainsidel?

Should I believe her?

No, thats not the approach.

Given Abrahams actions, it could be a lie. But its worth noting.

Ainsidel did secretly contract with the Catacombs to monopolize tech.

But thats not a full answer.

So youll act for the greater good? Laughable.

She kept smiling, hands clasped, watching me.

I spoke slowly.

Heres my guess. Your decade as Marco Schreiber collapsed, so you need a replacement. Building a new sect from Pleroma fizzled, so youre starting over. I think you plan to take Heikes body and send it to Pleroma. Assuming a bond with Bishop Ainsidel, youd gain leverage over him and a prime spot in Pleroma.

I paused, shaking my head at a new thought.

No, you could oust Osnabrucks Ainsidel with that ability. Since Bishop Ainsidel seeks personal gain outside Central, theyd welcome you, with the same ability. Am I wrong?

.

Guess Im right. Thats it. What if I refuse?

Her lips curled slowly.

No further words.

I felt a chill, staring at her. Shes capable of force here. The Chairman, not the Crown Prince, did so.

If she goes that far, I wont play nice.

Shes shielded against my mind-control magic with mana. Such defense works sitting still, but cracks when she acts, thinking shes winning. If she attacks, Ill turn it into a chance to extract info with mind-control, then rewind time.

But she just smiled. Mulling my words, she spoke.

Control Heike Ainsidel for peace. Whys that hard? Pleroma wants his ability, so he cant be left free. If that powerful direct-line adoptee joins Pleroma, you know what happens.

Leaning closer, she said, I know you visited the Ainsidel family three weeks ago. You know theres no proof Bishop Ainsidels direct-line, but Heike, who is, could surpass him. Even a toddler gets this.

Ignoring her snooping

Her intentions arent pure.

First, theres no reason to involve me.

Second, including Heike in Eszett remains unexplained.

Then explain like Im a toddler. If youre so worried, take the blood yourself.

Hahaha!

She laughed loudly, shaking her head. Ignoring it, I said, Why drag me in? You could handle a Junker easily, yet you put Heike in the team for Imperial entry. If not, Ill pretend today never happened.

.

Maybe you used my wariness of Heike to gain my consent. Efficient strategy. But

I narrowed my eyes.

Whatll you do without my blood?

She laughed, as if hearing something absurd.

Think drawing your bloods hard?

.

Id rather not. Ill wait till you offer it. Otherwise, this relationship ends.

Face reality.

Gotta see it through to know.

She leaned back, exhaling, murmuring, Youre tough to handle. Say one thing, you grasp ten. Cant say much. But you missed this.

Smiling, she stared.

Ever think Heikes ability could extract your teams info? If someone with six peoples memories falls to Pleroma, what then?

.

I smiled, face blank.

Thats why.

One reason she put Heike in the team.

To provoke me. To make me hand Heike over. With heightened risk, shed want me to deal with him fast.

Why go through me? Thats what I need to know.

I have a hunch.

Planning to indebten me?

Thinking saving me boosts her influence?

Very Abraham-like.

Why follow you? You put Heike in the team.

I gave you countless opportunities, yet Im treated like thisshocking.

I used them well.

But when did I ask? I turned potential minuses into pluses.

Pushing my teacup forward, I said, Excuse me, Ill go. Continuing wastes your time unless I stop first.

Youll need my proposal.

Standing, I turned at her quiet voice.

With an unreadable expression, she said, If Heike becomes suspicious, come to me. Im ready to back you.

You sound certain he will.

After a long silence, I replied, Ill keep that in mind.

***

Bait.

Bait to blackmail Bishop Ainsidel with Heike?

No. Bait to trap me.

Feels like she struck first.

Ill need her proposal?

She thinks so.

She didnt even explain how Heike could be used against Bishop Ainsidel. If she wanted alliance, shed clarify the plans basis.

Why not?

She believes Ill come crawling without it.

That means she thinks a bigger crisis than Abraham awaits me.

I hurried to the banquet hall.

Laughter and chatter grew louder.

Hey? Lucas is here~

Narce, sipping wine, grinned brightly, lowering his glass.

As I fully entered, all eyes turned to me.

Ulrike waved cheerfully.

Lucas! Where were you?

Just out. Can I borrow Narce?

Huh? Sure, go ahead.

Startled, Ulrike glanced between us.

Narce, wide-eyed, nodded, understanding.

Whispering to Elias, he approached.

Ready?

I nodded. He grabbed my arm, chanting a warp spell.

Opening my eyes, we were in a room Elias likely suggested. His room, but it felt long unused, with faint traces of his mana.

Heres good for talking.

Narce pulled a chair for me.

I opened his trait window.

Traits: Divine Power, Foresight (Lv.2)*, Insight (Lv.3)

Recently, they were 1 and 2.

Foresight and Insight leveled up.

Id confirmed this last Friday.

On selection day, he said, Heike doesnt know anything, so dont press him.

When Heike made Team 1, Narce said that.

During the second exam, Narce said Heikes thoughts were hard to read. How was he sure without his ability working?

Only an expanded Insight range explained it.

Narce. Insights getting easier to use.

Oh? Yeah. You noticed~

Smiling at his bright response, I waited as he addressed my curiosity.

During the exam, I overused it. Pushin past limits can expand an abilitys range.

Got it. You looked rough that day.

I gave a concerned smile, then checked, So, the expanded range is all from that?

Asking if theres another reason? Haha, thats it.

Narce laughed, meeting my eyes.

Overuse bursts the dam. Thats all.

.

I nodded slowly, locking eyes.

His yellow eyes mirrored mine.

I asked the real question.

Narce. A few things. Think Heike could cause major trouble soon?

He clutched his head, shaking it.

No, not within Foresights range assuming no variables.

Even by someone elses influence?

Nah. Hell just keep going like this.

I nodded, thinking.

Thanks. That helps.

No prob~ By the way, Her Highness mentioned Heike.

Right. Thoughts?

Hm, without meeting her, Im not sure

Tilting his head, he said, You know, but her advice isnt logically wrong. Especially Heike leaking our info if he joins the enemy. With variables, its plausible.

.

Lost in thought, Narce clapped, snapping me back.

Whats the plan? Tell me, and Ill Foresight it!

You sure? You drank.

Use it when its hot. Go wild.

Narce joked, smiling unlike himself. I mirrored it and spoke.

Im not listening to Abraham. His advice has merit, like you said, but it doesnt mean grabbing Heike.

Hm.

Make another Marco Schreiber? Abrahams as influential as Pleroma. Borrowing his power to stop Pleromas no different.

He listed righteous reasons to bring Heike, but as I told him, Heikes a tool for Abraham to re-enter Pleroma and build a base.

I killed the Chairmanwould I let another like him rise? Every new identity he makes, Id have to crush.

Whatever his intent, hes exploiting my doubts for gain.

Alright, settled~

Narce clapped, laughing.

I like your take. Youre tired, so stop thinking.

Standing, he gestured.

Before Abrahams words come true, lets fix it ourselves. Lets meet Heike.

Yeah.

Oh, wait, Lucas.

As I reached for his hand, Narce waved.

Before meeting Heike, Ill tell him youre looking. Cool?

Uh sure.

Great. Can I say anything?

Anything?

Puzzled, I nodded vaguely.

***

Narce thinks we can fix the future ourselves.

Optimistic, nice.

Solving Heikes issue without Abrahams help is best.

Abraham claims Heike will cause trouble, willingly or not, so hell control him

This bastard doesnt see both are problems.

Prevent Heike from causing trouble, willingly or not. Eszetts formation helpssix people to protect him.

First, ensure protecting Heike keeps us safe.

Check for Pleroma connections, or if Ainsidels ability leaks our info through Heike unwillingly.

Ill use Divine Power if needed. Unlike Abraham, wary of my Divine Power, Heikes easier to subdue magically.

And

Narces upgraded Foresight didnt predict beyond my questions.

Heike, brought by Narce, peeked at me warily, then stepped back to join Eszett.

Having just arrived at the banquet, students I hadnt greeted swarmed me.

Im Stefan Cooper, 3rd-year Class 1. Never got to say hi.

Nice to meet you.

I shook his hand, chatting briefly.

One Imperial entry, and my image flips

Especially here, with only our schools students.

What if they were Eszett? Id have the special reward already.

After 20 minutes of greetings, a familiar face appeared.

Adelbert approached, and students scattered.

Senior.

He offered an ice cream cup from who-knows-where. Not his style, but his presence was a boon.

Congrats on the Imperial entry. About your role

No big deal. You did well.

Huh?

Lets talk later.

Smiling, I hurried away.

Heike!

Heike, eating snacks with Narce, turned sharply. Surprisingly, his face was flushed, unlike usual.

Narce smirked mysteriously.

Both were suspicious, but the window before me was unbelievable.

Ding!

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