That Woman

"Then I'll leave it to you, Jeremiah. Once this succeeds, you will lead the Pureblood Faction."

Ask never shortchanged his subordinates. Everyone in the Radical Faction, and even those in other factions, knew that well.

Jeremiah could barely contain his joy. Leadership of the Pureblood Faction would put him below only one man and above everyone else in Ask's Radical Faction.

Although the Pureblood Faction was only a small part of Ask's faction, it stood very close to its core. Its current leader was Duke Belia, the old duke Ask often spoke of. He had been the first to discover Ask's talents and had been more of a parent to him than his own parents.

Unfortunately, Duke Belia's descendants had failed to live up to expectations, and the entire family was in decline. At this rate, it might fall into complete obscurity within three generations.

That was why, ever since discovering Ask's talents, he had staked everything on him.

Ask had once asked him, "Why choose me instead of my elder brother Schneizel?"

The old duke's answer also explained why he had remained the leader of the Pureblood Faction for so many years: "Only the Britannian Empire is fit to rule!"

Ask had smiled. Such radical ideas were certainly at odds with Schneizel's views.

"Besides, your potential far exceeds that of Prince Schneizel."

Perhaps those words had been flattery, but they had profoundly affected Ask, who had been young then and had no intention of competing for the throne. Those very words had given him the confidence and courage to stand against Schneizel and Emperor Charles.

The Pureblood Faction was therefore undoubtedly one of the groups within Ask's faction qualified to approach its inner circle, and leading it meant gaining immense power.

This was also the greatest possible recognition of Jeremiah's loyalty.

Overwhelmed with excitement, Jeremiah dropped to one knee and offered a salute of fealty, his voice brimming with elation.

"I, Jeremiah, swear to follow Your Highness unto death."

Ask had heard similar words from his subordinates countless times, but he could feel that these came from the heart.

He answered with a faint smile, then signaled for Jeremiah to withdraw and resumed his unfinished conversation with Beatrice.

"Quite a fine subordinate you have there."

Beatrice teased him as she sipped her red wine. After Marianne's betrayal, she found it difficult to trust anyone completely. Even with Ask, she maintained a basic degree of caution.

Ask did not mind her teasing. He was not petty enough to get angry over something so trivial.

"I'll be heading to the EU front soon, for anywhere from three to five years. Of course, I'll return often during that time, but the investigation into Geass must continue. We still have far too little information."

"I know. I'll start with matters connected to that woman. Perhaps I can find more people connected to Geass."

One reason Ask enjoyed talking with Beatrice was that she could offer concrete plans rather than pointless jokes and banter.

"Once we have enough information, we must also begin preparing countermeasures against Geass. We can conduct experiments if necessary."

At the word "experiments," Beatrice's brows rose slightly before her expression quickly returned to normal. What she had once endured had left a shadow far too deep in her heart.

"Understood. What about test subjects, then? Using the empire's citizens would hardly be appropriate."

Ask understood her point. Whatever happened, they could not experiment on their own people, especially with the Pureblood Faction under his banner. But instead of answering her, he shifted to another subject.

"If I remember correctly, there's a strategic resource beneath Mount Fuji in the Island Nation. Sakuradite."

"Yes. It was only recently discovered, too. Negotiations to secure access to the Sakuradite deposits will take place soon."

Beatrice thought for a moment. It had all been reported in the news: a delegation would leave for the Island Nation tomorrow to negotiate. But she did not believe it would be that simple. From what she knew of Emperor Charles, that man was not the type to negotiate with others-not without fighting them first, at least.

Ask agreed on that point.

"I believe the negotiations are merely a front. Any peace they bring will be temporary. Behind the scenes, the empire has already obtained considerable amounts of Sakuradite through the black market or the Island Nation's corrupt senior officials. It's even being used to upgrade and develop the next generation of Knightmares. I don't know why he decided to negotiate, but Emperor Charles will certainly launch an invasion afterward."

Ask smiled with a hint of disdain and continued:

"How could he possibly leave such an important strategic resource alone? Besides, a treaty is nothing but a scrap of paper to him. He can tear it up whenever it stops being useful."

Beatrice nodded as well. International trust? That meant nothing to that man.

"We can conduct our experiments on Geass countermeasures during the invasion of the Island Nation."

"You mean... using the Island Nation's civilians?"

"They're going to die in the war anyway. They might as well offer up what little value they have left."

Hearing Ask's icy tone, Beatrice sensed a shadow of Emperor Charles in him. He cared nothing for human lives, only their value.

Beatrice sighed inwardly. Perhaps Emperor Charles's influence was turning Ask into a tyrant as well.

She could not say whether that was good or bad. Besides, questioning her sovereign would be deeply disrespectful, so she revealed none of her thoughts.

On second thought, though, a tyrant was better suited to leading the Radical Faction.

"But your siblings will also be sent to the Island Nation on a diplomatic mission. Aren't you concerned that they'll be caught up in it?"

Calling it diplomacy was putting a pleasant face on it. Everyone knew they were being sent as expendable pawns-two hostages to reassure the Island Nation about the empire's Sakuradite mining operations.

"What good would worrying do? I can't change that."

Yet there was not the slightest trace of worry in Ask's eyes. He remained as calm as ever.

Seeing that, Beatrice said nothing more on the subject.

"Understood. For now, I'll work with Lord Jeremiah and focus on finding that woman."

Beatrice rose. Her task was a heavy one. She had to find that woman and bring her before Ask before he left for the EU. Otherwise, once Ask was outside the empire, concealing their activities would become more difficult.

"Then I'll take my leave."

Ask did not stop Beatrice from leaving. He gave Monica's small hand a squeeze, then rose. He, too, had preparations to make before leaving the empire.