It did not take long before we reached the hideout.
“Milady, are you sure they should be here?”
We are now in a room with leader. It is like an office. There are a lot of books around. Is this normal? The office of those bandits that kidnapped me before also had something similar.
“Of course. They are mine, after all. No need to worry.”
“If you say so, milady.”
“Now. Tell me your plan.”
“As of now, it will take me a few days to see if there are other groups available. I ask for your understanding with that.”
“How many are these few days? Give me a concrete figure.”
“Three days. Whether I find a group or not, I will return within that time.”
“Acceptable.”
“Milady, I have a question.”
“Speak.”
“If I do not acquire the proper amount by then, would it be possible to stop here?”
“Are you saying that you may not be able to complete this job?”
“Yes. I am sorry but with the circumstances as they are, there is a possibility that this will no longer work.”
“Fine. I shall speak to father about it.”
“Thank you for your generosity, milady.”
“Yes, be grateful. Go ahead then. Go and find others to assist you with your cause.”
“Of course, milady. Please feel free to treat this place as your own.”
“Good. Now, lead us to our quarters.”
“Of course, milady.”
Leader brought us to our rooms. Of course, I have other plans.
“Milady, all of you will not fit in this room.”
“This is not a request. This will be our room. All of us will stay here, do you understand?”
“Of course, milady.”
The room has some size. It has a large bed, a couch, and a desk. You are slipping leader. We have already spent a lot of days within one tent and now is when you try to separate us? Granted, he may not have been planning it before but he would be now.
“Also, I want access everywhere.”
“Of course, milady. I would not dare to hide anything from you.”
“Good. Move along then.”
Leader left us alone and he would leave the place altogether.
“Make your preparations.”
I waited for Sylvia to fix the room and we left. Surprisingly, there is no one else here. Did he leave with all of them? They could be waiting for us in the exit. No matter, we have plenty of time.
“Hurry up, ninja. Do what I assigned you to do.”
Not much complaints from her this time. Though she still does like to speak, her actions no longer resist my commands. It seems the training the past few days has been going smoothly.
“Go and search for any hidden rooms.”
I assigned Sylvia in searching the office. I am currently reading the books here while ninja massages my feet and girl massages my shoulders.
“Hey, can I rest? I’m getting tired.”
Of course, the first person to complain is ninja.
“Fine. You can rest now. You as well.”
“No need to worry about me, mistress. I am not tired.”
“Do as you wish.”
Sylvia meticulously goes through everything in the room. It takes her some time before she finds it. With a click, a trap door opens. We follow the path to a small room. This seems to be where the ledgers are.
“Good work. We shall now rest. We will resume this tomorrow.”
With the usual complains from ninja, we sleep on the same bed. Sylvia stands guard as usual. The next day, we return to that room. I let ninja and girl do whatever they want as I read through these.
“Hmm, I have a feeling these ledgers are also a distraction. Look for another secret while I am reading.”
As I read through more ledgers, my suspicion seems to be correct. All of these are all his deals with father. Father would have no reason to inform me that he is making deals with other powers for no reason. It stands to reason that he already expects me to find this room and be satisfied with this result. As I go through the books, I hear a click.
“You finally found it.”
Sylvia opens the compartment and only one ledger is hidden. I open it and see the first name written on it.
“The prime minister once again.”
The prime minister and father already have a working relationship so this is not surprising but it is still a backroom deal nonetheless. But it is weird that this is the only ledger here and it is only with the prime minister. Any other ledgers would be on his person. No matter. I will be keeping this.
“That should be all. Let us return.”
The next day arrives. We wait for leader the whole day but he does not arrive. We are now inside the room again on the bed.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
“Ready for what? What are you two talking about?”
“You have been waiting for this. Are you prepared?”
“Yes.”
“Hey, don’t ignore me. What are you two talking about?”
“For that.”
I pointed at the door as smoke enters.
“Wait. That’s-“
“Shh. Pretend to sleep.”
I cover ninja’s mouth as we lay on the bed. I feel Sylvia sitting on the edge. Good idea. We remain in silence as we wait them out.
“You think it’s done?”
“Yeah. Go inside and get them. Do not do anything else.”
We can hear them talking from the outside. They open the door and enter.
“That’s weird.”
“What’s weird?”
“I thought it would have more smoke in here.”
“There’s plenty of smoke. Just get in there.”
We hear their footsteps.
“Wait, why is the floor cold?”
“Huh? Cold? Yeah, why is it cold?”
Right on cue.
“Grh.”
I hear the bodies hit the floor and I open my eyes.
“The time is now. Go ahead and take care of them.”
Sylvia nods to me and leaves the room.
“What’s happening?”
“We have no time for questions. Follow me.”
I leave the room and walk towards his office as ninja and girl follow me.
