Chapter 43: Making Use

Chapter 43: Making Use

Viscount Stratford… the royal family’s Chamberlain…

Judging from that position, there truly was the shadow of a certain royal faction behind the Great Smog of Backlund. As for who exactly, that still required investigation…

For the moment, Klein had no way to verify Trissy’s answer, so he merely had Senor give a low chuckle.

“You told me that clue so easily. That makes it hard for me to believe.”

With a hint of derision and self-mockery, Trissy said, “Because for me, this is a good thing.

“I can tell that you and the force you represent are quite interested in the royal family, and in the true designs of those people behind the scenes. If I can provide some useful clues and make you come into conflict with them—make the real conspirators emerge from hiding—I would be more than willing.

“That would help my revenge. It would be an enormous help.”

By that logic, doesn’t the reverse also mean that I can make use of you, drive you to investigate this matter, and bait out the true mastermind hiding in the shadows, while my own side remains safe and concealed before it obtains enough useful intelligence… Huh. What Trissy just said is basically guiding me into limited cooperation with her, making me voluntarily become the “mine sweeper” who uncovers the truth… She is showing the value of making use of her… She’s afraid I’ll ultimately decide to kill her…

Klein roughly understood what Trissy was truly trying to express. Controlling the Wraith, he said, “Very reasonable. I should indeed do the same.

“I imagine there is no need for me to threaten or tempt you. Once your injuries heal, you will attempt to make contact with Viscount Stratford on your own.”

The corner of Trissy’s lips hooked up slightly.

“I only hope he does not prefer men.”

That isn’t unsolvable. If you have already reached Sequence 5, you can consider switching to the Hunter pathway’s Sequence 4, Iron-blooded Knight… Also, have you forgotten your former self? Why are you becoming increasingly accustomed to using a Witch of Pleasure’s abilities against men?

After muttering inwardly, Klein had Senor laugh.

“That is not a problem. You can show him a photograph of your former self.”

Trissy froze. Her expression became faintly twisted, as though a shame buried deep in her heart had been forcibly dug out and exposed beneath sunlight.

A flame of anger born from embarrassment covered her delicate eyes. Her face, pale from injury, instantly flushed red.

Trissy quickly reined in her emotions. With a low, hoarse heh, she said, “As expected of Admiral of Blood. You truly understand the Witch pathway deeply enough.”

So she was not certain before. I thought the Demoness Sect and the Rose School of Thought had cooperated before, so she believed Admiral of Blood knew the secrets of the Assassin pathway and made that joke accordingly…

No matter what, mocking someone else’s gender is not very good… Mm, it does fit Admiral of Blood’s character. One of the rules of a Marionettist should be: remember, every puppet has its own persona?

Judging from Trissy’s earlier mention of the old photograph, she was probably just venting the pleasure and excitement of having tortured and eliminated an enemy. She was not paying special attention to the details in her description…

Klein nodded thoughtfully and controlled Senor to say, “At my level, one inevitably learns many secrets.”

He did not continue on that topic. Instead, he changed direction and asked, “How should I contact you?

“While you investigate Viscount Stratford, I may be able to provide some assistance.”

Trissy reached toward her ear and seized a handful of smooth black hair. Then, chips of deep-blue ice condensed and sliced off a lock.

Immediately afterward, she opened the palm holding that lock of black hair. Silent, pitch-black flames sprang up, burning every strand into ash.

The ashes were not carried away by the cold wind of the sewer. Instead, they contracted inward, converging into a…