36 Chapter 36: Mission Log (2/2)
That was why most people were biased against summoners, and had a very terrible impression of them.
”Not like we have a choice.” Bei Pan Zhe shook his head. ”Besides, even if we did and reject him, this guy is obviously hunting for prestige points. Didn't he just create a new society last week? That was the reason why he fought Iron Fist Society in the first place.”
”Delusional.” Daisy huffed scornfully. ”A summoner, trying to create a society of his own? It won't last a month.”
”Getting the prestige points will go a long way in helping him.” Bei Pan Zhe looked a little bitter. ”If only there's a way to stop him…”
”There might be.”
Everyone turned to stare at Lavender. She smiled.
”Accidents happen during combat missions, don't they?”
”Uh, yeah?” Dan Xiao Gui shuddered. ”Combat missions always involve a certain amount of risk.”
That was why he was more than happy to hide behind my summoned beasts if I came along. It would mitigate the danger he faced.
However, Bei Pan Zhe and Daisy seemed to have caught on to her meaning.
”It wouldn't be held against us if a trash trying to cling onto our goddess…has a mishap during the mission. It's not strange at all, given how awful his magic and combat skills are.” Daisy was smiling ominously.
”Er…you do realize that his magic and combat skills aren't awful, right?” Dan Xiao Gui was getting exasperated. ”What is this, a stupid Chinese web novel where the protagonists are always labeled as trash no matter what he does, and no matter how many times he proves other people wrong?”
”He's not trash,” Bei Pan Zhe agreed. ”I acknowledge his combat skills. He is a very formidable opponent.” He then lowered his voice. ”But that's exactly why we must eliminate him.”
While Lavender and Daisy were trying to get rid of me because they hated the idea of me orbiting around their beloved goddess, Alicia Violet, Bei Pan Zhe's reason was that I posed a significant threat as a formidable rival vying for the affections of his romance target. Even though their reasons differed, their goals were the same.
”But that's why we can't underestimate him,” Bei Pan Zhe continued, fixing a stare on Lavender and Daisy. ”You've seen his combat skills as well. He won't be easy to get rid of.”
”He's a summoner, isn't he? As long as he doesn't get the chance to summon his beasts, he's nothing more than a normal human.” Lavender sounded dismissive. ”We just need to make sure he doesn't have the time or chance to complete his summoning spell.”
Dan Xiao Gui rolled his eyes.
”What, we just stand around doing nothing while he fights the monsters on his own? And with hundreds of monsters, wouldn't we get attacked anyway? We'll still be forced to fight in the end.”
”Who says we need to fight?” Lavender replied with a sly smile.
Daisy watched her. ”I'm listening.”
”It's simple. The mission this time is escort and protection, right? Exterminating the monsters is merely the secondary objective. The primary objective is to ensure the safety of the refugees. We don't need to fight the monsters at all.”
Bei Pan Zhe frowned in bewilderment. ”Then how do we make the 'accident' happen? We can't just murder him and pretend the monsters did it.”
”No, of course not.” Lavender stared at him as if he was an idiot. ”The monsters will end up encountering the refugees' convoy if we don't lure them away. And who better to act as bait and lure the monsters away than a new party member who had just joined us? After all, we're needed to stay close to the convoy to protect the refugees. And since we're an established team, we work better together.”
”I see.” The light was appearing in Daisy's eyes and she nodded in enthusiasm.
”Will…will he just accept that, though?” Dan Xiao Gui sounded uncertain. He definitely wouldn't.
”We'll just promise to provide backup once we've finished escorting the refugees, and appeal to his sense of heroism. He probably wouldn't say no to helping the refugees out, would he?” Lavender grinned.
”But…we lost contact in the middle of the mission and are unable to locate him, so we were never able to provide backup at all.” Bei Pan Zhe's grin was widening as well as he hit his palm with his hand. ”A death at the hands of the monsters, no blood on our hands. Brilliant!”
”This way, we can get rid of trash orbiting around our goddess…or eliminate our love rivals!” Daisy added when she caught the look on Bei Pan Zhe's face. ”Let's do it!”
”Yeah, he's waiting for us in the admin building. Let's go meet him.” Bei Pan Zhe rubbed his hands, and rose to lead the way.
End playback. First piece of visual and aural evidence concluded.Awaiting evaluation and review.
Defense: This is nothing conclusive. They were only planning it out. It's all just dialogue! There is a possibility they weren't going to actually do it!
Prosecution: Objection!
Judge: Granted.
Prosecution: As we all already know, the guilty members have carried out this scheme of theirs in reality. I have several pieces of recorded evidence that further establish their heinous betrayal. Your honor, with your permission…?
Judge: Permission granted.
…enacting playback of second piece of evidence…
(Recording of the conversation in the admin building…)