Chapter 275 - Phantom (2/2)
”Like it or no?” he asked.
”It's disgusting,” she nearly puked, ”-how could you even do that,” it sent shivers down her spine.
”Don't worry about the how's, just be sure to blur the face – use this as a warning to anyone who wishes to mess with our gang. Not the Dark-guild, but Phantom. I've decided on the name.”
”Phantom you say,” she smiled, ”-I like it. I presume that you've seen how valuable it is to have a foothold in the underworld. What you saw in the past few days were but a few months of making God's Ale and Angel's Dust. Imagine what we can do if we decided to fully invest in guns, vehicles, a center of operation – just think of the possibilities.”
”I agree, get working on that, Cake. Snow is the target; we'll take our time and find out as much information as we can. Gather agents, arm up, ask Renaud to send over some toys from the mainland.”
”Before that,” she interjected, ”-we need a base.”
”Isn't the town of Rotherham controlled by the Dark-Guild?”
”No, it's more like a collaboration of smaller gangs uniting and preserving our foothold.”
”Then that's perfect, I'm planning on building a runway with its hangar and base of operation, what do you say?”
”That's a far stretch,” her voice remained serious, ”-but I'm sure we can pull it off. I'll get on scouting and see if there's a place we can occupy. That place is pretty small, putting a runway and hangar there might raise suspicion. Nevertheless, I'll go on the lookout – do check with the Queen, since you're her friend and all.”
”Yeah, yeah, don't worry about that,” the earpiece turned as he entered the VIP room. On the arena, the ceremony continued, the participants gave the last bow. Empty, he sat and watched through the broken glass, Xula's good-will made it go according to plan.
Stumbling up the stairs, a lady with short blond hair. Dressed normally, without noticing, took a seat in the center.
”Bold move,” a deep voice came from above.
”M-majesty,” a glance later, her feet trembled.
”There's no need to fret,” spoken as if nothing happened, ”-I'm glad that the assassination was stopped in time.”
”Y-yes,” she gave a half-hearted smile, '-what's wrong with him,' she thought, lady Goldberg freaked out internally.
”Heads up,” wrapped in a ball, a handkerchief was thrown, *-Don't be so on edge. What transpired will remain between us. I'm the last of your worries – who knows what the Queen will decide. Luckily, you don't have to worry about dying, I made sure you're going to suffer. Hence, wipe thine messy visage, it's unbefitting a noble. But I doubt you're to hold the title of Duchess any longer,* written in blood, it soon vanished.
”The ice-princess did it,” yelled the students from inside the changing room, ”-WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU,” they cheered. She who had been the center of attention from the start had proven her worth as Eira.”
”Good job,” a hug from behind, ”-I'm so happy for you.”
”Ysmay,” she turned and jumped.
”Eira's ice-princess nickname stand true,” joked one of her classmates, ”-princess of Arda and strong wielder of ice, please go out with me,” he said in jest.
”Die,” a cold response without even flinching.
”THAT'S OUR EIRA,” they applauded, ”-ahahah,” they laughed.
”Do get ready for the party afterward,” voiced Sophie, ”-you are all welcome. Be sure to dress properly for the party will feature many nobles and people of importance. Call it one of the favors granted to the one who won the Inter-magical tournament.”
”Yes, instructor,” they said in tandem then left.
”They sure are lively, the second years,” added Josiah.
”Their classmate was knighted and given the title of Prodigy, of course, they will be happy. It's a tradition that all the classes from the same year to attend. Though many will already be present since they're of noble birth.”
Out on the roof again with the wind blowing, ”-you came,” he turned.
”You did send a message,” pointed out Josiah.
”Good to see you're holding up well,” he smiled then took a few steps forward, ”-the job is done, uncle,” whispered, he left without stopping.
”Wait,” he turned to no avail, '-gone yet again,' he laughed, ”-Tempest, you would be proud, Staxius turned out to be the man you endeavored to be all along; I'm relieved.”