"A wise parasite will never consume its host beyond its ability to recover from its parasitism. Just as it is in nature, it is also the same in human society. Those parasites that benefit the most from doing so little, would often wear their hosts' skin, pretend that they are in the same situation, and distract from the fact that they are the source of all the rot around them. This is not a wolf in sheep's clothing, it's a cuckoo that is never satiated yet never grows, but knows just how much to push its unwitting victims."
- Paul Royce Watson, Atlanterran political philosopher and avid anti-communist.
An excerpt from his book "Scum among the Salt of the Earth"
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"Sir... I bring a report from the mainland. It's from Lord Joshua and Madame Selena."
"Read it for me, Gunther."
"...You must go home as soon as possible. Even at the risk of disappointing the royal family and losing our end of the deal, it has simply become far too dangerous to remain there, politically and in terms of your and our forces' safety."
It has been two months since the Bougainvillea forces came to Marl Kah and provided their aid as per their agreement with the royal family of the nation.
In exchange for helping out in their fight against a communist insurgency in the south-eastern frontiers of the island nation, the Salongas agreed to hand over to them a small property that used to belong to the Bougainvilleas 500 years ago during their golden age.
"...How much were the Marl Kahn royal army's losses today?" Jonathan asked and was answered by Gunther.
"Approximately 700 men killed in action and about twice of that on injuries."
"And for the rebels?"
"...Two thousand. All dead."
In the first place, King Fernando III stated that he didn't really mind just handing over the property since it's only a small plot of land and it has been left unkempt ever since the fall of the Bougainvillea family from its age of greatness. However, he understood that Joshua and Jonathan would not accept it since it would be equal to owing the Salongas a great deal, and during this time when they are slowly but steadily building-up their family again, owning a debt of gratitude to someone is a one-way ticket to losing their momentum.
As such, Jonathan left to lead the Viscounty army of House Bougainvillea to Marl Kah to provide "medical and supply aid" to the Marl Kahn forces, a simple and straightforward task that shouldn't carry much danger or hassle.
However, that only lasted until one week since they first heard gunshots and saw the slaughter happening at the islands where the fighting are happening... two months and counting later, it was apparent that whatever is driving the rebels to continue to fight on is not as simple as "misguided indoctrination" and "sense of desperate duty to the commune", as they were told.
"Did Renzo send a new report from Lakan? It has been three days since he last gave us intel, and it seems they are changing gears again if they can still keep up a fight despite the massive losses these days."
"Unfortunately, sire. There's still no news from Robinson-dono. He told us already that after he got inducted into the middle echelons of the College Student Coalition, it would be difficult to communicate since he is likely being watched and listened to."
"I know. Which is why I told him to mind his own safety first and foremost... but still, losing his constant reports are hurting our intelligence network. We used to have them on the palm of our hand, but now they are managing to outmaneuver the Marl Kahn forces using guerrilla tactics and ambushes."
"It indeed is regrettable, sire."
For the past two week, the rebels has managed to outrun, outgun and outwit the Marl Kahn royal army in nearly all of their engagements. From planting intricate minefields, sabotaging supply lines via ambushes, as well as assassinating commanding officers on the field using sniper shots, the rebels were hampering the momentum of the Marl Kahns and has began to push them back and sometimes out of their strongholds.
Now, it would have been easily resolved by making use of naval or air bombardment tactics. After all, that was the strategy from before and for a while, it was routine for a bombardment to happen moments before the army swoops into action in order to "soften up" the enemy... but it was soon stopped when just as expected, the media began to not only misrepresent but often entirely fabricate the "aftermath" of these bombardments.
["We are once again at the site of an encounter that just concluded between the army and the rebels. Here, craters from artillery strikes that came from the shore are visible, as well as the dismembered bodies that came from its wake. The official army report states that there are over two thousand casualties from the rebel side, but we believe that the true figure is ten times, if not twenty times of that."]
"What a load of bullsh*t these folks are spouting from their lying mouths... Two thousand is already a rounded-up number! Do they really think that the public are so stupid that they'd believe that a population of a small city can exist and fight here?! These are guerrillas! They can only fight this good in the middle of nowhere because they're small and nimble to move around!"
"Now, now, General... Mind your tone, you'd raise your blood pressure."
"I know that already! Quit nagging me!"
As the fighting scaled up in size and ferocity, the battalion led by Colonel Avelino (he was promoted up one rank during this deployment), was ordered to re-integrate to their "mother unit", the 4th Royal Combined Arms Division... or as their moniker goes "Tulay ni Kamatayan" (Death's Bridge).
(T/N: Editor ZERO here, I guess I have to add this here myself since Author Rai somehow forgot. Apparently, this is inspired from a real military unit. There's no similarity about it other than that inspiration.)
Because military rules state that the three foremost military units of Marl Kah, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Royal Combined Arms Division, cannot leave the capital without parliamentary approval, the 4th was sent to resolve this conflict, and yet, that in and on itself was already a big deal... Not just because they're the best available unit that the king can send, but also because of the man leading it.
"If so, then please for the sake of our host, General Lunato, mind your tone and words."
"I know, I know. Haaaahhh... Corporal Isabella here is right. Pardon me for shouting out in fury like that, Baron Bougainvillea... that was ungentlemanly of me." the elderly general spoke as he sat properly in front of Jonathan and lowered his head to give the apology.
"Please, general. No need to apologize... I can understand your frustration with what they're doing out there. Even I have fallen victim to that numerous times."
"Hehehe... Thank you for your patience with our folks, young lord. I wish we can do something about it, but they're still people that we have to protect."
This is Josefino Simoun Lunato, a general of Marl Kah leading its 4th Royal Combined Arms Division, and as his name suggest, is a descendant of the legendary General Antonio Pierro Lunato who once led Marl Kah's revolutionary army against the Cattleyan Colonial government and led its fight towards freedom. Inheriting his ancestor's hot-headed and brutally confrontational nature, some people say that they began believing in reincarnation just because of how similar he is to his ancestor.
"That reminds me, General. I believe the reason why there were a lot of casualties today was because of "that mission", isn't it?"
"Ah! Yes, that's right... Do you also see it as a waste, young lord? That I sent my men to something so wasteful and foolhardy?"
"...Not at all. To be honest, if I was in your place, I would do the same too. Not just because it's my duty as a soldier, but because I'm a human being."
"Right... that's something that any human being should do for the sake of their fellow human."
However, he is also a chivalrous gentleman led by his principles, sense of duty and most of all, humanity. The reason why he lost 700 men today was all in order to protect and evacuate a village composed of women and children of the island's native tribe that the rebels were planning to use as hostages to leverage a safe retreat from the island. Through intel sent by Renzo recently, this plan was foiled and the natives were safely evacuated, but at the cost of massive casualties from the soldiers who volunteered to perform that mission.
"To be honest, I was more shocked with what happened afterwards..."
"Ahahaha!!! You're right with that, young lord. Because of their fallen allies, those boys of mine that survived went on a rampage, did they not?"
"Rampage... seems like a light word to describe what they really did to their enemies."
As for the payback taken by the Marl Kahn volunteer soldiers from the rebels... let's just say that there's a reason why the news reporter earlier can lie without much effort about what happened there. The survivors of the volunteer unit began to dump hundreds of bullets and lob handful of grenades towards the rebels, never giving them a single moment of respite. They then unilaterally agreed to "close the jail doors", which means that they are not taking in prisoners of war and instead opted to end the lives of the wounded but surviving rebels right there and then.
"General... It's time for you to report back to the Minister."
"Right. I'll be over there in a second. Baron, if I may excuse myself. Oh, I'm honored and thankful for the Tenka-style dinner too. It helped me regain some appetite."
"Always happy to help, general."
After the man left alongside his secretary and aide, Jonathan took one last gulp from his glass of water before standing up and letting his own aides to clean up the table and reassemble the furniture of his private quarters back to its "wartime" functions. On the dinner table which was just cleaned up, maps and wooden pieces were deftly placed to represent the latest information from the warfront and both old and new printed reports from his own intelligence network was pinned onto a board that was leaned in front of the ManaCom radio set where the news report from earlier came from.
After his aides finished putting back everything to their respective places, Jonathan looked at the pinned papers, updated map pieces and reconnaissance pictures from the Wizards that he sent earlier to capture pictures of the remaining rebel camps.
None of the information that is currently displayed in this room is known by the Marl Kahn military. From documents that Renzo dug up and sent to the ship, information from the front lines that are yet to be sent back to the Marl Kahn army headquarters that they intercepted from their ManaCom devices, as well as the highly detailed pictures of aerial recon that clearly outlined rebel camps, defensive structures and warehouses even through dense vegetation by utilizing high-frequency sound waves that bounces back to the Wizard and processed by the Soul Core LogiCals.
The Bougainvillea forces' extremely high MagiTech prowess allowed them to have not only an upper-hand but sheer superiority against both their allies and opponents... which is why as he looked at the information in front of him and applied several spells on himself to further enhance his mental functions, Jonathan began to recognize a pattern that he didn't like.
"This is absurd... If this is true, then that means..."
His eyes began to narrow as a sense of unwarranted suspicion filled his mind. He didn't want to believe this hypothesis, but all three of his "gut feeling", common sense and logical reasoning points towards proving that very hunch of his.
"...Gunther, are you there?" he spoke as he activated a short-range communication spell, utilizing a new feature of their Soul Core LogiCals to facilitate wireless communication without the need for an entire ManaCom set.
["Yes, sire?"]
"I need you to send a message to Renzo tonight. Mark it as urgent and have him dispose of it as soon as he memorizes it."
["Understood, sire. What would this message be?"]
What Jonathan told him to write down and send to Renzo through their encrypted ManaCom line was nothing short of utterly shocking. Before he handed it to their communications officer, Gunther asked for one last confirmation.
["S-Sire... Are you sure that—"]
"I am. Send it and just like I instructed, tell him to dispose of the evidence as soon as he can."
Jonathan earnestly wished that what he thinks would happen is not the truth... but his instincts are telling him that whatever the outcome might be, he has to cover all of the possibilities.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Back in Marl Kah, Renzo has began to infiltrate the middle level of the rebel movement of the Marl Kahn College Student Coalition, or in their unofficial yet actual name, the Marl Kahn United Socialist Front.
After being offered and later on, accepting the role of a new member who would be sent to "sow the seeds of the proletariat uprising" in the Feudal Domains of Ostadonia, he was inducted into the upper-middle echelons of the movement where he received thorough instruction about what the movement is all about and how to entice more people into joining in.
If there is one word that he can use to describe how the members and leaders alike of this group treated these socio-political ideas and doctrines, and how they see themselves, it would be "gospel" and "apostles" respectively. From the cheery-eyed "plebians" who are burning with passion with their newfound "purpose" in life, to the highly educated and eloquent speaking "seniors" who has decades of practice and immersion in their doctrines, all of them share the same fanatic and single-minded desire to realize the "Utopia" that their beliefs promises them.
"...To a world of brotherhood of all men. Sharing the same vision of the future and tasting the same opportunities."
"""...To a world of brotherhood of all men. Sharing the same vision of the future and tasting the same opportunities."""
Nearly a month since he faked his identity and joined into this group, Renzo has seen nearly everything that he must see, and even things that he shouldn't have seen.
He started out having personal biases against the movement's socio-political beliefs, but not to the extent that he would feel disdain or outright disgust about it. To him, they might have views that doesn't align with his', but if their concerns are truly for the good of the people or to give them a viable alternative when making such choices, those are as valid as any other view or choice.
However, this relativism has now all but gone in him.
For instance, he has seen how the recruitment drives angle their approach to garner empathy with the prospective recruits, citing a sense of disconnect with the improvements happening due to government projects and programs that sometimes doesn't reach the truly needy, the difficulty of budgeting daily expenses amid stagnant wages, and a general sense of unfairness against the government.
To him, this is borderline "cult recruitment". These are methods used by many cults to convince their victims to wholeheartedly believe and devote themselves into whatever is being presented to them. For most of the group's beliefs, he has become disillusioned because of their outright hypocrisy or utter unrealism, as he saw the lower ranks of the movement literally shoveling their money and efforts to "fund the movement", while the upper ranks spent it on luxury hotel rooms and five-star dining for the sake of "properly contemplating the future of the movement".
"...This is ridiculous."
"Hm? What was that, professor?"
And yet, as he still hasn't reached a level where he can talk and siphon information from the high-ranking members of the movement, he chose to feign his enthusiasm and dedication to the movement.
"Nothing important, Ms. Millie. Just whispering my lines for the lecture later."
"A-A-Ahh... Yes, yes. I remember asking for your help again for my lecture later. Again, I'm sorry for being a bother, professor...!"
"No, no. Please don't take it like that. This is also part of my learning experience here."
At present, he is once again helping Millie Harlan, a junior professor in Ostadonian history, and someone that he has grown attached to after she was assigned to be his guide not only within the university but even outside of it, specifically, during the meetings held by the movement.
"There is another seminar being held by Party Leader Armando later this evening. Are you coming too, professor?"
"Yes. I believe this is the right time to ask the party leader about how the group would send their support to me once I organize a new branch of the movement in the feudal domains."
"Ah, I see! How prudent of you, professor! Well then, we should go now and ride the train before we run late."
As Renzo looked at the joyous face of Millie, he felt a sense of pity towards her despite her expression of enthusiasm.
During this entire time that they became acquainted, he has learned about Millie's life story and how she ended up being a junior professor in the university and how much help the group gave her to get this far.
Ever since she was still in highschool, Millie was not an exceptional student despite how much effort and time she exerted to improve. While not as difficult and unforgiving as the education system of Tenka, Qima and Eisen, Marl Kahn education is noted to be hard enough for 6 out of 10 students inducted into it to not be able to pursue college-level education afterwards since they would fail the national college entrance examinations.
Millie told Renzo that it was only because her father begged a family friend who has connections to the Marl Kahn Royal University to "do something for her sake" that she was able to enter, keep up, graduate and eventually find work in the university.
Because of this, her family is extremely indebted to the movement. Her parents who are both factory workers earnestly worship the leaders of the movement, they attend rallies, seminars and indoctrination drives to gather more people into their fold, and have forced her and her siblings to do the same.
"To be honest, I too, feel a huge sense of indebtedness to the movement. It's because of them that a failure like me managed to enter and get through college, and they even let me work in the academia despite my incompetence... Honestly, I wish I can do more for the sake of the movement, but I'm scared that I'll only end up doing more harm than good."
"That's... admirable, I must admit. Although I believe you shouldn't undermine yourself while praising them, Ms. Millie."
"Eh?"
For the first time since he took on this fake identity and infiltrated the movement, Renzo broke a rule of being a spy, which to never empathize or reveal any hint of personal connection with those that only know him from his fake identity.
"...Although you said that you only got this far by being in the debt of the movement, I believe that more than half of what got you here is your own perseverance, Ms. Millie." Renzo spoke, telling Millie his honest opinion about her. "The fact that you are here with the certifications and skills that you gained from years of education means that even if you believe that it wasn't your abilities that brought you to this position, you had the willpower to never give up and prove that you can do something... I don't believe anyone can take that away from you."
"Mr. Algrave..."
I don't know if it was simply because I truly pitied her and wanted to encourage her or I am seeing the old me from her, but somehow, it felt like a huge burden left my heart when I said that. Somehow, it felt right to have said that to her right there and then.
By evening, we arrived at a luxury resort that is commonly only accessed by the high society of Marl Kah's population. From high-ranking government officials, millionaire tycoons, CEOs of international companies and relatives of heads-of-states, it was a place that none of the supposed "proletariat" should be able to step into... and yet, at an exclusive, luxury penthouse within the resort's property, a meeting of the upper ranks of the Socialist Front is being held.
"Senyor Algrave, Senyora Harlan, good evening! Let me lead you inside."
At the gates of the private penthouse, men armed with high-powered rifles and assisted by guard dogs patrolled the perimeter. Given that the bigwigs of the movement is right here, the presence and level of private security justifies it.
"We apologize for asking this from you, but we would like to perform an inspection on your body and belongings."
"...I understand that, but I'm afraid I have to say that I have concerns against it... Why do we need to do this?" I asked, narrowing my eyes towards the host who seem to have been intimidated by my look and tone.
"A-Apologies, Senyor. But this is a required protocol. With our dear leaders and members of the People's Presidium being gathered here today, security is very tight and none, not even our dear honored guests are exempt from this. I hope that you will understand and comply."
I kept my composure for a moment, weighing the temperament of the men around us, before I twisted the meaning of my earlier denial into one that would not invite further suspicion.
"Alright... but I demand that the inspection of Ms. Harlan here would be performed by a woman in a private space. As a gentleman, I cannot allow for a lady to be subjected to such inspection with a man and out here in the open, within my knowledge."
"E-E-Ehh?!!" My deflection earned Millie's gasp, probably after she realized that she was the subject of my concern.
"C-C-Certainly, Senyor! Hey you! Call for a maid or someone to perform the inspection in private!"
"Y-Yes, sir!"
As one of the guards ran off to get a woman to perform the body inspection of Millie, I took off my coat and turned it inside out while a pair of guards deftly touched nearly every part of my body over my clothes. After a few moments, I was allowed to enter and I waited for Millie to be let in as well. Just as I demanded, they got a female guard to perform the inspection behind a small garden wall nearby.
While I was waiting, a voice came from behind and I immediately recognized who it was.
"Wow! I must say, you folks from the Feudal Domains sure have a high sense of chivalry, don't you?"
"Professor Pedring! It's been a while!"
Willie Pedring, who is the leader of the faculty association of the university that I was operating at, greeted me and gave back the gesture. Apparently, he is here to represent the university since he would soon be promoted after opening an expansion opportunity through recruiting me.
"Ahahaha! I'm really glad that I took a gamble right there and asked if you were interested. Because it's our branch that recruited you, we got some recognition from the higher-ups and I'd soon have my shot to be a district political officer."
"Guess you owe me a drink then, future political officer."
"Hah! I'll treat you to enough drinks that you'd puke out your liver, my man! Come on, then! To the victory of the proletariat!"
Just as Willie wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me into the penthouse, Ms. Milie came out from behind the wall and followed behind us. Inside the luxurious mansion, high quality party food and drinks are being offered by waiters wearing opera masks and butler uniforms. To some extent, it looks more like a royal ball party than a meeting of people who are supposedly socialists.
One of the servers noticed us and approached with a full tray of small snacks that I immediately recognized to be Canapé topped with Cattleyan-style sardines that are known in the Cattleyan-tongue as "Sardinillas".
"Cattleyan Sardine Canapés, Senyora?"
"A-Ah... Those look delectable, but I'm afraid it's too rich for my palette..."
"You're not taking one, Millie? Alright, more for me!"
While Willie scarfed down three and immediately after, two more of the snacks, much to the shock of the waiter, I took a pair of filled champagne glasses and handed one to Millie who gave me a confused expression.
"If this is going to happen according to formal traditions similar to the feudal domains, a lady not having a glass of wine or champagne in a party like this means that she wants a man to offer her a drink and company. That won't do now, won't it, Ms. Millie?"
"R-R-Right! Thank you for looking out for me, Mr. Algrave."
"Now that I remember, Brent would be fine. We're not in the university right now anyway."
"B-B-But that would be disres—"
"We're both junior professors, Ms. Millie. I don't think there's any need to care about it. Look, if it would make it fair to you, I'll call you as just "Millie" too."
Once I said her name plainly like that, her face became flushed and she turned around to hide it. Just before I can talk her through that embarrassment, Willie, seemingly drunk after drinking champagne like it's a shot of whiskey, turned around to wrap his arm around my shoulder again and teased her.
"Hey, hey... Don't be so embarrassed and all like that, Millie. It's been nearly a month since you've been around him and you still haven't gotten over that one?"
"T-T-There's an actual reason for this, Sir Willie! The professor came from another country and I didn't want to be rude by being chummy with—"
"Chummy? Didn't you know that learning and making use of someone's first name is considered politeness in the feudal domains, Millie? This entire time, you've been really rude to him, y'know?"
"EHHH?!!!"
Before he can escalate it any further, I pinched Willie's face to make him sober up and calmed Millie down.
"Mr. Pedring, if you're this much of a lightweight, stop drinking like an Atlanterran cowboy..."
"Ow! Oww! Owww! Alright, alright! Stop already!"
"And no, Millie. It's the exact opposite, in fact. My home domain led by Marquis House Taiga is descended from Tenkan nobles and makes use of Tenkan-style politeness mixed with the local culture and customs. Unless there's a shared sense of familiarity and desire for acquaintance, names are given honorifics and only family names are used. Which is exactly my intention earlier. Would it be alright if we be friends, Millie?"
"I-I'd be honored... M-Mister Brent!"
"Ahaha... I guess you still need time to get used to it, huh?"
For a while, we enjoyed the gathering. I plopped down Willie at a seat nearby until the alcohol wore off, and joined Millie in talking with the other guests. From these conversations, I gathered that major events happening out in the frontiers of the nation and behind the closed doors of the government has led to this meeting today. Apparently, the higher-ups of the Front believe that this is the right time to gather their numbers and perform a rally, or if the rumors are to be believed... a full blown uprising right here in the heart of Marl Kah.
As the night grew deeper, I saw more and more people who arrived wearing opera masks. But even with their eyes and noses hidden, I easily recognized them to be high-ranking military commanders, corporate leaders, internationally-acclaimed academicians and even government leaders with seats on the parliament and various ministries.
In particular, there is Party Leader Armando who officially leads the Makabayan party and unofficially leads its various militant wings, even those that are currently fighting at the south-west of Marl Kah. Another is Vice Minister Reymart Flores from the Ministry of Finance and Audit. His presence here quite surprised me given that he's known to be the illegitimate child of the Flores Corporation's current owner and CEO who was spoiled with everything he wanted since birth... I guess it's true that only those who has everything in life would have the fantasy of having nothing, huh?
Shortly after, their arrival were followed by a few regional and supreme court judges whose involvement in the movement I already knew. My research showed that they handled the murder and arson charges that the members of movement's militant groups committed, lowering the charges to manslaughter and damage to property, and further cut their prison time by entering them into "good behavior merit" programs.
All of these important people were led to a private meeting room guarded by 12 or so security guards wearing the same opera masks as the waiters. The meeting seem to have lasted for half an hour before one by one, the waiters approached some of the guests and led them inside the chamber. That included me, Millie and Willie, who thankfully sobered up just in time to be able to walk with a bit of help from me.
"My dear brothers and sisters... I am beyond gladdened that you have come here even with the short notice. You have to pardon us since this opportunity that we are being presented doesn't appear this easily."
Once we were inside, party leader Armando stepped towards a podium at the front of the room and began to address everyone with what I believe is a prepared greeting. Given that he's a career politician, he managed to deliver it expertly and without flaw. He would then outline the general meeting, starting off with the massive success of recent recruitment efforts, the rising prevalence of media outlets that the movement operates or shares the same political leaning as them among the public interest, and the weakening of the influence of other political rival groups in the parliament and local governments in the outskirts of the nation.
"Although some of our "former" members who was caught in that investigation by the king hurt the momentum of our movement, we managed to recover better than the other parties and we are bound to become the super majority in the next elections."
(T/N: The actual word used for "former" here is difficult to translate to English directly so I left it as such. Just know that it was heavily implied that they were killed.)
The assembly began to be filled with chatter from that information. Some said that those former members deserved to be eliminated, while some said that they should've just been cut off from the group. Shortly after that, Armando continued on.
"However, the People's Presidium has arrived to a conclusion for which we have re-affirmed just moments ago and are now dedicated to fulfill posthaste... Brothers and sisters of this great and righteous struggle, we shall not await for the election!"
Pounding his chest and shouting with burning fervor, Armando officially announced the beginning of what was already rumored within the movement.
"Just like how our honored heroes of the yesteryear fought to free our nation from colonial rule, and our previous generation dethroned and exiled a corrupt, tyrannical king! We will spark a revolt! We will fight the righteous battle towards the freedom of this country from the rotten bourgeoisie, the corrupt politicians and the crown that has always led the degradation of his country!"
All around us, the frenzied members and leaders of the movement cheered and raised their hands into a unique salute that symbolized their unequivocal support for the movement. Even the still half-drunk Willie and commonly timid Millie raised their hands as if they are soldiers performing a well drilled maneuver. I followed suit, trying to make it look like I bought into the speech and are just as determined as those around me.
Later on, the party died down as one by one, the members and leaders of each branch of the movement was sent out to their own "missions" by those in the Presidium. Millie, Willie and I waited for hours and it seemed like we are being left as the last to receive our assigned objective which turned out to be the truth, and not for a simple reason.
"Ahh...! Professor Brent Algrave, my my. You've sure grown strong and connected within the movement despite only being here for a mere month." Party leader Armando spoke as he took me by the hand and shook it tightly.
"I owe it to Mr. Pedring and Ms. Harlan. They were good teachers and fellow compatriots."
"Is that so?! Hahaha! I guess our decision to promote him to district political officer was correct after all, huh?" The man laughed and was followed shortly by Willie who thanked him for the promotion and further praised him to inflate his ego and get more from his promotion. "And for the young miss here, good job being assigned as his instructor. I'm sure your father and mother would be proud of this improvement."
"T-T-Thank you, sir! I'm surprised that you know my parents even though they are just factory workers."
"Hey, I know every member of our group from top to bottom. Unlike those corrupt politicians, I care for every one of you. Know this, Ms. Harlan. Once our revolution succeeds, no one would ever experience the struggle that you and your family faced just to escape poverty. That is our promise!"
While Millie was all starry-eyed in awe of what the old man said, I spoke these words within my mind, spiting their utter hypocrisy.
Bullsh*t. If I didn't mention their names and she never said that her parents are both factory workers, you would never know it. The reason why her parents never got any promotion or salary increase is because the leaders of their worker's union kept funneling the employees' cut of the company's profit into the "Co-op fund" instead of giving it to its members. The leech union president has more money than his constituents despite only working twice a week. As for Millie's hardship getting into university, the same applies to nearly everyone entering state colleges. Unless they or their parents sells their lives to the movement, their only choice is to drop out or pay for a private university.
We talked for a while, exchanging some views about the announcement earlier. I made use of my fake dedication and praise for the movement, making sure to never make it seem like I'm a mindless drone, which would lower his view on me, or someone who knows what's actually happening and is only here to leech off the naive ones, which would endanger me.
Somehow, the other higher-ups of the Presidium managed to distract away Willie, leaving me with only Millie and the elderly leader of the movement. This is when he finally bared his fangs and acted not as a friendly compatriot but the movement's central figure.
"To be honest, I was quite shocked when I learned that someone from the feudal domains came by and was interested with joining our movement. Many people in Marl Kah has this view of the people of those lands as people with no particular history or culture, only being exchanged by various feudal lords as concessions or spoils of war. It was surprise that even on those lands, the glorious ideals of Mjargs-Yangals has taken root and just awaiting the nourishing sunlight of a more matured, like-minded movement such as ours."
"You are right about that, Sir Armando. I believe once I get home, my fellow professors and students would be greatly pleased to have the support and legitimacy of Marl Kah's foremost Socialist Front."
"Ah, ah. You honor us too much, Mr. Algrave. We're simply doing our best to fulfill the mandate of our political vision and ideal future of a utopia of human brotherhood. Believe this, Mr. Algrave! Once our revolution here become victorious, you will have the full, unequivocal support of the Marl Kahn New People's Republic!"
"I shall pray and await for such a victory, sir!"
Once this conversation was over, I was told to rest in a private suite within the penthouse. I invited Millie to join me, intending to accompany her at least until she can ride a taxi back to her dormitory, but Armando said that the Presidium has their own things to talk about with her. I asked what it was for and why I can't join in, worried about Millie's safety, but he said that it was something important that only he and his fellow Presidium leaders can do.
"I'll be alright, Mr. Brent! I'd likely just be receiving my own part in the preparations. I'll come by to your room later to say good bye, okay?"
Realizing that I am being too close and personal with a person that I'm meant to not grow attached with, I backed off and just told her to come later so I can at least accompany her to take a cab. She agreed, giving me a smile as I excused myself and was led by one of the maids to a private room where I would sleep. Apparently, I would be talking to the Presidium tomorrow morning to finalize the agreement of the amount of support and if needed, military "volunteers" that they would send for the sake of a "revolution" in the feudal domains.
"...I should rest now. I still have a long day tomorrow." I spoke those words out loud as I took off my clothes until I only had my shirt and pants on.
The reason for which is because right now, I know that this room is bugged with listening devices. If I slipped out any questionable words or anything about my true identity, all of my efforts so far would be ruined and I would likely be killed.
I laid down on the bed, closed my eyes and slowed down my breathing. I rested my body and mind, but never went to sleep, being wary of my surroundings and anyone passing by the door of my room. I acknowledged that I am right smack in the middle of the "lion's den" and even if they bought my performance so far, it's likely that some of them would try to intimidate or set me up out of jealousy or a desire to eliminate potential rivals in the climb for power and prestige.
Tens of minutes, and then a couple of hours passed. I never went to sleep but did my best to rest my body and head while remaining cautious. At some point, I guessed that Millie saw how late in the night it was already and thought that she shouldn't interrupt my sleep and went home by herself. I tried to eliminate the sense of worry, reminding myself of my true objective and how further attaching myself to someone during a mission would just end up harming both me and them.
My internal thoughts was broken when the door of the room was opened and the light from the corridor slightly lit up my room. I did my best impression of someone who was awoken by something, slowly opening my eyes while keeping a hand slightly covering them.
"Mister... Brent..."
"...Millie...?"
This is when I recognized the approaching figure to be Millie, still wearing her evening dress from the party. She slowly closed the door behind her and I reached out to the desk lamp on my bedside table to light up the room, only to hear the loud, metallic clank of the door lock being used.
"..."
"Millie? What's wrong? Why are you—"
Before I can stand up to reach out to her, she jumped towards me and tackled me on the bed. I was too surprised to dodge or counter her, which ended up with her straddling over my hips as her face drew closer to me. This is when I saw that her face was flushed, her lips has the smell of alcohol and her eyes showed a sense of grogginess and loss of control.
"Mister... Brent... Professor... My orders are to... help you in everything..."
She began to loosen the sleeves of her dress and let them slide past her shoulders while speaking in that disoriented manner.
"The higher-ups said that... as a sign of appreciation for your help in the movement..."
This is when I realized that even if they bought all of my lies, in the end, I would be used no different than they use their fellow naive Marl Kahn members.
"Your reward... is me."