NOVEL WEB Chapter 60
My reason for visiting the esteemed figure was mostly to mend my tattered psyche—but it wasn’t just for healing.
As a member of the Liberators’ executive committee and someone actively engaged in the field, I also needed to meet them for information exchange and planning.
And now, with only about a week left until the Sports Festival, this was one such occasion.
There was really no reason to insist on an offline meeting when it could be done online… well, except that I just wanted to see their face.
Plus, thanks to Wei, it wasn’t difficult to make the trip, so I had no excuse not to go.
As soon as I got home today, I tossed my bag aside and pulled out the black orb, but before I did that, I changed out of my uniform into a proper suit.
It was just a white shirt and a skirt, but still, I had to wear a hat to complete the look—but that would draw too much attention, so I skipped it.
I neatly folded my uniform and laid it on the bed before stepping on the orb, shattering it.
Feeling the black mist gather and forcefully calming it, I rushed to greet the Boss instead of collapsing into their arms. I greeted calmly.
“Blanca, I’ve arrived.”
“Oh, you’re here. Have a seat, Blanca. We were just talking about you.”
They pulled back the chair on the left as if inviting me to sit and lightly tapped their palm.
Not one to decline, I took a seat, and they smiled, saying I seemed especially well-dressed today.
“It’s a regular meeting day, so of course. I can’t show up all disheveled on such a day.”
“Even if it’s a regular meeting, you’re still first with Hanchō and Wei out of the picture. And since those two just stepped out for a bit, you can be a little spoiled until everyone else arrives.”
With that in mind… there was no need to hesitate. I pulled my chair right next to theirs and leaned back.
Complaining how I thought I would die today from wearing a suit again, the Boss consoled my weary heart with words and handed me some dried meat.
I grabbed it right away and munched on it. Delicious.
Considering I dressed up to create a nice atmosphere, I briefly wondered what the point was, but never mind.
After all, as they said, the executives hadn’t even arrived yet.
“It was so tiny, like a little kitten when I adopted you. I have no idea when you grew up so much. Back then, you couldn’t even reach for something from the top of the fridge, and you’d stand on a chair…”
“W-wait, we agreed not to talk about that!”
The Boss raised their hands, saying it was a slip-up. Yet, their face seemed to smile, looking anything but remorseful.
Feigning annoyance, I turned my head, but I didn’t stop leaning against them.
It wasn’t that I genuinely disliked it. They knew that well, and that’s why they teased me like this.
Instead of apologizing further, they whimsically suggested that maybe I wasn’t a cat but actually a tiger.
“Even if not a tiger, you’re definitely better than most tigers.”
“Still, I enjoyed how cute you were back then. That doesn’t mean I dislike how you are now.”
Despite what they said, I sensed a bit of disappointment in their expression, contrary to their words. After all, they had halfway admitted it was because I was cute that they adopted me.
Just as I was about to say something more, black smoke suddenly billowed out from the center of the room, revealing Justitia.
“…Blanca, is it? Could you pass me a pill for dizziness?”
I handed Justitia a pill while she leaned against the wall, catching her breath. Without even drinking water, she popped the pill and staggered to a chair.
“…Phew, thanks.”
“No problem. You’ll feel better soon. By the way, were you followed? Is the information all set? Did you cover your tracks neatly?”
“I double- and triple-checked. Ugh, I can never get used to this… the data is here, and I said I wouldn’t be back today, so no one should suspect me…”
Alright, Justitia was no problem either.
After taking the USB from her, I plugged it into a laptop lying in the corner and transferred the files.
If you’re wondering what kind of materials I brought, it was the layout of the Academy.
While you could find the Academy’s internal structure on their official website, it didn’t include every security detail or specific measurements.
Therefore, for Wei to set up the waypoint without attracting the Academy’s attention, this information was crucial.
After that, the executives began trickling into the hotel. Of course, Wei and Hanchō were here, and everyone else came as well except for two who couldn’t make it.
“Long time no see, Ismael. Or is it Immanuel? Whichever it is, it doesn’t matter.”
Jack with his gaping mouth.
“Now it’s really starting. Finally, the revenge…”
And the cursed sorceress, Aileen.
Neither of them showed proper respect to the Boss.
They acted more like they were just coincidentally going along with their plans rather than truly following their ideals as if we were all family.
“It’s Immanuel, Jack. It’s impressive you haven’t been caught by a Hero.”
“Hah, of course! To be fair, I haven’t killed even a single one! Honestly, it’s quite frustrating.”
“Someone who erases others as if they never existed has no right to say such things.”
Jack provoked Justitia, seemingly unfazed by her cold response, challenging her to prove who he had killed.
“I couldn’t do that. Even if I did, I’d have probably forgotten it by now. But you would remember. I’ll get you…”
It was a scene I was all too familiar with: the Boss stepping in to mediate between them.
“Hey, why are you all acting like this? Today’s the first time we’re all gathered in a while. I absolutely understand where Justitia is coming from, but please bear with it. I ask this of you.”
“If you insist that much…”
Justitia suppressed her anger and sat back down. Aileen was mumbling gloomily, seeming uninterested in what others were doing.
She felt resentment for having lost their son, who could be described as the face of Heros Company, at the hands of Invictus. But honestly, I thought he had brought it upon himself.
It’s not my place to say this, but he had sold drugs and messed up many lives before he got whacked. Good riddance, I’d say.
If that’s not the case, I wouldn’t have much to say. But let’s leave it at that.
Seriously, I couldn’t help but marvel at how these uniquely quirky individuals managed to gather under one person. I had no doubt about the Boss’s leadership.
But still, to see Justitia, who loathes villains to the core, bowing her ego to be here was quite something.
“So, it seems everyone’s here except for that Butler. Alright then, let’s get started. There’s no point in dragging this out.”
As naturally as ever, the Boss kicked off the meeting and showed us the information uploaded on the laptop.
“This is the internal layout of the Academy that Justitia managed to gather. According to her, there are at least ten structurally flawed spots inside. See these marked areas?”
In the uploaded image, there were about ten places marked with red Xs.
“Ten spots… so, what’s the deal with that?”
“Just wait and listen, Jack. We’re getting to the main point now. During this Sports Festival, we will install a waypoint here.”
“As it’s a location that won’t get caught by magic detectors or CCTV, we should be able to set it up easily if we attract people’s attention elsewhere.”
Justitia chimed in, and Jack seemed to catch on, his gaping mouth opening again.
“What you’re saying is… when setting up the waypoint, we need someone to distract for a long time, right?”
“Exactly. Jack, Aileen. When I give the signal, can you cause ‘a little’ commotion for us? Is that doable?”
“Ha, that’s easy enough. We’re in.”
“Good, let’s move on. As you know, on the day of the raid, you, Justitia, Blanca, and Wei will infiltrate the Academy through the waypoint, leaving the rest of you behind.”
Our trained combatants would join us as well. The Boss finally revealed the main topic with those words.
“Converging in one spot is a waste of power, and even if we do take one spot, they can respond from other places. We need to infiltrate at various points and subdue the entire Academy facility.”
“Wait, are we deciding how to split up our infiltration among ourselves now, Boss?”
“Right on the mark, Hanchō. Most of our forces will focus on the main building, with Blanca and Justitia handling that. You all need to pick one of the nine remaining locations. If there’s anyone you believe is the right fit for a certain place, please suggest it.”
Who would handle which spots?
Deciding that was the main goal of today’s meeting.
However, I didn’t need to say anything. It was already set in stone.
While Justitia subdues the faculty, I just need to keep the students in check.
Initially, I considered wiping them all out, but the Boss had insisted that we only kill when absolutely necessary, so that idea got shot down.
…
As I’m sitting here, it really feels like a reality.
That I will betray them someday.
And thoughts of ‘I can’t do this’ or some weak sentiments never crossed my mind.
Rather, I just felt a hint of remorse for those whose hearts would break.