Child of Destiny

……

“Qilin died?” asked Nathan with a deep frown after hearing the report from Commander Fisher, who was leading the operation to take down the Seven Seas Group.

He would be lying if he said he did not care about this loss. After all, Qilin was one of the best spies that the Springfield Family had nurtured. He was even the most reliable spy that they had on their side, which was why he was sent to infiltrate the Seven Seas Group’s core.

The infiltration ability of this person was not only the best among the ones that the Springfields had, but his strength should not be that weak as well.

He was a Domain Realm Expert, who specialized in infiltration and disguise. Even though he was not as good as Joaquin Giovanni, his abilities should not be that bad.

Everything on the operation was going according to the plan until recently. They had even stolen quite a lot of information from the database of the Seven Seas Group along with their most important projects.

Yet he just received terrible news right when they were about to succeed with the operation.

Not only had they lost the higher-ups of the Seven Seas Group, but they had also lost one of their most important and most powerful assets in the process.

“Given his strength, he shouldn’t have died without putting up a struggle. That is, unless the one who has killed him is someone who can absolutely overpower him,m or it was a sneak attack from someone with similar level,” mumbled Nathan while squinting his eyes.

No matter how much he thought about it, the situation was too suspicious.

He then reviewed all the details that were described in the reports, trying to find where this feeling was coming from. He also looked at the photos that came alongside the report, refusing to overlook even the tiniest detail.

He had even run a few 3D simulations projected in front of him.

Fisher, on the other hand, did not dare to make any sound during this time because he knew the significance that Qilin had within their forces and the effects that his death could cause to them.

After a while, Nathan’s eyes suddenly went cold because he noticed that Qilin’s death seemed to have been caused by a betrayal. He seemed to be killed while conversing with someone, before the one conversing with him suddenly acted.

Moreover, it was not done by a single person. It seemed to be a group of people with at least three to four people.

He knew that Fisher had not overlooked such a scenario either. It was even indicated in the report, but there were too many things that they had to consider before making their conclusions.

“How is the data that we have secured? Are they authentic? Any signs of tampering?” asked Nathan.

Understanding what Nathan was implying, Fisher immediately reported. “We have done multiple checks on it. The experts at the World Research Center have also authenticated everything. There seems to be nothing wrong with it.”

“They are a hundred percent match to the initial materials that we have gotten ahead of time,” he added. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net

Nathan went silent for a couple of moments before nodding. “I understand. That should be it for now. You can return to your post and proceed according to plan.”

“Keep an eye on everyone. We can overlook that this can be an inside job. Be careful,” he frowned briefly before adding. “You can leave the rest to me. Send Qilin’s body back, and I will handle his funeral.”

“I understand, Supreme Commander,” replied Fisher before ending the call.

***

Meanwhile, somewhere in the Sun-Moon Continent.

Inside the temporary base that the Black Serpent Mafia had set up.

Butcher, who was leading the operation at this place, just finished reviewing all the reports sent to him and suddenly frowned.

Belladonna suddenly sat on the nearby sofa before asking. “It seems like we have encountered a problem for you to frown that deeply.”

Butcher glanced at her before shaking his head. “It is not that bad. I just find a few things a bit strange.”

This piqued Belladonna’s interest, and she could not help but ask. “It sounds interesting. What is it?”

Butcher projected a virtual screen for Belladonna, which showed a series of reports for her to read. “Read it yourself.”

Belladonna gave him a sharp glare before casting her gaze at the series of reports and skimming through them.

It did not take that long for her to realize what Butcher was talking about.

She turned to Butcher and asked in disbelief. “A concert? At this point, and with the current situation? Are those guys crazy?”

Butcher nodded before inputting his suspicions. “What’s even crazier is that they have sent such geniuses to such a dangerous place. It seems like they are presenting these people to us on a silver platter.”

“More like they are serving them as bait to lure us out,” scoffed Belladonna before cursing. “That d*mn Coffin Maker sure has a big mouth, spilling everything out!”

“There is nothing we can do about it. After all, we have only gathered with different purposes,” said Butcher with a laugh before adding. “We are only using each other anyway. Aside from our fear toward ’Snake Head’, there is nothing much that truly ties us together.”

Belladonna refused to comment, but it was clear that she was agreeing with him.

She then went back to the topic and asked. “So, what is your plan with these guys?” pointing at the report concerning the concert that the One Day Dairy Band would be launching alongside the young diva, Alice Stuart.”

“Heh! It is obviously a trap, so why are we going to bite that bait?” scoffed Butcher before continuing. “It is pretty much obvious what they are thinking; they are here to lure us out and reveal our locations. There is no need to concern ourselves with them.”

“If the organization is putting a lot of importance on these little fledglings, then they will send another team to the job.”

“Our main goal right now is to make sure that we deal with those Voidwalkers and not get distracted with anything else.”

Belladonna frowned slightly before asking. “Can we really trust those Voidwalkers?”

Butcher sneered when he heard those words before continuing. “There are a lot of tribes among the Voidwalkers. Naturally, we chose those with the thinnest ’scent’ on them.”

“After all, even ’Snake Head’ is too wary of them. Those guys are the offspring of those ’remnants’, so getting entangled with them is too dangerous.”

Hearing this, Belladonna could not help but squint her eyes before saying. “But I hear that-…”

However, Butcher immediately cut her off and said. “I know what you are trying to say. Who is not suspicious of them?”

“But let me remind you that we are only here for our respective agendas, so just focus on your goal and do your job well,” he added.

He then dropped the topic before proceeding to discuss their operation. “Coffin Maker has most likely spilled a lot of information, but we can also use it to our advantage.”

“Those guys only know that we are having a ’trade’, but they do not know exactly who we are working with. Moreover, they are unaware that we have just gotten our hands on a better vessel, so we are using it to lure those guys away.”

“There will be two trades, one meant for the original vessel, while the other will concern that special vessel that is made of demonic energy.”

“Make sure that Boris and the others will not make any mistakes and act accordingly. Even if they do not have any idea about the second trade, they will only focus on their side.”

“While they are luring those people that the Springfield Family and the Magic Ace Academy have sent, we will be conducting another trade in secret.”

“This is the assurance that the higher-ups have, which is why they have sent the new Professor back to Base 1-03 to deal with the situation that may arise there.”

Belladonna pursed her lips a little before nodding her head. “I understand.”

“Has the time and place been decided yet? We can’t keep on postponing it due to the current situation. We will only expose ourselves sooner or later if we keep on dragging this on,” she added.

Butcher thought for a moment before turning his gaze to the projected screen, particularly on a certain report that was displayed.

He then smirked. “I do have some ideas.”

***

Sun and Moon Hotel.

Shiella just finished going through all the reports before turning to her assistant/bodyguard. “Auntie, have we finished all the preparations yet?”

“Don’t worry, young miss. We have already finished all the necessary preparations. We are only waiting for your signal before making our move,” replied Anna.

Shiella pursed her lips a little before asking. “What about those three? Have they arrived yet?”

Anna hesitated for a moment before replying. “They said that they are already in location, but none of our people have made any contact with them yet.”

The corner of Shiella’s mouth suddenly twitched when she heard that, before briefly nodding. “You can proceed with the plan. Just make sure to avoid unnecessary attention later.”

“Understood, young miss,” Anna then bowed before suddenly disappearing.

……