Struggling as a Villain

Lena was surprised, "What do you mean?" She couldn't completely follow the conversation until now that's why she was confused when Richard said that Jennifer would no longer be a part of this.

Richard heaved a sigh and told them, "She is an apostle, so there is a chance that through her, the Demon General might try to extract information. And who knows, Draeth might be allied with Ithryx?"

Emily gasped, "That would be disastrous." After all, Richard was about to claim his right over Rena in the near future, and if Ithryx found out about it, he might as well sacrifice Rena beforehand and make someone else his apostle.

That's why, Richard suggested not taking any risk.

"We have to proceed with caution that's why Jennifer, you are out of the game." Richard made the decision, that caused the raven-haired to frown,

"Who are you to command me? You cannot throw me out just like that." All her embarrassment on one side and her devotion to serve her Leader one side. This guy cannot just say that she couldn't be a part of this anymore.

Bella turned her cold eyes toward Jennifer before she warned, "Talk respectfully with him. If he says you are out then don't talk back."

Jennifer was rendered speechless. She parted her lips but nothing came out. Not only was she excluded from the team, but her Queen hates her now as well...

Tears welled up in her eyes as Jennifer lowered her head and said, "Understood. Excuse me."

Emily felt pity for the woman however, she couldn't have said anything other than, "You could have been a little gentle."

Richard agreed; he might have been a little too harsh on her just because he was being cautious.

However, he decided to worry about that later as he asked, "Have you responded to the message, Josh?"

The bespectacled one nodded, "Yes, I accepted their request for the meeting. It is scheduled for tomorrow at twelve."

Richard nodded before he turned towards Bella and said, "Inspect the conference room with Lilia and add surveillance cameras if you think it's necessary."

"Okay, brother." Bella glanced at the brunette maid before the duo walked out of the room, followed by Josh, who went to show them the conference room.

Turning toward Athena, he asked, "How many soldiers are there around the whole base?"

Athena thought for a moment before she reported, "Two thousand soldiers, in total."

Richard asked, "And how many are there who can work well under stealth mode?"

Her answer was quick, "Four hundred sixty-three soldiers can work weeks in silence without letting their presence be sensed even by mana sensors."

Richard raised his brows. That was quite a good number.

After a brief pause, he told her, "Take twenty of the best soldiers and plant them around the conference room. If they are melee weapon users then it would be better."

Athena asked, "Melee, why?" Continue your adventure at empire

Richard told her, "They would only be there for support, and five of them have to remain hidden until there is a dire need for them to interfere. Remember, the major focus should be not to assassinate the target but to incapacitate them."

Athena nodded, "Then I will go and shortlist those soldiers who would be the best for the mission."

Richard nodded.

Athena soon saluted to Lena before making her way out of the room.

Richard's gaze then turned towards Lena as he asked, "Do you have any tool to suppress mana?"

Lena shook her head, "There is currently no device or tool capable of fully suppressing someone's mana or completely preventing them from using magic. However, a specialized technology does exist that generates a dense magical field within a specific area. This field interferes with the natural flow of magic within the affected zone, making it difficult for those inside to channel their mana effectively. As a result, their ability to cast spells becomes slower, weaker, or less precise than normal."

Emily slowly muttered, "But that would affect the allies as well, no?"

Richard nodded, "Yeah..." After thinking for a bit, Richard asked, "Can you show me the tool?"

Lena nodded before she walked towards the shelf on her left and pressed her thumb against the biometric scanner before punching a seven-digit code.

The screen turned green before a drawer opened just below the scanner from which Lena retrieved a small drone-like device that fitted over both of her hands.

She brought the device before putting it on the table between herself and Richard.

"This room should be as big as the conference hall?"

Richard's query urged the silver head to look around before she said, "This one is larger but yeah, the Overdrive would be able to cover the room."

Richard nodded before Lena said, "Activate Overdrive."

The machine beeped, and a small cylinder rose up, glowing red as light scattered, causing Emily to flinch.

"Agh... it hurts..." She covered her ears, wincing from the loud sound waves blasting from the Artifact.

Richard frowned, feeling a sharp pain in his temples. He raised his hand and summoned a fireball, but it took him a few extra seconds than usual, and the flame flickered uncertainly.

Lena's eyes widened in surprise as she watched Richard still manage to cast the spell, despite how few could stand firm under the Overdrive's effects.

Richard focused on the flower pot near the window, then launched the fireball at it. The pot shattered on impact.

Suddenly, the emergency protocol was activated. Two mechanical arms emerged from the ground and sprayed fire extinguisher foam on the flames

Richard signaled Lena before the latter turned the device off.

The room regained its tranquility as Emily heaved a sigh and massaged her forehead.

Richard thought for a moment. This machine was working quite well, considering even Emily, who now has a vast amount of Aembr, and quite a strict control over it, to be affected by it.

His main goal was to render Jin useless if things went awry and rescue Rena in the meantime. He still doesn't know the number of forces Jin would bring, but inside the conference room, there won't be men, so neutralizing them would be easy.

"Okay, plant one of these in the conference hall, and inform the soldiers who would be stationed in the conference room about it."

Richard told her to inform the soldiers since the sudden interference of Overdrive might startle them and they might not be able to react in time. As such it was best for them to be informed.

"Okay, I will do that." Lena was about to leave when suddenly Richard said,

"Can you arrange a few cloaks and masks for us to wear? I am planning to take a look around the base."

Lena raised her brows, "Should I ask someone to guide you?"

Richard thought for a moment before he said, "Ask Jennifer."

Lena was momentarily speechless...is this man planning to further torture her?

Regardless, remembering how her Queen reacted when Jennifer tried to defy his words, the silver head instantly nodded, "Okay, I will ask her to find you."

Once Lena walked away, Emily asked, "Why did you ask for Jennifer?"

Richard shrugged, "She has already seen our faces so it would be better to help us guide."

She didn't say anything about that...rather she asked, "What do I need to do tomorrow?"

Richard looked at her and told Emily with a serious look, "Your role tomorrow would be the greatest. Tonight I will teach you a ritual that would allow you to concentrate your Aembr so you could utilize it more efficiently and widen your reach."

Emily was slightly nervous hearing that. Although she was prepared for this, that's why she confidently demanded her inclusion in the mission; the sudden pressure Richard brought upon her was slightly scaring her.

Richard realized that he might have terrified her, so he added, "But don't worry, with your skills, I know you will do well. Just don't let your emotions come your way and focus on your goal."

Emily pumped her fist and gave him a firm nod, "Understood. You can count on me."

Soon the doors parted only to reveal the familiar raven-haired beauty standing there while holding a bag in her hand.

There was no emotion on her face as Jennifer approached them and rested the bag on the counter, "There are cloaks and face masks. Once you wear them, call me; I am just right outside."

Saying so she turned around and walked out.

Emily glanced at her lover before saying, "She is quite hurt it seems."

Richard heaved a sigh, "Bella's words have affected her quite awfully. But well, let's focus on the work for now."

Emily nodded before she unzipped the bag and took out the heavy cloak. Once they changed their get-ups and hid their identity, Richard said, "Let's go."

---------**--------

A/N:- Another chapter before the stress-filled chapters begin. I hope you all are enjoying the story so far.

Drop a comment.