Seeing Jessica hesitate, Everblood turned towards her, “Choose.”

Glancing at Saleh, it was clear, he didn’t know what was going on either. Not even Jessica herself knew why she was hesitant. Cassie had deliberately played everything off in a way that could easily lead to misunderstanding.

Not only did she not explain, she further leaned into the extreme. For a joke, it was demented. If she left, she knew that it would be the end. It was unlikely she would ever see Cassie again. In a way, it felt like they would completely cut ties.

Jessica found herself unsure of why she should stay. Ignoring the joke, she did like Cassie. In a way, she wasn’t sure how much was really her. On the other hand, Cassie doing that sick joke, was enough to show that she hadn’t changed.

The non-graded Cassie was the same as Grade B Cassie. While it could be said that she seemed a bit more violent, having spoken to each other. Jessica knew she wasn’t a greenhouse flower, like her first impression of her was.

In terms of status, she was a good person to be friends with. Being in, on knowing she was a Grade B, made her that much more important a connection. Ignoring that, as Helga’s daughter. An important person for Mercury City meant right now in these trying times. It was a very good connection to have.

Ignoring all else, Cassie was younger than her. Yet Jessica was only Grade E, Cassie was already far into Grade B. It was one thing to have very high talent. It still would require insane amount of resources. All of which she had.

What this didn’t put into perspective was the dedication. How much of her life was sealed away from the outside world. How much time and effort did she put into long and torturous time using those resources. Combined with her identity of being a non-graded being. Her will was extraordinary.

But, what she couldn’t understand was this strange feeling she had. Everblood was the person that built Mercury City. He had a huge hold over Mercury City, likely being above all twelve elders. So they were part of the same group.

Why was it, that she had to choose? Was it because Everblood was not willing to wait so they could talk? Something felt seriously wrong with this situation.

Cassie had said a lot of things. She was a bit evasive in some places. Knowing what she did now, it sort of made sense. Never did she deliberately lie. At least from what she could recall, therefore, saying she would regret it seemed to imply she would likely regret it.

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With a bit of hesitation, she took a peek at Cassie. She was sitting back in the chair and was smiling at her. It was a carefree smile. As if to imply, she wouldn’t lose out either way. As if she left, the only one that would lose out would be Jessica.

Taking a deep breath, she finally made a choice. Seeing this, Everblood walked away. Saleh looked back before watching as the coachman closed the door. With little options, he followed Everblood into the distance.

“You already decided to stay, what is with that look? Does it look like I am going to eat you?” Cassie couldn’t help but giggle.

Letting out a sigh, Cassie continued, “I deliberately picked you for this mission.”

“Saleh was the one that asked me to come with him.” Jessica looked at Cassie with a strange look.

“Think about it. Everblood was planning to take Saleh out, if I put forth I wanted to take him along for a mission, since it is for Mercury City, do you think Mercury Everblood would say no. From there, all I have to do is imply it is a job for at least two people.”

“That wouldn’t explain why we came here instead of a dwarf city.” Jessica said before she was stared at for a second, thinking back. Her face fell slightly, “With my bounty, and your words of encouragement. You deliberately hyped me up so we would take the obvious pick of going to the Blue Wolf Tribe. You knew Saleh would not only be willing to go, having been away, he would be more inclined to choose it.”

“When a decision needs to be made, it is best to get other people to pick what you want. If you can create a situation where others make the choice you want. It is best, regardless of what your plan is. Obvious flaws are easiest to hide when those you’re hiding them from hide the flaws themselves.”

“Why?”

“I wanted to see what kind of person you were. From the beginning I had been interested in you. You are someone that never belonged. From a child to adulthood. As a person that didn’t belong in the place they belonged. Being a person that could never be themselves, as they had to hide who they were from the entire world. Somehow, I feel a connection to you.”

Seeing that Jessica didn’t say anything, she continued, “In the beginning, all I wanted was to get close to you. While I had an idea deep inside, I wouldn’t bring it out. Then, I realized I really enjoy being in your company. You turned the boring and bland days, into something fun, and interesting. You made me look forward to the next day.”

Cassie’s expression became a bit stern, an expression Jessica wasn’t sure she had ever seen her make before. Letting out a heavy sigh, “Once my identity was exposed I had an idea, what if I make it seem like you were never supposed to see. At first, I expected you to make a run for it. While in the end you were a terrible actor, you never stopped thinking.”

Wanting to say something, Jessica felt like she wasn’t done. Soon she got to the point, “Jessica, I think we can be great friends. But there is a big issue. Because of my identity as a non-graded being. I will often be busy. So I had this idea deep in my head, I am tired of being alone. Having nobody around me that knows me. In order to have someone inside my inner circle, they need to fit one of two requirements.”

She had a good idea of one of them, and she believed she could guess the second. Neither of which fit her at all. Therefore, she kept quiet, trying to figure out how exactly this would lead her to regret leaving.

“The first is the most obvious, it is a guard. Someone that is strong enough to be my protector. Which you do not fit. And the second…”