Feeling a person sitting down next to me, I need not even look to know who it is to say. "Agent, if I recall correctly, today is supposed to be your day off." Seeing the edge of a maid skirt in my peripheral view, I add. "And shouldn't you change into something more comfortable when we're in a public setting?"

"This is what I deemed to be... comfy, Master." Agent replied with genuine honesty. Hearing that, I can only sigh, saying. "You and I need to go shopping some other time. I know just for a fact that you will look great in anything else..."

That gives me an idea while taking a look at the Agent's body from top to bottom, an action that garners an inquisitive tilt of her head. "Yeah, I can just imagine you in a business suit. You would look dashing in that." I commented honestly, noticing that Agent sported a bit of a blush at my words.

Agent soon recovers her composure by lightly coughing into her gloved knuckle. She then proceeds to cast a privacy ward before fishing out a moderately thick folder from a pocket dimension, and handing it over to me. I used my gloved hands to take the folder from her with a thankful nod before perusing them. The weather is chilly these days, winter is almost upon us. It's why I have to wear gloves and a thicker overcoat over my usual shirt and pants getup. Coincidentally, I almost always wear my officer attire, even my overcoat is modified from an officer-issued one. And of course, the color is tailored white due to the seasonal changes.

"This is all we can gather?"

"Yes, Master. Unfortunately, we could only gather that much with our planted spies. It will be a couple more days until we can bring other Einherjar in to further our knowledge on the matter. They are tasked with another Demonic clean-up mission. Nonetheless, I can have one of them retask if you wish to." Agent replied.

I shake my head. "That won't be necessary, let the girls focus on their task." I wave the files in my hand, saying. "Just this is enough to hazard a guess at what the Sardegnians are planning... But to think they would coerce the Spanish into this mess, now that's a new low."

Agent nods, offering her input. "The Inquisition is growing restless over the issue and the international community is abuzz. The news is only available for government officials, however, as the matter is too recent for a public statement from all parties. Nonetheless, politicians are now badgering Sardegna for an explanation but their answers have been less than forthcoming."

Yuki rolls her eyes with a sarcastic smirk. "'We're relocating them to spare them from the flame of a merciless offensive...' Yeah right, that theatric is very Sardegnian alright." Turning over a few pages, Yuki scans the lines and photographic evidence that her spies gathered. "That said, we can use this opportunity to trace the logistical power behind Auschwitz. We identify the supply trains and the people behind them, we can identify another set of weaknesses to exploit. Moving thousands upon thousands of Spanish is quite different than moving the Jews in their territory... Have we managed to make contact with our possible collaborator inside Auschwitz?"

Agent nods, answering. "We have, Master, but progress in convincing her to help is very slow. So far, our agent and she have only traded coded messages. Our agent on the ground fears that the collaborator's cover will be blown due to the magical nature of Auschwitz. We have no idea if there are any magical detection methods against internal spies in Auschwitz or not, hence Section Chief Quellec and I have agreed to give them generous leeway to plan for the expected and the unexpected. Of course, we also send the best of the best to fulfill the task. As you can see in the files, we managed to weasel the name of the puppeteer of Auschwitz."

"Of that, I can see..." Frowning, I read the words aloud. "Lady Lyssa, huh? Quite frankly an unexpected and impossible name to appear here. After all, she is the Greek goddess of rage, fury, and rabies, a personage that would have never been allowed Yggdra's seed ship. Though it's still possible that some humans borrowed her name to do their bidding... But given what we have seen of them so far, it's highly likely that our mysterious puppeteer is a person from the supernatural side rather than the mundane one."

Agent comments on the information. "It is as you have surmised, Master, Lyssa is a borrowed name and our collaborator confirmed that this Lyssa knows more than just magical parlor tricks."

"Understandable, given that she is behind the bloody Crusader program. Now tell me, with all the available data, you must have concluded her true identity, no?" I asked Agent, a bit curious as to what her answer would be despite already knowing it.

"Then do excuse me for speaking at length, Master. Months ago, we unearthed that subject Natasha Ciora is blessed with a lesser effect of Hades' Helm, thus giving her impressive stealth ability. But we all know that the original Hades is dead, hence only those closest to them would have access to the Helm. After that, we checked on the list of occupants of Yggdrasil's seed ship to identify possible people who could have held it without us Einherjar knowing. Now, we come across this Lyssa and we have run simulations that extrapolate her personality, ideas, and even needs. We have since established that Lyssa is a person who craves destruction. More aptly put, she is out with a personal vendetta on Belka and won't stop till everything burns. She is blaming Belka and more specifically Yggdrasil herself for having wronged her in a past long gone. While that isn't true, it's what the woman thought and believed. The fact that she is using the name Auschwitz can be seen as giving us the middle finger if you would excuse my rude words. With all of this combined, we can say that Lyssa is not her true identity, but rather it's the name Persephone that we should be calling her."

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Hearing her spiel with a smile on my face, I clap once, saying. "Persephone, the loving wife of Hades, fell to madness when the love of her life, died under the hands of her father Zeus. And because Hades was a supporter to us back in the old days, to the point of dying for their beliefs, Persephone is now blaming us for the matter. Just because Zeus is no longer a possible target to direct her hatred at. Believe me when I say this, dear Agent, Greek Pantheon is so fucked up in many ways that even Yggdra is still regretting ever creating them in the first place. Granted, there are some good apples here and there like good old Hestia and poor Athena but they're so few and far between."

I then started putting away the files. "Persephone wants to destroy Belka but given that she never could attain the power herself, she will have to find someone who can. With her coming from a Pantheon though, Persephone has no doubt heard about the deal between Yggdra and Gaia. Her likely creating the Crusaders is not just a means to secure her foothold in Sardegna but also to piss off Gaia, just enough that Gaia will be deploying something much worse than mere Demons to wipe the slate clean. Such a force is no doubt overkill for a mere contemporary state that is Belka, no? But the question here is, how does she push the blame to Belka?"

Hearing that, Agent ponders for one second before replying. "It's quite elementary, Master, she can just reveal her true identity, leaving false leads, showcasing her supposed allegiance to us. As Gaia would no doubt take a hands-off approach after she dispatches her executioners, depending on their level of intelligence, Persephone can manipulate them subtly enough that, once they're done razing Sardegna to the ground, would have no doubt coming for us next. Gaia herself has also alluded to this as at the end of the day, Persephone was and is still our responsibility, one that we have failed to manage once she went under the radar."

"But most unfortunately, we don't have the overarching power, yet." I emphasized the last word. "Register Persephone in the databank of the Reality Anchors. We may need to use them to detain Persephone one day, who knows? Right now though, cooperating with the collaborator and building rapport with them is the wiser course. We still have to figure out the inner workings of Auschwitz, Natasha doesn't have all of the information. Once we get a clearer picture, we will be able to further bolster our contingencies."

"What about the Spanish, Master?" Agent posed a sensible query.

"If we can intercept them at sea and the risk is minimal, rescue them. If not, hands off. We have little to no strategic gain if we expose our spies in Sardegna by rescuing some civilians." It's the sad truth but one that I've come to accept many times.

"Understood, Master." Agent bowed. "Then I suppose that would be all?"

I nod. "That would be all." I hand her back the folder before leaning back, resting against the bench. Idly, I look up at the sky above. "It's almost winter already, I wonder when will it snow?"

"It will take another week at most, Master." I nod at Agent's reply.

Suddenly, I hear laughter just ahead of me. I look to the front, seeing Ningyo and Mei having fun running around with Nicolae. Right now, we're in a public park near the Obsidian Castle. It's here that a scene of festivity is happening. A bi-monthly talent festival that has long since concluded and is now falling into a party. Tables with punch, foods, and desserts made by the Castle's chefs are laid around the party venue. And In the middle of the venue is a musical stage, set up to play upbeat music and songs. With the right atmosphere prepped, adults and children alike can be seen strolling about, deeply enjoying the celebration. A few of them even have their kids holding onto the award they won in the talent show.

I raise an eyebrow, however, when Ningyo and Mei stop by a painter, a kid painter, and sit down by her side. From what I can see here, the painting must have been good for Ningyo and Mei to discuss fervently with the painter. Nicolae, on her part, only stands by the side, sipping a punch glass with a smile while overlooking them like I am. I am surprised when another girl, a bit older than Ningyo, approaches her. I almost bulge my eyes, covered or uncovered, when said older girl hands over a rose and a letter to Ningyo.

"What the fuck!?" I exclaimed. I can't believe that a scene straight out of a movie just happened right in front of me, and to my sister no less. "Is that a damn love letter? It has gotten to be, isn't it?!" That blonde is blushing when Ningyo accepts the offering to cry out loud! Look, even Mei is showing a jealous expression behind Ningyo's back! And that painter girl, why the Hell are you quick-drawing a scene of possible carnage now!?

"Just what the Hell is going on down there!? Agent!" I turn to Agent who is looking at me weirdly but has quickly schooled her expression. "I want a full data package on those two girls, stat!"

Instead of arguing, Agent nods. "I will have our agents work on it right away, Master." Good, she understands that this is a security risk right, right? "Would it be remiss of me to offer you a cup of tea, Master? I think you can use one right now."

I am just about to refuse but then I notice my parched throat, sparing another glance at my sister's new group, I answer. "That will be much appreciated right now. I have to keep an eye out for Ningyo for she is surely attracting some unwanted attention." I would like my sister not to be chased by some hussies, thank you very much. If the profilings of those two girls come out less than desirable then they will never see Ningyo again. I will make damn sure of that.

Agent sets out to grab a tea set from who-knows-where before returning and making me a cup of warm Darjeeling. The tea seems to soothe my obvious overreaction but I almost spit it out when Nicolae approaches the girl with a new game to play together.

"What in the actual fuck...?" I cursed.

The Yggdra-damn game is a volleyball game... But the ball is puffed-up Takodachis instead and the bastards even sport faces of absolute bliss when the girls hit them bouncy.

I turn to Agent. "I will require something stronger than just a pot of tea, my dear."

"An understandable request, Master." Even Agent can't offer a suitable comment for the sight she is seeing, I see.

I am honestly wondering whether letting Nicolae watch over Ningyo is a good idea or not. Ningyo and Mei had already blown up a portion of the Mansion before and when you add a Shoggoth into the mix. One has to ponder about the ruinous potential of such a combination.