Date: Unspecified

Time: Unspecified

Location: Myriad Realms, Card World, Southern Region, Blossom District, Sky Blossom City, TSR Guild, New Headquarters

"I got news on Ned," I said, breaking the standoff between Jill and Henricks. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Ned? Where is he? How is he?" Henricks asked eagerly. Ned’s whereabouts and well-being had been weighing on his mind ever since they left me alone with Sansa at the Yellow Plains.

"Sansa’s pawns dropped him off somewhere in the Central Capital late this evening," I replied, based on the information the Hive Spirit had gathered from her paw clans’ VR chats.

"Really? Then why didn’t he contact me? I’ve been in this realm the entire time," Henricks asked frantically.

"I don’t think he knows it himself. He was probably drugged—" I began, but Henricks cut in.

"Why would she do that? What does she stand to gain? Is this a trap to lure us out?"

"She did it because I suggested it," I said calmly. "That way, she ensured Ned’s death while keeping her promise to Baylor. No, it’s not a trap for us. It’s a gift for the central government."

I answered patiently, fully aware of Henricks’ fragile state of mind.

This man-child was the same man who had remained calm when the freedom fighters were on their last legs, betrayed by the Southern Princess, infiltrated by the Matron, and the World Leaders breaking in through the front door. For him to act like this in front of me showed how much Ned’s friendship meant to him, and how wholeheartedly he had accepted me as his boss.

Now that he was no longer the leader but a subordinate, he no longer felt the need to hide his emotions from those beneath him. He could show them openly. Still, he might have done so with a little more restraint.

I could see Jill losing all respect for him. Or perhaps that was exactly what he was aiming for. I didn’t dare underestimate this old fox, and neither should Jill.

"Why?" Henricks finally asked, having calmed himself. His face was deadpan, his voice edged with cold intent. It conveyed the unspoken intent that if I failed to give him a satisfactory answer, he would gracefully retire from his duties to me and the freedom fighters alike, and fight me to the death.

"To save him. Sansa would have killed him, unable to swallow what happened in the Yellow Plains. So I warned her that killing him would only earn her more hatred from Baylor. Instead, she could show mercy for appearance’s sake, dump Ned onto a busy street in the Central Capital, and let the government handle the rest. She took my suggestion, though she made a few adjustments of her own," I explained, mindful of Henricks’ bond with Ned. I, too, had known brotherhood in my past life, but unfortunately, it had not withstood the test of time. Hopefully, there’s would.

"I see. Do you know where exactly? I’ll go get him now," Henricks said urgently, his mind finally locking onto what needed to take priority.

"No. So far, I haven’t been able to find out where in the Central Capital they dropped him," I said. "I suggest you head there and start searching. I’ll contact you immediately if I learn anything."

Henricks thanked me at once and summoned a portal to the Central Capital, but I stopped him before he stepped through. "Take Ollie and Cam with you. They’ll come in handy if things escalate."

"Ollie too?" Henricks asked doubtfully, unable to believe that pervert would be of any real help in the search if not a hindrance.

"He may be sleazy, but this falls right under his alley, and the Central Capital happens to be his turf," I replied. "Promise him a few free trips to brothels and he’ll be plenty motivated." I knew Ollie appeared unreliable, but in truth, he was the one who handled all the dirty work in his group so the others wouldn’t have to. As for Cam, with him around, they wouldn’t have to worry about being surrounded or outnumbered.

Henricks nodded in understanding. Then Jill added, "I’ll have my people monitor the government’s secure channels and keep an ear open for anything related to Ned or the freedom fighters. If they hear something, you’ll know."

"Thank you," Henricks said gratefully, noting Jill’s willingness to help him despite his earlier challenge to her authority through Susan.

Jill nodded as she watched him summon another portal and head toward the West Princess and her entourage.

"What’s Big Sister Christina doing here?" Jill asked, catching sight of the latter’s figure through the portal.

"She and her friends work for me now," I replied. At the same time, the Hive AI tapped into my VR information network and informed me that Susan was still in the building, working, with Corey keeping her company. I suspected Corey had rushed over to stay by her mother’s side after learning about the scandal involving Jill and me.

"When did that happen?" Jill asked in shock, then added, "You do know she prefers women, right?"

"What do you take me for?" I asked, exaggerating my reaction as I feigned offense. "Besides, how do you know that?"

Jill confided in me with a smug smile. "She approached me after hearing that I wasn’t interested in men. When I told her about my condition, she said she’d be open to a nightcap, provided my partner was handsome and accommodating."

"What are you suggesting?" I asked, feigning ignorance, even though I knew she meant nothing by it and was merely sharing a juicy bit of gossip with her partner.

"Nothing," Jill said, brushing it off. She rolled her eyes at my childish reaction before asking, "Aren’t you going to meet Susan? Or is my presence stopping you? No need to spare my feelings."

"No. She asked for space, and I’m giving it to her," I replied. "Besides, she has to get through this on her own. Otherwise, a life with me would only make her miserable, and resentment would follow. It’s best to let nature take its course this time."