Volume 13 Chapter 259-4 Bernard, Mission Aqua Impossible
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I almost doubled over at the last words. Normally, wouldn’t a tape explode to protect secrets…?
”That’s how it is. We already have the schedule for Aqua-sama’s movements that day from the intel department. But, as you know, Aqua-sama doesn’t always follow plans to the letter.”
He chuckled lightly, but the edge in his tone made me tense.
”That freedom is the charm of Aqua-oneesama. Ahem! Prepare yourselves for any… surprises. And Aylward-kun, you’ll be on-site that day, understood?”
I nodded stiffly. The words hit me like a cold splash of water. After leaving IAF headquarters, I made my way home as usual. But first, a quick detour. I had to check on Oto Rurika’s face at the jazz bar.
When I stepped through the door, Serafina—my third daughter—was there. Her curious eyes scanned me as she spoke.
”Papa, did you get a favorite cafe or something?” she asked, her voice light but probing.
I hesitated. “Huh? Ah, yeah, just a little.”
My heart skipped. It wasn’t that I was hiding anything; it was just that this mission—it’s not something I can talk about with family. Not when there’s so much at stake.
”Hmm. That’s good, papa.”
Her smile was soft, sincere. And for a moment, I felt like maybe this whole covert life was worth it.
”Yeah, I suppose so.”
I was relieved. Serafina was the kind of kid who never pushed too hard, and for that, I was thankful. I moved into the living room, where Leti was sitting with my wife and eldest daughter, Beatrice, chatting cheerfully.
Leti looked up as I entered, her eyes lighting up. “Ah, listen, papa!” she exclaimed. “I actually won tickets to the Shirogane Kingdom cultural festival in a lottery!”
I blinked, surprised. Leti—coming to the festival?
”Really?”
Leti nodded, her voice carrying a hint of pride.
”Kukuri-sama had planned to give her ticket to Emily-sama, but Emily-sama won one herself, so she passed it on to the children working in the Shirogane Kingdom. I still don’t know if I belong there… but it’s such an honor.”
Her smile faltered for a second, a shadow of doubt crossing her features.
I reached out, giving her a reassuring nod.
”That’s fine. You were congratulated, right?”
”Yeah, everyone was so kind,” she replied, her expression brightening. “They’re good people.”
Of course, they are. The Shirogane Kingdom doesn’t tolerate any slackers or outsiders—especially not under the watch of people like Shirogane Aqua, Kanon, and Mary Stars Goshenite. I couldn’t imagine them letting someone unworthy in.
Thinking back on it, I felt a bit of awe for Leti. It hadn’t been long since she fled to the kingdom, and yet here she was—accepted and embraced by people who saw her value. Someone must have recommended her. Fuji Ranko, perhaps? Or someone even more influential?
By now, I could sense something more was coming.
”By the way… who recommended you to the Shirogane Kingdom, Leti?”
Leti’s eyes flickered with a mixture of pride and hesitation.
”Someone… someone who was called Saint by the people around.”
I almost spat out my tea. Fuji Ranko? No, no—this wasn’t just any person. Fuji Ranko was more than a big shot. She was the pinnacle, the top of the food chain. And she was tied to this? I could barely process it.
Could it be? Was I, myself, being watched? Scouted?
The woman who built the organization in just one year. If she had any hand in this… then everything, every move, had been calculated. There was no way this was a coincidence.
”Papa, what’s wrong?”
Serafina’s voice was soft, concerned.
I blinked, trying to shake off the weight of the plan, the uncertainty. “No, it’s nothing,” I muttered, trying to brush it off, but even I could hear the lie in my voice. “Just a little tired.”
I steeled myself again. The terror of the Holy Aqua Religion still lingered in the back of my mind. It wasn’t just a matter of killing Aqua—it was about everything that came after. But no matter what, I couldn’t let anything stop me from protecting my family… and Aqua-sama.
That much was certain.
”Alright, everyone, let’s have dinner. Papa’s starving.”
I said, forcing a smile, but even I knew it was a poor attempt at masking the anxiety gnawing at me.
After the meal, I locked away my doubts. It was time to refocus—there was a festival to prepare for, and a plan to execute. The mission to eliminate Shirogane Aqua was too important, too dangerous.
Then, the day arrived.
We hadn’t even hit the ground running before things started falling apart.
”Tch! Shirogane Aqua’s moving unpredictably!” came the sharp crackle of Ken’s voice over the radio.
I froze, the chaos in his words rattling me. What now?
Ethan and the others, though? They seemed… amused, of all things. The sight of Aqua’s unpredictability had them all grinning like kids at a carnival.
”As expected of Aqua-sama,” Ethan muttered, hugging himself with both arms, eyes gleaming. “His spontaneity is… thrilling.”
I clenched my teeth, trying not to let his strange enthusiasm get to me. Ethan was the wildcard of our team, unpredictable in his own right—but this? It was unsettling.
”Aqua-sama’s moving to Point A,” came another voice. “He’s been surrounded by a crowd, but his bodyguard Tsukimachi Ayana cleared the way after he was nearly distracted by a street performer!”
”Damn it!”
cursed, slamming my fist against the desk. Predicting Aqua’s actions? Impossible.
I immediately switched to full mission mode, barking into the radio.
”Forget the forecast charts! Toss everything. We’re improvising from here on out!”
I opened my laptop, eyes scanning the hacked surveillance footage in real-time. The surveillance grid was my only window into Aqua’s actions now.
And then… it clicked. I knew one thing for certain about Shirogane Aqua.
Notes:
• Serafina – Bernard’s third daughter. Kind and gentle. Like her sisters, she has a large bust and is independent, having secured a part-time job and school transfer.
• Beatrice – Bernard’s eldest daughter. Reliable but a bit absent-minded. She has inherited her mother’s genes, boasting a bust over 100cm.
• Ken – Male. A rehabilitated man working in the mine. The fiancé of Akiyama Sachiko, the organizer of the party or one of the protagonist’s (Aqua’s) mother’s students (ikebana) appeared in Volume 2 Chapter 12. However, their engagement is not yet officially recognized, as the necessary documents have not been signed by all parties involved. Ken-kun behaves inappropriately during the event, attempting to flirt with Kanon and later becoming aggressive, even wielding a replica sword. His actions cause a disturbance, and he is eventually subdued and removed by the security team.
• Ethan – Male. Captain of the Impossible Aqua Force (IAF). Appears as a beautiful woman in a lavish dress but has an Adam’s apple, indicating he is likely a man in disguise. Silent and professional, with a focus on supporting Aqua-sama’s mission. His relationship with Bernard is that of a superior and new recruit.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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