Perfectly Balanced [HIATUS]

Chapter Sixty Nine: Plan of Action

69. Plan of Action

Feb. 28, 2025

(gonna start doing dates like this. you'll see them edited in previous chapters later)

A/N: Hehe...chapter 69...

This chapter is a quite short, since I'm trying to recover from mental burnout. I'm also trying to figure out a good schedule and tempo to continue writing at a steady pace. Sorry to make you wait so long :')

Q: Have you ever experienced mental burnout?

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"Kill Ibara, huh?" You raised a brow in suspicion as your eyes stayed on the man before you. "Isn't he your boss?"

"He sure is. But that old fool's time is up and the harem needs to be under new management," Moz replied with a growing smirk--his eyes were completely grim and didn't match the rest of his face.

With a deadpanned stare, you commented, "I doubt the kingdom could run smoothly with you as the new ruler."

"Ouch. You don't have to be so blunt, (Y/N)-chan," he said, motioning his hands as he spoke. "But really, it needs a new ruler, and who else is a better choice than the old man? The only one standing in the way of that is the weapon."

"...and because of the weapon, I can imagine that my Kingdom offered up an opportunity to take it from her so you can get a chance of taking out Ibara," you deducted from the conversation.

He smiled wider with narrowed eyes. "They did, but because of you, they are all working under me. With you as a hostage, there was no way they could not obey me, especially that little victor of yours. And with you as a hostage, we can use that as an advantage to get close and assassinate the minister. How does that sound?"

"I...guess that sounds like a fine plan," you said, then started mumbling to yourself, "'Little' victor...? Is that what he thinks of Senku...?"

"Anyway, while you were asleep, your kingdom sent another message through this 'earpiece,'" the spearman informed you as he stood up, pointing at the earring on his ear. Using the tip of his weapon, he cut your restraints from a distance to keep you from avoiding him. As you rubbed your hands over your wrists, he continued, "We've got some sorcery items to pick up soon. They said they'd speak to us again when they've set it out."

Suddenly, the two of you heard scratching noises from the devices in your ears.

"What a coincidence..." you smiled gently.

Through the small device, you could hear Senku's voice speaking, "Yo. Listen up, fighters. Your new tools should be hidden outside of the palace by the cliffside. You'll be using these to go against the old man's army for our first show tonight. I'll give more details later in the day about our invasion, so keep your ears open. (Y/N), keep an eye out for the weapon. Safety and confirmation is priority."

"You got it, Mr. Sciencer," you quietly laughed to yourself, listening to the line cut off.

"'Sciencer?' Is that another word for sorcerer?" Moz wondered out loud. He shrugged his shoulders and said, "Whatever. Let's get going now."

The man started heading for the exit of the hut you were in. You got up to follow him, straightening your clothes out, which were thankfully cleaned, hopefully from the heavy rainfall from the night before. You used your hands to make sure that your appearance was alright, from your hair, to your face, to your body. The man looked down at you to see you standing by his side as he exited, a small smirk appearing on his face. The sun was rising, showing that a new day was about to begin.