The plan

It was getting rather late when the final touches on Phase 3, Operation: Handsome Princess where ironed out. Turns out that Sylphid's “plan” could be boiled down to breaking through the front door and beating the snot out of everyone. Luckily, these nincompoops had me for tactics. I made sure to subtly nudge them in the right direction.

It appears my drawing skills had stunned them into silence. Thusly, I explained the plan one more time.

“The operation will start at the crack of dawn at 7 o'clock. Team A: Sylphid, Punchy, Gun girl, and the maid will take position on the secret underground entrance to Ojou-sama’s mansion. Team B: Valkyrie and Fire-Girl will be on standby at the front of the mansion.

“Hold your tebasakis. How do we know our targets are there?”, asked Gun girl. “Don't this dere mob boss have many ace in the holes?”

I groaned internally. “We went over this”, I said as politely as possible. “Punchy talked with Mari over magic vision. They where blindfolded for most of the journey, but unless Ojou-sama has another giant mansion with a secret underground entrance we know where they are.”

“We have many safe houses and villas all over the city”, added the maid. “But from the description you gave me, I do believe they are kept at the main estate in the Noble Hill district.”

That seemed to satisfy the gunslinger. Or at least she shut up.

In truth, there was of course the possibility that they where moved after our last contact. That’s what I would have done. But that was a risk we had to take. No reason to worry everyone with bringing it up.

I continued. “At around eight in the morning, Mari will be escorted to the arena. Thanks to the show we made earlier, a decent amount of Ojou-sama's goons will accompany him. However…” I took a deep breath. “There will still be a decent amount of goons be left behind. This is where distraction two comes in. Valkyrie and Fire-Girl will make a big show of attempting to break in through the front gate. This will draw our foes attention towards them, further weakening the mansion's defenses. At the same time Team A will swiftly move through the sewers.”

The strongest Galmon nodded. “Understood. You can count on us.” Fire-girl didn’t respond but her flames flickered a bit brighter.

“Won't that be an issue for ya?” Punchy asked. “Ya could get disqualified from the tournament.”

But Valkyrie merely smiled at that. “Have no fear. Even if I where to be disqualified, I will not idly stand by in the face of such injustice.”

I shrugged. “I'm just doing this because of the obedience magic. So don't expect any gratitude from me.” I tapped the map. “Once inside the mansion it is vital that the cat gets located as quickly as possible. You only have a small time window before reinforcements show up.”

“We will rely on your for that one, Cia.” Sylphid gave the maid a gentle pat on the shoulder.

Cia didn't seem terribly eager to go back to the mansion. Not that I blame her for being apprehensive. These mobsters probably aren’t treating traitors too kindly. Obedience spell or not. “Ideally we would get Cass as well, but the slaver is a secondary target. The cat is the one Mari cares about.”

“Oh don’t worry. I get them both”, Sylphid assured me with a smirk. “I hate not getting all the treasures in a dungeon.”

Right.

“Once target has been secured, evacuate from the mansion as quickly as possible and proceed to waiting room B. If everything goes as planned we should be able to inform Mari before the match starts.”

“Shouldn't we talk to him prior to this?”

I laughed at Punchy’s laughable suggestion. “And have that boneheaded baboon ruin everything? Knowing Mari he will probably panic and call this perfectly reasonable plan insane.”

“Yeah, I'm with Witchie here. Handsome seems to be terrible nervous all the time.” Sylphid chuckled. “But that is what makes him so cute!”

Not how I would call his neurotic behavior, but sure. “Personally, I will be on standby. I won't be able to do much, but I am available to contact on magic vision.” I might be the puppet master and brains of this operation, but sitting around uselessly like this was more frustrating then I cared to admit. “Any more non stupid questions?”

“I do.”, Gun Girl spoke up again. “Find it a bit funny Cia knows so much about secret tunnels and stuff and then she's in the tourney. Reckon, this there Ojou twofer must have assumed she could become a ****, right?”

“Now that ya mentioned it...”, Punchy nodded. “That's strange!” Ey, what’s the deal! Yer trying to hoodwink us?”

Ugghh. If these two don't shut up soon we will be here all night! “This maid is obviously Ojou-sama’s closest confidante and her loss in the tournament was a freak accident due to Ojou-sama swiftly deciding to pursue the cat napping.”

“Is that a fact?”, gun girl scratched her chin. “Reckon we can use her as a hostage then.”

“Umm..” Maid girl didn't seem to deal with all the pressure very well. “It's not like I was supposed to know this...”

What?

“I overheard things. A lot of things. And I once accidentally checked out that underground entrance myself when I took a mild detour from grocery shopping.”

...my perfect plan had a flaw? No, hold on that’s impossible. It’s that stupid maid that is obviously flawed. Who the hell goes grocery shopping in sewers? Hmph, no matter. Luck is part of one’s skill as well. I giggled delicately. “Well! How fortuitous it is then that you are such a nosy maid! Of course I expected nothing less!”

Sylphid grinned and pulled the frightened maid back on her lap. “Uh! Fun story: After my victory two goons visited us and tried to buy Cia back. Obviously I refused.” She laughed. “They told me I better sleep with an eye open from now on or I will soon sleep with the fishes! Funniest thing I heard all week. I’m not even into fishes!”

“They accused Lady Sylphid of ****?” Fisti roared. “That’s it! I’m gonna malkie there sorry arses!”

I’m surrounded by idiots.

“But still”, Gun girl whined further. “Means the bushwackers ares at least somewhat aware of the caboodle. Don’t think we’re gonna just cavort in.”

“Which is why we got to great lengths distracting our enemy”, I explained calmly and for the THIRD TIME! “Anyone else care to add some valuable commentary?”

Nobody spoke up. Then, as much as I dreaded it, I needed to ask something. Of course, I knew the answer to that already, but not have it said here might prove troublesome later on.”I heard Valkyries reasoning already but, Sylphid, why are you helping us? Never pegged you for an ally of justice.”

“Justice? Nah! But pegging? Yeah!”

Keep calm Beatrice. Deep breaths, deep breaths. “I would like to get a real answer.”

“I want to fuck Handsome”, Sylphid stated without a shred of shame. “And not just him. Spunky Fisti, Hot Cassandra, adorable Aiju and bratty you. Handsome has assembled one heck of an assortment of cuties. I want to fuck all of you, but how am I going to do that if Handsome loses in the next round? I get no chance of adding all of you to my harem!”

B-bratty?

“Uh! Uh! And does he still have that devil? Does she come with the package? I don’t care. I want her too!”, Sylphid giddily bounced the maid up and down on her knee.

For a moment I could only stare at the perverted grinning martial artist. I mean, I knew that was her reason but I was hoping she would at least sugarcoat it a little bit. Also Punchy just about creamed herself on the prospect of becoming Sylphid’s sex ****.

“Oh, don't get me wrong! I will treat you all super well. Handsome too of course. A boy is nice too, every once in a while”, Sylphid grinned lecherously and fondled the maid particularly aggressive for some reason.

Valkyrie let out a cough at that. “Sylphid's motives may not be all that pure, but that is within her rights as a contestant of this tournament. These fiends however who kidnapped an innocent girl to enrich themselves will receive no quarter from me.”

There was a fierce fire burning in the strongest Galmon's eyes. That one might be a threat if I ever decide to conquer the continent.

“Well”, I continued. “I believe this covers all.” I glanced at the clock. It was just close before midnight. “We should all get some much needed rest. We will meet back here tomorrow at 06:45. Don't be late.”

“Why don't we have a big sleepover here?”, Sylphid giddily suggested. “We should all fit in the bed if we squeeze together.

Punchy let out a small eep at that.

“I respectfully decline”, I said very quickly as I got up “Do try to keep the sexual intercourse to a minimum, will you? I shall retire to my own quarters alone.”

...why is everyone looking at me funny?