Struggling as a Villain

The conference room was huge enough to accommodate a hundred people easily, and there were thirty seats around the oval table where the negotiation would take place tomorrow.

Lilia was looking around the place to see where the surveillance artifact could be placed as she heard Bella asking Josh, "What are the most advanced cameras you have?"

Josh explained to her, "A tiny, advanced camera as small as the tip of a pen. It uses special lenses and sensors to capture very clear, high-quality images. The camera can improve pictures instantly using smart technology (AI) to reduce blur and recognize objects. It connects wirelessly to other devices to send data quickly. The camera is designed to use very little power, running on small batteries or collecting energy from its surroundings. This technology could be used in medical tools, security systems, smart devices, and wearable gadgets."

Bella was surprised, the technology had advanced quite significantly in the short while when she was away.

Lilia somehow understood the cameras' features, as she asked, "Tell me, did you just say that they absorb energy from the surroundings to keep themselves alive?"

Josh nodded, "Yes, since the size of the batteries was too small and unreliable, researchers recently developed mana cells, that absorb mana from the surroundings and could keep the cameras alive for three days."

Josh was expecting some praise from the Leader, given he was also in the researchers' team who developed the mana cell. However,

"If they run on magic then they must emit mana as well?" Lilia asked with a frown, which surprised the bespectacled one as he said,

"Yes, why do you ask?"

"There are people who are highly sensitive toward magic and there are those who awaken magic-sensing abilities. Do you not think Jin would bring such people with him to ensure that no needless magical addition is there in the room where he would be disclosing information of national importance?"

Josh glanced at Bella and found his Queen rubbing her temple, as she said, "I also didn't consider…no wonder Brother sent you with us. "Bella was ashamed to say that a person younger than her as outsmarted her…and not only once.

Turning her attention toward Josh, she asked, "What do you think, the traditional electronic cameras can go on for how long?"

Josh hesitantly answered, "For twelve hours if we want to retain the same size."

Lilia nodded, "That would be enough, now note where I want these artifacts placed." Josh nodded and took out his mobile terminal to record the spots.

-----**----

Richard and Emily were moving around the base, understanding the layout and discovering the possible routes one could utilize to leave the premises when necessary.

'This place is more like an army camp…' Richard inwardly muttered as he saw rows of soldiers running around, training and hunting. This was heaven for those who love to be always surrounded by action.

"This is the recruitment hub where the recruits get assessed and their backgrounds are surveyed," Jennifer spoke while gesturing toward the building with a huge dome in place of a regular roof.

Richard casually asked, "How thorough is this background inspection?"

"From blood tests to lie detection, every aspect of those seeking to join the Crimson Clan is thoroughly examined. One thing Queen despised – and the clan remains vigilant against – is the risk of allowing a traitor to infiltrate their ranks."

Richard hummed, as Emily asked, "Are there only soldiers around? Do they not have homes or families?" The situation in this place was like they were living near the border so she thought that those who admitted to the Crimson Clan always remain vigilante and get no time for themselves.

However, "There is a specific city dedicated to the families of the soldiers working around the HQ. They aren't allowed to bring their families here since Leader believed that families always distract a soldier and change their priorities at the time of crisis."

Richard was surprised, "Did Bella say that?"

Jennifer slowly nodded, "Yes."

Richard couldn't believe how similar she was to their mother; he had heard the same thing from Bellarine years ago when she was serving the Empire as the commander of the biggest unit of Eldoria.

Soon, Emily asked if they could take a break, so Jennifer brought them to the cafeteria.

Since it was afternoon, most soldiers were out there, fulfilling their duties.

Emily sat down on a seat while Jennifer and Richard went to bring some food.

The counter of the cafeteria was in the middle of the establishment and there were a few staff who were in the line.

Seeing Jennifer they were about to give her the space so she doesn't need to wait. However,

"Remain where you are." They instantly lined up once again.

Richard understood one thing by remaining close to the raven-haired and that is her upright personality and annoyance toward partial behavior.

They were silently standing side by side as Richard said, "You must be hating me right now, no?"

Another thing about Jennifer is, "Yes." She is quite honest about her feelings.

Something that reminded him of Amelia.

With a sigh seeping through his lips, Richard asked, "Who is the most important person in your life?"

"My Queen."

Richard asked, "And why is that?"

The girl responded without hesitation, "I was thirteen-year-old, lost and suffering…she came into my life as a guardian angel who not only saved me from savage people but also gave a meaning to my lie."

She still couldn't forget that day when she was locked in a cage and several men were playing a card game to decide to whom Jennifer would belong. The dread she felt at that time was not comparable to anything she had experienced until now.

At that time, the person who came to save her was the person to whom Jennifer had devoted her life.

Richard hummed and asked, "Now assume such an important person's life is at risk and you have the option to save her…but there is just one factor that can compromise the whole thing. Will you not remove that factor?"

Jennnifer turned silent. She understood what he was saying here. She was that factor that could risk this whole mission, and the person at stake was quite close to this redhead.

She was not informed about it much. However, she knows that the person was in the hold of the Crimson Claw clan.

She remained silent for a long time, until they were second in the queue, before she said, "Am I...not allowed to do anything in this mission?"

Richard asked, "Why do you seem so desperate?"

Without a speck of hesitation she stated, "This is the first time I got the opportunity to be helpful to my Queen. Until now, I have only received things from her but never found the chance to repay her back. And this...this was the first time my Queen expected something from us. But now..."

Her cold demeanor shredded as tears welled up in her eyes. Her shoulders trembled, and now Richard was feeling a little bad for her.

He took the food from the startled chef who was looking at Jennifer with concern.

He brought Jennifer back to where Emily was sitting, and without him asking, Emily helped her to calm down.

"Here, drink some water." Jennifer drank the water and felt a little better.

Richard heaved a sigh as he began eating the sandwich which he was eating after a long time. His favorite chicken sandwich with red sauce.

He was enjoying the sandwich when suddenly found silence from the other end, urging him to look up.

He found Emily looking back at him with an expression that said, 'Say something to her.'

The redhead took a long breath and wiped his face first.

After thinking for a moment, he asked, "You want to be just useful to your Queen, right?"

Jennifer nodded, "Even if I can be just a regular soldier to guard the conference room, I will be content."

Richard thought for a moment and asked, "What are your rank and skills?"

Richard intently heard about her skill and what was the limitations. He was impressed, in such a short period, she was able to develop her skills.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Her skills were quite helpful for those who wanted to divert the enemy and gain some time to prepare.

After listening to her for five minutes and asking a few questions, he said, "I think I know your role in this. And for that you will be helping Emily."

Emily raised her brows, "What do you have in mind, Richard."

The redhead smirked, "If things go awry you and Jennifer would play the most vital role in this operation."

Fortunately, he had this talk with Jennifer before the negotiation.

--------**-------

A/N:- I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Jennifer is a cry baby, and someone who just want to serve her Queen. Well, drop a comment, review if you have enjoyed the story so far. See you tomorrow.