God of Tricksters

"Yo!"

Yermolayev made a wry smile as he truly couldn't compare himself to Theo. This man had confused the whole union without even making his appearance somewhere.

He couldn't help but recall their conversation a few days ago.

At that time, he thought he was talking to Ricky before suddenly, Theo retracted his illusion that changed his appearance.

"You…" Yermolayev widened his eyes in shock and turned around because there was a hidden camera in his room.

"There's no need for you to worry about it. I have created a realm with my skill. The camera will only see that Ricky is talking with Yermolayev. So, you don't have to worry."

"I see." Yermolayev felt relieved.

"I'm sure that you have been treated horribly, but I have three things I want to tell you. I don't want to cause any suspicion by talking about too many things, so I hope you don't interrupt me."

Yermolayev nodded with a serious expression.

"First of all, trust me one hundred percent, and I'll be able to fulfill my condition to Sir Yaslev by focusing on the safety of your family.

"Secondly, I want you to go to the UK to meet my clone and do nothing. Also, bring two suitcases with you. Make sure they're huge. I want you to bring something from there, which I will give you. I'll tell you the concrete plan through telepathy… Well, I can't say it's telepathy since I'm the one making you hallucinate my voice in your ears. I don't know what you say, but you can understand English, right?"

"Yes. I have no problem."

"Good. I'll tell you the concrete plan there. As for the last thing I want to say… Well, Levina is safe with me right now. Don't worry about her."

"Ah!" Yermolayev was surprised and relieved at the same time. "I believe being with you is the safest place in this world. She's lucky to meet you. I hope that you can take care of her."

"Don't worry." Theo nodded. "In that case, let's meet again soon. Of course, play along with me to trick the hidden camera."

Theo retracted his illusion and continued with his order about Richard's assassination.

…

Recalling this memory in his mind made his body tremble. Theo was someone who could destroy the union from within as long as he desired to do so. But because his real target was the Griffith Family, the impact this time wasn't that big.

"These are the suitcases."

"Thank you for doing all this." Theo nodded with a smile.

"No problem. In fact, I want to thank you again. I have just received the news that Leonardo will be our caretaker from now on. Even the Empress will be placed near the church for their protection. If your plan is to mess with the union, you can do much more. But you prioritize our safety, so please let me give my thanks to you. Unfortunately, I can't give you anything."

"There's no need to. Living well is the greatest gift you can give me." Theo smiled and patted Yermolayev as he grabbed the two suitcases. "Well, take care, will you? I'll meet you again sooner or later."

"Yes." Yermolayev smiled as Theo disappeared, and his illusion was retracted.

…

Leonardo and Yermolayev weren't the only people to know Theo was behind this. There was one more person that had figured out the plan.

She was the Empress.

While walking outside, she found Ana with a smile on her face. Her smile was big and bright as if she was the happiest girl on the planet.

"It seems that you're happy." The Empress narrowed her eyes.

"Mo…ther." Ana's smile instantly disappeared when she saw her mother's distorted face as if she was disappointed with the situation. After all, the Empress had always wanted her to marry Ricky, while Ana wanted to be free.

"Let's talk." The Empress pointed to the left after making sure no one was there.

Ana had no choice but to follow her with her head hanging low.

"It seems that you're happy with his death. Do you really not want to marry him that much?" The Empress asked.

"…" Ana looked down. "I know I am your daughter, and I have an obligation to protect the people from the Empress Palace. By marrying him, we could become even stronger. In fact, I don't really mind a political marriage. I have been preparing for a scenario when you suddenly bring a guy in front of me. But I simply don't want him. I hate him. If it's a kind of decent guy, even if it's a political marriage, I will surely be able to find some happiness in my life, but not him…"

The Empress shook his head helplessly. "Alas, you have missed the best man in the world."

"The best man in the world? Mother, what are you saying? He is a lecher, pervert, playboy… I can insult him for an hour, and I will still feel it's not enough."

"It's better you stop there before I slap you." The Empress shook her head helplessly. "If it's that Ricky, even I won't give you to him. But that Ricky is not the Ricky people know."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Do you remember that night when I first brought him somewhere?"

"Yes."

"He asked me whether Theodore Griffith from the Griffith Family was stronger than the Theodore Griffith that had been pushed away from the union."

"Huh?" Ana obviously was aware of the situation with Theo as well. There were two Theos in this world, the one she knew and the one affiliated with the Griffith Family. But Ricky should ally himself with the latter, not the former. So, the question itself was meaningless unless…

"Ah?!"

"It seems that you've figured it out. Well, even I couldn't believe it at first, but I managed to confirm his identity on the thirteenth day. Just take a look at the union's situation right now, the Lexon Group and the Griffith Family fought each other, our influence will be directed to the church to protect us and the Czar will be protected by the War God Family."

"Did he…"

"Yes. He held back this time. If he wanted to target the union itself, he would be able to destroy the union easily. But he held back to protect us, a mere acquaintance. Can you believe such a person would actually destroy this world? The Theodore Griffith in that video was the one from the Griffith Family, and the Ricky you were supposed to marry was the Theo we knew. That's why I told you that you just lost the best man."

"…" Ana fell silent, not being able to say anything else after all the explanations.

The Empress glanced at her and said, "Don't tell anyone about this, especially Alea. Though, I can kinda understand that he never plans to marry you, so let's just take his kindness for granted this time and go to Italy."

"I…understand."

The Empress sighed and walked away. "Theodore Griffith… I feel like, after this, I fear no one except him."