My Measurement: The Villain Desires a Satisfying Payback

I knew it in the back of my mind.

That, no matter how hard I try, my identity as Oscar Itou will one day be exposed.

It was a simple inevitability, but it wasn't something I was necessarily worried about trying to prevent. It would most likely be a while before that happens, anyway.

Last time, on Halloween, the Wardens deliberately waited until all the students left the school before coming after me. They didn't want to expose the whole matter to the public eye and they also wanted to protect the students if they could.

But, they didn't have to.

They could have taken action just a couple of hours earlier, while the mock exams were taking place. If they did so, and did so with a good enough plan, then it might have become a situation wherein I really couldn't escape.

If it comes down to it, they won't hesitate to come after me in such ways, even if it means dragging innocent students into the mess.

And, eventually, I can bet that they will, albeit reluctantly.

Even if they do, they won't do anything that could harm an innocent student, but that doesn't mean the students won't play a part in the plan.

The situation isn't so urgent that they need to do that right now, but I know the chances are that it will eventually become the case.

I can't look into the future and know when that will happen, but it probably isn't something I need to worry about so much right now.

I know that for the Wardens, such a risky plan is a last resort, and they will try almost anything else before doing that. In that regard, I can put my faith in them to not act so viciously.

But, the Order isn't like that.

The Order, well, all they care about is securing me. If they can't do that, then they'd rather me die.

Just like the very first time they sent that kid, Benjamin Whyte, after me to test whether I was really capable of what they thought. They don't care if innocent people get wrapped up in it.

And that quality is exactly what makes them dangerous.

In fact, that conviction of theirs is what has already worked to kidnap me once.

They may be crude in their methods, faulty in their planning, and primitive in how they carry things out, but damn is it an effective way of doing things.

Moreover, if they conclude that capturing me is impossible, then they'll just up and kill me to make sure no one else can have me.

That's why the Order is more of a danger to me than the Wardens.

Despite not possessing any particularly powerful Measurements, they don't need such a thing in order to pose a threat. In the first place, they already have a number of supernatural ability holders, so they don't need something like a Concept holder.

In any case, these are only some of the reasons why I need to get rid of them first.

You could call them the appetiser before I take on the Wardens as the main course, but it cannot be denied that they pose more of a danger to my life than the Wardens, who want to prevent my death if they can.

Just now, as Leander Herington, I have finished discussing with Minami's government contact about the Order.

I showed them all the evidence we gathered of the Order's wrongdoings as well as various locations around this country, Ain, in which they have many bases situated.

I also informed them about the numerous bases in Auriga and in other countries such as the north's Tutral Asca, but it's mostly Ain and Auriga that contain their concentrated forces.

Because we had only spoken to the Ain government directly this time, they said they would get into contact with Auriga and Tutral Asca's governments later on with the information we provided, so that would sort itself out without further input from me.

As I predicted, they thanked us for the immense help we had provided and assured us that they would try their best in solving the problem, but I didn't need them to tell me that to know that they weren't lying.

Apparently, the Order has been a thorn in many countries' side for a few years now, so they were exceedingly grateful for our help.

Still, I was wondering how Auriga's government would react to this influx of information since they were already in a sort-of coalition with the Order. There were many members of the Order who were a part of the country's government, so I was curious how that would turn out.

In fact, most of the big corporations, conglomerates and business firms were corrupt or were susceptible to influence from the Order in some shape or form. The Head Manager of the Aurigan Fighting Colosseum, Azad Christoph, was one such Order member.

"Whew... Truth, what is it that you're planning?"

Turning to me, Minami asked with a sigh that showed her exhaustion. Her contact had just left, and it seems she's had a long day.

"What do you mean?" I asked, but she didn't seem to entertain any of it.

"Do not feign ignorance, 'Leander'. You mentioned you would hunt down criminal mastermind and known terrorist 'Truthseeker', but we both know that is impossible. I didn't speak up about the matter due to our previous contract, however, I would like to assert my prerogative to know if this has any nefarious intentions behind it."

That's right.

Like Minami just said, I, as Leander Herington, volunteered to put myself forth as the one to take on the issue known as Truthseeker. The members of the government I spoke to accepted my assistance since, well, they need all the help they can get.

You see, although the government sponsors the Wardens behind the scenes to protect the country and the world, the Wardens do not inform them of exactly who or what these dangers are; keeping it vague allows them to prevent information leakage.

As a result of that strictness, however, the government is unaware that the livestreaming terrorist Truthseeker and the Concept of Truth Cipher are the same person.

Entrusting Leander Herington, a man who has proven himself by acquiring vast amounts of information regarding the Order, with the duty of hunting down this minute terrorist organisation, the government considers it a great relief off of their back and shoulders to not have to worry about the matter.

The reality, of course, is very different to their expectations.

Leander Herington hunts Truthseeker.

Since Leander Herington and Truthseeker are in fact one and the same, this will inevitably result in a complete deadlock in the progress of investigating and eventual arrest of the latter.

Thus, I, as Truthseeker, am now effectively immune within the bounds of the country of Ain.

"There is no hidden intention or the like behind it. I merely wanted to secure my own safety by not having to worry about the pesky government officials targeting me."

Naturally, this will require some amount of effort from Leander Herington to prove that he is capable of keeping up this role by himself, but it isn't exactly difficult to fabricate information.

Minami's face, full of leeriness towards me, blatantly showed her scepticism at my words. Nevertheless, because of the contract we signed, she cannot interfere in any of my actions even if she wanted to.

Eventually, she sighed.

"Fine... Although it is a nonsensical thing to do, I will trust that you won't cause utter pandemonium this time. In any case, I have something of importance to share with you."

Something important?

Taking a folded letter from out of her bosom, Minami handed it to me between her index and middle finger. Accepting it with curiosity, I opened it immediately.

"...An invitation?"

As it turns out, Minami and I had been invited to a high-class event, similar to a ball or a celebratory party for the elite. The cause seems to be the decennial birthday anniversary of some politician's daughter.

"Why was I invited?"

To my question, Minami showed a troubled expression.

"You see, there are many among my associates who have heard rumours of a certain Leander Herington's philanthropic and benevolent deeds, and so who wish to establish a relationship with the person whose popularity is ever-rising. Of course, because I am the only point of contact between them and you, they all come to me to slip them a word in."

I see.

It made sense, but I was quite surprised. After all, the character Leander Herington only came into existence about four months ago, so I would not have expected such a sudden and immense increase in fame among the upper class.

It seems that Minami's efforts of putting money in the right places were rather effective in building my name; more than I would have thought.

Were I to attend this event, I would no doubt be able to make many new business relationships just like I have done with Minami and expand my power.

Moreover, I don't particularly lose anything from going, and making public appearances like this as Leander is sure to only enhance that social presence.

There are many benefits to be reaped from building Leander's presence and establishing relationships with the influential people of the country, but in particular, having Leander become a renowned and necessary person, even if only within the sphere of those in power, would be priceless.

After all, if I became someone that was necessary, then even if I were to be exposed and my identity as Truthseeker were to be revealed, then it wouldn't matter; they wouldn't be able to get rid of me, and would instead prefer to help cover it up from the public eye in return for my assistance.

Of course, I don't plan on exposing myself either way, but it would function as an effective contingency net.

Minami is quite the satisfactory business partner, and she shall remain the only one to know my real identity, but it certainly doesn't hurt to build my power beyond just what she can give me.

Accruing more wealth, more social presence, more influence and more power, my possibilities will become endless. It may even get to the point where I have more influence than the top leaders of the Wardens.

But, I shouldn't count on that.

I have Minami, and she is more than enough for me at the moment. Still, foregoing this opportunity would be a hell of a waste, and thus my answer is simple.

"Alright. I'll go."

I will attend this high-class event.

After all, Leander Herington--he is far too distinguished of a man to miss out on something like this.