Jinseong’s plan for the two wasn’t anything extraordinary.
It was a kind of sabotage, briefly paralyzing the farm using their abilities. He modified the plants and rats with witchcraft for easier control and supplemented the lacking parts with Rise’s divine power.
Though it was abrupt, it wasn’t a bad plan at all.
After all, it was a plan crafted by Jinseong, someone with considerable experience in sabotage, so there shouldn’t be any major flaws.
Yeah. The plan itself had no issues.
However, unfortunately, the one executing the plan might have problems.
If it were only Jinseong’s intention, then Rise would have gladly entered even a blazing pit with a smile on her face, absolutely no issues.
But Odilia was different.
Her nature was nasty, but she was far removed from such sabotage and was struggling to adapt. Though she was working alongside Rise, she couldn’t easily accept the idea of manipulating plants and animals to do such a thing.
Moreover, controlling the movements of plants and animals, acting, and even needing to embody emotions to enhance the realism was a challenge for her…
During this process, a thought would often arise: “What am I doing at this age?” which left her feeling desolate.
It brought her the shame of holding a sign high as if protesting unfair treatment.
When she moved the rats to create a tight scrum that blocked the farm owner, it felt a little triumphant, yet immediately followed by the question, “Why do I feel proud of this?” which came with a sense of emptiness.
Moving the armed plants gave her the feeling of playing soldier with plastic toys, leading to further emptiness.
Countless emotions distracted Odilia from focusing on the task at hand, and she often covered her face to hide her embarrassment. Naturally, this disrupted Rise’s concentration as well, who was trying to synchronize with Odilia to control the plants and rats. The previously smooth flow broke, causing the efficiency of the work to spiral into a mess.
Thus, Rises’s anger could be deemed justified.
Unlike the witches, who would surely get used to controlling and manipulating things with witchcraft, it was Rise’s first time using divine power in this manner.
Considering this, it’s commendable that Rise didn’t grab Odilia by the hair.
If Odilia didn’t look so genuinely embarrassed, Rise would have certainly thought she was slacking off on purpose.
In such a case, they could have ended up having a serious confrontation.
So far, the absence of conflict rested on the hope that Odilia would grow accustomed to the situation…
But not anymore.
It was impossible to tell if it was slacking off or true embarrassment. Whether it was because she didn’t want to do this or simply felt ashamed, she neither knew nor wanted to know.
What mattered was that it had become hard to overlook.
If she kept acting like that, she would be causing trouble for Jinseong, and that was something Rise did not desire.
Thus, with a bit of coercive means, Rise resolved to forcibly make the witch act.
And the method wasn’t complicated.
She just needed to—
“Deity, the witch is causing delays. Can I control her?”
All she had to do was approach Jinseong and make the request.
To Rise, Jinseong seemed capable of controlling that Great Witch and could even delegate that authority to another.
And this judgment of hers turned out to be correct.
“—.”
Upon hearing Rise’s words, Jinseong ceased his meditation, approached the Great Witch, and simply smiled while exchanging a few words, making the witch engage seriously in the task. Odilia, who had been reluctant, feeling it resembled a child’s game, became actively involved…
It was nothing short of magical.
“…Huh. Alright. I’ll follow your lead, so let’s finish this quickly.”
No. The expression of the Great Witch, who was willing to comply with Rise, bore a strangely dark look…
Perhaps even if it was magic, it might fall into the category of something wicked.
*
It’s best to control variables.
But if one cannot control them, then guiding them in a favorable direction is the right approach, and it’s wise to leverage those variables for personal benefit.
This little prank was embedded with such intent.
The value contained in the ‘sacred object of the communists,’ and its ripple effect when discovered on American soil—and the entanglement of the Great Witches Odilia and Gabriella, along with what Jinseong could gain from all this.
It was quite a lot to gain just from a light prank.
Thus, Jinseong willingly devised the plan and had the Great Witch and Rise work together.
Naturally, the coordination between the Great Witch and Rise was also beneficial.
Providing Rise, who showed the disposition of a practitioner, with new experiences broadens her horizons, enabling her to grow and operate beyond Japan. Furthermore, this collaboration enhances her understanding of divine power, allowing her to realize the multifaceted applications of her abilities, which is another gain.
In addition, casually sharing information could also be advantageous. By revealing hidden truths in a nonchalant manner—rather than dramatically—it can lessen the shock of having concealed her identity, transforming it into a positive revelation.
There were many more benefits besides.
Gains, gains, and gains.
An abundant overflow of profit was in store for Rise.
But what about the Great Witch?
Naturally, the Great Witch would reap her rewards too.
She could take revenge on the farm owner who had once wronged her, so that’s gain. She would have the opportunity to gain experience working with someone who handles unique divine powers, also a gain. She could even get back at the Great Witch who had been persistently troubling her—definitely a gain—and depending on the situation, she might be able to buy the farm for a bargain or negotiate absurd terms, creating a financial gain. Furthermore, if they could become friends, she could have a substantial ally in Japan with Rise, making that yet another gain.
For the Great Witch, this was indeed beneficial.
Of course, if she hadn’t felt embarrassed about acting like a little witch—if she had just been bolder—Rise’s visit would likely never have happened, and the unwelcome first impression Rise had of her could have been erased… But regrettably, regardless of her nasty personality, feeling shame remained an unescapable reality.
Yeah.
Both reaped the benefits.
Quite significantly.
Then what about Jinseong?
What gains could he acquire from this sudden variable—though not large, it was certainly leading him down a different path than before? How could he turn this into an advantage, and what could he obtain from that transformation?
“Om tupikaya tupipra vardi svaha.”
Just like light arrives for those in darkness.
As if gazing at beams of light while walking through a forest at midnight with no moonlight.
Hoping that the flickering flame of a match could ward off the shadows and become a lantern illuminating the surroundings.
While uttering the mantra, Jinseong wished for it to bring him gains.
These gains would align with his objectives; thus, with sincere and pure intentions, he prayed for wisdom to dwell within, light to fill him, and for his desired future to lie just beyond.
Merely wishing without Bodhisattvas or Buddhas, signifying that a future comes to those who take action themselves.
This is what Jinseong yearned for.
“Om tupikaya tupipra vardi svaha.”
And thus Jinseong recited the mantra.
It was merely a mutter that could hardly be considered a spell, yet far too meaningful to be called a mere mumble, as it held a certain value that couldn’t be dismissed as empty.
The recitation bore no meaning; therefore, the emptiness within it could be filled with anything. It resembled garbage bedecked as jewels or a decaying monster draped in divine beast hide.
Yet, this was all to fulfill his purpose.
And so he wished.
For another Great Witch, Gabriella, to take hits.
Thus rendering people incapable of calculating profits and losses, making it difficult for even himself to control his emotions, akin to a fever that leads to a mishap while poking Odilia, hoping to avoid increasing variables.
To acquire the ‘sacred object of the communists’ that lay dormant on that farm and using it as a precious gift.
And—
“It wouldn’t be a bad time for China to struggle with explorations of ruins; truly a fortunate occurrence.”
Praying that ill rumors about China spread widely, making it difficult for them to search for artifacts in America.
