Planning

Bonnie and Dixie were seated on the balcony of the Emerald Room. Sipping tea and biting into pastries, they laughed their asses off. 

"You know those bitches are throwing a fit right now, right?"

"Yeah, well they'll have to get used to it. The Alexander and Felicia they once knew are gone."

Dixie walked inside and returned with a long piece of parchment, a quill and a bottle of ink. "Gosh, what a strange way of writing! I barely even write by hand. I'm always typing. Now a quill? It's so thin, I fear I might break it."

Bonnie smirked. "Don't get weirded out yet, girl. Remember, we now have to pee and shit in a pot!"

Dixie's eyes widened in horror. "Oh my god, so what happens when I get my period? What passes for a pad in this day and age? Never mind. We're getting off topic."

Placing the plates and cups on the floor, Dixie spread out the parchment and dipped her quill. "Let's begin writing out our battle plan. We were sent here to defeat a Demon Lord. Now there are many facets involved in tackling such a huge problem and right now we are lacking critical information. First things first, we need to clean up from the inside out."

Bonnie rolled her hefty man shoulders. "Well, step one would be to reestablish Felica's place as the legitimate daughter of House Del Montague. Despite being adopted, Helena is favored far too much. We have to correct this."

"The best way would be unmask her true colors to the Duke. She's constantly pulling stunts around Felicia and slandering her. If we can catch her during one of her stunts and turn the tables on her, it will remove some of that pristine shine he and everyone else believe she has." Dixie scribbled away, ensuring she wrote in code.

She'll make sure nobody enters her room when she's absent, will always lock her door whether in or out and keep the key on her person at all times!

As for the plan, it would be locked inside her mother's safe. The tiny vault was a number combination and Dixie remembered it instantly. Moniqua had only ever told her daughter the code because she trusted her more than anyone.

Dixie pondered that decision. I wonder if in some ways, Moniqua was aware that her husband was gullible and a bit narrow minded. Alex too. Even though she loved them, maybe she was a bit cautious in fully trusting their capabilities.

Felicia, on the other hand, was not gullible or weak minded at all; she was simply too broken to fight back. She only ever put in 10% effort. Pity.

"The best way to expose Helena is to put her in a position where a person she wants to impress takes a liking to Felicia instead. It will trigger the brat within her." Bonnie stated. "And an opportunity is coming first thing tomorrow!"

Dixie arched her brow. "What do you mean?"

"Don't you remember? Marquis Liam Findel Del Hughes is paying Alexander a visit. He attended the Academy with Alex and the two became fast friends. He just graduated with the highest scores in 9 different subjects. He's got an impressive reputation and all the teachers view him as a prodigy." Bonnie was excited. "If you win his favor then we'll have a powerful ally to call upon when things get bad. Which they will. I'm sure you can sense the elusive feeling of doom as easily as I can. Alex and Felicia are in danger."

Dixie propped her chin on her hand. "Yes, I can. But one step at a time, Bonnie. I will definitely charm the Marquis. All I have to do is showcase my intelligent wit and he'll be hooked instantly. Perhaps, I should trigger a romantic interest as well. But I'll have to examine the development of our conversation before trying that."

"We'll need to dig up more info on Tyren's background. Helena is effectively nothing more than a spoiled brat lacking common sense. Unfortunately, her mother is more intelligent."

"Somewhat." Bonnie scoffed. "She is a habitual liar as well. Constantly whispering so much poison about Felicia into the Duke's ears; it's why he didn't ask any questions about the annex business. I'm certain she's engaging in some shady shit that would infuriate the Duke if we unearthed it. If we can get her punished severely, like...confinement, then it'll dissuade Helena from trying anything."

"We need those two contained. That way we can focus all our attention on learning about holy magic and demonic magic." Dixie asserted. "We complete our task, then we go home, right?"

Bonnie blinked at that. Would they? Would they be sent back once they succeeded or...was this place going to become their life, permanently?

Live this life as if it's your own. What an unsettling thought!

Though they were still living in the Elysium Empire, this was not their time. They were intruders living in other peoples bodies...surely.

"I don't know. First we have to focus on not dying here cause it might mean we're dead for good." Bonnie reasoned. "So while we encourage the Duke to doubt Helena and Tyren's character, we also need to be shifting his favor onto you. Only way that can happen is if you gain social approval. He cares about reputation more than anything and right now you are the blight."

"Not to worry. I will play to the tune of his pride and make him realize that taking my side is in his best interest, which it will ultimately be. After all, if I'm the true Saintess then that means Helena is a fraud. Goddess Kartara does not choose more than one Saint at a time." Dixie responded, suspicious.

Bonnie nodded her head. "Judging by the first experience we both had, the Pope made the claim about Helena being a Saintess. So the problems of corruption within the church starts with him and his faction."

Dixie frowned.

The Pope was definitely the main problem. According to the book, he was always propping up Helena like an ornament. She was clearly nothing more than a tool for him. After all, Saintesses were highly revered. They were a symbol of hope and salvation. If an ambitious Pope wanted to spread his influence, all he would have to do is claim he received a vision about a new Saintess and reveal her to the public. It doesn't mean it's real, of course. He could be lying the whole time, but how would the public know? The position of Pope came with a benevolence package. Nobody would dare go against him out of fear of being accused of blasphemy! 

I doubt that creepy Pope who's never not smiling hasn't been killing off anyone who gets too suspicious of him. 

And though corrupted, there were still a lot of sincere, virtuous believers within the church. Men of faith and women of worship who all adored Goddess Kartara and believed the Pope to be spreading her grace alongside them.

How do we sort out the good from the bad? There are far too many who live in between.