Mastermind: Genderbent Villainess

"Hello everyone, I am sure you have all read the memo and have come here with the intention of taking part in the job of a lifetime." A hooded figure greeted a crowd of others within a dark hall. With only a single candle for convenience, there was almost know way to discern who each individual was.

"We are the Estelle Kingdom's greatest force, only consisting of the best warriors and assassins in the entirety of the nation. Our king has given us a simple task, to kill the saintess candidate of the Golde Kingdom. We have received a report that a wedding will be conducted within a week, so our attack will be carried out then."

"The orders state that all attendees can be killed on sight." His words echoed throughout the room, yet there were no shivers or uncertain eyes directed at him. Everyone was calm, too calm.

"Sir, may we please know who will be leading the forces during the mission?" One of the listeners asked. Within the crowd, it was almost impossible to spot the person, as no one responded to his words except the speaker.

"I will be the commander of the troops." He beat his fist on to his own chest with just the right amount of force to make an echo.

"What level are you?"

"I am a [Swordsman 8], why do you ask? Do you doubt the strength of our forces?"

"Yes, I do. A friend of mine says that the vice principal of the academy has already ascended past the 2nd ascension. The initial memo stated that the vice principal will also be at the wedding."

The crowd slowly began chattering amongst themselves. This information was not given out initially, how could they underestimate the power of a 3rd ascension fighter? Did they all want to die?

"Quit sowing discord amongst the men." The speaker halted the chatter with just one wave of his hand.

"No, I don't think I will. Commander, you have made a fatal flaw today. You left out critical information. This information is the difference between life and death in missions like this. How can you not understand our doubts? It would take 10 of us just to defeat a single 3rd ascension combatant, what about their 2nd ascension guards? Do you expect us, a group of 50, to go in and eliminate the targets in these conditions?"

"QUIET! One more word of insubordination and I will have your head!"

But which head? The speaker only saw a wall of cloaks, a wall of people. All of them identical in the darkness and the voice as mundane as a rock. He could not even recognise the owner of such a voice, what good would it do to make threats now? How will he follow up such a punishment for a soldier he doesn't even know? Unless he punishes everyone, the voice can out be punished.

"Will you have my head? Or will we have yours?"

SCCHIIIIK

"Execute."

Within mere moments, a heap of corpses had amassed within the room. They were all piled up and still warm with their former semblance of life still lingering in the heat within their bodies. However, nothing would last forever; the stench of rot would soon become quite noticeable. Not now, however.

"Master instructed us to execute all threats a week before her wedding. With this task, we can return home and see our master again." A monotone voice echoed.

"Epsilon, will the other teams succeed with their missions? I dare to say we should provide support to further strengthen the chances of success." Another voice interjected.

"This is a good suggestion. We will do as you say. All homunculi will split up and support the other teams from the shadows. The due date to return home will be set for 12 hours. Do not be late."

The figures disappeared. The meeting place would not be visited by anyone. Deep within an abandoned village, not a single soul would dare approach. 

Meanwhile, a group of nobles had gathered in the Estelle king's palace. Eating and drinking in the dining room of the king himself, they all chatted heartily amongst themselves. Whether it be their ideas about the war or the general chatter of marrying their children to each other, they all had something to say.

"Guests, I am excited to tell you that we will be invading the Golde kingdom in two weeks. With our armies at the ready, I believe as king, that we will crush the Golde kingdom without so much as a hint of resistance. Our spies have already told us that the kingdom does not have nearly as many cavalry or siege devices as us." The king raised a glass of wine up.

"Now that is what I will say when the real guests arrive." His voice suddenly became monotone and his face suddenly deadened.

"Omicron, your performance is perfect. Because of our efforts last month, the king was also disposed of. However, a king does not command all of the army. We still need to assume control of the rest of the higher nobility." A disguised homunculus commented.

"Indeed. Among us, we have a king, 4 barons, 2 viscounts, a marquess, and a duke. We still need to replace the rest of the nobility. And I am most assured that every single military noble will be attending this summit. When the time comes, we will have more of our brothers and sisters take the identities of the bugs. Every enemy of our master is a bug." Omicron gave a warm smile to the rest of the homunculi. Their master is their parent and god, while they are all family. Anyone that dares to make an enemy of their master will die.

"The assassination team has already stationed themselves in on floor, they will come down on command, so make sure that your are all ready. This will be a swift transaction and there will be much blood. The cleaning team will be heavily responsible for the success of this mission."

"Also, as I speak, our brothers and sisters at the frontlines should already be in the process of taking control of the Estelle kingdom's armies. If everything goes as planned, the war will end before it even begins. We will then declare our immediate surrender after a single botched invasion attempt. The casualties should be at least 50% of the Estelle kingdom's troops, nothing less."

"We understand."

"All of this is for our master. Do remember this. Our loyalty is eternal and our enemies are temporary." Omicron recited this like a simple childhood rhyme.

"Our loyalty is eternal and our enemies are temporary."

"With this, we are ready."