I exhaled a sigh.
Placing the teacup on the table, I replied, "Sometimes, lying in wait while letting them play with their hidden intention is the best course of action, Sophie."
"H-How?"
She also placed the unsipped teacup on the table, staring at me with innocent eyes.
"After all, letting them perform actions while not knowing that you have long seen their motive is the greatest weapon you can have."
She was still silent, processing my words.
I continued, "When do you think the enemy let their guard down?"
"When they were still preparing?"
"That would indeed be one of the cases, but what I meant was that they couldn't react when you've made your counterattack."
"Isn't it still in preparation?"
I sighed internally.
"No. When they were preparing, it didn't matter if we spoiled their plan because their plan wouldn't be entirely meaningless."
Seeing her tilting her head, I knew she needed some time to get it.
"Think of this. When you were preparing, do you think you'll settle for one? Not, right? So you have to consider many things, even including the unexpected attack of your enemy or one that saw your intention long ago.
Therefore, the moment that the enemy let their guard down was when they were on the peak.
When they believe that their main plan has finally reached the peak, tossing those other plans they've made."
Her expression seemed to slowly come to an understanding, yet still, another wall was blocking her.
Therefore, I utilized the monocle to survey my surroundings.
I did not only look for an example for Sophie to finally understand but also to scrutinize if the inside of the royal carriage was safe.
After all, the Necklace of Uriel's Protection needed some space to be activated.
Of course, I could control the space it could cover, but I must also consider the possibility of getting attacked inside the space.
'There doesn't seem to be any danger.'
I sighed in relief.
Furthermore, I saw no objects to be used as the greatest example, so I've settled on the teapot and the teacup.
Then, an idea dawned on me.
I reached for the teapot and filled my empty cup.
She didn't mind it at first, not until I grabbed her attention.
"Think of this Sophie, I'm trying to poison you. However, you've seen my intention. Of course, It seems I'm letting my guard down, but I'm actually on high alert. Through my peripheral vision, I'm perceiving if someone catches my actions.
Hence, if you interrupt me during my preparation stage, I could react."
I placed the teapot and smiled at her.
"Meanwhile, if you already knew my intention. You must make your move. First, conceal your intention. Don't let him know that you are trying to counterattack. For instance, while he was on alert, if someone was staring at him, then you attack below.
Look for a method to prepare your attack from above or below, for that will be his blindspots.
And once you grabbed the teacup…"
I grabbed the teacup and was about to drink it when I suddenly opened my eyes towards her.
She was taken aback, and before she knew it, a coin fell on her head.
"W-When?"
She knew she was paying attention to me but wasn't even aware of my hidden actions.
"You're so focused on my teacup, right? You didn't even notice my other hand casually placing the small plates on the table, flipping a coin upward."
It was then she realized that the moment she was so focused on staring at my teacup, she neglected the natural action of my other hand placing the small plate on the table.
"Be natural. Make your actions flow like water. Don't leave any flaws."
Her eyes widened, and soon her mouth followed.
She was astonished.
"There's a saying, if you know your enemy, half is your victory."
I grinned.
Sophie entered into an enlightenment.
This was the least I could do.
After all, once she followed me henceforth, it would be full of manipulations and tricks, especially coming from my enemy.
I don't want her to be my weakness.
She knew that, as well.
Sophie wasn't gullible, for she only believed in me.
I wouldn't even be surprised that she hardly trusted my Father.
Of course, that would mean putting herself in peril if she gave her life to me, but I wouldn't waste it.
She would be so valuable after she received her blessings.
This was how the previous owner of the body felt as well when he came to know Sophie's talent.
He used her for even committing wickedness.
Even when Sophie was aware, she let it go in the desire to follow her Young Highness's orders.
However, this won't be the case from now on.
Since she would be following me.
As time passed by, she opened her eyes.
Her demeanor seemed to have changed.
She now wore a solemn countenance, and her hazel eyes were clearer than before.
My lips curved upward.
"You are not blind anymore," I whispered softly.
She seemed to ask me what I whispered, but something was more urgent.
"So, Young Highness, have you made your preparations? For your counterattack?"
I was taken aback, and softly let out a giggle.
"Can we?"
"Sorry?"
"First, we need to defend ourselves. If we can't even defend, who are we to counterattack?"
Sophie was shaken and lowered her head.
"Do you perhaps already know our enemy?"
"I do."
I nodded without hesitation.
"Then…"
"That's right."
My body froze and became tense.
"This will be destructive henceforth."
I grabbed my Necklace of Uriel's Protection and activated the artifact with the help of the Soul Augmentation Talisman.
Without the Talisman, I couldn't imprint my soul on the artifact because the soul to be apparent needed to be blessed by the Gods.
I closed my eyes and controlled the space that the artifact could cover.
Sophie, having experienced the same situation before, didn't hesitate to leap and sat beside me, shivering.
She was trying her best to suppress her fear.
A transparent, round sphere with a mixture of white and orange soon covered both of us and, at the same time, the royal carriage shook.
The driver of the royal carriage roared to calm down the shrieking horses.
However, despite the noise, I remained calm and collected, gazing in the same direction where the driver was.
At the same time, my eyes widened.
A sharp object suddenly emerged without me noticing how it appeared, just stopping before the barrier.
A meter away from my eyes.
Then, a playful voice echoed behind that object.
"Huh? You react so quickly."