Maddy gaze drifting toward the higher ranked boards as she whispered,
"The new Hero, thanks for the cover, Johnn."
A cold, calculating smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
"You are making the disappearance of that S rank party, no, that son of Gilberto, something no one wants to talk about anymore. Everyone is so blinded by your light that they've forgotten to ask where the old shadows went."
She tightened her grip on her cloak, the fabric shimmering like a spider's web. The first Hero, Gilberto, was a legend whose legacy was now being eclipsed by this new star. It was the perfect smokescreen.
"I'll make sure to put it to good use. I'll make good use of you… Johnn."
She stood motionless, her thumb tracing the edge of her cloak as she savored the realization. She had played the long game, burying her monstrous nature under a pile of F rank paperwork and "Motherly" goodwill. She was invisible. She was safe.
