A grave oversight

Melania scowled as she walked down the street as a grunt trudged behind her, still depressed from her loss to Azenira.

"She trampled all over me. I want to throw myself into the river," the grunt trembled.

"Then do it. That's an order," Melania snarled.

"Huh? Why would little ole me do that? And that worker abuse is gonna get you in trouble."

The grunt's tonal shift caused Melania to scowl. "Ina, this is MY mission given to me by RR-sama. Don't you dare interfere."

"But you almost got your cover blown."

"Because of you. Had we just gone inside instead of talking out in the open-"

"But there were grunts camping in that building."

"How so? That place was a pub. Citizens were most likely watching the game inside since we gave the order not to go out until everything was over."

"You never know who might be a grunt in casual clothes."

"Yes we do, since all grunts are required to dye their hair pink, and if they are bald, tattoo the fairy league's insignia on their head."

"And I'm just some third-rate info broker and infiltrator that doesn't know jack shit. Girl, you know me better than that."

Ina Kirikawa was a kunoichi hailing from Japan's Kirikawa clan. She was highly skilled at espionage and specialized in information. Though she tended to have a mischievous personality. She had often been Melania's go-to source for information, but that didn't mean Melania got along with her.

"So want me to give you an instant wardrobe change? Do your hair n' makeup too?" Ina asked as she trotted alongside Melania.

"No, I can groom myself just fine."

"Then I'd hurry up and do so. I saw Plum running scared into the base a few minutes ago."

"And that concerns me how?"

"I heard over my bugs that he saw you chatting with Red Reaper."

Melania's eyes widened in horror as she grabbed Ina by the shoulders. "Start with that then!"

"My bad. So, what makeover ya wanna get?"

"Whatever. As long as I'm unrecognizable."

Ina grinned, and within a flash, Melania was now a bald woman covered in tattoos now sporting a red overcoat.

"And this helps how?" Melania glared as Ina handed her a pair of red glasses.

"No one would think you're the blue fairy if you're bald and decked out in red."

"Whatever... This isn't permanent, right?"

"Just a good ole bald cap. Though if you're dissatisfied, ya could always change yourself up with your own disguise kit.

"Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury of a disguise kit."

"But aren't you always tasked with infiltrating underground chess leagues?"

"And I choose the look myself, unless RR-sama has any specifications.

"Well, guess you aren't Kama-chan."

"Don't mention that woman around me. Now be off. I don't need backup for a mission personally entrusted to me by RR-sama."

Ina shrugged and poofed away after throwing down a smoke bomb. Thinking things were fine now, Melania let out a sigh of relief only to find herself surrounded by Scharlachrot and an army of grunts.

"I always knew you were sus, Melania," Scharlachrot glared.

"What are you talking about? I'm-"

"We saw the whole conversation from start to finish. You and that ninja are dead. Prepare yourself, rat. Your torture's going to be humiliating,"

Melania clicked her tongue in frustration as the grunts charged towards her. "No, I can't be caught here, the mission will fail! But I'm so close..."

Melania resolved herself and suddenly charged at the weakest looking grunt, surprising her and toppling her down. This allowed her to break free and make her escape.

Scharlachrot meanwhile gritted her teeth in frustration. Thanks to overhearing the entire conversation, she had a good idea on who Melania really was. "I can't believe SHE was here this whole time. No wonder Pewler found out about me. Damn her, Damn Redfield!"

As Melania hid from her pursuers she noticed Red Reaper slowly marching by, but paid him no heed. Red Reaper also noticed her, but this time, paid her no heed. He had found the secret puzzle cafe already and was back on the hunt.

But seeing her did cause him to recall his first conversation with her.

...

"And what do you want? Do you wish to be part of my hunt?" Red Reaper glared as he pulled out his DESPER.

"You can't force me into a match," Melania glared.

"Yes I can. Your rating is only 1074."

"My undercover rating is, but not my true rating."

Red Reaper's eyes widened as Melania pulled out her WWCF card, and turned it purple, displaying her true rating of 2974. "That color, you're an executive board member!?"

"Correct. I'm sure that information alone is valuable to the Desperado league. And speaking of which, I'd like to make a deal with you."

"What kind of deal?"

"There's a Desperado I want dead," Melania glared as she handed Red Reaper a DESPER key.

...

Red Reaper paused and pulled the DESPER key out of his pocket. As much as he hated to abandon his hunt further, he needed to get the DESPER key to Skaberghast as it was too valuable an opportunity to waste.

"Perhaps the oni-tiger will return shortly, but it matters not. My hunt will resume," he thought as he warped away.

Melania stared in horror as she realized what this meant. The Desperados would now get their hands on a DESPER key.

...

At the secret puzzle cafe in Berlin, Red Reaper sat at a table as Skaberghast warped in.

"You sure were insistent on interrupting my nap and having me come here. So why is that?"

Red Reaper responded by slamming the DESPER key down on the table causing Skaberghast's eyes to widen. "How did you get this!?"

Red Reaper briefly explained how Melania had given the key to him in hopes of taking out a certain Desperado within the Fairy league.

"And that Desperado would be?"

"I don't need to disclose that. Now once you replicate it, I want it back."

"You're gonna honor her request?"

"Nein, I'm going to execute a traitor, that's what," Red Reaper snarled as he warped back to London, leaving Skaberghast alone with the DESPER key.

A malicious grin spread over Skaberghast's face as he snatched the key and warped away.