Chapter 248: Scheme (3)

Scheme (3)

In the Balancer's meeting room, Bell Moore ran his tongue over his teeth, feeling a tension he hadn't experienced in a while.

"Ahem."

He had had private meetings with Derek and encounters with Jade, but Johanna was a different breed altogether.

First and foremost, she was cold and cruel.

She didn't shy away from anything.

While Derek and Jade had a certain level of decorum that made them averse to getting their hands dirty, Johanna seemed to almost relish it.

In fact, the consensus was that she would fail a psychopath test.

However, her knack for following money was unparalleled by any businessman on the continent, and her daring in taking risks had allowed her to amass a vast fortune through casinos and hedge funds, making her one of the wealthiest in Edsilla.

The salary structure under Johanna was among the highest across all families and corporations on the continent.

"...Setup complete."

Balancer Vitro glanced around at the cameras.

With a snap of his fingers like he was flipping a slate, he said, "Chaser Bell Moore. Everything you say from now on will be recorded and reported to Lady Johanna."

"Yes."

"What is the message you wish to convey?"

"This is it."

Bell Moore handed over the transcript to Vitro. It was a record of his conversation with Shion, including a separate file with the audio recording.

"Yes, I will verify it."

Vitro's eyes widened as magic swirled in his retina.

He was visually verifying the magical signals to check for any tampering.

"It's clean."

"...But senior, why are you monitoring that guy?"

Without a word, Vitro pushed up his rimless glasses.

The rimless glasses and slicked-back hair were Vitro's trademarks, giving him the look of a weary office worker.

"You don't need to know that. Rather, I'd like to hear your opinion on Chaser Ascal's reputation."

Bell Moore nodded.

"Well, how should I put it, he does have a bit of a psychopathic streak. No, a huge one."

Psycho. Madman. Lunatic. These were the nicknames other Chasers used for Ascal.

So, Bell Moore was sweating bullets trying to defend him.

After all, it was thanks to that guy bringing in the results that he himself was on the road to success.

"However, he is truly devoted to Libra. He will not tolerate any harm coming to it."

Which, in turn, made him seem even more like a lunatic.

"Is his service to Miss Zia certain?"

"Yes. You're aware of the internal rumors, senior."

Vitro lifted his glasses with his middle finger.

"State it verbally."

"Shion Ascal is already being treated as the primary sword of the youngest, Zia, within the Intelligence Agency. All files are recorded with his affiliation to Zia."

"Yes. I have confirmed it. I will now conclude the recording of the meeting with Chaser Bell Moore."

Snap!

Vitro flicked his fingers again.

"...But what exactly is going on, senior?"

Bell Moore asked him.

"It's an internal secret. Keep it from Ascal."

"Yes."

"You may leave. The task of monitoring Shion Ascal remains valid until further notice. A 1,000% incentive will be paid upfront, and the remaining 1,000% will be paid on the day the mission is terminated."

"..."

Bell Moore suppressed the laughter that threatened to escape.

A 2,000% incentive just to monitor an assistant shooter. That was the generosity of Johanna.

"I'll take my leave."

Bell Moore exited the meeting room.

...

Johanna received Vitro's report.

She opened her ears as she glared at the laptop containing the recording.

──I will handle it.

The content that was being looped for who knows how many times.

The voice of Shion Ascal.

──Sometimes, someone like me is necessary for her.

I don't know who you are.

But one thing I do know for sure.

To sever Beckman, a limb that has served for 15 years, requires very deep suspicion and contemplation.

Even if he has become a cancer to me...

"...Someone like you."

Suddenly, Johanna recalled a certain day.

The memory of when she, who had never truly trusted anyone, had fully trusted someone for the first time.

Although the situation had forced it, it was a first for Johanna.

──Sometimes, someone like me is necessary for her.

Someone trustworthy.

Someone who can be trusted.

Johanna quietly closed the laptop.

Ascal is not my man.

He belongs to Zia.

And because of that...

─Knock knock.

There was a knock on the office door.

─It's Beckman.

"Speak from there."

─...

Beckman was silent for a moment.

Is it dissatisfaction that prevents him from entering?

─The move into Impelt is likely to proceed as planned.

Impelt is a special space. It's also the site where the most expensive equipment is to be installed.

However, the move into that place is a bit special, and quite dangerous events could unfold.

"Tell them we will participate."

─The person in charge is-

"You'll do it."

Johanna deliberately showed a gap to Beckman.

If Ascal's words are correct, if Beckman's crazed heart truly stirs trouble, that will be the moment.

─Yes. I will prepare.

Beckman withdrew. Johanna filled her wine glass to the brim with whiskey.

She took a big gulp, pouring it down.

Gurgling-

She swished it around in her mouth like mouthwash before swallowing it whole.

* * *

Drip... Drip...

In the still rain-soaked forest, Elise had made a small cave.

A hideout. A space she often made when she was young.

Back then, it was quite a struggle, but now it had become very easy. Her magical skills had improved tremendously.

"Hoo. Hoo. Slurp-"

The cozy interior flickered with the light of a lantern.

In front of her, Layla was eating ramen.

Elise smiled as she watched her.

"Ah, this is delicious~ Elly. Doesn't this remind you of the past?"

"It does."

"It's been a while since I had ramen..."

Layla reached for a pickled radish but then stealthily glanced at Elise.

She had already confessed everything to Layla. About Petra and Ascal's relationship, about what she was struggling with, she had been completely candid.

Elise let out a wry smile.

"Did I tell you too late?"

"...No."

Layla shook her head sternly.

"I wouldn't have been able to say anything either if I had been through that."

Then a small sigh escaped through Elise's teeth.

Layla asked in a subtle tone.

"So... what does Elly want to do now?"

"I don't know."

She shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't know. Why am I even worrying about this?"

She muttered to herself, truly not understanding.

"Why does it keep feeling like my whole body is being hammered, and it hurts.

"......"

Layla just stared blankly at Elise.

"Elly. Are you really asking because you don't know?"

"......Huh?"

Blinking her eyes, Elise was met with Layla's emphatic declaration, as if hammering down a verdict.

"Elly, you're like this because you like Shion."

She was taken aback.

Honestly, Elise had thought Layla hadn't noticed. She had assumed it was all just teasing.

After all, Layla was usually so oblivious.

Layla chuckled and waved her fingers dismissively.

"They say it hurts the greater you like someone~"

"..."

Elise silently cast her eyes down to the ground.

"Then..."

She forced a frail smile.

"How much do I like him, to feel this way?"

Tears welled up as she buried her face in her knees.

Drip... Drip...

The sound of rain seeped through the cave above. Elise cried softly, like the flow of a stream.

"...I don't know that."

Layla patted her back with both hands.

Rumble──

Just then, the mood shifted with the sound of a car engine roaring to life.

Layla's face lit up.

"Ah! Looks like the guys are here."

"...Guys?"

Elise lifted her head, her swollen eyes and nose glistening with moisture.

"Yeah. Kain and Asher are here too."

"...What?"

Creak-! Elise blew her nose into a handkerchief first. Layla grinned.

"We're going to play like we used to."

"No, but..."

Before Elise could say anything more, Asher and Kain appeared.

"Oh. It's been a while since we've been in a place like this."

The two guys, who had grown massively in size compared to ten years ago, squeezed into the cramped cave and settled in.

"Wow. They said Elise was feeling down, but it's true?"

Asher smiled as he brushed back his long hair.

"Did you cry?"

Kain also had long hair.

Elise frowned for no reason.

"Cry? Why are you guys carrying brooms on your heads?"

"Brooms? Don't you know long hair is the trend these days? You've been studying too much and can't keep up with the fashion trends."

Asher clicked his tongue and set down some food.

"Let's eat. It's raining and the atmosphere is nice."

"..."

Elise felt warmth from them.

Sometimes, her father would say this:

Friendship is an illusion.

Friendship is like childhood innocence; it becomes pathetic once you grow up to a certain point.

Therefore, to become an adult, you must break away from friends.

"Hey Layla. Boil another five packs of ramen."

"You guys boil it. Aren't there any pancakes?"

"I brought some rice wine."

"Hey! We came here to reminisce, who's going to drink rice wine!!!"

...I don't think I can do that.

I might have to give up on Shion, whom I like.

In the end, I'll probably have to.

Because in the end, it's being with others that makes us human.

"Elly. Should we order some pancakes? I think they will deliver here."

Elise smiled subtly.

"Yeah. Let's eat."

Thanks to these guys, I think I can finally sort out my feelings.

In one way or another.

* * *

At the desk of [Edsilla Post], Hannah Erent faced Editor-in-Chief Frank.

"So, where is this source?"

"Do I really need to tell you?"

"...What?"

Erent looked at Frank with steely eyes.

"Wherever the source is, it's my ability that scraped it together."

Though it wasn't so much scraped together as it was something that fell out of the sky.

Frank squinted one eye.

"Of course, I need to know. Do you have any idea what this is about?"

He then pointed a finger at the Syrimus Senator file.

"You're making an enemy out of Vern Senator's Erzebet. You know, the company with the largest market cap?"

"...That's not so bad."

"What?"

Frank let out a hollow laugh.

Erent found it strange.

This person, wasn't he a Libra informant? Why is he speaking as if he's defending Vern?

"...The article has already been published. Why are you so interested in the source?"

"Hey. The article was released by the post. So naturally, there will be a lot of fact-checking requests from that Senator, among other things."

Probably to sell out the source.

Erent's eyes darted around.

Whirring──

Just then, her pocket vibrated.

It was the phone of the man who had handed over the Syrimus file.

"I have to go. I'm busy right now. Excuse me."

She stood up.

"What? Hey, where are you going! Hey-"

She opened the door and left. Walking down the corridor, she immediately answered the phone.

"Hello."

─There is a follow-up article. Please check your office desk.

"......."

Erent looked at her desk. There was a scarlet envelope, just like before.

─This time, it's the bribery file for former Senator Ludeniel.

"Ludeniel?"

─Yes. The bribery case itself was a trap, and here's evidence that it was orchestrated by Syrimus.

"...Ah, hold on a second. You."

─Yes.

He replied calmly. Erent, clutching her phone, asked quietly.

"What do you want? Can't we meet and talk?"

─Let's see.

"See what?"

─Whether you're worth meeting.

Click-

The call ended abruptly.

Erent looked back and forth between the phone and the scarlet envelope with a strange expression.

"......."

She reached out and opened the envelope.

Just as the man had said, inside was a perfectly organized file on Ludeniel's bribery case.

* * *

─It's all according to Chaser Shion's design.

The HR manager 'Jean' said.

Zia looked at her on one side of the screen, and on the other, she viewed the news article.

─Ludeniel has surged as a leading candidate. The bribery suspicions have been cleared, and the incident where he personally saved the miners was critical.

For Zia, it was a significant event.

Thanks to this, she could plant a Senator in the assembly.

Of course, the power of a local district Senator isn't that formidable. There's a strict difference between an assembly Senator and a local district Senator.

But for Zia, who treasures each individual, it's special.

─He truly was a gem. Shion Ascal is.

At Jean's words, she nodded.

"......Yeah. Seems like it......"

Shion Ascal is the sword entrusted to her. Zia is always endlessly skeptical, but unlike Johanna, she doesn't cross the line.

Ambition, after all, is a wish that can only be fulfilled by trusting someone when it's grand enough.

Shion is passing the tests one by one.

Knock-knock-

Right on cue, there was a knock.

"Come in......."

The door opened. There he was, Shion, dressed in a suit as expected.

She had called him to ensure rewards and punishments were clear.

The expansion of the lithium arms industry and Ludeniel were all his achievements.

"Yes, Miss."

"......Here."

Zia handed him a document.

"It's a share certificate for lithium."

A share certificate for Lithium Corporation, which will expand from its base in central Edsilla.

She plans to bestow a whopping 25% of that company's shares to Shion Ascal.