Chapter 329: Flow ⑺

Zia had been purchasing shares that made up Derek's control structure under numerous aliases. She poured cash from behind the scenes and bought a lot of stock in the open market. As a result, the stock price inevitably soared, but Derek and most others interpreted this as a result of the trial going well.

It was precisely why Zia had targeted the trial.

Moreover, she established [Morpheus], a legitimate corporation under [Lithium], and filed a patent for an extreme mana stone dual circuit.

[Morpheus] then received investments as if it had been waiting for this exact moment. Most of the money was laundered by Zia herself from the shadows.

—I have received a response from Senator Ludeniel regarding defense.

HR Manager Jean reported.

The goal of [Morpheus] was Edsilla's national defense. With the overwhelming technology and cash accumulated at [Lithium], it wouldn't be difficult.

—Senator Ludeniel has naturally expressed a willingness to cooperate.

However, national defense is a business that requires the approval of the parliament, so the intentions of the Senators are most important.

—We have quite a few Senators that our hands can't reach.

The family that had been handling defense was 'Gezacht'.

They couldn't keep up with the technology of [Morpheus], but politics were necessary.

"l'll ask Shion."

—Yes. Ascal is trustworthy. We will communicate and support.

"Okay."

Zia ended the call.

She stretched while Looking up at the ceiling.

Thus, she was climbing one step at a time.

After completely swallowing Derek, it was Johanna... Originally it was Johana, but the current Johanna had somehow Lost her drive.

Perhaps it was thanks to Shion Ascal's strategy to 'revive her emotions1.

However, even so, Johanna's assets had to be hers. The bonds, including the Golden Casino, would pose a significant threat Later on.

Shion had made Johanna vulnerable, but he hadn't completely taken her away.

It was a mistake if one considered mistakes.

"......"

Zia thought about her plans as she left the room.

She was about to go to the park for a walk when suddenly.

Belingham Kantar appeared. The man with gray hair stood in the path as if he had been waiting for her.

"Miss Zia."

"......Yes."

Zia answered briefly. Belingham smiled faintly.

"ls everything going well?"

It was a meaningful question, but Zia responded as usual.

"Yes."

"That's good to hear."

He sighed in relief.

"The head of the family always says Miss Zia is Like a sore thumb, but seeing you doing so well. He would surely be proud."

"......"

Zia just stared at him quietly.

Belingham took a step closer.

"Congratulations. Thanks to finding a good card, it seems the continent will soon take notice of Miss Zia."

His voice was low, clearly meant as a compliment, yet it carried a significant implication.

"Mr. Kantar... it seems Like you always know everything."

"There's no need to worry. I don't support any successor. I only serve Lord Sherlock... However."

Belingham shrugged his shoulders.

"lt does seem like the time to choose is approaching."

He acknowledged that Shion Ascal was a threatening presence because the elders had turned to his side.

The retired elders, appearing like they only wish to enjoy life like slippery snakes, become terrifyingly fierce if they sense a threat to their own safety. They are like venomous snakes, retired politicians.

Belingham had no intention of bowing to those old men in the back room, and that's why Shion Ascal was a threat.

If he was a threat, then he needed to be checked.

"Miss."

Belingham Looked into Zia's eyes.

Her irises were a deep blue, more Libra-like than anyone else's, as if she embodied Libra from birth, simply beautiful.

"I could also stand by your side."

——At that moment.

Zia's calculations were made instinctively.

Belingham was a clear key force. Essentially, all of Sherlock's balancers followed him. Different from Shion, no, currently superior to Shion, naturally superior-

"However... a princess can't have two knights."

He set a strange condition.

Zia's nose twitched slightly.

"Of course, even if you do not choose me, I will humbly accept it. I will not engage in any sabotage. But as you know."

Belingham placed his hand on Zia's shoulder, gently brushing off the dust that had settled there.

"...Ability must take precedence over everything. All luck and ambition follow ability."

After removing his hand, he smiled deeply.

"Then, I shall take my leave."

Belingham departed politely, and Zia stood there.

For quite a long time... until the darkness outside the window awakened her.

Art critics evaluate and discuss art. Its essentially a job done with words and a pen, and it takes time to build proper authority, but I don't have that time.

So, I had Grawl create a site for me.

"Salvador's Page"

Grawl made it Look like Salvador had been an active critic for a long time.

Not Edsilla, but a critic who traveled from kingdom to kingdom.

In fact, I manipulated several related articles and distributed them, and even added 'Salvador' as a critic on Wikipedia-like sites.

Of course, if one were to investigate it, it could be exposed, but it doesnl matter since I'm not trying to deceive someone as significant as Jade. Its okay if it's a bit sloppy.

"......"

I looked across at my counterpart. There was a one-armed painter in front of me.

It was Eceline, Jade's woman.

"Are you disappointed?"

Eceline gestured to her arm and smiled faintly.

I shook my head.

"What's there to be disappointed about? Art comes from the soul, not the hand."

"Still, you need a hand to express that souL"

"There are hands, there's drawing, there's speaking. Anything is enough if it can wield a brush."

She was a promising painter who lost her entire career because of Jade. Even more devastating since she was right-handed.

"Art is about expressing the mind."

I plan to start encouraging her earnestly now.

Of course, I don't really know how talented she is. I don't know much about the person Eceline herself either.

Since Jade loved her, she must have been incredibly talented.

"......MS. Eceline. What do you want? Why do you paint?"

I asked Eceline.

"l'm not sure."

She looked at her right hand.

"I used to think my paintings could help someone... and many people."

'Someone:

A thought crossed my mind.

"Eventually, it all changed to how much this painting is, how much that painting is. I was painting, not making money. I was thinking of people, not riches and glory..."

Did she also have feelings for Jade?

A desire to be together?

"Critic Salvador, you're quite famous. Tve read all your reviews. They seem to have a cold style but a warm heart, or so it seems?"

It's still unknown.

"Thats why... I wanted to have a talk. What do you think, critic?"

I nodded at her. I continued as gently as possible.

"Ms. Eceline's art aligns with what I consider valuable. Ultimately, art is about people. The value of art lies in its ability to benefit others..."

.......

I was involved in selecting the site for Jade's art gallery. Jade had initially considered a very aristocratic location, the creme de la creme of lands, but I dissuaded him.

"Here."

I led him to a different site.

A place more approachable and closer to the people.

I needed to make it appear as if Jade had changed significantly. That way, Eceline might give him a second chance.

"......Hmm."

Clearly, Jade was displeased.

"Why here?"

"Because it's harmonious."

"Harmony."

"Yes. Lord Jade, what do you think art is?"

"......Something beautiful to look at. Something precious and enduring that never fades with time."

That was Jade's response.

"Yes. Lord Jade's Cafe Balance was the same. Not only the nobility, but also many commoners still cherish that place."

I looked back at Jade.

"However, the satisfaction felt at that cafe is much greater among the commoners than the nobility."

Jade looked at me too.

"The commoners who visit Cafe Balance realize that their day has become more valuable than yesterday. They understand that the reason they have worked hard and Lived is to experience such art."

Suddenly, a faint smile spread across his Lips.

"Are you saying we should give commoners the opportunity to feel their days are precious too?"

He had become much more amenable than before. This small change was surprising to me, and somewhat frightening.

"Yes, exactly. A day made precious remains as a memory forever. It never fades with time."

This was no Longer the Jade I knew.

I could no longer predict his actions. I couldn't manipulate situations to make him act as I wished.

So.

If I made even one wrong step, it could mean death.

"I hope your art gallery will do the same. To make everyone's day more precious, more valuable..."

I cautiously finished my sentence.

After a moment of waiting.

"......That's a good point."

An unexpectedly favorable response came from Jade.

A good point.

The simplicity of the phrase was astonishing.

"Let's go with this location."

Jade had been persuaded by me. He even placed his hand on my shoulder.

"......Thank you."

It was quite an overwhelming compliment for me.

As the years passed, the harsh winter winds grew stronger.

Derek's trial was progressing favorably day by day. During the third and fourth hearings, which were held a month apart, the defense Lawyers were in full swing.

Theia watched the news from prison.

The outcome was predictable.

There were no bereaved family members petitioning for severe punishment, and he himself was deeply remorseful, so it was merely a case of negligent management... Deferred Force.

She quietly closed her eyes.

"Visitor!"

A guard called out to her in an excited voice. She knew who it was just from that.

"Professor! You have a visitor!"

The guards1 faces were unusually bright. It seemed they were already salivating at the mouth.

Theia turned off the heater and humidifier. She slipped off her slippers under the bed and walked out of her cell barefoot.

She clinked her shackles as she headed to the visiting room.

Sure enough, he was sitting there.

"...I heard your trial date has been set."

Shion AscaL His dry tone seemed to mock her.

"Have you seen Derek's trial?"

Theia sat down without a word.

"You must have. It must be interesting. Keep tracking the news."

The word 'interesting1 had a double meaning, but Theia was not yet aware of it.

"And"

"Shut up."

Unable to bear it any longer, Theia silenced him.

"......."

He actually flinched. His eyes widened like baseballs.

"lf you keep coming to see me because of that."

In Theia's mind, the damned reason he kept visiting her was because of 'Tei; an ant crawling in his head.

"Let me tell you. Tei is a person who exists only in your head."

Now, more than tormenting him, Theia wanted to cut ties with him.

"...ln my head?"

"Yes. There was an error while you were taking the national university exam. A non-existent person, a memory that doesn't even exist was mistakenly implanted in you."

Theia twisted her lips.

"But that person is a non-existent concept An unfindable memory, a nonexistent human."

Shion was silent.

"lf you understand, don't come here anymore."

Theia stood up abruptly.

"...I see."

From behind her, he muttered.

" trivial."

Before Leaving, Theia grabbed his lunchbox. She quickly picked it up, fearing someone might steal it.

It was ridiculous, but she couldn't help it. With this Lunchbox, she could ask the guards for quite a Lot.

"...Ah. Still."

He called out to her again.

"Keep watching the news. Don't turn off the TV."

She didn't even glance back at the man who was being a nuisance until the end.

Theia left the visiting room.

And so, Theia disappeared, but I remained seated alone in the visiting room, lost in strange thoughts for a long time.

A rare friend of mine, merely because of a "manufactured memory?

"...Manufactured Memory."

A non-existent person. Manufactured Memory.

A non-existent person. Manufactured Memory.

A non-existent person. Manufactured Memory.

Why do I think of a person named 'Belingham Kantar' when I hear Theia's words?

Is it because he believes he is a homunculus, living with a memory that doesn't even exist?

In that regard, I want to ask.

The manipulation of the soul and the manipulation of memory.

What is the difference between the two?

If Belingham Kantar were placed in that capsule of the unconscious, what would happen?

"... H mm."

I looked again at the exit through which Theia had left.

"lndeed..."

I smiled unknowingly.

"Master."

Today, I felt like I had received an unexpected hint from her.

A hint about a question I had always pondered.

'...Where is Sherlock?'

The answer would probably be in Belingham's mind.