Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 296

If it were just about bringing in an ordinary freelancer or a shadowy figure, there wouldn’t be a need to go this far.

Criminals driven by desire, mercenaries with their own stories, power-hungry individuals full of ambition.

They are all opponents that can be analyzed, understood, and whose rational reactions can be predicted.

But what if it’s an entity whose past and inner workings are completely unknown? What if, even after investigating their actions for years, their purpose remains unpredictable?

They offer time-related relics or artifacts as rewards for their requests, but they’ve never shown any attachment to those rewards. What should one look at, investigate, and predict about such an individual?

Numerous people have questioned the unnatural gaps in Renok’s history, but the woman’s judgment was based on rational and analytical grounds, unlike those others.

Perhaps it’s because her perspective, as a high-ranking official in the city government, is different from those who have dealt with Renok before.

It’s different from those in the shadows of Balkan, who operate solely on the basis of profit and power.

Those responsible for the city’s administration must consider the justification, influence, repercussions, and trust that arise from their actions.

The woman’s negative assessment was the result of thoroughly weighing various factors that those in the shadows would not consider.

However, even after listening to the woman’s calm persuasion, Mayer calmly shook his head.

“Judging by how you’re speaking, it seems you haven’t read all of that thick analysis report either.”

“What do you mean by that…”

“More than three years ago, I worked with that friend.”

“…”

“I’ve known him since then. To be precise, I’ve been coveting him.”

“Councilman. Unless you knew Gyunroe before he appeared in this city, that cannot be sufficient grounds to trust him.”

“I don’t trust him. I don’t rely on such trivial emotions.”

Mayer said, looking up at the woman.

“But at least, it’s also true that I’ve known him longer than I’ve known you.”

At that moment, the woman realized the meaning of Mayer’s words and closed her mouth.

Mayer was indirectly saying that Renok and the woman evaluating him were no different to him.

“I know that other council members are very interested in this matter.”

Mayer whispered.

“There are more than a few people who want to exert their influence without taking responsibility.”

“…Councilman Mayer. That’s…”

“So, please be quiet for a moment. I need time to think.”

Mayer left the silent woman and sank into thought.

The unprecedented rebellion of the outer defense forces of the megacity.

However, it’s hard to believe that all of this happened in an unpredictable chaos.

At least, the city council and other high-ranking government officials had been steadily reducing the budget for the outer defense forces and investing it elsewhere.

They were well aware that soldiers, unable to endure the worsening conditions, might have other ideas.

They even knew that someone behind the scenes wanted to ignite the dissatisfaction of the defense force headquarters.

In the midst of all this, what is the best course of action for Mayer, who was chosen as the person in charge of this matter?

A variable that even the city council members could not predict was needed.

The man in the photo at the top of the thick analysis report was, at least in that sense, clearly the most suitable person.

“I thought we would meet like this someday.”

Mayer murmured faintly.

Even when he had no reputation or background, it wasn’t difficult to recognize his outstanding abilities.

This city is overflowing with talented individuals and ambitious people with great aspirations, but there are also those who pursue something beyond that, something more.

How far must one look to keep their gaze steady even in this vast demonic realm?

At least, all of Ban’s actions so far seemed to have never deviated from his chosen purpose and means.

“This time, I hope I can bring him to my side…”

The woman was looking down at Mayer’s face, which was filled with a greedy gaze, with a wavering look.

* * *

District 17, the central part of the megacity Balkan.

District 10 is where large corporations and interest groups are concentrated, even among the central districts of the megacity.

Skyscrapers that seem to disregard floor area ratios line up, and not a single piece of trash can be seen on the streets where countless people walk.

It is one of the most thoroughly and cleanly managed commercial districts among all the districts of this vast city.

Renok, dressed in a neat suit, silently looked up at the buildings.

The figures of people working busily could be seen through the sunlit windows.

“Hmm…”

It was a suit he had received when he carried out a request for Dyke Corporation, but it felt awkward since he had no occasion to wear it usually.

Renok, who had been adjusting his shirt collar a few times, sighed slightly and moved his feet.

“Mr. Ban!”

A woman, who had been looking down at her watch with an anxious expression in the parking lot where sleek mid-sized sedans were lined up, spotted Renok and raised her hand high at the entrance of an unnamed building with a cylindrical shape made of blue glass.

Renok nodded with a calm expression.

“Panoa. It’s been a while.”

Panoa Bellucci.

She was the planning team leader of Dyke Corporation and the person who first made a designated request to Renok when he was an unknown freelancer.

She had sought help from Renok and other freelancers when she wanted to enter the arms industry in the shadow district of Balkan, and that’s how their relationship began.

As a result, Renok became an advisor to Dyke Corporation’s management planning department, and he had been keeping in touch with her through Jenny.

Due to their past connection, Dyke had cooperated when Renok was fighting against the cartel, so Panoa would also want to maintain a positive cooperative relationship.

“This way, please. The meeting place is the conference room on the 10th floor.”

Panoa said, naturally guiding Renok inside the building.

“Is this a branch building of Dyke Corporation?”

“No. It seems that the city council requested the use of Valitz Corporation’s new branch building for today’s meeting.”

“I see…”

“It seems that the high-rise offices have remained vacant for various reasons even after the building was newly constructed, but they had no choice but to comply when the city council requested the lease.”

Valitz is one of the giant corporations that can be counted on one hand in the megacity.

The rent for a building located in the core district of this city, especially Valitz’s new branch building, would be unimaginable.

The fact that even such a company would give up space without expressing much dissatisfaction at the city council’s request for a room indirectly proves its status.

“I never thought that Mr. Ban would participate in this matter.”

Panoa said as she quickly walked through the lobby of the building.

“We have recently built a solid business foundation in the shadows, so we thought there was a possibility of being called…”

“But?”

At Renok’s words, Panoa glanced around and said in a low voice.

“Given what Mr. Ban has been doing, I thought you would ignore the call even if you received it.”

“…”

It wasn’t wrong.

So far, Ban had been active in the outer districts and undeveloped areas of Balkan, and the people he had dealt with were only organizations or individuals in the shadows.

Renok paused for a moment, about to answer, and quietly looked around.

Most of the people filling the lobby seemed to be office workers or external stakeholders, and they didn’t seem to know who Renok was.

Most of them were preoccupied with their own work, and the people who glanced this way were those who recognized Panoa, the planning team leader of Dyke, rather than Renok.

However, among them, there were sharp gazes that briefly passed over Renok’s face.

A faint sense of rigid hostility felt even among the countless people. A heavy silence that had settled amidst the lively activity.

This itself was proof that the city council member had come to this place in person.

Renok, who had naturally cast a noise-canceling magic, chuckled and replied.

“The person in charge of this matter is someone I know. It was about time I saw his face.”

“Did you have a prior acquaintance with Councilman Mayer?”

Panoa asked with a slightly surprised look.

“I met him while doing freelance work.”

“Indeed… Councilman Mayer is one of the rising new council members who have risen very rapidly recently. There were rumors that he was well-versed in the affairs of the shadows, as he entered politics at a late age.”

It wasn’t wrong.

Even Renok thought that the speed at which Mayer had risen to the position of council member was abnormal.

No matter how greedy one is, the world doesn’t work that way.

Beyond simply having ambition and drive, it would be impossible to seize a council seat in a short period without an objective analysis and understanding of one’s position and meticulous deals.

Recognizing that, Renok felt the need to meet him at least once.

Even if Renok’s sphere of activity was focused on the shadow side of Balkan, there was no reason to make a bad relationship with such a person.

Ding!

The atmosphere changed instantly as soon as they got off the elevator on the 10th floor.

A wide hallway. Between the empty offices, dozens of guards were stationed, watching all directions.

All of them were magic users of considerable skill. Beyond having a solid organization, their individual combat power was also well-developed.

These dozens of people were gathered in one place, caring only for the safety of one person.

The thorough procedure itself proves the status of the person they were about to meet.

A city council member of the megacity Balkan.

They are the ones who hold the power to determine the direction of this vast city where tens of millions of people live.

It goes without saying how much privilege and authority they receive just by reaching that position.

Thorough security. The authority to act beyond the city’s laws and regulations. They are the ones who can decide the fate of others with a single word or gesture.

Even if they are in a position close to the lowest rank, it is surprising that a city council member has come to this place in person.

That is proof that the city council is taking this defense force coup seriously.

Panoa, perhaps a little nervous, wiped the sweat from her forehead.

“…Let’s go in.”

Squeak…

As soon as they opened the wide door and entered, a wide-open space was visible.

The logo of Valitz Corporation was embossed in large letters at the very back of the huge hall, and dozens of people were sitting around a wide circular wooden table.

The person who gathered people of different affiliations, attire, origins, and backgrounds in this large conference room.

Councilman Mayer stood up abruptly as soon as he saw Renok.

“Ban!”

The attendants standing behind the platform moved in unison, following Mayer.

The level of the attendants inside the conference room was even higher than those in the outer hallway.

“It’s been a while.”

“Likewise.”

Mayer, unconcerned by the pouring gazes, readily offered Renok a handshake.

“I’ve always been kept up to date on your recent activities. There hasn’t been a day when the name of Gyunroe hasn’t been heard in that lawless zone. My eyes were right.”

“I was also surprised to hear about your news, Councilman.”

Renok smiled.

“I understand that it hasn’t been three years since you went from district council member to a member of the Central Assembly’s lower house. What happened?”

“Well, many things happened. Things are always a little different from what they seem on the surface.”

Mayer smiled bitterly at Renok’s words.

“Please, have a seat. Now that you’re here, we can start the discussion right away.”

Even as Renok and Panoa found suitable empty seats, the wary gazes of others continued.

“That’s Gyunroe. It was hard to recognize him from the photos.”

“He seems much quieter than I expected. Is it because he’s in front of the old councilman?”

“Rather, I heard he’s not violent. Seeing him show up here, he must have some ulterior motive.”

“…”

Renok chuckled as he overheard the whispers pouring in from all directions without any filtering.

Meanwhile, Mayer, who was standing on the platform, grabbed the microphone and opened his mouth.

“I am Lower House Member Mayer. It seems that everyone who was supposed to come has arrived, so let’s get straight to the point.”

As he said that and gestured, an attendant sitting below the platform immediately turned on the screen and displayed a hologram.

“You’ve heard the situation, so I’ll skip the background. Currently, we have lost contact with the defense force headquarters in charge of the city’s outer defense line, and attacks on uncertified magic users are continuing.”

Is that how the city council refers to those in the shadows?

Regardless of Renok’s thoughts, Mayer’s explanation continued.

“There have been more than thirty attacks in the past week, and five members of the defense force have been captured. Three committed suicide, and the remaining two are barely breathing.”

Mayer, who had told a chilling story without any change in his expression, continued.

“They are moving with the mission to collect data on uncertified ability users and, if possible, kill them. The city council has blocked access to the defense force’s network and issued a wanted order, but it has not been effective.”

“Councilman. You said you’d skip the background, but you’ve been talking about unnecessary things since a while ago.”

A man, who was leaning on the table with his chin propped up, asked while chewing gum.

“So, what are you trying to say?”

The atmosphere changed sharply in an instant.

The gazes of the attendants towards the man who had asked the rude question were truly fierce.

An atmosphere of public officials who were pressuring their opponent in an extremely businesslike manner, different from simple hostility.

It was a thoroughly refined aura, completely different from that of the shadows, to the point that even the man who had asked the question flinched for a moment.

However, Mayer ignored the surrounding reactions and said.

“About 10 hours ago, there was a message from the defense force headquarters through the city council’s direct line.”

Whoosh!

With those words, the hologram displayed on the screen changed to form a video.

“Other council members opposed the release, but I have a different opinion. It’s faster to see it once than to talk about it. Take a look.”

Whirr!!

As the video started, what was visible was the vast mountain range surrounding the undeveloped area of Balkan.

The video, which had been showing the mountain range for a while, suddenly clicked and shook faintly.

[The city cannot be seen well from the Arbat Mountains.]

A thick, heavy voice of an elderly man echoed from behind the shaking camera.

[It has always been like that for over 20 years.]

“…”

[That’s why we always climbed these peaks to look at the night view of Balkan. To keep the image of the city we have to protect well in our memories at all times.]

With a click, the screen shook, and the camera moved.

[But now you are trying to abandon us like worn-out shoes.]

A white-haired man with roughly swept-back hair and a bushy beard that had turned completely white. He was clearly not young at first glance.

However, the eyes that were visible under his thick, white eyebrows were cold and calm, making it difficult to read his emotions.

[I’m fed up with the city council’s empty promises. You always spout such nice words and wait for our strength to wane. Waiting for the day when we become miserable dogs who can’t even resist…]

Thud!

The camera screen shook violently.

[So, we have decided to make a decision before it’s too late.]

The turned screen showed the bottom of the distant mountain range.

A huge steel fortress. Thick metal bridges supporting it below.

The mobile fortress, which had never left its place since the end of the great war that swept across the continent, was descending the Arbat Mountains.