Cartel and Dyke.
Two organizations that have risen to legendary status in both the shadows and the light, in the form of corporations.
It was the first time in decades that the leaders of the two organizations had met face-to-face since the mega-city was completely reorganized into area-based districts.
In a way, it was a significant meeting in the history of this mega-city, Vulcan.
Panoa Bellucci had her head bowed low.
“……”
Virgil glanced at Lenok and then cleared his throat silently.
He had expected the atmosphere to be bad, but it was even more somber than he had anticipated.
However, Lenok had a rough idea of why Panoa was in this state, so he didn’t say anything.
In Lenok’s memory, Dyke’s president and Panoa had maintained a relationship that went beyond a simple superior-subordinate dynamic.
It would be difficult to regain her composure easily, given that the president she had trusted and relied on more than just for work had died overnight, and more than half of the internal business network had been destroyed.
It was impressive that she had managed to contact those around her so soon after the incident.
Knowing this, Lenok hadn’t been too concerned about Panoa not replying immediately.
A brief silence.
Panoa wiped her eyes and lifted her head. Her face was a little haggard, but otherwise, she looked the same as usual.
“I’ve kept you waiting for a long time. I apologize to both of you.”
“……No. I am sorry for what happened to Dyke.”
Virgil replied in a soft tone.
“Wasn’t it your plan to jump into the underground military industry despite having a solid position in the light? Moreover, the fact that you recognized the potential early on and used him thoroughly before his value increased means that you are a talented individual with both ability and insight.”
“You always have to say things like that……”
Unlike Lenok, who frowned, Virgil tapped the ashtray on the desk and laughed.
“But pioneers who are ahead of their time are always criticized. As a result, it’s no exaggeration to say that you incurred the wrath of others by jumping into the underground weapons industry before the lifting of the Edicts [laws or decrees], right?”
A sharp, direct remark. It was a statement that could not have been made without a careful understanding of the current situation at Dyke and its causes.
“……I can’t deny it. You’re right.”
Panoa nodded in agreement and spoke again.
“But even if I could go back to that time, my choice wouldn’t be much different. This city is so difficult to survive in that even if you endlessly pursue profits, it’s hard to keep your place.”
“I see. I understand.”
Only then did Virgil lean forward, cross his hands, and lower his gaze as he spoke.
“But it seems your judgment hasn’t been completely ruined yet. At this level, it might be okay to lend you a hand.”
“Is the Cartel planning to directly intervene in Dyke’s affairs?”
Virgil agreed with Lenok’s words.
“If it’s just providing necessary information. After all, favors are best remembered by those who are desperate.”
“You have a knack for making obvious things sound profound.”
“……Anyway, with the Edicts gone, is there any reason to hesitate to intervene while distinguishing between the light and the shadows?”
Virgil smiled at Panoa.
“Now that we know that there are divisions within the City Council regarding this matter, we can move as we please and side with whomever we want.”
“Wait, what does that mean?”
Panoa, who had been listening to the two of them, suddenly looked sharp.
“Are you saying that the City Council is involved in the series of events targeting our company?”
* * *
Lenok briefly explained the story of the employee from the City Government’s Confidential Management Office who had come to see him.
Panoa, who had been listening intently, nodded repeatedly and immediately opened her mouth.
“I see. A new project…… Actually, internally, we had almost concluded that it was the work of Achilles Corporation.”
“You already knew about Achilles. So you weren’t just sitting idly by?”
“Of course. We were just holding back from making it public. Based on the database left in the seized military factory, we succeeded in hacking and securing data screens. In the process, we were able to confirm that Achilles was deeply involved.”
So Dyke had also been gathering information for a counterattack.
Even though they had lost their head, as long as the working-level staff were alive, the company’s power was not yet dead.
It would be difficult to stop the falling stock price and the shareholders’ fierce protests, but they were gathering as much information as possible before selecting the next management team.
And Panoa seemed to have already succeeded in identifying the opponent with just the information Lenok had provided.
“If, as Mr. Ban said, some high-ranking officials in the City Government are deeply involved…… I think I know who the opponent is. And even why we haven’t been able to identify their identity until now.”
Panoa stood up abruptly and began to touch the projector on the corner of the table without Virgil’s permission.
Whoosh!!
Numerous photos of people instantly appeared on the wall.
“This is the organizational chart of the executives of Achilles, the security company we recently acquired. The man on the far right.”
An old man with a mottled face. He had a kind expression and a gentle smile.
“Madrich Onion. Until five years ago, he was the head of the judicial branch, holding the position of Chief Justice of the Vulcan City Government. Achilles is said to have paid a large sum to give him an honorary position.”
Panoa stared at the old man’s photo and slowly opened her mouth.
“If the City Government and Achilles have joined hands, this man is most likely the mastermind behind this.”
“I remember hearing about Madrich.”
Virgil, who had been listening to the story, said.
“He’s a powerful figure who has been alive since before the city was even built. Before he was seriously injured in the war, he was said to be a powerful military sorcerer who could even fight the Chairman.”
“……”
“That’s right. He has been active for a very long time, so he has many connections in both the City Government and the corporate world. He is also famous for the rumors that he still has a tight grip on the judicial branch even after his retirement.”
Panoa, who had been adjusting the projector, nodded.
“If the series of attacks on our company are related to the new project, then someone with this man’s position and status would be needed to ensure smooth access and implementation. And it also explains why no traces were left behind.”
Among the judicial institutions that Madrich Onion headed, there was also a detention facility that housed various criminals and wanted individuals.
“He’s using his connections to put leashes on criminals and freely use them as his henchmen. If he takes out old inmates whose personal information has been erased, there will be no repercussions and no traces left behind.”
“That’s a very bold guess. If he gets caught, Madrich himself will be in trouble.”
“But this is the only reason why we haven’t been able to obtain any significant information even after capturing the terrorists who attacked the military factory several times.”
Panoa retracted the projector, bowed her head slightly, and turned her back.
“There’s no point in discussing baseless speculations here. I will secure additional evidence to support my assumptions.”
“It will take a long time, are you sure you’re okay? I heard that more than half of the production facilities you built in the shadows have been destroyed.”
It was a matter of investigating a former Chief Justice. It would take more time than moving right now to gather evidence to support Panoa’s assumptions and take action.
“The lost factories can be recovered, and the facilities can be rebuilt.”
Panoa replied sharply and then gave a bitter smile.
“But people don’t come back. Even if it takes some time, I want to handle this matter more thoroughly than ever.”
“……”
“I sincerely thank you both. Madrich Onion was one of the very few official people who directly participated in the Black Consumer Project in the past…… In the process of tracking this matter, it might not be impossible to obtain a list of those who participated in the Black Consumer Project.”
Panoa said that and immediately left Virgil’s office.
“I will contact you again when I obtain additional information.”
Clank!!
Virgil, who was staring at Panoa’s disappearing back with a bewildered expression, burst into laughter.
“She’s a strong-willed person. I can see why she is wielding power as a key figure in the Dyke organization at such a young age.”
“It must be a point where it’s difficult to care about procedures.”
Lenok, who had brought the ashtray and lit a cigarette, retorted.
“I know that Achilles is a huge company that is not inferior to Dyke in terms of size. Now that they have identified the instigator of this incident, it must be difficult for them to stay still.”
“Oh, are you defending her?”
“I’ve received help from her in many ways. As you said, she’s the kind of person who will definitely repay a favor when the opportunity arises.”
Even during the Defense Force incident, Panoa had personally helped facilitate the tracking of the special forces’ movements.
Lenok also acknowledged Panoa’s ability to quickly take control of the underground weapons industry and not forget to repay Lenok in the process.
He had no reason to side with Panoa when there were no stakes involved, but from Lenok’s perspective, who was planning to investigate the details of the project, there was no reason not to side with her.
“So, when can I see the Chairman?”
Lenok, who had casually changed the subject, asked.
“I couldn’t say it in front of Panoa, but there are rumors that her level has dropped due to the aftermath of the war…… This exactly matches the rumors I know about your Chairman.”
“You really have an abnormally sharp sense.”
Virgil replied with a wry smile.
“You’re right. Madrich and the Chairman had a confrontation once when he was still active.”
“……”
“There’s no way the Chairman wouldn’t remember that old hag, so if you mention his name and contact her, she’ll respond.”
“Hmm, an old hag…… If you think about it, your Chairman is also-”
“What did you say?”
“It’s nothing.”
Virgil snorted as he watched Lenok subtly change his words.
“Instead, I will contact the Chairman right away on the condition that you help me with one task here.”
“A condition?”
“You’re not being this proactive just because of the project, are you? You’re looking for the Chairman because you have a personal matter to attend to, aren’t you?”
“……”
He wasn’t wrong.
Lenok was planning to meet Oliviera Ron Maze and ask for ways to improve his mana eyes, which were becoming increasingly strange.
Although her level had somewhat declined due to her long seclusion, she was still one of the most powerful and superior mana eye holders on this continent.
He thought that she, who possessed the Seven-Colored Treasure Mana Eyes, would be most likely to know what was wrong with Lenok’s mana eyes.
Virgil looked at Lenok’s face and smiled suspiciously.
“I won’t ask what your business is. But as an outside director, you need to have a record of helping the company to meet with the Chairman, right? In that sense, let’s work together on a task for the first time in a while.”
“……I’ll listen to it first.”
“You don’t know much about company affairs, but recently, there has been a major upheaval in the Cartel’s chain of command.”
Virgil said with his arms crossed.
“We’ve added two more positions to the board of directors, and we’re also actively recruiting talent for the internal board of directors. Yeriene, whom you met, was also promoted in the process after being recognized for her performance.”
He had heard that there was an outsider among the newly appointed presidents, so it must have been the Chairman’s order.
“The problem is that the behavior of the 3rd President, who was newly appointed through the Chairman’s acquaintance, is suspicious.”
“……”
“I need to know if he’s already thinking of jumping into a power struggle, or if he has other intentions. In that sense, I’d like to borrow your hand.”
Only then did Lenok realize what Virgil was trying to say, and he chuckled.
“Are you planning to make me look like a rival aiming for the presidency to provoke him? That’s a very insidious idea.”
“The 3rd President is from the East Continent, so he doesn’t know much about the city. Of course, he doesn’t know who you are either. This is a good opportunity to investigate his background.”
He knew why Virgil was asking Lenok for this favor.
Lenok was the one who had directly eliminated the traitor Parden McQueen, who had been the 1st President just a few years ago.
Even if he started lightly by creating an atmosphere of conflict with the 3rd President, he was the most suitable person to eliminate the new president in case of an emergency.
It seemed that Virgil had put aside the idea of making Lenok the new president for the time being, and instead, he was planning to use him as an executioner to weed out the traitors of the Cartel.
“Okay. I don’t care as long as you don’t drag things out.”
While Lenok was using the Cartel, he had to understand that they were also interested in Lenok’s power.
It was better to have someone like Virgil be openly honest.
Of course, even Virgil’s attitude was the result of analyzing Lenok’s preferences while dealing with him.
“Make sure to talk to the Chairman in advance.”
Lenok, who had grabbed the doorknob of the president’s office, turned to Virgil and said.
“It would be a headache if Oliviera refused after I fulfilled the condition.”
Virgil nodded with a wry smile.
“I’ll do my best.”
* * *
[Madrich Onion, you said?]
Lenok replied casually to Jenny’s call.
“He seems to be quite famous among public officials. It is highly likely that he is the one in charge of the new project.”
[……Damn it, this feels like we’ve gotten involved with a big shot.]
“Do you know him?”
[No. But I know that he has the ability to design a new project that will follow the Black Consumer.]
Jenny grumbled.
[The problem is that if such an old hag starts working with a security company like Achilles, I can only think of ominous things.]
“Are you saying that the new project is part of a control mechanism to replace the Edicts?”
[…….]
Lenok laughed at Jenny’s reaction, who didn’t answer.
“It seems that Virgil and everyone else think so too. It was obvious from the moment they found out that Achilles was deeply involved.”
The Edicts only bound the superhumans who had agreed to the existence of the Edicts in the light.
It wouldn’t be strange if there was someone who was drawing a picture of creating a new control force that would encompass both the shadows and the light, and drive the entire city towards a single goal.
If all the lives and assets of this city, where tens of millions of people live, were gathered together and struggled, someone might be able to reach ascension.
Lenok didn’t think it was strange at all that someone might still have that hope.
[Honestly, I don’t like that Virgil is getting involved in this……]
“Do you think you can’t trust that vampire?”
[His work ability is certain, but he’s a cold-blooded guy like all the other demi-humans. The fact that he took on this matter means that he thinks there’s a chance for Dyke to win…… No, it’s just an assumption, so forget it.]
Even at Jenny’s joking words, Lenok cut her off sharply.
“If you say so, there must be a reason.”
[……R-really?]
“There’s some truth to the idea that you shouldn’t blindly trust Virgil. However, in order to meet Oliviera, I’ll have to fulfill some conditions. I don’t think I can avoid that.”
[That’s why I didn’t transfer more than half of the distribution business to your subsidiary in preparation for this kind of situation…… If that’s what you want, then there’s nothing I can do.]
Jenny sighed slightly and quickly organized the situation.
[For now, I’ll be organizing information about that new 3rd President.]
“Okay. Please do it as quickly as possible.”
Lenok glanced at the scenery passing by quickly and said.
“It seems like I’ll have to have a showdown with that guy to sort things out.”
Click.
Lenok, who had hung up the phone, stared blankly at the sunset passing by outside the window.
Since Panoa had personally stepped up to investigate Madrich Onion, it was only natural that it would take some time.
In the meantime, Lenok was planning to take care of the personal matters that had been pushed back due to his busy schedule.
When he opened the front door, breaking through the complex outer barrier and internal security devices, something fell out and scattered at his feet.
Whirr!!
A pile of papers filled with writing.
Lenok hurriedly picked it up and sighed softly as soon as he closed the door.
“Hoo…… I don’t know if this is really the right thing to do.”
[I told you to use a display.]
Davie, who had popped out of Lenok’s arms, jumped on the pile of papers and said.
[It was Master who said that he had to write it down to be satisfied. A master of a digital spirit who likes analog so much. Hmph.]
Lenok smiled wryly at the spirit’s grumbling.
“I can’t help it. Barrier magic is a field where efficiency doesn’t come out unless you draw and study it by hand. If I draw it on a display, it’s difficult to observe the development process properly.”
[With Master’s hands that scribble even a single circle crookedly?]
“……”
[Sashie Maheubunideee.]
Lenok, who had been stretching the digital spirit’s cheeks for a long time, turned his gaze.
A pile of papers stacked up to the shoe rack at the entrance.
What filled the mansion’s space, which could not even be stored in the laboratory, was the traces of Lenok’s practice of Jin-Doon’s barrier magic.
“Partial deployment of the magnetic field…… It’s a power that I can definitely reach if I master Jin-Doon’s barrier magic.”
Lenok’s eyes flashed sharply as he lifted the crooked barrier circle.
“I’m going to start a full-scale study for that from now on.”