<h4>Chapter 248: Scheme (3)</h4>
<strong>Scheme (3)</strong>
In the Bncers meeting room, Bell Moore ran his tongue over his teeth, feeling a tension he hadnt 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 didnt 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 Edsi.
The sry structure under Johanna was among the highest across all families and corporations on the continent.
Setupplete.
Bncer Vitro nced around at the cameras.
With a snap of his fingers like he was flipping a te, 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.
Vitros eyes widened as magic swirled in his retina.
He was visually verifying the magical signals to check for any tampering.
Its clean.
But senior, why are you monitoring that guy?
Without a word, Vitro pushed up his rimless sses.
The rimless sses and slicked-back hair were Vitros trademarks, giving him the look of a weary office worker.
You dont need to know that. Rather, Id like to hear your opinion on Chaser Ascals 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 sess.
However, he is truly devoted to Libra. He will not tolerate any harming to it.
Which, in turn, made him seem even more like a lunatic.
Is his service to Miss Zia certain?
Yes. Youre aware of the internal rumors, senior.
Vitro lifted his sses 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.
Its 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 theughter that threatened to escape.
A 2,000% incentive just to monitor an assistant shooter. That was the generosity of Johanna.
Ill take my leave.
Bell Moore exited the meeting room.
Johanna received Vitros report.
She opened her ears as she red at theptop 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 dont 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 contemtion.
Even if he has be 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 theptop.
Ascal is not my man.
He belongs to Zia.
And because of that
Knock knock.
There was a knock on the office door.
Its 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 nned.
Impelt is a special space. Its also the site where the most expensive equipment is to be installed.
However, the move into that ce is a bit special, and quite dangerous events could unfold.
Tell them we will participate.
The person in charge is-
Youll do it.
Johanna deliberately showed a gap to Beckman.
If Ascals words are correct, if Beckmans crazed heart truly stirs trouble, that will be the moment.
Yes. I will prepare.
Beckman withdrew. Johanna filled her wine ss 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 be very easy. Her magical skills had improved tremendously.
Hoo. Hoo. Slurp-
The cozy interior flickered with the light of antern.
In front of her, La was eating ramen.
Elise smiled as she watched her.
Ah, this is delicious~ Elly. Doesnt this remind you of the past?
It does.
Its been a while since I had ramen
La reached for a pickled radish but then stealthily nced at Elise.
She had already confessed everything to La. About Petra and Ascals rtionship, about what she was struggling with, she had beenpletely candid.
Elise let out a wry smile.
Did I tell you toote?
No.
La shook her head sternly.
I wouldnt have been able to say anything either if I had been through that.
Then a small sigh escaped through Elises teeth.
La asked in a subtle tone.
So what does Elly want to do now?
I dont know.
She shrugged her shoulders.
I dont 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.
La just stared nkly at Elise.
Elly. Are you really asking because you dont know?
Huh?
Blinking her eyes, Elise was met with Las emphatic deration, as if hammering down a verdict.
Elly, youre like this because you like Shion.
She was taken aback.
Honestly, Elise had thought La hadnt noticed. She had assumed it was all just teasing.
After all, La was usually so oblivious.
La 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 dont know that.
La patted her back with both hands.
Rumble
Just then, the mood shifted with the sound of a car engine roaring to life.
Las 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. La grinned.
Were going to y like we used to.
No, but
Before Elise could say anything more, Asher and Kain appeared.
Oh. Its been a while since weve been in a ce like this.
The two guys, who had grown massively in sizepared to ten years ago, squeezed into the cramped cave and settled in.
Wow. They said Elise was feeling down, but its 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? Dont you know long hair is the trend these days? Youve been studying too much and cant keep up with the fashion trends.
Asher clicked his tongue and set down some food.
Lets eat. Its 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 bes pathetic once you grow up to a certain point.
Therefore, to be an adult, you must break away from friends.
Hey La. Boil another five packs of ramen.
You guys boil it. Arent there any pancakes?
I brought some rice wine.
Hey! We came here to reminisce, whos going to drink rice wine!!!
I dont think I can do that.
I might have to give up on Shion, whom I like.
In the end, Ill probably have to.
Because in the end, its being with others that makes us human.
Elly. Should we order some pancakes? I think they will deliver here.
Elise smiled subtly.
Yeah. Lets eat.
Thanks to these guys, I think I can finally sort out my feelings.
In one way or another.
* * *
At the desk of [Edsi 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, its my ability that scraped it together.
Though it wasnt 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.
Youre making an enemy out of Vern Senators Erzebet. You know, thepany with thergest market cap?
Thats not so bad.
What?
Frank let out a hollowugh.
Erent found it strange.
This person, wasnt he a Libra informant? Why is he speaking as if hes 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.
Erents 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. Im 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, its the bribery file for former Senator Ludeniel.
Ludeniel?
Yes. The bribery case itself was a trap, and heres 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? Cant we meet and talk?
Lets see.
See what?
Whether youre 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 Ludeniels bribery case.
* * *
Its all ording to Chaser Shions 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 nt a Senator in the assembly.
Of course, the power of a local district Senator isnt that formidable. Theres a strict difference between an assembly Senator and a local district Senator.
But for Zia, who treasures each individual, its special.
He truly was a gem. Shion Ascal is.
At Jeans words, she nodded.
Yeah. Seems like it
Shion Ascal is the sword entrusted to her. Zia is always endlessly skeptical, but unlike Johanna, she doesnt cross the line.
Ambition, after all, is a wish that can only be fulfilled by trusting someone when its 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.
Its a share certificate for lithium.
A share certificate for Lithium Corporation, which will expand from its base in central Edsi.
She ns to bestow a whopping 25% of thatpanys shares to Shion Ascal.