Chapter 247: Scheme (2)
Scheme (2)
Johanna terminated the spatial sharing.
The 43 square meters dorm room of Shion Ascal expanded into a vast bedroom.
Silently, she scratched the area around her eyebrows and sank into the sofa.
This sofa costs three million ren. A masterpiece embroidered stitch by stitch by a craftsman, with inherent cleanliness magic.
Moreover, the velvet gown she was wearing was worth five million ren. It would never get soiled without ever needing to touch water, or being washed. Probably cleaner than most sterile rooms.
Thus, everything in this residence starts at a million ren.
Clothes, watches, bags, brooches, rings, jewels, necklaces Things that commoners may never touch in their lifetime were as plentiful as stones here, yet there were no windows.
The sky permitted for everyone to see was not visible.
It was because of her obsessive-compulsive nature.
Its because shes lonely.
Johanna frowned.
It was a presumptuous remark from Shion Ascal.
A condescending comment sympathizing with her, a direct descendant.
Hmm
Thats why now, she was in doubt.
It was both a concern and a simple deduction.
If if Shion Ascal was framing Beckman?
Although Beckmans loyalty remained unchanged, if that bastard Shion was engaging in collusion?
No matter if Chaser had risked his life to save her in the casino, Johanna did not trust a greenhorn who hadnt even been around for a year.
Instead, she breathed distrust as easily as air.
My lord, its Vitro.
A voice came from the handset in the corner of the bedroom.
Speak.
Vitro was another one of her balancers.
Yes. The informant Jake who spoke with Ascal does exist.
Who exactly is he?
This too was part of Johannas suspicions.
Could it be that Shion Ascal had noticed the spatial mediation in advance and was trying to play a farce with some random guy?
His identity has not been determined, but he has quite a reputation on the dark web. Theres talk that he could be a Black Scale level informer after a long time.
That guy is Shion Ascals personal informant?
Yes. I received confirmation from Bell Moore that Ascals informant is certain.
And who the hell is Bell Moore?
Johanna furrowed her brow.
Ascals current marksman.
Which side is he on? Derek?
He seems to be wavering at the moment.
Hmmmm
Johanna exhaled a breath for a moment.
The artifact known as spatial mediation meant that once Shion left the vicinity of the documents, his whereabouts could no longer be tracked.
Surveillance for work purposes was impossible.
Is he trustworthy?
Hes my junior by five years. He listens to me well.
Then lets assign him a task.
You mean surveillance?
Yes.
Having a marksman watch over his own spotter.
Its a complete mess, but its bound to be efficient.
I will proceed.
Go.
Johanna ended the communication with a gesture.
Then, suddenly, she remembered something Ascal had said just before.
Perhaps. I dont trust people either.
The words about not trusting people.
Indeed, there are no trustworthy people by his side.
Johanna is similar.
She doesnt fully trust even Vitro. She always doubts her own balancers.
They might pretend to be loyal to her while actually serving Derek, Jade, Sherlock, and though the likelihood is significantly low, even Zia could be a spy.
Thats why she is just as lonely.
Its not funny
Johanna sank into the sofa.
A trophy on the table caught her eye.
[FINAL WINNER]
The ultimate trophy from the World Series of Poker.
She stared at it.
Somehow, stress was spreading.
Every time she looked at it, every time she remembered that day, an inexplicable stress surged within her.
She still didnt understand why.
Thanks to that, she had gained a stake in the Golden Casino and had won the coveted trophy.
In the past, when she was younger, she relieved such stress by killing people. She frolicked on the battlefield herself.
Now, she cant indulge so recklessly.
Just
Johanna quietly closed her eyes.
And fell into a death-like sleep.
* * *
Swoosh swoosh.
An empty clearing wrapped in bushes.
Summer rain falls from the dark sky.
Soaked by the rain, Elise is lost in thought.
Theres no contact from her father.
Her father, who prides himself on being a strong warrior, might dismiss this as a mere trifle, a non-event that will pass.
But Elise is scared.
Of what?
Of drifting apart.
From whom?
From Shion Ascal.
Right.
Thats all Elises fear amounts to.
The selfish desire not to drift away from him is far greater than the feeling of regret, than the duty to atone as a member of the family.
She doesnt want to become his enemy.
How foolish.
Elise let out a hollow laugh.
Her father would never allow for negotiations. Neither would Elise herself.
Negotiations are just a drug that makes things easier for the moment.
They will eventually become a weakness, a shameful secret.
But without negotiation, Shion will come to hate her. He will despise the entire Petra family.
Its the tax Elise has been putting off for a year.
A disaster that she has been foolishly postponing without any plan, that now threatens to sweep in all at once.
The mere thought tears at her heart.
Imagining Shion looking at her with contempt, his sword pointed at her, becoming someone she could never be with again
Elise clasped her face in her hands.
Her tears mixed with the rain.
She cried quietly, and eventually picked up her phone. A name caught her eye in the contacts.
[At Your Service]
Should she ask for advice?
No.
She no longer wants to receive vague consultations.
She wants to speak honestly about whats on her mind.
Elise called someone else.
Dial tone
The person picked up quickly.
Hello?
Hey! Elly, why the call?!
Layla.
This person has no gloom about her.
She might seem down for a moment, but soon shes back to her usual self, Layla.
Elise envied that.
Want to grab some food? I have something to talk about.
Sounds great~ Elly, where are you?
The person responded with an even brighter tone, probably having noticed the darkness in my voice.
Well, Im here in some weird forest. I dont know where exactly.
Just a place she ended up at after walking aimlessly.
Then share your GPS with me.
Yeah, sure.
Technology these days is amazing~ When we were young, we didnt have stuff like this.
Elise shared her GPS location.
Wait for me, Elly~ Ill bring some food and come right over~ Lets make a hideout like old times~ Hehehe.
Thanks to that cheerful voice, Elise managed a weak smile.
* * *
Libra Intelligence Agency. Bell Moores private office.
How do you like it? Pretty spacious, huh?
Bell Moore swirled the whiskey in his glass as he spoke. I looked around the interior.
Its definitely spacious.
This guy seems to grow every time I see him, his office getting bigger by the day.
Its not a bad thing.
Bell Moore himself seems to think hes using me, but in reality, its the other way around.
This guy is going to become a bridge for leaking information from the upper echelons of the Intelligence Agency to me.
So, Shion. You should also try to live your Chaser Life, man. Dont just focus on work. Schmooze with the seniors a bit.
What about the business trip?
Shit. Here.
Bell Moore handed over some documents.
Weve identified the new recruit Luke, and Ive even found his surgery records in the underworld you mentioned.
I checked them out.
Sure enough, hes handled the tasks I gave him efficiently.
Syrimus is out of the game now.
Thats right. But, do you have a separate informant?
Bell Moore glanced at me slyly.
I can understand knowing about Syrimuss hidden son. That the bastard received Chimera Surgery in the underworld? I can even understand knowing that. But how did you find out which clinic performed it?
I have a personal informant.
Who is it?
This guy knows Jake but pretends not to.
Hes acting suspicious today.
If its a monster, then its game over.
Right on cue, Riley changed the subject. She sipped her coffee while reading the documents.
Since hes a murderer who killed people in a Chimera Rage.
Its a side effect of the Chimera procedure. Addiction, or an uncontrollable rage that erupts when drunk or high, leaving the person unable to control themselves.
Where will the information be delivered?
To the Edsilla Post. I have a reporter prepared.
Good, good~
Clap, clap, clap
Bell Moore applauded. Then he slung an arm around Rileys shoulder, grinning.
Another success for our item?
Its not ours, it was Shion Ascals item, wasnt it?
Riley shrugged off his hand.
Yeah, I know, I know. But if we only put it under Shions name, the team leaders will cut it. You know they fucking hate him for killing Benedict.
Im aware.
There are six team leaders in the Intelligence Agency. Excluding the already dead Benedict, that leaves five.
So theres still one spot vacant and its clear that Bell Moore is eyeing it.
Please report back.
Okay.
I dont really care either way.
If Bell Moore gets promoted, itll actually be much more convenient for me.
So man.
Bell Moore looked at me.
How about a drink to celebrate the operations success?
A drink.
A phrase Id never expect to be offered in my lifetime.
At that moment, I suspected Bell Moore.
Drink?
Bell Moore mimicked the shape of a glass with his hand and tilted it back as if taking a shot.
Of course, I declined the offer.
It would be strange for someone who never goes to suddenly start attending.
Im not even sure whose bidding hes doing yet.
Hey.
Bell Moore followed me down the Intelligence Agency hallway.
That personal informant of yours, howd you come across them?
You seem very interested. Intelligence is the lifeblood of a Chaser.
Its fucking impressive, thats why.
I happened to come across them.
What do you mean happened to? Im not asking who it is, just tell me how you happened to come across them. Im curious.
Hes prying too much.
Clearly, hes been approached by someone.
Someone from the direct line?
We met on the line of death.
Line of death? Like a life-or-death situation?
Yes.
Its actually true.
When Grawl was a stone monster, during the fierce battle with Akane, I absorbed part of Grawl into my R-elix.
Hmm.
Bell Moore scratched his chin.
We reached the parking lot.
Oh right, I didnt bring my car today, can you give me a lift? It used to be mine anyway.
Bell Moore grinned slyly in front of the SUV.
Where to?
Just drop me off at Edsilla Station.
Get in.
I climbed into the drivers seat. Bell Moore got into the passenger seat.
Still, I feel good as the person who gifted this car to you since you use it often.
I started the car without a word.
We exited the Intelligence Agency through the tunnel.
Still. Im envious of you.
Bell Moore was particularly motor-mouthed today.
Is there something to envy?
Youve got money. Won that gambling tournament, too. 60 million Ren.
Why dont you retire? Did Johanna take all the credit?
No.
Bell Moore glanced at the rearview mirror. He was gauging my reaction.
Heard you got a gift from Johanna too.
Yes.
Did she take a liking to you?
Thats when I had the intuition.
Its Johannas bidding.
Bell Moore was clearly sounding me out.
No.
What do you mean no? Why would she give a gift if she didnt like you?
I cannot presume to measure the thoughts of Johanna.
Youre no fun But anyway. Be careful, will you? If you get too close to the direct line for no reason, youll be checked.
I pondered what kind of conversation Johanna would favor, what sentences she would deeply consider.
I reflected on her personality and inclinations.
It doesnt matter.
How can it not matter, man? Do you know what could happen? Youre basically one of the juniors people.
But Johanna is, once again, simple in her desires.
Ultimately, she seeks loyalty that expects nothing in return.
You might not realize it, but the dynamics of power arent that simple, man. You could end up butting heads with a Balancer.
In any situation, in any danger, she wants someone who can be unconditionally trusted.
Theres a widespread rumor that Beckman is gunning for you. So just step back a bit. If Johannas crew calls you, just lie and say youre busy.
No.
Just then, the SUV stopped at a traffic signal.
There were many people crossing the crosswalk.
Its my responsibility to handle.
I watched them as I conveyed my words to Johanna.
Sometimes, even someone like me might be necessary to her.
Bell Moore made a strange expression. He seemed to mumble something like What makes you think youre so special? and then leaned back in his seat.
After that, there was no more conversation.
Bell Moore waited quietly and got off at Edsilla Station.
* * *
[Exclusive! Sanrama District Senator, Syrimuss Son Caught in Scandal]
Ha ha.
Derek smiled. A scandal had erupted for a district Senator, someone who was no more significant than Verns finger.
Taking down a bird quite the bold move. Ascal again?
It was led by Ascal himself, along with Bell Moore and Riley as a team, answered Balancer Smith.
Derek folded the newspaper with satisfaction.
Now Vern must have an inkling of who hes messed with.
But this was just the beginning. He wouldnt stop until Vern was on his knees before him, licking his boots.
But how about the other teams results? Aside from Shion, there seems to be no results.
It seems they are unfolding their plans. We will report the outcomes soon.
Derek turned his chair around, looking out the high window as he spoke.
In a way, its fortunate that bastard is Zias.
Starting with Benedict, then Theia Esil, and now Syrimus, Ascal proved to be as competent as any other Balancer.
There are rumors lately that Johanna has been in contact with Ascal.
Johanna. That woman?
Yes. She personally offered a high-priced gift.
Dereks brow furrowed slightly, but he soon sneered.
No need to worry. That crazy woman doesnt trust what belongs to others.
If there was even one instance of loyalty to someone else in their past, Johanna would never trust them. She doesnt give the slightest emotion to anything that isnt money.
She was born that way from the start.
Then, we shall prepare for Verns counterattack.
Dismissed.
Yes.
Smith backed out of Dereks office.
Alone, Derek smiled contentedly and gazed casually at the clouds in the sky.
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