Upon the confirmation of President Parden McQueen’s demise, the previously tumultuous situation began to swiftly calm down.
The Cartel, an alliance of legitimate corporations, easily dissolved its subsidiaries, which collectively held substantial capital.
Attributing all disruptions to Lennok’s projects, particularly in District 49, to President Parden McQueen and his affiliates, the Cartel decisively severed ties with them.
The resolution came to light during the first quarter’s earnings report, revealing the appointment of the wizard Van from District 49 as an external director of the Cartel. This announcement marked the end of the month-long conflict, prompting a collective sigh of relief.
“Looks like this is how it turns out.”
“Who would have thought McQueen would die suddenly during the handover process… Am I the only one who smells something fishy?”
“Keep it down. Do you think we’re keeping quiet because we don’t know that?”
“Hmm…”
It was peculiar not to be disoriented by the generational shift coinciding with the passing of the chairman’s most devoted loyalist.
McQueen, a trusted ally who headed the execution unit, one of the Cartel’s most formidable business divisions, added to the intrigue.
Rumors circulated that Lennok, his successor, would now represent the Cartel’s force.
“Taking in a wizard who wiped out the execution unit must mean something.”
“But then, shouldn’t Van at least have been promoted to the president position?”
“I think there must have been checks from the other presidents.”
For a freelancer to wield such significant influence and ascend rapidly was an unprecedented occurrence, capturing intense public interest.
Later, when Virgil O’ Reiden transitioned to the presidency and initiated the formation of a new force unit, rumors solidified into certainty.
Public sympathy grew for Lennok, expected to be the new president after McQueen.
However, unknown to many, Lennok had declined the presidency.
“Are you really okay with this?””
Eolara, staring at the coffee cup, questioned.
“Now is the chance, with the command system in disarray due to McQueen’s absence. It won’t come again, especially with the chairwoman’s direct approval this quarter… If the chairwoman goes back into seclusion, it will be difficult for Van to take the fourth president position.”
“I already said it’s over.”
Lennok replied, chin resting on the window, his face concealed by thick bandages and wraps.
His injuries revealed the challenging battle with McQueen, compounded by lingering side effects of attempted doping just before the fight to deploy his Domain.
Despite itching, weakness, bruises, and limited arm movement, Lennok refrained from using potions or elixirs, opting to assess his natural healing ability.
Eolara, witnessing Lennok’s unprecedented fatigue and injuries, looked on awkwardly.
“The position of an external director is enough. Accepting the presidency would only tie me to the organization…””
Lennok recognized the authority the Cartel presidency held, offering vast power to manage a significant alliance subsidiary.
However, he deemed formal Cartel membership unnecessary, anticipating challenges from other presidents.
Compromising with Cartel as support seemed more advantageous, avoiding the potential subordinate role of the fourth president.
“How did the deal go?”
“I’ve already obtained the approval of Virgil and Kansoa. The only issue is how Merilda will take it… But there shouldn’t be a problem.”
Eolara responded.
“There’s no way she wouldn’t accept your request to have access to Cartel’s executive vault in exchange for giving up the presidency.”
“Good.”
Lennok harbored no sentimental attachment to the presidency, but he wasn’t about to passively accept the situation with a smile. Every possible reward from the expansive organization had to be claimed.
The Cartel’s executive vault, rumored to house artifacts accessible only to core members, boasted unparalleled financial wealth among the Trident faction. Lennok anticipated valuable items awaiting him in the vault.
‘The best thing would be to bring more of Enakphil’s five fingers…’
The utility of space-transporting artifacts was evident. Despite the imprecision of Enakphil’s Five Fingers in controlling the destination, Lennok’s magical manipulation could overcome this flaw. Obtained as compensation for a Dyke request, the artifact’s true value became apparent with each use.
Hence, Lennok reserved its use for truly essential moments. Originally five pencils, the artifact now numbered only three. Similar or identical artifacts from Cartel’s vault would be ideal. Alternatively, one or two items as compensation from Virgil for this matter could suffice.
“Why are you doing this?”
Eolara recoiled at Lennok’s intense gaze, avoiding eye contact. Lingering effects from the explosion she had endured seemed evident.
“…It’s nothing. As long as they grant access to the vault and a few other conditions I’ve asked for, I won’t have any more complaints.”
“That’s, that’s a relief.”
“Rather, I think it’s your side that should be worried. Despite appearances, isn’t it quite a precarious situation?”
“…”
Eolara remained silent, unable to refute Lennok’s observation. He chuckled as he looked down at her.
“Your chairwoman, despite exerting such a strong sense of pressure, has never revealed herself in her true form to me, not even once…”
“I don’t know anything about that.”
“You don’t have to say it. It’s obvious. She must be bound or weakened by some means. That would explain a lot about what happened this time.”
The resolution of the situation raised suspicions. The delayed Cartel response, the chairman’s tepid reaction despite internal strife, the public executive meeting in the city, and the attempt to involve Lennok in resolving the issue all suggested a lack of capability.
They aimed to avoid exhausting Cartel’s presidential forces, steering clear of direct involvement even in the face of McQueen’s betrayal. The meticulous rejection of McQueen and his subsidiaries, Virgil’s cooperation with Lennok – all pointed towards this strategy.
With the events concluded, Lennok took a moment to reflect on the unseen circumstances surrounding the unfolding situation.
“I don’t know much about your organization’s internal affairs, but if your chairwoman can’t easily reveal herself and the first president could betray like this, it must be quite unstable, right?”
“…”
“Considering those who might strike from below, it’s probably…”
Lennok paused, turning his head towards Eolara, who, with a cold sweat on her forehead, averted her gaze. Despite her experience in the field, her reaction revealed more than she intended.
Lennok smirked. “Well, if you don’t want to talk more, let’s leave it at that. Virgil will have a hard time.”
“That is…”
“If I could advise, keep an eye on the organization McQueen tried to cling to. If there’s another occasion for the presidents to step in, it’ll probably be closely related to them. Why would they stick their necks out, knowing they could be caught?”
“…We have already concluded talks with the Ten Counts. They showed a willingness to negotiate first, so we reached an amicable agreement…”
“The Ten Counts?”
“…”
Eolara’s silence confirmed the speculations made so far. Lennok, returning the Demonic Eye she had pawned as collateral, shifted his gaze out of the window, leaving Eolara in silence.
It’s an intriguing development. The Trident of the underworld, the long-standing rulers of this realm, might be experiencing changes in their relationships. The ebb and flow of power in the metropolis could be making room for new talents to replace the old powers.
Having dipped his toe into the Cartel, Lennok only needed to observe how the situation unfolds and make the best choice. Perhaps that’s why he refused the presidency and opted for the role of an external director.
Resting his chin, Lennok gazed at the streetscape and muttered absentmindedly.
“I should make a new nameplate.”
External advisor to Dyke Corporation’s Management Planning Department, an external consultant for agents, and now, an external director of the Cartel—accepting such nominal nameplates wasn’t new for him. Lennok had always managed to make the most of them.
His relationship with the Cartel would likely end similarly. With these thoughts, Lennok slowly closed his eyes. His body felt heavy, and his eyelids seemed to weigh down with it. Without resistance, he embraced the overwhelming sleep that beckoned.
Having run breathlessly since his time in the autonomous region, a day’s rest was in order. His colleagues would ensure he didn’t fall behind in this rare respite where trust was hard to come by in these streets.
***
“So, instead of getting something from that guy, you went and spilled all our internal affairs to him?”
Grrrr…!
A sharp, untamed growl resonated through the room, akin to the breath of a wild dog.
A colossal canine creature, boasting a dense white coat and nearly the size of a truck, resembled a wolf but possessed a distinct appearance with more than three tails.
Eolara’s shoulders quivered slightly as the mythical creature, Merilda, growled.
Virgil sighed deeply, observing her.
“Enough, Merilda. Then why didn’t you go and negotiate yourself?”
“Shut it, Virgil. I already can’t stand that smug wizard.”
Merilda, in her massive beast form, snarled, her protruding fangs gleaming sharply.
“I’m not happy about him being offered a presidency, but him refusing it for access to the executive vault… That’s even more annoying!!”
Grrr!
“…”
Virgil and Kansoa regarded the beast, roaring into the air, with expressions full of disdain.
“Merilda, be quiet. The chairwoman is still asleep. What a disrespectful thing to do.”
Kansoa, a middle-aged woman with a nervy demeanor, waved her hand, and instantly, icy crystals formed a muzzle over Merilda’s mouth.
Realizing too late that a dog-like muzzle adorned her, Merilda raged, but upon sensing the chairwoman’s presence, she eventually reverted to her human form.
Fluorescent hair. A striking appearance that didn’t align with her fur color at all, reflecting the aesthetic sense of a mythical creature far removed from human understanding.
Virgil and Kansoa recognized this well and refrained from commenting.
“What a predicament. I made sure not to say anything about the chairwoman, but he figured it out all by himself…”
Virgil, arms crossed, smirked wryly, and Eolara bowed her head in silence.
“It’s not your fault.”
Kansoa offered a gentle consolation.
“It’s just that the wizard is too sharp. To infer all that from the chairwoman’s actions and words alone… It means he’s not just a physically strong opponent.”
“Tch…”
Merilda reluctantly turned her head away.
Eolara, who had willingly participated in Olivera’s ‘research’, proved to be an exceptional talent in her work. Pressuring her wouldn’t yield significant benefits, and both Virgil and Kansoa held a fondness for her.
“Winning him over is the best course of action. We all agree on that, right?”
“…”
Single-handedly causing billions in losses to the Trident, astutely noticing the Cartel’s internal strife, proposing a deal to Virgil, all while defeating McQueen, a level 7 sorcerer, and unraveling the chairwoman’s secret…
Among the emerging divinities in this world over the past two years, who else had demonstrated such comprehensive prowess in both power and intellect?
With the organization’s internal order now exposed and under the chairwoman’s control, turning him into an adversary was unthinkable. Instead, consistently offering him organizational authority and privileges, thereby drawing him in, was the optimal strategy.
(To be Continued)
