章 197: First Encounter (3)
"...It seems like the young master trusts him a bit too much."
In Sector 1 of Libra Aerial Garden, Belingham Kantar, who lives there with his kin, is having a conversation with Libra's eldest daughter, 'Johanna'.
"I've read the file too. His abilities are evident."
The topic was Shion Ascal.
A soon-to-be university student currently participating in Libra's internship.
He had detected Libra's double spy planted in the cartel, and saved the youngest, Zia, from the fortress.
Although his achievements were only these two, they were of high quality.
"He's also an excellent candidate in terms of his mindset."
"...Yes. Mindset. I like this word more than anything else."
Johanna pointed to a paragraph in the file. Among the report contents described by the intern inspector 'Bell Moore', there was a statement made by Shion Ascal.
─'I do not give opportunities to those who have betrayed Libra even once,' he said, cutting off their heads...
"Yes. Right now, Shion Ascal's aptitude is a perfect 'Balancer'."
Balancer.
Literally, 'one who balances'.
They are the elite agents of Libra.
However, they are not assigned to any particular independent department, but are simply embedded within Libra.
The purpose of a Balancer is to detect internal sabotage and external threats.
In other words, to weed out and execute harmful candidates inside and outside Libra.
"Has it been about 3~4 years since the Balancer lineage was broken?"
"Yes. Because..."
"Because they're all untrustworthy."
The recruitment of Balancers is so important that the direct line makes the final decision. They must maintain balance politically while weeding out internal enemies.
"These days, people are too influenced by SNS or whatever. They have too many delusions."
"That's true."
"But, this Shion Ascal is going to the youngest?"
"Yes. It seems the young master also wants to send him to the youngest."
Shion Ascal is going to Zia.
Rather, it's a good thing. If it's youngest, who has no influence on the succession structure, it means that the balance is politically maintained.
"It's been a while since a promising guy showed up. I'll have to watch him for 2~3 more years."
"Is it okay? Even if he doesn't serve Johanna."
"From the beginning, all 'Balancers' belong to the direct line of Libra. Especially if they belong to the youngest. After all, the successor ends up owning everything."
Johanna looked at Shion Ascal in the file and chuckled.
"He's a bit intriguing. I'll have to invite him to my casino later..."
* * *
[Trick City, traces of Raquel Dra found...]
[Who is Raquel Dra?]
[Continent's No. 1 security force 'Iron Shield', permanent security contract signed with Amota Senator.]
Underworld. The deep and damp heart of that dark city.
While observing the surface world's news, 'Salruka,' the consigliere and executive of the Master Cartel, furrowed his brow in concern.
"The boss must be worried."
The subordinates behind Salruka bowed their heads again.
"...We apologize. The monster association also said it was an unexpected variable."
"We should have killed Amota."
The Cartel may be flat on the underworld, but it's always eyeing the surface world. There's no future if they stay in the underworld.
In that regard, the money they fed to the Trick City Section Senators under the pretext of 'business' is close to the budget of a decent country.
─I think Trick City will have learned a lot from this incident. That Amota will pay attention to the enactment of hero-related laws with the Section Senators of Trick City...
"That damned woman."
Senator Amota picks fights over everything. Neither threats nor persuasion work, and she even tries to cut off all the Cartel's dirty businesses.
"Are we sure it was Raquel Dra's doing?"
The monster who led the barrier hacking is 'Getto', dispatched directly from the monster association. A monster close to A+ grade.
"We assume so, based on the circumstances... but there's no evidence. Everything was burned."
Trick City and the Cartel have very different views on this incident.
For Trick City, it was suspected that 'Raquel Dra caused the Boundary Error'.
For the Cartel and the monster association, it was assumed that 'Raquel Dra slaughtered all the monsters'.
"But since his traces were found inside the Barrier... it's probably his doing. There's no other group or individual with a reason to attack us."
Salruka glared sharply at him.
"'He'? What do you mean by 'him'? Are you speaking to a gentleman?"
"Ah. I apologize. 'That bastard's' traces were found inside the Barrier..."
"More importantly. Why did he pick a fight with us? No, this is at the scale of a war, not just a fight."
"Perhaps, because we released the hitman...?"
Raquel Dra. The villain bastard killed B-Section entrepreneurs, D-Section religious people, and philanthropists in Trick City, all of whom were related to the Cartel.
So, the Cartel dispatched a hitman to kill him before he could do more damage.
"...Call off the hitman. Do you think the bastard who killed Getto will be killed by a hitman?"
We don't know where he suddenly popped out from, or what kind of life he's led, but now even the Cartel has to be on guard.
It's been quite a while since such a 'big shot' has appeared.
"I'd like to get rid of him as soon as possible... but let's leave that to Trick City."
Fortunately, Senator Amota and Trick City are moving on their behalf.
The Hero Special Law.
The Cartel tried to stop it even by lobbying, but if they catch Raquel Dra, it wouldn't be such a bad trade-off.
* * *
The next day.
I was sick for almost a day due to the side effects of the Severing Sword. Thanks to that, Soliette had a hard time. She put a wet towel on my forehead and bought me fever reducers…
"...Thank you."
"Yes. Are you feeling better?"
"Yeah."
I was almost dead at the time, but my recovery wasn't too bad, so I was fine after a day's rest.
"But, Shion. Sir Raelro has contacted us."
"From Sir Raelro?"
"Yes. He said the operation will start soon."
I nodded my head.
"Are you ready?"
"...Yes."
Soliette's expression hardened.
"Aren't you nervous?"
"I rather feel like I've found a way."
Knightmare doesn't run away. He's there. Soliette might even be able to exact her revenge.
But what if she finds out the truth?
What will she do after completing her revenge, which is nothing but a wound?
Can she find a new goal?
Can she continue her life?
"Shion, how's your internship going?"
Soliette asked.
"...Well. Yeah. I have to go to work tomorrow."
"Won't it be hard?"
"It's okay. It's an office job this time."
I picked up my smartphone. There was a text from Libra.
[Shion Ascal Internship Attendance Guide]
: Shion Ascal intern will experience the work of this week's business department.
...
The business department of [Libra Station].
I went to work in a suit.
"..."
There were many people. There were also various sounds. Employees were talking here and there, making calls with buyers in numerous foreign languages, and the copier was endlessly running...
I was assigned to the [Sales Team].
I wasn't alone.
I was with another intern, 'Riley Erin'.
"..."
However, Riley is a bit different from me. She, who was assigned about three days earlier than me, is already sitting in the office and working.
Tap tap tap-
She's busy typing on the keyboard, doing something.
On the other hand, no one talks to me. Everyone in the office is just doing their own work.
"Uh. What's this."
After about 10 minutes, someone finally acknowledged me.
"Oh right. There's one more intern, right? I was wondering."
It was a middle-aged man sitting in the manager's seat. He looked at me with an annoyed face.
"Do I have to explain again? Do you know?"
"What are you referring to?"
"What the sales team does."
"..."
"Well, listen carefully. The sales team interacts with other countries. Mana stones that come from completely different environments. In addition, we find business opportunities that can make money and do sales, that's our sales team."
The manager glanced at Riley.
"It's easy to think of it as an office job, but it's actually similar to a field job. That's why all of us can handle magic to some extent. I'm also a senior knight."
Not everyone who graduates from the Magic University's Knight Department and takes the knight exam becomes a knight.
Rather, knights who only pass the 'Knight Exam' mostly join companies with only their senior knight certification. It's more profitable that way.
"How about Riley leading the meeting today?"
"...Me?"
At that moment, Riley turned around.
"Yes. It's the item you brought in, Riley. It might seem like we're stealing the intern's item if we help too much, and since you're confirmed to join us immediately, it's a good opportunity."
The manager chuckled, looking at Riley's purple hair.
"Try doing it yourself."
"..."
Riley glanced at me without a word. Then the manager slapped the back of my head as if he had forgotten something.
"Right. Riley can't drive, can she? What do we do about this? That's why she always sits in the passenger seat when we go out as a team."
The manager seemed displeased with this.
"Shion, can you drive?"
The manager asked me.
"I'm a professional."
I was once a chauffeur.
* * *
I'm driving. The early spring weather is quite clear, and the sunlight pouring in through the window is warm. The sheen on the river on the other side of the highway sparkles.
"Such fieldwork must be boring for you, Shion."
Riley, in the passenger seat, spoke.
The woman with the somewhat mysterious purple hair is a spy infiltrating Libra. She's one of the main routes through which various information leaks from Libra.
"It's not boring."
"Really? There were rumors that you achieved quite a lot on your last business trip."
"Whether it's a business trip or sales, it's all work that helps Libra."
I still don't know why she is hostile to Libra. She was no longer in this world when I started my active duty.
But I do know why she fell.
She was too clumsy.
She couldn't hold back for her final goal. She was swayed by her feelings and refused Libra's orders.
"More importantly, what's the task?"
I asked Riley.
"It's simple. It's not that important. A 'Polar Mana Stone' was found in the territory of the Etherlin Kingdom, and we're going to negotiate for it."
Polar Mana Stone. Simply put, it's a mana stone like a magnet. From the moment it's created, it's divided into 'poles' like N and S.
"A Polar Mana Stone…"
"It's unfamiliar, isn't it? But it's efficient. It's also used as a material for luxury goods."
Riley chuckled. I glanced at her quietly.
It's more efficient than a regular mana stone, but it's just that. For now, it's probably used for art or luxury goods.
It changes in the future.
In just 1-2 years, a very new way to use the Polar Mana Stone will be invented.
The price will skyrocket.
"The reserves are abundant, and if we import at a reasonable price, it will yield a significant profit. However, the lord of the territory is quite finicky."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. It's Count Tono. I heard he was staying at a hotel by chance, so I hastily arranged a meeting."
Riley shrugged her shoulders.
"No one is helping. This isn't something interns should handle."
By the time we finished talking, we had arrived at the Parallion Hotel. It was a famous 5-star hotel, even in Edsilla.
"We're here."
"...Yes. You're a good driver. Shall we go?"
"Yeah."
At a window seat in the Parallion Hotel restaurant, a man in noble attire was cutting into a steak.
We approached him.
"Hmm. You must be Miss Riley."
He asked without looking at us.
"Yes. I'm Riley who spoke to you over the phone."
"Sit down."
We took our seats. The Count glanced at Riley, and she handed him her business card.
For the record, I don't have a business card yet.
"...An intern?"
The Count's brow furrowed as he looked at the card.
"This is something."
He leaned back in his chair, clearly displeased.
"The team leader personally approved this matter. However-"
─It's disappointing. An intern shows up for a meeting.
The Count cut her off. It was a sudden foreign language, and Riley perked up her ears with a slightly surprised look.
─So uncultured. Suddenly showing up, what is this?
I scratched the back of my neck and hid a smile.
─I wonder if she even understands this.
The Count spoke proudly, flaunting a language that was all too familiar to me.
It was 'Latinel.'
But it seemed a bit difficult for Riley.
─I apologize.
She responded in Latinel, albeit clumsily, but that was all she could manage.
─Does an apology suffice? What do you think of a noble's authority?
When the Count spoke a little faster, she just shifted her gaze, completely unable to understand.
─Ha! This is ridiculous. I should go-"
─Count Tono.
I stopped him. The Count paused awkwardly, about to stand.
─I apologize for only having interns, but we did not intend to disrespect you.
At that, Count Tono's eyes flickered slightly. Riley quickly laid the contract on the table.
─...Is that so?
─Yes. We are not ordinary interns.
─If you're not ordinary interns, then what are you?
─If Count Tono wanted merely a manager or team leader from Libra Station. I would like to say that they are nothing more than frogs in a well. We are going up. I am connected directly to Libra.
I pointed to my tie.
─This tie. Jade personally gifted it to me.
─...Really? That noble-like man?
─Yes.
Jade is surprisingly well-regarded in noble society. Not only his appearance, but his unique sense of nobility fits very well with people living in a class-based country.
This means Riley did a great job of securing the item, even though she doesn't seem to fully understand its value.
"Hmm. Well, if you say so. I have no doubts considering your manners and etiquette. However, if we are to trade, I want 35 Ren per gram."
I looked back at Riley.
"He's asking for 35 Ren per gram for the extreme mana stone."
Riley's lips slightly frowned.
"…That's too expensive compared to the market price. The current line is 15-16 Ren per gram."
I relayed Riley's words.
"15 Ren per gram is the market price, isn't that too expensive?"
"Hmph. Then buy it from them. Our territory is abundant anyway. There's no need to put in the effort and trouble to mine one more ore."
He's right. For a noble who owns the territory itself, a mana stone ore is nothing more than insurance.
He seems to be a noble with some discernment.
"How about 30 Ren per gram?"
I spoke to both Riley and the Count.
"Considering the trend of high stone prices will continue for the next 10 years."
Extreme mana stones will be worth 100 Ren per gram in just 1-2 years. If we can somehow finalize the contract now, it will be a great achievement.
"It's not for us to decide. If we make a mistake, the company could lose-"
"30 Ren is fine."
The Count changed his mind. He looked at me and smiled.
"…But do you have that much power?"
It must have been a stimulus for the Count. From his point of view, 30 Ren per gram would be a tremendous profit.
I told him,
"I always do what's beneficial for Libra."
"Haha. Then I'll be back in a moment, to the restroom. It would be nice if we could contract today."
The Count stood up as if to consult with someone, and Riley turned to me.
"If it's 30 Ren per gram, we'll lose money as soon as we buy it. The deal won't be concluded."
Riley's forehead furrowed.
"Miss Riley. Shall we bet?"
"…Bet?"
"Yes. Extreme mana stones have potential. No, all new types of mana stones have potential."
"…"
Riley scanned me with a slightly doubtful face.
"Do you have any insider information?"
"It's just my long-held theory."
"The company is not a casino. You can't bet just based on a theory."
"Should I write a report?"
"Of course. We need approval from above."
"…"
"When can you write it?"
Riley asked as if interrogating.
I was slightly flustered, but I had a memory of how extreme mana stones became more valuable than gold. I had read the report.
In fact, even the re-evaluation of extreme mana stones was carried out by 'Libra Research Institute'.
"…I'll try to recall my memory."
It was originally something that would happen in 1-2 years, but I might be able to pull it forward.
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