Memoirs of the Returnee - Chapter 323



Only Noblemtl

The Regressor’s Notepad 323

Flow (1)

I gave Gia the commercial district transfer deed.

“… … .”

Jia’s face turned bright red as she stared blankly at it.

“Are you feeling well?”

“huh…….”

She spun around in the same spot, clutching the deed in both hands, as if dancing a waltz. Round and round, round and round.

A smile spread across my lips without me knowing.

“Also, it seems that Team Leader Belmore will be confirmed as the next director.”

It’s a lightning-fast promotion, from team leader to director in less than two years. Belmore’s ambition is truly amazing.

The intelligence agency’s chasers are also very impressed with his moves.

“Belmore too… … decided to become one of our people?”

Jia asked cautiously.

“yes.”

Bellmore, of course, expected low risk. In fact, the risk itself was likely to be low.

In the not too distant future, Jia will definitely get Libra.

“It seems like you are trying to support Miss Zia under the pretext of pursuing ‘neutrality.’”

“……are you okay.”

There’s still a long way to go.

Jahanna was already half-retired, and Jedrick was imprisoned, but Libra’s collaterals were still alive and well.

They are represented by the elders. They are vicious, vicious, and mean. They are like ghostly old mothers. What kind of evil will they do if the successor they have chosen is eliminated?

“The next director… … is he trustworthy?”

“yes.”

I answered with confidence.

Honestly, I never thought I’d be saying this to Belmore.

“He is the person I trust most in the intelligence agency.”

I can trust him. I can trust what he says. I can trust what he thinks.

Because his true feelings are so transparent and simple, it is so easy to see through them.

“… … Yeah. That’s fortunate. I also believe in those Zion believes in… … .”

Jia smiled bashfully.

“And… … I think Zion can be the balancer at this elders’ meeting. Since my brothers and sisters give us permission… … .”

Balancer.

Soon, I will become Gia’s first balancer.

“It is an honor.”

It was a great honor.

* * *

“It will hold up.”

One day, as the seasons were changing, I went to see Professor Yuhains for a health checkup.

“Not yet.”

“… …Can’t I take a break from work?”

Yuhans asked. I answered, rubbing my sore neck.

“Yes. I don’t think there will be much difference in life expectancy whether you rest or not.”

Although the treatment itself started much faster than before the regression, the physical condition was similar to before the regression or even worse.

Maybe it’s because I’m pushing myself too hard as I get better.

“You are hastening death.”

“People die someday, don’t they?”

However, I don’t wish for death by illness. I would rather have the ending be one where I get killed by someone.

Because he died like that before the regression too.

A life of lying helplessly in bed, waiting to turn to dust, is the worst of the worst.

“This is the investment amount.”

I put down a briefcase full of cash. Yuhains glanced at it and blurted out a word.

“Her Majesty Jahanna has come and gone.”

“… … .”

As expected, it required some delay.

Because I am a shameless person who exploits not only Jahanna’s but also Professor Yuhans’s personal feelings and even the pain of separation.

“Is that so?”

His expression became calm and his tone became calm.

“What did you say?”

“… …I asked about your condition.”

“You probably didn’t answer.”

Yuhains nodded. I smiled bitterly.

“okay.”

“Do you plan on staying away until the end?”

There was a hint of regret in his question. Perhaps he was projecting his old love and his relationship onto us.

“Yes. That’s how it has to be. If we are to forget each other.”

Then, Yuhains quietly responded.

“Memories of love can help us endure the pain of the future.”

It seemed like his stance had changed a little, but I shook my head.

“… … I don’t think so.”

When Solliet died, my life was shattered. The death of the woman I once loved completely shattered me.

Those who are left behind cannot change anything and can never be happy.

“Because I love Princess Jahanna… … .

I would one day share a false love with Jahanna, and so my death would be her punishment.

It would be punishment for the countless sins she had committed thus far—forgivable evil deeds.

“I don’t want to burden him.”

* * *

The world is moving at a rapid pace. People live as if they will never die, and everything changes completely from yesterday.

──We are delighted with the creation of the Hero Association, and Trick City will never compromise or back down when it comes to the safety of its citizens… … .

This is the Hero Association’s founding ceremony.

I am watching Congressman Amota’s speech from afar. Next to me, Solliet is eating ice cream.

“Zion. Are you really not going to eat it? It’s a Trick City specialty.”

“uh.”

After regaining her sense of taste, she became a complete glutton.

──In addition, we would like to invite special guests who are attending today.

Congressman Amota pointed to the sky. Then, a great guest, a hero, appeared from afar.

Easyeeeek───

Mila appears, emitting a tremendous amount of air current.

Having fought against the arch-enemy known as ‘Rakel Dra’ and achieved countless beneficial feats, she is now showered with overwhelming cheers and applause from the citizens.

“Oh. That’s cool. As expected of a hero.”

By the way, I’m tight-lipped so I didn’t tell Soliet that Mila was Raye.

“Who would win if we fought?”

However, these days, she is learning the art of swordsmanship and is brimming with competitive spirit. If there is a side effect, it is a side effect.

“Don’t even think about fighting.”

“Yes? Why-”

“Because you will win no matter what.”

Raye is a talented girl, but her potential is on par with Jade’s or even higher.

“Hmm. Is that so?”

Solliet swallowed the ice cream with a satisfied expression.

… … .

The world is changing rapidly, but there are places where things move somewhat more slowly. The most representative example is a place called a detention center or prison.

─The jewel… …was rejected.

Interview room.

I’m not going inside, but I’m watching Jedrick and Smith from outside. The atmosphere is a bit eerie.

─Again?

─… … I’m sorry.

Balancer Smith lowered his head at Jedrick’s angry question.

─Ha.

As such, Jedrick is still incarcerated. Bail will not be possible until the trial is over.

Teia is also bound, so you can’t come out.

─This is useless… … !

Jedrick jumped to his feet.

Taaah──!

There was a cracking sound as if flesh was being torn apart. He even grabbed my hand, and I put my lunchbox down on the floor of the interview room.

“Please give this to me after the interview is over.”

I asked the guard.

I don’t want the sparks to fly at me for no reason.

“Yes, I understand.”

… … .

As time passed again, a council of elders was held in Libra.

I was invited to the lush green garden and went up on stage.

“Congratulations.”

An elder named ‘Anakta’ handed me a tie as his representative. It was a blue beroma tie, which meant balancer.

Veroma is a mysterious gem that is both a mineral and a fabric. That means that even a single tie costs 1 million renminbi.

“thank you.”

The elder’s old, wrinkled hands put the tie around my neck. There seemed to be a foul smell in the tip of my nose, but I didn’t show it, and as I was coming down from the stage, someone tapped me on the shoulder.

“Congratulations.”

It was Sonya. My right-hand man, who was Zia’s right-hand man before the regression.

“Balancer. Zion Ascal.”

She looked at me and smiled, and I smiled back.

… … .

There is a garden with artificial sunlight in the basement of the Information Agency. Since the entire Information Agency was built underground, for the sake of the members’ work-life balance-

“Ah, f*ck, this is fucking f*cking f*cking f*cking f*cking f*cking f*cking f*cking fucking crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!”

……anyway.

In such a garden, the inauguration ceremony of the director is taking place today, and the main character, Belmore, is endlessly swearing and throwing a fit in the waiting room.

“Please stop.”

I sighed.

“… … What the hell.”

Belmore sat in his chair with a blank expression. He looked exhausted even before he went on stage.

“How were you?”

“What are you talking about?”

“When it becomes a balancer.”

“I didn’t really think much of it.”

“… …Shit.”

Belmore threw down his speech paper. His forehead was now covered in cold sweat.

“Just read it as it is. It will be over soon.”

20 minutes would have been enough.

“At the banquet, you just need to show your good side only to the elders I have marked.”

“… … .”

Five elders will attend the director’s inauguration ceremony.

Belmore sighed and checked their faces and names.

“And… … this is the team leader appointment.”

I handed him a business document that required the director’s seal.

“Team leader?”

Belmore glanced at me.

“yes.”

“hmm.”

He tilted his head, as if slightly concerned.

“Hey. Can’t you just convince the people who left and bring them back?”

All four team leaders who had joined Gedler’s operation were killed.

Of course, Belmore isn’t telling us to bring the dead back to life right now, and Belmore knows that he’s actually gone.

The passport and other documents were falsified, so the death couldn’t even be confirmed.

“Everyone is determined to leave with Director Gedler.”

“… … Oh, really? Then do whatever you want. I don’t care.”

He lay back down on the sofa, pressing his temples with his thumbs, then turned to me and grinned.

“Hey. I’ll retire after just 5 years.”

For reference, 5 years is the maximum period for receiving retirement benefits.

“Do as you wish, but for now, please memorize the speech first.”

I flipped the speech over in his face.

… … .

Immediately after Belmore’s appointment as director was confirmed.

I called together the chasers who had been active in the Belmore team.

“Nice to meet you.”

It is a direct elite team of 7 people including Sia, Chloe, Jeff, Ruin, and the original members.

“Is this the first time you’ve all gathered together like this? I called you here so that you can get to know each other better.”

Like elites, they just nod their heads without changing their expressions.

“Smile a little. It doesn’t look good when it’s too bleak. Oh, if I have this, you’ll smile.”

I picked up the Libraphone. I made the bonus payment, which required the director’s approval, on my own authority.

Tiring- Tiring-

Everyone’s Libraphone rang simultaneously. The team members who checked the screen couldn’t hold back their laughter.

Even Jeff, who had done a great job assassinating all the very blunt agents and team leaders, smirked.

“… … It’s a lot more than I thought?”

Chloe muttered in surprise.

Probably. I don’t skimp on money.

I distributed all the bonuses and incentives I was supposed to receive to them, so the amount would be one digit more than I expected.

“It’s still too early to be surprised.”

The punishment for wrongdoing must be certain. In that sense, money is merely a compensation.

The real prize is ‘rank’.

“For this team leader appointment, Mr. Sia and Ms. Chloe will be assigned.

Chloe and Sia’s eyes widened.

The two people who met during the previous mission to Jahanna are now team leaders with over a dozen chasers under their command.

So, you will be able to perform your duties sufficiently as an official team leader.

“Tea, team leader?”

The two people had very dark faces.

“Yes. The two of you will be supporting Director Belmore as team leaders, but you will actually be talking to me more. The director hates being on the front lines.”

Chloe nodded resolutely.

“… … I know. Black Curtain Belmore.”

What is the Black Curtain Belmore?

It seems to have a strange notoriety, but it’s not all that bad.

“And Mr. Jeff?”

“yes.”

Jeff answered gravely.

Although he had made many contributions, he was too single-minded to be given the title of team leader.

“You will be working as my direct agent. You will be the direct chaser of the balancer.”

Me – Balancer is now treated as a department, so Jeff is my first employee.

“It is an honor.”

Jeff had a serious look on his face.

“In addition, you will be positioned as ‘real powers’ in the intelligence agency, but you will have to report to me any tasks directly requested from Libra’s higher-ups.”

Libra’s high command assigns specific tasks to the intelligence agency and has them carry them out. Just by gathering the contents of those tasks, I can know what Jedrick and the elders are thinking.

“Everyone, do you understand?”

“””yes !”””

“great.”

Now, as soon as Belmore took office as director, he filled his division with team leaders who would move around actively and encroach on the entire intelligence agency.

“Thank you for your hard work in believing in us and following us in the shadows.”

Belmore’s ambitions, unknown to him, had grown to this extent.

“Now, let’s all get back to work.”

I succeeded in usurping the intelligence agency.