Memoirs of the Returnee - Chapter 324



Only Noblemtl

The Regressor’s Notepad 324

Flow (2)

I appointed personnel to key positions in the intelligence agency.

I put ‘Ruin’ as the head of the cyber team that collects information from networks including the dark web, and ‘Chloe’ and ‘Sia’ naturally took the two positions of the five team leaders, and I also put my people in the security team.

Now all the intelligence flows are focused on me. More precisely, on Growl.

He will sort and organize the information, pass on the relevant information to me, and manage the intelligence agency on my behalf.

“… … .”

anyway.

I am not a team leader.

However, the new office is as spacious as the team leader’s, and the layout is familiar. It’s because I inherited the place that Belmore used to use.

I won’t be visiting the Information Bureau as often as I used to, but it’s better than nothing.

I came out of the office.

I walked down the hallway.

The staff of the various departments of the Information Agency were still busy. They were no different from ordinary office workers. Occasionally, chasers would walk by with their necks erect, but when they met me, they would shrink like Zara.

They were all people of Libra.

However, not all of them were bound by the belief in ‘Libra’.

The reason Libra can command them, the reason they are willing to command them, is probably money.

To make money as an individual, to live a better life.

There is a continuity in their lives, a continuity that I don’t have, and that drives them.

Even though I know I won’t live forever, I’m still running towards a predictable future.

I’m living hard.

You pour yourself into work, but at home you probably enjoy a can of beer and a chicken.

They are tiny cogs that make up the giant gear that is the information agency… … .

* * *

At the Libra elder council, I was chosen as the balancer. Thankfully, it was a near-unanimous majority vote by the elders, including my direct line.

Actually, Jedrick, Jahanna, Jade, and Zia all agreed, so it was probably just a formality, but anyway.

It hasn’t been confirmed yet.

The final step remains.

“… … I didn’t know you would come up this quickly.”

Bellingham Canta. He looked at me and smiled.

“Yes. Your achievements are truly amazing.”

Sagrak- Sagrak-

He flipped through the documents detailing my career, page by page.

“The Ultimate Stone, Cafe Balance, Golden Casino, dealing with Bendek, solving the Beckman case, arresting Bancheon Sejak, Bern, Teia Isil… … .”

widely!

He covered the papers.

“I have never seen anyone perform so heroically in such a short period of time.”

Kanta twisted one corner of his mouth.

“Of course, you showed potential from the first time we met.”

“yes.”

I just nodded.

There is no need to say things like thank you or honor, because we are now the same balancer.

“However, there is still a very difficult final stage left to confirm the original balance. It’s called a ‘hearing’… … Do you know?”

“I know.”

Balancer is an outsider to Libra, but is treated as an insider. That’s why he is expected to undergo a more rigorous hearing than the ministerial positions of most countries. It’s like digging up and digging up the past of his family and clan, as well as himself.

“So, originally, today was the hearing day. It was the day.”

But I don’t have a family, and my family line is very clean.

Since they are such a dusty family, their only history is probably that they served Libra.

“Unusually, we concluded that there was no need for Mr. Zion to do that.”

Bellingham chuckled and held something out.

“sleep.”

I got it.

“It’s the key. Balancers are assigned a private room in District 1, the Libra Mansion.”

No. 309.

It was probably the most secluded spot.

Even among the same balancers, there is a hierarchy, so as Jia’s balancer, I will be treated as the lowest level.

“Congratulations. You can check out the accommodations today.”

Bellingham held out his hand.

“yes.”

It was a handshake that there was no reason to refuse.

I left Bellingham’s office. Before leaving, I looked back at the sign that said [Office].

It was amazing. The fact that there was an [office] in Libra’s mansion meant that she was trusted to that extent.

But now that I know the inside story of Bellingham, the meaning of that ‘trust’ is quite complicated.

Libra only allows this level of trust to ‘humans who were meant to be her servants from the beginning.’

Sometimes, a question arises.

Can I beat him in this loyalty contest?

I walked quietly down the hallway of the mansion. I slowly found room 309 and opened the door.

“… … ?”

But there was someone there first. She was struggling to move furniture.

“……miss?”

I called her. Gia flinched and looked back at me in surprise.

“Zion… … You’re here early… … The hearing is over already… … ?”

“There was no such thing as a hearing.”

“… … Thank goodness.”

Gia smiled and pointed to the sofa.

“Sit down… … . It’s a gift.”

“Oh. I also have a gift.”

I have an artifact to give to Jia. [Geez, Will]. I got it from the Glofeld family in exchange for a favor, but there’s no other route to buy it anyway.

“Take it.”

I will give it to my lord

“… … Huh.”

Zia let out a startled sound. Her eyes seemed to immediately recognize the value of the will-o’-the-wisps. Her pupils changed into sparkling money shapes.

“Where… … am I… … ?”

The excuse was already prepared.

“I bought it cheap from an astrologer.”

* * *

[‘Soul Bleacher’ Jedrick, the first trial begins… … .]

The Jedrick trial began. The main issue was whether Jedrick was responsible or not. In other words, Jedrick wanted to prove that it was the unilateral action of a subordinate researcher, and most of Jedrick’s legal team, as well as the Chasers and Balancers, were on his side.

It was a concentration of power that would have been a mistake for Jedrick.

“……huh.”

Zia looked at Zion and smiled faintly.

“I think I can do it.

“Is that so?”

Zion put the pudding down for Zia. It was today’s dessert.

“Yeah… … You just have to get the timing right.”

Zia’s power grew. It was thanks to the tremendous development of [lithium]. The weapons industry swallowed up the back alleys of Edsilla, and the money pouring in was enough to swallow up Jedrick’s imperfect governance structure.

Above all, the largest [Zedrick Industries] and [Zedrick Commercial District] came into my hands for free.

Gia took a bite of the pudding.

“……it’s good.”

“That’s fortunate.”

Zion smiled. Zia muttered while munching on the pudding.

“The problem is… … the elders.”

“Yes, probably.”

Among the elders, those who serve Jedrick will try to prevent Zia’s usurpation.

Just because you’re an elder doesn’t mean you’ll stay an elder forever, if you lose in the battle for succession, you could be kicked out of the Hanging Gardens or killed.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of the elders.”

“… … Yeah. Thank you.”

Jia laughed bashfully.

“Yes. Zion.”

“yes.”

“I’m over there… … .”

Zia pointed out the window, to the mansion of the immediate family. It was located almost directly across from Zion’s guest room.

“Is that so?”

Zion chuckled.

“If anything happens, please signal through the window. We will be there right away.”

“……now.”

Jia muttered something meaningful.

“yes?”

“Let’s try it now.”

Then he went out carrying a plate of pudding.

Soon after, she appeared in her room. She pulled back the curtain and gave a signal to Zion.

Zion also smiled bitterly and waved his arms.

… … .

Jahanna looked up at them from the garden on the first floor. Inside, Zia and Zion were sending each other hand signals.

I had no intention of seeing it. I had no desire to see it.

It was purely coincidental.

“Your Majesty, Jahanna. Here.”

The secretary handed her a document that required her signature. She signed it without even looking at it.

“… … .”

Zion smiles at Zia, and Zia smiles at Zion.

It was an awkward scene for Jahanna.

Why is this so damned annoying?

“……under.”

A sigh of relief escapes me, and I feel quite uneasy.

However, you must not interfere with their friendship. You must not be jealous.

Because Jahanna is no longer confident. Because she now knows that today’s happiness will return with twice as much sadness.

Jahanna cannot approach him because she is thinking about the future.

I don’t have the courage to believe that your death has nothing to do with me.

Yeah, you’re a coward.

If my efforts could save you, if Yuhains’ Mana Accelerator could be fully invented and extend your lifespan, I would run barefoot and hug you right now.

That’s not true.

That can’t be happening.

A mana accelerator is only a very remote possibility.

Because I was afraid of the wounds that Zion’s death would inflict on me one day, because I couldn’t bear the sight of her spitting out blood before my eyes, because I was afraid of the emotions that would break my heart.

Jahanna is trying hard to avoid it.

“… … .”

He clenched his fists, but quietly lowered his gaze. He ignored the dark embers burning in his chest.

“egg plant.”

“yes.”

If you hold on, it will work out.

Until Zion dies.

Zion Ascal is also hoping for that.

He loves me, so he probably doesn’t want me to get sick… … .

* * *

The ‘Belaros Prison’ is much worse, dirtier, and harsher than Jedrick’s detention center.

“This is an interview.”

Teia Isil came out to the interview room wearing a dangling magic restraint. Most of her visits had been rejected so far, but today she was allowed.

The reason was not difficult to understand.

“… … You’re here.”

It was Zion Ascal. She looked at his tie more than anything else.

It was the balancer’s tie.

“You sold me out and got promoted.”

“Yes. Well, that’s what happened.”

Zion frowned, rubbing the back of his neck.

“But it’s cold here. Lord Jedrick is in a very warm place.”

“… … .”

“what.”

He placed his lunch box on the interview table.

“I know it’s not much of a thank you, but would you mind having a meal?”

Teia laughed in vain. A murderous intent was seething inside her. Her eyes were sharpened like blades.

“It’s okay if you don’t eat it now. You can eat it in the detention center. Trust me. I’m confident in the taste. I won’t compromise on the taste at all.”

Teia raised her body.

There’s no need to talk to a crazy person who talks crazy stuff.

“… … Yes. Goodbye.”

Zion also did not expect anything to happen during their first meeting today. In fact, today’s meeting was simply a pretext.

“See you next time.”

A pretext to defend Teia’s treatment at the ‘Council of Elders’.

… … .

Libra’s elders often hold meetings, especially when there are important matters to be addressed, as the elders have strong connections with the parliament and various state institutions.

The Teia incident is clearly a major event.

“I think he deserves the death penalty.”

It was the words of Elder ‘Anakta’. He spoke with satisfaction about the conversation he had with the chief inspector.

“Then, then. Of course I should kill him.”

This time, it was an elder named ‘Belanta’. She had the impression of a real gentle grandmother who had been with Jedrick since he was young, but

“How dare you touch our baby. That bitch, even if you tear her to pieces, it won’t be enough… .”

The voice that made her groan was fierce. The way she clenched her teeth and wiggled her wrinkles was as vicious as a demon.

“… … .”

Before the return, Teia Isil’s death was the result of this old-fashioned boasting of connections and chaotic meetings.

When I found out the inside story, I was truly dumbfounded.

This wasn’t the image of an elder I had in mind.

Indeed, people far away, hidden places, seem to be covered with layers of fear and dread.

But when all the veils are lifted─

“It seems like buying will be easy… … Well, I guess they just have to give it a little bit. How much liquid capital do you all have?”

“I don’t have much. I lost it all betting on golf.”

“You’re all old, so you still play golf?”

We eventually come to realize that these so-called elders are just ordinary people.

“No. Before we discuss that, first. Balancer Zion.”

Suddenly a camel saw me.

For your information, I attended the Elder Council as the person in charge of the Teia Ishil Building.

“What do you think? I guess it’s the death penalty?”

To his question, which had a clear answer, I nodded quietly.

“……capital punishment.”

Of course, I intend to prevent the death penalty, but the elders are stubborn. They hate anything that goes against their will. The symbol of the tree frog is disgustingly strong.

Because they are old people who cannot age gracefully, but rather grow old foolishly in greed and desire.

thus.

“Of course. Teia Isil deserves to die.”

“also!”

“I knew you would think so too. That’s why you wove Teia Ishil so exquisitely. Haha.”

“──But.”

At first glance, he pretends to agree, but then slowly starts roasting him behind his back.

If it doesn’t boil well, hit the back of the head as a tactic.

“Before you make a rash decision.”

Either way, Teia Isil’s life and death are in my hands.

“Would you like to listen to my story… … ?”

It was a very positive scenario compared to before the regression.