Memoirs of the Returnee
chapter-263

Desire and Ambition (1)

Johanna safely returned with Shion AscaL When she opened her eyes, she was somewhere within the magic space she had entered.

Meanwhile, the [Abyss] designed by Beckman had closed from the inside, and Beckman himself was trapped there forever.

“...This bastard was the mastermind."

After the situation had concluded, in Johanna’s office at the Libra fortress.

Johanna pointed at Ben, who was tied up on the floor with his glasses askew. Shion Ascal also looked at him. The trembling wretch looked like a baby cockroach.

"What do you wish for?"

“I wish for nothing. The execution is the right of Lady Johanna.”

He had left Ben's punishment up to her.

Indeed, it was the right thing to do. The scum had dared to lay hands on the direct lineage.

Shion Ascal spoke.

"More importantly, I am relieved that you are unharmed."

Johanna quietly observed him.

Thus, this man never crosses the line. He clearly distinguishes between what he can do and what he must not do.

“I shall take my leave now."

Shion bowed his head.

Johanna stopped him as he was about to leave.

"What about the third team’s move-in mission?”

"You must have received the report by now. I have investigated and submitted it without any deficiencies, so the move-in mission has concluded."

As he said, there was no longer a need for him. Thanks to the countless recorders and cameras he had installed in this magic space, and the perfect report, Johanna’s camp would have superior intelligence.

Johanna only felt regret

Right now, at this very moment, she wanted to make him an offer.

'How about becoming my knight?

However, if she were to do so, she knew all too well what Shion’s answer would be.

Because now she understood his character.

"Shion Ascal.”

Instead, she savored his name on her tongue. The coiled pronunciation was pleasing to hear.

"Yes.”

He responded.

She was curious.

Why did this man, who 'seemed to like her' and felt a proper sense of kinship with, want to be by Zia's side?

"What is your reason for serving Zia?”

He looked at her. His face was as calm as ever, but this time he uttered something a bit unexpected.

“It was my father's wish."

"Your father?"

"Yes."

It was slightly perplexing, but Johanna actually knew about Shion’s father. A low-ranking knight of Libra who had died in action more than a decade ago.

"Did your father serve Zia?”

"He wished to, but he did not have the capacity to do so.”

"What... really?"

The notion of carrying on his father’s legacy seemed like a pretext, and to Johanna, a father was an enigmatic figure.

Sherlock of Libra.

He was too cold and barren to be called a father, prioritizing the family over his children or even himself.

A man who seemed not human, but rather the embodiment of the ‘Libra’ family itself.

She had probably faced him no more than thirty times in her life.

He was even more of a stranger to her than her mother, who had passed away early.

“...It’s complicated."

Johanna waved her hand dismissively.

"Go on, then.”

Holding onto him for too long would only arouse unnecessary suspicion from Zia.

"Yes."

Shion left the room.

As if on a shift change, a Balancer entered just as he departed.

"Will you let him go just like that?”

It was Balancer Vitro. Since Beckman’s barrier bomb had been specifically targeted at Johanna, all the Balancers who had been dispatched were unharmed.

"Why? Did you take a liking to him?”

Johanna asked Vitro. He adjusted his glasses and nodded.

"He’s a rare talent Having him under you would be of great assistance.”

“I know.”

Even the discerning eyes of Belingham, and now Vitro, had given him favorable evaluations.

Johanna was more convinced than ever today.

Shion Ascal is a knight too good for Zia.

“Just give the order on how to proceed.”

Vitro gestured towards Ben, who was bound in magical restraints, unable to speak, see, or hear.

Snap—

Johanna flicked her finger, loosening part of the restraints.

Now he would be able to hear.

"Proceed...?”

In the past, perhaps.

“First, I would have torn out his fingernails and toenails, cut off his fingers and toes, sliced his skin, ripped out his bones, extracted his organs...”

Ben’s back was soaked with cold sweat Johanna watched him for a moment, then clicked her tongue in annoyance.

"That’s enough. Such things are tiresome now. Just throw him in jail.”

"Yes, I will do so.”

Even the task of torturing people was becoming wearisome. Perhaps it was time for her to retire.

After handing Ben over to Vitro, she sat down in her chair.

For a moment, she quietly contemplated Shion.

It was a fleeting thought.

She wanted to possess him.

Even if it meant becoming an enemy of Zia.

Inside [Bethune], Soliette thought They would soon reach their destination.

The journey unfolded as she had anticipated. After passing through a dark and damp path, they arrived at what seemed to be the final stop—a ‘castle’ that loomed ahead.

“...Finally, a place where Knightmare might be.”

The party member [Karl] spoke.

Soliette looked up at the place and nodded.

"That’s right”

Until now, she had been pondering about Knightmare. Thinking about it.

About the reason she had come to this place, about the tiny hint she had found on the internet

And also...

About Jared Arkne, who now stood by her side.

"Shall we go in right away?

[Karl] asked.

"No.”

Soliette shook her head.

“I have a friend to meet."

She would now join him.

Together with him, she would find her answers.

It might be painful, sad, or infuriating.

But one thing was certain: they would encounter Knightmare.

However...

"Oh- a friend, you mean that gambler fellow from before?”

"Yes.”

Knightmare.

He might not be the kind of being she had vaguely imagined.

He might not be a demon.

“I will log off for a moment”

Soliette smiled faintly and turned to Jared.

"Mr. Jared. Could I ask you to wait until I return?”

Jared also showed a smile.

"Yes.”

Just like the old days, the same as when they had lived together for many years.

Soliette held back a surge of tears as she logged off.

Meanwhile, at the Libra Intelligence Agency.

"—That bastard mongrel piece of shit.”

The eldest son, Derek, was on edge. The atmosphere in the Intelligence Agency was as if a fuse was burning down.

The upcoming election was near, and the conflict with Vern had almost reached its peak.

“...We’ve collected all the shit Vern spread on the internet.”

Therefore, Intelligence Agency Chief Gedler had to face Derek directly.

"Vern is preparing a lawsuit by recruiting victims and bereaved families from the Zergen case.”

“...Zergen? Wasn’t that case already buried?”

Derek pressed his temples.

Zergen was a pharmaceutical company he ran. There had been an incident in the past where a clinical trial on humans went awry, resulting in half of the 300 participants becoming disabled or dying.

“It seems they have secured the cooperation of the families who didn’t agree to a settlement."

‘...Ha.’

Derek clenched his fist tightly, grinding his teeth.

"Snarling like a lowly, low-class mongrel.”

Right now, Vern was charging in with vengeance, as if ready to see things through to the bitter end.

It was as if the severing of a finger—that had been one of his own senators—had set the whole body ablaze.

"Additionally, I know this might not be the right time, but here's the proposal for the team leader election."

Director Gedler handed over the proposal for the election of the sixth team leader of the Intelligence Agency.

“Elaine, Patrovich, Kiyom, Bell Moore—there are four candidates. Our man is Elaine.”

Gedler hoped for his own confidant, Elaine, to be elected.

He expected that Derek would heed his request, as the appointment of the team leader was somewhat a foregone conclusion—

“Let’s go with Bell Moore.”

However, Derek suddenly mentioned a different name.

Gedler asked tactfully, without showing his surprise.

"Bell Moore's career is too short.”

“I know. But if I put my own man in place, Johanna will surely tackle us again. We don’t need to widen the front lines right now.”

Bell Moore might as well be serving me anyway.

With that, Derek signed the document with his own hand.

Thump—!

Before Gedler could say anything, Derek stamped it with a magical seal.

“...Understood.”

Gedler turned around.

"Go on. Right now, discussing how to counter Vern is our top priority.”

“...Yes.”

With a dismissive wave of his hand, as if shooing away a mosquito, Derek watched as Gedler bowed and left.

[Intelligence Agency Team Leader Bell Moore]

“Hehe~”

In the Intelligence Agency team leader's office, Bell Moore was polishing his nameplate with a handkerchief, smirking to himself.

I stood in the center, scanning the interior of the office.

Firstly, it’s spacious. It looked like you could line up about ten filing cabinets along the wall, and there was a secretary’s office attached; you’d need the secretary’s permission to enter.

"Bell Moore, sir."

"Hey, hey. What’s with the 'sir1? You should change how you address me now.”

Bell Moore looked at me with a feigned stern expression.

"Team Leader Bell Moore."

"That’s right What is it?”

"Congratulations. Are you aiming for the director’s position next?"

I asked subtly about the prospect of becoming the director.

The term of the Intelligence Agency’s director wasn't formally established, which meant they could be pulled down at anytime.

In that regard, Gedler had been in his position for too long.

A full 15 years.

Before I returned, even at the time of my death, he remained the director, a vile creature who repeated all sorts of horrific deeds.

“Ah. I'm not interested in becoming the director. I’m satisfied here.”

"You’re the youngest team leader, aren’t you?”

"Yeah. That’s exactly why I’m satisfied. If I try to climb any higher, I might just trip up."

Bell Moore settled into the team leader’s chair, lifting the exclusive fountain pen from the desk with a chuckle of admiration.

"What happens if you trip? You fall?”

“Isn’t it worth the challenge?

"Don’t mess with me. Do you think Director Gedler is someone to take lightly? Tomorrow, I’ll be at dinner, licking his boots."

“Is that so?"

I raised my eyebrows slightly.

Bell Moore drew a line under his own throat with the side of his hand.

"Right now, if we’re talking about climbing a mountain, I’m about 80% of the way up. Sure, I could go higher. But if I trip down to the base of the mountain, I wouldn't end up with just a bruise, right? If I trip here, I’m dead.”

Bell Moore is, of course, this kind of person.

Surprisingly content with his lot, aiming to live well and unnoticed in the best position he can enjoy.

And indeed, he’s someone who actually achieves that goal—

“From what I see, you don’t seem satisfied.”

You’re not satisfied right now.

Instead, with greedy eyes brimming with desire, you’re looking at the director’s nameplate.

Soon enough, everyone in the Intelligence Agency will probably think the same as I do.

"...Are you insane? What are you saying? I’m telling you I'm satisfied. Eat this.”

Bell Moore flipped me the middle finger.

Not very team leader-like, crude.

"Yes."

I shrugged my shoulders.

"Then, I'll take my leave.”

"Yeah. Hey, next time you come, contact the secretary first There’s a procedure, you know? I’ll probably let you in anyway—"

I left without listening to the rest of his words.

I strolled quietly down the corridor of the Intelligence Agency.

Just walking aimlessly like this.

"Hey. Congratulations?”

Someone will always strike up a conversation.

Especially today, since Bell Moore became the team leader.

"Your direct superior is a team leader now. You've chosen your side well, haven’t you?

"Thank you.”

I nodded briefly. The Chaser before me looked quite surprised.

"Oh- You know how to say such things now?”

I gave the guy a friendly smile.

I know this bastard’s face. He's a Chaser named ‘David’ from Team 3.

Moreover, Team Leader David is not in Director Gedler’s faction.

So, I'm being friendly to a guy who’s not in the director's faction.

"If you need any help with work, feel free to contact me anytime. I'll be on my way."

"Huh? Oh, yeah... sure, go ahead."

I walked past him and down the corridor. I didn't so much as twitch my chin at those from Gedler’s faction that I passed by.

In this way, the method of distinguishing factions is surprisingly simple. After all, society is made up of the attitudes between people.

“...Did that rookie get a collar around his neck or something?"

“That rookie really lacks manners. Doesn't Bell Moore teach him anything?

"He’s become a team leader now-"

Before long, the Intelligence Agency will be divided into two forces.

One side will be Director Gedler, the other Bell Moore.

Even if Bell Moore himself doesn't want it, I plan to make it so.

Perhaps in about three months, Bell Moore will find himself the unwitting head of the ‘anti-director faction.'

“...Hmm.”

I looked back over my shoulder. At the end of the corridor hung the sign [Intelligence Agency Team 6 Leader's Office].

I smirked, gazing at it.

“It won't be bad. Some people want to be the director but can't”

Johanna returned to the Aerial Garden.

The move into the magic space was cleanly cleared.

Shion Ascal’s contributions were significant. Thanks to the cameras, recording devices, and information network he installed, all battles were easily won.

As a result, Libra's Johanna secured the largest area and the most valuable land.

"Zia. Is she here?”

As soon as she arrived at the mansion in Section 0, she asked her attendants. They shook their heads.

"Where did she go?

"She said she had some business... and would be away from home for a few days."

"Tell her I have something to talk about when she returns.”

"Yes.”

Johanna immediately went into her room. She threw off the clothes and heavy weapons she had used in the magic space.

“...It’s hot.”

She headed straight for the shower. She calmed herself as she washed her body with hot water.

Her heart was hot.

It throbbed as if it would burst, and some heat rose from beneath her chest

Soon, she would have to speak to Zia.

Perhaps even force her.

"Shion Ascal.”

The best treasure that the youngest, Zia, had in her grasp.

“I’ll set its value at the highest in the world."

She twisted up her wet hair and took a deep breath.