Memoirs of the Returnee
chapter-287

Libra Intelligence Agency, Private Office.

“…Really?”

I received information from Grawl.

—Yes! Mistrone pulled off a big one!

The cat, 'Mistrone', successfully infiltrated Johanna’s residence and dug up quite some significant secrets.

—Johanna… she’s indeed a dangerous person…

Grawl’s voice trembled as if he was scared.

“That’s for sure.”

I had anticipated that Johanna would make a move somehow.

She’s not the type to give up easily.

Perhaps, she’s the type who never gives up.

“S0, she’s the one who devised the scenario?”

—Yes, that’s right.

A scenario to confirm my feelings.

Johanna is meticulous. Therefore, she will create the perfect space and situation, and I will pretend to be oblivious and play along.

It’s an easy task.

“… Unde rstood .”

The end of this lengthy operation is not far off.

However, I don’t know how she will change once she learns all my secrets. It’s a gamble from my perspective too.

Especially since I’m still not sure how much she values me.

■Clap clap clap clap clap.

Suddenly, the sound of applause echoed. It was a resonance that pierced through the walls of the private office.

Creeeak—

Then, the door to my office opened. A man peeked his face in.

It was Bell Moore.

I tilted my head in confusion.

“Team Leader?”

“…Ah, hello.”

He raised his hand high.

“ls there something going on outside?”

“Well… the Director came by. They’re giving applause at the Intelligence

Agency for a successful ope rati on.”

He looked somewhat guilty.

“An operation?”

“That… the one you planned, the one that got leaked.”

He scratched the back of his neck and sat down on the sofa.

“Ah, are you talking about the short-selling operation?”

“Yeah. That one, it’s going really well, they say. The net profit is going to be in the billions of Ren…”

Bell Moore had a look of regret. That was all. There was no animosity or murderous intent towards the Director.

He really is a man far removed from ambition.

“l’m sorry about this.”

Bell Moore spoke as if he was sighing.

“No, it’s alright. I'm actually wondering if they’re popping the champagne too early.”

The billions in profits will soon turn into a catastrophic loss.

By the way, I’ve already given a hint to the [New Frontier] pioneer team. Just in case the future I desire comes too late, or not at all.

‘That article' will be published soon.

“Well, yeah. Ughhhhh ”

He stretched himself out.

“Yaaawwwn ”

His comfortable demeanor, complete with a yawn, was exasperating.

“…Anyway. Aren’t you dissatisfied, Team Leader?”

“With what?”

“lt’s obvious that the Director is keeping you in check.”

“…Ah, that? It’s bound to be like this. I’m the youngest team leader, after all. I have to endure this kind of hazing.”

Bell Moore touched his chin and laughed. I spoke with a meaningful tone.

“lt might be more than just keeping you in check.”

“…What?”

Bell Moore’s expression stiffened slightly.

“I have ears too. I hear rumors.”

“…”

Bell Moore hesitated for a moment but soon resumed his carefree demeanor.

“Man, do you think I don’t have ears? Oh, come on, Ughhh- You wouldn’t know, but Director Gedley isn’t like that. We went to college together. It’s normal for juniors to pay their dues to their seniors.”

He got up.

“Anyway, since you’re okay with it, I’m out. Take care, man.”

Whistling cheerfully, he left, and I was left speechless at his departing figure.

For the past two months, I’ve established a regular schedule.

As a Chaser, I exchange information and report on the status of the Intelligence Agency and other matters with Zia.

…Wait a minute.

Zia, in the video call, spoke with a tone of surprise. It was because of the information I had shared today.

—SO… she’s really come to like you…?

Zia seemed amazed by the idea.

“…lt’s not certain yet, but I will definitely draw her in Miss Zia.”

—Ah… I actually… got a message from her…

“ls it a business trip notification?”

—Yes.

I nodded.

READ ON SERENETRANSLATION. I'M THINKING ABOUT DELAYING DAILY RELEASES TO

WEEKLY CAUSE PEOPLE KEEP STEALING AND POSTING ON THEIR SITE.

“Just follow the scenario as planned.”

…Okay. I will. What about you?

Zia looked at me intently. I smiled slightly.

“ITI be fine.”

—Then… shall we eat something now?

“Yes.”

I hadn’t realized before, but Zia likes to eat while facing someone.

Of course, she might just be pretending to like it, but our regular reports always ended with dinner.

However, Zia herself doesn’t eat much. Just a banana, a potato, and a piece of chicken breast.

On the other hand, I always prepared a full meal. My developed cooking skills allowed me to prepare a variety of menus every day.

…Shion, you always enjoy your food.

Zia said this with a laugh in her voice.

This is how she responds positively.

“Thank you.”

As I grew closer to her, pretending to be influenced and gradually assimilating, I naturally came to understand.

Zia has a peculiar charm. I think I understand now why so many people have sworn almost religious levels of loyalty to her.

Perhaps the ability to make people her allies is Zia’s [Spectrum] .

But I mustn't approach her carelessly. Zia dislikes intrusion. She avoids people who come too close for comfort.

Even if she treats me comfortably, I must maintain a proper distance.

—Wrap up some meat in lettuce and eat it too.

“Yes.”

I wrapped the meat in lettuce. I ate as she told me to.

—How is it?

“lt tastes fine.”

…Good.

Zia looked satisfied vicariously.

At first glance, she might seem quite innocent and naive, but she’s the woman who will one day take over as Chairman of Edsilla.

I must never let my guard down.

…You’ve got something on your cheek.

“Ah. Yes.”

I hastily wiped away the rice. Zia smiled broadly, and I bowed my head, pretending to be embarrassed.

Johanna had summoned Zia under the pretext of a business trip. The specific project name was 'Scouting for a New Casino Site.’

“lt’s the desert. We’re building a casino in the desert.”

“ln the desert… really?”

“Yes.”

In a limousine heading towards the barren desert, Johanna looked at Zia sitting next to her and smirked.

“ITI give you the right to participate in the business.”

“A casino… in the desert.”

“Don’t doubt it. When have my businesses ever failed?”

A casino in the desert. It seemed like a far-fetched idea, but on second thought, it might just be possible because it’s the desert.

Zia nodded.

“Yes, sister… But what about Shion…?”

“Ah. Let’s not talk about that guy.”

Johanna waved her hand dismissively.

“He’s too fussy. You keep him.”

“…”

Zia looked at Johanna’s face, which was as expressionless as usual.

“But, does that guy like you or something?”

“Me?”

“He’s loyal to you.”

Johanna asked with a uncharacteristic edge

“He says he’s carrying on his father’s will… to me…”

Zia fidgeted with her fingers as she replied. Johanna shrugged nonchalantly.

“Right. Make good use of him. He seems like he’s not a bad guy.”

Zia cautiously glanced out the window.

There were no escort vehicles. It was unlikely for someone as meticulous as Johanna to move around alone like this.

Could it be that the scenario was about to begin—

Just as she was pondering.

The entire exterior of the limousine was engulfed in darkness. Zia flinched, and Johanna furrowed her brow.

“What’s this”

Bang-

With a loud explosion, the car body lifted off the ground.

……

Balancer ‘Vitro’ visited my Intelligence Agency office. He pushed his glasses up and handed me a file.

“This is a top-secret mission.”

“…AU of a sudden?”

I feigned ignorance and furrowed my brow as I asked.

“This mission is more important than anything else right now. The moment you open this file, you are part of the operation, and you must not disclose this fact to anyone.”

Vitro spoke urgently. He looked disheveled, unlike his usual self. I hesitated for a moment before opening the file.

The moment I saw the documents inside, my expression twitched. To be exact, I made my expression twitch.

It was an act of pretending to be calm while internally I was greatly surprised.

“Is this true?”

“lt happened 5 minutes ago.”

I stood up from my seat.

“Please head to the site immediately.”

“…Am I going alone?”

I asked while putting on my coat.

“Yes.”

“We’U need more people, won’t we?”

“The master’s business trip was a confidential matter. That means information has been leaked from within. Therefore, we cannot supplement our internal staff. We don’t know who the traitor is.”

Vitro said convincingly.

“Shion Chaser, you are an outsider whom the master trusts.”

“…I understand for now.”

“The golden time is 48 hours. I will control the internal affairs, so we will communicate via satellite radio.”

Vitro handed me a radio. I was about to head out when I hesitated and turned back.

“But, Mr. Vitro. What were you doing while the two were being kidnapped?”

I asked with a hint of hostility. Vitro bit his lip tightly.

“…lt was my mistake. I admit it.”

Vitro, the embodiment of FM (Facial Management), was certainly FM in his acting as well. His tone, expression, and eye contact were stable without a hint of wavering.

Perfect.

“…Yes.”

I left the Intelligence Agency, inwardly admiring his performance.

…

I arrived at the crime scene quickly. At the entrance to the southern part of Edsilla, leading to the desert nation of Arahall. There were traces of magic and fragments of the car’s body left at that border area, and nothing else.

Is this the concept?

Tsk- I clicked my tongue.

I knelt down and placed my hand on the ground. With my eyes closed, I called upon the memory that remained here.

A limousine moving forward. A black veil enveloping it entirely. After that, the limousine completely disappeared.

Seems like they’ve hired some pretty capable people.

Drring—

A ringtone sounded from somewhere. I looked around.

Drring—

It wasn’t my phone, but the ringing continued.

Drring—

I searched for the source of the sound.

Drring—

It was deep in the desert sand. An old-fashioned cellphone was buried in the sand.

I picked it up.

Drring—

I answered the call.

“…”

I waited quietly, and the person on the other end spoke first.

—I’m watching.

At that moment, I quickly looked around. There was no significant sign of anyone’s presence.

—Are you alone?

“Alone. Do you want a ransom?”

The person on the other end didn’t respond.

After about a minute of silence, they spoke.

—I will leave the coordinates. Prepare 100 million Ren and come here alone. If you’re not alone, I will execute the hostages we’ve captured.

Click-

The call was abruptly cut off. Then, a text with the coordinates came through. Fortunately, it wasn’t too far away.

“…Tsk. What a filthy concept.”

I clicked my tongue and moved out.

For now, I planned to follow the scenario as much as possible.

…….

I arrived at the designated coordinates. It was a rundown factory on the border of the desert nation of Arahall. I had arranged for the money through Vitro.

“…IS it you?”

In the abandoned factory, there was a man sitting with an air of arrogance.

“Sit down.”

His face was covered with a mask, and his body was clad entirely in black.

He smiled.

I approached and sat opposite him.

Thud—

I placed the briefcase full of money on the table.

“Hmm. Libra is indeed wealthy. To produce 100 million Ren so quickly.”

“Aren’t you afraid of the consequences?”

“…I am afraid. But the anticipation is also there.”

He smirked, and I hardened my expression.

“There’s no time for chit-chat. Start with the location of the hostages.”

“Hmm… Which hostages?”

“…Sigh.”

I sighed and gripped the sword at my waist. He spread his palms.

“Calm down. I need a way to keep living too. Choose just one of them.”

“lf you’re playing games”

“lt’s not a game. Right now, the place where the hostages are being held is filled with toxic gas. In exactly 24 hours, both will die. If you kill me, naturally, they will die as well.”

He grinned maliciously.

“S0 choose one first. Once you leave to save one hostage, then I’ll tell you the location of the second.”

“How can I trust you?”

I asked him rationally. He twisted his lips and rested his hand on the table.

He spoke with a cold, villainous calm.

“…lf you don’t trust me, both will die.”

It seems this is the scenario Johanna has prepared.

In the end, I have to save someone first. The first hostage can definitely be saved, but the second might die at any moment.

Who will my choice be directed towards?

“…”

I glared at the man.

If it were the old me, I would have killed this scum and peered through his memory, but now, following Johanna’s will was the best course of action. I had to show as much as she ‘wished’ to see.

As if chewing over the name, I spoke someone’s name.

“…Johanna.”

His expression twitched.

“Where is Lady Johanna?”