Chapter 44

“Jeremy, why did you stop the operation?” asked Mr. Strat, who was clearly emotional. After taking a seat, his gesture of ignoring the apple juice makes it apparent.

“Strat, the organization does not only work for you,” Jeremy reminded him. “We have more issues to consider. Now that David has attracted attention from many parties, along with Hans’ influence, we might cause an unexpected situation if we take any further action against David. That is what the organization does not want to see!” he added, in a deep voice as he wiped the smile off his face.

David, who was next door, had overheard his name. Coincidentally, he found out that there was another organization targeting him in the dark. It confirmed his conjecture earlier.

“Jeremy, I have been weary, and the wrinkles on my face are increasing.” Mr. Strat said in resignation. “Can the organization grant me a bottle of ‘Holy Water of Immortality’?” he asked politely while feeling his cheek.

“Strat, you know how precious the Holy Water of Immortality is. You’re only from the external department of the organization. You can’t expect to have the Holy Water of Immortality without making any contribution,” Trainer Jeremy refuted as he shook his head in disapproval.

“You can’t blame me for David’s case,” Mr. Strat argued. “The organization promised to take action to get rid of him, but it hasn’t been successful!” He raised his voice slightly as he further exclaimed.

“Are you blaming the organization?” Trainer Jeremy questioned with a stern gaze, which subsided quickly as he explained in a soft voice, “I personally hatched the plot and used spiritual interference, which should have been foolproof!”

Mr. Strat remained silent. He also wondered why David was still alive despite how systematic the scheme devised by the organization was.

“It should be the unintentional interference of the Sky Wolf Mercenary Corps that weakened my influence on David’s mind, thus making it possible for David to survive!” The fact that David was still alive was actually rather confusing for Trainer Jeremy as well. He was just wanted to come up with an explanation for Mr. Strat.

Trainer Jeremy couldn’t fathom how an ordinary high school student like David could break free of his spiritual interference.

It was a seamless plan. David, a high school student with his curiosity about new things, his worship towards unknown civilizations, and his desire for greater strength became the impetus for him to attempt the sacrifice.

That could have caused the death of a child of a statesman to seem like an accident, one which could not be publicized. Leave it to the authorities to downplay the matter.

However, it turned out that David was still alive. In fact, the deaths of several armorers outside his residence brought a lot of attention to him, who was initially unnoticed.

It stirred the pot enough to get big shots like Galen to step in, who was beyond Trainer Jeremy’s control. Alas, all actions against David came to a sudden halt.

“Jeremy, can’t the organization repay me with a bottle of Holy Water of Immortality?” Mr. Strat begged again. He no longer spoke with authority. He continued, “Don’t worry, just wait for the matter to blow over, and I’ll arrange to have David killed. By then, Hans will have definitely collapsed, given his physical condition. His title of ‘Statesman’ will be passed on to my grandson, Eddie. But his current age will make him ineligible, and Bersha is a woman who doesn’t ask about much. Therefore, the Statesman title will end up in my name!” he proclaimed enthusiastically, in hopes of reassuring Trainer Jeremy.

“Strat, don’t you understand? If you can directly kill the relative of a statesman, both the police and the military will leave no stones unturned, risking even the organization!” Trainer Jeremy hollered in a deep voice.

“However, David only has six months left in Pelan City. Given Galen’s ability, David will surely enter Nan University, and it will be impossible to deal with David by then!” Mr. Strat said anxiously.

“Hans’ Statesman title is a rare one that can be passed on thrice, and Hans himself has never used his right to make an option as a statesman before. The Statesman title is something that the organization must clinch. There is no doubt about that. We can only deal with David when the security is relaxed. The organization will then arrange another scheme for him to get into another accident. You should not interfere with this matter anymore!” Trainer Jeremy said in a harsher tone.

David finally understood what those people wanted after hearing it.

The ‘Statesman’ title was the highest title that a frontline armorer could receive. The authority that came with it was extremely high. The statesman has the right to make a choice under his own volition, once after returning. He is granted to freely choose among the key positions in essential departments.

As for Hans, his declining health didn’t give him much of an option other than a decent retirement job in the Legal Department of Pelan City.

For the first time, David had come to realize that Hans was capable of passing on his title of ‘Statesman’ thrice. This information was somewhat related to the credit that was established.

Usually, a Statesman title in itself was already considered a rarity. Statesmen who could, however, transfer their title thrice were almost impossible.

It is for this reason that this secret organization’s interest in the Statesman title grew deeper, more so upon knowing that it could be passed on thrice. For them, obtaining Hans’ title meant that they could expand and plant one of their own in an essential department of the Star Federation, at least once.

They were aware that Hans wanted to leave that opportunity to David. Hence, it is of utmost importance that David was taken care of.

Upon putting things into perspective, David reckoned their intentions towards him, although the organization’s identity remains a mystery.

Even though Mr. Strat and Trainer Jeremy met in secret and openly discussed their scheme on how to deal with the relatives of the Statesman, not one slip of the tongue about their organization’s identity occurred.

To them, the organization’s identity probably outweighs all of that.

“Jeremy, what about the Holy Water of Immortality?” Mr. Strat egged again, no longer bothered by pride.

When Hans and Bersha got married, Mr. Strat gave them his sincere well wishes.

Finally, Trainer Jeremy struck a deal with Mr. Strat whose pale and aged face rejuvenated after he consumed the Holy Water of Immortality once.

Although the Star Federation had other methods to restore his youth, the means were not for ordinary people. Those deemed worthy were the peak-level armorers, whose physical qualities far exceeded that of ordinary people.

Of course, drugs manufactured by cutting-edge technology was also an option. However, they were not for people like Mr. Strat who came from a small city on a fringe planet.

The Holy Water of Immortality’s potency requires consistency. One would have to consume a bottle yearly. Otherwise, it would take no effect.

Soon after, he would begin working for the organization and ask for the Holy Water of Immortality.

In exchange for youth and vitality, he handed over to the organization the extensive intel he had obtained through various means. He even went so far as to betray and sacrifice his daughter’s happiness, all for getting David and Hans out of the picture—ultimately acquiring the title of ‘Statesman’ in the end.

“The mishandling of the matter involving David is partly my fault, so I’ll send a request for a bottle of Holy Water of Immortality for you. I’ll keep in touch in about ten days,” said Trainer Jeremy who thought about it for a while. He knew exactly how to manipulate Mr. Strat.

“Thank you so much!” Mr. Strat exclaimed as he waved his arms in excitement. Joy welled up in his stomach that he wanted to burst and scream.

He was obsessed with having a young body again. He despised aging, and Strat was more than willing to bargain his soul with the devil.

“Strat, you must expand the Strat Hotel as soon as possible. The organization has invested so much money in it, but you’re not generating the desired output!” Trainer Jeremy sternly reminded as he tapped his fingers on the smooth finish of the table, as if telling Strat that actions will be taken should he fail.

“Jeremy, I may not be as good as you in doing other things, but when it comes to business, the organization can consider it done!” Mr. Strat said proudly after he took a sip of his fruit juice.

“Oh, is that so? What have you done?” Trainer Jeremy asked smilingly.

“I set up a company anonymously and hatched a plot in the company’s name six months ago to acquire a little bit of the Central Hotel and the West City Hotel. Now I have managed to obtain over 40% of the shares of both hotels. When the time is right, I shall expand my shares to take full control of both establishments,” Mr. Strat said reassuringly.

Although his voice was soft, David overheard everything.

Both the Central Hotel and the West City Hotel were large establishments that were not smaller than the Strat Hotel. Their influence was undeniably expansive, capable of deploying their own armorers if the authorities had a big operation.

If Mr. Strat really had control over those two large hotels, he would become the owner of the largest group of hotels in Pelan City. His power would give him great control over the city.