Chapter 222

Chapter 222

Your direct involvement, after being in seclusion, means that someone has been designated to resolve this matter, doesnt it?

Girard remained composed, showing no signs of wavering even when facing Virgil.

He had a clear understanding of his own predicament.

And what would transpire next.

This is really Isnt that wizard too clever? I just planned to leak some information casually and buy time, but he even realized theres a traitor within the organization and used that to his advantage in the negotiation If I had known, I wouldnt have said anything from the start.

Stop with the pointless acting. We know everything already, so theres no need to make such a fuss.

Virgil grinned.

Behind his sunglasses, crimson eyes gleamed.

After your encounter with Van, you realized you were on the wrong track and immediately switched sides. You must have predicted that the damage would be far greater than your superior had thought, and that the responsibility would spread to the lower ranks?

Your prediction wasnt wrong. The special forces led by Executive Director Avid Lowell were annihilated by just one person That man is not just good at fighting. As a wizard, he understands better than anyone what it means to kill people.

Hahahahaha!!

Girard, who had been gazing blankly at Virgil, suddenly erupted into laughter.

His previously vacant expression quickly filled with vitality, and his eyes sparkled with delight.

This sudden outburst was a stark departure from his earlier demeanor, revealing his underlying madness.

With gleaming eyes, Girard peered up at Virgil, his lips curving slightly.

Everyones too clever. Well, its convenient for me since we communicate well But its scary, isnt it? How can I carelessly speak anywhere now?

Well, if you know that much, theres only one thing to say.

Girard inquired, Will you spare me?

From the moment Girard was captured alive by Van, his life seemed all but forfeit.

However, he had managed to survive and return to the Cartel in these rapidly shifting circumstances by swiftly assessing his surroundings and taking decisive action.

An interesting guy. We need someone like you whos gone crazy in a refined way

Virgil chuckled.

Id say you pass by my standards, but I need a firm answer first.

What answer?

That youll fully cooperate in capturing the traitor who betrayed the chairman.

With those words, Virgils crimson eyes turned frigid, bearing down mercilessly on Girards resolve.

Your direct superior, President McQueen of Division 1, betrayed the Cartel and colluded with the Ten Counts. You, who managed the collaborative businesses in District 40, must remember everything, right?

Despite his initial disbelief, all the circumstantial evidence pointed to a single individual.

The foremost among the four presidents, a founding member who had been with the Cartel since its inception, and a senior figure who had wielded the authority to directly oversee the Cartels elite armed forces while serving as vice-chairman in the chairmans absence.

The man who had served and remained loyal to the chairman longer than anyone else had turned his back on the organization.

He had deliberately provoked the wizard Van, causing chaos, embezzled internal funds while everyones attention was focused on this formidable adversary.

He had actively sought to rectify the situation through intermediaries like Girard.

And ultimately, he had endeavored to eliminate all evidence and cover up his transgressions, all on his own.

So, you stepped in to resolve the situation McQueen, I wont let you get away with this.

Virgils eyes gleamed menacingly behind his shades.

Observing this, Girard shrugged his shoulders silently.

Its not a difficult task. Now, could you please undo these restraints? My joints feel like theyre rotting after being tied up for over a week.

Virgil?

Thats all I had in mind for the terms of your cooperation.

Saying this, Virgil began to walk down the lengthy corridor, holding Girards handcuffs.

We should also see what the chairman thinks.

Upon hearing this, Girards expression underwent an instant transformation.

He halted abruptly.

The, the, the chairman?

Yes. The chairman wants to see you in person.

Just a moment There was no talk of this. Why suddenly should I see the chairman

[Looking into your memories, I noticed an unusual wizard in that insect-like life of yours.]

Virgil wasnt particularly surprised by this abrupt revelation.

Indeed, it would be odd if a sorceress of Oliveras caliber failed to recognize such talent.

Girard had likely been summoned here because she wanted to hear something directly from him.

[The wizard from District 49. Tell me everything you saw and felt about this man named Van. Instead of looking into your memories, I want to hear it from your mouth.]

* * *

Ive secured the personal information of President Parden McQueen, as you requested.

Evelyns dispassionate voice emanated from the phone.

Its too risky to hand over the personal information of all the executive-level officers. It would have been difficult to get the information on the first president without Hinas help.

Lennok, who had tilted his head slightly while holding the phone to his ear, nodded.

Youve done well. This will probably be a big help in solving this issue.

Within the bustling city centers municipal central library.

Now wholly repurposed by Lennok and Aris for their university work, Lennok was swiftly reviewing answer sheets in the library corridor.

This semesters midterms for the Department of Elemental Studies. For assistant professors like Lennok, participating in such a significant event involving all students was inevitable.

As a result, Lennok spent his time grading hundreds of exam papers, with Aris sharing the workload.

It was an unplanned interruption to their discussions about magic, but it wasnt detrimental to Lennok.

No matter how much guidance he provided, Aris seemed to require time to think independently rather than rely on advice.

After all, the pivotal step had to be taken independently, regardless of all the assistance and guidance.

As a fellow sorcerer who had traversed a similar path, Lennok understood this better than anyone.

He could never express enough gratitude for Yaksons

The opportunity Lennok had gained by exploiting its side effects had expanded the possibilities available to him.

I wont be able to contact you for a while after today.

It seems the agents are quite busy too.

Recently, the range of tasks assigned to our side has rapidly expanded. Ive been cutting off anything that goes too far, but its true that the trends outside the metropolis are not normal.

.

You might not be interested in whats happening outside the city, but its best to wrap up things with the Cartel as soon as possible. If the Vulcan City Council wants to turn its attention outward, theyll want to clean up the internal issues first.

Well Its not as easy as it sounds. Theres a lot to do, but

Lennok sighed and began annotating the exam paper with a red pen.

The answer sheet provided by Aris now lay in the background.

While adding a five-line grading rationale and explanation at the bottom of the test paper, Evelyn continued in an incredulous tone.

Ive heard rumors here that you wiped out the Cartels execution squad by yourself. It seems strange that youre being modest about it.

I was just lucky.

The leader of the execution squad and Executive Director Avid is a well-known sorcerer among the pleasure killers of the underworld. To summon such a sorcerer to the battlefield, engage him one-on-one, and kill him there, and all you say is that? I wonder what expressions the sorcerers I know would make.

.

Well, fine. The fact that the young wizard I saved that day was actually a secret heir to arcane magic isnt that important. What matters is that you wrap up things with the Cartel well. Dont forget to properly receive the few boxes of vegetables I sent to your bar, she remarked before ending the call.

Lennok chuckled as he gazed at the phone.

He had thought he might escape another tedious conversation about vegetables this time, but Evelyn had saved it for the last moment.

However, the underlying message in the conversation hed just had with Evelyn was worth noting.

Evelyn was one of the few individuals who remembered both the Lennok who had nearly perished at Crokens hands in the factory and his current standing.

As a distinguished archer of her caliber, it wouldnt be surprising for her to make a rough estimate of Lennoks current level.

Yet, instead of emphasizing Lennoks abilities, she opted to conclude the call with a discussion about vegetables

Someday, I need to have a proper conversation with Evelyn.

Even the seemingly trivial remarks that Lennok let slide were etched in his mind.

He recalled a particularly memorable title among the few names that Grisha had mentioned as examples when he decided to join the Lighthouse in the autonomous region.

The Emerald Archer.

If the collaborator Grisha alluded to is the same individual Lennok is thinking of

In the worst-case scenario, he might need to share the identities of Evan and Van with just one person.

Before that unexpected moment arrives, Lennok knew he had to prepare.

(To be Continued)

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