384
Chapter 384
"Abandon the Union?"
Conrad couldn't understand what Zeke was saying.
Zeke placed a new document in front of Conrad.
"This is...?"
"Read it."
Conrad opened the document and was startled.
"Alchemist Association?"
Zeke smiled and said.
"The intention is to cut out the stagnant, rotten parts of the Union and start over from scratch."
Conrad never imagined Zeke would have plans to create a new alchemist organization.
But looking at the document, it had sufficient capital, ability, and justification to replace the Union.
'If the Association is established, the Union will become obsolete in the market within a few years.'
Sweat dripped down Conrad's forehead.
Feinan Pharmaceutical's new medicine and the new potions Zeke brought were already making the Union's products less competitive.
If new medicines from the Naga were added as written in the document, it was obvious that the Union, which had been taking excessive profits, would face heavy criticism and collapse.
'If this is true, I need to switch sides quickly.'
He looked at Zeke and said.
"S-Sir Zeke. Are you saying you'll take me to the Association if I abandon the Union?"
Zeke looked at Melissa beside him.
Melissa nodded and said to Conrad.
"The Alchemist Association will be established under the leadership of the Linehart Company. We're joining hands with the Kingdom of Cusco and the Naga city of the Tranquil Forest. But we also need to recruit alchemists from the Central Continent. For that, we need experienced people."
In other words, they wanted Conrad to bring over information and connections from the Union.
He sweated profusely while rolling his eyes.
That's when Zeke said to Conrad.
"For reform, we must wash away all past wrongdoings. Once you come to the Association, the Union will just be a competitor."
Zeke leaned towards Conrad and said.
"Isn't it better to step on competitors in advance? Make your judgment wisely."
Conrad understood what Zeke meant.
'He wants me to hand over information about corruption and dealings involving the Union.'
Using that information to stir up the Union would allow Zeke's new Association to take root in the gap.
Conrad trembled at Zeke's thorough planning.
'If I don't help establish the Association, is he planning to pressure the Holy Nation to withdraw the Union's permission? If the Vadoka Holy Nation revokes the permission, the Union will collapse anyway. Unlike the rumors, this guy... he's truly like an incarnation of Draker.'
After finishing dessert, Zeke stood up and escorted Princess Melissa.
Then he looked at Conrad, who was still kneeling on the floor, and said.
"Think carefully, Conrad. About what way you can survive."
Even after Zeke and Melissa left the restaurant, Conrad couldn't get up for a long time.
His mind was spinning with complexity.
After a while, Conrad pressed his lips together and nodded.
'There's only one way for me to survive.'
* * *
"PHEW, I was so nervous."
In the carriage returning to the hotel, Princess Melissa finally let out a sigh of relief.
Although she had heard from Zeke how things would unfold, she couldn't believe it actually happened that way.
Knowing how stiffly alchemists usually carried themselves with pride, she couldn't believe Conrad had shown such a submissive attitude.
Melissa recalled Conrad's servile appearance and asked Zeke sitting opposite her.
"Sir Zeke, will Conrad really betray the others?"
Zeke smiled at Melissa in response.
"What do you think, Princess?"
At the returned question, Melissa thought for a moment before shaking her head.
"People don't change that easily. Considering Conrad's cautious personality, I don't think he'll abandon the Union."
Zeke nodded at Princess Melissa's words.
"That could be the case."
Melissa was rather surprised by Zeke's response and asked.
"Did you pressure him assuming he wouldn't come over, Sir Zeke?"
Zeke grinned and answered.
"I'm considering both possibilities. We'll have to adapt our moves according to each situation - whether he comes over or not."
Melissa's mind went blank hearing Zeke's response.
Zeke had prepared for every possibility and planned his responses accordingly.
'He's truly remarkable.'
To Melissa, Zeke seemed increasingly distant.
Unaware of Melissa's gaze, Zeke looked at the Neutral city's landscape through the window.
'I wonder how Conrad will respond.'
The result came unexpectedly quickly.
That evening, Conrad contacted Zeke's side offering to cooperate.
Zeke shared this news and raised a toast with Melissa.
Though pleased, Melissa asked Zeke with slight concern.
"What happens next, Sir Zeke?"
Holding a champagne glass filled with tea, Zeke replied calmly.
"We'll establish the Association as planned. And we'll need to call journalists to write for the newsletter."
Melissa was surprised.
"You're going to publish articles about creating a new alchemist organization?"
Zeke nodded.
"The more publicity, the better. Princess, please contact any newsletters you know. They'll be thrilled about your and my involvement."
Zeke was the continent's most talked-about figure.
Gossip articles about women associated with him were particularly popular.
Initially, his relationship with Angelina Graham, known as the continent's greatest beauty, drew much attention, but interest faded without follow-up stories.
If he announced the major news of a new alchemist association alongside Princess Melissa, the synergy would be tremendous.
Zeke looked at Melissa and said.
"Princess, expect some very interesting developments."
* * *
Days after Zeke's visit, the Alchemist Union executives gathered in the Red Tower's upper conference room.
The Chairman and executives showed anxious, dark expressions.
The vice Chairman asked the Chairman.
"Chairman, is it true that Zeke Draker agreed to strengthen ties with the Union and let us handle new drug sales?"
Other executives turned their attention to the Chairman.
Conrad frowned at the attention and snapped.
"How many times must I repeat?! Damn it, trust me, I worked hard to persuade him!"
The executives glanced at Conrad with skepticism.
Conrad had told them about Zeke Draker threatening to report the Union for demon summoning and using his power against them.
However, he hid Zeke's plans for a new association. Instead, he lied about negotiating a deal to share profits from Feinan Pharmaceutical's new drugs.
He claimed Zeke Draker would come today to handle the contract.
This was all false.
Conrad used this lie to divert the executives' attention while passing information about their corruption to Zeke.
He traded the executives' information for his own place in the Association.
The Chairman gathered everyone since morning to help Zeke Draker arrest the executives using the evidence and destroy the Union.
Though unaware, the executives kept casting suspicious looks at the Chairman, who pretended not to notice while waiting for Zeke Draker.
Then suddenly.
One executive rushed into the conference room, pale-faced.
"B-big news!"
He distributed morning newsletters to the executives.
The newsletter announced the launch of the new Alchemist Association and extensive coverage of Feinan Pharmaceutical's new medicine.
It stated the new medicine would be distributed through the Linehart Company with the new Alchemist Association's approval, and provided free to the poor.
The article concluded by stating that the newly established Alchemist Association would supply high-quality, affordable medicines through a permit recognized by the Vadoka Holy Nation.
For the Union, this was a complete betrayal.
Other executives also rose from their seats in shock at the morning newsletter.
"What's the meaning of this, Chairman?!"
Conrad pretended not to hear the executives' shouts, not even properly reading the newsletter.
'Damn it, what's taking Zeke Draker so long to come arrest these guys?'
Just then.
"AAAHHH! What is this?!"
The vice Chairman reading the newsletter screamed.
"AAARGH! Zeke Draker! How dare you deceive me!"
The vice Chairman suddenly had a fit and started hitting the desk.
He shouted while tearing the newsletter to pieces.
"After promising me the Association Chairman position! Just stealing information and betraying me!"
Conrad's mind went blank hearing the vice Chairman's words.
'The vice Chairman passed information to Zeke Draker? No way...'
He hurriedly checked the newsletter.
But it contained unexpected content.
-Master Paulo, grandson of Jabir ibn Hassan, will be appointed as Chairman of the new Alchemist Association.
Conrad's hands trembled reading the newsletter.
Master Paulo.
The grandson of Jabir ibn Hassan who led today's alchemy renaissance.
Following his grandfather Jabir, Paulo became an outstanding alchemist and earned the title of Master.
Paulo wanted to create medicine to help everyone, carrying on Jabir's spirit, but couldn't work properly due to internal Union politics.
When he tried to expose the Union's corruption, he was expelled and couldn't continue his life as an alchemist.
Zeke had appointed Master Paulo as the new Association's Chairman.
Conrad's eyes turned bloodshot seeing Master Paulo, not himself, became Chairman.
"I-impossible... th-this..."
He staggered to his feet.
He finally realized Zeke Draker had deceived him.
He had tricked both him and the vice Chairman, who had the most information in the Union, to extract corruption data about all executives.
If he and the vice Chairman had openly discussed Zeke's offer, they would have noticed his scheme.
But greed for self-preservation blinded them and led to mutual destruction.
Conrad glared at Zeke Draker's photo in the newsletter with crazed eyes.
'How dare you deceive me? I'll use all my connections and influence to bring down Zeke Draker...'
Just then.
BANG!
The conference room door burst open and the Neutral City's 3rd Guard Captain appeared in full plate armor with knights and guards.
He opened his helmet, revealed his face, and shouted at the Union executives.
"We have secured evidence of corruption, embezzlement, and various misconduct at the Red Tower. We will investigate thoroughly, so comply peacefully."
The knights and guards moved to arrest the Union executives.
Conrad and the executives resisted, screaming.
"Do you know who I am?! I had dinner and drinks with the mayor just yesterday! Let go! You want to ruin your knight career?!"
The Union executives who controlled the Neutral city with wealth and power tried to escape arrest by threatening the knights.
The watching Guard Captain approached and struck the Chairman's upturned mouth with his sword pommel.
"GACK!"
The Chairman collapsed feeling his broken teeth scatter and jaw dislocate.
The Guard Captain told the knights.
"Sir Zeke Draker will take responsibility, so use force on those who resist."
Even the Red Tower's authority was nothing compared to the Draker family.
The knights subdued the Union executives without hesitation and dragged them to the guard station.
"AAAHHH! Zeke Draker! ZEKE DRAAAAKERRRR!"
With the executives' screams, the Red Tower of alchemists, stained by decades of corruption and excessive profits, collapsed pathetically.
Zeke had handled them cleanly without spilling a drop of blood.
A week after the Red Tower's fall, Nicky delivered Carmilla's message to Zeke.