Avoiding Suspicion (2)
After experiencing so many events, how is it already the fifth day since the war with the Croisen Empire ended?
It feels like more than ten days have passed in terms of time.
But the problem is that this pace seems destined to continue for quite some time.
Tomorrow, I have to appear before the Aristocratic Audit Office alongside Arsia.
Two days later, I will attend the victory commemoration ceremony and reward distribution event hosted by the royal family.
Three days after that, I will tour domestic and international magic towers to purchase Sky Fortresses and Vanguard equipment.
As a result, there is little free time to connect to the game and level up.
Of course, I haven't stopped connecting entirely.
I still log in every day, but the session times have shortened, making it regrettable.
“It’s getting boring every time I look.”
Today, I split my sleep time to log into Chronicle Online.
Right now, my location is the core of the game—Manuel Lucas’s magic tower.
When I get tired from hunting, I come here to look through the various materials left behind by the late Duke Lucas.
Skills and magic books are learned by direct input into the brain, but ordinary research materials remain as they are, so I need to grasp them in advance to use them when necessary.
That is why this is an important task that cannot be overlooked.
[Sky Fortress Production Manual]
[Vanguard Equipment Production Manual]
[Next-Generation Force Device Research Manual]
Given my current position, it makes sense that I would take these materials seriously.
However, the sad part is that out of thousands of materials left behind, military-related ones barely reach 1 percent.
The weapons developed by the late Duke Lucas changed the direction of the war, but it means his nature was far from the battlefield.
So, what was the research that the Duke Lucas, known for devoting his life to it, worked on the most?
[The reason Rondel cannot enter space despite having enough power]
[About the god who sustains Rondel’s worldview]
[The reason humans cannot travel freely between the Heavenly Realm, Demon Realm, and elemental planes even though they are in the same world]
[About the special nature of the Rondel continent]
[Possibility of dimensional movement]
It was dimensional movement.
This meant that the late Duke Lucas had not given up on returning to his hometown until the very end.
“Never married, never had disciples, devoted his whole life to research, all for the sake of returning to his hometown…….”
The late Duke Lucas was called a great pioneer who changed the world, but in reality, he was a truly lonely figure.
It was clear that the reason he left traces of being an Earthling everywhere was because he wanted to meet someone from his hometown.
Although his wish was only fulfilled after his lifespan ended, the arrangements he left behind became hope for me.
“Dimensional movement…….”
Naturally, I would want to return to my hometown if I could.
But compared to the late Duke Lucas, the reason my desire is weaker is not only that I had given up too early because I didn’t have the ability, but also because unlike him, who was known as an orphan, there was a mother figure by my side.
“It would be nice if I could go back and forth between the two worlds anytime I wanted.”
Maybe the late Duke Lucas wanted someone to continue his wish?
It was as if he said, “Since I can’t fulfill it, you do it instead and go back to your hometown.”
“If Master’s wish is like that, I must continue it. I will work hard.”
The moment the word “dimensional movement” came to mind, the memory of my hometown flashed intensely.
But for now, I couldn’t devote time to researching dimensional movement.
There were still too many things I was lacking.
Activities that require a lot of time like research should be postponed until after I reach all nine circles and fully master all the games.
“Lord Adrian is a person who respects pioneers.”
After I put the dimensional movement-related books back on the shelf, a familiar male voice came from behind.
It was Chester, the game manager who had perfectly transferred the late Duke Lucas’s appearance in life.
“I’m just an ordinary person. Isn’t this a normal reaction?”
“You’re humble.”
He was my master who had inherited everything.
Respect and reverence toward him were only natural.
Both on Earth and here, there were many strange people, but Chester’s high praise was a bit excessive, I thought.
“I was looking for you because I had something to ask, and it was a perfect timing.”
“Yes, please speak.”
The content I could ask Chester was limited.
Even though my questions were roughly predictable, he showed no particular reaction and just listened attentively.
There were two questions I wanted to ask him.
“There won’t be any money laundering issues, right?”
The first one was this simple check.
I knew the excellence of the game system left by the late Duke Lucas, but the excessive gaze from the nobles was my reason for psychological stability.
“It is not entirely impossible to be suspected.”
“What?”
“If we gather all the omitted transaction records of investors worldwide, including small ants, and sum them up, we can confirm that the actual amount of funds moving is more than the real transaction volume.”
I was startled by his answer at first, but then I had to laugh awkwardly at what followed.
Who would conduct such crazy investigation?
The conclusion was that there was no need to worry about being caught.
Seeing Chester, who looked like a doting grandfather yet gave such slick answers, I shook my head and went on to the second question, which was the real deal.
“Could you tell me about the progress of the fake lucky encounter operation?”
“Yes, I understand.”
I, Adrian Lawrence, am a 7th-circle archmage, and Arsia, an aura master, is by my side.
Even so, if it is revealed that I am the successor to the late Duke Lucas, the probability of losing what I hold in my hand is high.
Brigham Empire, the homeland of the late Duke Lucas, and other strong powers would not protect us, and even the royal family of Lheinhatz had no trust in us.
Ultimately, before reaching the 9th circle, I had to hide my true identity thoroughly as I had to survive on my own.
That was how the fake lucky encounter operation came to mind.
It was an important operation to create someone in place of me as the successor to Manuel Lucas and divert the world’s attention.
This was the strategy to shake off any possible suspicion arrows using the title of disciple of the Duke of Riverdale.
To do this, I used four out of the five uses of the Hollywood System Manager authority I acquired on the 8th floor of the magic tower, and I even handed over some of the rewards I had acquired to the target after copying them to instill complete trust.
Of course, that was not particularly important.
“The target is Louis Fairmont, a 29-year-old information agent of the Prius Republic and team leader of the Manuel Lucas Lucky Encounter Exploration Division.
Because his father is the president of the Prius Republic, he is known as an arrogant, unprincipled person with no superiors or subordinates.”
At Chester’s request for a progress report, he displayed a report along with an explanation.
It was a report on the information of the fake lucky encounter holder.
Looking back at his past actions, there were many shocking things.
A stereotypical, brainless second-generation chaebol.
That was my impression of the fake lucky encounter holder, Louis Fairmont.
* * *
The Prius Republic is a strong nation counted among the four major powers of Rondel alongside the Brigham Empire, the Elysia Union, and the Croisen Empire.
It is the only country that upholds democracy by electing the president through elections.
The Prius Republic claims to call themselves a nation of enlightenment and revolution, but if you look inside, it could not be seen as a nation for the people at all.
Corruption and political collusion were the basics.
Even the police and media were no different from the government.
But the biggest problem was that one president had been in long-term power for a full 14 years.
—Prius Republic Presidential Palace.
“As expected, my son is the best.
If this continues, it won’t be difficult for you to become president after me.”
President Katro Fairmont of the Prius Republic said this to the young man sitting arrogantly in the seat opposite him.
“Of course.
Who in the world could compete with me?
Louis Fairmont is no different from someone who has already won against the Brigham Empire.”
Even though his attitude was inappropriate, President Katro laughed heartily as if something good had happened and patted his son Louis Fairmont’s shoulder.
“Did you see the articles?”
“They made the title really well, right?
I am the savior of the nation.
Kukuk!”
“The successor to Manuel Lucas.
That kind of title is only natural.”
“But is that okay?
The Brigham Empire bastards will be fuming, won’t they?”
The Brigham Empire.
The homeland of the late Duke Lucas and the world’s strongest power where even if the other three empires united, victory was certain.
President Katro shook his hand without worry.
“If we attack first, there is no chance of winning, but if we only defend, there is a chance.
They will know that too, so they won’t easily rush in.”
“Wow, it’s fortunate that my country is a strong power.”
“Since your father is the president of the republic, you don’t have to worry about anything.
Just focus on mastering the game.”
At the mention of game mastery, Louis Fairmont, who had been maintaining a fawning attitude, frowned.
The reason was that he had reached the game but had not yet fully obtained it.
‘Damn! Why would I scatter the game in stages!? Thanks to getting the game, it’s still too lame in my hands!’
That was right.
The game he had obtained was only arranged by Adrian as a way to buy time, making it extremely difficult to master.
In Adrian’s case, after leveling up in the game and killing special monsters based on battle experience, circles were automatically generated along with various rewards.
But for Louis, instead of providing cash and research materials, he had to generate the circles himself and grow them to obtain the next rewards.
Of course, to make it look real, Chester, the game manager with the late Duke Lucas’s memories, had become his master and spared no backup.
But compared to Adrian’s real game, he could not match it in efficiency.
Even so, thanks to Chester’s excellent teaching, Louis had created a 1st circle in just three days after acquiring the game.
“Don’t think too hastily.
Creating a circle in three days is a speed that stands out even among those called geniuses.”
This was a result enough to encourage the observers.
But this method would soon reach a plateau.
No matter how much of a genius, it would take at least a decade to reach the 7th circle.
“It’s time to go, isn’t it?
There are a lot of people who want to see you.”
At President Katro’s words, Louis shook off his thoughts and lifted the corners of his mouth as he stood up.
And the two left the presidential palace with an escort of countless Vanguards.
Reporters had formed a line in front of the presidential palace, and the moment they spotted Louis, they swarmed in like a pack of dogs.
—Click! Click!
Even though the reporters had to maintain a certain distance due to the fierce aura of the Vanguards escorting Louis, they moved without regard for their mouths.
“How did you obtain the game?”
“Exactly what did you get?”
“I heard that the assets left by the late Duke Lucas are similar to the national budget of the Brigham Empire.
Is that true?”
“What will you do with the late Duke Lucas’s assets?
Are you planning to return them to the nation?”
Louis gave a relaxed smile to the questions pouring out without pause.
But just before boarding the vehicle, a beautiful female reporter’s question succeeded in catching Louis’s attention.
“How do you feel right now?”
Louis finally expressed his feelings for the first time.
“Very happy.
Many people laughed at me for following in the footsteps of the late Duke Lucas and told me not to do useless things, but now my actions have proven to be right.”
“Could you tell me about your future plans?”
“I will not spare any effort to make our republic develop even more through the game.”
And Louis boarded the prepared vehicle.
The reporters were in a frenzy to get something more, but what stood out to Louis more than those reporters was the crowd behind the presidential palace wall.
“Long live! Long live Louis Fairmont!”
“National hero! Louis!”
It was the image of the citizens crowded densely beyond the presidential palace wall, cheering.
Ten thousand? No, it looked like it exceeded one hundred thousand easily.
Louis looked at the citizens with a surprised expression, then soon opened the window and waved his hand.
“Waaaaah!”
The citizens’ cheers grew even louder, and his heartbeat quickened along with it.
Up until now, he had done countless things for pleasure, but this was the first time he had felt this.
It was inevitable that this thought came to Louis.
“Yeah, cheer loudly.”
The arrogance that had taken root in Louis’s heart grew even bigger.
“I am your savior.”
If Adrian had heard these thoughts of Louis, he would have clapped, saying he was doing well.