Chapter 193: Blackmail
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 193: Blackmail
The lobby of the hotel now owned by Park Yu-jeong.
August sat on a sofa, sipping coffee while reading the newspaper.
"So, this is where you were."
"You've arrived."
As Derek sat down across from him, August handed him a coffee he had ordered in advance.
Since Yggdrasil also serves the role of protecting the Source, it was rare for faculty members to travel far on business. The fact that Derek—one of their greatest assets alongside Erin—had come personally meant that Yggdrasil viewed the situation in Barbat with extreme gravity.
However, contrary to public perception, Derek couldn't care less about Barbat itself.
"It turned out like this in the end."
"Just as you predicted, Derek. Seo Yeon-woo does not forgive those who cross him."
"Do you have a sense of how to use him now?"
Yggdrasil was not established solely for the purpose of education.
Mages with immense power, those with the potential of the 12 Zodiacs, exert a tremendous influence on their surroundings by their mere existence. The government is well aware of how dangerous an individual's uncontrolled power can be.
That didn't mean they indoctrinated them or forced them into submission. These were mages whose talents had already blossomed; they were fully grown. Attempting to lecture them clumsily would only breed resentment.
Yggdrasil's hidden objective was to figure out how to "handle" them.
In a world where even criminals must be utilized if they are skilled enough, losing a powerful asset due to a personal lapse in judgment was an enormous loss. They analyzed each mage's personality, identified their taboos, and guided them to be beneficial to society while preventing others from inadvertently crossing their lines.
If a mage was ultimately deemed unusable, they would be dealt with, but the government strove to preserve their military strength as much as possible.
"I will submit the report as is."
"Please do. He isn't a difficult mage to manage; you just have to avoid treating him unfairly."
"Once he continues to grow and becomes a 12 Zodiac-class mage, everyone will be falling over themselves to get on his good side anyway."
"Problems will arise when interests clash with other 12 Zodiac-class mages. Emphasize the fact that when a conflict occurs, Seo Yeon-woo will fight with everything he has."
Yggdrasil didn't analyze the personalities of every single student. Just as Derek had noted his uniqueness upon first meeting him, Akito, Seo Yeon-woo, and Shizuka were under special management, and they were being watched closely.
After sending the report on Seo Yeon-woo to the government, August looked at Derek, who was observing the mercenaries.
"Is there something else on your mind?"
"…What will happen with Amagi Shizuka?"
"…"
Derek seemed troubled by the question; he couldn't answer easily once the subject shifted to Shizuka. Compared to Akito or Seo Yeon-woo, who were constantly embroiled in incidents, Shizuka was quiet.
That was only natural. She didn't go out on requests, and there was no one in the world foolish enough to recklessly provoke a member of the Amagi family.
The problem was the girl herself.
Her hatred for the Amagi family was growing steadily, and it was certain she would cause trouble eventually. Until now, she hadn't expressed it outwardly, but according to recent reports, her emotions were becoming visible enough for the surveillance personnel to notice.
"…Report it as it is. The Amagi family likely knows already."
"Do you think the Amagis will dispose of Shizuka?"
"They can't. The cost they invested… 'cost' was a poor choice of words. My apologies."
"It's fine."
Shizuka was closer to an object created by the Amagi family's vast power. Countless people had been sacrificed for her, and even Shizuka's mother had lost her life. Anywhere else, she would have been executed as a criminal responsible for mass slaughter, but the Amagi family's status was so great that no one dared touch her.
"Seo Yeon-woo has been showing interest in Shizuka lately. Will that be alright?"
"I'd like to stop it if possible… but let's not go looking for trouble."
"But if he clashes with the Amagi family, Seo Yeon-woo will surely die."
"Do you still think so after seeing that?"
August turned his head, following Derek's gaze.
In the middle of the lobby, where the mercenaries were wandering around excitedly after their baths, the high-ranking officials of Barbat were trailing after Park Yu-jeong, looking utterly pathetic.
This was a situation created by Seo Yeon-woo.
In just one week, he had turned Barbat into a mess. It wasn't as if he had anticipated this and countered; he had suddenly been framed as a serious criminal, yet in an instant, he had not only reversed the situation but was now overwhelming an entire nation.
However…
"Can Barbat really be compared to the Amagi family?"
"They are clearly a much more difficult opponent. One that would be hard for an individual to handle."
"For an individual, yes."
Understanding Derek's implication, August's eyes changed.
"Exactly. Toppling a massive organization like the Amagi family isn't something a single strong mage can do. You need a politician with the ability to utilize their surroundings and set the stage."
"Has the upper management decided to deal with the Amagi family as well?"
"How could the government do as it pleases with such a massive family? Their influence reaches everywhere. But their atrocities have been too severe for too long. There are more than a few people harboring resentment."
Derek continued to watch the rowdy mercenaries.
Power was gradually gathering around Seo Yeon-woo.
Greyhound, the SA Group, the Diana Clan, Yggdrasil, and now Barbat—though the outcome of the negotiations was still uncertain. Beyond the visible connections, there was Moai Technology, the Black Agents, and the private group Seo Yeon-woo himself possessed.
If Seo Yeon-woo supported Shizuka, a clash with the Amagi family was inevitable.
Since there was much to be done in the future, Derek could only hope the war would end with the Amagi family's power preserved as much as possible. To think they had to rely on a mere student for such a dangerous task…
Derek felt a sense of pity for his aging self, yet he was filled with trust in Seo Yeon-woo.
An uncertain and dangerous future was approaching.
What was he doing right now? Though locked in a dark prison, he was surely crafting a plan that others couldn't even imagine.
* * *
"Please save Barbat."
As soon as she entered the interrogation room, Hera fell to her knees and begged.
Seeing as she came to stop the fire before it grew any larger, this woman seems to have a decent head on her shoulders. She's definitely different from that guy in the Seni Faction or whatever.
There are still a few more logs left to throw on the fire, but the moment I toss them in, Barbat won't be able to resolve this on its own.
Actually, it's for the best. The next 'log' was supposed to be photos of me getting the shit beaten out of me being leaked. Park Yu-jeong was looking forward to some legal violence, but honestly, I didn't want to do it since I haven't felt that kind of pain since I got my mana barrier.
Hera kept her head pressed against the floor, not lifting it.
Park Yu-jeong is impressive; she already figured out that this woman was the one who stabbed me in the back. I don't know how she found out, but does that matter? What matters is that the bitch who betrayed me is now kneeling before me.
"I'm curious about one thing. Why did you do it?"
"Pardon? This was a misunderstanding by the Seni Faction—"
"I know everything, so just speak plainly. Did you think I was a pushover?"
"…"
I couldn't see her face, but since she'd been caught, she must be pale as a ghost.
My condition has improved now that most of the aftereffects are gone, but my mood doesn't lighten when I think about what I went through.
I pulled down my prison pants, sat back in the chair, and asked, "I asked why you did it."
"That… B-Barbat is in a critical situation. For a long time, we have been divided into two factions, and—hic!"
Hera, who had looked up, flinched and shrank back in surprise at the sight of my engorged, dark-red cock, but I just stared down at her as if it were nothing.
Feeling my gaze, Hera's eyes darted around as she continued her explanation.
So, she brought up all sorts of justifications, but basically, she wanted to seize power, right? Humans are the same everywhere.
I kept stroking my dick so I wouldn't lose my erection. After finishing her explanation, Hera, who had been watching my reaction, hesitated before crawling toward me on her knees.
"I-I will do anything if you just help us. Whatever you want…"
"And what is it that I want?"
"…S-since you said it was hard to endure your sexual desire…"
This woman is surprisingly naive. I thought she would actively try to seduce me for the sake of power, but she seems nervous, like she lacks experience.
She has the look of a Middle Eastern beauty—strong features and thick eyebrows—so I thought she'd be good at seduction, but that was just a prejudice. Maybe my image of Middle Eastern dancers was too strong.
As I stared silently, Hera watched my face before cautiously reaching out to touch my dick. Her long fingers wrapped around it, and her tongue, peeking out shyly, touched the glans.
Ooh…
Maybe it's because it's been a while, but pleasure surged through me even at that small stimulation.
Seeing my reaction, Hera hurriedly extended her tongue and licked the shaft vigorously. Perhaps ashamed of sucking a dick like a whore, her brown skin flushed red, and her movements stopped for a moment. When I looked down at her silently, she flinched and began sucking diligently again.
Saliva dripped down from her clumsy blowjob, making her face messy, but Hera didn't have the luxury to care. She kept checking my mood while working her tongue busily.
Every time I made a face that showed I was feeling good, she sucked the part she had just stimulated even harder. When I looked indifferent, she rubbed her face against it, trying everything to please me.
She's a member of Barbat's elite and a successful woman, yet the sight of her face buried in my crotch, serving me so desperately, provided an incredible rush.
"Are you going to use your mouth forever?"
"…P-please excuse me."
Hera began to fumbling with her clothes. Her healthy brown skin made the curves of her waist look even more beautiful. Her waist was so thin it looked like it would struggle to support her large breasts, and the hips that flared out below were incredibly appetizing.
I remained seated in the chair, doing nothing, while Hera, not knowing what to do, awkwardly tried to climb on top of me.
Wait, she's actually aroused? This really is an eroge world.
As she spread her legs to mount me, a string of vaginal fluid dripped from her pussy and landed on my dick. I smiled broadly at Hera's nervous face as she gulped.
"Are you a virgin?"
"Yes… I am a virgin…"
"That's a shame. If we have sex now, you won't be able to use the sauna, will you?"
"I-I don't have great ambitions for magic. My skills are lacking anyway. More importantly, please save our Barbat…"
"Are you making demands first? I haven't even received compensation for being stabbed in the back yet."
"…"
Terrified by my grinning face, Hera lowered her head and slowly sat down. As my dick, erect as if to pierce the sky, touched her soft pussy, it began to part and sink inside.
I should give her a carrot now. If I just keep pushing her, there's no telling what she might do.
I grabbed Hera's thin waist as she struggled to take in even the tip of the glans and leaned into her ear.
"Consider yourself lucky."
"…"
"You want Barbat in the palm of your hand, don't you?"
"…"
Her widened brown eyes turned toward me.
"I'll help you with that. Look forward to it."
"…"
She was too shocked to answer, but a spark flickered in the eyes staring at me.
Liking that look, I smiled and slowly pressed down on her waist. Hera didn't resist and accepted it.
The pussy that had never allowed an intruder opened so easily, devouring the fully erect dick, and Hera hugged me, letting out a shrill moan. Her arms, wrapped tightly around me, felt like they were trying to kill me, yet also like she was clinging to me as her only lifeline.
With every thrust of my hips, Hera threw her head back and let out beautiful cries of pleasure. As the act continued, she fell deeper and deeper for me.
I stood up and laid her on the interrogation room table. Hera reached out toward me with a face that was half-gone with ecstasy. Between her spread legs, blood—the symbol of her virginity—flowed down. Even in her dazed state, Hera tried to cover herself with her hand as if embarrassed.
When I grabbed her slender wrists, Hera flinched but moved her hands away from her vulva. I didn't hesitate to thrust my dick back in.
"Hah-huuuung…!"
We lost track of time, continuing to explore each other's bodies. Hera, who had found hope at the edge of despair, kept wanting me as if she refused to let go.