Chapter 212: I’ll Make Him an Offer He Can’t Refuse
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 212: I’ll Make Him an Offer He Can’t Refuse
“Go on in. I’ll see you in a bit.”
The main base? Headquarters? Whatever it was, I stepped back as I sent Akane toward the entrance of the manor where that old geezer Fable resided.
How many times had it been now?
I’d been here so often lately that I’d lost count.
However, only Akane, Park Yu-jeong, and Justina were allowed inside; I always had to turn back at the main gate.
Why?
After all the chaos I’d stirred up, what would be the point of me going in?
Fable was so pissed off that he’d even attempted an assassination last time. If I stepped foot in there, all hell would break loose.
My role was strictly to incite discord, while Akane’s was to receive the respect and love of the members.
Park Yu-jeong and Justina went in with her to facilitate that. Since they were technically her 'sponsors,' the clan couldn't exactly turn them away at the door.
Honestly, it was a bit of a shame.
If I could go in with them, I might have been able to learn some real politics by watching them work. All I’d ever learned was the Team Leader’s survival tactics and office politics.
To make matters worse, those two were stingy with the details of what happened inside.
I didn't know what their metrics were, but they’d only give me the results—like saying a certain percentage had been swayed or a certain percentage had turned neutral.
Were they running opinion polls in there or something?
Holding the hands of the other two, Akane looked back at me.
She always looked back before heading inside whenever I saw her off, looking guilty that I was the only one left behind.
“I’ll protect this lowly creature well, so stop being a nuisance and get going,” Justina said.
“Yeah, yeah. Yeon-woo, you’ve done your part. It’s actually better if we aren't seen together too much, so head out,” Yu-jeong added.
Those damn women. If they were going to be like that, they shouldn't have brought me along in the first place.
I didn't know what they were up to, but Park Yu-jeong and Justina had insisted that I see Akane off right up to the entrance.
According to Park Yu-jeong, we needed to show the pitiful sight of a well-behaved dog whimpering because it couldn't follow its master inside… No matter how I looked at it, that dog was me, wasn't it?
Justina waved her hand, telling me to get lost, so I gave Akane a final wave and turned around.
I guess I’d kill some time at a cafe again until Akane came out.
Unless I had training or other business scheduled, I always waited to head back with her.
*
“Welcome. You’re back again.”
“Yes. One iced chocolate, please.”
I took my drink from the now-familiar barista and sat in a well-lit spot.
I’d brought a thick hardcover book from home, but I didn't actually read it. It was just for show.
I mean, who actually reads a book titled 'Irreversible Interpretation of Supersymmetric Mana Structures through an Entropic Thought System'?
Most people just keep it on their shelves as decoration or use it as a fashion accessory to look intellectual.
Park Yu-jeong said we were almost there, so is my job finally done?
I’d been praised for successfully causing a stir with the guys who came to jump me last time, but it felt a bit disappointing that I didn't have any more roles to play. It felt like things were ending too abruptly.
…No, that couldn't be right.
Fable was the kind of man who wouldn't even listen to the 'cheat code' Akito’s persuasion. There was no way he’d let it end like this. He was definitely up to something behind the scenes…
“Hello there. Seeing as you aren't reading your book at all, you must have a lot on your mind.”
Ugh, what now?
I frowned at the squinty-eyed bastard who sat down across from me without even asking.
I thought Randall had been quiet lately; why did he have to show up now? He should be worrying about Akito, not me.
“Entropic Thought System… My, you’re reading a difficult book.”
“What brings you here?”
I closed the book, pulling it away from his rude hand as he tried to flip through it to check the title. Randall gave a thin smile.
“You seem to be on quite good terms with the Shibarata lately.”
“…We aren't on good terms. We’re practically enemies.”
“Aha. First it was Barbat, and now it’s Shibarata? You’ll get a stomachache if you try to swallow too much at once.”
It seemed that, much like Park Yu-jeong, he saw me as some kind of villainous boss trying to seize everything I touched.
“I’m acting out of goodwill. It’s quite disheartening if the government sees it that way.”
“Oh, come now. After the Barbat incident, how can we trust you?”
Well… I couldn't really make excuses for Barbat. I couldn't say my personal feelings weren't involved.
Am I going to end up on a government watchlist and get disappeared?
“If you won't believe me, there’s nothing I can do. I’m going to help Akane take her place and then I won't interfere at all. Can’t you judge me based on my actions after that?”
“Hmm…”
Randall crossed his arms and stared at my face, seemingly deep in thought.
But why was he naturally drinking my beverage? Buy your own, man.
Randall, who had discarded the straw and was now sipping directly from the cup, let out a chuckle.
“It’s quite a sight to see you pleading with me.”
“Sigh… Should I get down on my knees? Maybe kiss your boots?”
“No, why would I want your mouth on my feet? These are expensive shoes.”
Randall smirked, treating my mouth like it was contaminated, then finished the rest of my drink in one go and set it down.
I should have spit in it. What a waste.
“Seeing you act so humble when you’re usually so arrogant and rude makes your goal quite clear.”
“When was I ever rude to—”
“It’s because the Shibarata are after the Source, isn't it?”
“… …”
How did he know? Did Akito report it? Or Park Yu-jeong?
Randall grinned, seemingly enjoying my flinch.
Wait, does that mean the government already knew about the attack on Yggdrasil in the game? They knew and just let it happen?
No, more importantly, is he really just going to bring this up with other people around?
“It’s fine.”
As I looked around the cafe in a panic, Randall gave a smug smile and clapped twice.
Clap, clap—
As soon as the sound echoed, every customer in the cafe stood up in unison and walked out.
Now that I looked closer, even the barista had been swapped out for someone else.
“Is this quiet enough for a conversation?”
“Whoa…”
“Impressive, isn't it?”
“…What a waste of tax money.”
“… …”
Are my hard-earned taxes being spent on this crap?
You mobilized government agents just to sit in a cafe for a 'cool' reveal? Do you think I pay my taxes without looking for loopholes just for this?
Faced with my judgmental glare, Randall shrugged.
“It’s not the reaction I expected, but at least we can talk privately.”
“Next time, don't waste manpower and just come alone or call me. I pay a surprisingly large amount of taxes.”
“Yes, yes, I get it. Anyway, you’re involved with the Shibarata because you know they’re after the Source, right?”
Assuming they knew in the game as well, the government had stood by and let Akane’s organization be annihilated.
Wait. Annihilated?
I’d glossed over it when I was playing the game, but applying it to reality revealed something strange.
There was no way Akane would be the only survivor of the Earthbound People.
The organization was built on a foundation of blood relatives. Even among the Earthbound People, there had to be non-combatants. So why was Akane the sole survivor?
“…Does the government intend to eliminate the Shibarata?”
“… …”
That damn squinty-eyed bastard.
He didn't answer, but his grin widened.
Dammit… This was a much bigger deal than I thought. The government was already working on this.
I finally understood why Fable was being so stupidly aggressive toward Yggdrasil, and why he was completely deaf to Akito’s persuasion.
Pleased that I’d hit the mark, Randall nodded and gestured to the replacement barista—the only one left—to bring over some drinks.
Perhaps because he was an agent pretending to be a part-timer, he scrambled over and placed two bottled drinks from the display case on the table.
Randall took one and drank it refreshingly, but my mind was too cluttered to do anything.
“Actually, I only found out recently when I was looking into who Akane was and my superiors told me. You really are sharp. Someone like you should be in the government.”
“… …”
“Want to hear an interesting story? Once upon a time—”
Randall began to speak glibly, as if telling a fairy tale.
Something about a spring with mysterious powers that only a certain mage could use, and how the powerless villagers had to endure the mage’s tyranny because of the spring.
As time passed, the villagers found a way to use the mysterious spring themselves.
“What do you think was the first thing the villagers did?”
“… …”
Powerless villagers, my ass. How is a government that suppresses dissenters using the 12 Zodiacs the 'weak' party?
Just say you want the land the organization has been using. And since you’re taking it anyway, you might as well kill them all because there’s no room for them.
Seriously, this game is all sunshine and roses around Akito, but everywhere else is a goddamn jungle.
The technique of binding the souls of non-kin to the land was a blessing that allowed the Earthbound People to grow their power, but a curse that drew the attention of the greedy government.
Why wouldn't they crave it? They could give the 12 Zodiacs, who had already reached their peak, a way to level up for free.
If I were in the government’s shoes, I would have made the same choice.
“I misunderstood because of the Barbat incident, but you… you’re sincerely trying to help that girl, Akane, aren't you?”
“…Because I made a promise.”
“I never imagined you’d be serious about something so childish. You’re surprisingly romantic.”
If the government is involved, should I back out?
This time, I really wasn't confident I could win.
If the government issued an order, who would take my side? Frey? Erin?
There was a slight possibility, but even they might turn on me. Even if they stayed by my side, how would we stop the other 12 Zodiacs? And it wasn't just them. Between the 12 Zodiac-class mages, other Black Agents, and the pressure from the media and the state, I wouldn't be able to do a thing.
“You know you can’t live on romance alone, right? You should know that better than anyone. You’re the one who grabbed the patriotic and romantic Hera by the hair and swallowed Barbat whole.”
“…Is there no chance the government will reconsider?”
“Well—if they gave up a lot of their territory, there might be a chance… but why bother?”
Randall chuckled.
Of course. They’d done all this legwork to swallow up a goldmine; if I told them to only take half now, they’d ask what kind of bullshit I was talking.
I kept my brain working as I watched the squinty-eyed bastard’s mocking sneer.
My reason warned me to give up on Akane and back out now, but my emotions kept replaying the image of Akane sobbing.
Actually, I could solve this problem very easily.
In the end, it was all because the energy of the land was insufficient.
The children falling ill, the government wiping out the Earthbound People—it could all be resolved if the energy issue was fixed.
The reason Akane cried so sorrowfully in the game after realizing the truth was because there was another solution.
If we just waited a little longer, Tyran Energy would be discovered.
Tyran Energy appears as an event at the very end of the first year, and the organization’s attack happens after that.
However, because Tyran was a new energy source, it required research, and it was only after the organization attacked that it was discovered it could help the land of the Earthbound People.
Ultimately, time was the issue.
But if I told the government to just wait because of what was going to happen, would they just say, 'Oh, I see!' and back off?
Even if Erin thought I was crazy, I should have revealed everything that was going to happen and earned their trust.
Right now, my words carried no weight.
No matter how many achievements I’d racked up, I was still just a student attending Yggdrasil.
As if enjoying my grim expression, the squinty-eyed bastard just rested his chin on his hand and stared at me.
Fine. I’m done thinking.
“Let me ask a few things.”
“By all means.”
I noticed the condensation forming on the bottle the agent had brought earlier and traced it with my finger as I asked.
“How much authority do you have in this matter, Mr. Randall?”
“It wasn't my project, so I have a teeeeny bit. About as much as goldfish poop?”
“So you don't have the authority to help Akane become the head of the organization.”
“Mmm—would I have something like that? I’m just an incompetent agent, so helping you…”
Randall, who had been mocking me, flinched when he saw the word I’d written by wiping the condensation off the bottle.
You’re collaborating with the demons.
I’d stayed quiet because he’d try to kill me if I acted like I knew, but I had no choice now.
Randall’s eyes widened slightly at the word 'Zboni' written on the bottle.
Meeting his cold gaze, I spoke.
“So, from now on, I’m going to make you two proposals.”
“… …”
“You don't have to scowl like that. It’s a very good deal for you.”
Without a word, Randall looked at the agent waiting at the counter.
The agent nodded and quietly stepped out of the shop. Immediately, a murderous aura began to radiate from Randall’s body.
I told you, it’s a good deal.
“First, make Akane the head of the organization. As quickly as possible.”
“… …”
“And don't touch the organization. For about six months? Then I can provide the land to bind the amount of souls the government wants.”
“Whether that’s true or not… what do I get out of this? If you’re suggesting this as the price for my silence, I could just take care of that with my own hands right now.”
“Why so violent?”
I gave a thin smile as I faced Randall, who looked ready to kill me at any moment.
“I’m going to gift you the promotion of a lifetime.”
“…?”
If you’re the hero who saved the citizens from being swept away by Tyran Energy, is a promotion even a question?
I’m going to make you a key figure in the government.