Chapter 164
Chapter 164
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 164
Chapter Title: Public Service Announcement
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The eastern coast of the Azelan Continent.
“Battle over!”
As Rohan Leit, at the forefront, shouted loudly, cheers erupted.
“Good work, my friend.”
“That was excellent.”
“I think I’m getting used to your praise.”
Today, they had resumed the monster subjugation that had been halted.
As it was their historic first sortie, they chose a rather meaningful location, and the entire subjugation force participated.
Their first destination was the Red Salt Flats on the eastern coast.
It was a place inhabited by peculiar marine monsters, where the Crieta, known as the krakens of the land, existed.
The Crieta, octopus-like creatures with bodies reaching five meters excluding their legs, were ambush predators that hid in the salt flats. They formed colonies, and the general consensus was that it was difficult to conquer them without casualties.
The number of Crieta they dealt with today alone was over a hundred.
This was a number large enough to be recorded in history.
They were dangerous monsters, but with Wang-sik taking the lead as bait and Leit commanding brilliantly, they completed the subjugation without any casualties.
That fact alone gave those who participated in today's subjugation something to boast about for the rest of their lives.
*Such a perfect operation.*
This thought took root in the minds of every knight and soldier who fought.
“We’ll take it from here.”
As the priests of the Hemian Temple began their purification work, the subjugation force’s mission was over.
“The next operation begins in two days. For today, return to base.”
Leit’s voice was filled with vigor.
After giving his orders to the soldiers, Leit turned to Wang-sik with a smile.
“How about a drink?”
“Sounds good.”
However, their drinking session did not happen.
A soldier came riding up on a horse and delivered a letter to Wang-sik.
“A message from the mansion.”
When Wang-sik checked the letter, a simple sentence was written on it.
—An important guest is arriving tonight.
It was from the ghost butler.
Wang-sik knew who the guest was. He had been informed in advance.
*He took the bait.*
Wang-sik told the disappointed Leit that he would be back by morning and returned to the Lennox mansion.
Lennox Vega and Falcon.
They sat facing each other in the Lennox mansion.
Having intentionally met in the study, they exchanged simple greetings over a small, round tea table.
After a dry exchange of voices, Falcon got straight to the point.
“The head of the Mirje Trading Company said that you, Marquis, would eliminate my worries.”
Wang-sik set down his teacup and spoke leisurely.
“That is my intention.”
“How so?”
The conversation proceeded without a clear subject. Realizing this, Wang-sik paused, the corner of his mouth lifting into a smirk.
Just as Falcon began to show discomfort at the sudden silence, Wang-sik spoke again.
“I will offer you more than what you can get at the Magic Tower.”
Falcon’s expression tensed at Wang-sik’s blunt words.
He didn’t trust Wang-sik. What if this conversation somehow reached the 9th-floor mages?
He would lose everything and be cast out. He might even lose his life.
As if reading his thoughts, Wang-sik no longer delayed and played the card he had prepared.
“The Falcon Magic Research Institute. This is what we have prepared. It will be an institute officially recognized by the Mirje Trading Company and the House of Marquis Lennox.”
An institute bearing his own name.
It was another goal that mages dreamed of.
But this wasn’t enough.
The institute’s facilities and materials would undoubtedly surpass those of the Magic Tower.
It wasn’t just money; they had the Mirje Alchemist Guild.
It was clear that alchemical ingredients would be supplied limitlessly.
The problem was the weight of the title ‘9th-floor mage of the Magic Tower’ versus a personal research institute.
No matter how he thought about it, the title of a 9th-floor mage of the Magic Tower was far more desirable.
*Although the chances of being used are high...*
While he still couldn’t let go of his lingering attachment, Wang-sik placed a document on the table.
“What is this?”
“Your worries will disappear.”
Falcon looked at the document Wang-sik offered. On it were written the names of famous tourist spots, small trading companies he’d never heard of, and noble families.
Seeing Falcon’s uncomprehending expression, Wang-sik spoke.
“This is a collection of the 9th-floor mage Gullan’s assets that violate imperial law.”
“What?”
It was an open secret within the Magic Tower that the 9th-floor mages had hidden assets.
This was due to the immense amount of funds flowing in.
But he had never expected Wang-sik to find this out.
“How long do you think the Magic Tower’s reputation will last?”
With this, the scales tipped in the opposite direction.
“So that’s why he told me to meet you, Marquis…”
“I am investigating the Magic Tower under His Majesty’s orders. How do you think that will end? Even if I don’t get the results I want, the Magic Tower will not be what it once was.”
Wang-sik smiled and delivered his final words.
“What’s left to gain by holding on in a sinking ship?”
At those words, the scales in Falcon’s mind vanished.
***
—Falcon, the foremost authority on gates, has left the Magic Tower.
It was news that would shake the Azelan Continent.
The Magic Tower tried everything to stop it, but they couldn’t.
This was because the Mirje Trading Company, Marquis Lennox, and even Duke Rohan had emerged as his backers.
Thanks to them, Falcon left the Magic Tower with a spectacular backing.
According to regulations, he left Lilia’s research records at the Magic Tower, but they remained in his head as if copied. It wasn’t a difficult feat to accomplish using magic.
Having left the Magic Tower, he received a satisfactory offer.
—We will build the largest-scale research institute in your desired location on the eastern coast.
Within the territory of the House of Marquis Lennox, his safety was guaranteed. In addition, the Mirje Trading Company offered its full support.
—We will recruit any talent you desire.
Falcon, having already heard the news, persuaded three mages who had belonged to the Magic Tower and fell into the happy dilemma of scouting for talent across the entire continent.
The location Falcon chose was an island about one kilometer off the eastern coast.
Having chosen the island to maintain secrecy, he began selecting personnel from a temporary mansion prepared by Wang-sik.
At the same time.
Wang-sik was chatting and laughing with Oh Min-jae.
“He’s moving just as we thought.”
“He needs to recruit the most exceptional talent possible.”
Falcon’s recruitment of talent was also part of their plan.
“That’s the only way to reduce the occurrence of high-level gates.”
There were many gate experts besides those in the Magic Tower. The numerous high-level gates appearing on Earth were proof of that.
Oh Min-jae planned to gather them using vast funds.
Because that was the best way to reduce the number of high-level gates.
“We need to proceed without a hitch. Then we can even rope in those Barak bastards.”
Their plan didn’t end with just reducing the number of gates.
Falcon had already been confirmed to be connected to Barak.
If they gave meaning to the Falcon Institute’s first project and constructed a top-tier gate, he would surely contact Barak again.
Their plan was to use this to capture Barak as well.
“Then I’ll go pressure the Magic Tower. I need to please the Emperor’s ears.”
“Aren’t you going to become a duke at this rate?”
“The Emperor isn’t that stupid. He’ll eventually use me as a disposable pawn. More importantly, you be careful too. The Magic Tower guys won’t let this slide.”
With this incident, the Magic Tower and the Mirje Trading Company became complete enemies.
They had poached a key figure, and in the process, there had even been a fake investment agreement.
“They’re the ones who’ll be sorry. I’m going to slowly bleed them dry, so look forward to it.”
“I will. And this is a gift.”
Wang-sik stood up from his seat and placed a document bearing the imperial palace’s seal on the table.
“What’s this?”
“Picked it up on my way here.”
Oh Min-jae quickly checked the document.
“Huh?”
It was two permits.
One for the high-end bakery they had established in the capital to supply the imperial palace.
And another stating that the Mirje Trading Company’s signature luxury item, the Amaranth Jewel Workshop, was permitted to open in the capital.
“Wow! You pulled this off?”
“That’s how good I am.”
The implications of this were huge.
It meant the Mirje Trading Company had officially entered the capital and the imperial palace. It also meant lending more power to the Mirje Trading Company, which was keeping the Magic Tower in check.
“When I get this kind of backing, I tend to go wild.”
“Go wild. Now’s the time for it.”
“Alright! Leave it to me!”
Oh Min-jae’s excited voice always made Wang-sik smile.
***
At that point, while things were going well on the Azelan Continent.
Unsettling news arrived from Earth.
“We’ve found out what Japan was relying on so heavily.”
The reason they clung to the Korea-US-Japan Gate Agreement until the very end.
“An S-rank Awakened has been born in Japan.”
Japan, whose only weakness was the lack of an S-rank Awakened, had now filled that gap.
“They say he’s already joined the Royal Club. Seems like there will be an official announcement soon.”
But Kang Il-seop looked at the agents’ expressions and gave a hollow laugh.
“Hey, everyone. What’s with those faces?”
No one seemed to take it seriously.
“It’s just absurd. Are they really acting so bold over a single new S-rank?”
At Min Ha-na’s question, even Kang Il-seop, who had been trying to set a serious tone, felt his energy drain.
An S-rank Hunter was no longer a significant threat to the combat agents of Mad Castle.
They had learned from the battle in China that there was a stark difference in skill even among S-ranks.
“No. Politically, it’s quite a powerful weapon. The S-rank isn’t the problem; it’s the Royal Club backing him.”
“They must not have heard the news from China yet. It couldn’t have been kept completely secret.”
“They’ve probably heard. That’s what makes it more dangerous.”
“More dangerous?”
“Because they’ll be even more wary of us.”
“Hmm.”
“They’ll think this way: ‘Of course they won, they have three S-rank Hunters.’ I heard Wang Jin-chun said as much.”
“Three?”
“Our mascot being S-rank is no longer a secret. Suspicions started during the US operation.”
It was understandable, given the incredible buffs and healing magic she displayed back then.
“A maximum of four S-rank Hunters. On the other hand, the Royal Club has now recruited the Japanese Hunter, bringing their total to seven. Even with E Suo-lin gone, that’s still six.”
“What a simplistic way of calculating.”
They still believed that S-ranks were the ultimate power.
“Well, let’s set aside the thoughts of the weak. What do you think Japan will do now?”
“The Royal Club will support the Korea-US-Japan Gate Agreement.”
“Are they testing us?”
“Whichever path we choose, we’ll face criticism. If we get involved in the agreement, they’ll say we’re not a transnational organization but effectively the South Korean government.”
“And if we ignore the agreement, we’ll be accused of abandoning South Korea, since the power of Japan and the US will encroach upon it.”
At a glance, it felt like they were in a checkmate.
“That’s how the weak think. They believe there’s strength in numbers.”
“We can’t just attack them recklessly like we did in China. China tries to hide things, but the Royal Club will exaggerate them. We’d face immense criticism.”
They would paint us as dictators who started a war. With the Royal Club’s current power, they could even deal a severe blow to the Guseong Group.
However, Wang-sik’s expression was not the least bit troubled.
“Bureau Director, let’s run a public service announcement.”
At those words, Kang Il-seop sighed, and Wang-sik said with a smile.
“You’ve already figured it out.”
“I thought you would.”
“Then why didn’t you mention it first?”
“Because it could turn into a huge fight. My role isn’t to send you all to the battlefield. It’s to manage things so you only participate in necessary battles.”
The combat agents acknowledged Kang Il-seop’s sincerity.
“The decision is yours, Bureau Director. But if we wait any longer, those guys might actually become a world government.”
“I agree. It’s about time we put them in their place.”
Kang Il-seop stopped deliberating and made a decision.
“Let’s start the public service announcement.”
Wang-sik smiled at his declaration, but the others did not. Min Ha-na, the most impatient of them, asked Kang Il-seop.
“What kind of announcement are we making?”
Wang-sik answered for him.
“Drug eradication.”
Only then did everyone understand the plan.