Chapter 1130: Showdown (1)
[Last night, Freya Carlin was dramatically rescued from the scene of a fire at the Alcantara Hotel.]
[Investigations are currently underway to determine if the incident, which targeted the diva visiting Torquepaz for her 17th World Tour, was intentional…]
[Despite the unforeseen accident, the artist has expressed her determination to proceed with the concert.]
[At the stadium where the concert is scheduled, support for the artist is already pouring in…]
Hundreds of meters away from the Alcantara Hotel, at another luxurious casino facility.
News was being broadcast in the vast, empty lobby, evacuated by its customers.
The lavish facility replicated famous architectural landmarks from across the continent, offering complimentary high-end alcohol and buffets everywhere.
Inside the lobby, an artificial waterway flowed, and pleasant music softly permeated the air.
“……”
True to its reputation as a city of gambling and entertainment, the downtown casino facilities boasted an unrealistically extravagant scale.
However, a heavy silence hung in the glittering casino hall, which could easily accommodate hundreds of people.
Click.
Lennok, who had been toying with a stack of poker chips on the table, glanced away.
Agneta stared blankly at the news, while Soryu gazed coldly out the window.
Freya, oblivious to the surrounding atmosphere, was meticulously reapplying her makeup.
“Kukuku…”
From the hallway, a creaking puppet emerged with an eerie cackle.
The puppet, stopped at a baccarat table, twisted its head to look back at the group.
“I’ve replaced Freya Carlin with my puppet as a stand-in…”
“……”
“Unless someone persistently engages it in conversation, it shouldn’t be exposed until the performance begins…”
The Puppet Master, Chebien. A person of eccentric temperament, whom Lennok had met during Pandemonium’s accounting and meetings.
Was this individual, who always used a puppet as a stand-in for himself, participating in this operation?
An icy atmosphere descended as superhumans, each with wildly different personalities, gathered in one place.
“For a hastily planned operation, it’s quite an interesting selection of personnel…”
Chebien surveyed those gathered in the hall and sneered.
“Did you pick only those with annoying abilities? What an eccentric hobby…”
“Hey, Puppet Master. Shut up. Is that really necessary right now?”
Freya retorted with an irritated expression.
“I haven’t slept a wink since yesterday evening, you know? Do you know what it’s like to have a concert in half a day with my skin looking like this?”
“Kekeke, why should I care about such trivialities…?”
“Besides, this concert schedule was the result of your own strong input.”
Soryu, who had been looking down at the lobby from a window on the second-floor railing, spoke.
“If you had refused to participate, the operation wouldn’t have proceeded this way. Shouldn’t you take some responsibility?”
“Hey, Prince. Did the cold reach your bones and drive you insane?”
Freya tossed her hair back and laughed coldly.
“I’m not getting help; you guys are riding on my coattails. You should state things clearly.”
The members, having just gathered, were already exchanging sharp words.
But even amidst this, Lennok noticed that the atmosphere was subtly different from usual.
And that the other members were simply ignoring that fact.
“……”
A man in a black shirt sat leaning back, eyes closed, at one end of a Texas Hold’em table.
Despite his long, dark hair being casually swept back, his demeanor and appearance were tidy.
Wrapped in a thick coat, he sat like a ghost, completely unresponsive.
Antares, the Precognitive.
The leader of the Antares Mercenary Group, an 8th-level superhuman, had joined Pandemonium.
And he was participating in an operation to raid The Gate beneath Kabahim’s royal capital.
‘It’s him. Why is he here?’
Antares was a war mercenary who had fought alongside Croken, gaining precognitive abilities after failing on the Pilgrimage Path.
After his mercenary group settled in Vulcan, he was a superhuman who wandered the continent endlessly alone.
Why, then, had he suddenly joined forces with Pandemonium at this moment?
If not for his obsidian mask, Lennok would have had to struggle to hide his expression.
He had never imagined Antares would appear here.
[The information analysis from Agneta at the Alcantara Casino Hotel is complete.]
Ssshh–
At that moment, the news screen changed, and Hylaea’s calm voice flowed out.
[The human trafficking at the hotel was to acquire war prisoners from the Central Front to use as a power source for the new weapon, the Armored Barrel.]
[The Armored Barrel’s cannibalism system uses humans as power, and the estimated energy efficiency is a staggering 105%.]
[It seems the Torquepaz City Council intended to reinforce the city’s security using humans as raw material.]
“I’m not very interested in talking about robot cans.”
Freya, sitting in her chair and fixing her makeup, said indifferently.
“I’ve been sitting here so long, I’m cold and my back hurts, you know? Get to the point.”
[As you all know, Torquepaz is divided into the ‘City Council’ on the surface and the ‘Syndicate’ in the shadows.]
Hylaea immediately shifted her explanation at Freya’s words.
[As befits a city of pleasure, the Syndicate holds the upper hand, but this situation is different.]
[The large-scale human trafficking was orchestrated by key figures on the City Council side: the Mayor and the Police Commissioner.]
Pfft!
Photos of the Mayor and Police Commissioner appeared on the screen.
A robust-looking middle-aged man and an old man with a benevolent smile.
[Considering the money involved, the deal won’t stop just because the Mayor is dead. It seems the Police Commissioner was actually handling the payments.]
[Then the timing of the transaction will definitely be during Freya’s performance.]
“Why? What does that have to do with my concert?”
[The City Council deliberately scheduled the human trafficking deal to coincide with your concert.]
“What?!”
“They want to divert public attention with the concert and complete the transaction safely, of course.”
Soryu ignored Freya, who had a scowl on her face, and said.
“It’s about buying war prisoners from the Central Front. If it’s exposed to the media, it’ll be difficult to clean up. Given the ‘purpose’ of the prisoners, they’ll try to conceal the transaction process at all costs.”
His complexion, despite having just been about to fight Antares, seemed surprisingly calm.
Perhaps he was feigning composure, or perhaps he had fully prepared himself for the operation heading to the royal capital.
[When the concert begins, the Commissioner will move to complete the transaction. A large police force will be mobilized to escort the purchased prisoners.]
“So, the moment the police force pulls away from the stadium is when we trigger the terror attack, then…”
[From there, it will be a matter of on-site judgment.]
Hylaea subtly evaded Chebien’s question.
[This is the summary of the information acquired from the Alcantara Hotel. So, now…]
Hylaea’s voice hesitated for a moment.
But no one present was unaware of the reason for her hesitation.
“Ah, please continue.”
Splash!
The Clown, wiping the blood from his entire body, leisurely got dressed and walked out.
He looked a little better than earlier, when he had been suffering from gaping wounds in the bathtub.
The Clown gestured politely towards the silent communicator and grinned.
“Don’t mind me. I’m listening.”
[……]
Despite The Clown’s leisurely message, Hylaea didn’t reply for a long time.
Even over the unseen communication, her tension was palpable.
It must be because this was Hylaea’s first time working directly with The Clown.
But Hylaea wasn’t the only one wary of The Clown.
“……”
Other members, including Soryu and Chebien, were also clearly watching The Clown’s words and actions.
Their gazes were rigid, closer to fear or incomprehension than mere interest or caution.
But Lennok understood why the other members were so wary of The Clown.
The Clown was a transcendent illusionist, capable enough to handle the Director’s operations within Pandemonium itself.
Considering his standing and reputation within the organization, it was no exaggeration to call him a commander on par with Croken or the Nether King.
However, separate from such evaluations, he was an eccentric who preferred to act strictly on his own whims.
It was easy to be misled by his strange words and actions, but surprisingly, The Clown had never once participated in a full Pandemonium assembly.
In fact, this was The Clown’s first time participating in such a large-scale operation.
This could be seen as a testament to how well The Clown’s status and danger were known within Pandemonium, but—
“Well, if the situation briefing is roughly over, shall I introduce a new face?”
The Clown clapped his hands, turning towards Antares.
“Alright, alright, this is Antares, who will be joining us for this operation. A round of applause, everyone~”
“……”
Silence fell.
Antares, eyes closed, didn’t react.
The Clown scratched his cheek awkwardly and subtly changed the subject.
“Ahem, he’s a remarkably gifted precognitive, whom we went to great lengths to bring in due to the special nature of this operation.”
“……”
“Strictly speaking, he wasn’t my recommended choice of personnel, but… I suppose you’re not particularly curious about that, are you?”
The Clown shrugged and grinned.
“Anyway, he’ll be moving with us for a while on this operation, but since he’s ‘initially’ participating in an advisory role, he probably won’t be directly involved much.”
Antares offered no reply to The Clown’s explanation.
He merely stared ahead with an unreadable expression.
That face, calm to the point of peacefulness, was almost identical to Lennok’s memories.
“He’s a precognitive, so sometimes it’s hard to communicate with him, but we ask for your generous understanding on that front.”
While Lennok was lost in thought, The Clown leisurely spoke.
“Well, if he has any thoughts or impressions, shall we hear them?”
“……”
Antares opened his eyes and looked around.
He gazed at the giant spider, the creaking puppet, and the diva in turn, then spoke in a low voice.
“Just as hypocrisy has more value than false malice, the unknown has more meaning than the known.”
“What?”
“Moving towards an unknown future often leads to a better outcome.”
Antares closed his eyes again.
“That is why I am here.”
“……”
Silence ensued.
Agneta stared blankly at him, then tilted her head.
“That’s it?”
“What was that about?”
Freya asked, frowning.
“So, you’re saying you joined because you don’t know if this operation will succeed or fail? What kind of nonsense is this?”
“Hehehe, pursuing an unpredictable future…”
Chebien cackled, creaking.
“Typical of a precognitive… Though, that’s probably why he’s still alive and hasn’t committed suicide…”
“……”
The other members sneered, but Lennok understood Antares’s words and remained silent.
Because Lennok still remembered what Antares had said long ago.
He had come to prefer the unknown over the known.
He desired an unknown future, not a predetermined outcome where success and failure were foreseen.
Surely, that was the essence and answer defining the superhuman known as Antares.
“There is a point regarding that which I do not understand.”
Soryu, leaning against an antique tapestry, spoke.
His gaze, directed at Antares, sharpened.
“It should go without saying, but a precognitive is a very dangerous variable. Even a slight misstep could lead to a complete misjudgment of the outcome.”
“……”
“Even if he can make things more convenient, one must be prepared for a risk several times greater. Is such a contingency truly necessary for this operation?”
“Ah, I think similarly.”
Agneta tilted her head blankly.
“If he can’t foresee the success or failure of the task, can’t that man help us in this operation?”
“At best, he can only be used occasionally in localized situations. It would be a blessing if he doesn’t just get in the way.”
“Precognition is not a power solely applicable to macroscopic fields. Depending on how it’s used, it can be tremendously helpful even in minor details.”
The Clown chuckled at Freya’s words.
A strange reaction, as if the assessment of Antares itself was amusing.
“Moreover, this friend was once a quite famous mercenary. Even if he doesn’t help us, he won’t hinder us.”
“A war mercenary? That man was a mercenary?”
The Clown tilted his head at Freya’s question, as she clearly didn’t know Antares.
“Reya. You’ve traveled the continent so much for concerts and still don’t know him.”
“How would I know that? The only things I care about when I’m on tour are local specialties and cosmetics.”
Freya replied, irritably running her hands through her hair.
“And all the Torquepaz specialty whiskeys I was going to post on social media evaporated this time, you know? You’ll pay for them after this operation is over.”
“No, why does the person making the most money here keep acting like this?”
“Oh, don’t make me laugh. You know my personality by now, don’t you?”
A celebrity of Freya’s caliber would surely earn an astronomical income annually.
It wasn’t entirely incomprehensible why The Clown looked unjustly treated.
“Kukuk, human affairs are truly ironic…”
Chebien chuckled, watching the two bicker in this urgent situation.
“To think Croken Asylus’s comrade would cooperate with Pandemonium in such a way… How interesting…”
“Cro-Croken?!”
At that moment, Freya, who had been arguing with The Clown, stiffened.
She, too, must still remember the overwhelming presence she felt from Croken at the Well of the Codex.
“By the way, was it Hylaea?”
Ignoring Freya, who had instantly paled and fallen silent, The Clown turned his gaze.
“A connector with the Talent for Duality, your skill is quite good, I must say.”
[…I merely summarized the information I received. This operation is purely your design.]
Hylaea replied, a beat late.
[More importantly, it’s not a skill to boast about in front of the architect who successfully carried out the Well operation.]
“Oh! Even modesty. Excellent.”
The Clown clapped his hands, chuckling.
“I’m terrible at this kind of explanation, you see. Do you have anything to add about this operation?”
[Just one last thing.]
Hylaea said, removing the Mayor’s photo.
The members’ attention naturally focused on the remaining photo of the Police Commissioner.
A white-haired old man in a police uniform, wearing a benevolent smile.
[Looking at the information Agneta sent, the person to watch out for in this operation is ultimately the Police Commissioner.]
[Forcing through human trafficking without much reaction even after the Mayor’s death, he’s clearly not an ordinary person in many ways.]
Hylaea explained, looking at the photo.
[The Police Commissioner himself took office last quarter and is presumed to be a working-level official who rose through the Mayor’s connections.]
[Immediately after taking office, he strengthened police forces and focused on casino crackdowns, which yielded results and gained public support.]
[However, there’s almost no information known about his background. Even the police database only contained minimal personal details.]
“……Hmm.”
“So, a person whose identity is even more unknown than the Mayor himself.”
[In a way, I think he’s a more suspicious backer than the Mayor. Does anyone know anything about this man?]
At Hylaea’s words, the other members calmly scrutinized the Police Commissioner’s photo.
“I don’t know his face. This is my first time seeing him.”
“Besides, why would I memorize the faces of public officials from other cities one by one?”
“Huh?”
At that moment, The Clown tilted his head, looking bewildered at the Police Commissioner’s photo.
“Oh, I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere…”
“……”
A brief silence. Hylaea naturally continued her explanation.
[The Police Commissioner himself is currently holed up at the police headquarters, not showing himself.]
[However, on the day of the concert, he will definitely make an appearance at the stadium.]
[Blessings worth roughly half a year, mediated by Freya’s song. A high-ranking city official wouldn’t miss such an opportunity.]
“The conclusion is clear.”
Soryu spoke.
“If the Commissioner leaves during the concert, we’ll trigger the terror attack at the stadium, then.”
[There’s no one more suitable for this task than a Trait-type Manipulation Spellcaster. Victor will take that role.]
“Either way, a commotion is unavoidable.”
“Ultimately, it’s important whether Freya can hold the attention of the surroundings until preparations are complete.”
The members’ gazes turned to Freya, who stood with a sullen expression.
“Can you do it?”
“What are you getting so annoying about?”
Freya said, tossing her hair back.
“You’re telling me not to meddle and just sing well, right? Do you think I can’t even do that properly?”
“It’s not that…”
“It’s my concert. I’ll take care of it myself, so don’t interfere.”
Freya looked up with a prim expression.
“Captivating tens of thousands of gazes? That’s as easy as breathing for me.”
[Operation start time and movement path checked.]
[Concert setlist and intermission alarms synchronized.]
[List of performers and staff secured.]
[Intro music begins. 3 minutes until concert starts.]
Lennok was walking down a dark corridor.
Faint sounds leaked from the distant light.
He checked the time and movement path before the start, organizing and excluding necessary personnel.
After all, Lennok’s task in this operation wasn’t simply to turn Torquepaz upside down.
As Lennok thought so, just as he was about to step out of the corridor.
“……”
A young man in a thick fur coat was waiting for Lennok, leaning against the end of the corridor.
Lennok, facing Antares, stopped in his tracks and silently watched him.
An 8th-level martial artist. A precognitive who returned after seeing a failed outcome.
This man, who wandered the continent in search of unpredictable endings, had he recognized Lennok’s identity now?
Antares spoke.
“There isn’t just one variable that makes precognition impossible.”
“……”
“Even if it’s a part of an outcome I haven’t seen, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the correct one.”
Antares looked up, gazing steadily at Lennok.
“If your existence is similar, then there’s no need to ask.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Lennok sneered.
“Or do you, on the contrary, wish to be recognized?”
“……”
Whether he had recognized him, or chose not to try and find out even if he didn’t know.
In a strange silence, Antares slowly closed his eyes, and Lennok continued to walk.
The moment a dazzling light spread from the end of the corridor, and Lennok’s vision cleared.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!
Fireworks continuously burst in the clear sky, painting it with brilliant colors.
Amidst the sparkling explosions, countless airships flew, carrying giant electronic displays.
But the displays on the airships weren’t showing cheap advertisements.
The image of a woman with a red dress spread like wings appeared on the screen, and the moment she gripped a standing microphone.
[Everyone—]
WOOOOAAHHH!!!
A thunderous roar that shook the earth echoed through the sky.
Torquepaz Stadium.
The continent’s largest arena, capable of accommodating 100,000 spectators.
Everywhere one looked, people were packed like dots.
People holding cheering tools for Freya waved their arms, surging like a massive wave.
Every time Freya gestured on stage, thunderous shouts erupted in response.
Freya, holding the microphone, walked alone across the vast stage and began to speak.
[As you all heard—]
AAAAAAH!!!!
[There was a small accident last night.]
OOOOOOH–
[Fortunately, I wasn’t hurt, so I came up to perform, but—]
WOOOOAAHHH!!!!
[I’ll tell you in advance, I plan to leave if I feel even a little unwell. Is that okay?]
AAAAAAHHH!!!
The audience reacted with wild screams and shouts to every word from Freya.
But Freya continued, as if the outpouring of attention towards her was only natural.
[Even if it’s not okay, I can’t help it. I’ll come again next time, so forgive me for that.]
WOOOOAAHHH!!!!!
“Interesting.”
Lennok, who had arrived at the VIP box, looked down at Freya interacting with the audience.
A clean, spacious, top-tier seat on the second floor, offering a clear view of the stage where the concert was being held.
Lennok murmured, feeling the intense heat of the concert through the transparent glass window.
“It’s not something you’d say in this position. Do people find such shamelessness rather endearing?”
She openly stated she might cancel the concert at a moment’s notice, yet the audience was ecstatic at her words.
Perhaps because they knew her personality so well, or because they found even that charming and became fans.
Either way, Freya was naturally utilizing even such reactions, making them a tool to heighten this moment.
Her innate talent as a performer, one who never lost herself even in front of tens of thousands of people.
“Why are you analyzing it so seriously?”
The Clown, sitting next to Lennok, held cheering sticks in both hands, his eyes sparkling.
“Isn’t this the only time Freya truly pulls her weight? Let’s just enjoy it.”
“……Is that even something to say?”
“Yahoo~ Go, Freya!”
He leaned over the seats, happily waving the colorful cheering sticks in both hands.
Lennok looked at The Clown, then turned his gaze away.
On the opposite side of the VIP box, the Police Commissioner and other City Council officials waited for the concert to begin.
Soryu, Antares, and Chebien’s puppet sat around the seating area, each looking down at the stage.
[Then, I’ll start right away.]
As Freya moved, the stage lights dimmed one by one.
In the darkness that descended as the lights vanished, only Freya’s voice echoed quietly.
At the moment even the audience in the stadium held their breath and fell silent.
Flash!
A clear green light bloomed in the darkened stadium, brightly illuminating the stage.
The light glowed, as if illuminating Freya by resonating with the surrounding mana through its mere timbre.
[The first song I’ll sing is—]
As Freya raised the microphone, a soft humming flowed out.
[Blessing (祝福).]
Torquepaz Stadium. The World Tour concert had begun.