Chapter 297: City Councilman (2)

There would be no reason to speak like this if it were merely about bringing in a normal freelancer or an influential figure from the underworld.

A criminal driven by desire, a mercenary with a backstory, an ambitious power-broker.

They are all opponents one can analyze, understand, and predict rational responses from.

But what if it’s an entity whose past and true nature cannot be grasped at all, even after investigating their activities for years, their motives remain unpredictable?

They offer time-based relics or artifacts as commission rewards, yet they have never once shown obsession with these rewards. What should one observe, investigate, and predict about such an opponent?

Innumerable people have questioned Lennok’s unnatural gaps in activity, but the woman’s judgment was based on highly rational and analytical grounds, even among those individuals.

Perhaps this was because, unlike others who had previously dealt with Lennok, her perspective as a high-ranking city government official was different.

It differed from those in Vulcan’s underworld who thought solely in terms of profit and power.

Those responsible for the city’s administration would, by nature, have to consider justification, influence, repercussions, and trust in the process.

The woman’s negative assessment was the result of thoroughly gauging various factors that figures in the underworld would not consider.

However, Meyer listened to her calm persuasion and calmly shook his head.

“Judging by what you’re saying, it seems you haven’t read that thick analysis report in its entirety yet.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

“More than three years ago, I worked with that man.”

“…”

“I’ve known him since then. To be precise, I coveted him.”

“Councilman. Unless you knew Adamant Thunder before he appeared in this city, that’s not sufficient grounds to trust him.”

“I don’t trust him. I don’t rely on such trivial emotions.”

Meyer said, looking up at the woman.

“But it’s also true that I’ve known him longer than I’ve known you.”

At that moment, the woman understood the meaning of Meyer’s words and fell silent.

Meyer was implying that to him, Lennok and the woman assessing him were not so different.

“I know that other councilmen are very interested in this matter.”

Meyer whispered.

“There are more than a few who want to wield influence without taking responsibility.”

“…Councilman Meyer. That’s…”

“So, please be quiet for a moment. I need time to think.”

Meyer left the silently pondering woman and fell into thought.

An unprecedented rebellion of the megacity’s outer defense force.

However, it’s difficult to think of this entire process as a phenomenon that emerged from unpredictable chaos.

At the very least, the City Council and other high-ranking government officials had consistently reduced the budget allocated to the outer defense force and repeatedly invested it elsewhere.

They were well aware that soldiers, unable to endure their worsening circumstances, might entertain other thoughts.

Even that someone behind the scenes wished to ignite the discontent within the Defense Force Command.

In this situation, what was the best course of action for Meyer, who had been chosen as the one responsible?

He needed a variable that even the City Council members couldn’t predict.

The man in the photo at the very top of the thick analysis report was, at least in that sense, clearly the most suitable person.

“I had a feeling we’d meet like this someday.”

Meyer murmured faintly.

Even in times when he had no reputation or background, his exceptional talent was not hard to discern.

This city overflows with talented individuals and ambitious dreamers, but there are always those who pursue something beyond that, something greater.

How far must one look to keep one’s gaze steady even within this enormous magical realm?

At least, all of Van’s actions to date seemed to have never deviated from his determined purpose and means, not for a single moment.

“This time, it would be good if I could draw him to my side…”

The woman looked down at Meyer’s face, which held a greedy gaze, with trembling eyes.

Vulcan’s central district, Sector 17.

Sector 10 is where large corporations and interest groups are concentrated, even among the central districts of the megacity.

Skyscrapers that seem to pierce the sky stand in rows, as if completely disregarding floor area ratios, and not a single speck of trash is visible on the streets where countless people walk.

It is one of the most thoroughly and cleanly managed downtown areas among all districts of this massive city.

Lennok, dressed in a neat suit, silently looked up at the buildings.

Through the sunlit windows, busy people could be seen working.

“Hmm…”

It was a suit he received when he took on a commission for Dyke Corp. a long time ago, but it felt awkward as he rarely had occasion to wear it.

Lennok smoothed his shirt collar a few times, sighed softly, and began to walk.

“Mr. Van!”

A tall, cylindrical building with an entirely blue glass facade.

The entrance of an unknown building, splendidly constructed with streamlined pillar materials.

A woman, who had been anxiously checking her watch in the parking lot filled with sleek mid-sized sedans, spotted Lennok and waved her hand high.

Lennok nodded with a calm expression.

“Panua. It’s been a while.”

Panua Bellucci.

The Planning Team Leader of Dyke Corp., and the very first person to give a nominated commission to Lennok when he was an unknown freelancer.

Their connection began when she, at the time, wanted to enter the weapons industry in Vulcan’s underworld and sought help from Lennok and other freelancers.

As a result, Lennok became a consultant for Dyke Corp.’s Management Planning Department and had been in contact with her through Jenny ever since.

Given their past connection, Dyke Corp. had even cooperated with Lennok during his power struggle with the Cartel, so Panua would naturally want to maintain a positive cooperative relationship.

“This way, please. The meeting place is the 10th-floor main conference room.”

Panua said, naturally guiding Lennok into the building.

“Is this a branch building of Dyke Corp.?”

“No. It seems the City Council requested the rental of Balitz Corp.’s newly established branch building for today’s meeting.”

“I see…”

“Even after being newly built, the high-rise offices apparently remained vacant due to various circumstances, so when the City Council requested a rental, they probably had no choice but to comply.”

Balitz Corp. is one of the few colossal corporations in the megacity.

A building located in the city’s core district, especially a newly built branch of Balitz Corp., would have exorbitant rent.

The fact that even such a corporation readily provided space without significant complaint when the City Council requested it indirectly proves their status.

“I never thought Mr. Van would participate in this matter.”

Panua said, hurrying through the building’s lobby.

“We, of course, thought there was a possibility of being summoned, as we’ve recently built a solid business foundation in the underworld…”

“But?”

At Lennok’s question, Panua subtly looked around and spoke in a low voice.

“Because of the work Mr. Van has done so far, I thought you’d ignore a summons even if you received one.”

“…”

She wasn’t wrong.

Under the name of Van, he had been operating mainly in Vulcan’s outer districts and undeveloped areas, and his opponents had only been underworld organizations or individuals.

Lennok paused, about to answer, and calmly looked around.

Most of the people filling the lobby were company employees or external associates, seeming not to know who Lennok was.

Most were preoccupied with their own work, and those who did glance over were the type who recognized Panua, Dyke Corp.’s planning team leader, rather than Lennok.

However, among them, sharp glances briefly swept over Lennok’s face.

A faint, rigid hostility felt even amidst countless people. A heavy silence settled among the bustling presence.

Wasn’t this itself proof that a City Councilman had personally made an appearance here?

Lennok, who had naturally cast a sound-dampening spell, chuckled and replied.

“The person in charge of this matter is someone I know. It was about time we met face to face anyway.”

“You’re acquainted with Councilman Meyer?”

Panua asked with a slightly surprised expression.

“We ran into each other while I was doing freelance work.”

“Indeed… Councilman Meyer is one of the rising councilmen who has ascended at an incredibly rapid pace recently. It was rumored that because he entered politics at a late age, he’s also well-versed in underworld affairs.”

That wasn’t wrong.

Even Lennok felt that the speed at which Meyer had climbed to a councilman position was abnormal.

No matter how ambitious one is, the world doesn’t operate on ambition alone.

Beyond simply possessing ambition and drive, it would be impossible to secure a councilman position in a short period without objective analysis and understanding of one’s position, and meticulous dealings.

Acknowledging this, Lennok felt the need to meet him at least once.

No matter how much Lennok’s activities were concentrated in Vulcan’s underworld, there was no reason to sour a connection with such a person.

Ding!

As soon as they reached the 10th floor via elevator, the atmosphere instantly changed.

Wide corridors spread out. Amidst the empty offices, dozens of bodyguards stood guard, watching every direction.

All of them were high-level mana users. Beyond solid organization, they were skilled security personnel whose individual combat abilities were perfectly honed.

Dozens of such individuals were gathered in one place, solely focused on the safety of one person.

“Panua Bellucci. Van. Both identities confirmed.”

About ten escorts respectfully verified their identities, thoroughly searched their bodies, and then allowed the two to enter the corridor.

That utterly meticulous procedure itself proved the status of the person they were about to meet.

A City Councilman of the megacity Vulcan.

These are the people who hold the power to decide the direction of this colossal city where tens of millions live.

There’s no need to elaborate on the extent of privileges and authority they receive simply by attaining that position.

Utterly thorough security. The authority to act beyond the city’s laws and regulations. These are individuals who can determine the fates of others with a mere word or gesture.

No matter how low their rank, the fact that a City Councilman personally attended such a meeting was surprising.

This was likely proof that the City Council was taking the Defense Force’s coup d’état seriously.

Panua seemed slightly tense, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

“…Let’s go in.”

Creak…

As soon as the wide door opened, a vast, open space came into view.

At the very back of the huge hall, Balitz Corp.’s logo was prominently embossed, and dozens of people sat around a wide, circular wooden table.

The one who gathered people of diverse affiliations, attire, origins, and backgrounds in this spacious conference room.

Councilman Meyer immediately stood up upon seeing Lennok.

“Van!”

The escorts standing behind the dais all moved in unison, following Meyer.

The level of the escorts inside the conference room was even higher than those in the corridor outside.

“It’s been a long time.”

“The same goes for me.”

Meyer, unfazed by the pouring gazes, unhesitatingly offered Lennok a handshake.

“I’m always kept fully updated on your whereabouts. There’s not a day goes by without hearing the name Adamant Thunder in that lawless zone. My judgment was indeed correct.”

“I was also surprised to hear news of the Councilman.”

Lennok smiled.

“I understand you rose from district councilman to central parliamentary representative in less than three years. What happened?”

“Well, many things happened. Everything is usually a little different from what it seems on the surface, isn’t it?”

Meyer gave a bitter laugh at Lennok’s words.

“Please have a seat. Since you’re here, we can begin immediately.”

While Lennok and Panua found suitable empty seats, the wary gazes of others continued.

“So that’s Adamant Thunder. He’s quite hard to make out from photos.”

“He seems much calmer than I expected. Is it because the old man councilman is here?”

“On the contrary, I heard he’s not violent by nature. Seeing him show up here, he must have an ulterior motive.”

“…”

Lennok chuckled, listening to the whispers from all directions without filtering.

Meanwhile, Meyer, standing at the dais, took the microphone and began to speak.

“I am Representative Meyer. It seems everyone is here, so let’s get straight to the point.”

As he said that and gestured, an escort seated below the dais immediately turned on a screen and projected a hologram.

“You must have heard the situation, so I’ll omit the background. Currently, while contact with the Defense Force Command, responsible for the city’s outer defense line, is cut off, attacks on unofficial magic users are continuing.”

Is that how the City Council refers to people from the underworld?

Regardless of Lennok’s thoughts, Meyer’s explanation continued.

“In the past week, there have been over thirty attacks, and we’ve captured five members of the Defense Force alive. Three committed suicide, and the remaining two are barely breathing.”

“…”

Meyer continued speaking, as if the chilling details were nothing.

“They were operating under orders to collect data on unregistered ability users and, if possible, assassinate them. The City Council has cut off the Defense Force’s network access and issued arrest warrants, but it’s proving ineffective.”

“Councilman. You said you’d omit the background, but you’ve been talking about useless things ever since.”

A man, chewing gum with his chin propped on the table, asked.

“So, what’s your point?”

The atmosphere instantly sharpened.

The escorts’ gazes toward the rude questioner were extremely sharp.

The atmosphere of public officials, different from mere hostility, purely and professionally pressured the opponent.

It was a thoroughly refined aura, completely unlike that of the underworld, making even the man who asked the question flinch for a moment.

But Meyer ignored the reactions around him and said.

“Approximately ten hours ago, there was a message from the Defense Force Command via the City Council’s direct line.”

Flash!

With those words, the hologram on the screen changed, forming a video.

“Other councilmen opposed making it public, but I disagree. It’s faster to see it once than to hear it. Just watch.”

Whoosh!!

The video began, showing a vast mountain range surrounding Vulcan’s undeveloped area.

After showing the mountains for a while, the video suddenly clicked and blurred faintly.

[From the Arbat Mountains, the city is not clearly visible.]

Behind the shaking camera, the deep, heavy voice of an elderly man echoed.

[It’s always been that way for over twenty years.]

“…”

[That’s why we always climbed these peaks to admire Vulcan’s night view. To keep the image of the city we must protect etched clearly in our memories at all times.]

With a click, the screen shook and the camera moved.

[But now you’re trying to abandon us like worn-out shoes.]

A white-haired man with roughly swept-back hair and a shaggy beard, completely white. Clearly not young at first glance.

But the eyes peering from beneath his thick, white eyebrows were so cold that it was difficult to discern any emotion.

[I’m fed up with the City Council’s endless promises. You always chatter such pleasant words, waiting for our strength to wane. Waiting for the day we become mangy dogs, unable to even resist…]

Boom!

The camera screen violently shook.

[So we, too, decided to make our move before it’s too late.]

The spinning screen showed the bottom of the towering mountain range.

A colossal steel fortress. Thick metal bridges supporting it from below.

After the great war that swept the entire continent ceased, the mobile fortress, which had never moved from its place, was now descending the Arbat Mountains.