C197: Returning to the Starting Point (2)
Hans and other members felt Rudger true feelings again. The true image of the leader who they always thought was cool-headed and rational.
He had feelings too and a spark that ignited after he formed the current organization.
"The Empire won't move. What we have to worry about is Theon and the Black Dawn Society."
"If you get caught, won't they hang you?"
"Not necessarily."
The law is not always right and noble but a patent for the possessor. If we have a position and money, the law would always be on our side.
"If we're strong enough they'll try to compromise with us just like they did with Silver Sun."
Why was an organization like Silver Sun present in Leathervelk?
It was because the city agreed to their existence.
A nation is formed from countless elements, big and small that interlock like pieces in a machine. However, this machine known as The Empire won't move sometimes because it's blocked by certain pieces.
"Let's say the empire is trying to get rid of us because we bother them. Who's going to act against us?"
Sedina replied.
"The most basic thing would be to use the police."
"But the police can't touch me anymore. What's next?
"It must be Nightcrawler Knights of the Intelligence Service."
Rudger nodded at Hans's words.
"But Nightcrawler Knights stopped by the slums and went back without doing anything since they felt that they couldn't touch us carelessly. Now, who's next?"
"The imperial family?"
"Even if they try to move the imperial family, the nobles will not just accept it because they make noise around them every time they move."
If the world was just, they would all gather together and try to kill Rudger. Unfortunately, however, there were far more unjust people in the world.
"Someone wants to keep the imperial family in check, someone just hates them and someone gets something from us."
There were all sorts of reasons.
Giant cogwheels will not try to mesh with each other, and naturally, there is a 'space' in that gap.
"It's the same with Theon."
Theon's most powerful man is President Elisa Willow but that doesn't mean that she wields unbridled power within Theon because the area of politics is also intervening.
"Politics means to hold hands with a person you hate if it's beneficial to you and the President is well aware of that. She didn't rise to her current position with magic prowess alone."
At that moment, Arpa, who had been listening quietly, raised his hand.
"Say it, Arpa."
"If you say so, it sounds like Theon is suspicious of leader? Am I mistaken?"
"Oh? Come to think of it."
Everyone recalled what they were missing when they heard Arpa's question.
"Yes, that's right. The president is suspicious of me."
Hans asked embarrassedly at Rudger's shocking remarks.
"Oh, no, wait a minute. What's wrong with the president?"
Hans realized that he had asked a silly question after saying so.
It would be strange if Rudger didn't know what he did so far. In fact he was sure the president stopped doubting him after what happened on the last day of Theon's Magic Festival.
"Then, even though she knows……?"
"Hans. Didn't I tell you? That's what politics is about."
* * *
Elisa received a new report while she was working in her office. It was about Rudger's frequent appearances in Leathervelk recently.
"Hmm. You're going around a lot these days."
She was going to use this knife herself, but she couldn't believe he was walking around like that. Therefore, there she had no choice but to be suspicious and keep him by her side.
"Of course, I'm not sure if this will be okay."
On the last day of the festival, there were many issues with the fight in the logistics warehouse. No. To be exact, the flow was weirdly natural and from there her suspicions rose again after her talk with Casey Selmore.
'Crollo Fabius, the Great Fire of Roteng, a fire Giant and the sudden appearance of the Black Dawn Society.'
And Rudger Chelici, who stands at the center of the case.
It would be a lie to say that he has nothing to do with the case.
And there was another key piece of evidence.
Casey Selmore did not seem to have gained anything from questioning the remnants of the Black Dawn Society, but Elisa was different.
No matter how strong the mental power of the remnants of the Black Dawn Society, everything becomes meaningless the moment they face her eyes.
'But they were all disposable pieces so I wasn't able to get much.'
But one thing is for sure, there are still members of the Black Dawn Society in Theon and maybe Rudger has something to do with them. Maybe he was her enemy?
'No, that's not it.'
What was the reason for first doubting Rudger and then giving up the doubt?
'Teacher Rudger is too competent.'
If he had acted like a regular teacher without showing his skills, he would not have been easily doubted but Rudger's track record was the opposite.
He revealed his new magic and sincerely taught his students. He still had hidden cards, but he didn't completely hide his skills so it wouldn't make sense for him to be a spy but she couldn't rule out the possibility.
'I'm not sure about the other issues, but I would've never come forward to protect a student.'
The most memorable situation would be when he faced Duke Lumos and his figure standing in front of the frightened Flora like a strong barrier.
As soon as she saw the scene, Elisa realized that Rudger hid his identity.
Under imperial law, he is a sinner but what's wrong with that?
He was a good man like she judged him to be and his skills were excellent. He was such a useful person.
'If I don't handle him properly, it would be my loss.'
* * *
Rudger said, looking out the window in the direction of Theon.
"In the end, we use each other."
"Don't tell me you're aiming for this, so on purpose……."
If Rudger had tried to hide his skills and hide his identity, he would have been shackled without any mercy if he was later found out.
However, if he shows his skills and is seen as attractive by the other person, the fact that he hid his identity can be dismissed.
Moral flaws?
A man of ability is free from such a thing because he's accomplished too much to arrest him for simply hiding his identity.
"Actually, I have no intention of being hostile to Theon, so if you look at her intentions, I'm on the same page with the president."
It is true that the president is holding a sword.
His false identity is definitely a weakness but even so the president can't swing the sword because she is restrained by Hugo Burtag and his subordinates.
They are Rudger's enemies and at the same time a breakwater that suppresses the power of the president.
"Then what about the Black Dawn Society? Are they okay?"
"No way."
"Even if I squeezed out a lie on the spot, Zero Order would have felt a sense of alienation unless he was a fool."
"But why…?"
"Why did he leave without saying anything?"
Rudger took out the ring handed over by Zero Order and rolled it with his finger.
"I don't know why."
In the first place, he is a man whose identity is not certain.
Rudger didn't know what he was trying to do because he didn't feel his purpose or will properly so he couldn't understand why he backed down so easily.
"He may also have felt something from me or maybe decided that he could get something from me."
"It's a total mess. This is why everything gets tiresome when politics are involved. Everyone is out of their minds."
Hans shook his head in disgust. He doesn't have a one-dimensional idea that if you don't like it, you don't like it. He realized that he has to force himself to laugh sometimes even if he doesn't want to but this is not the case.
"Yes, I'm out of my mind. You can't do this if you're not out of your mind."
Of course, Rudger said this, but he felt great anxiety since Zero Order behavior was unpredictable.
He could understand the president's intentions but Zero Order was a man whose everything was shrouded in mystery.
What was his purpose and why did he hand him an invitation to the executive meeting?
"This is the end of today's talk."
Rudger said so and left, saying he was away for a while.
* * *
Sedina opened her mouth when Rudger left and everyone was quiet.
"Well, by the way, sir……Who exactly is he?"
"Huh? Nari didn't tell you?"
"Yes, he said I would find out on my own."
"Why are you raising your voice? Do it comfortably! Comfortably! You and I look about the same age!"
"You're over 30 years old. What do you mean……?"
Hans said to get revenge for being beaten and Seridan back shouted in a fit of rage.
"My human age is half of my dwarf age."
"Oh, I see."
"Do you want to fight?"
Belaruna said while the two were bickering.
"The boss is from a great family. However, he is hiding like this because his life is threatened."
"I see."
A person born into a good family but not recognized. Wasn't he just like her?
Sedina even felt a strange gratitude that they were in similar situations. Maybe Rudger helped her because of that?
"What are you talking about? And you there, don't be so curious about brother. You shouldn't just dig into other people's secrets."
He said that, but there was a thick nuance of 'someone like you shouldn't dare to be curious'.
At those words, Sedina's shoulders shrank but Seridan stepped up.
"Hans, aren't you being too mean? Can't you give a warm welcome?"
"What am I?"
"Tell me honestly. Are you insecure because you think your position is threatened? You're jealous! That's right. You are jealous."
"What!"
Since Seridan hit the nail on the head Hans shouted.
"Who's jealous of such a kid?"
"You're lying! You're jealous!"
"No way!"
"That's right!"
"……don't fight like kids."
Violetta, who saw the fight between the two, looked tired.
Then Sedina opened her mouth.
"Excuse me. You said Mr. Hans, didn't you?"
"The code name is <Kafka>. Brother gave it to me."
Seeing Hans introduce his code name out of the blue at Sedina's words, the members looked like him with eyes that were saying 'Do you want to win against that girl that much?'
But Hans didn't mind the looks at all.
"Why did you come all the way here since you were born in a good family and had the talent to enter Theon?"
"……."
Sedina couldn't bear to contradict that.
From an external point of view, Sedina was born in a blessed environment.
-What's with her?
-She said she's from the Rosen family.
– Huh. What's with the kid from a big family?
In the Black Dawn Society she received looks of contempt and hostility from those who are different from her but Sedina was even used to the situation.
"I'm sorry."
Sedina apologized frankly.
If she did so in the Black Dawn Society the other members would just ignore her but that was the only thing she could do.
"I didn't know…."
Hans was rather embarrassed when her voice became watery.
"I didn't mean to say that much."
"Hans! What are you going to do? She's about to cry!"
"Ah, no, I was just asking because I was really curious."
A kid appeared next to his brother and threatened his position but Hans didn't think it would turn out like this and hurriedly consoled Sedina.
"That…… Don't be sad. You'll be able to get a code name someday."
"You call that consolation? You idiot!"
Seridan landed a double side kick in Hans' face and Sedina's tight heart seemed to be loosened at the sight.
'It's amazing.'
It was quite different from the Black Dawn Society.
Even if she made a small mistake, there would be a huge amount of abusive language and swear words, but there was nothing like that here.
The executives even get along comfortably like friends that have known each other for a long time.
She was envious of that, but she was strangely relieved that she was able to be with the people here.
"Sedina, you're all right, right? Do you want me to hit Hans a little more?"
"Thank you for your concern but I'm really fine. Hans, I'm sure you don't trust me, but I'll do my best not to cause any trouble."
"Oh? Yes."
Hans scratched the back of his head awkwardly as if he was ashamed of himself for being angry and asked to change the subject.
"You said you handle paper, didn't you?"
"Yes, I use magic to handle paper and I can fly the pieces of paper around."
"Then, you collect data by scattering the paper all at once?"
"Oh, no, that's not it. To be exact, I'm scouting by assimilating my consciousness on the paper I sent, but right now, I can only use one."
"Really?"
Hans was relieved at her words. He thought that Sedina's ability was superior to his own, but it clearly had its limits.
'I think I can let it slide since that's all.'
"Ha. Well, do your best."
"Yes."
"For your information, I can even talk to mice."
"……."
Sedina didn't know how to react to his words, so she had no choice but to nod, 'Oh, yes.'
The colleagues watching the scene sighed and shook their heads.
"I'm excited that a new member joined us."