C216: Order Synod (3)
"John Doe, you've gone a little too far, too."
Leslie, who mediated the situation, also scolded Rudger.
"Even though you said they made the mistake first you exaggerated killing your colleague subordinates."
That's what she said, but Leslie was honestly in a good mood.
'Seeing Nikolai suffer, she felt like her resentment was dissipating.'
Nikolai has been in frequent conflict with Leslie since before. Unlike Leslie, who was serious, Nikolai, who was light in words and actions, and they were like water and oil.
If it wasn't for Zero Order they would've never worked together so Leslie was happy for what Rudger did.
'Nicolai you always scolded John Doe, who is favored by Zero Order and this is what happened.'
Looking at Nikolai still shaking so I thought he would stop for now.
'It's more surprising than that.'
John Doe was more than Rudger thought. He already knew that his personality was a mess, but what he saw today was beyond his imagination.
'A crazy dog that bites to the point where the flesh falls off. That's the only impression I had.'
A stray dog that only follows orders from Zero Order and a psychopath who kills his colleagues if they're wrong, that was John Doe.
'I often wondered why such a guy with an excessively violent personality was a First Order.'
John Doe was specialized in disguise, infiltration, and camouflage among the First Orders, so his actual combat power was unknown.
This is because the information revealed is significantly less because he is moving in secret. So opinions were divided among First Orders about his qualifications.
'And the benefits were too much compared to the position given.'
John Doe even killed his subordinates from the Black Dawn Society.
Other First Orders also had the right to impose sanctions on scoundrels and traitors, but John Doe was a severe case. Nevertheless, Zero Order did not blame John Doe.
Why is that?
'I didn't know until now what the hell Zero Order was thinking to keep John Doe as a First Order but today I figured it out and I felt Zero Order. He knew everything.'
Zero Order is a person who is outstanding beyond comparison and had his reasons to act like that.
In fact, now, John Doe's hidden skills have been proven.
The fact that he knew things that Nikolai didn't know and the fact that he moved secretly enough not to be observed by the same First Order stood out today although he still has a horrible personality.
'Especially saying that I erased Leathervelk's laboratory with my own hands.'
Actually, the Leathervelk branch is completely gone but considering John Doe's past moves, he must have moved alone.
'There must have been a lot of troops and a dark wizard inside, but I cleaned it up with my own hands.'
It meant that John Doe's combat power, which has yet to be revealed, exceeded their predictions.
'I don't mean to pretend, but I have to be careful.'
Even if they belong to the same Dawn Society, the First Orders do not get along well. Rather, it is safe to say that they consider each other as competitors.
"John Doe."
When Leslie called his name, John Doe's eyes turned towards her. It was still a lethargic gaze that didn't show the slightest sense of fellowship.
Leslie didn't care and asked what she was curious about because it was the same for her.
"You admitted with your own mouth that you did the Leathervelk thing. Then, is Baltanung your work, too?"
"I don't know about Baltanung, I only dealt with Leathervelk."
Rudger feigned ignorance because he had a reason for Leathervelk but not for Baltanung.
"Is that so?"
"However, I can guess who did it."
Leslie's ears were intrigued by his words.
"You can guess?"
"According to the information I have obtained."
"Isn't that something Nicolai doesn't know?"
I could feel Nikolai flinching at her words so Leslie waited for John Dough's answer, feeling pleased with it.
"Recently, there have been many dangerous guys in Leathervelk and the Nightcrawler Knights Commander, Trina Ryanhowl is a typical example."
"Well, she's keeping a close eye on our movements, too."
"But there are more people who are wary, just like her."
"Who?"
"Casey Selmore."
Leslie was silent when the name came out and other First Orders responded similarly.
"The [Colour] wizard, Casey Selmore?"
"I heard her name too. She is the detective who took down the notorious James Moriarty."
Victor, who was listening quietly, opened his mouth.
"But the opponent we fought with was wearing a black shadow"
"I know one but I don't know the other. Victor, wasn't there a sea of water around in the laboratory?"
"It was."
It was Verom who answered.
"No wonder it was full of water. So that's the reason."
"That means the black shadow attacker is related to Casey Selmore! Maybe they're working together! Oh Hyo Hyo!"
Rudger said with a nod.
"Yes, she bit your tail."
"That's certainly a nuisance."
I'd just ignore it if a little guy stepped on the tail but someone like Casey Selmore can't be ignored.
Besides, in the Selmore family, there was another wizard who received the title [Colour] besides Casey so it was a bad way on many levels to have someone like that after them.
It seemed that even Nikolai did not know. If he had known this, he would have been the first to speak out but John Doe said it calmly.
'John Doe knows more than Nikolai.'
Is this why Zero Order left him as a First Order?
'It's more amazing than that. I can't believe he's been hiding this level of skill so far.'
Leslie knew better because she worked in a place related to the world of magic.
Rudger Chelici was the fake identity used by John Doe to infiltrate Theon.
'He proved his skills in Theon and even created a magic that made the magic world buzz.'
When she first heard the news, she thought it was purely because of Zero Order's help rather than his own strength but it didn't looked like that today.
'Why did you stand out now after being calm so far? In addition, it is said that Theon's infiltration was the order of Zero Order, which is…….'
Leslie's thoughts got complicated and it was the same for the other First Orders.
John Doe did not give any particular opinions or remarks during the usual meetings. He was extremely reluctant to reveal himself and did not try to mix in the conversation with the other First Orders but he showed an exceptional amount of things today.
Nikolai provoked him but there must be other reasons. For example, trying to establish his or her rank among First Orders.
Bentmin felt the same way as Leslie, so she remained quiet.
'If you're trying to sort out the ranks, it's a success. You crushed Nikolai in front of everyone. Well, I don't care who wins, but……John Doe, he's a prick no matter how I look at him.'
Even Victor was crouching, unable to look at John Doe and Bentmin was satisfied that the annoying scientist was quiet.
"So what about Casey Selmore?"
"As always, I should do as I've decided."
"Do you mean to get rid of her? The [Colour] wizard?"
"No matter how good a wizard is, assassination is easy if she wanders around."
"Oh Hyo-hyo. I agree with that."
The conversation naturally flowed to Casey Selmore and the result was to get rid of her. It was a big deal since she didn't belong anywhere and walked around alone.
'I brought it up first, but she'd handle it on her own.'
Rudger felt sorry at heart but thought it didn't matter since she could survive with her skills.
'If there's a problem, it's Zero Order.'
There are many reasons for taking an unconventional measure to eliminate Leathervelk's secret branch, but it was also to examine Zero Order's reaction.
'I removed a secret branch. How will you react?'
But Zero Order did not react to the shocking remark.
When even the other First Orders were appalled, he still just looked at the situation in an unwavering manner and didn't show any gaps.
"I think we're done talking."
Zero Order, who had been watching the situation so far, opened his mouth.
"I think it's a relief that everyone seems to be doing their job well. Of course, there are cases where it didn't go as I wanted."
Nikolai and Victor flinched at his words.
"The important thing is how well you deal with it in the future. So you don't have to be discouraged."
"…… Oh Hyo-hyo. As expected of Sir Zero Order."
"That's all for today's meeting. The next time we get together, the empty space will be filled."
Zero Order waved his hand. It was a sign that the meeting was over.
'I wonder if the important thing remained unobtained.'
Still, there were gains because I discovered that other First Orders held a significant number of key positions in each field, and that they were up to some sort of work.
"John Doe, you stay for a while."
Other first orders overreacted to the remark. There's never been a case where Zero Order asked anyone to stay after the meeting.
Nikolai's response was particularly intense and his whole body's blood was boiling out of jealousy.
The fact that Zero Order called John Doe proved how much John Doe is favored.
"………Yes, sir."
Even though he was called, there was no tremor of joy in John Doe's voice.
He was rather upset.
'What's that reaction? Are you saying it's natural for you?'
Nikolai managed to hold back the cry from his mouth and hurried out of the meeting because he thought he would not be able to stand it if he stayed here longer.
Other First Orders were a little dissatisfied, but realized that they had no choice and left one by one.
Only Zero Order, Rudger, and Zero Order's deputy were left at the round table.
When Zero Order raised his hand slightly, the deputy bowed his head and stepped back. As a result, only two people remained.
"How was the meeting today?"
"Nothing much."
Despite the words that might seem arrogant, he responded with a smile.
"Yes, John Doe. If you say so, it was."
"……."
Rudger wriggled his eyebrows at the words.
'Even though it's only us left, he called me John Doe.'
How can you maintain this attitude even when you are facing the unidentified existence that may have killed your subordinates?
'For Zero Order, his men may be nothing more than a handy tool.'
That's why even if someone dies, it doesn't mean much, that way he kept calling Rudger, John Doe until the end.
He was treating John Doe as a position, not as a person and now that the former John Doe is gone, Rudger is the new John Doe.
Even so, I can't believe he called an unidentified person to a meeting of the executives. I have no idea what's going on.
'The only thing I can be sure of is that he doesn't have any hostility.'
Maybe he's crazier than I can imagine, so he's enjoying the situation. If that's the case I have no choice but to match him.
"Is there anything else you want from me?"
"Is there anything else you want from me?"
"What do I want?"
At that, Zero Order patted his chin under the mask.
"No. If I have to say it, it doesn't matter if you work hard on the mission I gave you."
"Mission, you mean?"
"Yeah. I can't stay in Theon anymore so I want you to find it."
At that, Rudger concentrated on the next words of Zero Order.
"A person of destiny exists in Theon. You must find him."
'A person of destiny?'
At those words, Rudger rolled his head.
'If Zero Order put John Doe in Theon just to find one person then it must be someone extremely important.'
Just then someone appeared in Rudger's mind.
'No way.'
Maybe it was a speculation since he didn't go through the rational judgment but just derived the result.
'Rene.'
There is only one person that comes to mind in Rudger's head.
A user of non-attribute magic and a studious child whose mother he killed……with his own hand and even erased her memory.
'Rene's eyes are still unawakened.'
There is a saying that when a person of destiny appears they will get caught in a fateful whirlpool. Others may not believe it is an old legend, but Rudger was different.
'Maybe Zero Order is looking for Rene.'
Although it was just a guess it could also be the right answer so Rudger wanted to ask something to confirm his guess.
"Are there any characteristics?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Knowing this will help narrow it down."
"I can't say with certainty but the possibility that it's a woman is high. They also say they see things that others can't see."
They see things that others can't see?
Rene came to mind when he said it was a woman, but Rudger thought of Flora Lumos when Zero Order said they see what others couldn't see.
Flora Lumos smells the magic and feels the magic that others can't see with their eyes.
"Do you have any idea?"
"No, not yet."
Rudger answered without hesitation.
"Is that so? I'd like you to tell me if you find it later."
"Yes."
"I'm sorry I kept you for a long time. I'll be going now."
Rudger rose from his seat.
After Rudger completely disappeared over the stone gate Zero Order called his subordinate.
"Setadel."
"Yes, Mr. Zero Order."
"There's a place you need to go for a while."
"Yes, sir."
"Arete Mountains are a rugged place but you have to go there.
The Arete Mountains were located between the Kingdom of Utah and the Exilion Empire. In the past, it was also the place where Rudger assumed John Doe identity.
"There is someone you have to find."