Taros’s self-confession dragged on for quite a while. His naturally slow and stuttering tone didn’t help, but most of the delay came from the hesitation in his confession’s content.
As Orthes endured a severe headache – caused by both the “eyes” and unexpected circumstances – and peered into Taros’s true feelings, he found no lies in his confession.
“I was tempted… I hesitated, but I have not yet handed over any information.”
The sudden revelation left the conference room enveloped in a tense silence.
The directors instinctively sensed it wasn’t their place to intervene and fell silent, while Orthes was deeply engrossed in analyzing the strange thought floating in Taros’s mind: “So, the Head of the Divine Investigation Office truly knows everything…!”
“Hmm.”
It was Carisia who broke the quiet. Her position as the boss was the perfect tool to shatter this uncomfortable silence.
“As the President of Hydra Corporation, I must ask, why did you hesitate regarding their offer?”
Taros gathered his fragmented voice and spoke as clearly as he could. If what they claimed was true, being able to freely control extra-dimensional mutations could potentially cure the mutation phenomena within Taros’s group of mutants.
Even if the unparalleled Artificial Ten Commandments that Hydra Corporation was developing could draw immense magic power, they would not provide any healing spells using that power.
Thus—
“Ah. That’s not the point. If that proposal had been convincing enough, you could have shared information obtained as a director, such as details on Divine Investigation tasks. Yet, you have not handed over any information so far. Why did you refuse their proposal?”
Carisia’s inquiry seemed to stem from simple curiosity rather than responsibility. Although taken aback by her unexpected demeanor, Taros answered the question openly.
“Fear.”
“Fear?”
“The fear that the Head of the Divine Investigation Office would know. Or that this itself is a test of loyalty from the Head…”
“Ah, and?”
The image of Orthes now resembled a transcendental dictator from some fable. Someone who eavesdrops on all communications and monitors every move. Carisia once again reflected on how far Orthes’s reputation had sunk.
“Trust issues… with Argyrion.”
Carisia nodded. Well, the trust in Argyrion was not particularly high. She then subtly gestured to Orthes.
Orthes nodded as well. It was confirmation that there were no lies mixed into Taros’s testimony.
“Orthes.”
Carisia prepared the framework for a grand plan, but filling in the details was up to Orthes. Whether to dispose of Taros or assign him another role—either way, it was Orthes who had to decide.
“Director Taros.”
Orthes gazed at Taros, who was uncomfortable with the unreadable expression in his half-lidded eyes.
“Now that we’ve reached this point, let’s sell information to them.”
“…?”
*
At first, I was taken aback. Argyrion’s actions were faster than expected, and they had struck at a sore spot.
It had been less than a week since Nastion had vanished after hearing my name. And yet, here was the one director who stood out among the others, scheming to sow discord. If Taros hadn’t overestimated me, it could have potentially been an effective scheme.
‘Perhaps this scheme was prepared by Halto.’
Nastion was somewhat of an outlier for Argyrion. The original Argyrion organization was a special unit of Blasphemia that had been tracking Carisia, yet neither Carisia nor I had seen anyone like Nastion in that unit.
My clash with him occurred first in Algoth City. That was probably the first time he actually faced me.
On the other hand, Halto would surely have some vague memories stored from all the battles we had fought together.
It was only natural that those Argyrion folks who had called Carisia and me “adversaries” would attempt to replicate the social schemes I had previously used against them. They were already quite successful in sowing discord between the Mage Tower and the Ten Towers.
Having the chance to counter the foe that had always been a thorn in my side using the very tactics they employed was indeed a tempting prospect.
However, something felt off…
“I doubt they genuinely intended to recruit you seriously as the Director Taros.”
“What…?”
“There’s a certain backstory between Argyrion and us at Hydra Corporation.”
As I began to explain, strange glances were thrown my way. Meconion, who was already fidgeting with nicotine withdrawal while handling her pipe, looked at me as if to say, “Aren’t you just involved personally with the President instead of Hydra Corporation?”
But I was unbothered. After all, I was in the Hydra Corporation roster, so we were all in the same situation.
“They’re somewhat overestimating my abilities. While I must commend their speed in learning the Director’s contact details, their plot seems a bit one-dimensional for Argyrion to genuinely consider it a significant strategy.”
Argyrion was wary enough to give me a grand title of “adversary.” They wouldn’t attempt to simply take down an opponent with a straightforward scheme of enticing one director to betray us.
“And how does that connect to my selling information?”
“What will their reaction be if an unexpected traitor truly appears? Will they believe their scheme has been uncovered, or will they try to recruit the traitor? Either way, they will have to respond additionally.”
I couldn’t be sure if the demands or information from Argyrion were truth or lies, but the mere act of reacting would serve as a clue for future judgments.
The more channels for obtaining information, the better.
“Thank you for your forthright report, Director Taros. Now, let us move on to the main topic of our meeting.”
I pressed a button to project a hologram onto the table. It was a sophisticated presentation tool made by Arabella on my request.
“I will explain the World Division Strategy.”
*
Nastion gazed at Halto.
“Do you truly think their director will betray them?”
Halto could gauge Nastion’s unspoken sincerity. Even if the director of Hydra Corporation does betray, would it deal a significant blow to Orthes?
Could it be an unforeseen attack from Orthes?
Having questioned himself countless times on that, Halto was able to answer briefly and succinctly.
“No.”
Nastion’s shadowy form squirmed. It was probably confusion. Halto thought about how emotionally altered Nastion had become after being exposed to Orthes and added an explanation.
“Orthes will have anticipated everything. From the moment our names and tracks were exposed to him, he would have known an assault targeting Hydra Corporation would come.”
Halto gazed at the wriggling extra-dimensional barriers and the adversary that lay beyond them. The enemy who views the world as one grand play. To shatter the script Orthes had prepared was now Halto’s mission.
“By now, the director receiving our proposal must have either been discovered by Orthes or will bring to light the fact that the proposal came my way.”
“How…?”
“To him, a person’s mind is no different from a book. You must have sensed it. All tricks or schemes are meaningless to him. Anyone close to the director who has been with Orthes would feel it even more acutely.”
“Then why did you send such a proposal?”
It was the question of why, knowing it would be futile, he would waste time and resources on a proposal destined for failure.
“Sometimes, you must lose in small battles to capture the big horse. A sacrifice in the game, so to speak.”
For Nastion, it was an incomprehensible statement. However, at the same time, Nastion had come to firmly understand one truth from the experience in Algoth City.
At least when facing the ‘enemy,’ Halto’s insight surpassed that of Argyrion as a whole.
While reflecting on that horrendous being, a signal rang in Nastion’s mind. It was communication from the spies scattered throughout the outside world.
“…Director Taros from Hydra Corporation has agreed to the deal. He said he would send mutation samples, and if we provide an appropriate remedy, he will offer some portions of Hydra Corporation’s task list.”
“A trap.”
“Is it…?”
“Clearly, a scheme to uncover information on our side under the guise of a deal. Depending on what we demand, we can speculate on the current situation.”
Nastion’s shadowy form squirmed once more. Halto, as before, easily grasped what Nastion’s question revolved around.
“Ah, wondering how I know these details so well, are you? I’ll let you in on my secret. Just this once, so listen closely.”
The shadow drew a bit closer, and Halto whispered with a bittersweet smile.
“The enemy always provides me with the worst-case scenarios I can imagine. Sometimes, it’s even worse than that.”
[wpedon id=117235]
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
