Eolara’s arrival was just as remarkable as her appearance.
While engaging in a fierce battle with Weian, she effortlessly utilized her arms and legs, all the while supporting herself with a cane in one hand.
Her somewhat gaunt countenance and lackluster eyes were truly striking.
Following that day’s confrontation, her magical aura underwent a significant transformation, most likely due to the residual effects.
To the extent that Lennok failed to recognize her until she was directly in front of the bar.
Lennok’s comrades, who had been enjoying their time in the bar with cheerful conversation, immediately rose to their feet.
As she held a senior position within the Cartel, the very organization they had recently clashed with, her personal information had long been disseminated among them.
Despite the deluge of intense hostility emanating from all directions, Eolara remained composed, boldly meeting their unwavering gazes.
In a tense tone, Dray inquired, “How did you manage to get past our security without any contact from outside?”
“I received help from Virgil. I am merely a messenger dispatched for this matter.” Eolara replied.
Silence hung in the air. What could they say in response to the fact that a high-ranking executive had personally intervened? Rumors about the unique abilities of the Cartel’s founding members were widely known in these streets, rendering further explanation unnecessary.
“I came here in response to the message from Van. May we get to the point?” Eolara inquired.
Kilian approached Eolara slowly, growling, “That’s quite a bold statement. You don’t think you can visit enemy territory alone and return safely, do you?”
Lennok, who had been observing from the background, shook his head and intervened. “Kilian. Stop it.”
“Van?” Kilian questioned.
“This woman came here in response to the message I sent. The fact that Virgil chose her to send means that he wants to settle our grudges here and now.” Lennok explained.
Ignoring Kilian, who grumbled and stepped back, Lennok asked, “Where’s the business card?”
“Here it is,” Eolara replied, taking Virgil’s business card from her pocket and placing it on the bar. It was the same business card that Virgil had given him, and Van had returned it. It served as proof that she had received the intentions of both men and had come to this place.
“Excuse me, but may I sit down for the discussion? As you can see, it’s hard for me to stand for a long time with this body.”
“Whatever makes you comfortable.” Lennok replied.
Without hesitation, Eolara took a seat at the bar, her back turned to Lennok’s colleagues who had gathered in the bar. Her vulnerable posture made it clear that any attempt to harm her would be inappropriate in this setting. If she had come here to speak with Lennok, causing trouble would be counterproductive.
While the group remained silent, Eolara began, “I’ve received the message from Van.” She glanced at the business card on the bar, where Lennok had hastily written ‘Traitor’ on the back of Virgil’s card. It was the key factor that had prompted Virgil to respond to Lennok’s call.
“It seems you’ve noticed something about the internal affairs of our Cartel.” Eolara continued. Jenny brought a cup of coffee and placed it in front of Eolara, who accepted it. After taking a sip, she added, “Honestly, I was surprised. Even though Girard is a frivolous man, he was a colleague who had contributed to the organization for a long time. I never thought he would spill such crucial secrets so soon… Indeed, a wizard is different.”
If Lennok had apprehended Girard and discovered the Cartel’s internal strife, the conclusion was clear. Girard had divulged information, and if it was related to traitors within the Cartel, his immediate superior must also be deeply involved.
“The current external conflicts are to conceal internal divisions. Virgil prioritizes above all else the emergence of traitors who have broken the organization’s rules.”
“What does that mean?” Kilian asked.
“On the condition that you hand over Girard Ojette, Virgil has promised to let bygones be bygones for everything that has happened so far.” Eolara explained.
Eolara’s statement visibly unsettled those who were eavesdropping on their conversation. It was as if the head of the Cartel was initially seeking leniency from Lennok. Given the vast difference in status between the two organizations, this situation was almost miraculous. However, Lennok remained expressionless and shook his head. “That’s not enough.”
“…”
“What if I hand him over to you, and after you root out the traitors, the same thing happens again? It wouldn’t be strange at all.”
It wouldn’t be surprising if Virgil simply washed his hands of the situation once everything was resolved. Lennok didn’t have that much trust in someone like Virgil.
“What exactly do you want?”
“We need a promise that you will not only stop interfering with our operations but also cooperate fully. Perhaps even Cartel investing in our ventures wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
Eolara fell silent.
“To cleanly wrap up this unfinished business, such a promise seems necessary, doesn’t it?”
Unless they became strong enough to challenge the Cartel’s chairman, victory against the Cartel was impossible. Lennok’s role was to inflict maximum damage while the top executives, including the president, were preoccupied and to secure enough authority for Jenny’s business to operate normally.
The difference in scale between a newly established company and the Cartel was not something that could be easily overcome. It was only due to Lennok’s extraordinary abilities that the situation had progressed this far. Without him, even this negotiation would have been unthinkable.
Eolara asked, “The physical and personnel losses our organization has suffered in this matter easily exceed hundreds of billions of cells. Knowing this, do you still feel this negotiation is reasonable?”
“It’s a matter of order and justification,” Lennok responded. “We are in a position where we have suffered unilateral damage from you. Considering the size difference between our organizations, it wouldn’t be strange if something like this happens again. Under the guarantee of the person in charge, I think it’s reasonable to make such a demand.”
“…”
“Or did you come here as Virgil’s representative without even being granted that much authority?”
After Lennok’s pointed words, Eolara remained silent for a considerable time. In the bar’s eerie silence, even the sound of someone swallowing saliva could be distinctly heard.
“The condition you proposed interferes with Cartel’s management policy,” she eventually spoke after careful consideration.
“Although Virgil, as the CEO of the Planning and Management Division, has the proper authority, if the chairman gets involved in this matter, it’s unpredictable how things will unfold.”
“So what’s your conclusion?”
“I’ll accept it.”
Eolara nodded.
“As a trade for receiving Girard Ojette right here and now, I, Eolara Bion, authorized by Virgil O’ Reiden, will take responsibility for the promise.”
Saying this, she brought her hand to her left eye.
Simultaneously, Weian, realizing the significance of her gesture, paled.
Crack!
A white sphere materialized between Eolara’s fingertips.
“Madness…”
As someone let out a faint moan upon realizing she had extracted her own eyeball, Eolara remained unfazed and placed the eye she held in her hand on the table.
“This is the Stasis Demonic Eye, a gift from the organization. Is this sufficient to guarantee the responsibility for my words?”
“…”
The peculiar act of offering her own eyeball as collateral.
However, this was possible because she knew Lennok was aware of the Demonic Eye. Once imbued with magic, the eye ceased to be a mere biological organ and could function independently, retaining its abilities and characteristics even after transplantation. Moreover, it usually remained magically connected to its previous owner until transplanted into a new user.
Lennok held the power to control Eolara’s fate merely by placing a curse on the Demonic Eye. She had staked her life to ensure the reliability of this promise.
“Ahahaha!”
Lennok chuckled and shook his head.
It was irrational.
Risking her life just to secure Girard Ojette’s custody at this moment.
Did that mean resolving the internal turmoil within the organization was of such paramount importance to her and Virgil?
Ironically, Lennok didn’t find fault with this choice. Perhaps it was only natural to be intrigued by individuals who made decisions he himself would never contemplate.
“Kilian.”
“Eh, yeah?”
“Take her to where Girard is.”
Though Kilian appeared uneasy at Lennok’s words, he did not object and motioned for Eolara to follow him.
As she stood up, blood tears flowed from her empty left eye socket.
Once the two departed, Velita, who had remained silent until now, inquired, “Is this really acceptable?”
“What do you mean?”
“The performance of plucking out her own eye is quite striking, but it seems a bit much to use that as collateral for trust.”
Not being overwhelmed by Eolara’s courage signaled Lennok’s rational judgment, but it appeared that even Velita, an experienced mercenary, lacked specific knowledge about the Demonic Eye. Encounters with Demonic Eye bearers were rare in their world, and obtaining information about them without actively seeking it out proved challenging.
Rather than explaining the significance of Eolara sacrificing her Demonic Eye, Lennok simply nodded.
“It’ll be fine. Virgil O’Reiden values her life enough to save her personally. She’s likely either a lover or close kin. The mere fact that Virgil sent her here, still visibly impaired… it’s evidence of his serious commitment to this deal.”
A formidable individual indeed.
Despite valuing Eolara’s life enough to intervene personally, he still required her to perform such an act to definitively conclude this matter. Contrary to his seemingly playful demeanor, he must be someone who sharply delineates between public and private matters. A type who wouldn’t feel secure unless they completely extinguished the breath of an adversary turned enemy.
However, this also reassured Lennok that the traitor within the Cartel wasn’t Virgil.
If this affair culminated in the eradication of the Cartel’s internal traitors, the intangible benefits for Lennok would be immense. Although he hoped for a smooth resolution, Lennok wasn’t overly optimistic.
Capturing Girard, identifying the traitors, and playing a gambit for the deal with the Cartel.
Without the display of force against the Cartel up to this point, would such an opportunity have even been conceivable?
While the series of events appeared to involve rational decisions, ultimately, they were discussions that couldn’t be established without the fundamental qualifications. It served as proof that only those who had proven themselves could engage in discussions of logic and justification.
To summon the powerful rulers of this city to the negotiating table, one had to first pass the most basic tests of strength.
‘Hopefully Virgil handles this well… but I must be prepared for the possibility that things won’t go smoothly.’
Although it might seem premature to hand over Girard, Lennok couldn’t detain him for long anyway. Continuously employing Charm of Earth’s Embrace could become a burden, and keeping him without such artifacts posed too significant a risk.
Considering the value of the information gleaned through prolonged interrogation, eliminating any potential future troubles here was not an ill-advised approach.
With these thoughts, Lennok redirected his attention to Manson.
He had temporarily set Manson aside due to Eolara’s arrival, but he had no intention of ignoring the unusual signs Manson had displayed. Mad Manson, despite appearing deranged, was actually a veteran who had freelanced in their world for a long time. There might be something in his cluttered mind that could prove useful to Lennok.
Upon noticing Lennok’s gaze, Manson turned and gestured toward the rear of the bar.
“…”
The two silently made their way to the back of the bar and seamlessly transitioned into walking down the street.
“Got something to say?” Lennok inquired.
“Heh… Aren’t you a bit too quick on the uptake?” Manson replied, his mind flashing with irregular red lights. “I thought I’d forget about it after talking to Jenny, but surprisingly, it’s still on my mind…”
“…”
“Your potion. It’s worth delving into more, don’t you think? You know it.”
Manson seemed to have surmised that Lennok had not fully disclosed the effects of his potion.
“Not just simply bonding muscle cells and bones, but the rapid regenerative ability at the extremities of the body parts… Probably, with some adjustments, it could have even more powerful effects. If it could go beyond just growing hair or nails and even regenerate amputated parts…”
“That potion might play a decisive role in the deal with Cartel.”
***
Girard Ojette walked down a wide corridor.
The tightly secured handcuffs on his emaciated hands and the weights dragging on his ankles attracted attention, making him resemble a recently released prisoner.
The once meticulously drawn eyeliner around his eyes was now smudged and faint, and his carefully crafted skin clung tightly to his dehydrated face. While his face had never been particularly lively, the current lifelessness was so pronounced that it vividly conveyed the suffering of a sorcerer in captivity.
Virgil secretly admired the sight.
Girard Ojette had a unique appearance, but his inner self was far more twisted than his exterior suggested. Physical pain was merely a stimulus to him.
How had they managed to handle a man whose mindset could turn even his wounds into a source of strength and make him talk while keeping his limbs intact?
‘Well, I have some idea…’
Eolara’s condition after enduring [Swift Thunder] for three days, unable to move properly, came to mind. Considering that even she, with her strong mind and body, had struggled to control her senses due to the pain, it was evident that the depth of that wizard’s magic exceeded expectations.
He wasn’t someone who could be defined by mere levels or realms.
The direct combat prowess derived from practical experience and combat sense. Knowing how dangerous it was to entrust such sharpness to a wizard who rivaled frontline warriors had already been proven by the incident at the abandoned factory site.
On that day, not a single one of the 400 under the blood wizard Avid Lowell, a member of the board, returned alive. This was common knowledge. It was equivalent to saying that even if Cartel attempted a full-scale war, they must be prepared for corresponding losses.
How absurd it was to fear losses against a newly emerging small company.
But the wizard who made this irrational contradiction possible was right there.
And truthfully, Virgil didn’t want to turn this wizard, Van, into an adversary.
That’s likely why he felt more at ease with this transaction.
Girard, lifting his head, locked eyes with Virgil.
Girard, looking up with a dazed expression, smirked.
“Ah, CEO… It’s been a while since I’ve seen that face.”
Eolara’s arrival was just as remarkable as her appearance.
While engaging in a fierce battle with Weian, she effortlessly utilized her arms and legs, all the while supporting herself with a cane in one hand.
Her somewhat gaunt countenance and lackluster eyes were truly striking.
Following that day’s confrontation, her magical aura underwent a significant transformation, most likely due to the residual effects.
To the extent that Lennok failed to recognize her until she was directly in front of the bar.
Lennok’s comrades, who had been enjoying their time in the bar with cheerful conversation, immediately rose to their feet.
As she held a senior position within the Cartel, the very organization they had recently clashed with, her personal information had long been disseminated among them.
Despite the deluge of intense hostility emanating from all directions, Eolara remained composed, boldly meeting their unwavering gazes.
In a tense tone, Dray inquired, “How did you manage to get past our security without any contact from outside?”
“I received help from Virgil. I am merely a messenger dispatched for this matter.” Eolara replied.
Silence hung in the air. What could they say in response to the fact that a high-ranking executive had personally intervened? Rumors about the unique abilities of the Cartel’s founding members were widely known in these streets, rendering further explanation unnecessary.
“I came here in response to the message from Van. May we get to the point?” Eolara inquired.
Kilian approached Eolara slowly, growling, “That’s quite a bold statement. You don’t think you can visit enemy territory alone and return safely, do you?”
Lennok, who had been observing from the background, shook his head and intervened. “Kilian. Stop it.”
“Van?” Kilian questioned.
“This woman came here in response to the message I sent. The fact that Virgil chose her to send means that he wants to settle our grudges here and now.” Lennok explained.
Ignoring Kilian, who grumbled and stepped back, Lennok asked, “Where’s the business card?”
“Here it is,” Eolara replied, taking Virgil’s business card from her pocket and placing it on the bar. It was the same business card that Virgil had given him, and Van had returned it. It served as proof that she had received the intentions of both men and had come to this place.
“Excuse me, but may I sit down for the discussion? As you can see, it’s hard for me to stand for a long time with this body.”
“Whatever makes you comfortable.” Lennok replied.
Without hesitation, Eolara took a seat at the bar, her back turned to Lennok’s colleagues who had gathered in the bar. Her vulnerable posture made it clear that any attempt to harm her would be inappropriate in this setting. If she had come here to speak with Lennok, causing trouble would be counterproductive.
While the group remained silent, Eolara began, “I’ve received the message from Van.” She glanced at the business card on the bar, where Lennok had hastily written ‘Traitor’ on the back of Virgil’s card. It was the key factor that had prompted Virgil to respond to Lennok’s call.
“It seems you’ve noticed something about the internal affairs of our Cartel.” Eolara continued. Jenny brought a cup of coffee and placed it in front of Eolara, who accepted it. After taking a sip, she added, “Honestly, I was surprised. Even though Girard is a frivolous man, he was a colleague who had contributed to the organization for a long time. I never thought he would spill such crucial secrets so soon… Indeed, a wizard is different.”
If Lennok had apprehended Girard and discovered the Cartel’s internal strife, the conclusion was clear. Girard had divulged information, and if it was related to traitors within the Cartel, his immediate superior must also be deeply involved.
“The current external conflicts are to conceal internal divisions. Virgil prioritizes above all else the emergence of traitors who have broken the organization’s rules.”
“What does that mean?” Kilian asked.
“On the condition that you hand over Girard Ojette, Virgil has promised to let bygones be bygones for everything that has happened so far.” Eolara explained.
Eolara’s statement visibly unsettled those who were eavesdropping on their conversation. It was as if the head of the Cartel was initially seeking leniency from Lennok. Given the vast difference in status between the two organizations, this situation was almost miraculous. However, Lennok remained expressionless and shook his head. “That’s not enough.”
“…”
“What if I hand him over to you, and after you root out the traitors, the same thing happens again? It wouldn’t be strange at all.”
It wouldn’t be surprising if Virgil simply washed his hands of the situation once everything was resolved. Lennok didn’t have that much trust in someone like Virgil.
“What exactly do you want?”
“We need a promise that you will not only stop interfering with our operations but also cooperate fully. Perhaps even Cartel investing in our ventures wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
Eolara fell silent.
“To cleanly wrap up this unfinished business, such a promise seems necessary, doesn’t it?”
Unless they became strong enough to challenge the Cartel’s chairman, victory against the Cartel was impossible. Lennok’s role was to inflict maximum damage while the top executives, including the president, were preoccupied and to secure enough authority for Jenny’s business to operate normally.
The difference in scale between a newly established company and the Cartel was not something that could be easily overcome. It was only due to Lennok’s extraordinary abilities that the situation had progressed this far. Without him, even this negotiation would have been unthinkable.
Eolara asked, “The physical and personnel losses our organization has suffered in this matter easily exceed hundreds of billions of cells. Knowing this, do you still feel this negotiation is reasonable?”
“It’s a matter of order and justification,” Lennok responded. “We are in a position where we have suffered unilateral damage from you. Considering the size difference between our organizations, it wouldn’t be strange if something like this happens again. Under the guarantee of the person in charge, I think it’s reasonable to make such a demand.”
“…”
“Or did you come here as Virgil’s representative without even being granted that much authority?”
After Lennok’s pointed words, Eolara remained silent for a considerable time. In the bar’s eerie silence, even the sound of someone swallowing saliva could be distinctly heard.
“The condition you proposed interferes with Cartel’s management policy,” she eventually spoke after careful consideration.
“Although Virgil, as the CEO of the Planning and Management Division, has the proper authority, if the chairman gets involved in this matter, it’s unpredictable how things will unfold.”
“So what’s your conclusion?”
“I’ll accept it.”
Eolara nodded.
“As a trade for receiving Girard Ojette right here and now, I, Eolara Bion, authorized by Virgil O’ Reiden, will take responsibility for the promise.”
Saying this, she brought her hand to her left eye.
Simultaneously, Weian, realizing the significance of her gesture, paled.
Crack!
A white sphere materialized between Eolara’s fingertips.
“Madness…”
As someone let out a faint moan upon realizing she had extracted her own eyeball, Eolara remained unfazed and placed the eye she held in her hand on the table.
“This is the Stasis Demonic Eye, a gift from the organization. Is this sufficient to guarantee the responsibility for my words?”
“…”
The peculiar act of offering her own eyeball as collateral.
However, this was possible because she knew Lennok was aware of the Demonic Eye. Once imbued with magic, the eye ceased to be a mere biological organ and could function independently, retaining its abilities and characteristics even after transplantation. Moreover, it usually remained magically connected to its previous owner until transplanted into a new user.
Lennok held the power to control Eolara’s fate merely by placing a curse on the Demonic Eye. She had staked her life to ensure the reliability of this promise.
“Ahahaha!”
Lennok chuckled and shook his head.
It was irrational.
Risking her life just to secure Girard Ojette’s custody at this moment.
Did that mean resolving the internal turmoil within the organization was of such paramount importance to her and Virgil?
Ironically, Lennok didn’t find fault with this choice. Perhaps it was only natural to be intrigued by individuals who made decisions he himself would never contemplate.
“Kilian.”
“Eh, yeah?”
“Take her to where Girard is.”
Though Kilian appeared uneasy at Lennok’s words, he did not object and motioned for Eolara to follow him.
As she stood up, blood tears flowed from her empty left eye socket.
Once the two departed, Velita, who had remained silent until now, inquired, “Is this really acceptable?”
“What do you mean?”
“The performance of plucking out her own eye is quite striking, but it seems a bit much to use that as collateral for trust.”
Not being overwhelmed by Eolara’s courage signaled Lennok’s rational judgment, but it appeared that even Velita, an experienced mercenary, lacked specific knowledge about the Demonic Eye. Encounters with Demonic Eye bearers were rare in their world, and obtaining information about them without actively seeking it out proved challenging.
Rather than explaining the significance of Eolara sacrificing her Demonic Eye, Lennok simply nodded.
“It’ll be fine. Virgil O’Reiden values her life enough to save her personally. She’s likely either a lover or close kin. The mere fact that Virgil sent her here, still visibly impaired… it’s evidence of his serious commitment to this deal.”
A formidable individual indeed.
Despite valuing Eolara’s life enough to intervene personally, he still required her to perform such an act to definitively conclude this matter. Contrary to his seemingly playful demeanor, he must be someone who sharply delineates between public and private matters. A type who wouldn’t feel secure unless they completely extinguished the breath of an adversary turned enemy.
However, this also reassured Lennok that the traitor within the Cartel wasn’t Virgil.
If this affair culminated in the eradication of the Cartel’s internal traitors, the intangible benefits for Lennok would be immense. Although he hoped for a smooth resolution, Lennok wasn’t overly optimistic.
Capturing Girard, identifying the traitors, and playing a gambit for the deal with the Cartel.
Without the display of force against the Cartel up to this point, would such an opportunity have even been conceivable?
While the series of events appeared to involve rational decisions, ultimately, they were discussions that couldn’t be established without the fundamental qualifications. It served as proof that only those who had proven themselves could engage in discussions of logic and justification.
To summon the powerful rulers of this city to the negotiating table, one had to first pass the most basic tests of strength.
‘Hopefully Virgil handles this well… but I must be prepared for the possibility that things won’t go smoothly.’
Although it might seem premature to hand over Girard, Lennok couldn’t detain him for long anyway. Continuously employing Charm of Earth’s Embrace could become a burden, and keeping him without such artifacts posed too significant a risk.
Considering the value of the information gleaned through prolonged interrogation, eliminating any potential future troubles here was not an ill-advised approach.
With these thoughts, Lennok redirected his attention to Manson.
He had temporarily set Manson aside due to Eolara’s arrival, but he had no intention of ignoring the unusual signs Manson had displayed. Mad Manson, despite appearing deranged, was actually a veteran who had freelanced in their world for a long time. There might be something in his cluttered mind that could prove useful to Lennok.
Upon noticing Lennok’s gaze, Manson turned and gestured toward the rear of the bar.
“…”
The two silently made their way to the back of the bar and seamlessly transitioned into walking down the street.
“Got something to say?” Lennok inquired.
“Heh… Aren’t you a bit too quick on the uptake?” Manson replied, his mind flashing with irregular red lights. “I thought I’d forget about it after talking to Jenny, but surprisingly, it’s still on my mind…”
“…”
“Your potion. It’s worth delving into more, don’t you think? You know it.”
Manson seemed to have surmised that Lennok had not fully disclosed the effects of his potion.
“Not just simply bonding muscle cells and bones, but the rapid regenerative ability at the extremities of the body parts… Probably, with some adjustments, it could have even more powerful effects. If it could go beyond just growing hair or nails and even regenerate amputated parts…”
“That potion might play a decisive role in the deal with Cartel.”
***
Girard Ojette walked down a wide corridor.
The tightly secured handcuffs on his emaciated hands and the weights dragging on his ankles attracted attention, making him resemble a recently released prisoner.
The once meticulously drawn eyeliner around his eyes was now smudged and faint, and his carefully crafted skin clung tightly to his dehydrated face. While his face had never been particularly lively, the current lifelessness was so pronounced that it vividly conveyed the suffering of a sorcerer in captivity.
Virgil secretly admired the sight.
Girard Ojette had a unique appearance, but his inner self was far more twisted than his exterior suggested. Physical pain was merely a stimulus to him.
How had they managed to handle a man whose mindset could turn even his wounds into a source of strength and make him talk while keeping his limbs intact?
‘Well, I have some idea…’
Eolara’s condition after enduring [Swift Thunder] for three days, unable to move properly, came to mind. Considering that even she, with her strong mind and body, had struggled to control her senses due to the pain, it was evident that the depth of that wizard’s magic exceeded expectations.
He wasn’t someone who could be defined by mere levels or realms.
The direct combat prowess derived from practical experience and combat sense. Knowing how dangerous it was to entrust such sharpness to a wizard who rivaled frontline warriors had already been proven by the incident at the abandoned factory site.
On that day, not a single one of the 400 under the blood wizard Avid Lowell, a member of the board, returned alive. This was common knowledge. It was equivalent to saying that even if Cartel attempted a full-scale war, they must be prepared for corresponding losses.
How absurd it was to fear losses against a newly emerging small company.
But the wizard who made this irrational contradiction possible was right there.
And truthfully, Virgil didn’t want to turn this wizard, Van, into an adversary.
That’s likely why he felt more at ease with this transaction.
Girard, lifting his head, locked eyes with Virgil.
Girard, looking up with a dazed expression, smirked.
“Ah, CEO… It’s been a while since I’ve seen that face.”
