Upon the confirmation of President Parden McQueens demise, the previously tumultuous situation began to swiftly calm down.
The Cartel, an alliance of legitimate corporations, easily dissolved its subsidiaries, which collectively held substantial capital.
Attributing all disruptions to Lennoks projects, particularly in District 49, to President Parden McQueen and his affiliates, the Cartel decisively severed ties with them.
The resolution ca to light during the first quarters earnings report, revealing the appointnt of the wizard Van from District 49 as an external director of the Cartel. This announcent marked the end of the month-long conflict, prompting a collective sigh of relief.
Looks like this is how it turns out.
Who would have thought McQueen would die suddenly during the handover process Am I the only one who slls sothing fishy?
Keep it down. Do you think were keeping quiet because we dont know that?
Hmm
It was peculiar not to be disoriented by the generational shift coinciding with the passing of the chairmans most devoted loyalist.
McQueen, a trusted ally who headed the execution unit, one of the Cartels most formidable business divisions, added to the intrigue.
Rumors circulated that Lennok, his successor, would now represent the Cartels force.
Taking in a wizard who wiped out the execution unit must an sothing.
But then, shouldnt Van at least have been promoted to the president position?
I think there must have been checks from the other presidents.
For a freelancer to wield such significant influence and ascend rapidly was an unprecedented occurrence, capturing intense public interest.
Later, when Virgil O Reiden transitioned to the presidency and initiated the formation of a new force unit, rumors solidified into certainty.
Public sympathy grew for Lennok, expected to be the new president after McQueen.
However, unknown to many, Lennok had declined the presidency.
Are you really okay with this?
Eolara, staring at the coffee cup, questioned.
Now is the chance, with the command system in disarray due to McQueens absence. It wont co again, especially with the chairwomans direct approval this quarter If the chairwoman goes back into seclusion, it will be difficult for Van to take the fourth president position.
I already said its over.
Lennok replied, chin resting on the window, his face concealed by thick bandages and wraps.
His injuries revealed the challenging battle with McQueen, compounded by lingering side effects of attempted doping just before the fight to deploy his Domain.
Despite itching, weakness, bruises, and limited arm movent, Lennok refrained from using potions or elixirs, opting to assess his natural healing ability.
Eolara, witnessing Lennoks unprecedented fatigue and injuries, looked on awkwardly.
The position of an external director is enough. Accepting the presidency would only tie to the organization
Lennok recognized the authority the Cartel presidency held, offering vast power to manage a significant alliance subsidiary.
However, he deed formal Cartel mbership unnecessary, anticipating challenges from other presidents.
Compromising with Cartel as support seed more advantageous, avoiding the potential subordinate role of the fourth president.
How did the deal go?
Ive already obtained the approval of Virgil and Kansoa. The only issue is how rilda will take it But there shouldnt be a problem.
Eolara responded.
Theres no way she wouldnt accept your request to have access to Cartels executive vault in exchange for giving up the presidency.
Good.
Lennok harbored no sentintal attachnt to the presidency, but he wasnt about to passively accept the situation with a smile. Every possible reward from the expansive organization had to be claid.
The Cartels executive vault, rumored to house artifacts accessible only to core mbers, boasted unparalleled financial wealth among the Trident faction. Lennok anticipated valuable items awaiting him in the vault.
The best thing would be to bring more of Enakphils five fingers
The utility of space-transporting artifacts was evident. Despite the imprecision of Enakphils Five Fingers in controlling the destination, Lennoks magical manipulation could overco this flaw. Obtained as compensation for a Dyke request, the artifacts true value beca apparent with each use.
Hence, Lennok reserved its use for truly essential monts. Originally five pencils, the artifact now numbered only three. Similar or identical artifacts from Cartels vault would be ideal. Alternatively, one or two items as compensation from Virgil for this matter could suffice.
Why are you doing this?
Eolara recoiled at Lennoks intense gaze, avoiding eye contact. Lingering effects from the explosion she had endured seed evident.
Its nothing. As long as they grant access to the vault and a few other conditions Ive asked for, I wont have any more complaints.
Thats, thats a relief.
Rather, I think its your side that should be worried. Despite appearances, isnt it quite a precarious situation?
Eolara remained silent, unable to refute Lennoks observation. He chuckled as he looked down at her.
Your chairwoman, despite exerting such a strong sense of pressure, has never revealed herself in her true form to , not even once
I dont know anything about that.
You dont have to say it. Its obvious. She must be bound or weakened by so ans. That would explain a lot about what happened this ti.
The resolution of the situation raised suspicions. The delayed Cartel response, the chairmans tepid reaction despite internal strife, the public executive eting in the city, and the attempt to involve Lennok in resolving the issue all suggested a lack of capability.
They aid to avoid exhausting Cartels presidential forces, steering clear of direct involvent even in the face of McQueens betrayal. The ticulous rejection of McQueen and his subsidiaries, Virgils cooperation with Lennok all pointed towards this strategy.
With the events concluded, Lennok took a mont to reflect on the unseen circumstances surrounding the unfolding situation.
I dont know much about your organizations internal affairs, but if your chairwoman cant easily reveal herself and the first president could betray like this, it must be quite unstable, right?
Considering those who might strike from below, its probably
Lennok paused, turning his head towards Eolara, who, with a cold sweat on her forehead, averted her gaze. Despite her experience in the field, her reaction revealed more than she intended.
Lennok smirked. Well, if you dont want to talk more, lets leave it at that. Virgil will have a hard ti.
That is
If I could advise, keep an eye on the organization McQueen tried to cling to. If theres another occasion for the presidents to step in, itll probably be closely related to them. Why would they stick their necks out, knowing they could be caught?
We have already concluded talks with the Ten Counts. They showed a willingness to negotiate first, so we reached an amicable agreent
The Ten Counts?
Eolaras silence confird the speculations made so far. Lennok, returning the Demonic Eye she had pawned as collateral, shifted his gaze out of the window, leaving Eolara in silence.
Its an intriguing developnt. The Trident of the underworld, the long-standing rulers of this realm, might be experiencing changes in their relationships. The ebb and flow of power in the tropolis could be making room for new talents to replace the old powers.
Having dipped his toe into the Cartel, Lennok only needed to observe how the situation unfolds and make the best choice. Perhaps thats why he refused the presidency and opted for the role of an external director.
Resting his chin, Lennok gazed at the streetscape and muttered absentmindedly.
I should make a new naplate.
External advisor to Dyke Corporations Managent Planning Departnt, an external consultant for agents, and now, an external director of the Cartelaccepting such nominal naplates wasnt new for him. Lennok had always managed to make the most of them.
His relationship with the Cartel would likely end similarly. With these thoughts, Lennok slowly closed his eyes. His body felt heavy, and his eyelids seed to weigh down with it. Without resistance, he embraced the overwhelming sleep that beckoned.
Having run breathlessly since his ti in the autonomous region, a days rest was in order. His colleagues would ensure he didnt fall behind in this rare respite where trust was hard to co by in these streets.
***
So, instead of getting sothing from that guy, you went and spilled all our internal affairs to him?
Grrrr!
A sharp, untad growl resonated through the room, akin to the breath of a wild dog.
A colossal canine creature, boasting a dense white coat and nearly the size of a truck, resembled a wolf but possessed a distinct appearance with more than three tails.
Eolaras shoulders quivered slightly as the mythical creature, rilda, growled.
Virgil sighed deeply, observing her.
Enough, rilda. Then why didnt you go and negotiate yourself?
Shut it, Virgil. I already cant stand that smug wizard.
rilda, in her massive beast form, snarled, her protruding fangs gleaming sharply.
Im not happy about him being offered a presidency, but him refusing it for access to the executive vault Thats even more annoying!!
Grrr!
Virgil and Kansoa regarded the beast, roaring into the air, with expressions full of disdain.
rilda, be quiet. The chairwoman is still asleep. What a disrespectful thing to do.
Kansoa, a middle-aged woman with a nervy deanor, waved her hand, and instantly, icy crystals ford a muzzle over rildas mouth.
Realizing too late that a dog-like muzzle adorned her, rilda raged, but upon sensing the chairwomans presence, she eventually reverted to her human form.
Fluorescent hair. A striking appearance that didnt align with her fur color at all, reflecting the aesthetic sense of a mythical creature far removed from human understanding.
Virgil and Kansoa recognized this well and refrained from comnting.
What a predicant. I made sure not to say anything about the chairwoman, but he figured it out all by himself
Virgil, arms crossed, smirked wryly, and Eolara bowed her head in silence.
Its not your fault.
Kansoa offered a gentle consolation.
Its just that the wizard is too sharp. To infer all that from the chairwomans actions and words alone It ans hes not just a physically strong opponent.
Tch
rilda reluctantly turned her head away.
Eolara, who had willingly participated in Oliveras research, proved to be an exceptional talent in her work. Pressuring her wouldnt yield significant benefits, and both Virgil and Kansoa held a fondness for her.
Winning him over is the best course of action. We all agree on that, right?
Single-handedly causing billions in losses to the Trident, astutely noticing the Cartels internal strife, proposing a deal to Virgil, all while defeating McQueen, a level 7 sorcerer, and unraveling the chairwomans secret
Among the erging divinities in this world over the past two years, who else had demonstrated such comprehensive prowess in both power and intellect?
With the organizations internal order now exposed and under the chairwomans control, turning him into an adversary was unthinkable. Instead, consistently offering him organizational authority and privileges, thereby drawing him in, was the optimal strategy.
(To be Continued)
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