Episode 237 – Expansion (2)

Expansion (2)

The process of synthesizing mana stones is as follows.

First, prepare the shell of a spent stone, which is a mana stone that has been depleted of its magical power.

Next, melt down the materials that will serve as the source of magical power. These materials, known as Artifacts, are typically the corpses of monsters or beasts, but living creatures can also be used.

Finally, crystallize the melted materials using the technician’s unique ‘synthesis formula’ and insert it into the spent stone to complete the process.

“Go ahead and make one.”

Face gestured with his hand.

“Okay.”

I planned to synthesize the mana stone using Grawl’s method.

The process itself is not different from that of other technicians.

“I will operate the melting furnace.”

“──Hold on a second.”

Just then, another set of footsteps rushed in. Face turned around with a frown on his face.

“……Crow.”

The third in command under Jesco, Crow.

He pushed his glasses up and nodded.

“I’ve heard the news. We’ll be observing as well. That’s alright with you, isn’t it?”

While I was fine with it, Face’s face had already turned dark and stormy. Crow paid him no mind and stepped forward.

“Let’s begin. We’ll see if you’re truly a technician.”

“Yes.”

I looked at the melting furnace. Inside were the corpses of monsters that Grawl had prepared in advance.

Click- As I flipped the switch, the solvent rose. Leather, bones, internal organs—all of it bubbled and melted away.

Now the ‘synthesis formula’ is crucial.

What distinguishes a technician is precisely this synthesis formula—the task of ‘recrystallizing’ the solvent with a formula that matches one’s own magical power, nature, and characteristics.

“I will now synthesize.”

In that regard, Grawl is a master of the stone.

His ability to synthesize mana stones is naturally superior to any other technician, but for now, let’s keep it moderately controlled. If the quality is too good, that would also raise suspicion.

“After manifesting the synthesis formula I designed, I will circulate magical power at a certain ratio…”

The formula manifested inside the melting furnace. It was the formula Grawl had devised, and the magical power from my R-elix flowed into it.

Whooooosh…

The contents inside the furnace swirled and clung together as if caught in the wind. The once full liquid separated into two categories.

Some were dregs, some were synthesis crystals.

Now, inserting these crystals into the spent stone would complete the synthesized mana stone, and the dregs would be classified as first-class environmentally hazardous Artifact waste, which they would probably just bury in the ground or dump into the sea.

“It’s done.”

I implanted the synthesis crystal into the spent stone and then presented it to them.

Face simply nodded, while Crow showed a smile close to admiration.

“……You are indeed a technician.”

Immediately, a mask was placed over my face.

“Ah. Don’t worry. The boss is calling for you. Take him nicely.”

It was Crow’s words.

In reality, I was almost lifted and placed onto the truck.

……

I faced Jesco once again. Still in his robe over his bare body, he peered into my eyes and gave a somewhat strange smile.

“Crow seems to think well of you. Was it Belkman, your name?”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

He chewed the inside of his mouth silently, not completely dispelling his suspicion as he slowly leaned in.

“You said you’re from Krobs, right?”

“Yes.”

“Is that school still there? I wonder if Trak, that old geezer, is still doing well.”

It was a probing question.

To see if I truly was someone who lived in Arahall’s Krobs.

This guy is indeed sharp.

But now, my 「Notepad」 is filled with information about the village of Krobs. Even the most trivial details, like which child in the village is raising which scorpion.

“Trak… Are you referring to Sir Karakshil, the instructor at the school?”

Jesco’s expression shifted slightly.

“Yeah. That old Karakshil geezer.”

“To us, he’s Mr. Old Man.”

“He must be getting on in years.”

Jesco idly touched his own wrinkles. It seemed odd to him that he had already passed his forties.

“Yes. It’s been quite some time since I left Krobs… but he was in good health back then. He even taught us the Edsilla common language.”

“The common language? In that close-minded fart?”

Jesco’s eyes widened.

“In our time, yes. He said if we couldn’t go against the flow of the times, we might as well embrace it, so he had someone fetch common language textbooks for us.”

“It must have been tough crossing the sandstorms.”

Krobs is located in a very remote corner of Arahall. A tiny city of just over five thousand people. The sandstorms are so severe that the road out of the village is open only 3 to 4 days a month.

“Still, things are changing.”

“Yeah, they have to change. That hot backwater, if it doesn’t change, everyone will burn up.”

Jesco chuckled.

“Brings back memories. In my time, we used to play games like tombstone tipping.”

“It’s still a popular game. The kids bet on tombstone tipping.”

“Has time stopped there?”

“In a way, yes. But jeeps come and go quite frequently now. The caravans, you know.”

“Jeeps? In my time, it was camels.”

“Mr. Belcon also switched from camels to jeeps. Ironically, Krobs breed of camels has become more expensive than jeeps. They’re a tourist attraction now.”

“Wait, Belcon? You mean that balding Belcon?”

“He’s completely bald now.”

“Hahahaha. Is that so?”

Jesco beamed with a bright smile. For a moment, he seemed to revert back to his younger days.

His chatter went on for a long time.

He called me Belkman and regaled me with quite a few tales of valor, and inquired about all sorts of people who were still in his hometown.

I responded with earnest enthusiasm.

“…I’ve talked too much.”

Suddenly, Jesco spoke as if with sadness.

Now that he could no longer return to that desert.

“Let’s end the chatter here.”

He glanced at his watch and gestured with his hand.

“Step outside. I’ll let you know the rest after we discuss.”

“Yes.”

I got up and walked out of his quarters. A few of his subordinates waiting in the corridor outside offered me a mask, but…

“Just let him go. No need to put that crap on him.”

At Jesco’s words, they immediately stepped back.

* * *

“…”

Quantum Mechanic, ‘Jesco,’ was momentarily lost in thought. Scenes of his homeland and the desert vividly flickered in his mind. The conversation about the desert had been quite enjoyable.

“Boss?”

At his subordinate’s call, he looked again at the synthetic mana stone in his hand. He tapped it lightly with his fingernail.

“Not bad.”

The quality wasn’t poor.

No, it was actually quite good. It might rank in the top 5% compared to those from his own factory. Similar in performance to a premium product that appears one in every twenty, this mana stone even had a consistent quality.

“…”

Jesco rested his chin in his hand.

Top-grade synthetic mana stones pose a significantly lower risk to the human body, making them viable for use as drugs. Therefore, if he could continue to produce goods of this caliber, it meant he was dealing with an elite technician. An incredible gem.

And even more trustworthy as a fellow desert native.

“Boss. 3% of the net profits seems too high.”

Face said. Crow then slightly furrowed his brow.

“A technician of this caliber normally receives that much, Mr. Face.”

“…Mr. Face? Since when did you start calling me ‘Mr.’? Fuck.”

“Boss. He’s a promising technician. 3% will be a bargain.”

3% of the net profits might seem insignificant at first glance,

But Jesco pays 51% of his net profits as tribute to ‘Blocker.’ It’s essentially the cost for recognizing his rights over the distribution network.

So, 3% out of the remaining 49% means he’s earning 2 to 3 times more than Face, who is second in command.

“Is it because he’s from the desert? We haven’t even confirmed if he’s really from the desert.”

“You think I can’t make that distinction?”

Jesco’s face contorted in annoyance.

He had lived in Krobs for 23 years. He could naturally distinguish the native pronunciation and the unique accent of his homeland.

Above all, there were countless memories shared between himself and Belkman.

“The voice of someone from home reminds you of the sandstorm. It’s abrasive and hot, like high-temperature wind.”

He’s definitely a fellow townsman. The only reason I didn’t shoot him dead on sight was just that.

Townspeople trust townspeople. I trust the sense of kinship with someone born in the inferior desert of Arahall, who came to Edsilla with vague passion and hope.

If a townsman can’t trust another townsman, then who the hell can you trust?

“Expand that guy’s factory equipment. Keep the net profits at 3%. If he can increase the volume, I’m willing to increase the percentage,” Jesco instructed.

In that moment, Face secretly gritted his teeth, while Crow smiled, approving of the good decision.

* * *

Late at night.

I returned to Lithium. Sonya was sitting in the empty factory office with a whiskey.

“You’re back.”

“Yes.”

I sat down in front of her. She turned the tablet PC so that the camera could see both of us.

─…How did it go?

Zia asked.

“It looks like it will be a success.”

The plan moving forward is simple.

I will supply Jesco with synthetic mana stones. Gradually increasing the quality and quantity.

At the same time, I will build a rapport with Jesco.

People from the desert have a strong attachment to their natives. Having experienced it a few times before regression, it almost feels like it’s a genetically ingrained trait.

So, I will pretend to be a fellow townsman who respects, admires, and likes Jesco. I will curry his favor, live under his patronage, and act as if I would give him my liver and gallbladder…

Then, at some point, I will suddenly disappear.

Without taking anything.

Without wanting anything.

Without deceiving anything.

The existence known as Belkman will crumble away like dust.

If I plant seeds of doubt along the way, like ‘Face seems to dislike me,’ Jesco will naturally start to suspect his own ranks.

It’s the prelude to division and downfall.

─…That’s a relief. But, Derek is going to call Shion.

Sonya bit her lip slightly at the mention of Derek, and I tilted my head.

“Are you referring to me?”

─Yes… There’s a mission… It could be very dangerous…

A dangerous mission.

Zia mentioned it.

─It’s about Theia Esil…

* * *

The next day.

As Zia said, I received a summons from the direct line of Libra.

Not Zia, not Jade, not even Johanna, but the eldest son, Derek.

He called me through a monitor.

Really, through a monitor.

“…I’m concerned whether it’s appropriate for me to meet Derek in such a manner.”

I was sitting at the desk in my dormitory, and Derek was on the laptop screen.

Facing the direct line through a mere monitor.

If it had been Jade, he would have probably detested it immensely.

─Technology is made to be utilized. I also don’t need to bother moving my body to meet with underlings, so it’s quite convenient.

On the other hand, Derek, although his entire body was mosaic-ed black due to the influence of an artifact, was clearly a person without prejudice in this regard.

─But I heard you recommended the cafe business to Jade.

A snicker, something akin to a scoff, mocking Jade.

“Yes.”

─Right, it’s a business that suits Jade well. Better to invest the money you have in something you care about. It was a good recommendation.

Derek’s voice carried a hint of laughter as he began, but it soon turned rigid.

─You’ve probably heard the gist from Zia.

“……Yes.”

─As you know, the Intelligence Agency has shares owned by the direct line, but I hold the ownership. Therefore, I’ve preemptively obtained information about what kind of scheme a mere professor named ‘Theia Esil’ is plotting against Libra.

Derek tilted his head slightly.

─The operation is simple. Theia Esil. We will bring that woman to ruin.

I nodded calmly.

─Of course, you’re not the one in charge. It’s not something you can be responsible for. The main actors will be my balancers. They will convey the details to you but…

Derek paused for a moment, looking into my face as he asked.

─Will you participate? I’ve intentionally borrowed you for Zia, but your own intentions are also important.

Theia Esil.

She was my former teacher, an enemy of Libra, and ultimately a tragic person who would be defeated and killed by Libra.

“……I.”

However, not in this operation.

The death of Theia Esil is an event at least five years away.

It means this operation will fail.

“I am not qualified to participate in such a grand operation. Especially if it’s the work of the balancers.”

─……Hmm.

Derek had a peculiar expression, but it was better than excessive confidence.

─You mean to refuse?

“I would like to help. I am in a position where I can observe Professor Theia Esil closely. Because I am a student attending her lectures. So.”

This mission is doomed to fail anyway.

I don’t want to get involved and be blamed for the failure, nor do I particularly want to ensure its success.

“Perhaps I could simply carry out the orders provided by the balancers or offer very minor advice…”

Just that, nothing more.

Not getting my feet wet, nor completely stepping out, but a vague position.

─……Fine. You have perfect self-objectivity. I’ll pass it on to the balancer soon. The balancer will come to you.

“Yes. Thank you.”

Click─.

The communication was cut off.

I looked out the window with a small smile on my face.

“……You must have heard.”

Now, this information has been leaked to Theia Esil.

Derek doesn’t know, but there’s an inside line to Theia Esil.

Among the direct line, there’s a spy specifically monitoring Derek, planted by her.

“Hmm…….”

What I need to do now is simple.

To watch as Derek faces defeat at the hands of Theia Esil.