Memoirs of the Returnee - Chapter 241



Only Krnovel

The Regressor’s Notepad 241

Without a scar (3)

The magic bomb installed on the train is something that Growl developed by adding various magic circuits using magic stones. Of course, it is not a real bomb, but something similar to a surprise box.

Anyway, thanks to that, the train stopped.

The police arrived late, but there wasn’t much they could do.

Teia’s qualification, ‘Holy Knight’, is far superior to the police in all areas of power and authority.

In the event of such a magical terror incident, she has the authority to conduct her own investigation and take control of the scene.

“… … That’s fortunate.”

The situation has finally come to an end, and we return to our seats on the train.

Teia turned to me. She was holding the magic stone core of the surprise box in her hand. She probably intended to request an analysis.

“Well, I couldn’t attend the parliamentary meeting, but I should have written an article.”

I said naturally. Teia had a thoughtful look on her face, but soon she pointed at my laptop with her finger.

“Laptop.”

“yes?”

“Turn it on.”

“……ah.”

I knew exactly what she wanted.

As soon as I opened my laptop, I searched for [Congressional Hearings].

─Now, Libra Economic Zone, Billiont, Kelowa, Paralos… … .

This is a list of companies that Jedrick manages with an ambiguous shareholding structure.

─There will be a hearing for ‘Jedric Libra’, who owns many companies, etc.

Jedrick appeared in part of the screen. He was not wearing the mosaic artifact today. Therefore, his bare face was visible.

A look that is enough to overwhelm the chairman.

Perhaps this is also a strategy.

Even if they do the same bad things, the ugly ones will get stoned and tossed around, while the beautiful ones will have a fandom.

That’s the logic of the world.

* * *

Hearings in the House of Representatives.

“It will be Lord Jedric’s turn soon.”

The aide handed Jedrick the papers. Jedrick chuckled and took them.

“It’s okay.”

There is no need to prepare anything in a hurry. All the information is in your head.

Memorizing data, indicators, and such is something only low-level people do, and the common people, who are too stupid to understand them anyway.

──There will be a hearing for ‘Zedrick Libra’, who owns many companies such as Libra Economic Zone, Billiont, Kelora, Paralos…

Jedrick sat up and sat down in his assigned seat. The camera in the corner was filming him. It was a little annoying, but it was something to be endured.

In a place where most people are old, pot-bellied pigs, or bald roosters, the noble dignity that Jedrick himself maintains will make a great contrast.

“Sir Jedric. You are a businessman, running many businesses, aren’t you?”

The congressman asked, pushing up his glasses.

Jedrick nodded.

“Yes.”

“However, there are concerns in the world about the company’s approach of expanding in almost every field in an all-out manner, calling it ‘octopus-style management’… … I’d like to hear your thoughts.”

“There is absolutely no need to worry.”

Jedrick made a gesture with his hand, as if cutting off the blade.

“Rather, as a businessman, to create a better environment in the market… … .”

He continued his speech under the pretext of a ‘market economy’.

“Expansion into various fields is beneficial to the competitiveness of the market itself. Market consumers will benefit, and market participants will have the opportunity to develop themselves by taking on new challenges… … .”

No one interrupts.

The congressman, the witnesses attending the hearing, and citizens from all walks of life are all just listening.

“Yes, I heard it.”

The congressman nodded with a small smile. Jedrick smiled back silently.

“Is there any citizen who would like to be a witness and ask questions before the hearing committee?”

Formal Q&A.

Teia Isil is not here anyway. So no one can tackle her… … .

“hmm?”

The congressman tilted his head.

“Yes. There. Come out.”

Jedrick’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Meanwhile, a man walked up to the witness stand and sat down.

“Who are you? Please introduce yourself.”

“My name is Derk. I used to run an IT company.”

A man named Derk.

He is a stranger.

A completely unfamiliar guy came out and started piling up documents on the witness stand.

At that moment, the aide hurriedly approached.

─He is the former CEO of a new IT company that was acquired by Lord Jedrick last time.

Jedrick only then remembered. He was the guy who had lost his company to a hostile M&A.

“Why did that guy get invited… … .”

Suddenly, a thought occurred to him. He quickly looked back at Bern. Bern avoided his gaze with a stern expression, but there was a faint smile on his lips.

“You fucking pig-”

“I would like to report the corporate ethics of Jedrick Libra.”

* * *

─… … This is the correlation between magic waves and cancer incidence. It is a medically proven fact. Also, the following data shows the cancer incidence rate of employees at Paralos, a pharmaceutical company run by Jedrick. It is remarkably high. It is a figure that is impossible in common sense.

I watched the hearing being played on my laptop.

─Even though it is almost certain that the cancer was caused by magic waves, Paralos still refuses to admit it and is still filing a lawsuit.

Honestly, at first I was like, what’s going on? I thought if Teia weren’t here, this wouldn’t have happened.

It was a mistake.

─Half of the 50 cancer patients who were once employees have died, and the other half are struggling to continue their lawsuit without even receiving any media attention… … .

This is neither my victory nor Theia’s victory.

Bern wins.

─And that’s not all. Every business run by Jedrick is polluting the local environment.

Libra is certainly capable of competing with Edsilla for first place in terms of the size of the family, but it is currently divided into four parts – Sheiloch, Jedric, Jahanna, and Jade – so it is in a position where other families can also keep an eye on it.

So Bern stabbed his most direct rival, Jedric.

“… … Huh.”

Suddenly Teia smiled. It was an honest emotion that was unusual for her.

“That’s too bad.”

I saw her.

“They must have been trying hard to stop it in Libra’s dimension.”

“… … .”

She shrugged her shoulders as if to flirt.

“That’s right.”

I tried hard to suppress a smile and closed my laptop.

Inside, a certainty began to bloom that my choice was right.

Jedric’s target of revenge will change from Teia to Bern, and from now on, the two will fight bloodily.

“It’s such a shame.”

Certainly, Teia can have a better future.

Chijijijik──

Just then the train stopped. This time it was the correct destination. I gathered my clothes and stood up.

It was already late for the parliament building, but I planned to wait nearby.

“Aren’t you going to get off?”

I asked Teia. Teia looked at me blankly and then sat up.

“I have to get off.”

We came out to the platform.

I looked at my watch. There was only an hour or two left until the hearing ended… … .

Let’s have a quick meal and rest for a bit.

“… … Zion Ascal.”

Then Teia called me. She was carrying a backpack on her back and holding a ticket in one hand.

“Oh, have you already bought your return ticket?”

“You weren’t surprised.”

It was a very odd thing to say, but I understood it right away.

“I was quite surprised, you know.”

Perhaps he was referring to the moment when the bomb inside the train exploded.

[I was fooled!]

That’s it.

“I almost passed by the lantern.”

Teia took off her sunglasses and hung them in her pocket. I faced her and smiled faintly.

“Everyone there probably felt their hearts sink in the same way.”

The cool tone flowing from her teeth. Her sharply raised eyes.

“Except you.”

“… … .”

Of course, I could do that level of acting.

But I didn’t necessarily do that.

Because I wanted to make her believe that I was the culprit.

“Because I have a heart of steel. I also enjoy watching horror movies.”

“… … Bullshit.”

Teia twisted the corner of her mouth.

“There is no evidence anyway. I can’t put you in jail based on just circumstantial evidence.”

“Of course there is no evidence. Because I didn’t do it.”

“… … .”

It’s true.

It wasn’t me, it was Growl’s doing.

“good.”

Teia turned around. This time, I called out to her as she began to walk towards the other side of the tracks.

“professor.”

“… … .”

Teia stopped in place and showed me only her side profile.

“There are things in this world that cannot be defeated.”

Something that can’t be won.

To her it’s Libra.

She, who pursued Libra more persistently than anyone else, was defeated in an instant.

By ‘Shelock’.

“… … Read it. Who you serve.”

Instead of answering, Teia threw a bundle of documents at me. It was the Jedrick file that had been flying in through the air using “psychic powers.”

It was a criminal file that contained all the things Jedrick had done in the name of cost-cutting.

There is no need to read this.

Because it’s all already remembered in my head.

“I know best who I serve.”

Hwaruk-!

I burned Teia’s documents with my magic.

* * *

Quantum Mechanic, Jesko received a report from Crow, the third in command, at his residence.

“Can you open a new route?”

“Yes. Here are the relevant documents.”

Crow laid out the documents on the desk. Jesco glanced over them, smoking a cigar.

“Just get to the point.”

“Yes. This is the amount of synthetic magic stones and the power required to increase our area by 5%. Thanks to Belkman joining, we are now able to meet the demand for synthetic magic stones, but… … ”

Crow paused for a moment. Jesco’s eyebrows rose.

“But did it work?”

“… … The current market considers Belkman’s magic stone as a high grade. Therefore, in order to expand the area, concentrated investment is needed there.”

In other words, Belkman is treated better than Jesco.

It means that Belkman is a better technician than Jesco.

“This crazy kid──!”

Face, the second in command who realized it too late, grabbed Crow by the collar. Crow grabbed his thick arms with both hands.

“Let go of this!”

“I told you that I was an educated person, so what are you talking about to the boss now-”

“Hey hey. Let go.”

“… … .”

“What are you doing? Let go.”

Face let go. Crow smoothed out his disheveled tie.

“after…….”

Jesco nodded, exhaling cigar smoke.

“Keep talking. It’s okay.”

“Yes. Of course, the boss’s quality is naturally superior for the top-tier synthetic magic stones. But-”

“Belkman is not uniform.”

“… … Yes. It is homogeneous at a high level.”

Jesco chuckled.

“That’s just his personality. He’s always calm. He doesn’t go out much. He doesn’t let other people in when he’s cooking. He blocks out external stimuli. It’s a bit different from me, who can’t work without music.”

“… … .”

“… … .”

Face and Crow exchanged glances for a moment.

The friendly and intimate way he spoke, as if he was talking to a younger sibling, felt somehow alien.

Is this really the same bleak Jesco who has been so heartless and tearless until now?

“Yes. Well, anyway. The quantity was sold out in 7 days. They also want stable supply contracts in each region. In order to do that, we need to expand the factory… … .”

“Just do it.”

Jesco shrugged his shoulders as if to ask why he was asking such a thing.

“The will of the technician is the issue. Belkman’s ability is one thing, but it’s also about whether Belkman wants to do it, and how long Belkman will be with us-”

“Belkman will stay with us forever. No, he is already ‘us.’”

It was Jesco’s determination. Crow and Face’s eyebrows trembled at the same time.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Desert people are known for their loyalty.”

“Oh, yes… … The workload will increase considerably.”

“I’ll tell you. He likes to work, so it’s okay. Instead, let’s give him a ratio of around 3.5.”

3.5?

Face, who had been mumbling softly in her mouth, took a step forward with a groan in her throat.

“… … But still, Boss. But aren’t you trusting too much?”

“What.”

Jesco’s eyebrows furrowed.

“No, even though we are both desert people. We have served the boss for over 15 years… … If you give 3.5% to someone who has only been here for a month, you can work much more safely if you give 0.5% to our family members.”

“Really? What can you do with the technician’s share?”

“No, the technicians make the stones, but we risk our lives to deliver them. There are also frequent battles. If it’s 0.5%, we can also expand our equipment… … .”

“It’s because of the money, I guess.”

Chijijik-!

Jesko stubbed out his cigar in the ashtray. The veins between his eyebrows stood out purple.

“… … .”

Faith kept her mouth shut.

“Face. You’re living well with what you’re receiving now. Can you use it all for the rest of your life?”

“… … I’m not the only one using it. As you know, my family-”

“Damn, f*ck. That kid is talking too much. Dude, it’s the technicians who need life insurance. There’s a whole truckload of guys out there who’ll take you if your identity is revealed. Don’t you know this shit?”

bang!

Jesco pounded his fist on the desk. Faith pursed her lips and lowered her head.

“sorry.”

“You’re right, boss. It’s always right to treat technicians with respect.”

… … That son of a bitch.

Face turned his eyes and glared at Crow. Crow pretended not to notice and coughed, pulling out the documents from his bosom.

“These are the financial documents required for facility expansion.”

“Uh. Put it down and both of you go out. I’ll ask Belkman now.”

“yes.”

“yes.”

After the two noisy guys left, Jesko sank into his chair.

“Tch. I can’t communicate with those kids.”

Crow’s papers. He doesn’t even read them.

There are so many numbers and letters that I can’t even see them.

What’s with Face? He’s a guy who talks big whenever he opens his mouth, and he spends money like a VIP in the entertainment district.

“……after.”

Jesco sighed and called someone.

Dooroo-dooroo-

The guy picked up before the second beep had even finished. A smile appeared on Jesco’s lips without him knowing.

“Hey, what are you doing right now?”

─Yes, brother. I was just getting ready to work.

A native of the desert like himself, even his name is desert-like and affectionate, ‘Belkman’.

“Oh, then just wait. I have something to say, so I’ll come by later.

Jesco got up and grabbed a few presents to give to the guy.