308. Chain of Command (2)
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Actually, it’s not that impressive to call it a suggestion.
In the end, the ultimate goal is to kill Mobius over there. What I’m doing here now is just a ‘step’ to achieve that goal.
So, in a way, it’s a warning.
“It’s not a big deal.”
[Just hurry up and speak!]
“I also have data that I want to gather by facing Professor Martap. I want to do one ‘experiment’ as well. Will you agree to that?”
Actually, it’s an unreasonable demand.
In the first place, it’s strange to suddenly tell that guy, who is in the position of the subject, to come down. And even more absurd to collect data while facing the other person.
But there is one very clear fact that has been coming down since before.
The guy who’s already gone crazy can’t discern reason.
If I can make him stop what he’s doing right now, I’ll follow anything he says.
[Wait there!]
Before Mobius could respond angrily to that, Klein, holding a megaphone, stepped down from the control seat, determined.
Smiling at Professor Klein, who was coming down on the elevator, he continued.
“Professor Klein.”
“What is it?”
“I heard you’re doing a lot of research related to the brain.”
It was already known to Alpha. He heard that Klein had developed a lot of weapons related to the brain, but that was ultimately to please Mobius, and his main job was brain-related studies. The problem was that he had killed a lot while experimenting with his own unique theory on a living person’s brain.
So, there needed to be a just retribution for that.
‘I think it’s fortunate.’
[…What?]
‘By chance, the subject of the research is the brain.’
[What is this guy up to again…]
Having a conversation with Kallavan inside the Soul Linker, he calmly opened his mouth.
“Can you make one promise?”
“Speak quickly. What is it?”
“Will you cooperate properly in the experiment? Regardless of the results.”
“What nonsense are you talking about? Do you think a researcher-“
“Yes, that’s enough.”
Cutting off Professor Klein, who was about to say something in a very angry manner.
Yes.
Is that what you said?
No complaints?
“My research topic is to see how far a person’s brain can withstand physical shocks.”
“…What?”
In the midst of Professor Klein’s bewildered voice echoing in all directions.
Immediately, the power of the extreme regime, which was strengthened to the limit, was pressed into his skull. It was clearly not as strong as when he had burst open Lord Nicholas’s skull before.
The crumpled head of Dr. Klein thudded loudly against the ground, the sound resonating through the surroundings.
“Cut.”
“…”
“…”
Well, what did you expect?
To the person who willingly sacrificed themselves in the pursuit of their research, I consider this to be an appropriate guillotine.
“After all, he’s not really going to die, so what’s the harm?”
I had heard before that the intention behind these experiments, even while subjecting me to such torture, was to keep me alive.
This should suffice, and the spark of life should still be there.
“…Oh wow.”
In reality, observing Professor Klein writhing in agony with his head blown open, it’s hard to maintain a straight face.
Clearly, he has surpassed the threshold of pain, and the onset of shock symptoms is unmistakable. His uncontrollable convulsions are nearly pitiable.
How he manages to stay alive in this state, and how he can still perceive sensations in that condition, remains a mystery. Advanced science doesn’t seem all that different from magic.
Perhaps these people created me in this state and took pleasure in it amongst themselves.
“So, to put it another way…”
The form I am currently returning to them is exactly as planned by these people to torment me.
As I mentioned before,
In terms of a “warning,” this form is undoubtedly very appropriate.
“…”
I look at Professor Mobius, who is sitting in the control seat, with a faint smile.
He, too, is certainly no fool.
I’m sure he understands the meaning inherent in what I’m doing right now.
“Don’t play tricks that are so transparent. Do you want to die?”
That’s roughly how you could summarize it.
Mobius’ face contorts visibly even from this distance.
Is he feeling rather unpleasant?
[…Seems a bit more serious than that, though?]
Well, that’s even better.
And it seems that Kallivan’s words are not a joke after all, as Mobius, who was sitting in the control seat, gets up.
“Oh.”
Unlike Klain, who had just descended the elevator normally, this guy’s movement is anything but ordinary.
Swinging something that looks like a conductor’s baton, which he always carries with him, a ‘portal’ of some sort materializes before his eyes, and he steps into it.
There’s no use of magic here. It’s probably a product of scientific technology.
As I fix my gaze on Mobius, who appears in the space before me in an instant, he slowly opens his mouth.
“…This could be considered a declaration of war against the Magi, Daud Campbell.”
“You claim to extract data on magic, and yet you’re trying to kill me entirely. Does that make any sense?”
“…”
“Could you stop playing around?”
I chuckle and say that, and again, as Mobius swings his wand, a blue field unfolds around us.
“From the outside, they probably won’t be able to hear our conversation inside.”
And as that barrier unfolds, Mobius speaks in a low voice.
“What do you want, Daud?”
“…”
Without a word, I look in his direction and scratch my cheek.
“Why are you asking what I want?”
“Because it seems like a problem that can be resolved peacefully.”
Such words are followed by an emotionless voice.
“My goal is to continue researching magic that you can control. I admit that the methods so far have been aggressive. I apologize. And if you have any demands, I will do my best to accommodate them.”
“…”
Oh.
Oh?
This is a completely unexpected response.
I was sure he would either have a fit, get angry, or threaten me here. But he’s simply apologizing and willing to meet my demands.
Ah, I see.
But.
But wait.
“Do I look like an idiot to you?”
I calmly utter those words towards the human before me.
Mobius narrows his eyes.
“You and I both know that if you achieve your goal, I’ll be nothing more than a discarded tool for you to use. Don’t try to play innocent with me.”
“If you understand my purpose, you might also agree—”
“Honestly, I can give you that data or whatever you want freely if you manage to convince me.”
…
From Noble mtl dot com
“But.”
The voice trailed off.
“You interfered with people close to me.”
…
“At that point, I couldn’t care less about your goals or whatever it is.”
In truth, unless this guy was a complete fool, he couldn’t be unaware of Astrid and me trying to turn the tables on him.
Despite that, he continued to push forward with this experiment or whatever it was, and even as I constantly rubbed him the wrong way, he maintained his composure, leading to one inevitable conclusion.
This guy attached great importance to researching magi data.
If Astrid Professor didn’t immediately snap his neck, it was only because he feared I might become uncooperative.
“Still, there is one thing I want.”
If I say that…
Then, things get quite interesting.
“The world is full of people who believe what they’re doing is right, and there’s no point in me saying anything to them, is there?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Let’s be honest. Convincing each other is impossible anyway.”
Listening to the villain’s story in painstaking detail was tiresome for both me and that guy.
Instead of doing unproductive things, it would be better to speak candidly with each other.
“Give me one chance to do something, Professor Mobius.”
Mobius let out a dry chuckle.
He probably figured out what I was getting at right away.
“Are you suggesting a duel?”
“If you want to do that, do it as you please, just as you like. Try to defeat me with your vile taste, but on one condition.”
…
“Anything in the Ma Top is at your disposal. Use everything you have. If you win, I will unquestionably cooperate with you. If you find it hard to trust, we can make an ‘oath of the soul’ or a pledge that suits your wicked taste.”
“And, what if I lose?”
Why are you asking such an obvious question?
With a smirk of victory, I reply.
“I will kill you.”
…
“It’s a bit regrettable that I can only do it once.”
Of course.
When I do it, I will do it decisively.
I will make sure it is satisfying enough with just one time.
Anyone who messes with someone’s family will face retaliation.
…
Mobius let out a mocking laugh.
Well then.
Right now, I am.
Sending a declaration of war to the top of the tower. Nothing else.
But, they will probably accept.
That’s why they accepted this ridiculous experiment or whatever it is.
“Or are you going to keep playing around with the professors of the tower like you have been? After suffering two consecutive humiliations?”
From the start, a significant portion of how Mobius controls the tower is through the group’s peculiarities and fear.
But if I keep causing trouble from within and scoring points against them one by one, the longer it continues, the more likely it is to be a loss for my reign.
After a long silence in response to my words, Mobius says,
“…Daud Campbell.”
“Yes.”
“It would be best if you don’t become too arrogant.”
Along with those words, he removes the blue barrier.
“The law of arrogance toppling Mount Tai is not a rule that applies only to us.”
And with those words,
He opens the portal again and disappears inside.
…
Sigh.
Nevertheless, I managed to capture it.
An opportunity to lay my hands on that rascal.
[…However.]
As I kept an eye on Mobius, who was moving away, a voice echoed from the Soul Linker within me.
“How do you plan to handle it, really?”
“Excuse me?”
“They call it Matap, Matap. Up until now, you’ve been handling it like a joke, but it’s a whole different matter when the Matap Leader is genuinely coming to eliminate you. Do you think these guys, with their technology, would come running to do such a thing, even sealing off magic?”
“Yes, I understand.”
I’m sealing off one of my most powerful forces.
However.
Even so, we still have something valuable on our side.
Oh, that’s right.
I should find it at my residence by now.
“…Was there something that remarkable in your residence?”
“Yes, there is.”
My final ace, undoubtedly overlooked even by Matap.
●
“…Daud.”
Supreme Leader Sullen Je said with an incredulous tone.
It’s a reaction to what I just said. My whole body was trembling, and there was even a presence.
“…What did you just say?”
Well, maybe it was a hard concept to grasp.
I tilt my head and repeat my words.
“Let’s merge, Supreme Leader.”
…
“Initially, it might be a bit painful, but we’ll make it work somehow.”
…
Supreme Leader’s body stiffened.